BMW 330i (F30)
Discussion
Being locked down, time to start a thread....
A few weeks ago, I got a new (to me) car. Maybe not the most sane choice after all that has happened, but hey ho...
I was on the lookout for a nice 340i, but with it being a daily driver decided to settle on a 330i instead. It's an LCI Sport Shadow 330i, in Blue Hera Mica, with an Oyster interior. F30 x30i models got the 2litre turbocharged B48 engine (N20 in the preLCI), so they are not 6-cyl anymore. It's got pretty good spec to begin with, plus a few nice extras. I was after the LEDs and the M-Sport Plus package that gives you the "better" brakes, this one has these plus a digital cluster, a HUD, heated steering wheel etc.
Pictures from the dealer:
Interior:
And here it is parked after picking it up:
(Big) Brakes:
Digital cluster (a bit of a gimmick if you ask me but anyway):
Centre console:
Plans:
-Fit a red start button for that extra chavtastic flavour.
-Annoyingly, that era of BMW headunits did not support Android Auto. There are interface modules that add AA and Carplay, but most of them are geared towards CIC/NBT units. Mine is a later NBT EVO running ID6, however I've managed to track down a solution. I've had two ges at installing (first one failed due to the instructions being wrong, second failed because the Android Auto side on my phone kept crashing. Hopefully third time's the charm and everything works. Space is a bit tight, so I might have to drop the glovebox.
-Small, discrete spoiler for the bootlid
-Possibly a BM3 tune; we'll see how the whole COVID situation pans out, as things are very uncertain.
A few weeks ago, I got a new (to me) car. Maybe not the most sane choice after all that has happened, but hey ho...
I was on the lookout for a nice 340i, but with it being a daily driver decided to settle on a 330i instead. It's an LCI Sport Shadow 330i, in Blue Hera Mica, with an Oyster interior. F30 x30i models got the 2litre turbocharged B48 engine (N20 in the preLCI), so they are not 6-cyl anymore. It's got pretty good spec to begin with, plus a few nice extras. I was after the LEDs and the M-Sport Plus package that gives you the "better" brakes, this one has these plus a digital cluster, a HUD, heated steering wheel etc.
Pictures from the dealer:
Interior:
And here it is parked after picking it up:
(Big) Brakes:
Digital cluster (a bit of a gimmick if you ask me but anyway):
Centre console:
Plans:
-Fit a red start button for that extra chavtastic flavour.
-Annoyingly, that era of BMW headunits did not support Android Auto. There are interface modules that add AA and Carplay, but most of them are geared towards CIC/NBT units. Mine is a later NBT EVO running ID6, however I've managed to track down a solution. I've had two ges at installing (first one failed due to the instructions being wrong, second failed because the Android Auto side on my phone kept crashing. Hopefully third time's the charm and everything works. Space is a bit tight, so I might have to drop the glovebox.
-Small, discrete spoiler for the bootlid
-Possibly a BM3 tune; we'll see how the whole COVID situation pans out, as things are very uncertain.
So, start button 
Most guides suggested prising the cap off, however I was weary of doing damage to it. I considered it much easier to just take the entire switch pack out and disassemble it, after all I've been doing this at work for years
So, using my trim removal tools, here's the button pack, you can see the 4 clips that hold it together:
After taking it apart, this is the back of the switch:
You can see two little clips that hold the button cap to the rest of the unit, after you prise these off you can swap the buttons over.
Job jobbed:
Spent 2.5 hours last night fitting the Android Auto interface box, I dropped the glovebox this time to fit everything in. It works, sort of, but it's buggy. I'll see if I can resolve them with the supplier, otherwise I'll return it.
Bugs:
1. Touchscreen doesn't work on the AA side, even though it's meant to.
2. After shifting out of reverse, the screen momentarily goes black and a "No signal" message appears. I am assuming this is a buggy implementantion of rear view camera functionality.
3. AA side is stretched horizontally.
Most guides suggested prising the cap off, however I was weary of doing damage to it. I considered it much easier to just take the entire switch pack out and disassemble it, after all I've been doing this at work for years
So, using my trim removal tools, here's the button pack, you can see the 4 clips that hold it together:
After taking it apart, this is the back of the switch:
You can see two little clips that hold the button cap to the rest of the unit, after you prise these off you can swap the buttons over.
Job jobbed:
Spent 2.5 hours last night fitting the Android Auto interface box, I dropped the glovebox this time to fit everything in. It works, sort of, but it's buggy. I'll see if I can resolve them with the supplier, otherwise I'll return it.
Bugs:
1. Touchscreen doesn't work on the AA side, even though it's meant to.
2. After shifting out of reverse, the screen momentarily goes black and a "No signal" message appears. I am assuming this is a buggy implementantion of rear view camera functionality.
3. AA side is stretched horizontally.
okenemem said:
lovely color , shame about the 2.0 engine
I don't mind the engine and I have it in a Mini Cooper S(manual). I've also driven a G30 530i with this engine mated to the ZF8 auto...and I found it to be really smooth and a nice combination. It is torquey and fuel efficient...two things that my old N52 E90 330i wasn't in my experience. I can understand why many miss the old 3 litre NA engine though, and that is lovely and smooth and it makes a very nice noise(although it was a little bit too muted for me).
Thanks guys.
Obviously I would have preferred a 340i. I test-drove a 340i and yes, it is a very nice engine with an amazing soundtrack (esp. at startup), but realistically speaking in my daily commute I wouldn't be able to use it to its full potential. Plus, there is a small mpg benefit. In any case, within my price range I would either have to get one with higher mileage, or lower spec, or a combination of both. There were none in any interesting colours in the AUC domain, especially interior-wise: 95% are black leather with black dash and black headliner, a combination which is, well, very black.
Regarding the Android Auto interface: the one on the car now (the buggy one) is provided by a company called Xcarlink. I've spoken to another company, Integrated Automotive, and they appear more responsive. I might try their product as they are confident theirs is more mature. Proof is in the pudding, so we'll see.
Obviously I would have preferred a 340i. I test-drove a 340i and yes, it is a very nice engine with an amazing soundtrack (esp. at startup), but realistically speaking in my daily commute I wouldn't be able to use it to its full potential. Plus, there is a small mpg benefit. In any case, within my price range I would either have to get one with higher mileage, or lower spec, or a combination of both. There were none in any interesting colours in the AUC domain, especially interior-wise: 95% are black leather with black dash and black headliner, a combination which is, well, very black.
Regarding the Android Auto interface: the one on the car now (the buggy one) is provided by a company called Xcarlink. I've spoken to another company, Integrated Automotive, and they appear more responsive. I might try their product as they are confident theirs is more mature. Proof is in the pudding, so we'll see.
That's the first thing I did actually! Coded a few things such as autofold for the mirrors, cornering lights, acoustic feedback setting for locking etc.
Active Sound Design I haven't touched yet. Now that you mention it though, I remember when I had a 430i rental in Switzerland a few years ago the artificial sound was far more intrusive than on mine, maybe the previous owner had it coded off. I'll check it out
Coded a few things such as autofold for the mirrors, cornering lights, acoustic feedback setting for locking etc. Active Sound Design I haven't touched yet. Now that you mention it though, I remember when I had a 430i rental in Switzerland a few years ago the artificial sound was far more intrusive than on mine, maybe the previous owner had it coded off. I'll check it out
Yes, pretty rare indeed, I think it was quite expensive as an option. In general, higher than average spec on F30s is very rare, probably because of the 40k threshold. For example, loads don't have power folding mirrors, split seats etc.
Regarding fuel consumption, that readout was from when I picked it up from the dealer. A trip of 50 or so miles while getting used to it meant that it was driven very sedately.
Regarding fuel consumption, that readout was from when I picked it up from the dealer. A trip of 50 or so miles while getting used to it meant that it was driven very sedately.
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