[Zen]

Apprently BPs in QLD, SA and WA have the new & cleaner diesel (Low Sulfur Diesel (10ppm sulfur)). So I guess its one more reason to buy a diesel over a petrol.

[ecnirp]

Originally Posted by JamieA

I am really in love with the idea of a 330d, hopefully I will be in a position to place my order in the next month or so. BMW usually introduces their running updates in the September builds, so the timing could be great for me.

Have you heard or read anything about what (if any) changes there might be for MY2010 ? I wonder if DCT will filter down to the 6 cylinder e90's.

[Swift135]

Originally Posted by JamieA

My question is what about turbo lag?

When in drive and you come to a stop the car starts in 2nd gear so under mild throttle the car doesn't have that inital bite that a petrol six would have, but if you punch it it will drop to 1st which usually results in tyre screech and DSC light flashing. The best way for an aggressive launch is to drive in DS or my preferred technique; pop it down to 1st with your thumb on the paddle as you come to a stop, in 1st there is no perceivable lag and when you back off the throttle the car switches back to D (drive) automatically. This car has lass lag than my 135i.

I drove to Toowoomba and back to Brisbane today and the entire trip the average consumption was 5.4l/100km, at one stage if i added the distance since full to the estimated distance to empty it would have added to 1300km. Overtaking from 80km/h, drop to 4th and within seconds tha car is at 140km/h and then the engine is only at 4000rpm. This is the best engine and gearbox combo I have owned with this being my 9th BMW including 2 V8 BMW's in recent years.

[MFKN3]

What sort of boost is the 330 pumping out?

I was hammering it along the back streets this morning in the 335i and it was a nice 9.5'C and my semi-slicks were cutting loose when flooring it in 2nd gear with DTC. Would have been sitting around 15psi. Got a few funny looks from pedestrians The v-tech kicked in yo!

[samchuang33]

Hey Guys

Just picked up mine on Thursday last week. I had a chance to drive it this weekend and manage to do 600ks already up and down the coast.

1st impression, the engine is definitely a step up compare to the other 2nd gen diesel I still have on X5 and 530d. The is no much notice of lag starting from stand still and it just keeps on going and going and going.... U feel like u run out of road very quickly and the cars next to u feel like they are not moving half the time. Gear change is smooth and fast coz of 2nd gen ZF tranny and the engine tone is much sportier compare to the original 2nd gen where it sound more like a tractor. It has a better engine roar and u kick it and at idle it is much quieter too.

I was on the Gateway doing 80 through the road work section on the overtaking lane, holding the car in gear at 2500rpm for awhile trying out the gear shift paddle on steering wheel. I saw an opening on the left lane to overtake the slow car in front on the right lane pushed petal to 75%. The DTC light came straight away at 80km/h and it feel like the car in front had braked or something coz it was that fast. I guess when u have 520nm of torque pushing u it not hard to overtake. I think I need larger tires when it is time for upgrade to PS2. Consumption so far is at 6.7l/100ks which is pushing it when ever I get a stretch. I’m trying to keeping the rpm down below 4000rpm as it is still in it running in period so I will let u guys know down the track how it performs at high rev coz single turbo diesel engine usually weaken a bit at higher revs.

The diesel smell is gone too with this engine. The 530d and X5 have a strong diesel smell when idling but the 330d doesn't coz the combustion is more complete. I was playing with the individual audio in the garage with car running for awhile with only the side door open. I was amazed that the air in the garage did not stink when I got out.

I think the DTC is tune better compare to the 530d as it intervenes a bit earlier before the tires spin. The 530d being a longer and heavier car tends to spin a lot under acceleration at corners but the 330d doesn't as much. Maybe because it is lighter and have a shorter wheelbase.

Oh BTW, the individual audio is not that good... Disappointment. Not worth $4100 in my option. I think the sound is a little bit muffle and should be sharper, crisper and clearer. I ended up turning up the treble to increase the high frequency response better but still not as good. Bass response is good so I have to give it only 7 out of 10. Just go logic 7 coz I think Logic 7 sound very close in my opinion. Logic 7 is supplier by Harman Karden apparently and I think u get more value out of it or maybe I’m expecting too much

The LCI looks stunning. It has really grown on me. The sports package also improves the cosmetic appeal of the car. The sports seats are great. U can adjust the lumbar and also the wide of the side sport on both front seats. Kinda like pressing the sport button on M5 where the seat bulge up on side but obviously without the hp boost lol. Adaptive light is quite fun and the extra turning light that come on and off is quite cool. Still getting use to high beam assists thou.

All good things said, there are also a few bad things to mention. My Corning light decided to die on me on the 1st night. A fault light came on saying Corning light fault and in the description it said, corning light failure, consult ur nearest BMW service centre WTH!!! Next day I tried it, it was ok again but last night it came back on. I think it is because of the cold weather. It was 12 degree last tonight when it played up and from memory it was same on Thursday nite. 2ndly the glove box does to close properly. I need to wack it in hard to get it to close. 3rdly, there is a strange squeaky sound when I back out of the driveway on driver door when the car flexes a bit up and down the kerb. So much for BMW QA. I think it is because it is assemble in SA. My X5 that was assembled in US has numerous of problem too but that is another story. The other 325ci and 530d were German made and no problem except the air con button on 530d. 4thly, the sport pack should have came with Aluminium Glacier Silver interior Trim but for some reason I got brushed aluminium. I think someone, somewhere stuff up the order. I think Aluminium Glacier Silver interior might be better but I can’t be stuff getting them to swap over the trims.

Overall, very happy with the car. Money well spend I think. I will be happy to drive this car for more than 5-10 years. And for those of u who r on the fence deciding between diesel or petrol, go diesel It is the future. The dealer told me BMW Australia is bring much more diesel engine in late this year throughout their range including 330d on couple and 123d which is the twin turbo diesel engine in smaller capacity. Kinda regretting getting the 4 door diesel knowing now they r putting the same engine in couple which should come with DCT.

I will try to up load some photos on a thread in the next few day with some photo and video if I can.

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by Swift135

I drove to Toowoomba and back to Brisbane today and the entire trip the average consumption was 5.4l/100km, at one stage if i added the distance since full to the estimated distance to empty it would have added to 1300km.

Gee. 5.4l/100k. That's a figure that people dont see everyday. The drive to toowoomba quite good. There is not much traffice half the time and the scenary is relaxing. Couple good stretches there too but got to remember to smile at Blacksoil I think the road is a bit rough in some stretch but wouldn't mind the drive at all.

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by ecnirp

Have you heard or read anything about what (if any) changes there might be for MY2010 ? I wonder if DCT will filter down to the 6 cylinder e90's.

I was looking at that b4. But I think it will never come as an option for this E90 model. Maybe the next 3 series model sedan. The auto on 3 sedan is not bad thou. It wont change as fast but at least there is no jumps at start up with DCT when the gear start to engage like a manual.

Good and bad both ways i think

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by Zen

Apprently BPs in QLD, SA and WA have the new & cleaner diesel (Low Sulfur Diesel (10ppm sulfur)). So I guess its one more reason to buy a diesel over a petrol.

Yea, tried that on X5. I think it does go a bit better but not really that obvious. Will try on 330d down the track. Pity shell does not have V-power diesel like in Europe. I ask Shell Australia about that and they reply saying that they currrently have no plans to bring it in. But they will eventually when there is demand.

I have read a lot of ppl with vpower diesel in europe but apparently it does not live up to the expectation.

[Swift135]

Originally Posted by samchuang33

Hey Guys

Oh BTW, the individual audio is not that good... Disappointment. Not worth $4100 in my option.

I am quite happy with the standard professional audio in my 330d, I think it sounds better than the Logic 7 system in my 135i.

Hey samchuang33, check your tyre pressures, when I picked up my car the DTC light was always coming on frequently and the ride was bumpy as heck, I check the pressure and they were at 56 PSI !!!, dropped the front to 40 and the rears to 38 and the ride and traction is much better.

[bcoz]

Originally Posted by ecnirp

Have you heard or read anything about what (if any) changes there might be for MY2010 ?

I don't know about other MY2010 changes, but BMW have announced a new voice control system...

Introducing optimised voice control into the market in all current models as of September 2009 in combination with BMW's optional navigation system Professional, BMW is once again setting standards in the simple and convenient control of navigation and entertainment systems fitted straight at the factory.

See link for more info:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270789

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by Swift135

I am quite happy with the standard professional audio in my 330d, I think it sounds better than the Logic 7 system in my 135i.

Hey samchuang33, check your tyre pressures, when I picked up my car the DTC light was always coming on frequently and the ride was bumpy as heck, I check the pressure and they were at 56 PSI !!!, dropped the front to 40 and the rears to 38 and the ride and traction is much better.

Thx dud. Will check tonite. It does feel abit bumpy. It explains why it flashes coz Gateway is quite bumpy now and must be flashing coz i might have accelerate on a bump. U would think that they check these thing during pre-delivery checks.

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by Swift135

Hey samchuang33, check your tyre pressures, when I picked up my car the DTC light was always coming on frequently and the ride was bumpy as heck, I check the pressure and they were at 56 PSI !!!, dropped the front to 40 and the rears to 38 and the ride and traction is much better.

Tyre pressure is 40 on all four. I put it up to 44 on fronts and 51 as recommanded by BMW with 18" with 2 or more occupant in back of car. Felt a bit hard, might put back down next week at servo.

[Ninjaoz]

congrats on the 330D! thanks for sharing your experience, samchuang33

[VGR00]

Originally Posted by samchuang33

Tyre pressure is 40 on all four. I put it up to 44 on fronts and 51 as recommanded by BMW with 18" with 2 or more occupant in back of car. Felt a bit hard, might put back down next week at servo.

anything over 40psi is crazy on our pothole infected streets. Take it down to 36psi for both front and back and you will enjoy the ride immensely (even with run flats)

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by samchuang33

Tyre pressure is 40 on all four. I put it up to 44 on fronts and 51 as recommanded by BMW with 18" with 2 or more occupant in back of car. Felt a bit hard, might put back down next week at servo.

Those are not reccomended tyre pressures, they sound more like maximums!
36psi all round is fine, if you like it softer you can drop it down a bit closer the 30psi, but this will shorten the life of your tyres by a bit (say 10% or so).

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by ecnirp

Have you heard or read anything about what (if any) changes there might be for MY2010 ? I wonder if DCT will filter down to the 6 cylinder e90's.

No, I took my current car in for a service on Thursday and while there prompted my dealer to tell me anything he knew... which was nothing, but I see that there is a post on this topic already, which is great.

I was really hoping for DCT because I think DCt with a diesel would be a killer combo...

[JamieA]

PS... Samchuang, and Swift135, thanks for sharing your experiences with the 330d, I am holding off test driving it until I am close to purchasing, because I know I will not like my 325i so much afterwards

I am glad to hear the the turbo lag isn't as pronounced, that was my one and only worry about it all.

As 2/3 of my kms is on country roads, the fuel economy is attractive too...