BMW and M Power Owners

It looks a lot worse under the flash on the phone but here's what I was talking about

9cgjEgx.jpg

The fold around the wheel arch is perfect, there's no dent there, you can feel something ever so slightly if you run your whole finger across the area. Oddly enough, looking from the other side you can't see it, it only really shows from this angle, it was frustrating enough trying to get a photo as it's so hard to get it to show

What do you guys think? Live with it or do you think a body shop/smart repair place could "smooth" it out?

Edit - The paint is perfect so is there any chance someone could have done that this week? Pushed it in slightly with no pant damage? I really think I'd have noticed something like this by now especially given I gave it a proper detailing on the weekend
 
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Are you just being nice? :p

Just down from the panel gap, you can see where there's some unevenness in the bumper where it's causing the reflection to distort (if that's the right word?). It's not like this on the other side
 
Steedie said:
Are you just being nice? :p

Just down from the panel gap, you can see where there's some unevenness in the bumper where it's causing the reflection to distort (if that's the right word?). It's not like this on the other side
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The darker area, like a shadow? I see it, but you could help out by not photographing it with the reflection of bushes in the paint. Or marking the area with a circle :)
 
Is there much difference between the auto and sport auto boxes on a modern 3 series?

I was looking at 340i touring and they are all sport auto. 330i has manual, auto and sport auto. I know the prices are quite different but just wandering how much different a 340i sport auto would be compared to a 330i manual.

I'm quite keen on a mineral grey 3 series touring with the red leather seats. Pro nav, M sport suspension and brakes, xenons and anything else thats worthy of including. I managed to spec up a £43K 330i manual touring last night. But then looking around there are a fair few used examples quite close to the spec I'd like. Also like the white with the black sporty stick on bits :)
 
EddScott said:
Is there much difference between the auto and sport auto boxes on a modern 3 series?
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They are exactly the same gearbox - the Sport Automatic option adds a different software program, paddle shifters and a better shift lever. it is a very inexpensive addition over the standard Auto.

I was looking at 340i touring and they are all sport auto. 330i has manual, auto and sport auto. I know the prices are quite different but just wandering how much different a 340i sport auto would be compared to a 330i manual.
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Err it would be quite different as in a 340i Sport Auto it changes gear for you but in a 330i manual you have to change gear? :p

I'm quite keen on a mineral grey 3 series touring with the red leather seats. Pro nav, M sport suspension and brakes, xenons and anything else thats worthy of including. I managed to spec up a £43K 330i manual touring last night. But then looking around there are a fair few used examples quite close to the spec I'd like. Also like the white with the black sporty stick on bits :)
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Two points:

a) There are discounts of around £10k on list available so that £43k spec should be doable for £33k or so
b) White with those stupid black stick on bits is awful, it's the sort of thing you pick if you had a Mk1 Saxo with a bodykit in your youth. Don't do it :p
 
Thanks fox.

If I'm genuinely looking at one of these then the 340i is really out of budget.

Are the discounts from the dealers? If I walked in with the spec'd up car would the discounts be offered there or do I go through a 3rd party? Would I have to pay the lot up front?

I like the black bits :o I'd forgo the black bits but the alcantara type steering wheel and fake carbon really brings out the chav in me :)

Jez - would it? I've no idea about how residuals work. I would have thought by the time I came to sell it on it would be out of warranty and personally I'd rather go for the transmission less likely to cause problems buying new or 2nd hand.

If I buy one of these it's at least a 5+ year car ownership for me. I've not driven a modern auto and my only regular experience of auto boxes is the one in my mothers B7 A4 which is effortless but a bit pants for anything other than moving. The manual box is cheaper on the build list.
 
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The auto box on these is so good I would say it's a must have. I personally wouldn't want one with the manual.

You say you specked a 330i to £43k but when I specced a 340i it was less than that, after discount. So you should be able to do it.

Discounts can be found online, but they are dealer supplied cars, so they basically just put you in touch with the dealer who gives the discount. As such, you can take your discount spec and price to your local dealer and try them. If they don't bite, then you can go with the dealer who will give the discount.

Do not pay lost for it. £10k should be reasonably easily doable, so would be stupid not to go for it.
 
You can get £9k of discount on a 340i, so even with the £8k of options you specced on a 330i manual, you should be able to get it for less than £43k brand new. I'm not 100%, but the 340i might come with more equipment than the 330i as standard, so the price could be less.
 
shifty_uk said:
How do you turn the traffic reports off on iDrive? :o
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Traffic icon about half way down the left hand side of the map view.

Why on earth would you want to though?

Unless you mean the radio ones, in which case there is a physical traffic report key.

Did the car not come with the quick reference guide? :p
 
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