[rishi_kapoor]

Originally Posted by the_skyliner

Even with X5 you will be skeptical to venture in to the unknown more often than not. And you can keep the GT for 3-4 years and then upgrade to another sedan.

X5 is extremely capable car and can take you comfortably on any terrain without any reliability issue. But yes you will always be a little far from BMW service station.

[deepjaju]

Originally Posted by awin_nmi5

From what I understand, X1 is the SUV version of the 1 series, X3 is equivalent to the 3 series and X5 is the SUV version of 5 series. Hence, I would expect 5 series to have more plush exteriors compared to the X3. T

I think you got it wrong there buddy.
X1 is equivalent to the 3 series(entry level sedan=entry level suv). Similarly, X3 = 5 series and flagship suv X5 = flagship sedan 7 series.
1 series was a hot hatchback but now due to competition from Audi & Merc they are making it a tiny sedan (whose legroom is a kick in the balls. Pardon me..)

[Sumain]

One more difference between the 20d and the 30i

Active Air Stream Kidney Grille. The 20d has it. The 30i does not. Is this a deal breaker? I was veering towards the 30i.

[Sail]

Originally Posted by Sumain

One more difference between the 20d and the 30i
Active Air Stream Kidney Grille. The 20d has it. The 30i does not. I was veering towards the 30i.

Good observation, you are right based on the spec sheets, but don't know what is there physically. Should not be a deal breaker. In north India's scorching heat, they will left open..always.

By the way, did you TD 30i ? Deutsche-Motoren listed an unregistered 30i (1400 km run) for sale, most likely a TD car.

Meanwhile I am bit open now... will decide after doing all TDs.
And guess what, have included 530d in my TD list

Cheers
Sail

[Sumain]

Originally Posted by Sail

By the way, did you TD 30i ? Deutsche-Motoren listed an unregistered 30i (1400 km run) for sale, most likely a TD car.

Meanwhile I am bit open now... will decide after doing all TDs.
And guess what, have included 530d in my TD list

Cheers
Sail

Yes I did test drive the 30i. Short drive many days ago. Now I want to do a more thorough test drive but the dealership says the test drive car "has been sold" (Probably the same car which is now being offered for sale on their website)

From what I remember, performance was invigorating, quite different from the 20d which seemed a bit dull, unless you put it in sport mode.

Remember thinking to myself "now this is a real BMW" while driving the 30i. So therefore, thinking of getting one.

The 530d is a temptress. If you prefer higher ground clearance and upright seating, stick to the X3, otherwise the 530d, she will tempt you.

I had rented a 530d for about 10-12 days for a driving holiday in Germany and Switzerland last year. Super car, perfect in every way. Just a little big. I remember thinking that the perfect car for that trip would have been a 330d touring. Same engine, similar boot space, narrower footprint. Or of course, now the new X3 30d, which even has very similar interiors.

Neither is available in India. Nearest alternative seems to be the X3 30i.

[Sail]

Originally Posted by Sumain

the 20d which seemed a bit dull, unless you put it in sport mode.

Exactly, it does not feel like you are driving a BMW.

Originally Posted by Sumain

Nearest alternative seems to be the X3 30i.

Did you thought about fuel quality for 30i ? I will be driving mostly on highways and weekly city rounds. So, I am worried on that aspect.

Emailed BMW about fuel requirement for 30i , matter went up to internal discussion ..nothing yet so far.

Appreciate members input having 30i or 28i owning experience in India.


Brdgs,
Sail

[Sumain]

Originally Posted by Sail

Did you thought about fuel quality for 30i ? I will be driving mostly on highways and weekly city rounds. So, I am worried on that aspect.

Emailed BMW about fuel requirement for 30i , matter went up to internal discussion ..nothing yet so far.

Appreciate members input having 30i or 28i owning experience in India.


Brdgs,
Sail

I opened the fuel cap of a GT 330i at the dealership to read what was written inside.
It says recommended 95 (91 - 98). So it seems that it can accept fuel from 91 to 98 octane. Which means minimum acceptable is 91, which I think is what is available as “normal” Petrol at the pumps.

Also dealer advised using the BMW recommended fuel additive, particularly when filling at out of town pumps.

Would be great to hear experience of others using the 30i engine.

Sumain

[84.monsoon]

Originally Posted by Sail

Exactly, it does not feel like you are driving a BMW.



Did you thought about fuel quality for 30i ? I will be driving mostly on highways and weekly city rounds. So, I am worried on that aspect.

Emailed BMW about fuel requirement for 30i , matter went up to internal discussion ..nothing yet so far.

Appreciate members input having 30i or 28i owning experience in India.


Brdgs,
Sail

I have been driving the new 530i for a year now and filling regular 91 octane petrol including highway trips and refills at remote spots. Never have had a problem so far. Performance is great. I am yet to fill a higher Ron tankful and test how that feels. I am sure that will be even better.

[graaja]

Originally Posted by Sail

...

Emailed BMW about fuel requirement for 30i , matter went up to internal discussion ..nothing yet so far.

Appreciate members input having 30i or 28i owning experience in India.


Brdgs,
Sail

I have driven my 330i GT for 13K kms, almost 90% on out station trips. Have been filling regular petrol and the car has been doing great! I just take care to fill petrol in pumps where I see good crowd, or COCO pumps.

[Sumain]

One more quick (academic) question - what fuel consumption averages are you guys getting on the 30i engine?
- During gentle driving
- While driving in a spirited fashion

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Sumain

One more quick (academic) question - what fuel consumption averages are you guys getting on the 30i engine?
- During gentle driving
- While driving in a spirited fashion

I think its a little too early to judge for the X3 30i. But from what I know the current 4 pot turbo 30i's are definitely more fuel efficient than their older NA counterparts. Of course the 8 speed has a role to play here too. In fact I wouldn't be surprised at all if the X3 30i gave better fuel economy than the 330i I see you currently have.

[Sumain]

Originally Posted by Akshay1234

I think its a little too early to judge for the X3 30i. But from what I know the current 4 pot turbo 30i's are definitely more fuel efficient than their older NA counterparts. Of course the 8 speed has a role to play here too. In fact I wouldn't be surprised at all if the X3 30i gave better fuel economy than the 330i I see you currently have.

Just wondering how much owners of the 330i or 530i or GT330i are getting in terms of fuel consumption, as they all use the same engine as the new X3 30i

My 2010 6 pot 330i fuel consumption is 6.5 kmpl under spirited driving and upto 11.5 kmpl if driven very gently!

[graaja]

Originally Posted by Sumain

One more quick (academic) question - what fuel consumption averages are you guys getting on the 30i engine?
- During gentle driving
- While driving in a spirited fashion

Originally Posted by Sumain

Just wondering how much owners of the 330i or 530i or GT330i are getting in terms of fuel consumption, as they all use the same engine as the new X3 30i...

Here are three different numbers under different driving conditions in my 330i GT.

On a two lane road, early in the morning, going at speeds 50 to 80kph with mild traffic, and occasional power to overtake slow vehicles.


On a four lane road, cruising at 90 to 110kph, mostly using cruise control.


In a desolated hilly road, in manual mode using paddle shifts, RPM above 4K most of the time.


Note: The above was achieved by a friend and TBHPian Doc_Nikhil. My best (or worst) is only 6.0kpl

This engine/gearbox combo has a true Jekyll/Hyde dual personality disorder! And one thing for sure, do not buy a car with this engine for its FE

[Sumain]

It's here.
My new X3 30i is now here.

[graaja]

Originally Posted by Sumain

It's here.
My new X3 30i is now here.

The car looks awesome!

Congratulations! Wishing you tens of thousands of miles and smiles! Please share your experience with the 30i engine in the X3.