BMW 340i Touring (Shadow Ed)
Discussion
It’s Christmas!
And I’m 40 this year (boooooo!)
So I’ve treated myself to this lovely thing... as always with my car purchases it was a spur of the moment “if I want it, can I drive out of the showroom today?” style of purchase. Reasonable deal as a run out model and spec was close to what I would do myself...
And I’m 40 this year (boooooo!)
So I’ve treated myself to this lovely thing... as always with my car purchases it was a spur of the moment “if I want it, can I drive out of the showroom today?” style of purchase. Reasonable deal as a run out model and spec was close to what I would do myself...
Edited by DoubleSix on Sunday 23 December 18:44
They were doing some storming deals on these a month or so ago when we were looking to move from diesel but they weren't available with 4wd like the 335d and when we looked at the 540i X-Drive we were less than impressed by some of the build quality for the additional costs.
Congrats on your purchase (I've reached the point where i buy cars in a very similar way to you now), and look forward to the updates.
How's the spec bar what can be seen?
Congrats on your purchase (I've reached the point where i buy cars in a very similar way to you now), and look forward to the updates.
How's the spec bar what can be seen?
Thx chaps,
Obviously, I didn't spec it myself so it isn't what I would consider perfect, but I'm happy to compromise on these things if it's 85% right. Can also be interesting trying out options you'd never dream of ticking yourself!
The Shadow Edition adds a lot of little bits & pieces, spec as follows:
- Black Sapphire
- Panoramic glass roof
- Ext Mirrors Folding with anti-dazzle
- Sports Seats
- Extended Storage
- Heated front seats
- Pro Nav
- Online Entertainment
- Black Panel Display full
- M-Sport Suspension, styling, ex-trim etc
- Media Pack
- Coral Red Leather (really like the subtle tone of this against the black. Also once the ambient lighting is switched to 'classic' orange it creates a lovely glow)
- LED headlights with high beam assist
So, personally would have optioned Adaptive Suspension as opposed to Pan Roof, and I likely would have also had adaptive headlights but these weren't deal breakers. A lack of Pro Nav would have scuppered things!
It literally hasn't stopped raining here in the South West so I haven't been able to really 'test' it properly yet. The most notable thing for me so far is the improvement in ride quality over older models and coming from an A4 the contrast is marked.
Obviously, I didn't spec it myself so it isn't what I would consider perfect, but I'm happy to compromise on these things if it's 85% right. Can also be interesting trying out options you'd never dream of ticking yourself!
The Shadow Edition adds a lot of little bits & pieces, spec as follows:
- Black Sapphire
- Panoramic glass roof
- Ext Mirrors Folding with anti-dazzle
- Sports Seats
- Extended Storage
- Heated front seats
- Pro Nav
- Online Entertainment
- Black Panel Display full
- M-Sport Suspension, styling, ex-trim etc
- Media Pack
- Coral Red Leather (really like the subtle tone of this against the black. Also once the ambient lighting is switched to 'classic' orange it creates a lovely glow)
- LED headlights with high beam assist
So, personally would have optioned Adaptive Suspension as opposed to Pan Roof, and I likely would have also had adaptive headlights but these weren't deal breakers. A lack of Pro Nav would have scuppered things!
It literally hasn't stopped raining here in the South West so I haven't been able to really 'test' it properly yet. The most notable thing for me so far is the improvement in ride quality over older models and coming from an A4 the contrast is marked.
Edited by DoubleSix on Sunday 23 December 19:29
HM-2 said:
Is this a pre- or post-particulate filter one? If pre, budget for the MPSSK- they sound fantastic and the power bump definitely feels more than ~40bhp.
Coral is definitely the "right" interior colour for the F20/F30 series, shame they've discontinued it on the last F20s.
It's got a build date of November 2018 and 10 miles on the clock so reckon that it'll have the filter.Coral is definitely the "right" interior colour for the F20/F30 series, shame they've discontinued it on the last F20s.
I'm happy now but the option to add the MPSSK is certainly something I would have liked for a bit later on - is it really completely off the table?
Lovely car, looks stealthy in black with the dark trim.
If you’re keeping it, you could either fit just a back box, or a full system and map out the filter, although I don’t know the legality on that and if it’d cause issues later.
DoubleSix said:
It's got a build date of November 2018 and 10 miles on the clock so reckon that it'll have the filter.
I'm happy now but the option to add the MPSSK is certainly something I would have liked for a bit later on - is it really completely off the table?
Unfortunately it won’t work. The exhaust in the kit is a full car back, removing the two front most boxes. On the PPF cars, the front box is replaced with the filter, so it’d remove that and I guess cause all kinds of issues without it being mapped out. I'm happy now but the option to add the MPSSK is certainly something I would have liked for a bit later on - is it really completely off the table?
If you’re keeping it, you could either fit just a back box, or a full system and map out the filter, although I don’t know the legality on that and if it’d cause issues later.
So I'm 600 miles into the painful run-in period (although I may have strayed towards the red line once or twice)...
Starting to get a better feel for the vehicle and gel with it a bit more. Coming from long-term manual gearbox use the auto has taken a little getting used to. I've added the OEM rubber mats for winter use.
For a big car it handled some narrow B roads with aplomb on a blast last night but nothing close to nimble of course - I can see this being a great GT-alike for summer hols though and I do a fair few miles for work. I'm quite impressed with the ride on the passive M-Sport set up and 19s.
I note the hesitancy when planting the foot from a standstill as has been commented elsewhere on the web. Perhaps something I will learn to drive around in time, but definitely present.
I was hoping for a bit more noise. No pops or crackles here. Perhaps a symptom of post-June regulation as noted above... AWE do a nice back box and mid pipe but not sure how such a thing would affect warranty, MOT etc. Something for a bit further down the road, but I can see me doing this before adding power as the car doesn't want for oompf! Just some more noise whilst doing it would be nice. My wife now has my 130i with BMW Performance exhaust and intake and that thing sounds epic in comparison to the 340i at present.
Could do with pointers on the following small user issues from other owners on here if possible:
- when I push the selector across to M/S the car obviously holds revs in auto and allows me to intervene manually, however once I've done so it doesn't seem to return to Sport Auto as I would expect after a while. It just stays in Sport Manual mode. Normal? I find myself moving the selector back across and then into M/S again to get back to Sport Auto. EDIT: Manual says using a paddle when in M/S engages permanent manual mode so I guess that explains that...
- I have the extended media pack and voice control. It is good for selecting tracks through Deezer via voice control. However, if I go back to the radial input dial having done this the little microphone option isn't always on the dial... ideas? (I'm touching the mic icon bottom left of the screen at the moment which isn't ideal). Feels like I'm not doing it right. I tried using the voice button on the steering wheel but it ends up making a phone call rather than selecting another track via the media system... do I need a certain voice command or something??
- Do people leave their pan roof covers open all the time? I have been, but it edges forward an inch or two when I hold down the lock button on the fob to close mirrors. Seem this may cause unnecessary wear and tear over time... perhaps best to leave closed, but would rather leave open if possible as again opening all the time for a bit of light will just wear the motors.
- Any way of disabling rear cabin reading light? My three year old won't stop playing with it...
- Any way of changing the Auto Start/Stop to kick in at 10mph instead of the default 5mph (dealer coding perhaps?)
Starting to get a better feel for the vehicle and gel with it a bit more. Coming from long-term manual gearbox use the auto has taken a little getting used to. I've added the OEM rubber mats for winter use.
For a big car it handled some narrow B roads with aplomb on a blast last night but nothing close to nimble of course - I can see this being a great GT-alike for summer hols though and I do a fair few miles for work. I'm quite impressed with the ride on the passive M-Sport set up and 19s.
I note the hesitancy when planting the foot from a standstill as has been commented elsewhere on the web. Perhaps something I will learn to drive around in time, but definitely present.
I was hoping for a bit more noise. No pops or crackles here. Perhaps a symptom of post-June regulation as noted above... AWE do a nice back box and mid pipe but not sure how such a thing would affect warranty, MOT etc. Something for a bit further down the road, but I can see me doing this before adding power as the car doesn't want for oompf! Just some more noise whilst doing it would be nice. My wife now has my 130i with BMW Performance exhaust and intake and that thing sounds epic in comparison to the 340i at present.
Could do with pointers on the following small user issues from other owners on here if possible:
- when I push the selector across to M/S the car obviously holds revs in auto and allows me to intervene manually, however once I've done so it doesn't seem to return to Sport Auto as I would expect after a while. It just stays in Sport Manual mode. Normal? I find myself moving the selector back across and then into M/S again to get back to Sport Auto. EDIT: Manual says using a paddle when in M/S engages permanent manual mode so I guess that explains that...
- I have the extended media pack and voice control. It is good for selecting tracks through Deezer via voice control. However, if I go back to the radial input dial having done this the little microphone option isn't always on the dial... ideas? (I'm touching the mic icon bottom left of the screen at the moment which isn't ideal). Feels like I'm not doing it right. I tried using the voice button on the steering wheel but it ends up making a phone call rather than selecting another track via the media system... do I need a certain voice command or something??
- Do people leave their pan roof covers open all the time? I have been, but it edges forward an inch or two when I hold down the lock button on the fob to close mirrors. Seem this may cause unnecessary wear and tear over time... perhaps best to leave closed, but would rather leave open if possible as again opening all the time for a bit of light will just wear the motors.
- Any way of disabling rear cabin reading light? My three year old won't stop playing with it...
- Any way of changing the Auto Start/Stop to kick in at 10mph instead of the default 5mph (dealer coding perhaps?)
Edited by DoubleSix on Thursday 3rd January 15:44
Edited by DoubleSix on Thursday 3rd January 15:46
That's lovely!
I really wanted a touring before I bought my 730D, but couldn't find any I liked for the budget I had in mind, at that time
However, this may change later this year and one of these could be a serious contender; I'll have the full amount, but PCP could make sense, but will need to look into it more
Just not sure I'd go black... Vowed never to go down that route again haha
I really wanted a touring before I bought my 730D, but couldn't find any I liked for the budget I had in mind, at that time
However, this may change later this year and one of these could be a serious contender; I'll have the full amount, but PCP could make sense, but will need to look into it more
Just not sure I'd go black... Vowed never to go down that route again haha
Quick update.
Have been enjoying the car on my 20 mile each way commute. Lovely way to cover ground and perfect to turn up to client meetings in a car that is suitably understated but a with serious hidden grunt.
I’ve done some coding using BimmerCode App and Bluetooth adapter which was a bit of a revelation in its ease;
- rear leds on as DRL
- auto stop/start memory (remembers the off position!)
- video in motion
- digital speedo at actual speed
Just about through the run in period so looking forward to exploring the upper rev range and paddle shifters some more. I am however yearning for bit more noise... I see an akro or something in the future, recommendations welcome. Here she is after first wash:
Have been enjoying the car on my 20 mile each way commute. Lovely way to cover ground and perfect to turn up to client meetings in a car that is suitably understated but a with serious hidden grunt.
I’ve done some coding using BimmerCode App and Bluetooth adapter which was a bit of a revelation in its ease;
- rear leds on as DRL
- auto stop/start memory (remembers the off position!)
- video in motion
- digital speedo at actual speed
Just about through the run in period so looking forward to exploring the upper rev range and paddle shifters some more. I am however yearning for bit more noise... I see an akro or something in the future, recommendations welcome. Here she is after first wash:
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