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.

I did zig-zag overtakes and it was much easier in the Seal than in the 330Li.

BHPian CarKid@40 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I test-drove BYD SEAL (Premium) and 330Li back to back and thought of adding some more colours to the review for those in a dilemma between the two.

Interior

330LI interiors are much more bright and plush with tan leather, SEAL welcomes you with all-black Alcantara. 330Li driver cockpit is more inviting tilted towards you however both the cars will wrap around you. Those bucket Seats in SEAL is a winner. It bolsters you with a nice hug. I also felt to be sitting lower in SEAL than in 3.

There was no cover for the sunroof and the A/c wasn’t effective, which is a big let-down. There is a manual after-marker kind of cover for the fixed glass roof which isn’t the best for Indian summers.

Exterior

330Li is balanced with a mix of sporty and classy European looks, SEAL is menacing with strong silhouette of proper sports car character. While it is a notch short of length and considerably less in width than 3 series, it is hard to make out of the difference in flesh.

Steering

Steering of Seal is more chunky to hold and adjusts to the sports mode well with ample heft. It still cannot compare with the precision 3 series provides, although it is not as fun to hold as that of SEAL’s.

Back Seat

While there is plenty of legroom on offer in SEAL at the back(with driver seat adjusted to my height – 6”) , it is not inviting to be chauffeured in even though with a flat floor it is much easier for 3 people than in 330Li. Back seat passengers will feel more cocooned in dark Alcantara surround and sitting low while 330Li feels more comfortable and welcoming.

How’s is to Drive

The first stark difference you notice in the two sports car is right after putting them in D mode. 330Li lunges forward as soon as you put in drive mode. You have to tame and hold on to the horses (pun intended) between brakes and gas pedal combination.

SEAL, apart from being quiet doesn’t show urgency to move forward with regen set to normal. I drove the long-range premium variant, 82.6 Kw battery with a single motor. In Sports mode, SEAL is a real DEAL. It quietly and dangerously accelerates to 100 in no time. While 3 series will give you a lot of satisfaction accelerating to higher speeds with the vocal cords of the engine, there is no drama that happens here. The best part is, acceleration of the two from 0-100 are comparable. Part throttle to the EV motor produces higher torque than pressing the accelerator in one go. AWD version was not available for a test drive, but with its claimed acceleration figures, it is more of the M340i category.

SEAL ride is stiffer compared to 330Li which has definitely find tuned the suspension towards comfort in comparison. Potholes do barge in with large thuds and one has to be careful on them.

Manoeuvrability

Both cars measure almost the same in length, while 330Li does feel its length SEAL didn’t feel like driving a car this long. I did zig-zag overtakes and it was much easier in SEAL than in 330Li. This is something which I would give a lot of merit for a person like me who spends the majority of the drive in urban/city.

I didn’t test the cars much on high-speed cornering, but if you are looking at the majority of the drive in the city- at 30 Lakhs less, SEAL is a serious package to be considered.

Sharing a video of me enjoying the SEAL.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

What are your views on second hand luxury cars like the BMW 330Li or Audi A6 compared to the Skoda Superb in terms of service.

BHPian jinu_joseph recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi folks,

I need some guidance on buying used premium cars. I am looking for an understated premium car like Skoda Superb L&K. I prefer cars that don't draw attention and at the same time has the premium level of comfort and power. Skoda superb fit that bill perfectly. I had a used Skoda superb some years back. Had bought a 3-year-old Skoda superb and used it for about 5 years before letting it go. It is till date the most comfortable car if have ever been in. But Service maintenance was expensive and very painful. Service cost me about 1 lakh per year on an average because I never did find a reliable Garage for the Skoda superb and was heavily dependent on Skoda authorized service center. Additionally of the 5 years I drove the car almost a total of 90 days the car was in the workshop for some sort of repairs. I swore I would never buy a Skoda again.

Now I want a comfortable spacious sedan again from the second hand market. But I don't want to go through the Skoda service experience again. Some of my colleagues suggested that if I am looking for second hand then I might as well look at the BMW 330 Li and Audi A6 Technology Edition. Slightly premium but better in service and quality. Now this is where I get confused. Any generic video I see on used BMW/Audi, the standard warning is maintenance is going to be unbelievably high, parts shortage etc. which is the Skoda service experience all over again. Frankly I have never driven a vehicle in this segment, Skoda superb is the most premium car I have driven. BMW/Audi is a completely new segment for me.

So my first question is what your views are on second hand luxury cars like the BMW 330Li or Audi A6 compared to the Skoda Superb in terms of service (here I am talking of cars no older than 3-4 years).

I have received a lot of advice on this like take a good mechanic along, get it checked at the authorized service centers etc. Now this where my problem lies

1. I don't know any good mechanic whom I can trust and who could verify the car for me
2. I thought I knew a reliable Second hand car dealer-family friend (the guy I bought the Skoda Superb from previously), but that turned to be disaster, quite a few defects were hidden at the time of purchase. Further this is a premium used card dealers like him don’t stock BMW/Audi
3. I know there are companies that offer inspection services, but I am not sure how reliable they are with respect to Premium segment vehicles
4. I have seen some YouTube videos where they claim that authorized service centers are also hand in glove with the second hand car dealers and they will not highlight the major problems when it comes for a checkup.

As if all this wasn't confusing enough someone else recommended buying the used premium cars from Delhi (especially diesel cars) and transfer it to Mumbai as they will be cheaper (even after road tax paid for Mumbai) and you will get much better variety/options/choices there.

So at the end of the day I am a very confused person and don't think I will be able to buy a used premium sedan. The advice I need on are:

1. What are your views on second hand luxury cars like the BMW 330Li or Audi A6 compared to the Skoda Superb in terms of service (here I am talking of cars no older than 3-4 years).
2. Are there any services who can be trusted to do inspection and certification of used Premium sedans
3. And the most common question are they any reliable premium used car dealers?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Here's what BHPian Ashwintona675 had to say about this matter:

Hi, I bought a used Audi A3 couple year ago from Audi approved plus. So couple of tips:

1. Try to shop from BMW approved themselves, the customer service is really good and it is worth the premium. Mostly they stock cars they got as exchange for their new cars. I bought my A3 from Audi approved and customer service was stellar, they got my RC transferred and home delivered to me in 21 days. Took care of all loan formalities for me at a really competitive interest rate.
2. You need the service history of the car. If you were able to follow Point 1, then this is solved as all the BMW approved cars have service history.
3. Try to get the previous owner details, no harm in giving him a call. Maybe he wont reveal the price he gave it to the dealer, but he might give you some valuable info on its history. The hack I found to get said details is to get the insurance copy of the vehicle. It has owner info including mobile number.
4. You need a competent FNG for a preowned german, no two ways about it. Only reason you would go to the ASS is if you bought one which is only 2-3 years old, in which case you will have warranty left (maybe even service package). You are in Mumbai, there are numerous FNGs as we can see from other threads of senior members. You should check it out.
5. Between 330Li and A6. I personally prefer the Bimmer although it is a segment lower. But go for the A6 only if you find a good FNG or if not you get a 2-3 year old car with warranty remaining. Otherwise the maintenance costs especially for the air suspension will burn a hole in your pocket.

Finally, one life man, go for it. Bimmer or Audi, it will put a smile on your face when you floor the pedal.

Meanwhile, here is BHPian Shreyans_Jain's reply:

1L per year on maintaining a car like a pre owned Superb is fairly reasonable, we have Jeep Compass owners here who pay more. Although, from a sheer reliability point of view, I’ll be inclined towards the 330Li over a Skoda/Audi. The simplest way to buy a pre loved BMW is through their own pre owned program, where you can be assured of the vehicle’s condition, service history and also get warranty.

That said, if maintenance costs and peaceful ownership are your primary criteria, you should be looking for Toyota Camrys instead.

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say:

Between these three brands, personally I’d trust BMW the most for extended long term ownership experience. Between these three specific options, the 330 Li will also likely be the most rewarding to drive, while still remaining respectably comfortable at the back thanks to its LWB format.

On sources of purchase a few points:

1. There is no guarantee on where you might find a good deal. Keep an open mind for every source and use a trusted premium service advisor to do a double check. Many premium brands also offer a paid checkup for a car as a service. Use this facility if you are nearly finalised on a vehicle.
2. Be willing to walk away if something doesn’t feel right. Getting a good car can take time - be willing to invest the required time in the process. Don’t get over-invested in a particular car to a point where you are going against your gut feel on any specific aspect.
3. Don’t try to find the bottom of the pit for price. If everything else adds up and the car is a good one to seal the deal, be open to paying a slight premium for it too. It’s no point trying to buy the cheapest option and compromising on the product itself - it can end up being penny wise pound foolish.
4. Be prepared for the odd surprise and keep a budget for this. You’re going in for a used car, there could always be something that genuinely comes unexpectedly which even the original seller did not anticipate.
5. Try to check if you can extend the warranty on the car with the OEM to the max tenure possible and budget this in your purchase cost. It is particularly worthwhile given you can’t audit every aspect of the service history. Heck, even for my new Mercedes, I opted for max OEM warranty for 6 years as an add on.

Good luck with the search.

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To sum up A4 is a more rounded comfortable spacious family sedan. Whereas 3GL is more driver oriented sedan with serious compromise on boot space.

BHPian MADMAX111 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Started looking for a replacement for my diesel Jetta which will complete 10 yrs next year in NCR.

Looked at A4 & 3 GL parked opposite in a mall. Noted the following:-

• A4 much spacious on inside. Though 3 GL also has good back seat legroom.
• Didn't like the integration of screens into the dashboard of 3GL. Not proportionate and supported by a plastic leg on dash. Looks weird and ungainly. A4 screen integration looks organic and classy.
• The seat material in 3GL looked cheaper than A4. Also the floor carpet looked cheap. A4 gives a much more premium look and feel.
• A4 gets integral sun blinds in rear seats. 3GL misses it.
• THE BOOT. I tour a lot and the boot on 3GL is just good enough for 2 medium suitcases.. A4 has huge boot rivalling my Jetta.
• Exterior. Personally I liked 3GL better, though A4 also looks classy.
• I know that 3 GL will drive better but for overall comfort and that luxurious ride I think A4 will trump it.

To sum up A4 is a more rounded comfortable spacious family sedan. Whereas 3GL is more driver oriented sedan with serious compromise on boot space.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I ruled out the Lexus and Audi A4 and A6. I was left with only two options as per my requirements - Mercedes C Class and BMW 330Li M Sport Gran Limousine.

BHPian Motorhead3321 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

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

Likes

• The B48 (D) Petrol Engine churns out a whopping 258 BHP and an impressive peak torque of 400 NM. 0-100 km/h could be achieved in 5.9 seconds (BMW claim 6.2 seconds). The car has a marriage made in heaven with the ZF8 transmission.
• 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 plastic quality is top-notch. Everything is firmly put together.
• idrive 8: The LCI comes updated with idrive 8 configured in a curved twin-touch widescreen display and a 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 shortcut buttons. Enabled with remote software update and digital key.
• LCI Design update makes 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.
• 16 Speaker 464-Watt Harman Kardon Surround sound system is next level good.

Dislikes

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• No sun blinds for rear and passenger windows.
• No ADAS and lane keep assist offered in India.

Alternatives considered and why this car

With a budget of Rs. 75 lacs, I was very clear that the car shall be a petrol, 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 a quick report on the C Class C200 Avantgarde alternative.

Likes

• Timeless and elegant design
• The interiors will blow you away. It's 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)
• IoT, Auto Emergency braking, ISG and ADAS Enabled.
• Wheel design. Though only 17 inch, it gives a turbine-like look when in motion.

Dislikes

• The petrol engine in the C200 to me is a confused being. The 1.5 liter 200 bhp unit lacks punch and has poor mating with the 9-speed gearbox. 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.
• 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.
• Low ground clearance. Car had to be maneuvered carefully around medium-sized humps.
• 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 a clear consensus on the choice. The BMW beat the Merc in a 4-0 raise of hands family vote.

Dealership experiences

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

Sundaram Motors Bengaluru

I had a very good experience with Sundaram Motors and sales advisor Mr. Faiz. He is thoroughly knowledgeable and spent at least one hour with the family 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 came to price as the final price is system generated and discounts are given through coupons only.

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)

Deutsche Motoren

To my surprise, they had test drive units available already unlike Navnit. The sales team at Deutsche Motoren is very aggressive. Over and above test drive, we were also offered a visit to the stockyard 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 Deutsche 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.

Price

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

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

Review points

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 an automatic function (do remind the security guards to use the button else the motor may wear out). Wireless charging is seamless with both my iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung S24 ultra. No overheating issues faced.
• Drivability in the city - For bumper-to-bumper traffic better to switch to eco pro mode and turn off the 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.
• 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.
• Gearshift & clutch- As mentioned above, the ZF8 single torque converter gearbox and the B48 is a match made in heaven.
• Overall NVH levels (including engine, wind & road noise) - Completely cut off from the rest of the world when in comfort mode. No wind or road noise. The Michelins do an incredible job of 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.
• 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.

Safety & related equipment

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

Other particular likes

• Heat protection glazing over and above the acoustic glazing helps contain UV damage to the interior.
• Welcome carpet lights from the side mirrors will wow you all the time.
• BMW LED Automatic headlights come standard and the daytime running lights look much more cooler now compared to the pre LCI variant.

Other particular dislikes

• No wooden trims offered in India unlike other markets. In fact, no option to customize the trims and options at all. However, the same scene with Mercedes and Audi so can't complain.
• No more 12V charging points. Only USB C offered as standard across.

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.

Deutsche 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 Deutsche Motoren. 10/10 for their management.

Accessories purchased at the time of delivery:

• Leather Key fob
• All season floor mats (highly recommended). Very easy to maintain interior with these mats.
• Fuel additives

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.

PPF

• PPF offered by Deutsche 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 the BMW facility itself I would say avoid it. 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 the time of my purchase.

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.

First service

My first engine oil service was completed in December 2023 in Deutsche 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 a prior appointment (always recommended).

Conclusion

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

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I was told that the problem has been resolved but when I received my car, I found that the rattles were still present.

BHPian Impulsivemedusa recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Gave my car for engine oil service at 18k kms as per the CBS to a BMW service centre on Hosur Road Bengaluru.

I had fixed up an appointment slot with them for this Tuesday morning (7th Nov) and accordingly arrived there. I parked my car, reported to the reception and was told that someone would attend to me in a bit.

A full twenty minutes passed and no one of the 3 people in the reception area bothered to look up from their laptops. I had to interrupt their busy routine twice to understand one of the heads peering into the monitor was the person who was assigned to me. He then asked for the key and after another wait walked with me to the car.

I blurted out the rattles in the car and how rattled I was with them. He listened and when I suggested that we should go for a drive to understand the noises better, he politely turned the idea down assuring me that the service center folks would look into the same. He then completed the formalities and during the process, I stressed twice that I'd like the rattles to be resolved. I left the service center at around 10:30.

Got a call at 4ish that evening stating that my car was ready. The guy from the service centre gushed that they found the causes behind the rattles and had resolved them (after I prompted him about the rattles) and that the car could be taken. I requested him for a drop and he arranged for the same.

The car arrived and to my utter dismay, I found that the rattles remained. I doubt if anyone even attended to them. I called the service centre guy and told him about this and he defended that they had test driven the car till they found that the rattles were resolved to their satisfaction.

After a few back and forth he now says he'll get my car to the showroom the weekend after next. He mentioned about the feedback form that BMW would send and I have told him that the kindest I can be is to refrain from giving any feedback till the issue is resolved. But I now have no confirmation from the service center that my car would get picked up.

Please let me know if I should escalate or if should I wait till the weekend after next.

Here's what BHPian itwasntme had to say about the matter:

Can understand your predicament as a BMW service centre pulled the same trick with my 330i with severe sunroof creaking issues. I am afraid you erred in not insisting on an in-person test drive at both ends and also accepting their drop-off service. I know it is easier said than done with work commitments / traffic / waste of bandwidth etc., but now you are at their mercy as it sounds as if they have closed the job card.

I suggest you escalate! Why should you have to suffer and wait? They have obviously charged BMW India with the BSI costs, and are now probably unofficially trying to manage the issue. Not acceptable I feel.

Here's what BHPian jfk1975 had to say about the matter:

Your experience with BMW service and the rattles in G20 is unfortunately not that uncommon.

• The rattles in G20 are well documented from all over the world.
• Try the Deutsche Motoren service center in Whitefield instead. Ask for Mr. Aftab Mehti. He and his manager are familiar with common troublesome areas that trigger these rattles - the sunroof, rear seat parcel tray, door trim/rubber seal contact (even more pronounced in the M Sport trim) and so on.
• You don't need to do any favor to your service centre team by holding off on the survey from BMW. If the sequence of events is as you described, the complaint that you raised hasn't been addressed by the service centre. They usually come off their high horse occasionally with a bad rating. That's just my 2 cents.

Here's what BHPian Impulsivemedusa replied:

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I made the BMW service centre take back the car and solve the issue and told them that I don't want it back till the rattle settles down. They took the car a couple of weeks back (arranged a pick-up) and after test driving and solving for the rattle gave the car back last Wed.

I came back earlier today from a business trip and drove it and my trained ears couldn't pick the now-familiar tut-tut-tut. So looks like a happy ending for now. My wife had done a conditional sign-off on the job card stating that the rattle needs customer testing when they had dropped the car last week. If this calm continues in my office ride tomorrow, will be happy to report back to them that this seems to have been resolved. Again, indebted for all those suggestions. Thanks.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.