[jr2408]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and (tempted by some good looking deals on Coast2coast cars and broadspeed) I am near to pulling the trigger on one of these. Realising that few people if any will have one I would just appreciate some general advice.

Just as background my wife and I have decided to treat ourselves as we work hard. We have 2 small kids so want something practical for the family that is not a lumbering beast but also fast and fun for when we are driving on our own. We wont use it for a work commute - mixture of urban, country roads and motorway trips and will probably do 7-10k miles per year with the odd long trip, so we figured a diesel is not needed and petrol more fun. Looking at the c. 9k discounts on a 340i I'm now on the verge of ordering. We currently drive a Golf 1.4 so this will be a big step up!

Ride?
I have read a lot of concern about the hard ride on RFT's. Can anyone provide some advice based on the current F31? With all I have read I will probably stay on the 18inch rims and avoid the lovely looking 19's and also specify adaptive suspension. Will the kids be bone shaken in the back? Should I consider deleting the M sport suspension or not choosing runflats? Is there space under the boot shelf for a space saver wheel in the F31?

Interior
Thinking about Black with Dark Oyster highlight / Black Dakota leather - dark leather seems a better bet with kids. Anyone have experience with this choice?

Broker vs Lease
These broker deals look great - are there any catches? We considered leasing but worry that with the kids we may end up being hit with a repair bill at the end of a lease. We have the money to either buy cash or take PCP but we are not loaded so want to make a smart decision.

Options
Considering the following - any thoughts?
- Professional Media package
- Enhanced USB & Bluetooth
- Sun protection glass
- M sport Adaptive Suspension
- Enhanced storage

Being quoted on the road price of 32k....

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[k44ENT]

Welcome, good choice. I have 3 kids and the ride in my F31 on 19" run flats and adaptive is plenty comfy. In comfort mode it is smooth and agile and switching to sport mode just firms things up a little to make a difference without being harsh. I came from a Jaguar XF so am used to comfort. I'd certainly go with the m-sport plus pack that gives you sun protection glass, a decent stereo, decent lights and bigger brakes and those nice 19" wheels. I'd add adaptive suspension and heated seats as a minimum and professional media if your budget will stretch if not just add black panel display.

[KS_340i]

Originally Posted by jr2408

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and (tempted by some good looking deals on Coast2coast cars and broadspeed) I am near to pulling the trigger on one of these. Realising that few people if any will have one I would just appreciate some general advice.

Just as background my wife and I have decided to treat ourselves as we work hard. We have 2 small kids so want something practical for the family that is not a lumbering beast but also fast and fun for when we are driving on our own. We wont use it for a work commute - mixture of urban, country roads and motorway trips and will probably do 7-10k miles per year with the odd long trip, so we figured a diesel is not needed and petrol more fun. Looking at the c. 9k discounts on a 340i I'm now on the verge of ordering. We currently drive a Golf 1.4 so this will be a big step up!

Ride?
I have read a lot of concern about the hard ride on RFT's. Can anyone provide some advice based on the current F31? With all I have read I will probably stay on the 18inch rims and avoid the lovely looking 19's and also specify adaptive suspension. Will the kids be bone shaken in the back? Should I consider deleting the M sport suspension or not choosing runflats? Is there space under the boot shelf for a space saver wheel in the F31?

Interior
Thinking about Black with Dark Oyster highlight / Black Dakota leather - dark leather seems a better bet with kids. Anyone have experience with this choice?

Broker vs Lease
These broker deals look great - are there any catches? We considered leasing but worry that with the kids we may end up being hit with a repair bill at the end of a lease. We have the money to either buy cash or take PCP but we are not loaded so want to make a smart decision.

Options
Considering the following - any thoughts?
- Professional Media package
- Enhanced USB & Bluetooth
- Sun protection glass
- M sport Adaptive Suspension
- Enhanced storage

Being quoted on the road price of 32k....

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Welcome. We've just ordered this car and in Surrey too, so PM me if you want details of dealer where we got a good deal. I'd say avoid the brokers if you can and most dealers will try and match the internet prices, and sometimes do better.

Price looks about right for spec, but you may want to add a bit more, as this is the top line. I'd budget around £3k more, add things like HK system, better 19" wheels, and maybe panoramic sunroof. M Sport Plus pack makes sense if you want sun protection glass.

We're going for Oyster interior. You have to make your own decisions about how you let your kids treat the car and what mileage/use the car will get. If you use it a lot, and genuinely you allow them to eat/drink whatever etc, then black may be better. If not, a lighter colour will be fine.

[RalphyBMW]

I'd approach your local dealer for a test drive and give them the opportunity to match the online quotes; my local dealer did me a similar or better deal than I could get online at the time.

We've got the black dakota leather and having a pan roof makes the cabin a lot lighter.

Pro Nav is ace.
I've also got the M Sport + pack, which is worthwhile.
Heated seats as mentioned.
Heated steering wheel is nice
Power fold / auto-dim mirrors are also nice.

I don't think you will have any issue with the adaptive suspension, I've only got passive suspension with AC Schnitzer lowering springs and the ride isn't bad, so yours on standard springs and adaptive should be just fine, even with 19" runflats.

[k44ENT]

Originally Posted by KS_340i

Welcome. We've just ordered this car and in Surrey too, so PM me if you want details of dealer where we got a good deal. I'd say avoid the brokers if you can and most dealers will try and match the internet prices, and sometimes do better.

Price looks about right for spec, but you may want to add a bit more, as this is the top line. I'd budget around £3k more, add things like HK system, better 19" wheels, and maybe panoramic sunroof. M Sport Plus pack makes sense if you want sun protection glass.

We're going for Oyster interior. You have to make your own decisions about how you let your kids treat the car and what mileage/use the car will get. If you use it a lot, and genuinely you allow them to eat/drink whatever etc, then black may be better. If not, a lighter colour will be fine.

Eat and drink!! My kids aren't even allowed to touch the interior

[KS_340i]

Originally Posted by k44ENT

Eat and drink!! My kids aren't even allowed to touch the interior

This not your car then?

[k44ENT]

Originally Posted by KS_340i

This not your car then?

Hell no, that's the wife's
Why do women trash car interiors?

[pdk42]

Hi,

I have a 335i F31 (touring) so I think a lot of my experiences will translate to you.

Originally Posted by jr2408

We wont use it for a work commute - mixture of urban, country roads and motorway trips and will probably do 7-10k miles per year with the odd long trip, so we figured a diesel is not needed and petrol more fun. Looking at the c. 9k discounts on a 340i I'm now on the verge of ordering. We currently drive a Golf 1.4 so this will be a big step up!

At that mileage the petrol is definitely the way to go - if only for the noise (both refinement when pootling and growl when pushed). As regards the Golf 1.4 - my wife has one (mk 6) and it's a fantastic car. Sure mine's quicker etc, but the 1.4 TSI Golf is such a perfect car for what it is I can't say I'd consider the BMW "better" - just different. In fact, I still reckon the Golf's ride is hard to beat - by any car.

Originally Posted by jr2408

Ride?
I have read a lot of concern about the hard ride on RFT's. Can anyone provide some advice based on the current F31? With all I have read I will probably stay on the 18inch rims and avoid the lovely looking 19's and also specify adaptive suspension. Will the kids be bone shaken in the back? Should I consider deleting the M sport suspension or not choosing runflats? Is there space under the boot shelf for a space saver wheel in the F31?

I have 19" RFTs and M-Sport suspension and felt the need to stiffen the suspension up with ACS springs. The F3x are over-sprung IMHO - I think BMW's reaction to past criticism of too harsh a ride. I'd be surprised if you find the ride too hard.

Originally Posted by jr2408

Interior
Thinking about Black with Dark Oyster highlight / Black Dakota leather - dark leather seems a better bet with kids. Anyone have experience with this choice?

I have the black interior and it's very practical but if I didn't have kids I'd go for something lighter. Oyster would probably be too risky with kids, but only you can decide. I like the Coral Red and the brown (whatever that's called).

Originally Posted by jr2408

Options
Considering the following - any thoughts?
- Professional Media package
- Enhanced USB & Bluetooth
- Sun protection glass
- M sport Adaptive Suspension
- Enhanced storage

I think the Pro Nav is almost essential on a high-end car. The enhanced BT can be coded, but if you're not into that then it's a good option to have. Sun Pro a personal thing - I have it but if I didn't I would lose sleep over it. Adaptive - you'll find two schools of thought. I don't have it and don't feel I'm missing anything.

[k44ENT]

jr2408, Ref the suspension, the link below is a good read and having owned two identical cars one with passive and the other with adaptive I would agree with the comments of the first post. Try both before you buy would be my advice.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=802149

[jr2408]

Hi all thanks for the advice so far, very useful!

[Mr Enigma]

If you want a good dealer to give you the best price straight away then you need to speak to Riaz. See this thread for his contact details: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1168382

Good luck with your build... That's part of the fun!

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

As mentioned drop Riaz a line.

Personally would add Msport Plus pack, Vis pack to get full adaptive, Pro Media, heated seats and heated steering wheel, folding mirrors and adaptive suspension.

I think with deals Riaz does the above will fall in your budget

Of course go for the F31

[jr2408]

Originally Posted by Brigand

As mentioned drop Riaz a line.

Personally would add Msport Plus pack, Vis pack to get full adaptive, Pro Media, heated seats and heated steering wheel, folding mirrors and adaptive suspension.

I think with deals Riaz does the above will fall in your budget

Of course go for the F31

Thanks for the advice, have dropped him a line.

[Tengocity]

Plenty good advice already. You won't fit in a space saver without leaving it in the boot itself, so really it's RFT or tyre repair kit if you swap to non runflats.

It's not terrible on RFTs just a bit better without them, and certainly not the issue it was on the previous generation of cars.

[Nick the Greek]

A fine choice of engine sir!

As the bible says -

"Blessed are those with sweet in line petrol six"

(Genesis 4, chapter 2, verse 7).

[jr2408]

Originally Posted by Marius Titulescu

Broker deals are better but please take someone experienced with you. Some brokers are nasty people.
__________________________________
Marius
Canadian customs brokerage

I used a broker deal as leverage to get a better deal from a local dealer