Activehybrid 3 impression

[Nobin]

Hi Guys

My account got reset or removed so I thought now that its sorted I can repost my introduction and new wheels.

I come from a purely Audi background so I'm going to try and give as unbiased opinions as I can my previous ride list just for background...

1997 Toyota Corolla RSI
2004 Audi A3 2.0 TDI
2007 Audi A3 3.2 quattro DSG
2012 Audi A4 2.0T Ambition

Current

2014 335i SPORT ACTIVEHYBRID , i will list as much as i can about it.

Comfort And Interior Equipment

S403A Glass Roof Electrical
S415A Sunblind Rear
S423A Floor Mats Velours
S428A Warning Triangle And First Aid Kit
S431A Interior Mirror With Automaticdip
S441A Smoker Package
S459A Seat Adjuster Electric With Memory
S481A Sports Seat
S493A Storage Compartment Package
S4ADA Interior Trim Strips Alu Brushed Fine
S4AEA Armrest Front Retractable
S4DNA Accent Strips Korallrot Matt
S497A Centre Armrest Rear

Multimedia

S609A Navigation System Professional
S676A HiFi Speaker System
S698A AreaCode 2 For DVD
S6NSA Convenience Phone Expanded Smartphone
S6WAA Instrument Cluster Expanded Equipment

Driver Assistance And Lightning

S502A Headlight Cleaning System
S508A Park Distance Control PDC
S521A Rain Sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S544A Cruise Control With Brake Function
S548A Kilometercalibrated Speedometer
S5DSA Emergency Release Luggage Compartment
S520A Fog Lights
S534A Automatic Air Conditioning

Wheels And Drive

S255A Sports Leather Steering Wheel
S2P4A BMW LA Wheel Streamline 419
S2PAA Wheel Bolt Retainer
S2TBA Sport Automatic Transmission
S216A Hydro Steeringservotronic
S249A Multifunction F Steering Wheel
S258A Tire With Runflat Functionality

Environment And Safety

S302A Alarm System
S3AGA Reversing Camera
S3APA Windshield With Grey Wedge
S823A Hotclimate Version
S850A ZUSAETZL TANKFUELLUNG EXPORT
S861A Data Record Without EOBD
S880A Onboard Vehicle Literature English
S8KAA OELWARTUNGSINT 30000KM24MONATE
S8S3A Automatic Locking When Driving Off
S8SDA Skid Plate National Versions
S8SMA Car Ident Number Visible From Outside
S8TGA Thiefproofing Device
S8TNA Daytime Runlights Adjusvia Light Menu
S3L8A Exterior Parts Satingloss Aluminum
S853A Language Version English

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Thought I would share my experience so far.

This is the first vehicle I have owned outside the Audi brand and I'm not gonna compare it to any of my previous because I have never owned a similar spec Audi.

It is a very balanced car with 50/50 weight distribution it handles like a dream also very different from front wheel drive. The hybrid system is a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) and plays 2 functions in eco pro it allows you to drive on the hybrid power alone and the longest distance I have achieved is 6 km, Sport + the system is used for eboost so no turbo lag and power delivery is instant once the eboost is done the engine finishes off the work.

Total power output is 250 KW and 450 NM I dont have specialized timing equipment but I will do a few 0-100 reading from OBD port soon because this is what I have been using for awhile and have used it in other vehicles with very accurate results, the time as per owners manual is 0-100 in 5.1s .

In terms of efficiency I have a combined 7.4 l/100km but I feel it will drop dramatically once I stop having fun, also taking into account that it doesn't not calculate the consumption in respect to distance driven on hybrid system which for me was 103 km on a tank.

The sound system however is horrible even compared to my previous A4 and A3 it just doesn't deliver like Audi and can be distorting at times. It comes with Connected Drive and Navigation Professional also has 200 GB drive to store music and videos as well as pictures, streams from your mobile device which was the only plus about the entertainment system.

The exhaust note is abit disappointing doesn't sound like 6 cylinder turbo but the gearbox is a big plus, its not as quick as the DSG/S-tronic but it's really alot smoother, I think this could be because the torque converter was replaced by the KERS, I test drove the B8.5 S4 before I made my decision and it felt like an overall better drive than the S4 also the interior of the S4 was a major factor as it didnt change from 2008.


I would ask anyone who has knowledge on the sound system to just advise a little, I got this off another forum just want to confirm if this is the speaker Configuration

tweeters and 4" mids in front doors
2x 8" subwoofers under front seats
tweeters and 4" mids in the rear shelf under one grille.

 

[KPM3_30]

Welcome to the forum. Nice detailed write up! The standard sound systems in BMW's aren't up to scratch when compared to the standard systems in Audi, at least from my experience.

Would love to see some pictures..

 

[gunston]

Great Car, I drive one as my daily, always puts a smile on my face, awesome power and performance.
Enjoy yours and welcome.

 

[Nobin]

It says 2x 8" subs under seats but I truly cant even feel them so was just wondering maybe they are faulty.

 

[gavsadler]

The underseat subs are more like largish mid-range speakers, they need an amp to wake them up a bit.

I fitted the Alpine upgrade to my 130i and it made a huge difference. I think the amp is only 40w x 4 but that is enough to make a noticeable change.


I see you have the HiFi speaker package, and I'm not sure, but doesn't that have an OEM amp already?

But I also concur with all the comments above, that BMW sound can't match stock Audi sound.

 

[Twinz]

Thx for the review. :bravo:
Post some pix.

 

[Nobin]

Quick question on Navigation there is an option to view traffic but even when sitting in bumper to Bumper traffic is shows as a clear route.

Is there a setting I'm missing which should be changed or is the map system in need of an update?

 

[MR_Y]

"Quick question on Navigation there is an option to view traffic but even when sitting in bumper to Bumper traffic is shows as a clear route.

Is there a setting I'm missing which should be changed or is the map system in need of an update?"

Visit the BMW Connected Drive site and check if the RTTI option on your car has expired. Being a 2014, I assume it has expired.

Refer:
https://www.bmw-connecteddrive.co.za/app/index.html#/portal/store/Base_RTTIOffer

It is R1 for a one month trial and R750 for 12 months.
My advice would be to rather use the Waze app on your 'phone.
RTTI is good, but Waze is better.

However, if you can get TMC on your car (TMC is a FREE Traffic radio channel that broadcasts traffic that is then interpreted by the TMC receiver in your car to text), that would be great and cost nothing. You just need to check if the SatNav does have a TMC option. Note that TMC is slightly delayed, while RTTI is Live.

 

[Nobin]

Hi all

Thought I would update the impressions.

I'm still learning alot about the brand and N55 engines. I have since replaced the Auxiliary battery ( It's a small battery that sits on top of the main one and is "in charge" of the stop-start from the very limited information i can find on the AH3) BMW said there is no coding for the aux battery so did it myself and no problems from it to date.

I am still overall happy with the AH3 and plan to keep it for the long term even though it will be very favorable for me to trade it now. It still holds its own on the road I've also come to realize it is still a strong contender at the robots. 😁

I noticed in winter there is a very faint tapping sound that disappears when warm and doesn't return until next cold start, this doesn't seem to occur in summer. A quick read online has different views some say its normal and is linked to fuel pump others say it will need to be replaced.

Mechanical the only thing I have had to do is the charge pipe which DSC Motorsport fitted and the aux battery.

I will be changing spark plugs and having a look at the right control arm as I hit a sizeable pothole and now there is a slight knock on the right if you turn while stationery and disappears when moving.

I have heard good things about BMW Midrand while silently stalking the forum, even though it is a bit out of the way I think I will give them a try because BMW Fourways only cares about clients that are in warranty period.

Happy driving everyone.