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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on May 16, 2019 10:54:09 GMT
Oh dear. Better buy a black one then. |
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Post by Martin on May 16, 2019 11:41:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2019 11:49:27 GMT
Just as well that I am not in the market for a new 3 series. The 3 series used to be a very smart motor, used to be.
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Post by Tim on May 16, 2019 13:48:04 GMT
The blue one reminds me of those Goth girls with their black lipstick.
Any pictures of a grey one because so far it only works on black.
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Post by Martin on May 16, 2019 14:02:33 GMT
The blue one reminds me of those Goth girls with their black lipstick. Any pictures of a grey one because so far it only works on black. Dravit grey, which works better with the normal grille imo 
Black Grille which is compulsory if you go with the M Sport Plus pack  I think this is mineral grey  Silver works with the chrome grille better than it would with the black  |
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Post by Tim on May 16, 2019 14:20:25 GMT
You're right, silver with the chrome grille looks kinda ok although that one is in the shade so it might be less great in direct light!
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Post by Martin on May 16, 2019 14:20:34 GMT
Tanzanite Blue 2 M340i   |
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Post by racingteatray on May 16, 2019 17:51:08 GMT
Nope, still fugly in pretty much all the above colours. I stick with my original assessment.
And that weird grille with the mini wind-turbines on the M340i is genuinely terrible.
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Post by PG on May 18, 2019 18:07:02 GMT
BMW design has really jumped the shark with that grille. It looks bloody awful, even in black. From the side and rear, it looks a much better design. But then you come round the front and you think WTAF....
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2019 12:36:55 GMT
I had no idea that 4-pot diesels were so expensive. The 320d in Autocar last week is a gnat's shy of £40k, as is the opposition. And a few options get them to over £45k. Fuck me.
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Post by Martin on May 19, 2019 12:59:21 GMT
I had no idea that 4-pot diesels were so expensive. The 320d in Autocar last week is a gnat's shy of £40k, as is the opposition. And a few options get them to over £45k. Fuck me. You’ll get £5k off now and that will only increase over time, but I agree, it’s a lot. Everything has moved up though, a C63s saloon with Premium pack and metallic lists at £80k. That’s crazy for a small saloon, no matter how fast it is and even a discounted price of £67-68k is too much imo. The new M3 will be the same, double the 320d, although that’s probably how it’s always been? I think your RS4 was around £50k new, a mid range 4 pot diesel would have been under £25k and you get an awful lot more kit now as standard. Interestingly, £50k in 2007 is the equivalent to £68k now, so about right an you get more for your money now. |
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2019 13:42:21 GMT
It's not just the prices though - I only had to add a couple of things to the RS4 as options - a spend of less than a grand. Equivalent models now need some considerable up-speccing to include things I think should (and used to) be standard.
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Post by Alex on May 19, 2019 13:58:16 GMT
It's not just the prices though - I only had to add a couple of things to the RS4 as options - a spend of less than a grand. Equivalent models now need some considerable up-speccing to include things I think should (and used to) be standard. The one I had up in Scotland the other week courtesy of Thrifty was a nigh on £35k car and didn’t have CarPlay which is a bit of an oversight. The standard spec though was pretty good with full head up display, Harmon Kardon audio, LED headlights, adaptive cruise, full keyless entry etc. I can’t imagine a hire car having had a load of options boxes ticked. |
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2019 14:17:14 GMT
According to the test's spec sheet, most of those come courtesy of the horror of things called 'packs'. On the new model, at least.
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Post by Martin on May 19, 2019 15:05:44 GMT
It's not just the prices though - I only had to add a couple of things to the RS4 as options - a spend of less than a grand. Equivalent models now need some considerable up-speccing to include things I think should (and used to) be standard. There wasn’t anything like the available/ optional technology we have now back in the olden days!  I can’t think of anything that used to be standard and wouldn’t now be, on the same level of car anyway? Going back to my 520d (2009), leather, Nav, Bluetooth, Xenia’s etc were all options and are standard now plus the current model has more safety and efficiency technology as standard. Go back a few more years and it’s even worse. |
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Post by Martin on May 19, 2019 15:07:40 GMT
According to the test's spec sheet, most of those come courtesy of the horror of things called 'packs'. On the new model, at least. Another issue thanks to WLTP regulations driving manufacturers to reduce the number of variants. I think it’s good for a used car buyer, as its clearer what the car has and you’ve a better chance of getting a decent spec, but not great for the new buyer who doesn’t want everything that’s included in the pack. |
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Post by Martin on May 19, 2019 15:09:11 GMT
It's not just the prices though - I only had to add a couple of things to the RS4 as options - a spend of less than a grand. Equivalent models now need some considerable up-speccing to include things I think should (and used to) be standard. The one I had up in Scotland the other week courtesy of Thrifty was a nigh on £35k car and didn’t have CarPlay which is a bit of an oversight. The standard spec though was pretty good with full head up display, Harmon Kardon audio, LED headlights, adaptive cruise, full keyless entry etc. I can’t imagine a hire car having had a load of options boxes ticked. The HUD, HK speakers, adaptive cruise and keyless entry are all options. CarPlay isn’t as good as the BMW professional system, but agree it should be standard |
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2019 6:24:39 GMT
It's not just the prices though - I only had to add a couple of things to the RS4 as options - a spend of less than a grand. Equivalent models now need some considerable up-speccing to include things I think should (and used to) be standard. There wasn’t anything like the available/ optional technology we have now back in the olden days! I can’t think of anything that used to be standard and wouldn’t now be, on the same level of car anyway? Going back to my 520d (2009), leather, Nav, Bluetooth, Xenia’s etc were all options and are standard now plus the current model has more safety and efficiency technology as standard. Go back a few more years and it’s even worse. When I last looked (i.e. it isn't necessarily the current model) it was things like the best leather, an upgraded stereo, split folding seats, auto dimming mirror etc etc. I was surprised how long the list was. It's like when Dr H bought an M3, having started looking at a 330i but when adding what he wanted saw that the M wasn't much more because of better spec. I can't look the current one up because of WLTP! |
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Post by racingteatray on May 20, 2019 13:08:46 GMT
The one I had up in Scotland the other week courtesy of Thrifty was a nigh on £35k car and didn’t have CarPlay which is a bit of an oversight. The standard spec though was pretty good with full head up display, Harmon Kardon audio, LED headlights, adaptive cruise, full keyless entry etc. I can’t imagine a hire car having had a load of options boxes ticked. The HUD, HK speakers, adaptive cruise and keyless entry are all options. CarPlay isn’t as good as the BMW professional system, but agree it should be standard I didn't spec CarPlay on mine as to be honest at the time I had no idea what it was and no inclination to find out given that a 440i GC comes with pro nav as standard.
But having recently discovered how to use it courtesy of the rented A1 we had over Easter and again over the past weekend in a rented 500X (the facelifted version), I agree all cars ought to have it. The Google Maps navigation works perfectly well in combination with the large central screen all new cars now seem to have.
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Post by Martin on May 20, 2019 14:23:20 GMT
I use CarPlay in the Golf, because it’s better than the basic VW system, but not in the 7 as I prefer the BMW Navigation and have HUD.
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Post by PG on May 20, 2019 14:32:02 GMT
I use CarPlay in the Golf, because it’s better than the basic VW system, but not in the 7 as I prefer the BMW Navigation and have HUD. I used it for the first time recently in a hired VW van that did not have satnav as standard. I was mightily impressed - as you say google maps worked really well on the large central screen and BBC Radio app and iTunes gave me all the music I needed. The only limitation was that you could not listen to DAB radio at the same time as using CarPlay for google maps for example. Once in carplay everything had to be done on car play. It is also in the MINI we just bought too, but as we have the extended screen with satnav + live traffic option fitted, the MINI system seems better v carplay. One really annoying thing is that if you have carplay enabled on your phone and car, (to use iTunes for example) then the system defaults to carplay when you switch on. You then have to quit it by using the menu button on the rotary controller - the screen "home" button does not work. Why can't it just offer carplay as a menu option? |
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Post by Tim on May 20, 2019 14:35:33 GMT
We've got Carplay in the Micra and its great for playing music from Spotify. Haven't tried using it for anything else though.
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Post by racingteatray on May 20, 2019 14:35:49 GMT
I use CarPlay in the Golf, because it’s better than the basic VW system, but not in the 7 as I prefer the BMW Navigation and have HUD. One really annoying thing is that if you have carplay enabled on your phone and car, (to use iTunes for example) then the system defaults to carplay when you switch on. You then have to quit it by using the menu button on the rotary controller - the screen "home" button does not work. Why can't it just offer carplay as a menu option? Yes I noticed that on the Fiat yesterday. |
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Post by grampa on May 21, 2019 10:28:45 GMT
but I do wish BMW hadn't pushed the new grilles up into the bonnet. But how else would you tell it was the new model? |
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Post by PG on May 22, 2019 13:04:50 GMT
Well I saw a new 3-er in the flesh yesterday and the rille looks even worse in the flesh.It is so proud of the metalwork that it actually looks as if they build the car without the grille and then come along and glue it on at the end. I'm sure they'll sell loads anyway. After all it is a BMW etc etc. But if some lesser manufacturer did this can you imagine the comments they would get?
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Post by johnc on May 22, 2019 13:36:58 GMT
New 320D's are already being offered with significant discount but I think that is more down to the anti diesel propaganda (which is unfairly directed at the new diesel generation) rather than the car itself. There was a new 3 series sitting alongside a new M4 when I was in the dealer on Monday and visually there was no comparison with the M4 looking eminently more attractive. The 3 didn't make me want to get out of my seat to have a look around it.
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Post by Tim on May 22, 2019 14:53:11 GMT
I've got to book my 3 in for a service so should get a chance to poke around a new 3.
It'll be interesting to see what they offer me for mine as a trade-in.
WBAC reckon £7,625.
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Post by johnc on May 22, 2019 19:11:31 GMT
I've got to book my 3 in for a service so should get a chance to poke around a new 3. It'll be interesting to see what they offer me for mine as a trade-in. WBAC reckon £7,625. I know someone selling a 535D Touring in carbon black with about 50K miles on it if you are interested. Don't know how much but it will be less than £20K |
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Post by Tim on May 23, 2019 12:27:41 GMT
I've got to book my 3 in for a service so should get a chance to poke around a new 3. It'll be interesting to see what they offer me for mine as a trade-in. WBAC reckon £7,625. I know someone selling a 535D Touring in carbon black with about 50K miles on it if you are interested. Don't know how much but it will be less than £20K Tempting but not at the moment. I think the mileage might be a bit high as a starting point too, I think the 3 replacement* will be sticking around for a loooooong time so I want as low a start as possible. *I feel like I'm talking about it as if its departure is imminent but that's not the case. I'd much rather get rid of the Micra  |
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Post by Tim on May 28, 2019 11:38:28 GMT
I had a bit of spare time yesterday morning so nipped into the BMW garage in Kirkcaldy to have a sit in the new 3 Series.
The first one I saw outside was grey with a black grille and that's a terrible look.
The 2nd was black with a chrome grille and tha tactually works a lot better.
The one in the showroom was Sunset Orannge, again with a black grille and that is a truly hideous combination.
Is there some sort of cover behind the grille, perhaps for aero reasons, as the 2 I looked closely at had no opening behind the vertical slats although when pressed the plastic there felt as if it wasn't securely attached so perhaps it's a blind of sorts?
Close up it doesn't appear to be any larger than the F30 version, apart from perhaps slightly taller.
On to the interior and that's a mix.
The general layout is familiar. The instruments jar a little due to the shape and I really didn't like the feel of the silver, knurled turnwheel for opening the centre vents as its VERY cheap feeling plastic.
Additionally the showroom car had some absolutely hideous trim (Aluminium Tetragon according to the brochure) around the transmission tunnel and dashboard that gave me a headache from looking at it and again felt pretty cheap. I'm not sure if it is real aluminium but it definitely felt like plastic.
The trim along the top of the door casings also felt pretty cheap compared with the F30.
Overall as a static object it's not something I'd hurry to acquire and it is clearly going to be VERY spec sensitive both inside and out.
I also sat in an X2 in the showroom and it was a reasonably pleasant place, helped no doubt by the open sunroof and orangey/red leather.
However the plastic of the lower dash was in the same colour, felt quite cheap and the contrasting black fake stitching did it no favours.
I also didn't like the small speedo and rev counter, I'd say they were perhaps 2/3 the size of the ones in the F30 3 Series and too small.
There was a brand new M340i Touring in the showroom and I liked that a lot more.
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