F31 330d M Sport

davyk31 · 11-24-2012, 12:59 PM

Had a 24 hour test drive in my dealer's demo, black with black leather and plenty of toys.

Others have commented on how the new 330d drives, I was very impressed I have to say. Really quiet and smooth, the new 8 speed auto is a complete revelation and much better than the previous 6 speed box which hangs onto gears more.

Next drive is hopefully a 40d X5 with the same box.

rich1068 · 11-24-2012, 02:01 PM

Interesting. I'm in one of these Monday with a view to the saloon.

davyk31 · 11-24-2012, 02:30 PM

The combination of the 330d engine and the 8 speed box is great, my normal drive is a 335d and its hard to say whether there is much performance difference but its marginal, with the newer box its a nicer drive than my 335d.

Jedimindtrix · 11-24-2012, 02:55 PM

Might be interested in this, though how do you arrange a 24hr test drive?

Cheers

davyk31 · 11-25-2012, 03:06 AM

I just asked for a drive and they arranged for me to collect Fri and return Sat.

They also have a M135i demo, a night with that could be fun!!

dopper99 · 11-25-2012, 04:38 AM

My only concern asking for these kinds of test drives time and time again is that the dealer will eventually expect something "in return", ie a sale. It's OK if you are actually going to buy something with them to ask for these test drives, but eventually they will get pissed off and it looks like you are just joyriding their cars.

I may have got the OP wrong, but it looks like you are just going through the range!!

davyk31 · 11-25-2012, 08:26 AM

Completely wrong in fact! Yes I will probably buy from them in future and have bought many cars in the past. I have a 335d and an X5 so either of my test drives are relevant

Salesman thanked me for taking the car out and in fact was apologising for being cheeky and asking me if I wanted the car for a day.

Demo cars are to let people try and it's all about setting up possible future sales. Depends I guess on the relationship you have with your dealer.

rich1068 · 11-25-2012, 02:27 PM

Engine and gearbox aside, what did you think of the interior? I don't know if it's just me but the general feel of the plastics seems a little cheaper than my E91.

davyk31 · 11-25-2012, 03:37 PM

I liked the interior, can't really say it felt lacking in quality compared to my E92. The M Sport steering wheel doesn't feel as thick or as nice to use but apart from that it was all good. Seats were very good too, plenty of adjustment including side bolster width which made them very cosy.

Cyprio · 11-25-2012, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich1068

Interesting. I'm in one of these Monday with a view to the saloon.

Any particular reason why changing from touring to saloon?

rich1068 · 11-26-2012, 02:27 AM

Firstly, circumstances have changed and I don't really need a Touring and secondly, the contract hire deals are to be had on the saloons.

.

Cyprio · 11-26-2012, 03:06 AM

Aaah I see, just though that there may have been some things in particular about the Touring that caused you not to want to replace it with another one.

Jack320i · 11-27-2012, 07:15 AM

Which dealer was offering the 24 hour test drive.

davyk31 · 11-27-2012, 07:26 AM

I would say most dealers would offer an extended unaccompanied test drive but depends I guess on your relationship with them, they certainly wouldn't do it for anyone walking in off the street.

They even insured the car for free which I really didn't expect and told me I didn't have to put fuel in before i returned it. I did however stick enough fuel in to bring it back to the point they gave me as them getting in and finding the low fuel light on would be unfair.

MLAM · 11-27-2012, 07:53 AM

Agreed it is down to the relationship with the dealer/salesman.

Having worked for a MINI/BMW Franchise, we only ever let extended 24 hour test drives after talking to them to sense they are serious.

Granted it never always turned into a sale but it was something that was offered.

If it wasn't 24 hours then normally with a demonstrator we'd be happy to let them take it away for a few hours.

rich1068 · 11-27-2012, 10:35 AM

I've got 24 hours in an F31 330d M Sport next week from Sytner Sheffield. Roll on Monday!

Metalmickey · 11-27-2012, 03:33 PM

There's a v positive review of the 330d touring in Autocar magazine (21 nov issue).
It got an almost perfect score!

There's quite a lot of articles on BMWs in this issue if anyone's interested.

RichardM · 12-08-2012, 03:19 AM

Mine arrived at the dealer today! Picking it up next week. I ordered it back in September.

11-24-2012, 12:59 PM	#1
davyk31 Major General 1098 Rep 7,011 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	F31 330d M Sport Had a 24 hour test drive in my dealer's demo, black with black leather and plenty of toys. Others have commented on how the new 330d drives, I was very impressed I have to say. Really quiet and smooth, the new 8 speed auto is a complete revelation and much better than the previous 6 speed box which hangs onto gears more. Next drive is hopefully a 40d X5 with the same box.
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11-24-2012, 02:01 PM	#2
rich1068 has left the building 92 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Interesting. I'm in one of these Monday with a view to the saloon.
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11-24-2012, 02:30 PM	#3
davyk31 Major General 1098 Rep 7,011 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	The combination of the 330d engine and the 8 speed box is great, my normal drive is a 335d and its hard to say whether there is much performance difference but its marginal, with the newer box its a nicer drive than my 335d.
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11-24-2012, 02:55 PM	#4
Jedimindtrix Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 290 Posts Drives: Alpina D3 MT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington, North East iTrader: (0)	Might be interested in this, though how do you arrange a 24hr test drive? Cheers __________________ Alpina D5 bought 2015 Alpina D3 sold 2015
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11-25-2012, 03:06 AM	#5
davyk31 Major General 1098 Rep 7,011 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	I just asked for a drive and they arranged for me to collect Fri and return Sat. They also have a M135i demo, a night with that could be fun!!
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11-25-2012, 04:38 AM	#6
dopper99 Lieutenant General 3602 Rep 11,347 Posts Drives: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	My only concern asking for these kinds of test drives time and time again is that the dealer will eventually expect something "in return", ie a sale. It's OK if you are actually going to buy something with them to ask for these test drives, but eventually they will get pissed off and it looks like you are just joyriding their cars. I may have got the OP wrong, but it looks like you are just going through the range!!
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11-25-2012, 08:26 AM	#7
davyk31 Major General 1098 Rep 7,011 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	Completely wrong in fact! Yes I will probably buy from them in future and have bought many cars in the past. I have a 335d and an X5 so either of my test drives are relevant Salesman thanked me for taking the car out and in fact was apologising for being cheeky and asking me if I wanted the car for a day. Demo cars are to let people try and it's all about setting up possible future sales. Depends I guess on the relationship you have with your dealer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-25-2012, 02:27 PM	#8
rich1068 has left the building 92 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Engine and gearbox aside, what did you think of the interior? I don't know if it's just me but the general feel of the plastics seems a little cheaper than my E91.
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11-25-2012, 03:37 PM	#9
davyk31 Major General 1098 Rep 7,011 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	I liked the interior, can't really say it felt lacking in quality compared to my E92. The M Sport steering wheel doesn't feel as thick or as nice to use but apart from that it was all good. Seats were very good too, plenty of adjustment including side bolster width which made them very cosy.
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11-26-2012, 02:27 AM	#11
rich1068 has left the building 92 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Firstly, circumstances have changed and I don't really need a Touring and secondly, the contract hire deals are to be had on the saloons. . Last edited by rich1068; 11-29-2012 at 09:13 AM..
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11-26-2012, 03:06 AM	#12
Cyprio Captain 34 Rep 918 Posts Drives: 2014 Audi S4 B/Edition Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Colchester. UK iTrader: (2)	Aaah I see, just though that there may have been some things in particular about the Touring that caused you not to want to replace it with another one. __________________ Life is too short to drink bad beer, marry ugly, or not drive the car you want at least once
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11-27-2012, 07:15 AM	#13
Jack320i Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 320i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Test drive Which dealer was offering the 24 hour test drive.
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11-27-2012, 07:26 AM	#14
davyk31 Major General 1098 Rep 7,011 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	I would say most dealers would offer an extended unaccompanied test drive but depends I guess on your relationship with them, they certainly wouldn't do it for anyone walking in off the street. They even insured the car for free which I really didn't expect and told me I didn't have to put fuel in before i returned it. I did however stick enough fuel in to bring it back to the point they gave me as them getting in and finding the low fuel light on would be unfair.
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11-27-2012, 07:53 AM	#15
MLAM Private First Class 4 Rep 116 Posts Drives: E46 325i Sport Saloon Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Agreed it is down to the relationship with the dealer/salesman. Having worked for a MINI/BMW Franchise, we only ever let extended 24 hour test drives after talking to them to sense they are serious. Granted it never always turned into a sale but it was something that was offered. If it wasn't 24 hours then normally with a demonstrator we'd be happy to let them take it away for a few hours.
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11-27-2012, 10:35 AM	#16
rich1068 has left the building 92 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I've got 24 hours in an F31 330d M Sport next week from Sytner Sheffield. Roll on Monday!
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11-27-2012, 03:33 PM	#17
Metalmickey Private First Class 3 Rep 112 Posts Drives: E90 Lci 330d M-sport Join Date: May 2011 Location: Norfolk, UK iTrader: (3)	There's a v positive review of the 330d touring in Autocar magazine (21 nov issue). It got an almost perfect score! There's quite a lot of articles on BMWs in this issue if anyone's interested.
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12-08-2012, 03:19 AM	#18
RichardM Colonel 141 Rep 2,068 Posts Drives: G21 M340i LCI Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Essex UK iTrader: (2)	Mine arrived at the dealer today! Picking it up next week. I ordered it back in September.
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