beemerlover
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- Jul 13, 2007
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Long time never log in to this forum. This is my test drive of the F30 in Melbourne today.Accompanied my friend who was interested in the F30 to the beemer showroom for a scheduled test drive. Arrived in the pouring rain and started to look see look see while waiting for the 328i to be available.In Australia, the F30 came in 4 themes - Basic, Modern, Luxury and Sport with the last two being the most expensive. The demo car was a Luxury version which GPS comes as standard together with the usual features including 18" alloys and RFT. Non standard optional items in the car was sunroof, comfort access, bi xenon with DRL amongst others. For the first time, the side mirror comes with the integrated indicator, one of the last brand who adopted this. Standard steering with multifunction buttons is very very nice. Without the optional items, this car is A$82k on the road (driveaway).The cars looks better the second time I saw it. Nice design with strong resemblance to the bigger brother, F10 especially the rear lights.Obviously, my friend took it for a spin first. Last week he test drove the C250 and came out unimpressed. In his previous position, he was given a company car, Volvo (don't know which model) and his impression of C250 was similar to his Volvo, no premium feel despite higher price tag. He was put off by the C250 parking brake -"so old fashion" he said.I sat at the back behind the driver and while this is considered a small car, the rear space is considered tight but slightly larger than my E90. Salesmen goes through the customary briefing of the car. My earlier complaint about the potruding LCD screen has changed a little bit and more acceptable now. The quality of the LCD was quite impressive with salesman showing different driving mode can be engaged - Economy, Comfort and Sports. Whilst this car has got no rear camera (optional) but with the car's rear and front sensor activating the Parking Distance Control with the combination of audio and visual graphical warning in the screen, it is one of the best I've seen, so much better than Merc. My turn to drive and when my friend changed seats, he discreetly told me "Very Impressive!" outside the car with the intention not to let the salesmen knows about the brief exchange of word. That basically forms the background of my brief test drive. First impression - steering feels light when parking but in control at higher speed. 4 potter turbo 2 litre engine with 180kW (250HP at 5k RPM) power the car very easily. I though I will miss the inline six roar, when I press pedal to metal but the engine sound is different but nice with no turbo lag experienced. The 18" wheels gripped superbly in the pouring rain and when I floored the pedal when the lights turned green, no loss of traction or grip were noted. Not sure whether the stability or traction kicks in as I was concentrating on the road. Definitely there is a connection between the driver and the road via steering unlike the lifeless Merc. 8 speed shifter is very smooth and impressive. The gear knob is nice to use as well.I've driven the IL6 2.5 and 2.8 and 2 litre oil burner diesel before so in comparison, this new 4 potter turbo feels so much powerful but the difference is 'lighter' and much more willing to rev higher.The negative is although the F30 luxury comes with enough standard equipment, the option list can be very long and before you know it, the options you added will add 10 - 20% the the cost of the car. Sunroof and bi xenon DRL (standard on 335i) should be standard but it was not. Comfort Access which was a standard in my E90 is not standard in F30.The bread and butter 135kW 320i will come in a few months time together with the entry level 318D and 320D which complete the sedan line up.Off topic - F10 5 series. Again, took a look at the A$250k M5 in the showroom. Very nice! To make way for new F10 equipped with the 4 pot turbo, they are selling the brand new IL6 F10 528i for A$99k driveaway to clear stock. Very tempting. Makes the F10 much more value ($5k difference) than the F30 if you add sunroof, bi Xenon DRL and mettalic paint to the F30.In summary, very impressive all rounded car with enough power. If I am in the market to consider the entry level executive car, this car is high on my list. I will add sunroof and bi xenon DRL options. Having said that. I see better value in the F10 with IL6 powerplant. But I'm not changing car at the moment!
