[sandygordon]

Anyone has installed M exhaust on the 330Li?

I am now a bit bored with the silence in the cabin of the new 3GL 330LI. Want to spice up my ride with a sporty note, at least in the cabin. Those silent surges of torque give the impression of an EV.

Where can I find a good exhaust for the 330Li?

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by sandygordon

I am now a bit bored with the silence in the cabin of the new 3GL 330LI. Want to spice up my ride with a sporty note, at least in the cabin. Those silent surges of torque give the impression of an EV.

As far as I know, there is no official MPE for the G28. Having said that, I understand that BMW dealers have successfully fitted the G20 (SWB) one with appropriate modifications. After all, the difference in length is only 4.3” which should be easily managed with suitably lengthened tips.

The other ‘free’ option is to keep the exhaust valve permanently open. The flip side is an increased exhaust note at all revs.

Of course, one can always go for a aftermarket setup from reputed companies like Dinan, Armytrix but at the risk of invalidating factory warranty on related parts.

[Motorhead3321]

My new BMW 330Li M Sport LCI Gran Limousine

Hi all. Here is a report on my experience with my car.

Date of Purchase: 3 April 2023
Dealer: Deutche Motoren Whitefield Bengaluru
Color: Carbon Black Metallic with Cognac Interiors
Usage Pattern: Daily 25 kms in the city with a Bangalore Cochin Drive once in 2 months.
Kilometers completed as of 29 February 2024: 11000

1. Likes

1. The B48 (D) Petrol Engine churns out a whopping 258 BHP and an impressive peak torque of 400 NM.
0-100 could be achieved in 5.9 seconds (BMW claim 6.2 seconds). The car has a marriage made in heaven with the ZF8 transmission.
2. Cabin is definitely the most spacious in the segment. The rear legroom and seat positions are just perfect for both daily use and highway drives. More than enough headroom for tall passengers despite the panoramic sunroof. The leather and plastics quality is top notch. Everything is firmly put together.
3. I drive 8: The LCI comes updated with idrive 8 configured in a curved twin touch widescreen display and fully digital instrument panel. Offers connected drive with 'My BMW' app. Resolution is UHD. BMW Navigation is now offered with 3D Maps. (way cooler than google maps). I drive touch has handwriting recognition and direct access short cut buttons. Enabled with remote software update and digital key.
4. LCI Design update make the car look more aggressive and sportier with the M aerodynamics package (comes as standard). Front and rear get sport aprons, revised high gloss chrome kidney grill and bumpers. The interior updates also make the car futuristic with a new gear selector and the screens.
5. 16 Speaker 464-Watt Harman Kardon Surround sound system is next level good.


2. Dislikes

1. M Sport trim deserves the anthracite black headlining in the interior. This was offered in the pre facelift 330i standard wheelbase M sport trim. Now offered only in the M340i LCI.
2. Iconic sounds and sports + not offered. But BMW chose to delete it to maintain the limousine characteristic. This was offered in the standard wheelbase pre LCI models.
3. Rear seat magazine holders deleted in the LCI. However, BMW has chosen to do away with this in all their new models. Even the new 7 series come without it.
4. No sun blinds for rear and passenger windows.
5. No ADAS and lane keep assist offered in India.


3. Alternatives considered and why this car

With a budget of Rs. 75 lacs, I was very clear that the car shall be petrol engine, rear wheel driven and German. Which ruled out Lexus and Audi A4/A6 from the beginning.
So, my two options were the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine and the Mercedes C Class.

Here is quick report on the C Class C200 Avantgarde alternative.

a. Likes

1. Timeless and elegant design
2. The interiors will blow you away. Its modern, state of the art and in all sense a baby S class. (Please do not go by the YouTube reviews and form opinion on the design. I would urge everyone the experience the car in a dealership)
3. IoT, Auto Emergency braking, ISG and ADAS Enabled.
4. Wheel design. Though only 17 inch it gives a turbine like look when in motion.

b. Dislikes

1. The petrol engine in the C200 to me is a confused being. The 1.5 liter 200 bhp unit lacks punch and has a poor mating with the 9-speed gear box. On downshifts the car just doesn't know which gear to slot into. When you floor it, the car just revs, and not much power is sent to the wheels (more like a CVT experience). I just couldn't establish any relationship with this engine. Also, the EQ boost feature doesn't last long enough to make an impact. MB India should replace the C200 with a C300 petrol in India.
2. Grabby Brakes as a result of the mild hybrid system. Since the engine was underpowered, I tried light footed driving, but the brakes were grabby and uncomfortable.
3. Low ground clearance. Car had to be maneuvered carefully around medium sized humps.
4. Rear legroom and cabin size is small and cramped.


Why finalized with the 3 series?

Well, I got all my answers at the ignition of the BMW (the cold start is a pure joy to the ears) and boy the test drive gave me absolute clarity. Me and family had a big smile on our faces thanks to the way the BMW drove. It was pure driving pleasure and yes rightfully the ultimate driving machine. Zero complaints. Absolutely loved the Carbon Black Metallic color with cognac interior and the family had clear consensus on the choice. The BMW beat the Merc in a 4-0 raise of hands family vote.

4. Dealership experiences

In order of visitation. Date of Visits 20 and 21 February 2023.

1. Sundaram Motors Bengaluru: I had a very good experience with Sundaram Motors and sales advisor Mr. Faiz. He is thoroughly knowledgeable and spend at least one hour with the family in explaining the product. Went in with prior appointment (always recommended) and did a good 8 km test drive. Was also offered a highway drive in the Bengaluru airport road.
Mercedes no longer works in a dealer format apparently. Since 2020 all dealers have been converted to franchises. You buy the car directly from MB India and the franchise will execute the delivery on its behalf. Sundaram motors sounded helpless when it comes to price as the final price is system generated and discounts are given through coupons only.

2. Navnit Motors (Now KUN Exclusive): Sales Manager Avinash Mammen was very courteous. The car was launched just a week before our visit and hence there were no test drive cars available on that day. There were not willing to go offer any discounts other than insurance.
(Navnit motors transferred their Bangalore business to Chennai/Hyderabad based KUN Exclusive sometime in late 2023)


3. Deutche Motoren: To my surprise they had test drive units available already unlike Navnit. The sales team at Deutche Motoren is very aggressive. Over and above test drive, we were also offered a visit to the stock yard to see color options on the same day. My sales advisor Ms. Preetha could undercut Navnit motors and closed the deal in our very first meeting. Very strong and energetic team.
To our surprise the entire first lot of 20 units delivered to Deutche Motoren was sold out within a week. We had to wait for the second lot with a tentative delivery for 1st week of April 2023.


5. Price

Final Negotiated (On the road Karnataka with 1% TCS)

1. Sundaram Motors C 200 Avantgarde- (Rs. 70.57 lacs) with Star Platinum Insurance
2. Navnit Motors- (Rs. 73.3 lacs) with BMW Insurance and Tyre secure
3. Deutche Motoren- (Rs. 72.8 lacs) with BMW Insurance and Tyre secure and BSI 3-year Maintenance Pack

6. Review points

a. Overall build quality, fit & finish, paint quality and panel gaps- BMW has not left any stone unturned when it comes to these aspects. Full marks to them. I have no complaints or negative observation to date. Very proud that such strong finish is offered from their assembly line in Chennai.

b. Wheels & Tyres- 18" inch wheels double-spoke style twin tone with mixed low-profile tyres (Front 225/45 and Rear 255/40). Michelin Pilot sport 4S run flat Tyres offered as standard. The tyres make the ride plush and offer enhanced grip.

c. Interior design & quality (plastics, upholstery, fit & finish etc.) - Top notch plastics and quality in the BMW. The Mercedes has a more futuristic design but has a lot of cheap plastics going on. Would recommend everyone to get a good touch a feel of all plastic parts before buying. The Mercedes has better seats in the front and offers ventilation and massage which the BMW misses out on. Instrument panel is wrapped in sensatec leather which adds to the premium.

d. Driving position, ergonomics, controls & MID - Front seats are electrically adjustable with memory function for driver. Front seats are sports seats with extension for thigh support. Misses out on Lumbard adjustment. Car is enabled with launch control and cruise control.

e. Visibility & size of mirrors- Electrically adjustable and heated. The automatic anti dazzle function helps cut out strong headlamp beams from rear. It misses out on blind side monitoring. The passenger side exterior mirror has parking function (automatically folds to give curb side view). Much needed to save the alloys from scrapping.

f. Air conditioner cooling & effectiveness - Offered with 3 zone air conditioning with rear air vents. Have no issues as it offers max cool and auxiliary ventilation for parking in hot sun. Aux ventilation can be accessed through phone as well through my BMW app.

g. Audio system & sound quality- Harman Kardon Surround Sound system with 16 speakers and 464 Watts is clearly from a segment or two above. The music system works best with Apple music Hi res lossless.

h. Interior storage, practicality & boot space - Decent size glove box. Good bottle holders' spaces which can hold two one-liter bottles comfortably. Boot is compromised because of the space saver spare wheel. Tailgate has automatic function (do remind the security guards to use the button else the motor may get wear out). Wireless charging is seamless with both my iPhone 15 pro and Samsung s24 ultra. No over heating issues faced.

i. Drivability in the city - For bumper-to-bumper traffic better to switch to eco pro mode and turn off automatic engine on/off. Have averaged 12 kmpl (lifetime) in a mixed blend of city and highway drive. It Returns a mileage of 10kmpl in the city from mostly comfort mode usage. Car is very peppy and will not overwhelm you at any point with its size. The ground clearance is more than adequate and have not faced an issue so far.

j. Drivability on the highway - Sheer driving pleasure. Planted drive at high speed and enhanced cornering stability. No turbo lag whatsoever. Engine is refined, loves to be revved and is at the heart of this beast. All kinds of overtakes are easy and can take on anyone.

k. Gearshift & clutch- As mentioned above, the ZF8 single torque converter gearbox and the B48 is a match made in heaven.

l. Overall NVH levels (including engine, wind & road noise) - Completely cut off from rest off the world when in comfort mode. No wind or road noise. The Michelins do an incredible job for keeping road noise to a near nil. Acoustic glazing on windows adds to this. The beast comes alive in sports mode. I do miss iconic sounds.

m. Handling, on-road behavior, grip levels, stability, body roll & turning radius - Stout and steady. No body roll even in hairpins. W.r.t turning radius, the M sport steering wheel is enabled with BMW servotronic assist and does the job very well for you in U turns especially.

n. Safety & related equipment.
i. Airbags for driver and passenger, head airbags in front and rear and side airbags for driver and front passenger.
ii. ABS with brake assist and auto emergency braking.
iii. Cornering brake control. Plays a good role in hair pin bends.
iv. Dynamic stability control and Dynamic traction control.
v. Vehicle immobilizer with crash sensor. (great feature in case of crash to avoid getting locked up)
vi. Side impact protection with absorbers and railings in architecture.

o. Other particular likes
i. Heat protection glazing over and above the acoustic glazing helps contain UV damage to interior.
ii. Welcome carpet lights from the side mirrors will wow you all the time.
iii. BMW LED Automatic headlights comes standard and the day time running lights look much more cooler now compared to the pre LCI variant.

p. Other particular dislikes
i. No wooden trims offered in India unlike other markets. Infact no option to customize the trims and options at all. However same scene with Mercedes and Audi so can't complain.
ii. No more 12V charging points. Only USB C offered as standard across.

7. Delivery Experience

Delivery date was 3 April 2023. We did not perform any PDI as the car was produced after our booking and we took delivery within one day of its arrival at the dealer.
Deutche motoren picked us up from home in the afternoon. Pooja was arranged for us in the showroom. Documentation was followed with cake cutting and unveiling the car. They had 43 deliveries on that day. Overall, a very smooth and pleasant experience executed to perfection by Deutche Motoren. 10/10 for their management.
Accessories purchased at time of delivery:
1. Leather Key fob
2. All season floor mats (highly recommended). Very easy to maintain interior with these mats.
3. Fuel additives


8. Refueling

In Bangalore city I only use shell normal petrol. Costs 12 rupees/litre more but gives great peace of mind.
When consistent with Shell I use the BMW fuel additive once in 2500 kms only.
During Bangalore Cochin drives I plan refuel at Shell Coimbatore Avinashi Road.
In Cochin I refuel from IOCL Kadavanthara, IOCL Edappaly and BPCL COCO Koonamthai but for every refuel I finish one full bottle BMW additive (being extra cautious).
Chennai, Mysore and Hyderabad Highways are enabled with Shell so no worries.
I am avoiding Jio BP and shell V power to avoid non-OEM additives in the engine. IOCL 95 octane is very inconsistent on quality so never used in this car.

9. PPF

PPF offered by Deutche motoren is fulfilled by H1 Car detailing at their service center. Quoted Rs. 1.75 lac for Max decal PPF (Indonesian brand with no proper website also). Unless you are very keen on getting PPF done at BMW facility itself I would say avoid. H1 Car detailing offered the same at Rs. 1.1 lac at their Sahakarnagar facility.
I did a lot of research and finally stuck to XPEL PPF at Carsbuddy RT Nagar for Rs. 1.5 lac.
H1 Sahakarnagar has become really popular now and is offering PPF from XPEL and Stek but was not available at time of my purchase.

10. Rodent entry

No case of rodent entry till date, touchwood. However, no solution to the threat. BMW service advisor clearly advised against getting 3M rodent entry engine coating as it would interfere with AC system. I go to bed every day scared. Hope a solution comes by soon. Praying to God.

11. First service

My first engine oil service was completed in December 2023 in Deutche Motoren itself. I had no complaints or issues. Was charged Rs. 28000 for wheel alignment, wheel balancing, fuel additives, wiper fluids, engine cleaning, interior cleaning and AC cleaning. Rest all covered under BSI Maintenance pack. Had a very good support from service advisor Mr Jatin. Car was delivered to me within 6 hours. Went in with prior appointment (always recommended).

12. Conclusion

Overall been a great journey with the car and BMW. Touchwood no issues to date. Loving every second with it.

[buzzy_boy]

Originally Posted by Motorhead3321

Was charged Rs. 28000 for wheel alignment, wheel balancing, fuel additives, wiper fluids, engine cleaning, interior cleaning and AC cleaning.

My jaw dropped exactly at this point

Nice choice of colour. Wish you the best with the vehicle!

[Motorhead3321]

Originally Posted by buzzy_boy

My jaw dropped exactly at this point

Nice choice of colour. Wish you the best with the vehicle!

Thank you @buzzy_boy. My eyes popped as well. In this the wheel alignment and balancing itself costed 11K and 8 bottles of fuel additives another 8K . The tyres are mixed size for front and rear, so I didn't want to take a chance with third party.

[QuentinTino]

Congratulations on your new vehicle. I have been driving the G20 3 series since four years now and it has been an amazing experience so far! Absolutely zero glitches till now and always a pleasure to drive as it surprises me even now after four years. Happy Motoring and Best wishes for the future.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Motorhead3321

11. First serviceWas charged Rs. 28000 for wheel alignment, wheel balancing, fuel additives, wiper fluids, engine cleaning, interior cleaning and AC cleaning. Rest all covered under BSI Maintenance pack.

Originally Posted by buzzy_boy

My jaw dropped exactly at this point

Originally Posted by Motorhead3321

Thank you @buzzy_boy. My eyes popped as well. In this the wheel alignment and balancing itself costed 11K and 8 bottles of fuel additives another 8K . The tyres are mixed size for front and rear, so I didn't want to take a chance with third party.

Excellent review and congratulations!

Couple of points:
Avoid BMW Service for wheel alignment and balancing. Go to any number of reputed tyre shops like Madhus at Wilson Garden or their sister concern, Tyre Centre.

There is no need for "fuel additives, wiper fluids, engine cleaning, interior cleaning and AC cleaning". These are all optional - unless you have a full fat corporate wet lease deal where you don't care about any opex, I would advise against these.

Have you had any terrible experiences with IOC XP95? Maybe I've been lucky but I've filled XP95 for the last 4 years with no issues. You are paying more than XP95 for Shell which is nothing but PSU refinery RON 91 with some secret Shell additives added. Shell has not dared have it certified it in India as anything more than RON 91 formally.

[Motorhead3321]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Have you had any terrible experiences with IOC XP95? Maybe I've been lucky but I've filled XP95 for the last 4 years with no issues. You are paying more than XP95 for Shell which is nothing but PSU refinery RON 91 with some secret Shell additives added. Shell has not dared have it certified it in India as anything more than RON 91 formally.

Hi thank you. I will keep the recommendations in mind. I am not savvy with these places.

Since it's an annual/10k km engine oil service, I didn't mind availing engine, interior and ACouldn't be avail cleaning as I wing them from anywhere outside, and the experience felt strong after. The interior dressing was immaculate (like a new car delivery).

My car is personally owned and not on any wet lease, but I am extremely risk-averse as an individual. Take care of the car like my child. So only the best.


Why Shell?

They inspire more accountability and confidence. Fuel storage tanks are ISO certified; regular audits happen, and proper billing and standardized service are. When consistent with Shell, I balance out the price differential with broader intervals for adding the BMW fuel additive.

I was excited when IOCL launched XP95 but did experience varying outcomes several times. Also checked with the sales advisor and another BMW dealer (EVM Autocraft cochin) both advised sticking with RON91 with BMW fuel additive for long term. Audi and Mercedes have their minimums set to RON 95 but for BMW it is RON 91 minimum along with usage of their fuel additive. Hence, I never used RON 95 in this car.

Why BMW fuel additives? It has kept my engine smooth, extra peace of mind and as mentioned above highly insisted by BMW dealers from Bangalore and cochin.

Originally Posted by QuentinTino

Congratulations on your new vehicle. I have been driving the G20 3 series since four years now and it has been an amazing experience so far! Absolutely zero glitches till now and always a pleasure to drive as it surprises me even now after four years. Happy Motoring and Best wishes for the future.

Thanks a lot for the wishes. Happy to part of the same family. I can reiterate to you that BMW India's built quality is really good. They have got their priorities right. The B47/48/58 engines in G20 3 series is pure joy.

After Vikram Pawah took over, COVID restructuring, and inflated pricing by Mercedes, they only offer top-of-the-line trims now—M Sport, mostly. VFM trims are done away with. This seems to have not hurt them, as the 3 Series is still the chart-topper.

[Sid9306]

Originally Posted by Motorhead3321

My new BMW 330Li M Sport LCI Gran Limousine

Great Review Motorhead, loved reading everything since I also bought 330Li in August, 2023. Just completed 3500 kms so still a long way to go.
Love the drive every time I'm in the car.

I just have one question. Is it necessary to purchase the fuel additives? I have just been refuelling with normal petrol from trusted fuel pumps near my house. I have avoided others actively, but once or twice, I had to use them on the highway.

Will it cause any additional wear on the engine if I'm not putting the additives separately?

[Motorhead3321]

Originally Posted by Sid9306

Great Review Motorhead, loved reading everything since I also bought 330Li in August, 2023. Just completed 3500 kms so still a long way to go.

Hi Sid9306. Thank you, and Congrats on your car!!

Regarding the fuel additives, I am being extra cautious and just listening to BMW's advice to the T.

I have long-term plans for the car (possible ownership beyond 2030) and want to keep the engine as healthy as possible. The additives have kept my engine smooth and silent.

Why don't you seek advice from two separate BMW service advisors? I sought from Deutsche Motoren and EVM Cochin.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by Sid9306

I just have one question. Is it necessary to purchase the fuel additives?

Originally Posted by Motorhead3321

Regarding the fuel additives, I am being extra cautious and just listening to BMW's advice to the T.

No harm in adding, maybe after alternate tank fulls if running is low or else, once after three/ four fills.

What's probably more important is to fill with fuels like XP95, which has higher octane, and use your trusted fuel pumps. Low engine noise etc is all placebo, if in doubt, download any dB measuring app on phone and test for yourself

[Sid9306]

Originally Posted by Motorhead3321

Regarding the fuel additives, I am being extra cautious and just listening to BMW's advice to the T.

Originally Posted by Turbanator

No harm in adding, maybe after alternate tank fulls if running is low or else, once after three/ four fills.

Thanks for the great responses Motorhead and Turbanator,

I intend to keep the car for long, 10+ years, considering it could be one of the last 3 series with RWD and a ZF gearbox as BMW moves to FWD and DCTs.

I spoke to the sales advisor from Deutsche Motor after the car purchase, and he advised me to use normal petrol since premium would just increase costs unnecessarily. However, I get your point too, especially about the car's longevity.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by Sid9306

I spoke to the sales advisor from Deutsche Motor after the car purchase

He is talking old stuff and probably amateur, trust me you are in good company here when it comes to such things.

We are not talking about older premium fuels that were regular, plus some additives. XP95 and similar HP models now have higher Octane, which is what these cars need.

[Motorhead3321]

Originally Posted by Motorhead3321

Hi Sid9306. Thank you, and Congrats on your car!!

Regarding the fuel additives, I am being extra cautious and just listening to BMW's advice to the T.

I have long-term plans for the car (possible ownership beyond 2030) and want to keep the engine as healthy as possible. The additives have kept my engine smooth and silent.

Why don't you seek advice from two separate BMW service advisors? I sought from Deutsche Motoren and EVM Cochin.

Originally Posted by Sid9306

Thanks for the great responses Motorhead and Turbanator

Yes fully agree with you. I am not technical person, just a Chartered accountant trying his best to keep the B48 monster happy and healthy for long.

Just adding to the longevity point:
1. I do not change octane ratings to keep the ECUs free from constant readjustment. So 91 octane for consistency.

2. Shell storage tanks are ISO certified, and regular audits are performed. This basically gives peace of mind that their fuels don't mix with groundwater. So if Shell starts offering 95 octane, then I will switch to 95 for good.

3. The B48 (D) with the 258 hp is replicated by Mercedes for the GLC 300 and by Audi for the A6 in their own iterations and designs. However, MB and Audi have a minimum octane requirement of 95 rating.

BMW has chosen the minimum 91 rating with fuel additives route to align better with the fluctuations in the Indian fuel market. This is a studied position by engineers in BMW India, and they can vouch that the engine is more robust when compared to the competitors. Hence, dealers insist on fuel additives.

[BeMyWings]

Hello,

First off, Congratulations on your dream come true!

From my understanding (limited as it is), while you will see a sticker on the car that says, "BMW recommends Shell", it's just pure marketing. Shell does not have any refining operations in India and any impressions of better fuel quality from Shell, allegedly (I say this with utmost caution, because I don't want to be sued by a global oil corp.) are based purely on their testing (see terms and conditions at the bottom of every Shell page, I've read them, hence my statement). So, the logical conclusion is that they're buying from one of India's major refiners (Most likely Reliance or one of the Navratnas) and using additives (I'm still not sure about the validity of the benefits of the additives studies because Shell does not disclose what and how much they use, neither do they disclose how they arrive at the results). Unlike medical studies which are usually validated by 3rd parties, motor oil additives are studied and validated by the Oil companies themselves. It's akin to, I appeared for the exam, and I gave my answers 95%!

If you are concerned with fuel quality, I'd suggest that you go to the nearest IOCL, HP or BP fuel pump and conduct a fuel purity test. As per the oil companies' policy, you are allowed to ask for it. If they deny, you can report them to the company.

Additives are good when you don't have access to the recommended fuel quality. If you are concerned about not having access to good quality fuel on your long drives, try to map your journey such that you know where an XP95 or HP95 pump is located.

Here's a link I use quite often:
https://associates.indianoil.co.in/PumpLocator/

Just select XP95 and you're able to plan your journey.

For sports sedans or high-powered engines, it's important to have the right octane levels because otherwise it places your engine under stress when you accelerate/decelerate quite quickly or use launch control.

To use an analogy, for a BMW or any other high-powered car, using 91 Octane fuel is like paying the "Minimum Balance" on your Credit Card. Yes, it helps you avoid a late fee, but it adds a heavy interest to your total amount. Using 95 Octane fuel is like paying it off in full, you enjoy all the benefits, but none of the penalties.

Long story short, in summation, use 91 with additives when you have no options. Else, as far as possible, plan and use 95 Octane. The engine is designed to handle both.

p.s. I was recently blessed and lucky enough to buy an M340i (BMW M340i xDrive Review). I did this research because I had the same questions and concerns as you. Contrary to perception, these cars aren't made of glass that will shatter if you whisper at them.


Disclaimer: Everything I have written is my opinion, this is based on publicly available information. It should not be considered a statement of fact