[Gaboonviper04]

Hello!

Here's my two cents' worth.
Firstly, I think it's a great upgrade from the Jetta, so, congrats to your friend.
The dealership contact there would be most helpful in terms of knowing exactly what one gets in the variants now. BMW has increased prices as of 1 Oct- both car prices as well as their service packages. One thing I noticed is that they have retained the price of the M Sport variant whereas the Luxury Line price has gone up. The M Sport variant is now called M Sport Pro, and I believe this is the one with some features missing compared to the First (and then second) Edition. So, no price cuts per se but no price increase. Aside from exterior differences, the sporty front seats, M steering wheel, paddle shifts, 18" wheels are the main differences between the two variants. It's best to check both out to see what compromises are worth making.
Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by kiku007

Hello folks,

A friend of mine in Chennai is considering the 3-Series GL as an upgrade from his Jetta.

Could you please let me know if there's any good deals, upcoming changes or anything that he needs to be aware of?

I understand that the global chip shortage has resulted in features delete and is BMW India offering price cuts to compensate for that?

P.S: I've already got a contact at KUN BMW from another friend who's been their customer for a while now. Nevertheless, any additional insight/info would help.

Thanks

[Abhi_Automobile]

Originally Posted by kiku007

Hello folks,

A friend of mine in Chennai is considering the 3-Series GL as an upgrade from his Jetta.

Could you please let me know if there's any good deals, upcoming changes or anything that he needs to be aware of?

I understand that the global chip shortage has resulted in features delete and is BMW India offering price cuts to compensate for that?

P.S: I've already got a contact at KUN BMW from another friend who's been their customer for a while now. Nevertheless, any additional insight/info would help.

Thanks

I believe I am qualified to comment as I have owned (and still own) the Jetta for 7 yrs now, and recently purchased the 3 Li Lux.line. Just that in our case, we retained the Jetta - out of our sheer love for that car!

In summary - go for it!! The 3 Li is proper upgrade from the Jetta. The interior ambience and quality, drive experience, smoothness, and badge value - the Bimmer is significant step up in all aspects. The one thing in which Jetta still triumphs the 3 Li is the build quality. The Jetta’s door is heavier than even the 5 series (my BIL has 5 so I’ve actually experienced it!).

The only thing that should confuse your friend is the 39-40 L OTR deals going around on Audi A4. The A4 is a beautifully crafted luxury car and great VFM. In fact I almost bought an A6 (available at similar to 3 Li prices even though it is half a segment up). In the end, the Audis felt a bit too similar to my Jetta and I wanted buy into a different brand now.

Best of luck.

[kiku007]

Originally Posted by Gaboonviper04

Hello!

One thing I noticed is that they have retained the price of the M Sport variant whereas the Luxury Line price has gone up. The M Sport variant is now called M Sport Pro, and I believe this is the one with some features missing compared to the First (and then second) Edition. So, no price cuts per se but no price increase. Aside from exterior differences, the sporty front seats, M steering wheel, paddle shifts, 18" wheels are the main differences between the two variants. It's best to check both out to see what compromises are worth making.
Hope this helps.

Thanks much! This is indeed helpful.

Originally Posted by Abhi_Automobile

I believe I am qualified to comment as I have owned (and still own) the Jetta for 7 yrs now, and recently purchased the 3 Li Lux.line. Just that in our case, we retained the Jetta - out of our sheer love for that car!

The only thing that should confuse your friend is the 39-40 L OTR deals going around on Audi A4. The A4 is a beautifully crafted luxury car and great VFM. In fact I almost bought an A6 (available at similar to 3 Li prices even though it is half a segment up). In the end, the Audis felt a bit too similar to my Jetta and I wanted buy into a different brand now.

Best of luck.

That's reassuring! Thanks .

Once upon a time I was planning to get the Jetta as an upgrade from my Fiesta but then things changed and I left the country. Its a fine example of VW engineering and I'm glad you choose to retain yours.

I did see the posts on the A4 but I wonder if those deals are specific to Mumbai. I will certainly let my friend be aware of it though because the 3 GL is almost 70L on-road I was told.

[Venkatesh]

The BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine Iconic Edition has launched at Rs 53.50 lakh for the 330Li, and Rs 54.90 lakh for the 320Ld (ex-showroom).

- Illuminated kidney grille
- Glass crystal gear knob
- Panoramic sunroof
- New leather upholstery

[niranjanrvce]

Hello folks, I just took delivery of a Melbourne Red 330Li M Sport today.
Cannot thank this thread enough for:
a) Resolving my 330i vs 330Li dilemma. I liked the ride quality of the Li much much better than the normal 330i. Plus the host of additional features were hard to ignore, especially the rear seat space. The tbhp review here calling out very minimal 'loss' of handling/agility in the Li over the normal 'i' sealed it for me.
b) Got educated here about BMW cutting out features on the newer batch M Sports and checked around with dealers for a previous batch car that still had these additional features. Found one with Navnit Motors and got it home. So this has 360 camera, gesture control and comfort access - which are missing in the newer batches. It still doesn't have HUD since that was apparently only in the very first batch and was already cut for mid 2021 models.

My original preference was blue exterior with cognac interior but that was overruled by the better half. Luckily, the in-stock car at Navnit was a red with oyster interiors and I got approval to book it.

Here's a pic of her:

[divinedoc]

Many congratulations!
She sure looks stunning in this shade.
Suggest you switch to the all black grill.

[BeMyWings]

Originally Posted by niranjanrvce

Hello folks, I just took delivery of a Melbourne Red 330Li M Sport today.

Congratulations Niranjan, wish you many miles of safe and happy motoring!

[Puneet0051]

Congratulations Niranjan. Awesome car , must say beautiful color. Really stands out in a sea of Blues and whites
Do post more pics of interior and exterior

[niranjanrvce]

Originally Posted by divinedoc

Suggest you switch to the all black grill.

Thanks. Yes, that chrome surround on the kidney grill is such an eyesore. I plan to change it to black. BMW official accessories list has the whole grill in black - kidney grill+surround. While I just need the chrome part in black. I need to look for options on that.

Originally Posted by Puneet0051

Do post more pics of interior and exterior

Thanks. I plan to writeup a full ownership review on the car and add pics into it.

I haven't penned down a tbhp ownership review in 10 years I think - but I want to for this one. Driving around this car for the past few days has made me fall utterly in love and struck a chord within deep down somewhere that I didn't even know existed still.

[arpandiv]

Originally Posted by niranjanrvce

Hello folks, I just took delivery of a Melbourne Red 330Li M Sport today.
Cannot thank this thread enough for:
a) Resolving my 330i vs 330Li dilemma. I liked the ride quality of the Li much much better than the normal 330i. Plus the host of additional features were hard to ignore, especially the rear seat space. The tbhp review here calling out very minimal 'loss' of handling/agility in the Li over the normal 'i' sealed it for me.

Congratulations on the car. Curious to hear from you about how the ride quality is on the 18inch tires compared to the 17s offered in lux line. I test drove the lux, booked the Msport edition.

[niranjanrvce]

Originally Posted by arpandiv

Congratulations on the car. Curious to hear from you about how the ride quality is on the 18inch tires compared to the 17s offered in lux line. I test drove the lux, booked the Msport edition.

I never test drove the luxury line since I wasn't interested in it - so can't comment on its ride quality although I would guess it to be even better than Msport.
But I really like the Msport ride quality and have zero complaints. I had a Volvo s60 with 18 inch wheels before this and the ride quality on that was absolutely trashy. The 330Li is leagues ahead even though it also runs 18s.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by niranjanrvce

Hello folks, I just took delivery of a Melbourne Red 330Li M Sport today.

Amazing! Congratulations

If I thought the F30 looked good in Melbourne Red, the G20 version blows it out of the water. Do post detailed pictures even before you pen your ownership thread. Another point to note is that BMW hasn't shown much interest in bringing their brighter colours to India, and so your colour could well be a one-off.

[divinedoc]

Originally Posted by niranjanrvce

Thanks. Yes, that chrome surround on the kidney grill is such an eyesore. I plan to change it to black. BMW official accessories list has the whole grill in black - kidney grill+surround. While I just need the chrome part in black. I need to look for options on that.

I had booked the M Sport First Edition in March. Ordered the black grill at the same time. Owing to the lock down and the RTO shutting shop, my car was delivery was delayed to June. During the pre delivery checks they realized that the wrong grill had been ordered. There was no cutout for the 360 camera. BMW India was not able to source the grill locally and told me that it had to be ordered from Germany. Finally got the grill late August. They waived off the tab considering the long delay. Very limited accessories for the 30Li as against the 30i.

[niranjanrvce]

Originally Posted by divinedoc

During the pre delivery checks they realized that the wrong grill had been ordered. There was no cutout for the 360 camera.

Congrats on your car! I am ordering the black grill and Navnit motors tells me there is no difference in the grill with or without the 360 camera? Anyway, told them it's their responsibility to get me a grill that fits and if they order the wrong part, I will take the much costlier carbon fibre rear spoiler instead

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Another point to note is that BMW hasn't shown much interest in bringing their brighter colours to India, and so your colour could well be a one-off.

Thanks. The red is starting to really grow on me and I have received more compliments on the colour from people than I thought I would.

Some more pics of her:


The first time I saw a G20 3 series was from the rear and it was a bit of love at first sight. The blacked out led tailights really add to the sportiness of the car:


Msport front bumper looks nice without being overly aggressive. The kidney grill will be changed to black shortly. The carbon fibre front lip that comes as a BMW accessory would really complete the look - perhaps will add it as a midlife refresh 2-3 years down the line.


A rear three-quarters view. Notice the black door trims. Non-Msport versions come with chrome trims.


With the front DRLs on. I dig them over the round DRLs of the F30.


The legendary headlight notch from the E46 is back in a new avatar on the G20 and I absolutely love it. G20 LCI facelift photos seem to show this notch is removed again - hope they are wrong.


Driver cockpit view on the inside. Everything is neat and easy to read - except the reversed tacho and speedo bars.


The dash and controls are clearly angled towards the driver and this adds to that feeling of the car shrinking around you as you get going.


Fantastic rear seats. Good underthigh support, backrest angle and legroom. Strictly a 4 seater but that works for me. Do note that the rear seats are higher the front seats. So elderly folks will prefer this over the front co-passenger seat. My Superb trumps this for space at the rear but this has the better ride.


Panaromic sunroof really adds to the brightness of the cabin. My mother who prefers SUVs/high seating, felt at home in the rear seat due to all the glass area around.


A closer look at the Oyster leather. Same old bland beige, but I made peace with it.


18-inch M Sport alloys. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too - look great and ride unbelievably well.


Illuminated M door sill. Also notice the M style, 3 lined puddle lamp lights that are pretty cool. Forgive me for the dirty interiors, car is due for full detailing + ppf next week.


The cockpit shows a red car when you start up too - nice little touch.


Sitting cozy with its garage mates. The Superb dwarfs the 3 for sheer size but the 3 has a lot more pizzazz.


Thanks for bearing with all the pics. I will pen down a detailed review once I put a few '000 kms on her.

[divinedoc]

Originally Posted by niranjanrvce

Congrats on your car! I am ordering the black grill and Navnit motors tells me there is no difference in the grill with or without the 360 camera? Anyway, told them it's their responsibility to get me a grill that fits and if they order the wrong part, I will take the much costlier carbon fibre rear spoiler instead

You're absolutely right about the grill. Checked with the Navnit executive. They had sourced the grill for the 330i which was not compatible.
The Carbon fibre spoiler is pretty awesome. Definitely on my wishlist. Also loved the carbon fibre side mirror covers which I happened to a see on a G20. Alas not compatible with the G28. Here's a pic with the all black grill. Excuse the poor quality. Taken by my 8 yr old boy.