2014 BMW F30 330d Xdrive - Mineral grey

[Cliff J]

d_a_n1979 said:

Cliff J said:

If this was a RWD Msport I’d have left the suspension height, but these sit ridiculously high on the Xdrive suspension.
I understand the mods are not for everyone, that’s cool, no issues here.

Agree that the xDrive's sit silly high; wollowy too on the softer springs

I did a full overhaul on my RWD F31 with Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro kit springs and the car, IMO, sits perfectly now. Not silly low, still clears speed humps with no issues

At some point I’ll go BC coilovers and set my height a little higher, apart from monster speed humps it clears everything and handles very well, but I need it raised 10mm approx to make it a lot more less stressful.

Love an F31 that’s done well!

[Cliff J]

Dms86 said:

Love a BMW with a red leather interior. I am surprised you can get so much car for the money. What is the tax?

The red leather was a bonus, really cheers up my day getting into the car.
Tax is £160 pa.

I originally looked about with £8500, but the standard of car was pretty poor. I upped my budget to 9k and found this one at 10k, negotiated down to 9k pretty easily! Bargain!

[d_a_n1979]

Cliff J said:

d_a_n1979 said:

That's a lovely motor

Good spec too

For me the 403Ms look much better; I binned them on my F31 as they were gloss black and just don't like the finish; but I run 18s all year (405Ms for summers, 397s for winters); 19s and my local roads don't mix

I'm also in agreement that leave the DPF as it is; and the EGR etc; someone like Simon at eMaps will soon have your car remapped well and it'll suit the car perfectly; without the need to remove anything

This is my second F30 330d and the second time of binning off my 403m wheels, I just can’t stand them!

They are heavy lumps!

[d_a_n1979]

Cliff J said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Cliff J said:

If this was a RWD Msport I’d have left the suspension height, but these sit ridiculously high on the Xdrive suspension.
I understand the mods are not for everyone, that’s cool, no issues here.

Agree that the xDrive's sit silly high; wollowy too on the softer springs

I did a full overhaul on my RWD F31 with Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro kit springs and the car, IMO, sits perfectly now. Not silly low, still clears speed humps with no issues

At some point I’ll go BC coilovers and set my height a little higher, apart from monster speed humps it clears everything and handles very well, but I need it raised 10mm approx to make it a lot more less stressful.

Love an F31 that’s done well!

Cheers

Yes coilovers will be better for getting them absolutely dialled in...

Consider the ST coilovers if you're looking at BCs

Both good; but the BCs of late seem to be corroding like crazy; my pals had so many cars in with the fitted that they've had to bin off as they were seized solid

The Bilstein B14s could be a good choice too; firm but ride well, unless you've got a lot of B road driving in your area then maybe too firm

[Cliff J]

Yeah yeah, it’s Marmite, I get it !!

[Cliff J]

[d_a_n1979]

Cliff J said:

Yeah yeah, it’s Marmite, I get it !!

Sits superbly

[cerb4.5lee]

That sits really nice I reckon.

They are one of my all time favourite BMW wheels as well. Although I'd go silver or maybe a gunmetal grey rather than black though.

Enjoy the car.

[Cliff J]

d_a_n1979 said:

Sits superbly

Thank you. Thankfully the new tyre size has slightly raised my ride height by about 10mm, so it’s a lot more speed hump friendly now.

[Cliff J]

cerb4.5lee said:

That sits really nice I reckon.

They are one of my all time favourite BMW wheels as well. Although I'd go silver or maybe a gunmetal grey rather than black though.

Enjoy the car.

I’ll never say never, but ultimately I’ll go for the M2, M3 wheels (437m) in a silver/black combo.

[Cliff J]

Just wanted to add a small comparison from purchase in May, to yesterday.
It’s not for everyone but very much how I like a car to look and drive.

[cerb4.5lee]

I really like how you've put your own stamp on it.

[adilkhalifa]

I love what you've done to the car, some really tasteful mods. How do you find the X drive handles now that it's lowered?

[TheDoggingFather]

Mineral grey with with coral interior is a fantastic combination.

With regards to the wheels, my personal preference for colouring is anthracite, but on a grey car, anthracite to my mind clashes. Black, you lose the detail of the wheel and silver is all just a bit too cheerful and bright.

The ride height looks fantastic, the F30 definitely needs to sit a touch lower for sure.

[Cliff J]

adilkhalifa said:

I love what you've done to the car, some really tasteful mods. How do you find the X drive handles now that it's lowered?

Thank you, nothing crazy, just a few subtle changes.
The Xdrive was okay but it had a lot of body roll, I felt it was nowhere near as stable as a normal RWD F30, but now it’s just superb with the springs.

[Cliff J]

cerb4.5lee said:

I really like how you've put your own stamp on it.

Stamped! Haha, yeah, I love a bit of modification and personalisaton.

[Cliff J]

TheDoggingFather said:

Mineral grey with with coral interior is a fantastic combination.

With regards to the wheels, my personal preference for colouring is anthracite, but on a grey car, anthracite to my mind clashes. Black, you lose the detail of the wheel and silver is all just a bit too cheerful and bright.

The ride height looks fantastic, the F30 definitely needs to sit a touch lower for sure.

What colour on my car would you have chosen?
I’m actually considering my next set to be black wheels with diamond cut faces (437m M2/M3 wheels).

[TheDoggingFather]

Cliff J said:

TheDoggingFather said:

Mineral grey with with coral interior is a fantastic combination.

With regards to the wheels, my personal preference for colouring is anthracite, but on a grey car, anthracite to my mind clashes. Black, you lose the detail of the wheel and silver is all just a bit too cheerful and bright.

The ride height looks fantastic, the F30 definitely needs to sit a touch lower for sure.

What colour on my car would you have chosen?
I’m actually considering my next set to be black wheels with diamond cut faces (437m M2/M3 wheels).

I think silver would actually work well.

Not a fan of diamond cut, as they seem to get water behind the lacquer then ruins the look

[Cliff J]

I gave the car it’s first wash since purchase, I’ve left it this long whilst I was fiddling with it, still needs a polish and in depth detail, it’s crazy how this car looks a different colour in different light!

[Cliff J]

Call me what you like but I just did not bond with the new wheels (763m reps), so I’ve sold them and bought a set of genuine BMW M3 437m wheels in 19x9 ET29 and 19x10 ET40 with Michelin PSS 255/35/19 and 275/35/19.

The tyres are coming off and I’m downsizing them to 235/40/19 and 265/35/19, which also gives under the 1% max rolling radius difference front and rear to protect the Xdrive transfer box.

Some people will still not like them but that’s cool.