[SomeRandomer123]

EDIT: Just got a Drivetrain Malfunction warning and some big nasty grinding noises with the smell of petrol. Managed to get the car home in limp mode - 70mph but no power. It's now being lifted to the dealership AGAIN. They'll be sick of seeing it too! Have already warned Enterprise not to deliver a shitheap. More news to follow....

2: In order for Enterprise not to deliver me a shed filled with excrement, I must wait until tomorrow before they can deliver me a clean BMW. Have asked for an F11 Touring I know they have.

3: Enterprise has brought out a 320d. I knew they arrived by the loud clunk I heard as the dick reversed onto my driveway then fell off onto the neighbours' front lawn. God knows how the poor 320 pulled itself out of that as my driveway is raised above next door's garden!

My 328i has been diagnosed with an injector failure, so was running on only 3 pots. I receive it back tomorrow. Well, I should do, but the grinding noises concern me so we'll see what happens when they crack it up with fresh injectors.

4: Got my car back and it's working again. Hopefully it'll last 7 more days until the Audi.

5: Nope, 7 days have proved to be too many. It's broken again. Well, breaking. Running like shit so I expect it's another fueling related problem. Possibly they didn't replace all 4 injectors, just the faulty one - I don't know. I get my Avant on Thursday so that'll be a relief. However, because I asked Audi to hurry up my Avant (which they kindly did) so I could get out my 328i ASAP, the 328i is still mine for 3 weeks. It's having a new windscreen on Friday (stonechip) then an MOT next week, at which point I'll ask the Dealership if they don't mind keeping it. If not, I'll just lock it up in the compound at the office until it goes - will be too frightened to drive it.

ORIGINAL POST:
Hey all,

Been a while since I've posted last so thought it about time for an update on all things cars. And with regret, all things Audi.

As many will know, I was one of the F30 early adopters and one of the first in the UK for a 328i with a great spec. I went for Luxury line as M Sport wasn't available at the time, but I love the Luxury styling on Glacier Silver with the 18" mixed 398s and didn't miss out on any toys.

Anyway, I do 27,000mls per year so one may indeed question my sanity (except Nick, obviously) at not opting for some more heavy oil as my previous cars have been. Like the M Sport, the 330d wasn't available at the time and the 20d wasn't quick enough or refined enough for what I wanted. ActiveHybrid 3 was at the very upper limit of budget but I was concerned about real world MPG and actually having utilising the benefit of eDrive at that time. eDrive these days one would definitely benefit from.

So, 60,000mls later and I'm at the conclusion that I like this 328i, it's a good drive, more comfortable than the E90, quick and the technology has been awesome, especially Adaptive Xenons with HBA, Pro Nav and the stunning Sport Auto. However, I've always been slightly disappointed with economy, which is usually between 36-39mpg and drops like nothing I've ever experienced when I'm spirited. Therefore, I conclude the 330d was a more enjoyable car for me and I really miss it. The 328i did not live up to the shove, economy, spirited economy (never less than 45mpg no matter what I did), or sound of that straight-six. In short, the 328i has been very good, but the 330d was great.

Here is where things fall apart. I'm now at 72,000mls and the last 12,000mls have not been so rosy. Quite the opposite in fact. At 60k, a whining sound (like a blown turbo) developed and could not be diagnosed for weeks. In the end, it turned out to be shot crankshaft thrust bearings and this meant a new engine had to be fitted, to the bill of £15k at BMW's expense. The car was off the road for 2 months however due to lengthy diagnosis and tools not being readily available. The worst part for me was the downtime I suffered as the dealership referred me to Enterprise after a week in one of their 520d Tourings, which was lovely. I then had to swap that for a 320d. That then had to be swapped for a 330d Touring. That then had to be swapped for an X1. Quite frankly, I was rather pissed off at the unacceptable levels of downtime that I experienced with just swapping bloody cars!! Enterprise did not do so well there.

Relief, late last year I finally got my car back with a new motor in it, but that coincided with the time to hunt for a new car and BMW were sadly not in my good books, but not necessarily through fault of their own.

A few thousand miles later, a very strong smell of petrol came into the cabin whilst driving and it became apparent petrol was being pissed all over the engine. I needed to get home (8mls journey) and so continued to drive but the risk of fire was very high. I got back, called BMW Assist, the car was declared undriveable and was flatbedded away back to the dealership. Enterprise were contacted but were out of BMWs to loan out, so they came and dropped off a VW Sharan at 11pm on a Wednesday evening. I needed to transport clients in the morning so it was vital I had wheels and, naturally, I was pissed off again! To my surprise, the Shazza turned out to be a great bus! Nippy, economical and refined. Actually very handy the 328i decided to go wrong again. Problem this time was a crack in the fuel injection system. This took my car off the road again for a week and allowed Enterprise to play silly buggers again.

I got a call on Friday saying they had a 320d for me and that I should bring the Shazza in to swap. I did so and the 3 Series they gave me was disgusting. It was filthy inside and out, all alloys were fucked, the exhaust was loose, every panel was knackered and the horn had partially failed in typical F30 fashion. I needed to travel up to Newcastle the following day so was forced to valet it that night myself and drive it in the morning. Oh did I mention it stank? It fucking reeked. Oh and there was milkshake spill over the back seats Poor little 320.

So, I found myself submitting a formal complaint that evening to Enterprise, both over email and phone - I was pretty furious at this point. A 520d Touring became available to them the following day so I strongly insisted it had be spotless and went to pick it up on Sunday. LOVELY. Clean, no damage, good spec, no pong. I had this until I got my 328i back.

What with spending so much time in the 5 Series now, I really appreciated the comfort, refinement and luxury it offers over the 3 Series and since I was in the market for a new motor, started building one and sending specs around to the dealerships. However, the A6 Facelift had caught my attention and I went for a test-drive in that. Loved it. Do I prefer the 5 Series? Maybe a tiny little bit, but Audi simply destroyed BMW on pricing so I could go even more wild on the spec than I could BMW. As aforementioned, I'm already miffed and want a change. I'm also aware the G30 will be coming through next year so didn't want a car that will go straight out of date and I'm also too early for F30 LCI. Eventually, it boiled down to the fact I've had BMW for 9 years now and I fancy a change, catalysed by the fact I'd seen far too much of my BMW dealership recently.

So, what car have I ordered to replace the 328i for the next 3 years?
The 2015 Audi A6 Avant Ultra, Black Edition. (sorry guys )
My build is attached below. I pick it up May 28.

The 328i must've known I'd placed the order and has taken revenge accordingly. The interior fan has become noisy (again - repaired once already), the leather on the side of the drivers seat has split slightly and the front right suspension knocking never got fixed and becomes increasingly more intrusive.

So, I pick the Audi up in a couple of weeks and I'm rather looking forward to it. I'll miss the 328i and BMW but won't be as sad or longing as I was when I let the 330d go.

Guess what though, the 328i has developed another problem this evening. There is a slight smell of petrol and a grinding type noise coming from the top of the engine. I can't afford any downtime at the moment and NEED to use it early tomorrow morning so I'll do the trip I need to do then ring the dealership. Needless to say, there's a bit of a sour taste left and this may be the point where I ask the dealership to keep it. Not the way I wanted things to end and I'm disheartened. I'll save the Audi spec discussion for another thread (yes, I've gone back to 2.0d, FWD, etc).

I fully expect to be back in a BMW after the Avant, possibly in a hybrid G30, but for now it's thanks for the fun, the good times and see you soon. I'll still be here, but you deserve to know why my profile will soon start describing the Audi I drive. Stay with BMW, they simply are the best, but I need something different for a bit! Maybe avoid Enterprise...

[Nick the Greek]

An Aldi?






2.0?






Diesel?

[Consett Mag]

Why didn't you just get a new 330d? Do you not think that you'll miss the overtaking power?

[Steve_M_Sport]

What's happening to the 328i ?

[SkyJawa]

Vag 2l in a car the size of a bus, I just couldn't do it!

Can understand the frustration though!

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by Consett Mag

Why didn't you just get a new 330d? Do you not think that you'll miss the overtaking power?

More interested in refinement and comfort now and the F30 isn't refined enough for me. Hopping out the F10 or A6 back into my 328i or especially the 320d made me realise just how much wind noise and tyre roar there is. Most of my driving is motorway, so this matters.

I possibly will miss the power, but to fair I never used it anywhere near as much as the 330d due to the 328i's sick-making drop in MPG. So, yes, get a 330d? Additional to the aforementioned points:
1) I've already had an F30 and will miss out on LCI, so I'd like a change.
2) I'm not sure the F30 330d has the excitement and spark that I found in the E90 330d. I had 6MT rather than the auto, which will make a difference, but I'm worried I won't like it as much as the E90.
3) There's babies on the way in the family so I could do with a larger car.
4) Well why don't I get an F31 Touring? Found it to be boomy on the motorway. Prefer the styling of the Avant.

Yes, I think I may miss the power if I went from 330d to A6 Ultra, but 328i (though faster on paper than 330d), to Avant and I didn't find it lacking too much on test-drive. If I do, I may remap it to 245hp, which is bang on E90 30d power.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Vag 2l in a car the size of a bus, I just couldn't do it!

Can understand the frustration though!

You'll be surprised with the Ultra. On test it pulled well at all speeds and was unbelievably refined. If I find it lacking, I may remap it.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by Steve_M_Sport

What's happening to the 328i ?

I lease the cars on a 3 year basis through my own company and usually do it with Lex. This time, Alphabet were £5 cheaper so they won the contract with the 328i. Because the car is >50k miles, I expect it will go to auction.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

An Aldi?






2.0?






Diesel?

Yes Nick! Very different direction and it's a change I fancy. Can't help growing a little older and having altered priorities. I'm excited to find out more about Audi, the products and the brand, but expect to be back in a BMW afterwards.

[NISFAN]

Understandable with the problems you had with the 328i, shame BMW has lost a loyal customer over a poor quality example.

Good luck with the Audi.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Understandable with the problems you had with the 328i, shame BMW has lost a loyal customer over a poor quality example.

Good luck with the Audi.

Cheers, yeah a real shame it's ended like it has.

Audi have been great so far. I merely asked for a drive of an A6 Ultra and as I drove into the dealership's car park, a bloke came out to direct me to a parking space they made for my 328i and then walked me to the showroom with an umbrella since it was pissing down! Was then taken over to the valet bay and handed the keys for the weekend. Lovely.

[RichardM]

Nice spec on the Audi but I couldn't go for the 2.0 TDi myself in a car of that size!

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by RichardM

Nice spec on the Audi but I couldn't go for the 2.0 TDi myself in a car of that size!

Driving a 335d, I fully understand! Time will tell how it goes.

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Driving a 335d, I fully understand! Time will tell how it goes.

A number of years ago I leased a E60 520D SE in fairly poverty spec. I got bored of that car so quickly I didn't even wait for the 2 years to be up before getting a E92 335D.

[Matt01]

I remember reading about the sh**y f30 from enterprise on Twitter... It's a small world...

[Tengocity]

Sorry to read that story, and can totally understand your decision.

Move said it a few times before but any time I read about a problem car it always seems to be a 328i :

When I drove one I was hugely disappointed too, and same as you I was coming from an E90 330d at the time.

If I was choosing now I'd have less consideration for the wife's preferences for a smaller car and I'd have a moderately loaded 530d, as I agree about the overall refinement.

[TimMcC]

I can only hope you have a better experience in your new car. I had a black edition A6 Avant Ultra for a week last year alongside a 428i. The Audi wasn't really in the running but the wife fancied one when children arrived so we tested it. What a beautifully refined machine, and not too lacking in power. Returned about 42mpg which wasn't bad for the size. Will probably order one when we need more space, I'm sure you'll be very happy in it! Enjoy.

[Andrewthefirst]

Stunning A6 there mate, good luck with it.

Audi are lovely cars but you'll miss the bmw drive I am sure

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Cheers, yeah a real shame it's ended like it has.

Audi have been great so far. I merely asked for a drive of an A6 Ultra and as I drove into the dealership's car park, a bloke came out to direct me to a parking space they made for my 328i and then walked me to the showroom with an umbrella since it was pissing down! Was then taken over to the valet bay and handed the keys for the weekend. Lovely.

I work for Audi. The Audi A6 is a good car however I guarantee you will be back in a BMW for your next car. The problem to watch out for are the EGR coolers and valves throw the EML light on, and the pain having to fill the Adblue up every 8000 miles (if they told you 20k they are lying!)

I'd of gone BMW 530d personally but hey we are BMW lovers and it would be a boring world if we were all the same and didn't try different things!!

The Audi A6 you've specced does look the part though

[matk]

Nice looking car mate i put a deposit down on an A6 black edition before i got the f31 but decided against it because i drove the 330d. It is still a great car tho!

[AP_75]

Good luck with the new car, can't blame you for switching after 9 years and all the trouble you've experienced - hopefully just very unlucky with the 328.

On the subject of Adblue I noticed big bottles of it on sale at services on the M40 on sunday (I don't get out on the motorway much so may have been there for some time) - can't be that hard to fill up every 8k can it?

[dopper99]

Sorry to hear you had so much trouble with your car. I also recall another member who was also an early adopter of an 328i, RobUK who had a shed load of trouble too.