My New Red Stallion: BMW 328i

[srid68]

Its highly unlikely that 2-3 kms would show high FE on the MID. It goes on increasing as you cover more miles. So I just wanted to know the reason behind low FE. Thanks for letting me know.

Enjoy your BMW. Please post some better pics of the red beauty.

As one member previously asked, Why did not you consider an Audi, Merc or the likes after owning two BMWs in a row?

This question has come from TAINs as well as other friends and relatives. Earlier I had done test drives of all the 3 cars. I had tested the A4 & A6 diesel and the C (Petrol), E (Petrol) as well as the very envious C63. The C63 was toppers, however, at 1.25Cr way out of my budget. I did not find the Audi to be exciting to drive though probably it had the maximum gizmos. The Merc on the other hand has an unmatched aura, however, with too many negative feedbacks about ASS decided to keep away from it. The new 3 also has a vast improvement on the rear leg room and is most spacious as compared to the A4 or C class. Also the petrol beast picked up by me was in the affordable bracket considering the discounts being offered to me as a returning customer. Most importantly the finance approvals and paper work was a breeze as again with BMW Financials I was a repeat customer. All this together tipped the scale for me. I think I ahve now become a hardcore BMWian and may find it very difficult to change the brands in this range. The ASS provided by BMW is one of the best I have come across and moer importantly the workshop is just about 2 km from my home.

Your Beemer looks awesome. You have bought a stunning Beemer, which has 245BHP petrol engine which will do mind blowing speeds and has excellent ride and handling dynamics. Instead speaking about all those special attributes of your beemer the topic has come to always asked question "FE" .

Comeon dude tel us about your car's handling abilities and acceleration? How are those run flat tires? Are they practical for indian conditions? Have you tried going pasts 150Km/hr? How does your beemer behave to low quality roads? Does it have enough GC for those special speed breakers?

Regards,
Sankar

Sankar thanks for pointing out this. The feedback on FE was due to this being asked by many on our forum. As regards to acceleration, I had mentioned earlier that I managed 0 - 100 in 5.8 seconds. I am yet to hit the highway to get to the 150+ mark. I had managed 180+ on my earlier 320d and it was rock steady. I expect the same from this car too. As regards to RFTs, I have been on RFTs since 2011. I have not faced much issues. Though the ride quality on my earlier 320d was harsh due to the RFTs, this has been vastly improved on the new generation 3. The ride is smooth and on a couple of occassions I went through some bad roads but the sail was silky. The ground clerance of 140mm as given in the manual seems inadequate for our road conditions, however, last Sunday with full load (me, wife, mother and 2 children) the flow on such speed breakers was extremely smooth. I also tried this with a few of my friends on Tuesday and we deliberately went fast over some speedbreakers. While it was not a gliding feel, it definitely did not give trouble to the occupants. In the area where I work, we have earmarked a specific TD route which covers all these aspects and the 3 came out with flying colours. I am planning a long drive during the April 11-14 weekend and will post more details.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Sankar thanks for pointing out this. The feedback on FE was due to this being asked by many on our forum. As regards to acceleration, I had mentioned earlier that I managed 0 - 100 in 5.8 seconds. I am yet to hit the highway to get to the 150+ mark. I had managed 180+ on my earlier 320d and it was rock steady. I expect the same from this car too. As regards to RFTs, I have been on RFTs since 2011. I have not faced much issues. Though the ride quality on my earlier 320d was harsh due to the RFTs, this has been vastly improved on the new generation 3. The ride is smooth and on a couple of occassions I went through some bad roads but the sail was silky. The ground clerance of 140mm as given in the manual seems inadequate for our road conditions, however, last Sunday with full load (me, wife, mother and 2 children) the flow on such speed breakers was extremely smooth. I also tried this with a few of my friends on Tuesday and we deliberately went fast over some speedbreakers. While it was not a gliding feel, it definitely did not give trouble to the occupants. In the area where I work, we have earmarked a specific TD route which covers all these aspects and the 3 came out with flying colours. I am planning a long drive during the April 11-14 weekend and will post more details.

Wow 0-100 under 6 seconds brings the car close to super car category. i have heard of BMW Performance enhancing upgrades. With those fitted one can achieve 0-100 under 5 seconds or with some heavy tuning even 4 seconds. But BMW performance kits would be very expensive.

Are you happy with car's stock music system? Are you planning on upgrading your ICE?

Just inquired about the run flats as i have heard of horror stories of run flats not lasting long like regular tubeless tires. In my knowledge if a run flat suffers a puncture and if you drive even according to BMW mentioned kilometers you will have to replace the whole tire and the costs are anywhere between 25-30k. Please correct me if i am wrong.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[srid68]

Wow 0-100 under 6 seconds brings the car close to super car category. i have heard of BMW Performance enhancing upgrades. With those fitted one can achieve 0-100 under 5 seconds or with some heavy tuning even 4 seconds. But BMW performance kits would be very expensive.

Are you happy with car's stock music system? Are you planning on upgrading your ICE?

Just inquired about the run flats as i have heard of horror stories of run flats not lasting long like regular tubeless tires. In my knowledge if a run flat suffers a puncture and if you drive even according to BMW mentioned kilometers you will have to replace the whole tire and the costs are anywhere between 25-30k. Please correct me if i am wrong.

Regards,
Sankar

I am very satisfied with the stock ICE. It is a 9 speaker setup and the sound quality is very good for my requirements. Since changing the ICE would effect the warranty, I would not be doing it. However, BMW does come up with some offers, now and then, of upgrading the speaker system with amplifiers, subwoofers etc. In such a scenario I may go for the same if my pocket pernits.

For RFT punctures, BMW advises the car can be driven for atleast 200km at speeds not exceeding 80kmph. On my earlier 320d I experienced punctures twice and in both cases the tyre was replaced. The BMW Secure policy covers replacement of 4 tyres in a year. the only cost we need to bear is the cost of weights for balancing which in my case was Rs.850/- and Rs.950/- in each case. Since both happened within Mumbai I was not much worried as I could comfortably drive down to the workshop to get it rectified. the only flip side is it takes a day as it is an insurance related issue and needs the surveyor's approval.

BMW does not permit the replacement of stock RFTs with Tubeless as it vioids the warranty. Even the dealers do not offer it as an option.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

I am very satisfied with the stock ICE. It is a 9 speaker setup and the sound quality is very good for my requirements. Since changing the ICE would effect the warranty, I would not be doing it. However, BMW does come up with some offers, now and then, of upgrading the speaker system with amplifiers, subwoofers etc. In such a scenario I may go for the same if my pocket pernits.

For RFT punctures, BMW advises the car can be driven for atleast 200km at speeds not exceeding 80kmph. On my earlier 320d I experienced punctures twice and in both cases the tyre was replaced. The BMW Secure policy covers replacement of 4 tyres in a year. the only cost we need to bear is the cost of weights for balancing which in my case was Rs.850/- and Rs.950/- in each case. Since both happened within Mumbai I was not much worried as I could comfortably drive down to the workshop to get it rectified. the only flip side is it takes a day as it is an insurance related issue and needs the surveyor's approval.

BMW does not permit the replacement of stock RFTs with Tubeless as it vioids the warranty. Even the dealers do not offer it as an option.

9 speaker system sounds good. No need to upgrade the system.

So i am right about the need to replace RFT in event of a puncture.For how many years can one take BMW secure policy? What will happen if you are not within 200kms of a BMW showroom and if a puncture happens won't you get stranded? If you are driving for long distances won't this affect reliability as 200kms is a big handicap as BMW dealers are not available in all tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India? I am speaking of business class people who travel a lot in cars.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[appus]

Congratulations on your new car. Hope to see your dream car soon in 'ownership thread'

 

[srid68]

9 speaker system sounds good. No need to upgrade the system.

So i am right about the need to replace RFT in event of a puncture.For how many years can one take BMW secure policy? What will happen if you are not within 200kms of a BMW showroom and if a puncture happens won't you get stranded? If you are driving for long distances won't this affect reliability as 200kms is a big handicap as BMW dealers are not available in all tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India? I am speaking of business class people who travel a lot in cars.

Regards,
Sankar

I think one can take it up to 3 years. Will check about the same. Your observations about the +200km is absoluteley right, however, there is a provision of buying a spare from BMW in case a long drive is planned. I have done a couple of long drives in my earlier 320d, thankfully did not encounter any punctures

 

[SankarNarayanan]

I think one can take it up to 3 years. Will check about the same. Your observations about the +200km is absoluteley right, however, there is a provision of buying a spare from BMW in case a long drive is planned. I have done a couple of long drives in my earlier 320d, thankfully did not encounter any punctures

Does BMW cars have provision for placing spare tires? BMW provides RTF for it's car so that they can avoid giving spare tires which is a very cost effective option. I don't think BMW car's come with a provision of spare tires so even if you buy a spare and place it in boot you have spend on additional harness to keep the tires from moving while driving the car right? Also boot space will be reduced by placing spare tire in boot not a big deal but still is a fact. When you wnet to showroom did you check the new 520d because at the price of 328i one can get a 520d right? Please correct me if i am wrong.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[srid68]

Does BMW cars have provision for placing spare tires? BMW provides RTF for it's car so that they can avoid giving spare tires which is a very cost effective option. I don't think BMW car's come with a provision of spare tires so even if you buy a spare and place it in boot you have spend on additional harness to keep the tires from moving while driving the car right? Also boot space will be reduced by placing spare tire in boot not a big deal but still is a fact. When you wnet to showroom did you check the new 520d because at the price of 328i one can get a 520d right? Please correct me if i am wrong.

Regards,
Sankar

Sankar
Indeed the price of 520d and 328i is more or less the same. If you read the start of this post, I have listed the positives and negatives of 520d v/s 328i. I started by looking at 520d and in the end purchased the 328i! The 328i is a performance car with top end features whereas the 520d is an entry level 5 series.
The spare tyre will occupy some space in the boot and there are provisions for keeping in in place. I have not yet bought one but may do in case I decide to go on a long tour. Right now not planend any major trips.

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

Sorry for being late but congrats for your Beemer buddy. She looks hot and could you please specify what was the price diff. b/w petrol and diesel version.
Please post some more pics.

 

[srid68]

Sorry for being late but congrats for your Beemer buddy. She looks hot and could you please specify what was the price diff. b/w petrol and diesel version.
Please post some more pics.

Many Thanks Vivek. The top end diesel version (320d) is about 6L cheaper than the 328i. However, it lacks many features such as HUD, large screen with HDD, Navigation, BMW Apps etc. Power wise it is 184 bhp as compared to the 245 bhp power on the 328i

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

And i thought that HUD is now become standard among all the Beemers. Anyways your ride looks hot in red, if you can then please post the pics of interiors.

Is it also possible to use navigator via HUD. Along with other info related to engine like RPM temp. etc. Sorry for bothering you with pile up of questions but don't have much knowledge about Beemers.

 

[visran]

What is the service interval for this car,and does it come with any kind of free service or an AMC package?

 

[srid68]

And i thought that HUD is now become standard among all the Beemers. Anyways your ride looks hot in red, if you can then please post the pics of interiors.

Is it also possible to use navigator via HUD. Along with other info related to engine like RPM temp. etc. Sorry for bothering you with pile up of questions but don't have much knowledge about Beemers.

The navigator instructions come up on the HUD. The map by themselves are not displayed but the arrow guidance and location details come on the HUD. I will post information about the engine tomorrow. I will also post more pictures over the weekend. Any questions are welcome and I will try my best to answer. Sometimes I am out of station so my replies may be a little delayed.

What is the service interval for this car,and does it come with any kind of free service or an AMC package?

There are AMC packages offered based on no of years and km. It starts with 3 yrs 60K kms upto 5yrs 100K km. The best part is you can opt for 3 yrs 60K package and later on pay the difference to increase it to 5 yrs. The package covers everything from brakes to wiper blades! There is no specific service interval. As in all BMWs, the car will tell you when it needs servicing. Generally it is one year or 13-15K km which ever is earlier. The system indicates service needs and also provides detailed status of each critical part of the car such as engine, brakes, tyres etc.

 

[gears1313]

WoW!!! This machine is looking HOT. Especially the colour. I wish that the Fluidic Verna was available in this colour here in India.
Btw you have a very good Eastern Express Highway next to you. You could make records there. But beware of those two Godrej Signals and those auto ricks crawling in the center of the road and ofcourse other motorists too.

Regards:
Gears1313

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Sankar
Indeed the price of 520d and 328i is more or less the same. If you read the start of this post, I have listed the positives and negatives of 520d v/s 328i. I started by looking at 520d and in the end purchased the 328i! The 328i is a performance car with top end features whereas the 520d is an entry level 5 series.
The spare tyre will occupy some space in the boot and there are provisions for keeping in in place. I have not yet bought one but may do in case I decide to go on a long tour. Right now not planend any major trips.

Entry level 5 series? If you ask me BMW 520D is equipped with everything including pure leather interiors, gizmos and safety kit

On a serious note have you considered 530D? It has paddle shift gearbox and a powerful engine with 205BHP on tap importantly diesel power which will be much torquer than the petrol engine on 328i. Please correct me if i am wrong.

Regards,
Sankar