Just taken delivery !! First Impressions !

Thavash · 06-28-2005, 02:18 PM

Well the big day finally arrived ! After all that waiting I picked up my 320i yesterday.
Here's my first impressions.

The first thing that hits you is the overall smoothness -
Although I've driven a few demos it's still impressive as you're pulling away from the showroom.
All the controls are new , so the brakes , gears etc are a bit sticky , but I've put 170 kms on the
car in 2 days and they seem to be improving already. BTW, after all that my fuel average is showing
8.1 l/100 km - not bad ! I think that that's about 36 mpg ?

The engine is creamy and responsive - I've taken it up to 4500 rpm a few times - some nice sounds
when you hit the higher revs. This 4 cylinder loves to rev - I can't wait until the break-in period
is over !!! On the highway it's an absolute pleasure - the ride supple and controlled , no bad behaviour
from the run - flats, don't know what all the fuss was about.

Haven't chucked it into a corner yet , since the tires are new, so I'll comment on that later.
I got Continentals BTW.

Some nice surprises
1) The sunroof is fabulous - didn't think I'd enjoy it so much.
2) Ditto the lights package - a real crowd stopper.
3) People like the Arctic colour as well, but it's already common in Johannesburg
4) The standard radio isn't that bad - if you're not an audiophile it's fine.

Some initial dislikes
1) Well , just one so far , the outward vision isn't that good, especially the rear.
I feel I should have gotten PDC now, I guess I'll just have to get used to it.

Anyway , some quick snaps :

Updated : Thanks for the tips guys - I've blanked out my number plate now

agarbati · 06-28-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thavash

...This 4 cylinder loves to rev - I can't wait until the break-in period is over !!!...

Is a 320i a 4 banger? I thought all 3 series were 6 cylinders. 36 mpg is darn good even for a 4 cylinder.

Broken1 · 06-28-2005, 02:54 PM

ahh :-) thanks for your number plate...I'll be sure to put it on my artic 320 coming next month!!! (Just kidding, but it's been done to me - started getting tickets in places i've never heard of, never mind been to----edit the photo's (even in paint) and whiten out your no. plate)

Otherwise...awesome car!!!!Can't wait to get mine next month....ooo it's so soon! YaY

Starting to see a few E90's on our jhb roads :-) Love it even more everytime I see one!!!

thrill30 · 06-28-2005, 03:09 PM

Congratulations Thavash.... that is a beautiful car you got there... Arctic is really looking good.

I agree, the 320i surprised me... it's responsive.... I test-drove one, and was very impressed with it, and repeatedly touched 4500rpm... I'm sure the saleslady was not impressed at the back-seat....but I was having fun.

About visibility at the rear, I read a similar comment about poor visibility at the rear, in TopCar magazine for July. Don't worry about it, you will get the hang of it in no time..... it's all in the mind... I never scratched the rear of my E36 which had no PDC, but I have lightly "bumped" my E46 which has PDC!!! You are more likely to do things "properly" when you don't have PDC.

Fuel consumption should improve as you go beyond the break-in period.

Enjoy her.... and take it easy during break-in.

onesixeight · 06-28-2005, 03:47 PM

Congrats...

I noticed the sticky brakes too. Especially when you are trying to do a parking manuver, it feels like the brakes are sticking to the floor... Very wierd....

LEDZEP · 06-28-2005, 04:12 PM

Enjoy your new baby! It's very pretty.

Thavash · 06-29-2005, 03:31 AM

I've added a picture of the engine bay, for those of you who haven't seen the 4 cylinder. Note that the engine sits way back in the compartment - underneath the cover in the front there is nothing !!! Just lots of space in the front.

So , seeing as it's behind the front axle , can we call the 320i a mid-engined car ? Just wondering.

BMW Enthusiast · 06-29-2005, 07:23 AM

Doesn't look like there are fog lights. I thought they all came with them?

chrisbin · 06-29-2005, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Enthusiast

Doesn't look like there are fog lights. I thought they all came with them?

South African spec. I guess.......

Thavash · 06-29-2005, 08:05 AM

Nope - no front fogs on 320i , however we get the rear fogs as standard.

RedStripe · 06-30-2005, 12:28 AM

Maybe you can cook with it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thavash

I've added a picture of the engine bay, for those of you who haven't seen the 4 cylinder. Note that the engine sits way back in the compartment - underneath the cover in the front there is nothing !!! Just lots of space in the front.

So , seeing as it's behind the front axle , can we call the 320i a mid-engined car ? Just wondering.

davinet78 · 07-19-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thavash

Well the big day finally arrived ! After all that waiting I picked up my 320i yesterday.
Here's my first impressions.

The first thing that hits you is the overall smoothness -
Although I've driven a few demos it's still impressive as you're pulling away from the showroom.
All the controls are new , so the brakes , gears etc are a bit sticky , but I've put 170 kms on the
car in 2 days and they seem to be improving already. BTW, after all that my fuel average is showing
8.1 l/100 km - not bad ! I think that that's about 36 mpg ?

The engine is creamy and responsive - I've taken it up to 4500 rpm a few times - some nice sounds
when you hit the higher revs. This 4 cylinder loves to rev - I can't wait until the break-in period
is over !!! On the highway it's an absolute pleasure - the ride supple and controlled , no bad behaviour
from the run - flats, don't know what all the fuss was about.

Haven't chucked it into a corner yet , since the tires are new, so I'll comment on that later.
I got Continentals BTW.

Some nice surprises
1) The sunroof is fabulous - didn't think I'd enjoy it so much.
2) Ditto the lights package - a real crowd stopper.
3) People like the Arctic colour as well, but it's already common in Johannesburg
4) The standard radio isn't that bad - if you're not an audiophile it's fine.

Some initial dislikes
1) Well , just one so far , the outward vision isn't that good, especially the rear.
I feel I should have gotten PDC now, I guess I'll just have to get used to it.

Anyway , some quick snaps :

Updated : Thanks for the tips guys - I've blanked out my number plate now

enjoy your car to the fullest and keep us posted on your experiences with the car.

06-28-2005, 02:18 PM	#1
Thavash Private First Class 20 Rep 166 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 320i Red Join Date: May 2005 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 320M [0.00] 2005 320i [0.00]	Just taken delivery !! First Impressions ! Well the big day finally arrived ! After all that waiting I picked up my 320i yesterday. Here's my first impressions. The first thing that hits you is the overall smoothness - Although I've driven a few demos it's still impressive as you're pulling away from the showroom. All the controls are new , so the brakes , gears etc are a bit sticky , but I've put 170 kms on the car in 2 days and they seem to be improving already. BTW, after all that my fuel average is showing 8.1 l/100 km - not bad ! I think that that's about 36 mpg ? The engine is creamy and responsive - I've taken it up to 4500 rpm a few times - some nice sounds when you hit the higher revs. This 4 cylinder loves to rev - I can't wait until the break-in period is over !!! On the highway it's an absolute pleasure - the ride supple and controlled , no bad behaviour from the run - flats, don't know what all the fuss was about. Haven't chucked it into a corner yet , since the tires are new, so I'll comment on that later. I got Continentals BTW. Some nice surprises 1) The sunroof is fabulous - didn't think I'd enjoy it so much. 2) Ditto the lights package - a real crowd stopper. 3) People like the Arctic colour as well, but it's already common in Johannesburg 4) The standard radio isn't that bad - if you're not an audiophile it's fine. Some initial dislikes 1) Well , just one so far , the outward vision isn't that good, especially the rear. I feel I should have gotten PDC now, I guess I'll just have to get used to it. Anyway , some quick snaps : Updated : Thanks for the tips guys - I've blanked out my number plate now Attached Images Last edited by Thavash; 06-29-2005 at 02:43 AM..
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06-28-2005, 02:54 PM	#3
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	ahh :-) thanks for your number plate...I'll be sure to put it on my artic 320 coming next month!!! (Just kidding, but it's been done to me - started getting tickets in places i've never heard of, never mind been to----edit the photo's (even in paint) and whiten out your no. plate) Otherwise...awesome car!!!!Can't wait to get mine next month....ooo it's so soon! YaY Starting to see a few E90's on our jhb roads :-) Love it even more everytime I see one!!!
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06-28-2005, 03:09 PM	#4
thrill30 Lieutenant 16 Rep 523 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pretoria, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 (MY 2006) 330i [0.00]	Congratulations Thavash.... that is a beautiful car you got there... Arctic is really looking good. I agree, the 320i surprised me... it's responsive.... I test-drove one, and was very impressed with it, and repeatedly touched 4500rpm... I'm sure the saleslady was not impressed at the back-seat....but I was having fun. About visibility at the rear, I read a similar comment about poor visibility at the rear, in TopCar magazine for July. Don't worry about it, you will get the hang of it in no time..... it's all in the mind... I never scratched the rear of my E36 which had no PDC, but I have lightly "bumped" my E46 which has PDC!!! You are more likely to do things "properly" when you don't have PDC. Fuel consumption should improve as you go beyond the break-in period. Enjoy her.... and take it easy during break-in. __________________ E90 330i 6MT\|Space Grey\|Red Brown\|Alumin\|Sunroof\|Voice Control\|Logic 7\|Xenon\|Prof-Navigation\|Storage Pack\|Luggage Pack\|Extended Lights\|Anti-dazzle Folding Mirrors\|Climate Comf. w/screen\|M-Sport Pack\|Exclusive Pack\|Innovations Pack\|Alumin Pedals\|CF Splitters\|Delivered:19 March 2010
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06-28-2005, 03:47 PM	#5
onesixeight Captain 102 Rep 614 Posts Drives: F82 M4/i8 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3)	Congrats... I noticed the sticky brakes too. Especially when you are trying to do a parking manuver, it feels like the brakes are sticking to the floor... Very wierd....
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06-28-2005, 04:12 PM	#6
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Enjoy your new baby! It's very pretty.
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06-29-2005, 03:31 AM	#7
Thavash Private First Class 20 Rep 166 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 320i Red Join Date: May 2005 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 320M [0.00] 2005 320i [0.00]	I've added a picture of the engine bay, for those of you who haven't seen the 4 cylinder. Note that the engine sits way back in the compartment - underneath the cover in the front there is nothing !!! Just lots of space in the front. So , seeing as it's behind the front axle , can we call the 320i a mid-engined car ? Just wondering.
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06-29-2005, 07:23 AM	#8
BMW Enthusiast Private 1 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 99 Maxima Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Doesn't look like there are fog lights. I thought they all came with them?
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06-29-2005, 08:05 AM	#10
Thavash Private First Class 20 Rep 166 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 320i Red Join Date: May 2005 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 320M [0.00] 2005 320i [0.00]	Nope - no front fogs on 320i , however we get the rear fogs as standard.
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