My car is sitting in the service centre for over a month without anyone having a clue about the issue. Meanwhile, I have been given a Mahindra Scorpio N as a loaner car.

BHPian ashish2135 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Less than 2 years old 330Li in the service centre for over 30 days - Engine noise issue undiagnosed & unresolved

I have been a BMW fanboy since school. I always dreamt of owning the E-60 5 series. When the time came for me to finally get my first BMW, the experience turned horrid.

Having read so much about the famous 30i variant from BMW on Team-bhp forum, I was sure I didn't want any other powertrain except this.

I got my 330Li LCI in March 2023 along with a 5-year Extended Warranty and a 5-year BSI+ package. Since this was my first luxury vehicle purchase, I didn't want to take a chance with any service-related issue.

My car has done around 7000 kms and in November 2024, a strange ticking noise from the engine started, especially when idling. Although I had heard the noise but I dismissed it as the sound of the engine cooling down.

My car went for some bodyshop work to a dealer on 9th November 2024. The dealership didn't inform me or take any action on the engine noise issue during this time. A few days before the delivery, they informed me of the engine noise issue and a job card was opened on 3rd December 2024.

In the meantime, they were unable to diagnose the issue and stated that some special tools were required for further diagnosis. I got my car back on 19th December 2024 and waited for the dealer to procure the tools. I sent my car again on 27th January 2025 when the dealer got the diagnostic tool.

The heart-wrenching part started 2 days ago when the Service head informed me that they want to dismantle the engine for further inspection, as the tool hasn't revealed the cause of the ticking noise from the engine. I have not come to terms that a less than 2-year-old car with less than 10,000 kms on the odometer should have its engine opened up. It does not seem acceptable at all.

The car has been at the Service Centre for almost a month now, and if further engine work is to be performed, it might take another month for the issue to be resolved. The dealership keeps telling me that the plant team and the dealership have never come across an issue like this. What I fail to understand is that an engine which is used in so many models, the B48, and yet BMW India has not documented an issue like this? Even after insisting multiple times, the dealership has not shared any communication they have had with the BMW technical team regarding my vehicle issue.

Any help from the forum members who might have had a similar issue on their vehicles, or how I should proceed to get the problem resolved, would be highly appreciated!

Update

1 month later, still no explanation for engine noise, car still at the service centre with the engine completely dismantled

It has been 1 month since I sent my car to the Service Centre on 27th January. I had given the approval for engine dismantling on 13th February, even after 14 days, the Service team has no explanation for the engine noise.

Meanwhile, I have been given a Scorpio-N as a loaner car from the Dealership. Other than this, I do not have any positive updates regarding my car. Neither have I been explained the process after engine dismantling, nor has the Service Team shared any report after opening up the engine.

I have been pushing the Service Team every day to share daily updates and resolve this issue. I have sent a mail to the BMW Customer care and Dealership team to replace the engine in case they are unable to identify the issue as my car has already been in the Service Centre for over 50 days, including the time in December 2024 (waiting for some tool, which was hardly helpful in my case).

Every time I ask for an update, the only reply I get from the service team is that they are working on it and they will "inform me accordingly".

I understand that German luxury cars are complicated machines, but what I can't fathom is how one of the highest-selling models from BMW India, which is less than 2 years old, is sitting in the service centre for over 45 days without anyone having a clue about the issue.

I request BMW owners of other models to share if this downtime is usual or if my dealer is just delaying the job. Any other B48 engine owners who might have faced this noise issue, who can share any insight? Any help from the forum moderators would be much appreciated, as it is just painful to see my car opened up like a can of tuna!

Some pictures of the engine opened up.

WhatsApp group communication, mostly one-way.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Mar'25 involved 60% highway driving (Eco Pro) in Kerala/Coimbatore of 1710 kms averaging 13.5 kmpl @ 41.7 kmph (320d equivalent was 18.7 kmpl). 5.2 kmpl difference in these situations is not too bad

BHPian Kelly66 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hi friends, happy to share an update further to my Jan'25 2,500 km update:

Feb'25 Review:

• Feb'25 involved 100% city driving (Eco Pro) in Bangalore of 197 kms averaging 12.9 kmpl @ 28.1 kmph (320d equivalent was 16.4 kmpl). 3.5 kmpl difference within city is good going.

• Compared to Jan's 100% city driving, Feb is better because I had couple of drives to the airport during the early hours and also a visit to KUN Airport road to get my i Level update done and also got my Redtiger dashcam's cable re-rerouted discreetly. Hence, average kmph is also higher.

Mar'25 Review:

• Mar'25 involved 60% highway driving (Eco Pro) in Kerala/Coimbatore of 1710 kms averaging 13.5 kmpl @ 41.7 kmph (320d equivalent was 18.7 kmpl). 5.2 kmpl difference in these situations is not too bad. This is the highest ever I have driven in a month.

Touched 5000 kms yesterday and here's a snapshot:

• Since factory average is 12.7 kmpl @ 33.1 kmph (320d equivalent was 16.6 kmpl). An overall 3.9 kmpl difference is quite commendable. The difference between tank2 tank (Fuelio) and iDrive reading is around 0.65 kmpl. It was 0.58 kmpl on the 320d, so iDrive readings are fairly accurate.

Other stats from Fuelio App:

Nothing can beat 320d's cost per km of Rs.4.91:

Tracking the kmph in each mileage log:

Few observations:

• Since the last i-level update the coasting % has improved a notch and the drive feels smooth. It's good for all of you to get it done during your next visit to the SC.

• I have been observing the battery SOC with Bimmerlink app and highest I have seen is 89% even after many highway long drives. Perhaps the continuous usage of Android auto, AC and other electricals is restricting the battery from getting fully charged

• Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) works flawlessly in both front and rear directions. Even at low speeds at around 20-25 kmph (I thought it works only when CC is on) the warning symbol and beep comes on and on a couple of occasions it triggered briefly even before I could hit the brake. While reversing, AEB brings the car to a complete stop and I need to go back to D and then back to R to get it moving again, else it will be locked.

I had 2 lucky incidents because of which I escaped a major scratch/dent:

• Once while trying to get the car close to a kerb on Edward Road there was a large boulder which I noticed only after the car rubbed against it. The camera did not come on but I could see the boulder coming back to its place from my right window, while reversing. When I stepped out to check for the scratch on my right bumper, I couldn't find it. Later when I got home I checked again and found a small scratch on the alloy wheel, which is why perhaps the sensor did not catch it. Luckily bumper escaped.

• Couple of days ago on Old Madras Road near Gopalan Mall, the road is so bad that I was literally crawling in traffic because of the undulations. Suddenly, I heard a loud banging noise from behind and a tempo with its pointed nose was right behind. I thought it would have been big dent. Got down in midst of traffic and couldn't find anything on the bumper while the tempo driver looked on. Still gave him a piece of my mind and checked again once I reached my destination. Fortunately, I got away with a minor scratch near the tow cover, which should go with some rubbing. No paint peel-off.

• Here's a screenshot from Redtiger - I could see the guy is dozing in the video

• I was stationary at this point and see the gap between us:

• He had 2 full secs to stop and he bangs it in (seemed like a fairly hard impact on the video):

• Lucky to have gotten away with this:

• I am maintaining 35 psi (front) and 37 psi (rear) on full load conditions and during peak heat I have seen a high of 38 psi in front and 41 psi at the rear. There is a mileage drop if pressure drops to 32/34 psi with no major difference in ride quality. So, keeping it slightly higher is better.

• During my Kerala drives under hot conditions, rear passengers were complaining of low cooling in spite of setting it at 18 deg at the rear and 21 deg in front. I had to keep switching to max AC quite often. Also, blower speed up to Level 4 is not very high but at 5 it is like running it at 7. Transition is not smooth.

• Wireless charging tray doesn't charge continuously (shown amber instead of blue periodically) and the phone actually loses some power at the end of a long drive perhaps because of Android Auto. Luckily it hasn't died on me.

• I have taken an SBI BPCL Octane card recently and should be getting Rs.1500 worth of petrol. I am planning to try Speed 95. Need to locate a good BPCL station near Indiranagar. As per internet it says price is Rs.102.98 (13/4/25) which is cheaper than XP95 (110.24). How come? Need to check whether Speed 95 is RON 91 or 95.

• As of April 12th, next service due stood at 7000 km or 30/9/25, when the Odo reading was at 5038 kms, which is in sync with the annual service at 12000 kms.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading!

Cheers!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The BMW 330Li delivered a class-leading mileage of 19.5 km/l in one stretch. A similar drive in my BMW 320d returned a fuel economy of 23.1 km/l.

BHPian Kelly66 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

5 Kerala temple visits in my Grey Hulk (330Li)

Since some Kerala temple visits were pending for long, we decided to camp in Coimbatore and cover them over a period of 2 weeks in Mar'25 and travelled 2000 kms in total.

(Note: Since phones were not allowed inside the temples some photos are courtesy Internet and some details about the temples are from Wiki)

Temples Visited:

• Triprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple, Triprayar
• Varaha Moorthy temple, Panniyur
• Meenkulathi Bhagavathy temple, Pallasena
• Guruvayur Shree Krishna Temple, Guruvayur
• Chottaanikara Devi temple, Chottaanikara

Triprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple (135 km from Coimbatore)

About the deity and the temple:

Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple is situated in Triprayar in Thrissur district of Kerala. The deity is Rama, with four arms bearing a conch, a discus, a bow, and a garland. During our visit, the idol was bedecked with full of flowers so the arms were not visible clearly. Rama is the presiding deity of Arattupuzha Pooram. Along with Rama, there are shrines for Shiva as Dakshinamoorthy, Ganesha, Ayappan and Krishnan, Hanuman, Murugan, Chathan and Serpent Gods.

The temple is situated on the bank of the Canoli Canal, which connects Kozhikode and Kodungallur.

We started at 3 pm and drove down to Triprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple from Coimbatore on March 14th and reached around 6.15 pm.

CBE to Triprayar:

Redtiger F77 dashcam captures Kuthiran Tunnel from Rear cam (near Thrissur)

Night view of Kuthiran Tunnel on the way back from Thriprayar

Triprayar to CBE:

Sri Varaha Moorthy temple, Panniyur 20/3/25 (129 km from Coimbatore)

About the deity and the temple:

The Panniyur Sri Varahamoorthy Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Kumbidi, Pattambi taluk, Palakkad. The temple is believed to be the first temple in Kerala consecrated by Parasurama. The temple is dedicated to Varaha, the third avatar of Vishnu, who is positioned with Goddess Bhoomi.

Grey Hulk taking some rest:

Wide angle rear view from F77:

Since we had to do an early morning pooja we started at 5.30 am from Coimbatore, took a couple of breaks and reached at 8.30 am. While the distance is only 129 km, the leg from Ottapalam to Panniyur (43 km) has narrow roads and took us around 1 hr 20m.

CBE to Panniyur:

Early morning highway drive

Pattambi bridge (near Shoranur) over Bharatapuzha

Grey Hulk delivered a class-leading 19.5 Kmpl in one stretch from Chettipalayam to Palakkad-Ponnani Road of 67 km @ 62 kmph. A similar drive on my 320d gave 23.1 kmpl (diff of 3.6 kmpl).

When we approached the temple we saw a sign board saying "Guruvayur 40 km". Since we were anyway planning a visit to Guruvayur we decided to combine it with this trip since we had started early in the morning.

Guruvayur Krishnan temple, Guruvayur - 20/3/25

(40 km from Panniyoor and 143 km from Gurvayur to Coimbatore)

About the deity and the temple:

Guruvayur Temple is dedicated to Guruvayurappan (four-armed form of the Vishnu), located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala and it is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and is often referred to as Bhuloka Vaikunta (Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth).

We reached around 12.45 pm and we missed the cut-off for 1.30 pm darshan. Security guy said we can pay Rs.1000/- per head and get a quick darshan without any queue. When we were about the take the special ticket one tout (staff of the temple) said he can arrange through staff quota at half the cost. So we took a chance and saved some money.

Guruvayur to Palakkad:

Palakkad to Coimbatore: (MyBMW app didn't allow merging these 2 trips for some reason)

Meenkulathi Bhagavathy temple, Pallasena - 28/3/25 (81 km from Coimbatore)

About the deity and the temple:

Meenkulathi Bhagavathi is our family deity. Meenkulathikkavu is the oldest temple in Pallasena. The temple contains several idols and statues of fish, as the goddess is often connected with marine life.

The present Meenakshi temple and the adjacent temple tank were constructed over a period of four centuries. They conduct Navarathri, Pongal and Bhairava festivals.

Temple tank with Fish (Meenkulam)

Coimbatore to Palasena:

Palasena to Coimbatore (GMaps showed a different route on the return which saved a lot of time and distance):

Grey Hulk takes a break at A2B:

Chottaanikara Devi temple, Chottaanikara - 29/3/25, 30/3/25 (189 km from Coimbatore)

About the deity and the temple:

The Chottanikkara Devi Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu mother goddess Bhagavati Lakshmi. She is believed to be residing in Chottanikkara (Mahalakshmi) along with her Husband Maha Vishnu. The main deity is also considered as Lakshmi Narayana according to the temple legend. The temple is located at Chottanikkara, a southern suburb of the city of Kochi and is one of the most popular temples in the state. The temple is known for conducting exorcisms.

Sree Mahamaya Bhagavati is one of the most popular deities in Kerala and the supreme mother goddess in Hinduism. Chottanikkara Devi (Melekavu Bhagavathi) is worshipped at the temple, in three different forms: as Mahasaraswati in the morning, draped in white; Mahalakshmi in noon, draped in crimson; and as Mahakali in the evening, decked in blue. Devotees chant "Amme Narayana, Devi Narayana, Lakshmi Narayana, Bhadre Narayana" in this temple.

Goddess 'Keezhkkaavu bhagavathi' is believed to be Bhadrakali, in her fierce form or Ugra form. The Melkaavu deity of Devi is believed to be a swayambu deity which means it's self-manifested and not sculpted. Hence the Devi's vigraham in this temple appears to be in 'rock' form which resembles a texture like rudraksha and now it's covered by a Bronze plate, which is sculpted with Devi's Roopam. There's another small black-coloured stone deity found beside the Devi's vigraham which is believed to be a manifestation of Vishnu. Hence the presiding deity of the Rudraksha rock is believed to be Goddess Lakshmi.

We reached Chottaanikara around 5.30 pm, checked into a Hotel Asoka Inn nearby and went to the temple around 6.45 pm for the evening darshan at Melkaavu and also went down to Keezhkkaavu Bhagavathi temple for the most important Guruthi pooja which started around 9 pm and went on till 9.45 pm.

Coimbatore to Chottanikara:

Next day we again went for morning darshan at 6.15 am in both Melkaavu and Keezhkkaavu offered some Pushpanjalis and left Chottaanikara at around 9 am.

View of sunrise from the temple:

Chitrapuzha Bridge over Chitrapuzha River, Kakkanad (Tip: I fed the GPS coordinates in Google Maps since I didn't know the name of the bridge)

Aluva Fly over:

Our regular A2B joint when we visit Kerala (around 25 km from Coimbatore). Saw a black XEV 9e getting charged.

Chottanikara to Coimbatore:

Summary of Kms travelled in Grey Hulk:

I always prefer Coasting on Highways and keep shifting to S or M mode for engine braking and quick acceleration. It's easier this way since I don't have to look down to switch modes. After getting used to Eco Pro mode (I do a lot of Pulse & Guide) Comfort or Sport Mode feels restrained especially while Gliding because of the engine braking. I don't hypermile, but somehow that free movement at idle while coasting has made it difficult for me to drive in any other mode, other than during steep inclines or during clear stretches in Sport Mode to experience the raw power. Readings below are in Eco Pro Individual with AC in Comfort Mode.

As mentioned earlier, showing kmpl without kmph is meaningless, preferably in similar driving conditions, notwithstanding driving style.

• Bangalore to Coimbatore - 368 kms @56.6 kmph ---> 15.5 kmpl (320d equivalent was 22.5 kmpl) - 3 people plus luggage
• Coimbatore to Triprayar and back - 276 kms @ 47.5 kmph ---> 13.9 kmpl (320d equivalent was 20.2 kmpl) - 5 people
• Coimbatore to Varaha Moorthy temple to Guruvayur to Coimbatore - 312 km @ 44.6 kmph ---> 14.1 kmpl (320d equivalent was 18.8 kmpl) - 4 people
• Coimbatore to Meenkulathi Bhagavathy temple to Coimbatore - 145 km @ 44.9 kmph ---> 13.8 kmpl (320d equivalent was 18.8 kmpl) - 4 people
• Coimbatore to Chottaanikara Devi temple to Coimbatore - 381 km @ 46.4 kmph ---> 13.9 kmpl (320d equivalent was 20.7 kmpl) - 4 people plus luggage
• Coimbatore to Bangalore - 367 kms @54.4 kmph ---> 15.6 kmpl (320d equivalent was 20.7 kmpl) - 3 people plus luggage

A parting shot of Grey Hulk - Heat in Coimbatore in March was touching 39.5 deg Celsius

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Current driving pattern - 5km on weekdays. 200km highway drive twice a month and hopefully with the new car replacing current mid distance flight commute with road trips!

BHPian karikaalan recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Introduction

First car - Hyundai Sonata (pre-loved, 50K) and current Honda Jazz (1L km driven) . In my 30's and looking for a primary car for the next 5+ years. Budget - 65Lakhs (On Road, Tamil Nadu), to commit by April 2025.

Test Driven (in order)
1. Toyota Hilux / Fortuner
2. BMW M340i
3. Hyundai Ioniq 5
4. Mercedes GLA 220d
5. BMW 330i and Skoda vRS (pending

The Problem

Options

1. Wait for the Skoda Octavia vRS and then decide if the 340i is really worth the 35Lakh premium

2. Give the BMW 330i a try - more power than practically usable on Indian roads. G20 has established aftermarket options for eye candy.

3. Stick to Crossovers and pick the Mercedes GLA 220d. Enjoy the peace of mind not having to worry about the road conditions on road trips.

4. Bite the bullet and book the BMW M340i; let the lifetime nagging of going 25L over budget be drowned by the ocassionaly mighty roar of B56. Added bonus of reliving childhood memories by getting a spoiler wing and cruising on the highways play pretend the iconic M3 GTR from NFS Most Wanted!

Current driving pattern - 5km on weekdays. 200km highway drive twice a month and hopefully with the new car replacing current mid distance flight commute with road trips!

Need help being talked OUT OF OPTION 4 as other articles in the forum clearly are inclined in the opposite direction hehe. Mind says spending close to a crore on a 3 series with low GC is not a very sensible option, Body says Money Come Money Go YOLO!!

Beep Beep!

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

If you are thinking of an M340i, 25-lakhs is relatively insignificant in the larger scheme of things (i.e. life). For those 400 km of highway driving you have every month, nothing will make you grin wider. Plus, fast turbo 6-cylinders are already a vanishing breed (iconic 530d is dead, 6-cylinder Audis are gone, AMGs are now coming with overstressed 4-pots). Get those big turbo-sixes while you still can.

With the updated M340i and that adjustable suspension, it's become even better as a sporty sedan that is family-friendly too. For me, it is always the "heart" above the "head" & that philosophy has kept me smiling for 47 years.

Go to the BMW showroom NOW. Come back & share an ownership report with us.

Here's what BHPian sunikkat had to say on the matter:

Yeah, ask me about it. I am still finding a reason to hate 340i since 6 months. Last August before buying 330Li I had a test drive of 340i and was floored by it. But then I did the mistake of taking my family for the test drive and after being driven in both, family was totally for 330Li and I had to go for it.

Now for me it’s still a low slung sedan. Understand your plight if you are going for a SUV over a 340i

Finally I found my reason, everyone (friends and family) who got in to my car were appreciative of the interiors, airy feel and the space it offers, whilst I am super happy with the performance of 330Li. I know with 340i, I would have been much more happier, but my family might have dreaded to sit inside that. So it’s a nice compromise. Find yours too if you can.

But I can confidently say if you are looking for outright fun to drive, none of the options that you have selected is going to make you happy. Go for 340i if you can and don’t have much family dependency. The extra money is really worth it.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:

Well, since you are looking for a contrarian view, there are two ways to approach this:

1. Buy a fast family sedan. M340i, vRS, etc. fall into this category.

2. Buy a comfortable family car and buy something pre-owned just for kicks (Bike, Polo GTI, Mini Cooper, Thar 3D, etc. depending on budget and interest)

If most of your usage involves traveling alone with occasional family travel, #1 would be a good option. OTOH, #2 would be better if the usage is mainly family oriented as family members may not appreciate the boy racer in you.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

What is coming out clearly in city driving is that the 330Li is bridging the fuel efficiency gap compared to the BMW 320d.

BHPian Kelly66 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hi friends, further to my initial review, I wish to share a 4-month and 2500 km update :

Oct'24 Review:

• Oct'24 was a month of mixed feelings. I had to visit the SC to replace my bonnet.
• Oct'24 involved a mix of city (35%) and highway (65%) driving of 954 kms averaging 14.2 kmpl @ 38.2 kmph (for similar driving style and similar average kmph my 320d delivered 17.7 kmpl). Maintaining <4 kmpl difference compared to my F30 is great since the ARAI difference between them is 7.3 kmpl. This ascertains the superb refinement of the B48 engine.
• Practiced controlled driving during the run-in period and here's the result:

Nov'24 Review:

• Nov'24 involved 100% city driving (Eco Pro) in Bangalore of 263 kms averaging 9.2 kmpl @ 17.5 kmph (320d equivalent was 12.1 kmpl). A <3 kmpl difference within the city is phenomenal.
• Visit to SC continued in Nov'24. Got all my brake pads and discs replaced.

Dec'24 Review:

• Dec'24 was again a mix of city (35%) and highway (65%) driving of 1260 kms averaging 14.3 kmpl @ 40.6 kmph (320d equivalent was 18.1 kmpl).

A moment when my ego takes over:

• Even though my driving was largely controlled during the run-in period, in a 6-lane stretch near CBE (Chengapally bypass), an MG Hector was constantly trying to overtake me but my ego took over and couldn't let that happen.
• I actually didn't realise that I was on Eco Pro ranging for nearly 40 kms while keeping MG on my heels. Although I was switching to Manual mode using the paddles quite a lot, it was still mainly on Eco Pro with very brief spurts in Sports mode because run-in period wasn't over. Eco Pro was more than enough to counter MG's pursuit.
• Later I felt that I should not have let my ego take over for so long. In fact, during this BLR to CBE drive I even allowed an Alto to overtake me but this time it was kind of getting personal The last time this happened was in 2015 in the same stretch with my Cruze, when a Fortuner was following me for a long time.
• Despite a somewhat heavy foot, Grey Hulk returned 17 kmpl @55.7 kmph (320d equivalent was 20.7 kmpl) from BLR to CBE (with a fair measure of Manual mode thrown in). For a similar trip in Oct, with a lighter foot, I got 17.4 kmpl @48.8 kmph (no Manual mode) but both trips were in Eco Pro mostly. October trip was on RON91 and December was on XP95.

Jan'25 Review:

• Jan'25 again was 100% city driving (Eco Pro) in Bangalore of just 106 kms averaging 9.2 kmpl @ 15.1 kmph (320d equivalent was 10.7 kmpl).
• What is coming out clearly in city driving is that the 330Li is bridging the mileage gap compared to 320d. Just a 1.5 kmpl difference, within city, is unbelievable.

• Bangalore traffic is just crazy. No wonder it was ranked third slowest in travel time, after Barranquilla in Colombia and Kolkata, in the global traffic index for 2024 by Tom Tom.

Healthy Since factory mileage:

Auto parking:

Got Grey Hulk to auto park for the first time in my basement. My parking slot has yellow line separators and got the housekeeping staff to clean & wipe the dust over it and it did the trick!

Summary so far:

• I switched to XP95 from Nov 15th and the performance and mileage benefits are perceivable based on my driving in both city and highway drives and I plan to continue with it.
• I am glad I picked the 330Li M Sport Pro and in this short period I have discovered some neat tips and tricks.
• Got some accessories like Dashcam, mudflaps and matte screen protector installed.

A customary parting shot:

Happy with the journey so far and with run-in completed, it's time for some revving!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

We also checked out the Toyota Camry, Lexus NX350h, BMW X3 20d M Sport AWD, BMW iX1 and BMW 320Ld M Sport.

BHPian Kelly66 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hello Friends,

We bid adieu to our 320d and welcomed Grey Hulk - BMW 330Li M Sport Pro on 30/9/24 to our family.

Preface

Why the switch from BMW 320d to 330Li?

Some of you may have read my F30 320d review. Even though I had a 7 year itch to switch, once I got a clean chit after my 7th year service I thought I will retain my 320d for a few more years.

But the decision to upgrade happened real quick and quite unexpectedly within a week. Glad that the 320d is in the safe hands of a fellow bhpian, whose gentle nudge on Sep 16th re-kindled my 7 year itch and on Sep 23rd we struck a Win-Win deal. This was quite similar to the speed with which I switched from Chevy Cruze to the 320d in 2017.

On Sep 22nd, I got a mouth-watering deal from KUN BMW on the 330Li M Sport Pro, which couldn’t be turned down. From Sep 23rd, all BMW dealers would come to an agreement not to undercut each other on discounts. They would have a uniform discount policy like Merc. So the lowest price they could go to for the M Sport Pro is Rs.74L, is what I had been told. OTR price was Rs.81.33 L before discounts.

We were initially considering the Portimao Blue colour but when we saw the Skyscraper Grey in flesh there was no looking back.

Shortlisting & Buying experience:

My first objective was to get a good buyback offer for my 320d since we have only 1 parking slot in our apartment. So, these test drives were taken starting Sep 18th and the buyback evaluation was done in parallel.

Toyota Camry

I was seriously considering a hybrid car as my next daily driver. Took the Camry for a short drive and found it smooth to drive and the seating in the front and rear were comfortable. It gave a mileage of 11.9 kmpl in city traffic. The car has reached EOL and the next-gen was expected in 2025 in India. So it was a No Go. Best offer was 53L OTR. Buyback offer was not acceptable and was nowhere near my sale price.

Lexus NX350h Overtrail

Continuing with hybrids I decided to try the Lexus SUV. Again took the same route as the Camry. Even though the car had all the gizmos like 360 camera, electrical tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory function, ADAS, etc. the suspension was stiff. The interior 14" display had an asymmetric shape. The hybrid car was starting in petrol mode because the battery was not charged enough, which was a bit hard to believe. It gave a mileage of 11.1 kmpl for the same route. It was 86L OTR after a minuscule 2L discount. Also, the buyback offer was nowhere near my sale price.

BMW X3 20d M Sport AWD

On Sep 21st we went to the KUN used car mela to get a good offer for our 320d. Initially, I was considering a pre-owned car but my wife & son were against it. That’s when the sales guy told me about the discount standardisation from Sep 23rd and that they can give good discounts till 22nd.

Since it was EOL for X3, only a demo car was available for sale with around 3500 kms on the ODO. Took a test drive, but since the engine was the same 188 bhp diesel, we were not very serious about it but wanted to get the feel of it. The drive was much better than the Lexus NX and the SUV stance was appealing. The X3 had the HUD and 360 camera but no ADAS & no connected drive. And the discount offered on the demo car was only 5.5L making the OTR price Rs.80.5L. When I checked in a Team BHP thread the advice I got was not to go for the demo car considering that the discount was also nothing great. Dropped it!

BMW X1 Electric

X1 EV was incredibly silent and smooth to drive. It is priced at around 80L OTR after the recent road tax increase. I remember it was around 73L in Nov 23. Anyway, this was just a filler since we were waiting for the buyback price for the 320d.

BMW 320Ld M Sport

Diesel Pro was not available since it was launched only in Sep'24 and was priced at Rs.83.25L OTR. I test drove the non-Pro. It was the same 320d engine but was more refined and smoother. We were not keen on diesel anyway. Still waiting for the buyback offer.

Enter, BMW 330Li M Sport Pro

It was love at first drive. The black colour demo car didn't do justice to the black accents. Interiors were awesome, drive was super smooth, dash was sexy and the Pro had all the gizmos, except HUD, making it future-proof. Although I would be taking a hit on the mileage front (coming from a frugal 320d), it was a conscious decision to go for a Petrol as my next daily driver. You never know when a diesel ban like Delhi would be imposed in Bangalore.

When I got back from the test drive, I was shocked to hear the buyback offer. It was much better than other offers but still way off from my sale price and we almost dropped our purchase plans and walked out because the discount on the 330Li was not great either. Late in the evening, the sales guy said they would give a better offer on Sep 22nd. Since we liked 330Li very much I asked him to come with a better discount and for another test drive the next day. I also touched base with the VP at DM for 330Li pricing and he agreed to give a good deal on 22nd, since I have known him since 2017.

On Sep 22nd, I took a long test drive to Airport facility of KUN (same route that I took for my 320d in 2017 when it was Navnit) and found that the 330 Li M Sport Pro model was absolutely smooth sailing like an electric car, took the bumps with ease and the seating was also very comfortable in front and rear. Got a thumbs up from my wife too. Clocked an up/down mileage of 11.8 kmpl (64 km) since the return journey was chock-a-block. The same route delivered 16.8 kmpl on the 320d test drive car with lesser traffic on the return leg. We were a little unsure about the colour - Portimao Blue or Skyscraper Grey. He said they have a Skyscraper Grey on display and can talk to his VP and give a good discount if we go to the showroom. After this long test drive, we went straight to KUN and finalised the deal as detailed in my 320d thread. They agreed to get a new car from the Chennai plant and deliver before Sep 30th.

@sunikkat was kind enough to send me the PDF version of the owner's manual even before delivery and I managed to go through some key chapters since I was planning a long drive to CBE on Oct 2nd.

PDI and Delivery Experience:

PDI at stockyard: (28/9/24)

When I reached, the car had just arrived from Chennai and the battery (80 Ah AGM) was being charged. The car had some rainwater marks on the roof and bonnet but I was told it would be cleaned and polished the next day after their internal PDI.

Marks visible on the bonnet and roof

ODO reading showed 7 km and the production date was 23/7/24

Glad it came with Michelin RFTs but with a staggered set-up:

Front: 225/45 R18; Mfg dates: FL:09/24 & FR:09/24

Rear: 255/40 R18; Mfg dates: RL:08/24 & RR:12/24

Tread thickness was FL:6.49mm; FR:6.49mm; RL:6.53mm; RR:6.50mm. New tyres generally have 7mm depth?

And these treads are not symmetric (left end and right end are different)!

New brake pad thickness was FL:12mm; FR:12mm; RL:11mm; RR:11mm. New brake pad thickness is usually 13mm? More on this later…

Only front seats had covers:

Rear diffuser should have been deep black colour like the front grill. This one is greyish black.

Got hold of BMW's 85-page PDI report. Here's a summary:

Delivery day (30/9/24):

When we came to take delivery at KUN BMW Lavelle Road, those water drop kind of marks on the bonnet were still visible from angles and noticed some swirl marks on the boot lid and roof area. When I showed it to the senior sales guy he accepted they had not done a thorough polishing and can get the same done again on Oct 1st at the showroom.

Since 30th was a good day for delivery, we got the showroom pooja done and took delivery on paper but left the car for the polishing job. Anyway, the number plate was also expected only on Oct 1st.

On Oct 1st evening, we found the car was neatly polished and ready.

All smiles…

Showroom ODO reading was 35 Km and car had around 13.36 Lit of petrol showing a range of 211 km.

Drove to the nearest IOC pump and filled RON 91 since KUN guys said normal petrol is fine. Did a tank full by filling 45.64 litres. First tank full (59 Lit) showed a range of 776 km => 13.15 kmpl. From next tank fill I have switched to XP95 after reading some Team BHP threads.

Vaahan pooja for Grey Hulk at Ganapathy temple, Tippasandra - This side angular profile is my favourite - looks amazing.

Continue reading Kelly66's ownership review for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

Check out the tips and tricks that helped BHPian Kelly66 enhance his BMW 330Li ownership experience

BHPian Kelly66 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

7 Tips & Tricks for your Bimmer

1. How to force Efficient Coasting mode:

• I had mentioned in my initial review that coasting mode was not sustaining always, like it used to, in my 320d. Although it works at speeds above 25 kmph, very often it goes from efficient coasting mode to charging battery mode. If this happens, one technique to force it back it into coasting is to double press the + Paddle shift in quick succession and immediately you will see the coasting mode getting activated and this time it will sustain till you brake or accelerate. Coasting Share of Eco Pro went up from 17.5% (without this method in Oct during my BLR to CBE trip) to 21.4% of Eco Pro (in Dec from BLR to CBE). This is despite using Manual mode quite frequently (when coasting gets deactivated) in December.

2. How to simulate Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with your left thumb:

• Since we don't have this ADAS L2 feature in our 330Li, I tried to simulate it in my own way in the Chengapally bypass 6 lane highway during the CBE-BLR leg. Once you activate cruise control, you can increase/decrease the speed in steps of 10 kmph (long push up/pull down) or 1 kmph steps (short push up/pull down). So, I used this seating position (see pic below) with both arms resting comfortably on my knees and set the cruise control at around 90 kmph and as and when I saw a clear highway I increased it in steps of 10 kmph. When there was a vehicle ahead with no place to switch lanes, I reduced the speed in steps of 10 kmph. A single step-shift down will put the car into coasting mode (you can see it in the adaptive content screen or the blue car symbol in instrument display).

• If you need to slow down even further in a hurry (happens with so many diversions/barricades along the way), pull the knob downwards twice (20 kmph reduction) and you will see the car braking and reducing speed (I could see the tail lights come on in the adaptive screen) just as ACC in other cars would do in such a situation. I used my thumb like this for nearly 40 kms in that stretch and it worked flawlessly. Of course, since you don't have your leg near the brakes you need to be extra vigilant and be prepared to brake with your leg, just in case. In 4 lane highways, I used it in shorter stretches. I used this even in slower speeds between 30-50 kmph but with leg near the brake. I am sure some of you would have tried this, but thought of sharing for those who didn't. This is the first time for me because I didn't have CC in my F30.

3. How to fetch your Bimmer's Telematics Car Data data online:

• The BMW Car Data archive allows you to retain an overview of the telematics data that your vehicle regularly sends to BMW as part of the BMW Connected Drive services. This includes measurements by your BMW, such as the mileage, check control messages/errors, battery health/need for recharge, ConnectedDrive contract details and their expiry date, etc. Note: Your car should be "BMW Connected Drive" capable for availing this feature.

• I used this BMW UK website to log in: BMW UK website

It should show you a screen like this:

Login or Register with your email id and Click on My BMW to get to this screen:

Go to Vehicle Overview or Add Vehicle to get to next screen:

Click on BMW CarData and Request Archive Data: Your car data will be generated within 24 hours and you can download it.

Report will contain most (but not all) of the Cardata elements listed in the attached BMW CARDATA TELEMATICS DATA CATALOGUE.

Download BMW CarData Telematics Data Catalogue.pdf

I went looking for this when I sensed that my battery may be having issues. Report said its healthy.

4. How to improve seating comfort during long drives:

• During my Oct CBE trip we found the Vernasca leather to be a bit on the harder side and a little uncomfortable for long drives. I got these cushions before the Dec trip and the mild cushioning made the seating more comfortable: Cushion link

• Another plus point - this cushion retains its shape and doesn't get crumpled after repeated use.

5. How to install a Matte screen protector and where to source it dirt cheap:

• I had been hunting for a matte finish screen protector for the last 3 months because the stock screen protector was very reflective. Although it doesn't affect the view while driving, I wanted to make it look better. Armour Guard screen protectors are supposed to be good. I ordered and returned it because there was 3-4 mm gap on all sides and it had a glossy finish.

• Luckily, I found a supplier on Indiamart (Matte-screen-protector link) and he said he has a large roll of 100m but can machine cut it to my size if required. However, when I sent the pics of the car screen he said it may fit properly since it has curved display. I had measured the Armour guard screen and increased it to account for the size and told him to cut it as 14.1 cm x 75.4 cm. Also, I told him that the risk is on me if it doesn’t stick properly since the cost was only Rs.150/- + Rs.200/- for courier charges from Delhi.

Arrived neatly packed along with guide & dust stickers, squeegee and wipes:

Matte screen opened

• This is a 5 layer screen guard, of which the 1st layer at the front and 5th layer at back are just dust protectors. The 2nd layer at the front is a blue layer and the 4th layer at the back is black. Centre 3rd layer is the actual screen protector.

The sequence for installation is as follows:

• Remove both the dust protection layers and clean the protector with a wet cloth

• If you are doing the install on your own, I suggest you ask a family member or friend to be around for help

• Clean the display with wet wipes and then dry wipe it and make sure there is no dust on the display. Keep all windows closed.

• Use the guide stickers to position the protector with the blue layer facing you and stick them to the back of the display. They kept coming off. Using a long masking tape would be more useful.

• Use the dust sticker to remove any speck of dust on the display

• Next step is to lift the protector towards you and slowly peel the black layer from behind and apply it gradually from left to right. Someone should hold the protector on the left while you do this. I thought of doing it alone, but realised it is not easy because these stickers are not strong enough to hold the position while lifting up the protector to remove the black layer at the back. So, I took the car to the local mobile shop to get it installed. I helped the guy by holding it on the left side while he removed the black layer and applied it correctly.

• While the blue layer is still on look for bubbles on the screen and use the squeegee to remove the bubbles. Even if we turn off the infotainment display it came back on at the slightest touch. Didn't know how to do it. If it is fully off it easier to see the bubbles.

Matte screen fixed and bubble removal in progress (stickers weren't useful):

• Once all bubbles are removed, the blue layer can be removed and you can the final result

Matte screen installed

• After installing it, I realised the correct measurement should have been 14.1 cm x 75.1 cm (with 2 mm fillet in all 4 corners). Since I ordered 75.4 cm, I tried cutting 3 mm with scissors but the result would have been perfect if it was done with a ruler and blade or machine cut.

Slightly misaligned:

Reflection on Curved screen with stock protector:

Reflection on Curved screen without stock protector (didn't know it was better without the stock protector, although it would be a fingerprint magnet)

Curved screen with matte protector (no glare and no fingerprints)

Disclaimer: If any of you want to buy it, you may reach out to (AZ Infolink - Jatin @ 85860 22335). Delhiites can even save courier charges. Needless to say that I have no commercial interest in this.

For those who missed these tips:

6. How to reduce glare & reflections in your dashcam footage without a CPL Filter:

I was forced to find my own way of reducing glare in my dashcam footage when I recently installed the Redtiger F77 Dual dashcam. If you have a dashcam without a CPL filter please see this link: EVAC Filter

7. How to protect your door panel/running board paint during rains and make self-wash easier:

To get the right set of mudflaps please see my earlier posts for details.

More on Grey Hulk later….

So, what did you do with your Bimmer in the recent past? Please do share your tips, tricks and mods!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The fitting is just perfect with the right openings for the screws and they also have water outlets built in.

BHPian Kelly66 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Fixed mudflaps to prevent Grey Hulk's Michelin shoes from dirtying his body during rains.

Since I generally do the car cleaning myself, cleaning the muck in that area was the irritating part and it can even leave chip marks over a period of time.

I didn't find any source in India so I took a chance and ordered it from Ebay and received it in 3 weeks. Had to pay customs duty of Rs.682/- but it was worth it because the fitting is just perfect with the right openings for screws. It also has water outlets built in. I would recommend this 100% for those who want to buy.

Each mudflap has 3 screw slots and in the front, 2 of them are riveted which had to be cut out (with a chisel) and removed and the ebay screws were fixed. All other screws were the stock 10 mm screws. If you have the right tools, it's a DIY install.

Here are some snaps:

So, what did you do to your Bimmer today?

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I looked at the Audi A4 and A6, Mercedes C300d and even a used BMW 3 Series and 5 Series, and I think none of them would have been the right car for me.

BHPian sunikkat recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Update after 2500kms:

So got a long weekend and went for a quick Kerala trip in my new BMW 330Li. The main purpose was to do vehicle pooja from Guruvayoor temple as I had done for all my previous cars.

With this trip, the Odo stands at 2600 kms and I have completed the much-awaited break-in period.

Before getting into the detailed observations based on my 1 month and 2600 kms experience, a brief background about my decision process.

Before I start I really want to call out the salesperson Sreehari (Mobile 8951765491 - @Mods: hope it doesn’t violate the rules here) from Deutsche Motoren. He is the best sales guy I have ever interacted and he is very helpful even after the sales. Really recommend him to prospective customers.

My Octavia TDI MT (2016 Ambition model) was running perfectly fine at around 1 lakhs kms. It had a stage 1 tune, Bilstein B6 suspension, 17-inch wheels and a few other mods. I have been evaluating many cars across segments (for the sake of checking) and none of them really felt like an upgrade. There was actually no reason for changing other than the itch of a new car and the most important factor of safety. Since mine was an Ambition it came only with 2 airbags and this was always playing in the back of my mind. Finally decided to take a plunge. Seriously Octavia was a gem of a car.

Now being a BMW guy since childhood I always wanted a 3 series, so to that extent, my choice was less. Still I checked Audi and Mercedes.

Audi

A4 did not even feel like an upgrade to Octavia and the A6 (though could have had it at around 330Li price) did not get me excited. Also, it’s more luxurious and formal than being sporty. Also, I did not need such a big car.

Mercedes

I liked the C300D when it was available earlier, but though the interiors looked very upmarket there were many hard surfaces which I did not like much. Also still the fun to drive was missing compared to the 3 series. Did not check 220D or 200P. Also missed checking the new 300P, but I was sure wouldn’t have gone at that price for the engine which is on par with 330Li.

Others

No other cars were even in contention as I wanted a brand this time and was not okay with BYD or other electric cars which have faster 0 to 100 and are available at much lower prices and VFM. As such I am not ready to put that much money in an electric car at this stage. Also after owning a European, I don’t think I can go to a non-European brand ever as my primary car.

BMW

That’s where the confusion kicked in. My choice was always 330i. Considering the extra money that I have to pay for a new car over Octavia, I did not feel the value and wanted to try a used car. I wasn’t very keen on buying directly from dealers or did not have the patience to check OLX and meet multiple owners to find the right one. As such there were hardly any 330i available in Bangalore and even if it was priced very high.

Finally decided to check with BMW dealers directly. Again 330i / 330Li’s were not available. Checked a 320 Ld 2021 luxury line with 17k kms which was quoted at 48 lakhs which I could negotiate to 45 lakhs. However, the 17 inch alloys and the luxury line trim were a turn-off. I was sure I would spend another 5 lakhs extra on that car including insurance to at least get it to my level of satisfaction.

And that’s when I realised with the offers going on in August for limited stock with the dealer I could have a new 320Ld for ~ 20 lakhs extra which I felt was more value. Since my preference was always petrol this time, decided to go with 330Li. Then I compared MSport and MSport Pro and I was totally sold on MSport Pro though it costed apprx. 3 lakhs more for the added features.

Meanwhile, I also checked a 2021 model 27k kms run 530D MSport with one of the premium dealers in Kerala. They were quoting 67 lakhs for this TN-registered car. From a performance wise I found 530D and 330 Li more or less the same (also the earlier test drive reports of Autocar suggest the same) but 530D has much better snob value and luxury. And the biggest advantage of the Diesel economy. But spending 65 lakhs (after negotiating) for a 3-year-old car was not something the family would approve too as they always wanted a new one. Another issue is it’s a TN registration which I will be using in Bangalore.

With all these rejections one would think the decision was easy. But no, here comes the biggest confusion in the form of M340i. After booking 330 Li, I started pondering more about M340i. With the then-discounted price, for another 11 lakhs I could have had M340i. Now that’s another beast, once in a lifetime car which is on another level of performance. But the mistake I made was I took my family for a test drive and everyone was just hung on 330Li for the space, more premium-looking interiors and the colour theme and that huge panoramic sunroof.

Finally have to give in to 330Li, as I also found 340i lower even for my taste and the stiffer suspension which would have made my family crib in all the drives. Also, I don’t take the car for tracks and day by day highways are getting restricted on speed. In fact while selling my Octavia I had around 12k fine in Kerala for overspeeding (there the speed limits are even low). With this, I wouldn’t be able to explore the potential of 330Li itself, let alone 340i. Also, I started with a budget of 40 lakhs and extended it to the new 330Li, with 340i another 11 lakhs needs to be extended which would have been a bigger burden. But still... hope I made the right decision there.

Now coming to the experience of living with 330Li for 1 month. Few of the earlier dislikes have changed now.

Likes:

• The performance of this engine is simply mind-blowing. It reaches insane speed in no time and without even realising. It definitely feels like an upgrade on performance from my tuned Octavia.
• Well, I never thought I would say this as I always loved stiffer ride of cars, but this one is so smooth with some underlying stiffness. Everyone who got into the car is in praise of the ride quality.
• The high-speed stability and handling is excellent. I expected it to be compromised, but does well like a proper BMW.
• I just love the interiors, the bigger screen, cognac leather trim (real leather) soft touch points every where etc. Feels proper luxury.
• Steering feels great to hold too.
• Panaromic sunroof is another thing I would have missed in 340i
• It’s very spacious, mainly at the back, though I never sit there. Family is happy. In fact I felt this is more spacious than 530D that I checked, might be wrong.
• The MSport Pro elements, dark grey upholstery, blackened exteriors (with zero chrome), alloy wheel design etc. make the car a looker.
• More than enough features that I could ever ask for.
• No need to mention it here, but the build quality is as expected from any German car.

Dislikes:

• Boot space, after being used to Octavia, this was a major concern on the last trip. Mainly due to the auto close of the boot which requires proper packing. Need to get more disciplined on packing here.
• On some of the expansion joints, car tends to float a bit for a second. I believe this was managed better in 330i and my Octavia with B6 suspension. Something to look for in future.
• The front seat seems to be a bit narrow. I feel Octavia had wider front seats and was more comfortable. The rear seats are really good.

Neutral:

• The mileage even on highways is around 10, might be to do with the driving. Makes a big difference coming from a diesel Octavia. But then I had signed for this knowingly.
• The absence of rear sun blinds is no more a concern now considering the VKool sunfilm is doing a great job. But still, it’s a big miss.
• Lack of ventilated seats is a miss, but then not a concern for me. Also, I like the plain leather seats than perforated that come with ventilated seats.

With all the things mentioned and based on my priorities, I think I got the right upgrade for my Octavia. There is no other car that would have made justice. The only other car I felt I could have considered is the 340i, mainly when I see one on the road. But I think for my use case 330Li makes more sense. If I had to go for a decision again now, I would have still gone for the 330Li as I am absolutely in love with the luxury feel which was missing in the 340i and also the only other car in my garage is an i20 IVT which means bimmer is my main car for long drives, where family wouldn’t have been happy with 340i. So some reasons to convince me.

Couple of pics for now. Indeed, what a beauty

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

There are no rear sunshades. Even the Hyundai Creta has it. On another note, looks like the new BMW 530Li is selling great.

BHPian sunikkat recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Finally got the 330Li delivered today. It was like a dream come true. Initially, I had booked black but then changed to white. After seeing both the cars next to each other today, I am happy with white considering the blackened elements in M Sport Pro. The showroom was very busy today with many deliveries of X1, 3 series and a couple of M340i and 530 Li.

What I Liked:

• Absolutely a looker, especially in the M Sport Pro trim
• The M headliner Anthracite upholstery in dark grey shade gives a very sporty look
• The performance is super impressive, even after coming from a stage 1 Octavia TDI. The engine has a good note while in sports mode
• The handling is good, it’s not as soft as I expected. Still there is an underlying stiffness which I like.
• The big screen infotainment elevates the interior, the Apple CarPlay display is wide

What I don’t like

• Coming from an Octavia, the boot space is a joke. Need to plan the Kerala trips well now, considering all the fruits, vegetables and other things that I am made to carry in Octavia.
• Rear sun shades - come on BMW, how much you would have saved in that! Even Creta has it.
• No physical controls for AC
• The BMW warning assistant needs getting used to. In some instances, I can feel the steering correcting itself and becoming very stiff.

Overall I am super happy with the purchase. Feel it’s the perfect upgrade from my Octavia. However, still miss that stiff ride in Octavia with B6. After warranty, I might put B6 in BMW.

On another note looks like the new 530Li is selling great. There were 2 of them being delivered today in the dealership. Also when I went for puja to the temple on Kasturba Road, Bangalore, saw another four new 530 Li models for puja. Strangely all 6 cars that I saw today are Titanium Brown colour.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.