My New Red Stallion: BMW 328i

[srid68]

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

520d does not have HUD, Navigation etc which tilted me towards the 328i.
No doubt the 530d is a better vehicle but at 65L it is way above my budget.

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

Doesn't it have HUD in any variant, as far as i knew before the launch of new 3 series it was only available in 5 series and above.

 

[visran]

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.

Thanks for the info, i am seriously impressed with the service package BMW is offering

 

[srid68]

Doesn't it have HUD in any variant, as far as i knew before the launch of new 3 series it was only available in 5 series and above.

Vivek, the HUD is provided only in the 530d of the 5 series. Earlier HUD was never given in the 3 series. It is only since the launch of the new 3 series last year, this has been provided. Further the HUD is not provided even in the top line 320d, it is only provided in the 328i

 

[Rightnow]

..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. .I think I ahve now become a hardcore BMWian and may find it very difficult to change the brands in this range.

Thanks for explanation Srid. I have heard that a BMW is one of the most exciting machines to drive. Does the BMW come with hydraulic steering which more drive even more indulging?

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.

Now this is called an intelligent machine!!

 

[SankarNarayanan]

520d does not have HUD, Navigation etc which tilted me towards the 328i.
No doubt the 530d is a better vehicle but at 65L it is way above my budget.

All in all a great drivers car you have bought. 245BHP sounds too good mate.

Do upload some more pic of your awesome car.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

Further the HUD is not provided even in the top line 320d, it is only provided in the 328i

Ohh that's really not good. But thanks for making the things clear.
Btw i saw one of your post stating that you drove till 180kmph, i am sure she can do much more than that, i am not saying you to drive like fire on your tail but would definitely like to know how much fast can 245 horses do.

Always drive safe.

BTW i also did 180 in my punto on yamuna expressway.

 

[srid68]

Hi friends posting some more pictures. I was taking the pictures without flash (I am learning photography tricks) so some of the pictures are darker than they ought to be. Morever it was taken in the closed parking area of our building. I will improve on my photography skills and will take better pictures later. The 3D mats for the new 3 series is not yet available. I have placed an order and should be getting it in 15 days. So I have to make do with the temporary rubber mats provided by the dealer.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Hi friends posting some more pictures. I was taking the pictures without flash (I am learning photography tricks) so some of the pictures are darker than they ought to be. Morever it was taken in the closed parking area of our building. I will improve on my photography skills and will take better pictures later. The 3D mats for the new 3 series is not yet available. I have placed an order and should be getting it in 15 days. So I have to make do with the temporary rubber mats provided by the dealer.

Awesome car yougot there srid68. I am wowed by the hid headlights and sunroof. The speedo shows top speed of 260KM/Hr which i suppose can be done on this monster.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[srid68]

Awesome car yougot there srid68. I am wowed by the hid headlights and sunroof. The speedo shows top speed of 260KM/Hr which i suppose can be done on this monster.

Regards,
Sankar

Thanks Sankar. I had read on the net that some have tried pushing this car to the limits on the auobahn and their grouse was the needle touched the 260 mark, the engine had juice to go further but was restrianed due to the speedo. I will try out the speeds on the express way week after next when I am planning to take a tryst outside Mumbai. WIll post my experiences once done.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Thanks Sankar. I had read on the net that some have tried pushing this car to the limits on the auobahn and their grouse was the needle touched the 260 mark, the engine had juice to go further but was restrianed due to the speedo. I will try out the speeds on the express way week after next when I am planning to take a tryst outside Mumbai. WIll post my experiences once done.

Dude please be careful when trying such high speeds. Indian road conditions are very bad and sudden animals crossing would be a disaster. Imagine hitting a stray animal at 200km/hr and steering inputs at such high speeds will be different.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[dharmesh]

Hey Sri, nice pics . Interiors are just way too good... And those angry headlights looks directly into your eyes.

 

[jihu123]

the pics without flash looks even better. And as SankarNarayanan said, be extremely careful on Indian Highways!

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

Buddy the pics are just awesome, i am falling in love with your ride now. BTW came to see a red 328i today and instantly reminded of your ride, she was looking hot.

 

[srid68]

The more I drive this car, the more I fall in love with it. The power delivery is so silky and there is no turbo lag at all.On Sunday the whole family went for a spin to South Mumbai. It was a pleasant drive through the Bandra Worli sealink. The car simply glides over speed breakers and the occupants do not feel any jerks. We could see heads turning on the road to take a look at my red stallion. This color really stands out and gets appreciative glances. I drove on the sea link at a sedate 70kmph just to enjoy the view from the road. I am now planning a trip to Goa over the next weekend and will post my expereince.