MR_Y 2017 320d M-Sport Auto

[MR_Y]

Hi All,

I realised that I have not set up a showroom page.
I will update this page when anything noteworthy comes up.
Thanks for dropping by.

My original introduction: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=84567

Here is an update (marked in red on my original post) after 1 year of owning the car:

I am new to the brand, having been with Audi since 2010.

My previous rides are in my signature below (the SO drives the CX5).
My last ride was a 2013 TT Mk2 that I recently traded in on a 3 month old demo 320d M-Sport (A) from BMW Autobahn. My main reason for getting the 320d is that I wanted something economical (and with more space than a TT) without being boring (sadly, the A4 B9 is exactly that). Also, something with a decent level of oomph.
No complaints on this after 23,000km+

As is customary in introductions, here is the rundown on the car:
2017 320d M-Sport (LCI), Alpine White, Dakota Black
Extras over and above the M-Sport LCI package:
- Sports Auto
- Glass Sunroof
- Front and rear PDC
- 18 inch Ferric Grey alloys
- Instrument cluster with extended contents
- Rubber mats

Currently 700km (+23,000km) on clock, so I have not pushed it too hard yet.

Stuff I love about the car:
- Torque on tap (my first diesel) (the rear does catch you out if you push it stupidly)
- I-Drive interface and standard gizmos (sat nav, teleservices, etc) (teleservices and Online functions are slooowww. Satnav is still the bomb - especially when using the 'phone App to send locations to the car)
- Handling/performance (after a 12hour+ day at the office, it brings joy to hustle this car on quiet, twisty roads at night. Only gripe is the slight lag compared to my petrol TT on pullaway)
- Solidity (after sorting out that door squeak - the gloss black window/door surrounds rub against the paintwork - at JSN, no more issues)
- Fuel economy (still early days) check my fuelly tag below in my sig

Stuff I don’t like (alternatively, stuff that I will get learn to get over):
- Look and feel of interior materials not that great (ja, I know all ex-Audi owners say this, but my Mazda CX5 has a slightly more premium interior), but things still feel German solid – which is the main thing in a driving machine. (Actually not that bad after a year)
- No standard lumbar support on sport seats and rear seats have no sculpt to them. Maybe the TT’s seats (massive lumbar support) spoiled me, but these M-Sport seats are killing my back. (my back got used to this)
- All electronic stuff stays on for an extended period in the car after the ignition is switched off. (I learned to press the START button twice)

Stuff I would like to do on the car in due course:
- Discrete vinyl stripe decals (probably black) on the sides and lower door sills (not discrete - M3 F80 OEM M-Performance stripes fitted last year)
- Gloss black vinyl wrap on the roof (I tinted my sunroof 15% Lumar safety tint to prevent it from shattering. Happy to leave the roof untainted)
- Blue or white rim rings on the alloys (still in two minds about this) (blue Rim Skins fitted. Still looking good)
- Lumbar cushion (no need anymore)

I plan to keep the car for the next 4-5 years. (True that, and still looking for a cheap, Japanese weekend toy)

I am interested in hearing about other F30 320d owners’ experiences. (enough great stories on this forum)

One question I have for now is who is the best servicing dealer in the JHB north area (Sandton to Midrand)? JSN is the best

Thanks.

---

Before and after

 

[KPM3_30]

After is much better, without the stripes... :chef::roflol:

 

[RAArmstrong]

Lovely car. Looks so good in white!

I'd love one of these or a 220d as a daily to be honest. That 8 speed box works wonders with the 2.0d raise:

 

[yush1]

Looks great. I hope the after is without the stripes. :smilebounce:

 

[aksamg]

Lovely car. Looks so good in white!

I'd love one of these or a 220d as a daily to be honest. That 8 speed box works wonders with the 2.0d raise:

+1
+I'm selling a 220d if you're keen (waaay nippier with the lack of weight)

 

[tman]

Is your car parked in the basement of a certain banks parking lot during the day by any chance?

 

[RAArmstrong]

Lovely car. Looks so good in white!

I'd love one of these or a 220d as a daily to be honest. That 8 speed box works wonders with the 2.0d raise:

+1
+I'm selling a 220d if you're keen (waaay nippier with the lack of weight)

I'd be so keen but my budget isnt allowing for car purchases right now. Love those cars tho! :blueCry:

Out of sheer bloody interest, send me details?

 

[MR_Y]

Is your car parked in the basement of a certain banks parking lot during the day by any chance?

No comment:fencelook:

There is a 335i in Midrand with the same stripes.

 

[tman]

Is your car parked in the basement of a certain banks parking lot during the day by any chance?

No comment:fencelook:

There is a 335i in Midrand with the same stripes.

Lol, Im gonna take a pic of the car tomorrow and post it here!

 

[Royce77]

Car looks great!

 

[tman]

Look what I found!

 

[yush1]

@MR_Y :roflol:

 

[MR_Y]

Lovely car. Looks so good in white!

I'd love one of these or a 220d as a daily to be honest. That 8 speed box works wonders with the 2.0d raise:

I was also considering a 220d.
However, they tend to be pricier on the used market than the similar aged 320d.
And I can't get my mind around the fact that the 220d comes standard with fake leather (the F30 320d comes standard with real leather).
A used 320d is still a bargain (undercuts the A4 TDI and C220d as well).

 

[MR_Y]

I am looking for a discrete thin, gloss black boot spoiler.
Any suggestions?

 

[MR_Y]

It has been a year since I have put on my stripes and blue Rim Skins.
The M Performance spoiler was a bit OTT, so I am still looking for a neat slimline one.

I am in two minds about vinyl wrapping the roof and side mirrors.

As explained in a post elsewhere, I am reluctant to fit a bumper lip or splitters, given the gravel roads that I drive on. The same argument goes for not upsizing the wheels beyond 18 inches.

 

[MR_Y]

I am looking for a discrete thin, gloss black boot spoiler.
Any suggestions?

So, I bit the bullet and ordered an OEM boot spoiler from JSN. Has that discrete look that I am after, that I couldn't find aftermarket. Will post pics next week.

 

[MR_Y]

I am looking for a discrete thin, gloss black boot spoiler.
Any suggestions?

So, I bit the bullet and ordered an OEM boot spoiler from JSN. Has that discrete look that I am after, that I couldn't find aftermarket. Will post pics next week.

A delayed update.
I got the new boot spoiler fitted a couple of months back.
In the picture it looked discrete and thin.
In reality, it looks like the spoiler I had purchased from Rennzport last year (which I later sold on this forum).
Will post a decent picture, when I get a chance.
The only difference is that its matte black vs the gloss black aftermarket one. Also, it sits just a bit flusher with the bodywork. It cost R4,500, which is admittedly a bit steep, but you pay for that OEM look (even if you need a magnifying glass to spot the difference).

 

[MR_Y]

Hi,

I am considering painting my wheels gloss black.

My wheels are Ferric Grey and I am reluctant to upsize, given my road conditions. I feel that a gloss black finish may just be the right option to pick up the look of the car.

Any views or recommendations on where to get this done?

I am also thinking of removing my side stripes and replacing them with simple, black accent lines (the OEM ones). However, having spent over R3k on the current stripes, I feel that I should wait a bit longer to allow the current stripes to "depreciate" (i.e. lose their lustre) sufficiently.

Side comment: I went to Mag Doctor in 2015 and they painted my wheels gloss black on my TT 8J - they did a top job, eventually, even though the customer service experience was not that good.

 

[maxxis]

Post a photo of the car.

Maybe someone can photoshop the wheels for you to see what it looks like.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SubLoaded]

Don't do it. Get an OEM diamond cut wheel. Much classier. Will age better as well.

The only reason that I went gloss black was because I have ugly wheels (style 350) which stuck out like a sore thumb, in it's powder coated finish. It was okay in stock form, I guess, but I did the lip/spoiler etc and the wheels weren't doing justice to the look.

The wheel does shine nicely, when clean, and it completes the overall look but if you don't plan on putting on the performance bits then don't paint your wheels. Ferric grey is nice and the lines and overall design will be lost when painted black.

I'd leave as is or go with an OEM diamond cut wheel :thumbs: