[MikeinPoland]

Hi Everyone,

Been a major lurker over the years and have thoroughly enjoyed my E90 318D LCI that I picked up as a company car in 2009.

Almost 5 years and 192k km on the clock later and it's time for a new company car. I live in a hilly part, South West of Poland and during the winter the ice and snow (plus terrible road conditions) pretty much rendered the 318D unusable even with winter tyres on. We also drive a lot on back/country lane type roads with hardly any street lights which leans me towards including the adaptive lights package.

So the wife has agreed we can go for a new BMW as long as it has x-Drive and we both appreciate the quality/handling of the beamers. The 318D was fine but clearly lacks the oomph of a 320 or better engine and we've been looking at the 328i. Fuel costs are not a problem as I have a fully expensed fuel card with BP for business & private usage.

I would love to go for a 330D but the most I can afford is the 328i-Xdrive.. From a test drive perspective, we've taken out the 428i x-drive M Spec (Closest car the dealer could offer) with the 8 speed auto sports box but would prefer a manual gearbox. I’m a little worried that the fantastic drive experience was in part due to the adaptive M suspension.

So right now we have an offer for a lower spec'd 328i x-Drive Manual box to which I've added the following:
- Sports Seats - 2.4k pln
- Front Heated Seats - 1.6k pln
- Cruise Control - 1.4k pln
- Connected Drive Services - 1.1k pln
- Connected Drive - 840 pln (tele-services and emergency call)
- Remote Services - (virtually nothing)
- Extended cluster - 750 pln
- M Sports Steering Wheel - 930 pln
- Advantage (Polski Pack) - 8.4k pln
(Includes through loading system(S0465), storage package(S0493), lights package (S0563), sliding front armrest (S04AE), headlight washers (S0502), Xenon Lights (S0522) and rear parking sensors)
- Sight Package - 3.5k pln
(Includes Interior rear view dimming mirror (S0431), Rain Sensors (S0521), Adaptive headlights(S0524) and High beam assist(S05AC)

Now before I pull the trigger I started checking a few more opinions on forums and it appears the Adaptive M suspension (S02VF) should be first on the list for anyone that wants an engaging rather than “floaty” x-Drive experience.

In order to get the suspension I’d need to drop 5k of options from the list above. Even if I drop the advantage package, Xenons will cost me 4.3k and rear parking 2.1k on their own.

(Damn you BMW for your endless list of options putting me into analysis paralysis…!)

So then the choice in front of me appears to be, drop down to the 320D x-Drive and save 8k pln vs the 328i so I can add the M Suspension plus spend 3k pln more on other goodies. Or even further down (price wise) to the 320i X-Drive, saving a whopping 18k and load up with Pro Navi, M Suspension and probably spending 4k on 17”rims instead of the stock 16”that come with both the 320D or 320i.

I do understand the decision will be mine in the end and I should try and test the cars with these various specs but the reality is I won’t have time and the cars won’t be available to test.

I would really appreciate any thoughts from any of you that have gone through this torturous time whilst facing the same dilemmas?

Cheers,


Mike

[ciscopete822]

czesc Mike

Bloody expensive if you ask me back there in Poland. You clearly don't want 320i / d. if you cant stretch for 330d then 328i is a sweet spot. What about poverty 330d? I wouldn't worry much about adaptive especially when you sitting on 18".

If it was me would have starved for a month to get 330/335

My pap back home , Poland- Kielce, drives 328i and seems to be a very happy man

[MikeinPoland]

Hi Ciscopete,

Thanks for the quick response.

The costs here are crazy for BMW's given the average salary, fortunately I'm closer to a UK salary hence the options in front of me.

Afraid to say it but the poverty 330D X-Drive comes in at an eye watering 230k pln (or £42.3k) for the base model which only includes servotronic and the std auto gearbox. Getting this base car up to at least UK SE spec would at least another 50-75k pln or £10-15k.

I've never driven the 320i X-Drive but having read the US centric forums it gets mixed reviews and then I wonder on the differences between Euro and US specs/setups. of course it will not have the same linear power as the 328i or the low down torque of the 320D but I know either of them would be a step up from my 143bhp 318D.

oh decisions decisions...

[Billy Cheeseman]

the 320d/325d (if x-drive is available for you) are no slouches and might allow you to get some options added

I was seriously looking at the 325d but was suckered into the 330d as I got a stellar deal form my usual contact here in the UK - it truly is magnificent if you can stretch your budget and are happy to leave the options list behind

[moonshine]

I'd think long & hard to be sure the manual gearbox is the right one to get.

The ZF8 is a great auto and as a first time auto driver I'm a convert.

I appreciate it is an expensive option.

[Billy Cheeseman]

8 speed auto is standard on 330!!!!!!!!!

I have heard the 8 speed works really well with the 320d engine and is in some ways better than manual unless you are a hard-core stick shifter

I never thought I would have auto but it is pretty sublime and I also have the option of using the steering wheel paddles when needed

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by BrettChinery

8 speed auto is standard on 330!!!!!!!!!

I have heard the 8 speed works really well with the 320d engine and is in some ways better than manual unless you are a hard-core stick shifter

I never thought I would have auto but it is pretty sublime and I also have the option of using the steering wheel paddles when needed

Tho op has said that whilst he would love a 330d, and his test drive was in an auto, he is considering a 328i manual. keep up.

[ciscopete822]

average salary in Poland is around 650/700 pm. Its beyond me how people can afford that sort of cars...

[moonshine]

if it is Xdrive, i'd add Adaptive suspension (or go passive and budget for ACS springs upgrade)

[Notechy]

If Polish purchase costs are high, can you buy here at a better price specifying left hand drive, and if necessary other Polish specification? Or other lhd countries?

UK prices used to be much higher than some other EU countries so about 15 years ago I bought my first BMW in Brussels and made a large saving, and it was full UK specification.

[nas80]

m sport + is all you need really,

for god sakes don't get the adaptive suspension its CRAP.

[....,,,,..,,..]

The 328i xdrive is pretty much the one to go for.

As said ignore adaptive and see how the car feels to drive, if you find it too loose, then you can always put ACS springs on, depends on roads you use etc.

Xenons and adaptive lighting transform night time driving.
HK audio if you listen to music - part of a pack?

For costs stick to manual, although the auto box is excellent.

Only go for the Pro Media if you need large screen Nav as its a lot of cash for a limited return.

For me the 328i xdrive wins over the 320d xdrive.

[MikeinPoland]

Hi Moonshine,

Given it's a company car, not sure I can "mod" anything after the event. With regards to the Adaptive Suspension, (S02VF) it goes back to my quandry and that is should I modify the spec above to accomodate the (5k pln) suspension or downgrade to the 320D or 320i to free up enough cash.

With regards to the Auto sport box, it's an 11k pln upgrade that I'm not sure I'll enjoy as much as the manual gearbox. I could go there but it will result in dropping to the 320i x-drive model only. and then dropping down to the 320iX would raise the question is adaptive even needed for this model?

[ciscopete822]

in that case - Jeep Grand Cherokee , 4x4, amazing suspension , good for snow , all the toys you can imagine , will recycle itself in 5-7 years

)))

[MikeinPoland]

Hi Notechy, Purchasing abroad is not possible due to it being a company car and the policy.

Nas80, MSPORT+ is not a package I can get here in poland. the MSPORT package I see appears to be solely cosmetic with the sports steering/bodykit/18"wheels from what I can see.

Brigand, I think you've hit the nail on the head for me, i.e. stick with the 328iX, Manual over a 320(i or D). The Pro Media setup is only an option by going down to the 320iX and I think I want that linear power on the 328iX too much

Ciscopete, Shame on you for suggesting such an alternative here Actually I have an 8yr old CRV to fall back on (please, don't suggest I ignore X-Drive in this case, it's a wifey pre-requisite given she initially wanted me to get a SUV instead of a BMW this time around). In fact I'm thankful I've got to the quote stage given 1 month ago she was dictating a fully loaded outlander instead

[FSE23]

I'm full of compassion to your headache with chosing the right one. heard a few bad things about BMW Poland where you can hardly ever get any discount unlike here in the UK.
I'm far from saying 328 is a bad engine but there were several warning lights here in this forum about strange engine problems together with melted piston. Not to put you off but certainly something to consider especially with your huge mileage and long term ownership.

[MikeinPoland]

Hi Piono,

Currently leaning towards the 328, ignoring the M suspension with the idea of switching out the springs to ACS if the handling is too "floaty", as suggested by Brigand. Road conditions here change from swathes of freshly laid tarmac/express roads to mini moon surfaces so I will just have to put a few thousand km's on the clock before deciding what to do.

Having lived in Poland for nearly a decade now, BMW's really are seen as a premium car, (more so than in the UK). 2nd hand they retain their values very well especially non imported models. I think this is why BMW Poland and their dealers do not discount too much. Having said that, right now they are offering 15k pln (approx £3k) on options against 3 series touring and sedans. My firm has also taken several cars off Inchcape over the years so we get a 10% discount on top.

As for the 328 engine problems/melted pistons. I have read through some posts on this but I reckon there will always be some defective engines knocking around for whatever reasons. The whole E90 N47 Timing chain is an example which I've yet to experience even with 192k km on the clock.

Fortunately as this will be a company car, it's fully maintained and serviced without having to pay anything on top.

Cheers,


Mike

[Tengocity]

Hi Mike, Curious as to where your local dealership is? My wife is from Wroclaw and whilst there in the summer the wing mirror glass was stolen and we had to go the dealer there.

Have to say they were pretty helpful and efficient, but what I noticed was how much more "premium" an experience it was compared to the average UK dealership.

Only Sytner High Wycombe comes close of the UK dealers I've been to, but to me it was more like shopping at Gucci or Prada than going to a car showroom. Additionally they had loads of very attractive Polish ladies to meet and greet!

[FSE23]

Hi Mike, and I bet you pay more for 328i manual than most of us have paid for a fully loaded 335d. Such like my frineds in Denmark paid about £10k more for basic 320d with auto than me.
I know that in Poland they want to make you feel that you buy a premium brand that is why is not well seen when you ask about discount. Read: in their minds you cannot afford BMW so you are a customer not worth any attention.
I have a good experience with a service in two different cities in Poland where my headlight got stuck in full beam - one temporarily repiared it but didn't take a penny, second one repaired it well. But I have heard bad storiies about services their for local customers.

[MikeinPoland]

Hi Tengocity,

I am indeed dealing with Inchcape Wroclaw (and Warsaw where my firm is based) and they are the only dealer in Wroclaw. you are right about the "premium experience" and lots of attractive polish ladies providing the meet and greet service.

FYI, I live about 70km's south of Wroclaw quite close to the Czech border with lots of hilly/twisty mountain roads to whizz around unfortunately the roads conditions are variable...

Going back to Inchcape, upon arrival just for a service I am asked if I would like a drink and typically a fresh coffee is served up with a little choccy by a lady who could have graced Robert Palmers addicted to love video

My wife hates them though because the ladies are not attentive and can be quite rude when it comes to women drivers who turn up there. In fact when she drove there to service the E90 during the a hot summer and whilst 7 months pregnant, they didn't even offer her a glass of water!

Their used car salesmen are also useless. Was working with my firm to allow me to buy an ex-demo (328i X drive 7.5k on the clock with a 65k pln / £13k discount) I was pushing for another 5k pln off and he was not interested in budging. Didn't even suggest we took it out for a drive to change our minds...

Piono you are right. The other day I peeked at the UK configurator and nearly wept at the difference between the UK and Poland prices. Cannot bring myself to check the same on BMWUSA

Stock 328i X-Drive with only servotronic, 17" 394's, locking bolts, Tyre pressure monitor, Fog lights, rear folding headrests manual gearbox & cloth interior comes in at £31.7k.

Some options are really strangely priced too. M leather steering wheel is almost £200, rear auto-tint mirror is about £140, Cruise control (basic) £270, heated front seats £330, sports front seats £500 blah blah... Sights package (adaptive,tinted mirror, rain sensor, high beam assist & adaptive headlights) comes in at £700

Servicing generally is good, maybe because I'm a Brit or because it's a company car and I just sign whatever they put in front of me they are expensive though...

looks like I have the rest of the weekend to decide on my limited options... Going to have the order signed by the middle of next week. They are quoting 3 months before delivery though which seems a tad excessive.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by MikeinPoland

FYI, I live about 70km's south of Wroclaw quite close to the Czech border with lots of hilly/twisty mountain roads to whizz around unfortunately the roads conditions are variable...

Not down by Ladek Zdrojy by any chance? My wife's auntie and cousins are down that way so we always go down there on xmas day!

In the summer we drove from Wroclaw down to Vienna and I did enjoy those roads you talk of.

And yes, whilst those girls are very easy on the eye, they all look like the very definition of high maintenance prima donnas!

[MikeinPoland]

Hi Tengocity,

Yes I'm close enough to Ladek Zdroj About 30 min drive from me and I take that route when we fancy a drive to the mountains up past Czarna Gora to Miedzagorza (terrible spelling I know).

On a side note for anyone else, does anyone knnow if the ConnectDrive service in Poland supports the theft recovery service? I've read this is not possible in the UK but is in place in the US, HK and other regions?

Trying to get an answer from Inchcape but this is like pulling teeth sometimes.

Still leaning towards the 328i X Partially loaded, (ok, no Nav, M-Sport suspension or Auto gearbox), but doubts creeping in because I can get all of this if I drop down to the 320i X...

The weekend didn't help