[shortie]

Going to uses this first post as an editable index for quick reference so please bear with me.

Well Thursday 9th FEBRUARY 2012 i took a drive down to Derby to collect my new motor.... A Black BMW 320i M Sport (Auto) with 32k on the clock, SH, Bluetooth.

Now i know the 320i is not the most favoured engine on this forum thanks to its coil packs and injectors, but after 6 years of diesel ownership, for the miles i do, i just couldn’t justify the premium for the diesel equivalent. Also, when things go wrong on the diesel, they tend to be a more expensive fix. I know it will never be described as being fast but its adequate for my needs.


Appendix

Post 18 @ 33338 miles Vehicle Dropped @ Dealer with intermittent misfire (coilpack replaced).
Post 41 @ 33783 miles New Brake discs and pads on all 4 corners.
Post 42 @ 34187 miles Oil & Filter Change - BMW OEM filter, Mobile ESP 1 5W30 Fully Synthetic Oil.
Post 49 @ 34291 miles VIPER Alarm / Immobiliser install and stage 1 OBD secured.
Post 51 @ 35011 miles Dash warning light on, Codes CC-ID 24 & CC-ID 35. (New ABS sensor, new DTC pump, New NO2 sensor all under warranty)
Post 60 @ 37249 miles Winter wheels arrived (OEM BMW style 285)
Post 64 @ 37515 miles Serviced by Park Valley; Oil & filter - Mobile ESP 1 5W30 Fully Synthetic Oil, Pollen filter, Air filter, Coolant Change, Brake fluid change (All OEM bmw parts).
Post 65 @ 37583 miles Air con system cleaned with Normfest.
Post 66 @ 37699 miles Winter tyres arrived (Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme - 225/45 R17 94V XL TL)
Post 67 @ 37843 miles Fitted new BOSCH Flat Wiper Blades

[shortie]

09/02/12 @ 32726 miles


This weekend it has had a dam good clean, best part of 12 hours over the weekend with the wheels off and callipers painted silver.
Here a a few photos whilst cleaning

[shortie]

And a few photos post clean

[shortie]

A few shots of the interior

First up were some new mats, really pleased with the fit and quality for the money, nice and thick.




Also some car seat covers as i found the studs on my jeans kept catching the light leather and i didn’t want to ruin it. Not really keen on them, don’t do the interior any justice so looking for new ideas at the earliest opportunity.

[AlanQS]

Ah! Snow foam and IronX !

Very nice car. Stop wearing jeans.

[CarAbuser]

You're mad doing a full clean at this time of the year!

I'm holding off until they stop dumping salt all over the place before I go for the big detail. It only takes 10 miles of motorway and the car is almost completely white.

[wayne71]

Nice results, I really need to do some reading up on detailing as that looks stunning.

Not sure about the seat covers, I think I'd rather sit there bollock naked than fit those covers

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by wayne71

Nice results, I really need to do some reading up on detailing as that looks stunning.

Not sure about the seat covers, I think I'd rather sit there bollock naked than fit those covers

I'm not sure about the seat covers either but I'd rather see them than you sitting there Bollock naked

[makkan00]

Looking great. About the seat covers, it does not justify the amount you paid for this car and then covering seats all over :P
What mods are on your list?
Where did you get the mats from, as my driver one keep slipping forward. If you dont mind sharing it, please send me pm.
Glad to see another 320i on the road.

[shortie]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

Ah! Snow foam and IronX !

Very nice car. Stop wearing jeans.

Yep, Snow Foam is always great fun, and Iron X looks cool lol

Originally Posted by CarAbuser

You're mad doing a full clean at this time of the year!

I'm holding off until they stop dumping salt all over the place before I go for the big detail. It only takes 10 miles of motorway and the car is almost completely white.

Agreed in an ideal work, but it needed doing as it was ridiculously swirly and i just couldnt wait lol

Originally Posted by wayne71

Nice results, I really need to do some reading up on detailing as that looks stunning.

Not sure about the seat covers, I think I'd rather sit there bollock naked than fit those covers

Agreed, they are temporary at the moment whilst looking for alternatives.

Originally Posted by IanS100

I'm not sure about the seat covers either but I'd rather see them than you sitting there Bollock naked

Agreed pmsl

[shortie]

Originally Posted by makkan00

Looking great. About the seat covers, it does not justify the amount you paid for this car and then covering seats all over :P
What mods are on your list?
Where did you get the mats from, as my driver one keep slipping forward. If you dont mind sharing it, please send me pm.
Glad to see another 320i on the road.

Cheers mate, i agree about the seat covers, maybe just worrying too much about wrecking the leather :

12 month warranty so keeping mods pretty simple for now. Once expires Looking to get remap and filter for that extra little bit of poke (Nothing serious as i know its no monster). Get rid of the RFT's and also a second set of wheels with winter tyres. The front bumper could do with a respray in the next 12 months due to stone chips. Electric fold mirrors. New alarm / immobiliser / traker (looking at options) as i know that there have been countless BMW thefts in the Birmingham area where either the ECU has been replaced or a new key recoded.

Got the mates from this company; great service and delivered within 48 hours.

http://www.simplycarmats.co.uk

[dxb335d]

Looks lovely mate!

[Baby Dave]

Looks nice

[shortie]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Looks lovely mate!

Originally Posted by Baby Dave

Looks nice

Cheers guys

[MEGA]

Looks nice. I'd not bother with the remap or filter. You get about 4 bhp on that engine and won't notice it.

Do a couple of nice cosmetic mods with the money.. Rear light darkline upgrade.. a small boot spoiler would be the first 2 suggestions

[RagingKileak]

Nice one mate. Whatever your choice of car, it's nice to see someone take pride in what is still a big purchase and I'll look forward to reading about it in the future!

Matt

[shortie]

500 mile review

Well after filling up the motor this morning, just clocked 500 miles since owning the motor. So far so good, really happy with the motor, very comfortable, feels great to drive.

Had got used to 42mpg in my diesel mondeo ST and was expecting a drop when buying the BMW, was hoping to still get about 35mpg but real life shows i am just getting over 30mpg. Should be expected really going to an auto as well as they are traditionally less economical. Was also thinking that petrol would save me a few pence against diesel however i have found myself paying virtually the same due to using 98 ron as seems to be the general recommendation.




Find im using the Step auto more than driving in full auto mode as i find its easier to keep the mpg gauge reading better.

The only thing i have noticed so far is when on tick over, it feels like there is an intermittent shake that vibrates through the car. Its intermittent and cant see any warning lights so not sure if its the nature of the engine or something wrong?

Next thing on the agenda is to get rid of the RFT's ASAP.

[shortie]

06/03/2012 @ 33338 miles

Just dropped the BMW back at the dealers (Network Q) to see if they can diagnose the intermittent misfire, it is booked in with them for tomorrow but had to drop it off tonight as it a 2 hour round trip and i am working tomorrow. If they cannot diagnose / repair it, it will be outsourced to their local BMW, all under their warranty.

Only been 26 days since purchasing the vehicle. If they do diagnose a coil pack, i will be fighting to have them all replaced.

[1sh@Crystalwhite]

Originally Posted by shortie

06/03/2012 @ 33338 miles

Just dropped the BMW back at the dealers (Network Q) to see if they can diagnose the intermittent misfire, it is booked in with them for tomorrow but had to drop it off tonight as it a 2 hour round trip and i am working tomorrow. If they cannot diagnose / repair it, it will be outsourced to their local BMW, all under their warranty.

Only been 26 days since purchasing the vehicle. If they do diagnose a coil pack, i will be fighting to have them all replaced.

Sorry to hear about that mate but thank god for warranty!!

Please let me know how what happens! BTW 30mpg is pretty low mate for our cars...
I think maybe you should let them know about that too...

[shortie]

Originally Posted by 1SH

Sorry to hear about that mate but thank god for warranty!!

Please let me know how what happens! BTW 30mpg is pretty low mate for our cars...
I think maybe you should let them know about that too...

Will keep you updated, you think 30mpg is low for the auto?

[E92westy]

I always wondered if a remap would cure the 320i engine of its 'issues' and emailed a few tuners.
None would guarantee it and in the end I got shot, but I had a hint from a BMW employee that the problems were 'possibly' (!) software related due to trying to get maximum consumption and low emissions.. ie "lean burn"
Feeling brave....?

Best of luck, anyway - nice motor.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by shortie

500 mile review

Well after filling up the motor this morning, just clocked 500 miles since owning the motor. So far so good, really happy with the motor, very comfortable, feels great to drive.

Had got used to 42mpg in my diesel mondeo ST and was expecting a drop when buying the BMW, was hoping to still get about 35mpg but real life shows i am just getting over 30mpg. Should be expected really going to an auto as well as they are traditionally less economical. Was also thinking that petrol would save me a few pence against diesel however i have found myself paying virtually the same due to using 98 ron as seems to be the general recommendation.




Find im using the Step auto more than driving in full auto mode as i find its easier to keep the mpg gauge reading better.

The only thing i have noticed so far is when on tick over, it feels like there is an intermittent shake that vibrates through the car. Its intermittent and cant see any warning lights so not sure if its the nature of the engine or something wrong?

Next thing on the agenda is to get rid of the RFT's ASAP.

Shortie which application is that?
And is that better than Fuely.com?