Well for a long long time I've wanted to get back into a BM. I had a E30 for a short while when I was 18 and loved it, since then while I've not owned one I have driven a fair few form time to time. Most recently, I borrowed a mates 320d for a short while and took another mates M3 (V8 Fap fap) out for a spin, both made me decide to leave the VAG stable for the next motor. So, last year I got the bike for myself, the deal with the mrs was a new car this year as we need a second really. We have an old Octavia vRS with 170,000 miles, owned it about a year and half now, been pretty faultless (touch wood), it was originally a stop gap but I'm keeping it as the daily/dog car, it's not worth anything to sell. 

 

Anyway, back to the new one, originally we were looking at later E46 motors but then as usual things change, I started looking at E90 'wheelbarrow editions' as Jase calls them, basic early 318/320 models. As much as I liked them, I had a hankering for a M Sport, the 320d my mate lent me was a M Sport and it was the little touches that made the difference, the chunky steering wheel, stumpy short throw gearbox and the seats. In the end I decided I rather get a M Sport, it would cost a bit more now but long term it'd be cheaper than me putting all the extras on myself. I think it's the first car I've bought that I've not compromised on, normally there is something I'm not 100% taken on, spec, engine, colour etc but this is more or less bang tidy. I initially wanted grey but both the two mates cars I mentioned earlier are grey and I'd look like a right bender with another I'm not normally a fan of silver but I think certain cars can sometimes pull it off, BMWs and Mercs mainly. 

 

So the car itself is a 2007 BMW 320d M Sport, 163bhp model so no DPF or cam chain issues. The usual spec, cruise, alcantara seats, fat leather steering wheel (with buttons that I dont know what they do) and 17 inch wheels as oppose to the usual 18 inch style 193 wheels. I only have a quick snap from when I test drove it 

 

Plans wise, very little. Part of the huge appeal of this car with this spec is that I can get in it and drive it, look at it and enjoy it as it is. Power delivery takes some getting use to, I'm use to a PD diesel kicking you in the back when the turbo gets going but this is so smooth, the speedo flies up but it just doesnt feel as quick as it is. Of course it's never going to set any speed records but it's got a bit of poke, the bike is for speed, this is for chilling in really. There are a few tiny bits that need sorting, a small scuff on the rear bumper, centre caps need replacing and the glossy black trim on the wheel needs looking at. Past that, maybe some black grills, light rear window tints, darkline rear lights, black wing mirrors and a remap. Nothing major really, aside from that enjoy it and drive it!

 

I'll update when I collect it, hopefully this weekend. Just had a quick look through the other posts in this section, theres quite a little BMW contingency on here now!

 

Cheers

Nice get some bmw gloss black performance kidney grilles on it and chop that downturned tailpipe off and get some proper tips on the exaust and you'll be onto a winner

You'll notice it comes into a world of its own on the motorway. Sitting at 80 indicated it just munches up the miles. Takes a bit of getting used to you have to get used to the deceptive bmw speed

Nearly caught me out a few times when i first got mine. In the bmw you dont feel like your going fast when in reality you are. I kept going into bends too hot to begin with as i thought i was doing say 40mph when in fact i was doing something like 60mph as it feels so solid. I still call it the deceptive bmw speed trap

Ah yes, I forgot about the exhaust pipe, that needs fettling. Going to pick it up tomorrow, got a short trip on the motorway to come back, see how it goes. 

They are mint on the mway

Mile muncher

Remember they can only be driven in lane 3 at 6" gap from car infront

You'll also find the indicators dont operate when on a motorway

my mates always saying how no one lets you out in a BM, time to find out!

Good choice!

I got my 320d M-Sport in November, I've taken a risk on a low millage 2011 N47 engine car.... DPF and Chain haha! :peek: :peek: :peek:

- Nobody lets you out

- They eat miles up like no other car I've driven

- 80-85 feels like the 'happy speed' for them

- No PD shove, but they drive remarkably like a petrol, solid acceleration through the revs

- Interior quality, fit and finish is much better than VAG

I could go on and on... great cars. Love mine and I'm sure you will too!

Good choice!

I got my 320d M-Sport in November, I've taken a risk on a low millage 2011 N47 engine car.... DPF and Chain haha! :peek: :peek: :peek:

- Nobody lets you out

- They eat miles up like no other car I've driven

- 80-85 feels like the 'happy speed' for them

- No PD shove, but they drive remarkably like a petrol, solid acceleration through the revs

- Interior quality, fit and finish is much better than VAG

I could go on and on... great cars. Love mine and I'm sure you will too!

 

Very nice! I saw those grills, I'm not sure it'd work so well on a silver one though, might just stick to black. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your cam chain and dpf I think it's like any car, if you look at the amount with issues vs how many were made it's actually quite a small number most of the time. 

 

So far my first impressions are mainly good;

 

It feels very well put together, everything is solid, clunks when shut and nothing rattles at all. The controls are perfectly weighted, the steering especially I love, along with the nice chunky wheel. Gearbox is nice and tight, short throw, it's so smooth to drive even though it's a boggo 4 cylinder diesel it still manages to be quite refined.

 

Performance wise it's never going to set the world on fire, 163bhp diesel in a weighty car BUT it does motor along well enough. I'm pleased I didnt go for the 318i I was looking at, the older 128bhp motor would be well under powered I suspect. All that said, I suspect part of it is the fact it's so smooth and quiet that you really dont realise how quick you're going. I've found myself on a couple of occasions looking at the speedo thinking 'whoops, little bit too quick!' Also, economy seems to be better than I expected, drove home from work quite briskly last night and arrived with an average of 42mpg! Not bad at all. Plus, if wanted, a map to 190-200bhp will see the performance transformed no doubt. 

 

The ride is perfect imo, somewhere between the Octavia's soft ride and how the Fabia was on coilovers. It's firm but not uncomfortable, you feel the bumps yes but thats the trade off for the nice taut feel though the bends when pushing on, plus still has run flats on it too. I might consider a tiny drop, just to get ride of the slight reverse rake mainly but for a 'sporty' model it's just right I think. 

 

Equipment seems good, cruise control, 6 speed box, aux input, the most comfortable seats I've sat in, digital climate control. I cant compare it to much apart from my mates A4 S-Line, which has those bits except for the cruise I think. The only things I think I'd have picked is xenons and phone prep but I might see if the latter can be retro fitted easily. 

 

The only slight downside I've noticed, which isnt too much of an issue for us is space. It has a huge boot but anyone wanting to sit behind me needs to have no legs When we have kids we'll need a 5er but not a problem for now. 

 

Overall I'm well chuffed with it, I'm using the Octavia for work still because I can abandon it and not care if it gets dented etc and as much as I love that aspect of car ownership I have missed having a nice car that looks and feels nice. I looked at 1 series too, I'm glad we got the 3 now after parking next to one at Tesco earlier, I prefer the saloon. 

 

I'll update as we go if anything changes or happens with it, I'll get some pictures up when it's clean. 

BMW is a good car, if I was critical I would ask for a weaker spring when selecting reverse, you need a really firm action, this is on a girly one series!

 

 Our 330d is a beast of a car and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good all-round family car.

 

 Matt, you have a fine looking 3 series, enjoy it.

BMW is a good car, if I was critical I would ask for a weaker spring when selecting reverse, you need a really firm action, this is on a girly one series!

 

Thats something I didnt mention but I am surprised at how stiff (oooeerr) it is, takes a good shove to move it over, asked the Mrs what she though of it just now and she said she hasnt tried it yet but her mum struggles with the reverse on their C class Merc so sounds like it's more widespread! Not sure if it makes it worse with the short gear lever on the M cars. 

Good news for N47 owners

BMW are now doing A recall. They are calling it a QE (quality enhancement)

Phone your dealer to get car booked in and checked ally

And matt check your engine temps as the thermostats on our engines are a weak point

Google bmw hidden menu (video on youtube)

Engine temp should hit a solid 90 degree's and stay there. When i first got mine i was only hitting 78 degree's and getting poor economy.

Worth a check

Good news for N47 owners

BMW are now doing A recall. They are calling it a QE (quality enhancement)

Phone your dealer to get car booked in and checked ally

Would do mate! I've never worried about it... I used to own a MK2 VRS! So potential failures have never worried me.... But will give them a call and see if my car is eligible.

Nice one! :-)

And matt check your engine temps as the thermostats on our engines are a weak point

Google bmw hidden menu (video on youtube)

Engine temp should hit a solid 90 degree's and stay there. When i first got mine i was only hitting 78 degree's and getting poor economy.

Worth a check

I will check that, cheers. Also, has yours got a electronic dipstick? Mine has a normal one, does this mean no electric one?

Just on the engine temperature check with hidden menus, I replaced the EGR thermostat on our car but am yet to replace the main stat.

 

 To check it in a much simpler way than hidden menus I use an Elm wifi device linked to the torque App, so easy even I can do it 

Oh I forgot I have one of those Bluetooth dongles, I never used it because I have VAG com for the Skodas. I think there's a BMW specific app too, BMWhat or something?

Not sure Matt, I just use the Torque lite app, it shows the gauges big and clear.

 

 I did buy the Inpa software and cable but it is nowhere near as user friendly as VCDS, I haven't got my head around it yet.

I will check that, cheers. Also, has yours got a electronic dipstick? Mine has a normal one, does this mean no electric one?

No electronic dipstick

Just an old school one which is good

Not sure Matt, I just use the Torque lite app, it shows the gauges big and clear.

I did buy the Inpa software and cable but it is nowhere near as user friendly as VCDS, I haven't got my head around it yet.

Me too 5 installation discs. Way too hard for my brain

Me too 5 installation discs. Way too hard for my brain

 

I gave it ago after a few warning lights came on, turned out to be brake pad wear sensors!  Anyway after having Inpa plugged in and mooching about in the cars brain, not really knowing what I was doing! I shut Inpa down and removed the lead, imagine my panic when I tried to start the car and it just kept turning over without firing   panic  :S I felt physically sick   I even considered calling the RAC and make out that it just won't start, then I decided Forum, so off onto Google to search Inpa no starting.

 Massive sigh of relief when I read that you have to switch everything off, lock the car and unlock it after diag, out I went to the car and tried it and she fired  :clap: I was chuffed, my warning lights had been reset and the car runs, I have never plugged Inpa in since.

Few snaps. It rained most of the day but I decided to give it a quick wash and debadge the boot. 

 

First warmed up the little numbers and pulled them off with a credit card, rubbed the big bits of glue off leaving this

 

Then used a couple of squirts of this stuff

 

Gave it a wipe and was left with this

 

Then gave the rest a quick going over, the bodywork has a couple of little bits I want to sort but overall very good. Was pretty happy after a wash, come up looking real nice, it's by far the the best nick car I've had. I cant wait to give it a good polish and wax (need to check out which of these work well on silver). 

 

 

 

 

Oh and I need some bloody mats too! The ones in it are naff, I dread to think how much some proper BM ones will be. 

Bmw mats about £97

So the BM is going from keep totally stock to 'mildly tweak' Nothing major, we love it as it is, it is pretty much all show no go, nice sporty looks but reasonable running costs, which is what we want BUT there are some little bits that might be changed. 

 

The one I've been looking at recently and area I'm asking for opinions on is the exhaust. Being the non DPF motor it had a downward exhaust, currently looking like this

 

It annoys me, mainly because there's a cut out for it and I cant stand downward tips on show, I know why they've done it, because it chucks out soot, the later DPF motors have a straight tip. Anyway, initially I was looking at a 330d style twin tip, nice and simple like this, but obviously cleaner

 

Cheap and easy, lop some of the end off the current one and wack on a tip, sorted. However, I was just looking about at cars on ebay as you do, spotted a 335d and noticed the rear bumper is identical except the bottom diffuser which has 2 cut outs rather than one, and a single tip on each side like this.....

 

The trim is < £50, originally I was looking at if it would be possible to get the last bit of the stock exhaust from a 335d on the back. I showed the mrs and she loved the look and then to my surprised asked if we could make it a bit louder, she misses the grumble of the Fabia  So a little more looking about and Cobra do a system designed to fit the 320d with twin tips to fit the 335d trim. 

 

My only reservation IS, am I getting too close to the whole 'replica' area? I noticed when looking that there's a few '335d replicas' listed on ebay, it's put me on the fence a bit. I'd never dream of putting a full M3 kit on and that but from what I can see, the rear trim and exhaust is the only visual difference between the 20d/30d/35d. The more I'm looking at it the more I think it'll be subtle enough to pull it off without looking like the 'I wish I'd bought the quicker one' guy. 

 

As far as our first few months goes with the BM it's lovely, I drove it 'hard' for the first time the other day, it sticks to the road like nothing else, even with it's modest 163bhp it's a right laugh. Economy seems pretty good, round town it's still over 40mpg but on a run it hits 55+ easily. Munches miles on the motorway without issue, done nearly 5 hours solid in it a few weeks back, got out feeling fairly fresh at the other end. 

 

There is still a few bits to look at changing, mats are still top of the list, might have to bite the bullet and get BM ones, at least they'll fit nice. No doubt it'll be mapped and some wheels, I really like some 5 series wheels but they look a ballache to fit so might end up sticking to E90 wheels. The mrs spent about an hour explaining to me some wheels she'd seen she liked, after various drawings and guesses I ended up working out they we're style 193 wheels! (MV3) FML, I wouldn't mind but we looked at loads with those fitted, you think she'd have noticed! 

I think you have to bin the cubby hole in the boot to fit the 335d style exhaust.

It simply unbolts im read to believe and a 335d one bolts in its place.

Have a look under the car you'll see what i mean. The tray hangs low so you couldnt fit a dual exhaust if you get what i mean!

Fow wheels have a look at CMwheels

They do very good replica bmw alloys

I like the m359 alloys! Would look awesome wearing a set of those

Don't know what spec you have but i have cruise control retrofit kit for sale (stalk and lower plastic cowling to match)

And a tuning box for sale if your interested