[dopper99]

So part ex’d my old 330d M Sport today and picked up my new 330d M Sport manual.
I’m over the moon with it. Very, very impressed so far. So I was very interested to see if the LCI is any different.

This is the spec I went for:

Black dakota leather seats
Front heated seats
Bluetooth phone prep
Xenon headlights
Adaptive headlights
High beam assist
Lumber support
USB Audio interface
Sun protection glass
Electric folding mirrors
Folding rear seats
Ski load to rear compartment
Extended storage

Not too bothered about Nav/IDrive. However, I got a free Garmin sat nav with the car but when I went the pick the car up today the dealership had took the liberty of hard wiring it to the dashboard. Its exactly the same as this one. Initially I wasn’t too impressed as they never told me they were going to do this. I’m quite happy with my Tomtom Live as its got traffic avoidance and Google searching etc… This Garmin thing hasn’t got that – but it does look neater hard-wired in. Not sure whether to keep it or not and they said they will remove it if I want.

The first thing I noticed driving it was how comfortable it is compared to my pre-LCI. MASSIVE difference to be honest – even on Bridgestone runflats. I guess I’m comparing a brand new car to a nearly 5 year old that had 67K miles so the old one may have been a little worn on the suspension parts - but the ride is really is sublime. It feels like a “big car” ride – but still has the agility and pin point handling of a three so has the best of both worlds. In my opinion a big improvement on my old car.

Performance-wise – I haven’t really hammered it yet so cant compare that yet – I haven’t had it over 3K revs. But I can tell that the power delivery seems smoother than my old car. Its not quite as aggressive on power when you first touch the throttle. My old car responded instantly whereas the new is a more smoother in pick up. But needs a few miles on yet before I can properly compare the two. Oh, and the engine sounds very nice when revved a little.

Other things … the brakes are much sharper and clutch is lighter than the old car – a welcome relief – especially in traffic jams. Also the gear change is smoother – a surprise for a brand new car.

If I had to some up the differences in one word it would be “smoother”! Smoother ride, engine, gear change, clutch.
And the ride is that good, I would see no reason to swap out the runflats for non-runflats its really is that good. No more dodging potholes for me anymore!

Anyway, only had it a day and done about 70 miles so this is my initial reaction. Be interesting to see how things pan out once the engine has loosened up.

Sorry the pics aren’t great, will put some better ones up soon.

Cheers.
Andy

[Dr Dave]

Woo! Very nice

[acerboo]

id still dodge the potholes or you will end up with buckled rims!!

[Danny.B.]

stunning!

[rogerxp]

Great engine . Great gearbox .

[chedixon]

Very nice

[AWBimmer]

looking sharp, congrats n enjoy

[BanziBarn]

Very nice. The engine will sound even better once you properley open her up! Enjoy

[SomeRandomer123]

Excellent!

[dopper99]

Cheers guys
Looking forward to giving it a little "test". How long you supposed to wait until you can open it up these days? Is there a running in period? I must read the handbook I guess.

[Baby Dave]

Very nice

[shane55]

Cracking car...

[RichJ]

Nice!

[MattOz]

Just about the best all rounder money can buy. Fabulous engine and the correct gearbox too. Happy Days.

[B33M3R]

Good colour choice

[BanziBarn]

Originally Posted by B33M3R

Good colour choice

Can't argue with that!

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Cheers guys
Looking forward to giving it a little "test". How long you supposed to wait until you can open it up these days? Is there a running in period? I must read the handbook I guess.

Get on the safe side of 1200miles. The rev limiter is at 5000rpm btw but red line starts a little before that. Peak power is at 4000rpm. Our LCI 330d has hit 160mph chasing an SLS AMG - good times! Enjoy your 'd!!

[AdrianSi]

Looks a beaut! Nice options list too I love the fact that BM havent changed the LCi atall, meaning that my early 58 plate still looks like brand new current model

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Get on the safe side of 1200miles. The rev limiter is at 5000rpm btw but red line starts a little before that. Peak power is at 4000rpm. Our LCI 330d has hit 160mph chasing an SLS AMG - good times! Enjoy your 'd!!

Thanks for that. I've had a good look through the handbook and it doesnt actually say if you should drive it steady for any period of time.

Although common sense says to drive steady while the brakes are bedding in as well as the tyres anyway.

[JLR1969]

I agree about the ride, my new 3 series is a lot more compliant than the older one I had.

[mgarvey]

Lovely looking car, and glad to hear the ride is better - I guess BMW were more concerned about it than they let on when implementing the LCI updates.

[dopper99]

Looks like the dealer didnt hang about putting my old car up for sale:
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/de...AxMFZCOTkxNTY=

Needed some new tyres but apart from that a cracking car and absolutely nothing wrong with it. Did me well for the last 2 years. Hope it goes to a good home .


I see the plonkers missed the xenons off the spec list - think I'll email them and get it added. And its got a detachable towbar - which I never used.