BMW M Sport package questions

[dlk001]

Thanks, yeah it's a hard pill to swallow but I've got to be an adult about it... Just not financially logical at this point.

The BMW dealers are not consistent with regards to trade-in valuations, discounts etc.

A friend of mine was offered a BMW 118i with a R8k short-fall on the Alfa Mito 1.4 by BMW Club Motors. Second BMW dealer (Cedar Isle, Fourways) offered him a higher trade in with a surplus, a discount and a trade in assistance on a BMW 120i.

 

[ChrisThomas]

The BMW dealers are not consistent with regards to trade-in valuations, discounts etc.

A friend of mine was offered a BMW 118i with a R8k short-fall on the Alfa Mito 1.4 by BMW Club Motors. Second BMW dealer (Cedar Isle, Fourways) offered him a higher trade in with a surplus, a discount and a trade in assistance on a BMW 120i.

These were not BMW dealerships though.

 

[dlk001]

There seems to be love and hate relationships with runflats. They are here to stay and in the last 10yrs, they have evolved a lot from 1st, 2nd and now 3rd Generation runflats. More manufacturers are adopting them including luxury comfortable cars such as Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series.

 

[dlk001]

Speaking of runflats and Mercedes Benz

(MOE) stands for Mercedes Original Equipment Extended Mobility. It’s a Runflat but Mercedes is not allowed to call it Runflat. Reason : MOE uses thinner sidewall for better ride comfort but are less durable than traditional runflats when operated at zero-pressure. So, Mercedes is anot allowed to call them run-flat. You can only drive them flat for 30kms to maximum of 80kms.

Most Mercedes cars have MOE tires. A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class

 

[Excalibur]

Basically when shopping for any BMW, MERC, AUDI make sure they are equipped with the optional Adaptive Suspensions. It can change an M-Sport car from SPORT+ to COMFORT (COMFORT+ in the case of 5/6/7-Series).

The ECO PRO is an engine efficiency mode for maximum fuel saving.

So what is the difference between say Sport/Sport+ and shifting the gears to the S position in automatic where you get gears S1, S2 etc? Does the S just drag the gears/rev high without adjusting suspension like Sport mode?

 

[Tsepz_GP]

I had it in Eco Pro, I'm not sure how that had been set up I know you can adjust the dampers to the driving mode. It was a more comfortable ride than my Adam by all means don't get me wrong, but I felt the standard 5er was a bit softer.

However my dreams have been shot to the ground, with the large shortfall on my Adam and the ridiculous insurance quotes I got, I can only afford the 2010 5 series, which I am not too excited about driving a 6 year old car for R6.5k pm before I even pay for fuel.

So I'm going to save up for a while, try see what I can do to make the Adam bearable for now, maybe there's something I can put on the seat (those Verimark back supports I've tried) or I'll just sweet talk my mom into letting me use her 1 series for a while until I decide what I'm doing.

Apparently, I have the only Adam in the bloody country that was registered in 2014? It was sold to me as a 2015, which I even went back and found the original advert for on Autotrader.... All of the dealerships trying to trade my car in ran into the same issue, not only that, my finance house have no record of my car on file either, but my settlement documentation state that my car is a 2014 model. So who knows. Not even one of the managers of GM knows as he says they were only shipped to this country in 2015. So with that my trade in offer went down, and my dream drifted further away lol. Oh well, maybe it's a a sign?

So sorry to hear that man.

Are you sure you want to get a 5series though???

I am thoroughly shocked at how good this C180 is. Maybe look at Japanese to? E.g. Lexus IS250? IMO, this is a chance to look at all other available options, you just might not need to get a big old man's car

I am back to driving my Clio 4 tomorrow, I cannot wait to be back in my little nippy hatch, the C Class feels very big, but it is so incredibly soft on its tires, and despite being a 180, power delivery is seamless and always there.

 

[ahoudet]

So sorry to hear that man.

Are you sure you want to get a 5series though???

I am thoroughly shocked at how good this C180 is. Maybe look at Japanese to? E.g. Lexus IS250? IMO, this is a chance to look at all other available options, you just might not need to get a big old man's car

I am back to driving my Clio 4 tomorrow, I cannot wait to be back in my little nippy hatch, the C Class feels very big, but it is so incredibly soft on its tires, and despite being a 180, power delivery is seamless and always there.

The new C180 is probably above budget. My experience with the old one is that it still has somewhat of a hard ride...

IS250 is awesome but the fuel consumption is not as nice!

 

[Tsepz_GP]

The new C180 is probably above budget. My experience with the old one is that it still has somewhat of a hard ride...

IS250 is awesome but the fuel consumption is not as nice!

Ah yes, true WRT budget. I figured if he's going for a current 520d he could get a newer C Class for the same or a little less money.

WRT the ride, I made a mistake regarding the rims on the 1 I have here, they are 17inch, but on a bigger tire.

I think OP needs to shop around while saving up, he can get a great car at the price of a 520d, with very comfy seats and soft suspension. Pity WRT Lexus fuel consumption. Maybe a VW Passat or even a top end VW Jetta or Audi A3 Sedan without low profile tires.

 

[rorz0r]

This chart is derived from empirical testing and pertains to the F20 M135i but it does give you an idea of the differences between eco pro, comfort, sport and sport+ plus switching the gear lever to sport mode.

http://f20.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1105819

Basically eco pro has about a 5 second throttle response and likes sticking to the highest gear, as well as turning down the aircon a bit etc. Comfort is the default mode with about 1s throttle response. Sport has a pretty much instantaneous throttle response and if you had adaptive suspension it will stiffen up. The steering also stiffens up. Sport+ is just Sport with DTC "off" (it's actually DTC on but it's kinda confusing, basically it will let you slide a bit more). Shifting the gearbox to sport gives you pretty much all the benefits of sport mode without the hard steering.

 

[ChrisThomas]

This chart is derived from empirical testing and pertains to the F20 M135i but it does give you an idea of the differences between eco pro, comfort, sport and sport+ plus switching the gear lever to sport mode.

http://f20.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1105819

Basically eco pro has about a 5 second throttle response and likes sticking to the highest gear, as well as turning down the aircon a bit etc. Comfort is the default mode with about 1s throttle response. Sport has a pretty much instantaneous throttle response and if you had adaptive suspension it will stiffen up. The steering also stiffens up. Sport+ is just Sport with DTC "off" (it's actually DTC on but it's kinda confusing, basically it will let you slide a bit more). Shifting the gearbox to sport gives you pretty much all the benefits of sport mode without the hard steering.

That's actually really helpful!

Thanks!

 

[ChrisThomas]

Ah yes, true WRT budget. I figured if he's going for a current 520d he could get a newer C Class for the same or a little less money.

WRT the ride, I made a mistake regarding the rims on the 1 I have here, they are 17inch, but on a bigger tire.

I think OP needs to shop around while saving up, he can get a great car at the price of a 520d, with very comfy seats and soft suspension. Pity WRT Lexus fuel consumption. Maybe a VW Passat or even a top end VW Jetta or Audi A3 Sedan without low profile tires.

yes you are right, it does give me some time to shop around indeed, which I will do so, but I think the reason I was punting so hard for the beemer is the fact that I've wanted one since I was about 7 years old and went on a ride in someone's E39 (which was quite high tech at the time) - so it would be like a little dream come true. That being said I won't let it cloud my judgement, if I find a better car at a better deal, I would probably take it!

 

[Tsepz_GP]

yes you are right, it does give me some time to shop around indeed, which I will do so, but I think the reason I was punting so hard for the beemer is the fact that I've wanted one since I was about 7 years old and went on a ride in someone's E39 (which was quite high tech at the time) - so it would be like a little dream come true. That being said I won't let it cloud my judgement, if I find a better car at a better deal, I would probably take it!

Ah, that explains it! We are all gear heads here, so I totally understand that. It is a fantastic car, and there's nothing like getting something you've always wanted.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Gonna resurrect this dead as disco thread...

I've forced myself into the market for a "nused" vehicle after writing my beloved old mazda double cab off a few weeks ago.

The logical part of my brain is leaning towards the BMW diesels from an economy and engine reliability point of view, but the 2 year old in me still wants a nice-to-look-at and fun to drive set of wheels. Torn between the 520d MSport (with literally every bell and whistle under the sun) and the 320D MSport... They would all be around 2012/2013 models....

I'm aware the 3 series will be a more fun drive, but I do 100kms to and from work every day so also considering cruising ability of the 5 series. That and the fact that it looks like a decent gangster ride
Anybody have any personal experiences with each model that they'd feel like sharing?

 

[pinball wizard]

Anybody have any personal experiences with each model that they'd feel like sharing?

Nothing to add, other than that I'm actually looking at a 320 Msport currently and will watch responses to your question here. Ta.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

I owned a 320D, it does what it says on the box.
Just make sure you get some of nice extra's on the 320D, otherwise it could be boring.
I would take one with the following extra's:
Front PDC
Reverse cam
Upgraded NAV 8.8 inch this allow bluetooth audio streaming also, standard system does not allow you to stream music!
Xenon Lights ( the standard lights are very bad do not buy any of them with standard lights)
M-sport or sportline

Replace run flats with normal tyres, my car was much better after I done that.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I owned a 320D, it does what it says on the box.
Just make sure you get some of nice extra's on the 320D, otherwise it could be boring.
I would take one with the following extra's:
Front PDC
Reverse cam
Upgraded NAV 8.8 inch this allow bluetooth audio streaming also, standard system does not allow you to stream music!
Xenon Lights ( the standard lights are very bad do not buy any of them with standard lights)
M-sport or sportline

Replace run flats with normal tyres, my car was much better after I done that.

Say what on the Bluetooth aspect? WTF kind of bollocks is that about no music streaming on the standard system?!?!?!

 

[ToxicBunny]

Just from a looks point of view, I must admit I lean more towards the 5 Series (Yes I know its fscking massive), it has purpose and presence but its not quite so shouty as the Msport package on the 320D

But in terms of options, generally I find the 3 series are pretty sparsely optioned these days cos most of the people buying them new are buying at the top end of the budget just to afford the bog standard 3 series, so they can stretch to the cosmetic MSport package but none of the really nice kit inside.


520D


320D

 

[ChrisThomas]

I currently own a 320D Sport. I agree with the comment above, make sure the infotainment on the 3 series is up to snuff, the standard system doesn't allow you to stream music via bluetooth until 2015 facelift models unless they had the optional extras fitted.

The 520d won't have the same acceleration and will be a bit of a land yacht but cruising in it is quite spectacular and they are normally better specc'd than the 3 series.

The only other thing to note, although at this age most cars hit their depreciation marks, the 5 series will never hold it's value like the 3 series will as the 3 series is the more popular car with more demand.

The sound system itself is normally much better in the 5 series as well...

In summary, 5 series for equipment and comfort, 3 series for handling and acceleration. Looks wise that's a personal choice.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I currently own a 320D Sport. I agree with the comment above, make sure the infotainment on the 3 series is up to snuff, the standard system doesn't allow you to stream music via bluetooth until 2015 facelift models unless they had the optional extras fitted.

The 520d won't have the same acceleration and will be a bit of a land yacht but cruising in it is quite spectacular and they are normally better specc'd than the 3 series.

The only other thing to note, although at this age most cars hit their depreciation marks, the 5 series will never hold it's value like the 3 series will as the 3 series is the more popular car with more demand.

The sound system itself is normally much better in the 5 series as well...

In summary, 5 series for equipment and comfort, 3 series for handling and acceleration. Looks wise that's a personal choice.

That is pretty much the way I see it as well.

I would personally not see either of them as acceleration beasts (That is the realm of the big petrol motors). I think for me I tend more towards the comfort cruising part since that is 90% of my driving these days...
I will need to check the infotainment setup then. No Bluetooth Music streaming will be a deal breaker in my world. I won't even consider a car that doesn't have that option.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

That is pretty much the way I see it as well.

I would personally not see either of them as acceleration beasts (That is the realm of the big petrol motors). I think for me I tend more towards the comfort cruising part since that is 90% of my driving these days...
I will need to check the infotainment setup then. No Bluetooth Music streaming will be a deal breaker in my world. I won't even consider a car that doesn't have that option.

If it does not have the 8.8 wide screen and it is pre 2015 model on the 3 series it won't stream audio.
There is 1% chance it might have bluetooth streaming option fitted, this required a combox to be fitted in the boot, which then allows it. Don't think there will be many card that did spec that.