[HighlandPete]

We often see statements across topics like "interior quality is not good for a £50k car".

How do we judge this? Where do we set the baseline, against the £50k 335d for example, or against the cheapest 3-series model available?

Same applies to any model range, take the cheapest engine model, say an M-Sport, a 318d will have the same interior parts/specification, as the most expensive engine model.

So who has the best value/quality interior? I suggest the guy who buys the cheapest model. The 318d driver has a pretty decent interior for £33k, the 335d driver may well feel he's owed a better quality interior. The M3 driver even more disappointed against the purchase price.

I know it isn't as simple as that, our perception of value, added options, can make a car feel "cheap" or "expensive" for what we sit in.

BTW, this is not just a BMW issue. As we go up the model range and spec', we pay for the engine, drivetrain, enhanced parts like brakes, plus our 'options' list, but the interior can stay the same, or very small differences to the same components. We can double the cost, but still have the same interior feel.

No wonder we often see the 320d as the "best value model" in the 3-series range, or the 520d in the 5-series range.

HighlandPete

[Nick the Greek]

Ultimately the basic quality of the cars interior will be determined by its entry price point.
So the 3 series quality is better than the 1. The 5 series is better than the 3 and so on.

The only problem I have with BMW interiors is at very high price points, the interiors are still recognisably generic BMW, and some would see this as a failing in, say, an eighty grand car.

[Pablo68]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

Ultimately the basic quality of the cars interior will be determined by its entry price point.
So the 3 series quality is better than the 1. The 5 series is better than the 3 and so on.

The only problem I have with BMW interiors is at very high price points, the interiors are still recognisably generic BMW, and some would see this as a failing in, say, an eighty grand car.

And therein lies the rub....you can be in a £50k (or £60k) car which feels like a £30k car for 90% of the time.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Pablo68

And therein lies the rub....you can be in a £50k (or £60k) car which feels like a £30k car for 90% of the time.

I think upgraded leather and extended leather to cover the dash are probably the answer to making it feel special, neither of which I have

[....,,,,..,,..]

This all goes down to the BOM (Bill of Materials) for each series.

Each series will have it's own distinct BOM for a base model (not including engines, or trim)

So an entry model will have say BOM for a specific build code.

As the spec changes from sport to msport, then the only deltas will be the inclusion of msport parts where different from sport.

Add an engine, it's same BOM with deltas of the engine change.

Personally, it would be good (but not commercially practical) to have some of the standard parts upgrade in quality linked to either the trim of engine (or both).

[Nick the Greek]

Was that not what I said brigand?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

Was that not what I said brigand?

........ Basically

I just expanded upon it lol.

[Nick the Greek]

You therefore breached my copyright brigand.
I shall sue.
Unless we can come to an out of court financial settlement, a la Bernie Ecclestone.......

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

You therefore breached my copyright brigand.
I shall sue.
Unless we can come to an out of court financial settlement, a la Bernie Ecclestone.......

Damn, blatantly gonna have to bung you something

I can't face another day in court, those swirling doors will be the death of me

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Completely off topic, but if Scotland votes for Independence, will they have their own BMW Configurator?

They already do.

Scottish cars do not have air conditioning...

They also don't have wheels larger than 18's as they would need to use extra air

[F30AM]

Completely off topic, but if Scotland votes for Independence, will they have their own BMW Configurator as they will then possibly have a BMW Scotland? Or will they be able/allowed to access BMW UK for an interim period? Perhaps they should join up with BMW Ireland to make up the numbers.

[recall5150]

I worry that BMW is pursuing a policy of light and therefore cheap interior plastics to obtain lower weight, and therefore CO2s - and this does nothing to improve the ownership experience.

I'm surprised by the quality of plastics and leather in the F31 - coming from an A4 which, bar a few minor exceptions, is rock solid and almost harks back to late 80s Mercs in terms of the solidity of interior. Leather is supple yet tough, if such a thing is possible.

Drives like a pig, of course, but that's for another thread...

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by recall5150

I worry that BMW is pursuing a policy of light and therefore cheap interior plastics to obtain lower weight, and therefore CO2s - and this does nothing to improve the ownership experience.

I'm surprised by the quality of plastics and leather in the F31 - coming from an A4 which, bar a few minor exceptions, is rock solid and almost harks back to late 80s Mercs in terms of the solidity of interior. Leather is supple yet tough, if such a thing is possible.

Drives like a pig, of course, but that's for another thread...

And looks like one!

I think the quality of the F30 plastics is ok. Could be a bit better in a few places. It is the Dakota leather which is tough as old boots and looks like them after a bit of use. I just don't let anyone sit in my car for too long as it buggers up the seats if they have bony backsides. Therefore, mine still look pristine. Having said all this, I rather like the simplicity of the F30 interior. The exterior is totally superb when it is an M Sport. It is a beautiful car IMO.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by recall5150

I worry that BMW is pursuing a policy of light and therefore cheap interior plastics to obtain lower weight, and therefore CO2s - and this does nothing to improve the ownership experience.

I'm surprised by the quality of plastics and leather in the F31 - coming from an A4 which, bar a few minor exceptions, is rock solid and almost harks back to late 80s Mercs in terms of the solidity of interior. Leather is supple yet tough, if such a thing is possible.

Drives like a pig, of course, but that's for another thread...

Not sure I follow the light and therefore cheap part and how that links to CO2.

We have some very high quality relatively delicate plastics, piano black and high quality, we tend to use heavier plastics elsewhere as they are cheaper.

I am hoping there is no bloody tree hugged CO2 policy over plastics, or China will close down lol.

[recall5150]

Originally Posted by F30AM

And looks like one!

I think the quality of the F30 Plastics is ok. Could be a bit better in a few places. It is the Dakota leather which is tough as old boots and looks like them after a bit of use. I just don't let anyone sit in my car for too long as it buggers up the seats if they have bony backsides. Therefore, mine still look pristine. Having said all this, I rather like the simplicity of the F30 interior. The exterior is totally superb when it is an M Sport. It is a beautiful car IMO.

Very true. It's what moved me from Audi and Mercs. But they are very different propositions and seem to target different areas of ownership to appeal to owners, rather than making a serious bid for driving pleasure. Hence the focus on areas like interior design (Audi) or "luxury" (Merc).

For what it's worth my short list for replacing an A4 3.0 TDI avant recently included an A6 Allroad BiTDI, a 530d touring or an SQ5.

335d the heart - and head's - choice over all.

[recall5150]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Not sure I follow the light and therefore cheap part and how that links to CO2.

We have some very high quality relatively delicate plastics, piano black and high quality, we tend to use heavier plastics elsewhere as they are cheaper.

I am hoping there is no bloody tree hugged CO2 policy over plastics, or China will close down lol.

I thought this was a stated BMW policy? Could be wrong.

[F30AM]

I just can't understand how perfectly Audi can screw up some (not all as I rather like the Q5) of their cars at times. When I compared the S3 and S3 Sportback to the Golf R, the latter was noticeably better to drive even though VW and Audi use the same MQB platform and all the oily bits are more or less the same for these cars.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by recall5150

I thought this was a stated BMW policy? Could be wrong.

If it is, it's a load of marketing bollox then lol.

Cost is the main thing.

[recall5150]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Not sure I follow the light and therefore cheap part and how that links to CO2.

We have some very high quality relatively delicate plastics, piano black and high quality, we tend to use heavier plastics elsewhere as they are cheaper.

I am hoping there is no bloody tree hugged CO2 policy over plastics, or China will close down lol.

Sorry - get what you mean after a second reading. You're right, lightness does not equal cheap; but when used in the wrong places, suggests cheapness, if you catch my drift...

[MRPoisson]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I just can't understand how perfectly Audi can screw up some (not all) of their cars at times. When I compared the S3 and S3 Sportback to the Golf R, the latter was noticeably better to drive even though VW and Audi use the same MQB platform and all the oily bits are more or less the same for these cars.

Possibly but the new S3 interior beats the R hands down IMO

[recall5150]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I just can't understand how perfectly Audi can screw up some (not all) of their cars at times. When I compared the S3 and S3 Sportback to the Golf R, the latter was noticeably better to drive even though VW and Audi use the same MQB platform and all the oily bits are more or less the same for these cars.

Former S3 owner. Not driven the R but a GTI in good hands would leave it behind and rewards the driver: S3 was lifeless.

Audi just don't do driving finesse. And I've had loads of them. Used to think the BMW driving experience was myth. How wrong was I?!

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by MRPoisson

Possibly but the new S3 interior beats the R hands down IMO

And the F30s, the F10s and many other BMWs. So what?