BMW and M Power Owners
- Thread starter panthro
- Start date
No worries dude.
Test drove 2 cars today in an effort to find a replacement for my much loved 135i.
Audi S5
BMW 340i
The Audi is prettier on the outside (in my opinion) and the inside is lovely. So much a nicer place to sit then there BMW. I was a little underwhelmed by the engine, it just didn’t feel that quick. I also wasn’t hugely impressed with the auto box. It was ok at slow speeds, but a bit jerky when cracking on. Suspension wise it only had the s line , no adaptive. It was a bit crashy. Not to bad.
340i. I was shocked at how simular the interior is to mine. In fact it looked identical. Engine was great as expected. And the auto was absolutely stunning. I wish I had this in the 135i. Handled well. Just like a heavier , more planted 135.
In a bit of a dilemma. The BMW is the better drive, but it just doesn’t feel special inside. The fact it fees indetical inside is really messing with me. I made the mistake of sitting in a 540i and that was stunning. That interior in the 340i and I’d be sold.
At the moment I’m leaning towards the Audi.
Audi S5
BMW 340i
The Audi is prettier on the outside (in my opinion) and the inside is lovely. So much a nicer place to sit then there BMW. I was a little underwhelmed by the engine, it just didn’t feel that quick. I also wasn’t hugely impressed with the auto box. It was ok at slow speeds, but a bit jerky when cracking on. Suspension wise it only had the s line , no adaptive. It was a bit crashy. Not to bad.
340i. I was shocked at how simular the interior is to mine. In fact it looked identical. Engine was great as expected. And the auto was absolutely stunning. I wish I had this in the 135i. Handled well. Just like a heavier , more planted 135.
In a bit of a dilemma. The BMW is the better drive, but it just doesn’t feel special inside. The fact it fees indetical inside is really messing with me. I made the mistake of sitting in a 540i and that was stunning. That interior in the 340i and I’d be sold.
At the moment I’m leaning towards the Audi.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
The 5 Series was always more impressive - sadly after the E46 (perhaps the E90 still had it a bit) the 3 Series stopped being a small 5 Series and became more like a big 1 series and this is reflected in its interior design. I've no no need for the space a 5 Series offers and a 3 Series is arguably a better fit but the interior has always put me off. The dash is virtually identical to the 1 Series, in the 1 Series it feels well suited to a small entry hatch but in the 3 it robs of it any real sense of luxury and quality.
Yep, I specced the 340i to just over 47k. And it certainly didn't look or feel inside like what I believe a costing that much should .
Are you not getting BMW to do it?
They're the bmw approved fellas but not actually bmw.
My concern is that the rest of the paintwork is 4 years old so will have some level of fading and oxidation.
As above Fox said, I also have absolutely no use for the extra space and size of a F11 but it's so much nicer a place to spend time compared to the latest 3 series.
Can anyone recommend a good quality rubber boot liner for the F11? I've got a lining on the floor to stop things sliding around but wouldn't mind a proper custom fit boot liner.
Can anyone recommend a good quality rubber boot liner for the F11? I've got a lining on the floor to stop things sliding around but wouldn't mind a proper custom fit boot liner.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 13 May 2003
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- 34,514
- Location
- Warwickshire
M sport Vs SE for the G30/31 then: is m sport actually worth paying for in terms of the useful kit you get (rather than unnecessary cosmetic frills)?
With the E Class you pay £3k to upgrade to AMG line, for which you get fake 'artico' leather instead of real as standard, fake leather stitched dash, drilled brakes, bigger wheels, and a different grill and skirts. So I took the £3k of stuff I didn't want and spent it on kit like sunroof, sound system, fancy lights, and drive pilot.
I have to drive around in an SE with huge tyres, but that's ok.
I guess it's a matter of priorities, but as well as asking if m sport improves the spec in a useful way, I think I'm also saying that I don't understand why so many people spec m sport, s lines, AMG line, etc. Bigger wheels in particular is the one that always gets me. People seem happy to pay more for a worse ride and more expensive tyres. Maybe it's just middle age creeping in!
With the E Class you pay £3k to upgrade to AMG line, for which you get fake 'artico' leather instead of real as standard, fake leather stitched dash, drilled brakes, bigger wheels, and a different grill and skirts. So I took the £3k of stuff I didn't want and spent it on kit like sunroof, sound system, fancy lights, and drive pilot.
I have to drive around in an SE with huge tyres, but that's ok.
I guess it's a matter of priorities, but as well as asking if m sport improves the spec in a useful way, I think I'm also saying that I don't understand why so many people spec m sport, s lines, AMG line, etc. Bigger wheels in particular is the one that always gets me. People seem happy to pay more for a worse ride and more expensive tyres. Maybe it's just middle age creeping in!
The 5 Series M-sport upgrade is also about £3k over the SE, for some different body kit, sports seats, black headlining, larger wheels, some extra lighting and M-badges.
As you mentioned, M-Sport is the trim line people want so come resale it’s worth more as a % of the original cost. Your £3k of options probably add very little to the future value.
As you mentioned, M-Sport is the trim line people want so come resale it’s worth more as a % of the original cost. Your £3k of options probably add very little to the future value.
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Caporegime
- Joined
- 13 May 2003
- Posts
- 34,514
- Location
- Warwickshire
True, but they add a lot to the current value, of me enjoying the vehicle.
Remember the days when you bought a car for your own enjoyment rather than the needs of the future owners
Ruled out the 340i now. Just couldn't spend that much on a car with the same interior as my 135i.
540i was lovely inside, but sadly over my budget.
So its between the 530i or the S5.
Edit - dealer just called, he said I wouldnt be happy with the 530i based on what i have and im looking at. Suggested 530d. Off for a test drive in a bit.
540i was lovely inside, but sadly over my budget.
So its between the 530i or the S5.
Edit - dealer just called, he said I wouldnt be happy with the 530i based on what i have and im looking at. Suggested 530d. Off for a test drive in a bit.
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My dad popped over to show me his new 640d Convertible; it looks great with the carbon M-Performance kit added - front splitter, side skirts and rear spoiler and it goes well too 
I showed him the voice control system in mine, we tried it in his and it was rubbish, to the point that it was un-useable. I guess this tech has moved on a lot recently.
A couple of dealer photos.
He payed £24k for it : 2012 640d with 22k miles
I showed him the voice control system in mine, we tried it in his and it was rubbish, to the point that it was un-useable. I guess this tech has moved on a lot recently.
A couple of dealer photos.
He payed £24k for it : 2012 640d with 22k miles
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It's a 2012 model