Thread Starter
#1
Hi friends
My new red stallion has arrived. It has been an awesome experience till now with BMWs and I hope it continues.
Selection Process
Though the X1 had been a very good vehicle, I was not completely satisfied due two reasons
1. My mother found it extremely difficult to get into the rear seat.
2. The pickup was not as exciting as the 320d (due to X1 being heavier than 320 by about 400 kg)
I found some advertisements offering good prices for 520d, so decided to explore the same. The dealers were offering good discounts and I got into the discussion with Infinity for the 520d. While surfing through the BMW website, wife and me came accross the 328i and the features offered were amazing. On further discussions with Infinity I found that there are no big discounts especially on the 328i as it was a petrol high performance vehicle and are produced in limited numbers. Nevertheless Infinity was ready to give some discount for a loyal customer. Nevertheless the overall cost was higher than the discounted 520d. Wife and me once again discussed and decided tha it is better to go for a top end 3 than an entry level 5. On the flip side the running cost for petrol is higher which after some calculations I found that I could manage the same.
Buying Process
Infinity provided me a test drive on the 328i and I was simply blown away. The acceleration was fantastic and the handling was great. The steering effort is noticably much lesser than on the X1 due to the new Power steering system being offered on the BMWs. Some enthusiasts may not like this as the feedback is lesser than on the older units. That apart, everything else was great. I also drove the 520d and I have listed below the differences
520d v/s 328i
+ves for 5
1. Larger in size
2. Electronic Handbrake
3. Auto Hold function
4. Electric steering adjustments (Reach & Rake)
5. Cruise control
-ves for 5
1. Smaller screen size
2. No navigation system (not even as an option)
3. No HUD / BMW Apps
4. Lower powered (185 bhp)
5. Diesel engine more noisier.
The above are exclusively my feedback. Both cars have excellent build quality, however, the 520d is a more commonly found car on the road as compared to the 328i.
I then started a long process of negotions with Infinity regarding buy-back price of my X1, the final price of the 328i, the finance etc. It was a 2 hour long process, but in the end the deal was done.
Colour Selection
As mentioned earlier the 328i is produced in lesser numbers hence color availablity for quick delivery was limited. I was offered
1. Melbourne Red with Black Interiors
2. White with Coral Red Interiors
3. White with Black Interiors
The choice was obvious. A sportsline model has to be red. Once confirmed this was ordered by Infinity and the car left Chennai a day later. I also wanted a specific reg no hence had to wait for about 3 days to get the same. The process started on 14th March and on 23rd March got the delivery. (agonisingly long 9 day wait!)
Interim Time
Once the buy-back was finalised, Infinity needed my X1 for foreclosing the earlier loan and other processes. They gave me a loaner car (another X1) which in my opinion was a very good gesture and customer satisfaction point. They got the loaner car and took my X1 with the understanding that when I take delivery of the 328i I will return the same. 100 marks to Infinity for managing this.
Delivery Process
A promised by Infinity, the car was ready for delivery on 23rd March evening. Wife and me reached the showroom by 4pm and took the car out by 5pm. The whole process was extremely smooth. All the papers needing my signature were kept ready. I also met one of the Directors of Infinity and she came out to personally congratulate me and extend her thanks in returning to Infinity once again.
The traditional pooja items were kept ready and the SE explained to me all the additional features of the car. Since I am not new to BMW we quickly went only through the new features and we were eager to move.
The day after
My Sunday morning was spent in taking photographs, learning more about the HUD, BMW apps etc and configuring my Lumia and Iphone with the car. BTW I am not sure that many persons are aware that on the BMW two phones can be used simultaneously. Most systems offer configuring multiple phones but at any time only one can be connected. In the BMW multiple phones can be configured, but at a time two phones can be connected, one primary and the other secondary. The use of secondary phone is limited to receiving calls only. This is important as in a normal scenario if the other phone (not connected) rings, we have to miss the call or park and then take the call on the handset. Full marks to BMW for providing this option.
In the evening we took a short drive of about 40km. I tried the Eco mode as well as the comfort mode and the difference was noticable. In the Eco mode the a/c compressor shuts more often (to save fuel) thus making the car a bit warmer. The comfort mode was good and I am yet to try the Sport & Sport+ modes. These are reserved while I drive on the Mumbai-Pune expressway.
Footnote - Some of the children in my building mistook this for a Ferrari (due to the color).
Enough of words, now some pictures.
My new red stallion has arrived. It has been an awesome experience till now with BMWs and I hope it continues.
Selection Process
Though the X1 had been a very good vehicle, I was not completely satisfied due two reasons
1. My mother found it extremely difficult to get into the rear seat.
2. The pickup was not as exciting as the 320d (due to X1 being heavier than 320 by about 400 kg)
I found some advertisements offering good prices for 520d, so decided to explore the same. The dealers were offering good discounts and I got into the discussion with Infinity for the 520d. While surfing through the BMW website, wife and me came accross the 328i and the features offered were amazing. On further discussions with Infinity I found that there are no big discounts especially on the 328i as it was a petrol high performance vehicle and are produced in limited numbers. Nevertheless Infinity was ready to give some discount for a loyal customer. Nevertheless the overall cost was higher than the discounted 520d. Wife and me once again discussed and decided tha it is better to go for a top end 3 than an entry level 5. On the flip side the running cost for petrol is higher which after some calculations I found that I could manage the same.
Buying Process
Infinity provided me a test drive on the 328i and I was simply blown away. The acceleration was fantastic and the handling was great. The steering effort is noticably much lesser than on the X1 due to the new Power steering system being offered on the BMWs. Some enthusiasts may not like this as the feedback is lesser than on the older units. That apart, everything else was great. I also drove the 520d and I have listed below the differences
520d v/s 328i
+ves for 5
1. Larger in size
2. Electronic Handbrake
3. Auto Hold function
4. Electric steering adjustments (Reach & Rake)
5. Cruise control
-ves for 5
1. Smaller screen size
2. No navigation system (not even as an option)
3. No HUD / BMW Apps
4. Lower powered (185 bhp)
5. Diesel engine more noisier.
The above are exclusively my feedback. Both cars have excellent build quality, however, the 520d is a more commonly found car on the road as compared to the 328i.
I then started a long process of negotions with Infinity regarding buy-back price of my X1, the final price of the 328i, the finance etc. It was a 2 hour long process, but in the end the deal was done.
Colour Selection
As mentioned earlier the 328i is produced in lesser numbers hence color availablity for quick delivery was limited. I was offered
1. Melbourne Red with Black Interiors
2. White with Coral Red Interiors
3. White with Black Interiors
The choice was obvious. A sportsline model has to be red. Once confirmed this was ordered by Infinity and the car left Chennai a day later. I also wanted a specific reg no hence had to wait for about 3 days to get the same. The process started on 14th March and on 23rd March got the delivery. (agonisingly long 9 day wait!)
Interim Time
Once the buy-back was finalised, Infinity needed my X1 for foreclosing the earlier loan and other processes. They gave me a loaner car (another X1) which in my opinion was a very good gesture and customer satisfaction point. They got the loaner car and took my X1 with the understanding that when I take delivery of the 328i I will return the same. 100 marks to Infinity for managing this.
Delivery Process
A promised by Infinity, the car was ready for delivery on 23rd March evening. Wife and me reached the showroom by 4pm and took the car out by 5pm. The whole process was extremely smooth. All the papers needing my signature were kept ready. I also met one of the Directors of Infinity and she came out to personally congratulate me and extend her thanks in returning to Infinity once again.
The traditional pooja items were kept ready and the SE explained to me all the additional features of the car. Since I am not new to BMW we quickly went only through the new features and we were eager to move.
The day after
My Sunday morning was spent in taking photographs, learning more about the HUD, BMW apps etc and configuring my Lumia and Iphone with the car. BTW I am not sure that many persons are aware that on the BMW two phones can be used simultaneously. Most systems offer configuring multiple phones but at any time only one can be connected. In the BMW multiple phones can be configured, but at a time two phones can be connected, one primary and the other secondary. The use of secondary phone is limited to receiving calls only. This is important as in a normal scenario if the other phone (not connected) rings, we have to miss the call or park and then take the call on the handset. Full marks to BMW for providing this option.
In the evening we took a short drive of about 40km. I tried the Eco mode as well as the comfort mode and the difference was noticable. In the Eco mode the a/c compressor shuts more often (to save fuel) thus making the car a bit warmer. The comfort mode was good and I am yet to try the Sport & Sport+ modes. These are reserved while I drive on the Mumbai-Pune expressway.
Footnote - Some of the children in my building mistook this for a Ferrari (due to the color).
Enough of words, now some pictures.
![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
![[cheers]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Cheers.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
The on-windshield display is simply brilliant!![[evil]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Evil.gif "Evil [evil]")
![[clap]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Clap.gif "Clap [clap]")
..![[;)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Wink.gif "Wink [;)]")
![[lol]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Laugh.gif "Laugh [lol]")
, it was a electric blue and boy the turbo made me fall in love with the petrol, though me being a diesel fan
