Discussion
Thinking of getting one of these as a daily commute wagon. I'll wait a few months until the nicest ones are nearer 15k though (once the new model coupe comes out 
).
Was in Sytner Wycombe on Saturday trying the seating position in their showroom model. Does the pedal offset bother anyone? Seems less offset in the coupe than the saloon though. Sytner had a brand new Alpina D3 in - looked interesting for the money. The bling wheels aren't for me though, and it was a new shape 4 door.
Any hints on things to avoid? Is the M-sport suspension too hard? I'd love one in Imola Red, grey or black leather and a few toys
Why are all BMWs such boring colours? Black/silver/grey? Yawn.
I don't want a 330D or a Saloon/Touring before anyone starts on about how fast they are. I don't need the speed as this is a second car (or first car depending on how you look at it).
). Was in Sytner Wycombe on Saturday trying the seating position in their showroom model. Does the pedal offset bother anyone? Seems less offset in the coupe than the saloon though. Sytner had a brand new Alpina D3 in - looked interesting for the money. The bling wheels aren't for me though, and it was a new shape 4 door.
Any hints on things to avoid? Is the M-sport suspension too hard? I'd love one in Imola Red, grey or black leather and a few toys
Why are all BMWs such boring colours? Black/silver/grey? Yawn. I don't want a 330D or a Saloon/Touring before anyone starts on about how fast they are. I don't need the speed as this is a second car (or first car depending on how you look at it).
I have one, mine is an ex demo and so is pretty loaded, the things I would not bother with are..
Bluetooth prep, it really is not very good the quality of the microphone is dreadful (my business parter has a saloon with the same kit and has the same issues).
forget the HK sound stuff unless it happens to be there as it does not make that much difference unless you crank it up in which case the speakers buzz!
Xenon lights make a huge difference
split seats are a must
CD autochanger is good
torches are £5 on ebay
Mine has the M sport kit, the ride is firm but I don't have a problem with it and it is quite chuckable for such a big lump. I would not have a normal SE set up.
The M tech 18" alloys are buggers to clean
D
Bluetooth prep, it really is not very good the quality of the microphone is dreadful (my business parter has a saloon with the same kit and has the same issues).
forget the HK sound stuff unless it happens to be there as it does not make that much difference unless you crank it up in which case the speakers buzz!
Xenon lights make a huge difference
split seats are a must
CD autochanger is good
torches are £5 on ebay
Mine has the M sport kit, the ride is firm but I don't have a problem with it and it is quite chuckable for such a big lump. I would not have a normal SE set up.
The M tech 18" alloys are buggers to clean
D
I have an '04 320D saloon and rather that go for an SE or Sport I chose the specific options I really wanted. I learned a few things along the way that may help. I've done 40k miles in 18 months, half on the continent, so think I have a pretty informed view.
- The seating position only feels offset in the showroom. In normal driving with your left foot on the dead pedal I find it unnoticable.
- The Bluetooth preparation seems expensive but actually includes the multi-function wheel which includes cruise control - usually £250 on its own.
- The M-Suspension is a must have, car handles beautifully with this
- 17" Wheels are half the cost of 18"s and tramline much less with a relatively small trade off in control/grip
- Sports seats are a good thing but avoid electrically adjustable ones if you're tall, they sit a good few inches higher due to the motors underneath
- The HK stereo upgrade is great (although it sounds crap for the 3 months until the speakers run-in). You can add a multi-changer to any radio for about £250 - the wiring is usually already there.
- Trip computers rule
- The car does an easy 140mph on trips to Munich
- Changing from factory Bridgetones to Michelin Pilot on 17"s is a bad thing. More grip, much less stability
- Park assist sensors don't work if you approach the corner of an underground car park pillar ... ask me how I know.
- The short rev range of the diesel engine is made worse if you get the 6-speed gearbox from the ES or Sport. Its not a deal breaker and easy to drive around but it reminds you why petrol is better.
- It's rear wheel drive, does 40+mpg however I drive it and is always, always fun.
Marco
- The seating position only feels offset in the showroom. In normal driving with your left foot on the dead pedal I find it unnoticable.
- The Bluetooth preparation seems expensive but actually includes the multi-function wheel which includes cruise control - usually £250 on its own.
- The M-Suspension is a must have, car handles beautifully with this
- 17" Wheels are half the cost of 18"s and tramline much less with a relatively small trade off in control/grip
- Sports seats are a good thing but avoid electrically adjustable ones if you're tall, they sit a good few inches higher due to the motors underneath
- The HK stereo upgrade is great (although it sounds crap for the 3 months until the speakers run-in). You can add a multi-changer to any radio for about £250 - the wiring is usually already there.
- Trip computers rule
- The car does an easy 140mph on trips to Munich
- Changing from factory Bridgetones to Michelin Pilot on 17"s is a bad thing. More grip, much less stability
- Park assist sensors don't work if you approach the corner of an underground car park pillar ... ask me how I know.
- The short rev range of the diesel engine is made worse if you get the 6-speed gearbox from the ES or Sport. Its not a deal breaker and easy to drive around but it reminds you why petrol is better.
- It's rear wheel drive, does 40+mpg however I drive it and is always, always fun.
Marco
baz1985 said:
HK is pants ...
It's interesting you say that and I wonder whether you have only heard it in a new car? The reason I ask is that I owned a 330Ci with a HK upgrade and loved it enough to order it on my 320. But when it arrived I actually took it back twice to be checked becasue it sounded so poor. Then after about 3 months of regretting the 650 odd quid of option money I'd wasted, it gradually began to sound much much better. Everyone who rode in the car regularly commented on the difference.
Home hi-fi speakers need a length of time to run in and I can only assume its the same case here. One of my colleagues ordered the standard stereo and it sounds truely dreadful in comparison.
It is truely a bitch to upgrade further though!
Marco
marco said:
HK is pants ...
It's interesting you say that and I wonder whether you have only heard it in a new car? The reason I ask is that I owned a 330Ci with a HK upgrade and loved it enough to order it on my 320. But when it arrived I actually took it back twice to be checked becasue it sounded so poor. Then after about 3 months of regretting the 650 odd quid of option money I'd wasted, it gradually began to sound much much better. Everyone who rode in the car regularly commented on the difference.
Home hi-fi speakers need a length of time to run in and I can only assume its the same case here. One of my colleagues ordered the standard stereo and it sounds truely dreadful in comparison.
It is truely a bitch to upgrade further though!
Marco
My E46 330 has HK (it is 3yrs old), it is no better than the Business unit in my past E46 318. Infact I prefer the Business unit at least one change/add to the existing components without having to ditch the whole setup. It is the 'buzziness' that annoys me with the HK most. And the sub is truly awful (I'm not into ChavSounds per se!). But I'll be adding a Infinity BassLink when finances allow
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