[the_skyliner]

Originally Posted by drmohitg

Congratulations on your new ride. That is one quick and bold upgrade. Didn't you lose a lot of money on the 3 series? I would love to share hear the maths behind this upgrade. It might tempt other 3 series users to got he same way .

Thanks, drmohitg!
Will share the math in due course.

Originally Posted by GTO

Outstanding review that will greatly help others sitting on the fence, thanks for sharing! Truly appreciate the neutral opinion, enjoyable writing style & sheer attention-to-detail . It's lit up our homepage this lazy weekend before Diwali.

A comment like that coming from you makes it all worth to put up a review.

I am super glad that you liked it.

Thanks a lot, GTO.

Originally Posted by GTO

This is perhaps the most practical BMW in that price range. Wish you many years of pleasurable driving & ownership with her. Request: Please don't change cars every 3 - 4 years; too early . Hope you plan to keep the GT for longer.

Suggestions:

1. Take the 6-year extended warranty right away. Trust me, it'll pay for itself over the years.

Thanks for the sensible advice. I will get the 6 years warranty immediately as this one is going to be a keeper for sure (at least for 6-7 years).

Originally Posted by GTO

2. Don't upgrade to 19" rims. Only advantage is looks, but the downsides are many (stiffer ride, more expensive tyre costs, wheel + rims become prone to damage).

Agreed. Will stick to the stock set-up.

Originally Posted by GTO

This dealer of yours sure gives a sweet number-plate style. Have seen many (and only) Pune BMWs with these plates. Love them.

Can get one for your car too. The SA would be more than happy, I am sure.

[Brishti]

I think this is an awesome car but I have a few questions.

Right now I have a Renault Fluence and a Maruti Gypsy in my garage but both have gone down the drain in driving pleasure and maintenance was a nightmare for the Fluence.

Coming back to the question I am considering this in the 330i avatar and the Skoda Octavia RS. I realize one car is 50lac and the other is 26lac but I had the chance to drive both and they check all the right boxes. They both have that sportback which i love and both seem fun to drive in city roads.

Given the 330i and your model share the same chassis and aerodynamics I wanted to ask how it handles on the highway at 160+ speeds and how are your views about the spares and the service and the general takes on the GT since your ownership started.

Also which is that Skoda you owned before how is the spares and service situation with that in comparison to BMW

[Turbanator]

I wanted to ask how it handles on the highway and how are your views about the spares and the service and the general takes on the GT since your ownership started.

how is the spares and service situation with that in comparison to BMW

Highway speeds would be not a problem on either SKODA or BMW in my opinion, though I have a confession of not having driven either. But I used too own 320-D, 10 Years back and nothing came close to it.

Service and parts, you can search plenty here, BMW is way ahead.

But the essential difference is the initial sticker price, whether it makes sense to spend twice the money on a 330 or not? I think RS will be my pick, even if I have extra cash, especially if I am looking to satisfy my adrenaline rush, you can dress and mod Skoda at lower costs and buy the extra warranty/ maintenance pack from Skoda. Worst case you can sell it later at a loss less than Road Tax you will pay for BMW.

If you socialise and are looking for a high segment family sedan that can turn wild and want a trouble-free experience and won't bother much for an extra 20-25 Lac, go for BMW.

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by Brishti

I realize one car is 50lac and the other is 26lac but I had the chance to drive both and they check all the right boxes.

The reason for that is the brand value the bimmer commands and a lot of other OEM parameters which make it superior to a Skoda.

Originally Posted by Brishti

I wanted to ask how it handles on the highway at 160+ speeds and how are your views about the spares and the service and the general takes on the GT since your ownership started.

Which highway in India can legally accomodate 160+ speeds for more than a couple of seconds?

BMW spares and service is generally more consistent compared to Skoda.

Originally Posted by Turbanator

If you socialise and are looking for a high segment family sedan that can turn wild and want a trouble-free experience and won't bother much for an extra 20-25 Lac, go for BMW.

Spot on....!!!

[the_skyliner]

Originally Posted by Brishti

Coming back to the question I am considering this in the 330i avatar and the Skoda Octavia RS. I realize one car is 50lac and the other is 26lac but I had the chance to drive both and they check all the right boxes. They both have that sportback which i love and both seem fun to drive in city roads.

RS is a good car, no doubts. Have driven it once or twice and liked the acceleration. However, it is not a RWD unlike 330i and you feel that on corners. But it is an excellent package at that price.

Originally Posted by Brishti

Given the 330i and your model share the same chassis and aerodynamics I wanted to ask how it handles on the highway at 160+ speeds and how are your views about the spares and the service and the general takes on the GT since your ownership started.

Haven't taken it to that speeds but at decent speeds it handles okay. Not like 320d. If you are very keen on handling part then look at 330i sedan, it is way better in terms of handling.

Originally Posted by Brishti

how are your views about the spares and the service and the general takes on the GT since your ownership started.

I am very happy with BMW India so far. They have been very courteous and fast. My earlier car's steering rack was kaput which they replaced in a weeks time. Pretty fast I would say.

But please check the reputation of dealer in your area. Here in Pune the dealer is quite good (as per my experience).

Originally Posted by Brishti

Also which is that Skoda you owned before how is the spares and service situation with that in comparison to BMW

Skoda is still there but it's not mine. It is Rapid diesel DSG and belongs to my FIL. So far our experience about spares and service has been decent. Twice it went to the service centre for non regular service. Once when the brake oil cylinder leaked and another time it had a minor damage to the fenders. Both times it was done in reasonable time.

Not much to complain there.

[rxpaul]

Originally Posted by Brishti

Given the 330i and your model share the same chassis and aerodynamics I wanted to ask how it handles on the highway at 160+ speeds and how are your views about the spares and the service and the general takes on the GT since your ownership started.

Well, I own a Petrol Skoda & a 320 D (e90). For our expressways in India and the kind of lane discipline we follow the Bimmer is much better. To keep some kind of constant speed one needs to dive in and out of lanes (pl note I am not advocating this) and for this the 330i will be much much better. Why don't you go in for a preowned one ? I did and am LOVING it

[nirvanaguy19]

Congrats on the upgrade. Very well written review with awesome pictures to boot. This thread is perfect for someone who is considering the regular and GT spec of the 3 series. I am curios about the gearbox difference that you find between the regular 3 and the 3 gt.

I was under the impression the 8 speed ZF used by BMW was same across their diesel range

[the_skyliner]

Originally Posted by nirvanaguy19

Congrats on the upgrade. Very well written review with awesome pictures to boot. This thread is perfect for someone who is considering the regular and GT spec of the 3 series. I am curios about the gearbox difference that you find between the regular 3 and the 3 gt.

I was under the impression the 8 speed ZF used by BMW was same across their diesel range

Thanks for your kind words, nirvanaguy19!

It is the same unit but some refinement/improvement has been done. It is smoother compared to the older pre-LCI 320d (2013) not the current one.

[deepjaju]

Congratulations on the upgrade. Definitely a good one. My neighbor has a 3GT and every time I look at it, it seems so practical.
But what are the differences between the Pre-LCI and the current version ?

[the_skyliner]

Originally Posted by deepjaju

Congratulations on the upgrade. Definitely a good one. My neighbor has a 3GT and every time I look at it, it seems so practical.

Thanks, deepjaju!

Originally Posted by deepjaju

But what are the differences between the Pre-LCI and the current version ?

As far as I know, the difference is adaptive LED headlamps, tail lamps & fog lamps, exterior cosmetic changes especially to the front bumper, better and bigger iDrive and better interiors material quality.

[viren83]

Heartiest Congratulations! This is one of the most practical cars from BMW.
I was smiling when I saw the sticker below the iDrive screen. Your son must be enjoying the car more than you

Your review is going to make this car more famous now!

I lived in Pune for around 5 years and had a similar experience with all those dealers you've visited. Had an awful experience at MB outlet in not just Pune, but in Dubai too. I feel they're VW's cousin when it comes to customer satisfaction. Cheap salesman skills topped up with superiority complex at these MB outlets takes away half the joy during car purchase. From the so many bhp'ians reviews, it appears that Nexa is the only outlet which is consistent with good experiences.

Originally Posted by the_skyliner

Space at rear with front seat all the way forward:
Attachment 1684696

This looks as good as 5 Series space! Does the 3-GT have more leg room than the 3 series?

[the_skyliner]

Originally Posted by viren83

Heartiest Congratulations! This is one of the most practical cars from BMW.
I was smiling when I saw the sticker below the iDrive screen. Your son must be enjoying the car more than you

Your review is going to make this car more famous now!

Thanks, Viren83!

Originally Posted by viren83

This looks as good as 5 Series space! Does the 3-GT have more leg room than the 3 series?

Yes, the leg space is definitely more than F30.

[ece2k2]

Congratulations Skyliner. I almost bought a 3gt last year and it is a great all rounder for sure. You have made a very sensible choice in terms of driving dynamics and rear seat comfort.

I believe the 6th year warranty works out to almost double the cost of 5 years extended warranty and I am not sure if the 6th year warranty is really worth it. Let me know what you decide.

[the_skyliner]

Originally Posted by ece2k2

Congratulations Skyliner. I almost bought a 3gt last year and it is a great all rounder for sure. You have made a very sensible choice in terms of driving dynamics and rear seat comfort.



I believe the 6th year warranty works out to almost double the cost of 5 years extended warranty and I am not sure if the 6th year warranty is really worth it. Let me know what you decide.

Thanks, ece2k2!

I haven't checked pricing of 6 years warranty package. If it's double of 5 year package then may not be worth it. Will ask for a quote soon.

[Brishti]

Originally Posted by rxpaul

Why don't you go in for a preowned one ? I did and am LOVING it

In talks about it after my Skoda vRS booking refund comes and I find a car to my liking will go for it. Have called a few "Certified dealers" for BMW but the only bad thing about BMW Certified is 1 year of warranty where as Audi gives 2 years but they lack anything interesting except the TT and that new A5 SB.

Originally Posted by the_skyliner

Not much to complain there.

Based on your feedback I had decided to book a Octavia RS but I was too late the dealer is suppose to refund the amount will see what to then. Another problem that I have thought of is the low ground clearance but most people say that is no bother.

Originally Posted by n.devdath

Which highway in India can legally accomodate 160+ speeds for more than a couple of seconds?

Those couple of seconds are to live for