[bob mushroom]

It's here!

Having run a stock (well + 18" Alloys) 320d mSport for the last 2 weeks I hve finally recieved my car.

A 320d - This is a company car so had to think of the tax. I weighed up the 325d with it's beautiful 6 pot engine but decided on spec instead (I hope I don't live to regret) having driven with the engine for the last 2 weeks there is certainly enough punch. It has been very rough in the mornings jerking away but I am hoping that is a car issue rather than my car issue.

Le mans blue - in my opinion helps the car to stand out and emphasises the lines and wheels. It is very important to keep clean as in my opinion when dirty it looks very ordinary.

18" 193M Alloys - the only way to go!! the ride (for me) is not compromised - i have bounced a little and tramlined on our not so perfect roads but I still feel these are best for looks and drive. i drove the 17"s MSport wheels and felt they looked to small..

Black Dakota Leather & Heated Seats - this was due to 2 factors not seeing the alcantara and having a 3 year old!! i was not quite sure what the alcantara would be like but having had for the last 2 weeks i can say it is comfortable and looks well inside the car. i do question what it would look like in 3 years time though. leather I think adds to the image and the heated seats I would not do without on winter mornings. I do wish BMW took a leaf out of Lexus's book with cold seats also for those sticky summer days but you cannot have everything (I also hear these do not work particularly well) . i was very tempted in Lemon but would mean a walnut dash and forever cleaning with my 3 year old.

Xenon Headlights+Headlamp Wash - had a nasty experience in Sheffield at the beginning of the year and feel that if I had brighter headlights I would not have had that experience. having driven the 07 with halogen lights I am really glad I went for xenons, the output was pathetic!

Park Distance Control - i still don't know why i went for this and having driven without I am even more convinced it was a silly mistake. there is no problem seeing the front end and with me not having i-drive the concophony of beeps will be interesting when parallel parking!! My merc had front and back sensors so felt it would be a step backwards without - I am sure I will use but money could have gone elsewhere

Comfort Access - 1 question, what is the point in having a stop/start button if you have to put a key in!!! made a gimmick into a useful option. Not sure how often I will want to use the key fob (open all doors/boot prior to arriving) but the key fob will no longer dangle in front of me and annoy my resting knee.

Bluetooth telephone - Expensive but I think a must in todays climate, i found the reception to be fantastic clearer than my TomTom and my Jabra headset. Nice and easy solution, though not looking forward to programming in. The shark fin looks right on the car and to me enhances the visual appeal. Also should help if I buy at end of lease to sell privately.

6FL USB/audio Interface I have found the standard ipod jack a pain in the arse!! looking forward to being able to use the steering wheel to control. am interested to see how functional it is through the standard stereo as most reports are relating to i-drive. A note on the stereo, I am a little disappointed in the quality and perhaps am requesting not going for the upgrade, too my ears there is not enough definition in the mis range and the bass is woeful. Didn't have to pay for my lead as got a sweetner for the errors in ordering

Sun Protection Glass - my little girl keeps saying "the sun is in my eyes" and now she wont!! It looks good on the le Mans blue also, i am interested to see if it helps with cooling the back down.

Rain Sensor/Auto headlights lazyness but used to it in the Merc. Why do you need to push a button to switch on - surely it should stay on all the time!! I understand the light sensor may be a touch sensitive (lights on in the sun at 1pm!!) but it does mean I never forget. i do like in the stock that you can leave the lights in the on position and they switch off when you remove the key from the ignition but then you drive the next morning with the lights on. Decided against auto high beam as my fingers would have nothing to do!!

Electric Folding Mirrors When parking it is nice to know an incompetent walker/driver will not take your mirror out - or at least they can but will take a couple of side panels out also!!

I decided against i drive as have a Garmin 660T that does the better and the expense saved I could get more of the above.

The blacklines are ordered and on their way to be added very shortly.

Came with Bridgestone Potenza's on its feet and has some quite marked swirls from their valet!!

Thanks to all for advice/threads that helped me come to my decision and I am sure will help me get the best out of the car

[booforty]

Beautiful car. Good choice!

[hmi1750]

VERY SMART! I need my windows tinted and wish I had comfort access.. there are too many steps in turning the car off!

[dxb335d]

I like your car mate, pic looks good and you have a good spec!

may i ask what the nasty experiance was in sheffield?


hope nothing to nasty

Carlos

[silverbmwz3]

Great car, comfort access is the one option I wish I'd got now.... I agree fully about keys dangling on your knee and why a start button with a key!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by silverbmwz3

Great car, comfort access is the one option I wish I'd got now.... I agree fully about keys dangling on your knee and why a start button with a key!

its not really a key tho is it You should see my uncles DB9

has a fiesta key which you have to turn in the ignition then press the button

proper GAY

Least BM's have some class:rocks:

i just have they keys on there own, cuz your right it does look riduculous with a bunch of keys dangling just keep my house/work keys seperate

VCarlos

[bob mushroom]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I like your car mate, pic looks good and you have a good spec!

may i ask what the nasty experiance was in sheffield?


hope nothing to nasty

Carlos

Driving back from Ricky Gervais Fame. Raining, extremely tired and not fully functioning following the death of my step-father 2 days before!. Came to roundabout and went straight over low kerbside in middle that split the road into 2 (1 to go round 1 to come off) !! I just didn't see. I took off landed on right side tyres punctured both wheels and front suspension on the right hand side shot!!!

I am convinced even if tiredness had a part to play xenons would have illuminated the road far better so I would have seen.

[Z4 Beemer]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

its not really a key tho is it You should see my uncles DB9

has a fiesta key which you have to turn in the ignition then press the button

VCarlos

Is it not a gorgeous glass button lit from underneath though?

[vivekk]

Nice post Bob.

Beautiful car you've got there.

As others have mentioned elsewhere, LMB appears quite different under varying lighting conditions.

Here's the 'deep' LMB I like so much.

All the best.

Viv

[booforty]

Originally Posted by vivekk

Here's the 'deep' LMB I like so much.

Yes, I always prefer 'deep' rather than 'shallow'

[vivekk]

Originally Posted by beauforty

Yes, I always prefer 'deep' rather than 'shallow'

...ever since you banged your head in the 50cm end of the swimming baths!

Paul, you just leave yourself !

Viv

[mjh93sa]

Good lucking car.

[booforty]

Originally Posted by mjh93sa

Good lucking car.

Its good looking too!

[mikem]

Bob, that must`ve been some curb you hit. A TVR hit the curb hard at the `ring on the weekend and when it eventually landed the bonnet flew off and the car refused to start again.

[peterg1965]

Bob, great looking car, and good colour choice!

[Colonel'K]

Originally Posted by mikem

Bob, that must`ve been some curb you hit. A TVR hit the curb hard at the `ring on the weekend and when it eventually landed the bonnet flew off and the car refused to start again.

Don't think a TVR is a good example of robust engineering- know several people who had them, and they were forever off the road with one complaint or another.

They make the E93s seem bulletproof by comparison