edo Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 (edited) Car 1 just arrived for the next 4 days. A BMW 325d M SPort Saloon. Bluewater Metalic, Prof Media, Heated Seats, and Black Leather (list just over £34k). First of all I quite like Bluewater, but I wouldnt have it over Le Mans Blue. New front and rear changes are hard to spot. New bonnet too. Wing mirrors are bigger vertically if that makes sense. 25d (3.0 197bhp) is a peach. Smooth, grunty and quick. Plenty quick enough for most scenarios and surprisingly doesnt feel as lacking against the 335d I used to own as I thought it would. Ride is firm, but solid. Not crashy. New Nav/idrive is a revelation. HDD based, and so fast - no waiting for anything. Shortcut buttons are a big improvement. The Map view is much more detailed - and the screen is bigger. I life the fact that you can suck music off cd onto the hard drive. So far so good! More to follow on the next 3! Edited October 24, 2008 by edo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Why on earth is a 25d a 3.0? BMW's naming convention (if indeed there is one!!) just don't make sense any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 No, I don't get it either - they started it with the 323 IIRC, which is a 2 litre with some extra widgets. Then the 335, which is a bi-turbo 3 litre. But who gives a toss anyway - they go like stink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 I know, it is rather confusing, but as they already had a 30d, they had to call it something else, and I guess 25 is between 20 and 30! Monday I'll be trying a 123d, which is a twin turbo 2.0!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 The 325d started off as a 2.5 diesel unit therefore the naming was ok but then they changed it to a detuned version of the 3.0 engine and with already having a 330d I guess they had nowhere to go with the names. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Nice run back from London las night down the A3 - this car really goes pretty well. So far I'm averaging over 40mpg despite making no effort to drive economically - pretty impressive for a 3.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 The new 3.0d is meant to be even better on economy, and now 245bhp and 6 seconds to 60mph. The 325d will tune to 285bhp too btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Also the new iDrive will play films and make sure you switch on the 3D map view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Thanks. Got the 3d bit working. Do you mean I can stick in a dvd movie in the drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rottenbend Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Thanks. Got the 3d bit working. Do you mean I can stick in a dvd movie in the drive? Yep! But only works if the car is stationary (until someone hacks it) YouTube - 09 M3 iDrive DVD capabilty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 A good post on the new iDrive.... The new iDrive, in pictures. - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Why on earth is a 25d a 3.0? BMW's naming convention (if indeed there is one!!) just don't make sense any more. Yeah I know, at least Audi do it properly... The new TFSI S4 is a turbo right??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Good point! That is pretty stupid! But at least a 3.0 is a 3.0! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Only annoyance is that ful postcode is STILL not there (unless I am missing something). 123d arrives this avo.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Only annoyance is that ful postcode is STILL not there (unless I am missing something).123d arrives this avo.... That's dissapointing, you'd have thought the new iDrive would have caught up with TomTom by now I've driven the 123d Coupe round MillBrook and it's an absolute star. Very smooth and not dis-similar to a 2.0T petrol unit. You don't get the 6cyl purr, but you do get a very fast and economical ride. The 1-Coupe is also bigger than you'd think, so not impractical. I still wonder if I should have saved a bundle and got a 135i. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 (edited) The numbers just show where it is in the range, nothing more than that. 318i is a 2.0 with 140bhp 320i is a 2.0 with 177bhp 325i is a 3.0 with 218bhp 330i is a 3.0 with 272bhp 335i is a 3.0 with 306bhp and a twin turbo Are Audi putting the 3.2 Tfsi Quattro into the A4?? Edited October 27, 2008 by gizze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Actually, I suppose that is the S4?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 The new S4 is a supercharged 3.0 (badged TFSI for some stupid reason). Historically BMW's badges were of course related to engine size, so it's rather confusing nowadays! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 The A6 S-Line avant with the 3.2 turbo is the most appealing Audi for a long time, have the tuners got their hands on it yet?? One of those with dsg, air suspension and a few toys like nav, bluetooth, heated seats, black optics comes in at under £45k, so could be £30k at 12 months old these days. I bet they will get 360bhp from that easily, could be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Right, the story continues. The 325d went today, to be replaced with a 123d. 123d is an M sport hatch. 18 alloys, cruise, nothing else. First impressions are that it is about on a par with the 325d for performance, but sounds more like a diesel and isnt as smooth. As you would expect.. Only driven it 10 miles though, so early days. I must say the standard M sport 1 series seat finish is really nice - I wouldnt waste money on leather I dont think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 I know you said no other cars, but you really should try the Mercedes C Sport, I reckon it is the best one out of the big German 3 at the moment. Plus it looks really nice too... The chassis is just awesome on it, very composed and comfy, but also really sporty, feels nearly as good as the M-Sport and a hell of a lot more fun than the A4, RWD really helps here. In the 320d vs 2.0tdi vs C220cdi race I would take the Merc sport every time. When it gets to S4 vs 335i Vs C350, that is where the Merc falls behind, mainly because of engine. But I would also take the C63 over the RS4 or M3. Can't believe I am saying that, but just think the new C is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Thanks. I would have, as I like the looks, BUT: 1. The BIK tax rates are crap 2. The performance of the c220 is WAY off the pace 3. The lease rates for some reason are pants - especially if not auto (which I dont want). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Oh, if you want manual the Merc is a definite no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irnbrukid Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 That old baby wagon is going to your head... Yes the merc is nice to look at but dont get on with the interior. There is a new one released a c250 cdi with twin turbo which got a good writeup. Mercedes C250 CDI BlueEfficiency - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Haha, I really do like the new C Class, the chassis is superb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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