[rich1068]

Well here I am again on the 3er side of the interwebs. After absolutely, positively deciding on a 325i a few months ago I ordered a 520d M Sport. That didn't sit well with me and now I'm back having cancelled the 5er and signing on the dotted line for a 320d Touring. I feel a weight has been lifted from my shoulders cancelling the 520d and now I just have to wait until late May/early June...

Full spec...

ZHE8 E91 320d Sport Plus Edition Touring N47 2.0d
381 Le Mans Blue
LCNL Black Dakota leather with blue stitching
ZP3 Media Package - BMW Professional
ZV3 Visibility Package
258 Run-flat tyres
2MF 18" light alloy M Star-spoke style 193M
320 Model designation deletion
322 Comfort Access
430 Ext. mirrors - folding, auto dimming
459 Elec Fr Seats + Driver Memory
481 Sports seats, front
494 Seat heating, front
4B9 Fine Brushed Aluminium interior trim
6FL USB audio interface
704 M Sport suspension
710 M Steering Wheel
715 M aerodynamic bodystyling
760 Exterior trim, High-gloss Shadowline
775 Headlining, Anthracite

Why this model? I think the Sport Plus is a bit of a no brainer at the moment and I also think the styling really suits the E91. Sapphire Black was a bit much with the dark chrome alloys + tints and I was a little concerned Le Mans Blue might look a bit 'Subaru' but in the flesh it's just stunning. Unlike many on here I have no concerns over the M Sport suspension + 18" run flats. After extensive test driving around town and actively seeking out terrible roads I had no issues at all.

Anyway, roll on some time in the far future

[chris330D]

Should be a good car, hope the wait isn't too bad.

[kaishang]

How did it work with whatever discount you got on the 520d when you changed to a 320d?

[V330d]

Great spec, but what about some sound upgrade?

[E92BSM10]

Very nice spec

[G82Dude]

But... isn't there a shiny new one out next year?

[B33M3R]

Very Nice! You won't be disappointed with the sport plus, I'm loving my E90 more each day.

I would recommend you add 6NF to you list. Can't remember the ins and outs of why it's needed but it completes the iDrive package and it's cost prohibitive to retrofit. Better safe than sorry

Do a search on 6NF & 6FL just to be safe

[Dr G13]

Nice spec, you say May/June delivery so am I right in assuming a factory order 3 series just now will be a 4-5 month wait?

Thinking hard myself if I should trade in my 07 335i for a new one, but with the new model around the corner it is causing me many sleepless nights

[rich1068]

Thanks for the positive comments guys.

Originally Posted by kaishang

How did it work with whatever discount you got on the 520d when you changed to a 320d?

Business Contract Hire so discounts don't really happen. Well nothing an individual can really negotiate anyway. The 520d had just gone into build but my guy at Sytner said it was a nice choice and had no problem with me cancelling. He'll order it for stock and have no problem shifting it. Ordering the E91 off him helped too I think.

Originally Posted by V330d

Great spec, but what about some sound upgrade?

I'm not that bothered tbh. The standard set up seemed OK, I don't play that much music in the car. Radio 4 most of the time!

Originally Posted by uke92dude

But... isn't there a shiny new one out next year?

True. Late this year possibly for the performance models if my dealer is correct. The Touring quite a bit later I would think. Anyhoo, my current car has to go back in a few months and a) I don't fancy anything else and b) I don't want to pay ever increasing Contract Hire payments waiting for a motor that may or may not be released in the next 12 months. It would also be a first generation car and I've made that mistake before. And let's face it, the 3er has been a class leader since release. The E90/91 isn't going to turn into a shit car overnight.

Originally Posted by B33M3R

Very Nice! You won't be disappointed with the sport plus, I'm loving my E90 more each day.

I would recommend you add 6NF to you list. Can't remember the ins and outs of why it's needed but it completes the iDrive package and it's cost prohibitive to retrofit. Better safe than sorry

Do a search on 6NF & 6FL just to be safe

I'll look into that. Is it the USB telephone interface or somesuch? Details are sketchy.

Originally Posted by Dr G13

Nice spec, you say May/June delivery so am I right in assuming a factory order 3 series just now will be a 4-5 month wait?

Thinking hard myself if I should trade in my 07 335i for a new one, but with the new model around the corner it is causing me many sleepless nights

According to my dealer the Touring is taking about a month longer than the saloon. My estimated delivery is mid May, I just take this with a pinch of salt. Order a saloon tomorrow and I reckon April.

[G82Dude]

Originally Posted by rich1068

True. Late this year possibly for the performance models if my dealer is correct. The Touring quite a bit later I would think. Anyhoo, my current car has to go back in a few months and a) I don't fancy anything else and b) I don't want to pay ever increasing Contract Hire payments waiting for a motor that may or may not be released in the next 12 months. It would also be a first generation car and I've made that mistake before. And let's face it, the 3er has been a class leader since release. The E90/91 isn't going to turn into a shit car overnight.

Well, depends on how long you intend to keep your car I guess, but I certainly wouldn't want to invest in a new E9x when I know a new one is just round the corner. In fact it's why I am keeping mine until the new E92 is released!

[225_AB]

The basic sound system really is appalling however and even listening to occasional music is really not worth it with the base audio but if you dont listen to much music ok. I assume that resale value is also not really that important in your situation.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by uke92dude

Well, depends on how long you intend to keep your car I guess, but I certainly wouldn't want to invest in a new E9x when I know a new one is just round the corner. In fact it's why I am keeping mine until the new E92 is released!

Fair point if you're spending your own hard earned cash, a new model can seriously effect residuals. But for Contract Hire it doesn't really apply. Not at this stage anyway.

Originally Posted by doc_ab

I assume that resale value is also not really that important in your situation.

True. Though it is interesting to go through the options list and see which are considered 'a good thing' by the Contract Hire company.

Oh and I've added 6NF. 70 quid, might as well. Whatever it does.

[G82Dude]

Originally Posted by rich1068

Fair point if you're spending your own hard earned cash, a new model can seriously effect residuals. But for Contract Hire it doesn't really apply. Not at this stage anyway.

Nuff said!

[Spoonhead]

Originally Posted by rich1068

Oh and I've added 6NF. 70 quid, might as well. Whatever it does.

BMW, the first automaker to provide Apple iPod integration and factory Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, announced it will add Smartphone Integration (option 6NF) starting with October 2008 production. The new option will be available in the X5, X6,1er, 3er, and 6er Series.

Owners of a variety of smartphones, such as the Apple iPhone, will benefit from Smartphone Integration. The smartphone option not only charges the phone but allows access to any music or MP3 files stored on the phone. It also improves telephone reception by reducing radio wave interference. It does not conflict with BMW's iPod/USB (6FL) option but rather is complementary.

Smartphone Integration means that the driver doesn't have to connect his mobile phone with integrated MP3 player to the USB audio interface. It can remain in the special snap-in adapter in the center console. Previously, in order to play music from a smartphone, the driver would have to remove the phone from the standard snap-in adapter - if in use - and plug the phone into the car's USB audio interface (6FL option).

In addition, you can have a separate MP3 player plugged into the USB audio interface and listen to music from that. If both are plugged in, the device attached to the USB connection will take priority but unplugging the USB device will return control to the smartphone.

A separate snap-in adapter is required. BMW said it will announce smartphone support shortly.

As I have a separate iPod for my music needs, it isn't required in my spec.

Gazza

[rich1068]

Cheers for that!

[kaishang]

LCNL Black Dakota leather with blue stitching

Is this a option only for the model you have picked? I don't remember seeing any options for contrasting stitching when I specced my car....

[rich1068]

Yes, just for the M Sport Plus. Looks well actually, more subtle than you'd think. The floor mats are a bit Halfords though. They'll have to go.

[B33M3R]

[QUOTE=gazzared_typer;8806062]

Originally Posted by rich1068

Oh and I've added 6NF. 70 quid, might as well. Whatever it does.

BMW, the first automaker to provide Apple iPod integration and factory Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, announced it will add Smartphone Integration (option 6NF) starting with October 2008 production. The new option will be available in the X5, X6,1er, 3er, and 6er Series.

Owners of a variety of smartphones, such as the Apple iPhone, will benefit from Smartphone Integration. The smartphone option not only charges the phone but allows access to any music or MP3 files stored on the phone. It also improves telephone reception by reducing radio wave interference. It does not conflict with BMW's iPod/USB (6FL) option but rather is complementary.

Smartphone Integration means that the driver doesn't have to connect his mobile phone with integrated MP3 player to the USB audio interface. It can remain in the special snap-in adapter in the center console. Previously, in order to play music from a smartphone, the driver would have to remove the phone from the standard snap-in adapter - if in use - and plug the phone into the car's USB audio interface (6FL option).

In addition, you can have a separate MP3 player plugged into the USB audio interface and listen to music from that. If both are plugged in, the device attached to the USB connection will take priority but unplugging the USB device will return control to the smartphone.

A separate snap-in adapter is required. BMW said it will announce smartphone support shortly.

Oh yes, that was what it was for

[kaishang]

It's always interesting seeing how personal preferences come into the options.... eg I'd never buy a BMW without a sunroof or light beige/oyster seats.

Contrasting stitching would be nice though

[rich1068]

@ B33M3R, To be honest I've never come across a manufacturer with such an extensive and confusing media connectivity range. I'm resigned to waiting for the car and just finding out what it can and can't do by just randomly stabbing at buttons.

[rich1068]

And now I'd reading about '6NR'. I'm lost.

[Spoonhead]

6NR - Mobile application preparation - £200.00
In combination with 6NF - £130.00
Preparation for iPhone applications to be integrated into the vehicle Control Display in combination with a compatible iPhone. Users can download the BMW Connected iPhone application free of charge. The application supports Facebook and Twitter, it also features Internet radio. Note: a specific snap-in-adaptor is required to use option 6NR, please check EPC (Electronic Parts Catalogue) for more information. Only with 609 and 633 and 6NF, and therefore 612 and 616 and 6FL.

But it would appear only available for the 1-series at the moment, but I can't see it listed as an option.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=511636

Gazza