[andrew520d]

don't know if anyone else has flagged this but there is a first drive review of the 330d touring on the Autocar website.
I wouldn't call it a glowing report and I think it is very poor on describing the performance and feel of the car, especially as it is the first time this engine has been tested.

[TMP]

Hmm. Not a glowing review as you say. Seems you can feel those extra 185kg kilos and they only got 39mpg on a run...

Link here: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...series-touring

[JOHNBMWM5]

That is not a very flattering review, was it an M Sport?............... NO.
I think fuel economy will be much better than that, I get that from my X3 35D M Sport.

[NISFAN]

Lol, at two 6'2" people sitting one behind the other. Try that in a C class.

And pretty sure the Diesel is not twin scroll turbo.

[RichardCornwall]

Just picked up my F30 330d this afternoon, on a mixed run of 120 miles, it has returned 42mpg. Not bad as the route is pretty mixed and the car had 9 miles on the clock when I picked it up. I'm sure it will loosen up over time and the mpg will increase.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by RichardCornwall

Just picked up my F30 330d this afternoon, on a mixed run of 120 miles, it has returned 42mpg. Not bad as the route is pretty mixed and the car had 9 miles on the clock when I picked it up. I'm sure it will loosen up over time and the mpg will increase.

New thread required....lots of pics please

[F30AM]

It's the touring's fat backside and different springs that makes it less of a 5 star car. But then you can shop to drop at Ikea and fill up its backside to the brim.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Although I am still waiting for mine to arrive, I have a days drive tomorrow in the 330M Sport touring booked
I will do my own assessments then.

[NISFAN]

My dealer has a 330D M Sport touring in for me to drive.....can't wait

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

My dealer has a 330D M Sport touring in for me to drive.....can't wait

Kings lynn and norwich both have them in to drive.

[RobUK]

39mpg on a run? They must have been mean to it.

[MaestroAl]

Crap review tbh

[dopper99]

Based on that review, if I didnt know better it would put me off.
No-one really seems to be giving the F3X 330d a glowing review yet.

[MaestroAl]

Given that there's only one press review so far and it's a couple of paragraphs from someone who clearly has no idea what they're talking about and isn't a full review and all of the customer reviews we have from members are glowing ... I'd say you've made that up

[TMP]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Based on that review, if I didnt know better it would put me off.
No-one really seems to be giving the F3X 330d a glowing review yet.

I think the F30 330d is going to be fab. It's just the e90 330d was new so it kind of made the impact? As ever the f30 has moved the game on, but this review doesn't seem to have got that...

The lack of other press reviews is also strange. But then, most people are interested in the 320d and ED models.

[dopper99]

Ok ok guys! I did write that last night after coming back from the pub

[HighlandPete]

So what is wrong with the first review?

Just because the comments aren't giving "perfection" status to the 330d, doesn't anywhere say the car isn't good. The 6' 2" comment is obviously a silly statement, as it is a 3-series, not a 5-series.

But the rear suspension and nimbleness will show up in many future reviews, if the testers are being honest. It is true of the E90/91 comparisons, so will be there for the F30/31. It is simple physics... higher rear spring rates to carry the touring loads, and a heavy engine (compared to the much lighter 4-pots) will dull the handling, by comparison to the ligher saloons and the lighter tourings.

As to mpg, if that is what they found, fair comment... wait to see others crying "mpg doesn't match the official figures". The 55mpg sort of figures are not to be expected, I can see a massive mpg shortfall against that headline figures.

On Honest John's real mpg register, the E91 330d is showing an average of 38.4mpg compared to the 44.8mpg official combined figure, so we do need to get real on what to expect as the 'official figures' go silly and mpg shortfall grows. Where on earth can you gain around 10mpg driving at typical BMW motorway speeds, never going to happen. If anyone sees mid 40's long term in real world driving, they will be doing well, IMO.

HighlandPete

[MaestroAl]

I think everyone's expecting mid 40s from real world driving

And we'll get it

[dopper99]

I think virtually all reviews of the F30 up until now (eg 320d, 328i, 335i etc….) have been glowing reviews. The kind of reviews that would make you seriously want to go out and buy one, from what I’ve read anyway.
But this review doesn’t make you think like that particularly. This is of course the F31 which may or may not have quite the same dynamics as the F30 so I would be interested to see a review of the F30 330d. Fuel consumption is disappointing though and no better than the E9X.
At least they didn’t slate the steering – like they normal do these days on beemers.

[Hardrada]

Hi Guys. My delivery was postponed to next week so I was given a hours slot in their just delivered 330d msport F31. Took it for 30 miles up the motorway and then back to showroom via some very windy back roads that I know very well and can drive over quickly.
Motorway poise and response was superb. Oodles of power on tap and very responsive. Tried eco pro, comfort and sport settings; and reckon that each will have its place depending on what road your're driving over.
Couldn't wipe the grin off my face when blatting down the country lanes; to be honest I kept running out of road to push full power. Easily upto 85mph in what seems like nano seconds. Car had the 19 inch alloys and the ride was very smooth- so no worries there. Sport seats are quite tight fitting so if your plus 40 inch chest wise then some adjustment to positioning will be necessary.
All in all I'm going to have to say that the experience was fantastic. If you're going for the MSport then it's because you like to drive, and therefore need a rock solid base to do so. You won't be disappointed. I am counting down the days until I get me hands on my own one.

[andrew520d]

The above is more like what I was expecting and hoping for.
Did the car feel nose heavy?
was the engine as torquey as you hoped?

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Hardrada

Hi Guys. My delivery was postponed to next week so I was given a hours slot in their just delivered 330d msport F31. Took it for 30 miles up the motorway and then back to showroom via some very windy back roads that I know very well and can drive over quickly.
Motorway poise and response was superb. Oodles of power on tap and very responsive. Tried eco pro, comfort and sport settings; and reckon that each will have its place depending on what road your're driving over.
Couldn't wipe the grin off my face when blatting down the country lanes; to be honest I kept running out of road to push full power. Easily upto 85mph in what seems like nano seconds. Car had the 19 inch alloys and the ride was very smooth- so no worries there. Sport seats are quite tight fitting so if your plus 40 inch chest wise then some adjustment to positioning will be necessary.
All in all I'm going to have to say that the experience was fantastic. If you're going for the MSport then it's because you like to drive, and therefore need a rock solid base to do so. You won't be disappointed. I am counting down the days until I get me hands on my own one.

Great review. What car are you driving at the moment?