[allachie9]

I picked up my 328i Luxury GT yesterday (02 September) and drove it home in lovely bright sunlight. It's always so much nicer to drive a new car home in good weather.
I've attached a couple of exterior shots that I hope will show just what a magical colour 'Midnight Blue' is. It changes as the light changes, and I personally just love it.
The interior is Venetian Beige leather with Burr Walnut trim. Other options include - Comfort Access, Xenon Headlights, Steptronic 'box, Professional Media Package, Enhanced Bluetooth, Seat Heating and Reversing Assist Camera.






I'll post some interior shots later.
I'm just delighted with the car.

[Raikkonen]

Beautiful!

Please take more shots of the exterior if you get a chance...I'm on the fence between this and a new touring.

How's the rear seat space?? I unfortunately have to live w/ two car seats in my car at all times...

Is the turbo four sufficient for the weight? How's the acceleration?

We're spoiled here in the states, as the turbo six is only a few grand more...

Again, beautiful car, and congrats!

[w1k1nG]

luxury line with this colour is really great.. congrats

[Germancarnut]

Awesome color! The blue colors seem to work great with luxury line. I have 2 weeks to go and can't wait.

[MelangeStillRaces]

Awesome Congrats! My 335 G/T hits port on Sept. 11 and probably should see it at the dealer week of 16th. Ill take photos as well, just seeing yours make me even more excited.

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

Beautiful!

Please take more shots of the exterior if you get a chance...I'm on the fence between this and a new touring.

How's the rear seat space?? I unfortunately have to live w/ two car seats in my car at all times...

Is the turbo four sufficient for the weight? How's the acceleration?

We're spoiled here in the states, as the turbo six is only a few grand more...

Again, beautiful car, and congrats!

Sure, I'll get a few more pics on here as soon as poss.
Rear seat space is very, very generous, I'm sure you'll be impressed.

First impression on the 2 litre, twin turbo, 4 cylinder is very favourable.
I've driven 3 litre, 6 cylinder BMWs for over 15 years, so this is a big change for me. I took one out on a test drive for a day before ordering, and tried it on some of our Scottish Highland roads, and it did all I asked of it. Coupled to the 8 speed Steptronic 'box, it feels very, very smooth.

Acceleration - well with only 75 miles on the clock at the moment, I'm still treating it with a great deal of care and respect. However, I have to say that it does feel very eager to want to go ! I'll give it a wee while and then try it out properly

The only other thing I would add, and I forgot to mention it in my original post. You might notice that I have had mudflaps (stone chip protectors) fitted. Driving on some of our roads up here I had a problem with stone chipping along the sills on my last car and eventually had the mudflaps fitted on that. So I made sure I had these fitted on the 328i from new. Although I paid for the flaps, I asked the dealer to fit them free of charge and they agreed

[benready]

Wow, that is a great colour with Luxury line. I ordered mine with Kalahari Beige, but will try to change it based on this post..

[particulardude]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

How's the rear seat space?? I unfortunately have to live w/ two car seats in my car at all times...

I test drove one last Sat. Interior space is great. I'm 6'5" and this is one of the few cars I was comfortable in and my wife could actually fit behind me! (I don't make her ride back there but it's certainly a consideration for me and my height with the usability of the rear seat when we have more than the three of us in the car.)

I also have a massive car seat that I'm not inclined to change (Clek Foonf) that will still be rear facing for another year. I think it would fit in the 3GT no problem.

I'm seriously considering picking up a 335 M Sport.

[Raikkonen]

Thanks moabite,

Great info. I'm 6'1", and I currently have an f30 335, and it's just not working.

Both of mine are front facing (one's actually a booster), but my 4 1/2 year old just doesn't have any legroom while sitting behind me...I feel incredibly guilty as a result.

Everything I've now read says the GT has more rear legroom than a 5 series, approaching even that of a 7!

I'll be heading down to my dealership at the end of the week to look at one on the lot.

I know people mock this thing, but for my life and lifestyle, this may actually be the perfect vehicle for someone like me:

- All wheel drive, slightly raised ride height, large backseat, more luggage capacity than a wagon, great driving dynamics and drivetrain, and not an suv!
I also happen to love the unique appearance...

[Meeeotch]

Congrats on the new car.

[AndyMD]

Allachie9 - Nice car, wheel look really nice. Keep me updated on your MPG compared to my 320d

Raikkonen - You will love the car, it's a perfect for your lifestyle. I'm 6'3'' and I can fit behind my drivers seat set when it's set for me. Make sure you spec the little things like the folding rear seats by pulling the handle from the boot. Mine hasn't got that and I went to use it already. (i've only had the car 3 days) and I think the professional media with enhanced bluetooth should be your first choice.

[Raikkonen]

Andy, thanks. I think the 3 GT may be the perfect car for me.

My current situation -

F30 + car seats = FAIL

It looks OK, BUT, my 4 year old behind me literally cannot move her legs at all...

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by benready

Wow, that is a great colour with Luxury line. I ordered mine with Kalahari Beige, but will try to change it based on this post..

I looked long and hard at Kalahari Beige as my previous car, E92 325i SE Coupe, was finished in Platinum Bronze, which I loved. Kalahari Beige is just a shade darker than Platinum Bronze. In the end I decided that a complete change would be better and I went for Midnight Blue. I know now that I made the right choice

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by AndyMD

Allachie9 - Nice car, wheel look really nice. Keep me updated on your MPG compared to my 320d

On the drive home from the dealership in Inverness, 42 miles on both A and B roads, I got 45.1 mpg. I'm pretty sure that will improve as everything loosens up.

[///jbeck]

First time I loved the way the airvents looked

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by ///jbeck

First time I loved the way the airvents looked

Before picking the car up, I had thought about investigating whether I could get the air vents colour-coded. But now, having had the car for a couple of days, I think that, along with all the other chrome/bright metal trims on the Luxury line, the chrome vents look perfect.

[Zirenz2006]

Congrats! Looks great. I got to see Midnight Blue in person recently on an X6 and it is a very nice color.

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

Thanks moabite,

Great info. I'm 6'1", and I currently have an f30 335, and it's just not working.

Both of mine are front facing (one's actually a booster), but my 4 1/2 year old just doesn't have any legroom while sitting behind me...I feel incredibly guilty as a result.

Everything I've now read says the GT has more rear legroom than a 5 series, approaching even that of a 7!

I'll be heading down to my dealership at the end of the week to look at one on the lot.

I know people mock this thing, but for my life and lifestyle, this may actually be the perfect vehicle for someone like me:

- All wheel drive, slightly raised ride height, large backseat, more luggage capacity than a wagon, great driving dynamics and drivetrain, and not an suv!
I also happen to love the unique appearance...

I got to sit in one at my dealer recently and the back has a lot of leg room. I couldn't believe what a difference it is from the F30.

I am considering one as well when my F30 lease is up in April, not because I need really the extra room but I really like the styling.

It really needs to be seen in person. Photos don't do it enough justice IMO.

[particulardude]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

I know people mock this thing, but for my life and lifestyle, this may actually be the perfect vehicle for someone like me:

- All wheel drive, slightly raised ride height, large backseat, more luggage capacity than a wagon, great driving dynamics and drivetrain, and not an suv!
I also happen to love the unique appearance...

I think you hit it perfectly there - for a family man this is the ultimate car. The A/S7 is too pretentious to me, the F31 is only available with the 4 cylinder here in the states and has less rear legroom.

I was talking with a friend recently about the 3GT and I really think this is the best family car for a car guy at or under $60k.

The only thing I really wish you could spec is rear sunshades for the little one - I despise the stick on or suction cup ones but unfortunately I think that's only something available on 5, 6 and 7s as well as the X5.

[Raikkonen]

Originally Posted by moabite

The only thing I really wish you could spec is rear sunshades for the little one - I despise the stick on or suction cup ones but unfortunately I think that's only something available on 5, 6 and 7s as well as the X5.

OMG that's EXACTLY what I was thinking...they are available on the 3 series, but not the 3 GT because of the frameless door glass...

That back hatch glass is rather large too; I guarantee that interior will be an oven in the middle of summer!

[jwickers]

My wife wanted an X3 at first but the GT is actually bigger/longer inside.
Too all who criticized the car for being a mix of everything ... it's actually brilliant, you can get your 3er, the wife gets her SUV, the family gets a wagon .. all in one.

If you have hot summers as i do, you would have to put some strong tint at least at the back. It is also why i ordered it in white and avoided black interior (too bad it does not have cooled front seats ...)

[mattu]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

OMG that's EXACTLY what I was thinking...they are available on the 3 series, but not the 3 GT because of the frameless door glass...

That back hatch glass is rather large too; I guarantee that interior will be an oven in the middle of summer!

In Europe it looks like there's an option for "Sun Protection Glass" in the rear windows. I'll have to ask my CA if there's any way I can get it added to my order, but I haven't been able to find any information on this option in the US.