[kiforrest]

Thought I would share the spec to garner opinions:

I had doubts in my mind over Business Nav so bit the bullet after reading various fourms and went for:

BMW 3 Series (F30) Efficient Dynamics 4dr Step Auto
Sports Auto
Sports Wheel
Sports Seats
Rear Centre Armrest
Interior Light Pack
Media Pack Professional Multimedia with telephone prep and USB
Visibility Pack
Harmon Kardon Loudspeaker System
Mobile Application and Phone Preparation
Mineral White (Metallic)

Got poverty wheels on but should have a decent ride. The xenons on an F20 are mega bright. Hope the ones on the F30 are as good.

Cheers, will post pics of the new bus when she arrives

In the interim will stay tuned in for others opinions and news of any essential mods.

[Raspartan]

Nice! What doubts are you referring to for the Business nav?

[kiforrest]

The main gripe with the business nav that I read on forums was:

1. Limited zoom on approaching junctions etc
2. Limited screen size
3. Lack of high res display in the instrument cluster

Functionality wise the latest Business Nav seemed good. However, those with it seemed to regret not paying the extra to get the Pro Nav

Seemed perfectly good to me but user feedback suggested it was worth paying the extra

Cheers

[wai2sexy]

when will your order be delivered?

[wmzorba]

still waiting to be able to place orders in the US

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by wmzorba

still waiting to be able to place orders in the US

Yep.

[kiforrest]

Delivery date originally April but now 1st week in May as I wanted Mineral White Metallic and this is not available until the 2nd production run

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by kiforrest

Delivery date originally April but now 1st week in May as I wanted Mineral White Metallic and this is not available until the 2nd production run

You got me nervous till i read the part about mineral white...i saw mineral white along with another color or 2 would not be ready on initial production. Im hoping to order my car next week and have it be here with the initial launch around mid feb.

[kiforrest]

Cool. Look forward to the pics and write up

[DrivenByE30]

How's your order going OP?

[kiforrest]

Delayed date

The colour, mineral white metallic, is not available until the 2nd production run BMW UK informed me. Therefore, rather than an end of March delivery date - I am now told to expect the car 1st week in May.

However, BMW UK did hint that I could expect other subtle improvements as the car is on the post initial production run. I am hoping that will be FULL black panel display as on the latest F10's rather than the half (ish) effort on the press cars we have all seen to date. However, I have read elsewhere it is in fact a slightly updated CIC i.e. the Nav computer (bug fixes/little faster/one or two added features). Another rumour is that the sports steering will come with the sports auto on the 2nd production run.... We shall see.

Could just be bug fixes on the line from the 1st batch

Cheers

[Robin_NL]

Congrats man.Which alloys if I may ask?
I'm getting one of the first batch(feb 12) We'll see.

You'll be keeping your excellent 130i, won't you? A classic.

[kiforrest]

It's the Efficient Dynamics so those awful 16" Streamline Spoke efforts (306). I say awful I want 'balloon' tyres for the work car as everywhere has speed bumps these days and I am sick of the thump, thump of low profile 18" 255/35 rubber. One reason I wanted white as I think for a darker colour to work you need bigger wheels.

I currently have a Passat CC 170 TDI GT DSG as a company run around. That has 18" wheels and adaptive suspension and that cannot save the ride from the obsession this country has with 'sleeping policemen'. Therefore, I wanted back to balloon tyres and as I could get auto and all the options I wanted on the 320ED it became a no brainer . Best riding car ever is still my dads E39 528i which he has had since new. That laughs at all the bumps and handles really well. That is on 16" wheels (I think) with big balloon tyres and became the inspiration. BMW know how to make a car handle and ride well but like all are struggling with the current trend for enormous wheels.

The 130i is with the wife now. I use it at the weekends. That will be staying with me . I need some pleasant noise, throttle response, 6 cylinders and POWER for a while longer. Still can't decide what to replace that with

The new F20 is an ugly thing, do not like Mini's AT all - she likes the look of the Audi A1 and now they have released a 252BHP Quattro variant that is looking tempting - but may hold on for the new A3

[Robin_NL]

Ah, I see.

Originally Posted by kiforrest

The new F20 is an ugly thing, do not like Mini's AT all - she likes the look of the Audi A1 and now they have released a 252BHP Quattro variant that is looking tempting - but may hold on for the new A3

IRL I don't think the F20 is that ugly. A German (all the way from Munich thats > 600 miles from where I live) parked his F20 next to my current car a few weeks ago. Fwiw. I still like the F10 better.

That F20 also had tiny(winter) tyres/wheels 16" maximum.

[kiforrest]

True. looks good in the picture and fro that angle. I think it's side profile is its weakest point. I also think lighter colours favour its 'challenging' shape.

The F10 is a looker in any colour. One reason I chose the F30 is it is to the eye a smaller F10