New Owner Thoughts – 320d 2l M Sport Touring Xdrive 2019

[Astonred]

New Owner Thoughts – 320d 2l M Sport Touring Xdrive (G21) 2019

Having owned the car for one week now, I thought I’d share my thoughts on it.

 

Firstly, I would like to say my experience has on the whole been one of over whelming positivity, it is a joy to drive, cheaper that A4 Avant to insure and decent mpg.

 

I did sort of buy it on a whim, and by that I mean I didn’t do weeks of research into it like I did with the Audi (I was originally looking at A4 Avant 2l diesel Quattro (why I need 4x4 who knows) 19-20 plate).  I test drove three A4’s, a Volvo V90 AWD and a V60 AWD.  I dismissed the Volvo’s, lovely comfortable seats, superb auto box but very plasticky interior, and all touch screen (I want a button for the sodding air con!!)  A4’s were quiet, refined, comfortable and had a bit of go, so my mind was made up.  However, finding the “one” was proving to be a bit of a challenge, after several months a friend said why not try a 3 Series?

 

Now, I have never been overly keen on BMW’s having driven several in the past, I found everything heavy, doors to open, pedals to press and the steering I thought was so heavy I was convinced the power steering was broken in it.  So, I’ll admit I went into the test drive slightly jaded.  After 10 minutes I found my prejudices of old completely blown away, so bought it there and then.

 

The Surprisingly Good – (In no particular order)

 

Fuel economy - Pretty good currently averaging around 48mpg, that’s running round locally and a couple of motorway drives.

 

Head Up Display – What I thought would be a gimmick and complete waste of time, is actually really surprisingly good.  You rarely have to look at the dash, particularly like the sat-nav info being displayed on it (even from Waze, and not just BMW maps).

 

Gesture Control – I know this will be a bit divisive, but I love it for turning the volume up and down.  Will I still be using it in a months time?

 

Voice Commands – My old man was particularly impressed you could ask the MPG, I must say it is one of the better systems I’ve tried.

 

Powered Tailgate – Friends had it on their cars, I thought it was pointless.  Now I have one is there any other way to open the boot?  Although I’m still trying to get the hang of kicking under the bumper to open it (I do an amazing Hokey Cokey and still get no where).  I do like the fact you have the lock button on the boot close button as well.

 

Lock/Unlocking – I’m using the hand in the handle to unlock and tap to lock option, purely because I’m not fully trusting yet the walking up and away method.  I’m a bit OCD – have I locked it etc.

 

Boot Glass Opening – why is it good, it just is.

 

Lighting – First time having LED’s, BMW have done themselves proud managing to fit two suns under the bonnet.  Interior multi-colour lighting, again didn’t know I needed it but love it.  Never had puddle lights but more handy than I thought, and door handle lights, why are these not standard on every car?

 

Silence – How have they managed to make a diesel that quiet – well done indeed.

 

Oil and Adblue levels (even though with BMW’s premium service they didn’t bother to fill it up!!).

Nice that you can check in the car.

 

Could Work Better!

 

TPMS – Thought is would be a God send (I would usually check tyre pressure every 6/8 weeks) but its took at least three attempts to get the pressure right (BMW service and MOT, not one tyre pressure matched, so much for paying for premium service)

 

Run Flats – not keen, harder ride and still need to buy a new tyre.  No sodding place to put a spare – Progress!!!?.

 

Wireless Charging – Currently all it seems to do is heat up the phone to the temperature of the sun, and put about 4% charge on in half hour.  Yes, it does go blue when put it in the tray and the phone is QI compatible - S24 Ultra. 

 

What is the deal with the cup holders - Was the brief, design wireless charging tray, but make it VERY nearly impossible to get the phone out if the customer places a cup in the cup holder – job well done if it was.

 

Auto stop/Start – urghhhh!! – does it really help???

 

Hold Assist – can’t get the hang of it, looking like I’m head banging to heavy rock.  Jerky on the start and the stop.  I’m old school I like the creep, makes a nice smooth go.  I am very easy on brakes.

 

Door Sills – need cleaning, how do they get so dirty.

 

Rear View Mirror – not the most generous view (yes, the dog guard doesn’t help), but anti dazzle wing mirrors are good.

 

Christ Alive – Reverse Camera – Want to watch me do an impression of a 90 year old learner driver, stick a reverse camera in my car.  Hopefully I’ll get the hang of it.  I do think the front camera is quite handy for pulling out of tight junctions though.

 

Like all newish cars the drivers seat bolster does wear – do we need it?

 

All in all I really, really do like it.  I do expect to still be pleased with it in a month’s time.  Yes, the Pimlico blue colour was a big buying factor (more than likely paid a premium for it).  Would I buy it again, at the minute yes I would.

 

 

 

[Greydog]

Great feedback Richard

I am afraid all cars are becoming gimmicky the designers need to understand that because a Microchip has the capacity you don't need to use it !! As you say some good but an awful lot irrelevant being an old bloke even when I got the 4.6is X5 (2003) it had a reverse camera and sensors. Being my age and having spent many years turning and looking when reversing I had owned the car a fair while when reversing one day a passenger said "thats cool" you have a camera why don't you use it ? The current X5 has camera's and when parking/reversing I still turn to look where I am going 😅

Just stop using the bit's you don't need 

Most important though ENJOY your Beemer

Dave

[Astonred]

On 5/12/2024 at 7:55 AM, Greydog said:

Great feedback Richard

I am afraid all cars are becoming gimmicky the designers need to understand that because a Microchip has the capacity you don't need to use it !! As you say some good but an awful lot irrelevant being an old bloke even when I got the 4.6is X5 (2003) it had a reverse camera and sensors. Being my age and having spent many years turning and looking when reversing I had owned the car a fair while when reversing one day a passenger said "thats cool" you have a camera why don't you use it ? The current X5 has camera's and when parking/reversing I still turn to look where I am going 😅

Just stop using the bit's you don't need 

Most important though ENJOY your Beemer

Dave

I couldn't agree more just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.  Laptops are a prime example, give me than two sodding ports!! I don't live in that dreamland where everything works flawlessly over WiFi, I'm barely on dial up speeds here!

Also what is with that dreadful piano black trim?  Scratches the instant you look at it, and in my opinion I think it will date really badly.  All new cars seem to have it, especally the EV's.  Is it cheap to produce?

Still trying to learn how to use the reverse camera😁... and failing!