Was not a fan of the black kidney grille as well as the style 791 rims at first while seeing them in pictures, however one look in person changed my mind.

BHPian dean5545 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hey guys!

After driving MUVs and SUVs all my life finally decided to get a sedan, and what better sedan than the BMW M340i!

After driving a 2inch lifted Fortuner the M340i definitely needs getting used to especially the 35 profile tyres

Got delivery of my Tanzanite Blue 50th Jahre Edition last Friday. Was not a fan of the black kidney grille as well as the style 791 rims at first while seeing them in pictures, however one look in person changed my mind.

Much has been said about the car by stalwarts and I do not have anything more to add to that. I am attaching a few pictures of the same:

The only modification or rather change I have done is switched the tyres from runflats to tubeless. Therefore I have a set of brand new runflats with zero on road km (car was flat bedded to the service centre from stockyard) on sale. If anyone is interested do let me know. You can check the tyres here.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

This German car is a fairly stable, predictable & reliable generation/chassis of the 3 series.

BHPian karan561 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Today, this BMW completes 10 years of ownership since the delivery day back in 2012. Like any car ownership which has its ups & downs, today as we are celebrating 10 years of this car's ownership, I have charted out 5 things I love about this car & 5 things I don't. A lot of ex-F30 owners too will relate to the above video and this can be a good buyer's guide as well.

LOVE

Engine & Gearbox Combo

The F30 was born during an era when Turbo Petrols were taking over. The 328i in this case which has the N20 engine was solely responsible for making the 6 cyl non-turbo engines obsolete from the E90 era because with its 4 cyl turbocharged technology making this 3 series not only faster but more economical than the 6 cyl counterparts.

Overall complementing this engine was the stellar 8-Speed ZF Unit which really let the engines explore their true potential. I believe the E90s at that time, at least the early models, were running 6-speed ZF units. So yes the Engine-Gearbox combination is a strong Like.

Ride Quality

The Suspension tuning was very good (to aid comfort over handling) in the F30 & this probably might be the most comfortable 3 series of all time.

Space

Having experienced the E90 and also as I currently also own the E46, the space, especially the rear seat was tight, but in this F30 generation, BMW really freed up space for the rear passengers and made the 3 series a true family sport sedan.

Feature Packed

Well priced for its time and was really a feature-rich package when I got it in 2012. Right from a 9-speaker system, which actually sounds as good if not better than the 16-speaker HK System I have in my M340i, features like the HUD, Memory Seats & large iDrive, which still is very intuitive for a 10-year-old system, all in all reiterating the fact that if you get the basics right then it's easy to be timeless & that's what this interior is all about.

Looks (Exteriors/Interiors)

The F30 is a great-looking car. Remember this was the 1st car in the BMW line up which had started the Headlight-Grill Integration design language. At the time there was no M-sport variant (finally it was introduced in the LCI) still the kit was really sporty and likeable without the need to enhance / mod the car cosmetically. The proportions continue to be sporty at the side as well as the rear. The Interiors too were really fascinating last decade and are still looking modern enough in today's day & age. Style 397 rims (standard on 328i's) IMO are one of BMW's best designs & distinguishing my F30 from the sea of 320ds.

Don't LOVE

Handling/Bouncy Rear Suspension

I know that in the likes I have mentioned the Suspension as a strong point for the Ride Quality, but the flip side is the handling takes a back seat & literally the rear suspension is to be blamed for that as it's too soft and makes the rear bouncy on uneven surfaces which causes a lot of unpredictability. Hence this is one of the strong dislikes for me in this F30 generation of 3 series.*New owners (recently pre-owned purchases) should consider an upgrade. However, the facelift (LCI) cars were re-engineered to solve this to satisfactory levels.

Runflats

My F30 had come equipped with GoodYear runflats at the time and those were touring spec. I personally feel that the generation of runflats of the last decade v/s the current gen runflats there is a huge difference. The rubber quality was hard, they were brittle and my setup being 18" caused me a lot of trouble with side wall damages and tears. I had to immediately switch to a non-rft setup in which I had imported a staggering set of PSS and then currently I am running on a Yokohama Advan Sport (V105S) setup. My message to the new owners who are still on factory runflats would be to immediately switch to tubeless.

Drivetrain Errors

Out of nowhere, the F30 might just throw a "Drive train error / malfunction" and this is really scary to read on your iDrive or your cluster. I say this because the system has categorised all sorts of errors under the umbrella of "Drivetrain Errors". Be it something like a rat bite or some boost-related issues or oxygen sensor etc. the error is common. Need a scanner to read the exact code. It would have been better if the system would have been more accurate in saying what's wrong with the car other than just categorising all the errors into 1 which being " Drivetrain Error" which sounds a lot serious.

Sticky Door Handles

Sticky Door Handles have been one ergonomic problem faced by most F30 owners. Common issue with other F Chassis cars like the F10 5 series as well.

Wheel Speed Sensor Issues

The car eats up wheel speed sensors particularly if it's having more hp / torque than the factory numbers. Also, these failures are most common during & post monsoon if you drive through heavy rain, mucky environments or also through dusty areas. The fix is easy (as the wheel speed sensor is just a wire gone bad) but expensive (at official BMW workshops) because they charge anywhere in the range of INR 9 - 12k / Wire. After-market shops charge around INR 3k - 6k depending on your rapport & the quality / brand of the sensor. Also, note that each wheel has a wheel speed sensor, it's not a one-time fix.

Final Thoughts

To conclude things I'd like to summarise by saying that the F30 is a fairly stable, predictable & reliable chassis / generation of the 3 series. Not too many issues if you take care & have a good parking garage other than the ones mentioned / explained above. A decade done, many more to go…

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

While my Creta is extremely trouble-free and will bring a smile to most owners' faces, I'm thinking of switching to something more exciting.

BHPian bhatmaster recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Dear Gurus,

Starting a new thread as could not find an exact match on this subject. Would like to keep it short, the quick background:

I'm presently driving a Creta E+ 1.6 from 2019 and have had a hassle-free 22k km in varied conditions. While this car is extremely trouble-free and will bring a smile to most owners' faces, I'm thinking of switching to something more exciting.

Here comes the thought process, of acquiring a used BMW 3 series, from BMW Premium, the official used car division. I have seen a red BMW, 2015 model, 30K run and in good condition. Polishing and refurbishment will further be done on this to bring it to an even better shape.

The company will offer a 2-year and 40K warranty and I'm thinking of buying their BSI+ package, amounting to 1.5L.

Now my question is:

What is the risk factor for a used luxury car? Will the 2-year warranty bring some peace of mind?

Is BSI+ recommended or anybody can help with a reputed service center in Kolkata that does a dependable job?

The asking price, including the BSI+ and warranty, is 19 lakhs. I'm looking forward to an expert opinion please.

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

Take the warranty. Considering Kolkata road conditions & the mileage of the car, the following things might require change in the next 1 year - Engine Mounts (under warranty), Shocks, Tyres, Brake pads. Go for BSI+, there is no reputed service center for Germans in Kolkata. Rs. 19 lacs looks just a tad high considering Rs. 1.5 lacs for BSI+ & 2 lacs for 2 years BRI. Try bargaining a bit more.

Cheers,

Pawan.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

There’s still a little more life left in the old dog & she packs a serious bite to go with her bark.

BHPian iliketurtles recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello there, paisan.

With red set to turn 10 next month (of which I have had her for about 4 of them, 3.5 of which have been really happy), I find myself often wondering if and when to move her on. But I find myself leaning towards, holding on to her for at least a little while longer since:

• It’s an EMI-free car on the highway of life
• The used car market is bonkers right now. Replacing it with a new car would be a big leap, for now
• I think she still looks spectacular, even today. Old-ish school cool

I gave her a thorough cleaning and applied a spray-on ceramic wax to make things pop a bit, and I think she looks delicious and contemporary even a decade on. There’s still a little more life left in the old dog, and she packs a serious bite to go with her bark, so I’ll ensure she has a loving home in my garage for a little while longer at least.

That said, be it human or machine, with age comes its own quibbles. And there are a few niggles I need to sort out with the 3’er. No deal breakers per se, but a bunch of teeny weeny things, such as:

• A parking sensor that wasn’t refitted right after a paint job, which is causing it to endlessly play me the song of its people
• A failed ORVM motor that causes it to temporarily shriek like one of the goats from Thor: Love and Thunder
• The infamous Blue Screen of Death (which I will replace soon, I promise)
• An AC vent on the passenger side that is stubbornly stuck facing one way, which has to be undone
• My dashcam mysteriously refuses to turn on, so I must enlist someone smarter than me to bring it back to life

No real biggies in there, but annoyances I have to sort out for my own mental well-being.

More or less, life with the 328i has been easy breezy, and not at all cheesy. I still enjoy driving her (preferably at full pelt) every time I find an open, un-potholed stretch of road (a near impossibility in Bombay, I know), and I find every drive to be a bit of an occasion.

A question…

I’ve done all the performance mods I’ve wanted to get done, save for one; a cold air intake. So I ask you, wise citizens of the internet, for your opinion; should I pull the trigger or not?

That’s all, folks. Until next time.

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

Hey!

Congratulations on your car turning 10! In my opinion, it still looks amazing and you shouldn't part with this machine if you're satisfied with it performance-wise.

There is still a lot you can do to maximize this car's potential. I would urge you to look at the Navardi Tuned instagram page. He is a custom tuner from Australia and specializes in 4-cylinder BMWs. He has guides and tunes that can take your N20/N26 to upwards of 500hp with the right build. Even his is a custom stage 2 tunes push 20% more power and torque compared to OTS maps (depending on engine and fuel).

If you're looking to do something handling-wise, I would recommend getting Anti Roll Bars if you haven't already and getting the F80 LCA+TS kit to dial in the steering. The cold air intake will merely enhance the intake sounds a bit and the OEM intake is already well made.

These changes should really elevate your experience with the F30. In my personal opinion, I would only consider an M2/3/4/5 or the 63 range to be a worthy upgrade of the F30 (unless you can get a Porsche or a V10 Audi) and not consider the M340i. With the prices as they are in the used car market, I would say build on this platform and pick up a 2018 or newer sportscar in a few years.

Here's what BHPian AKSarkar1 had to say about the matter:

You said it yourself- the used car market is a bit bonkers at the moment. The cost of replacing/upgrading the red would be quite a handsome sum, albeit you might get a really good deal on your car.

I would personally hang on to the car for at least another 3-5 years. Given the mint condition of the car, small niggles can always be sorted out. Start the upgrades from the interior of the car, since that is the place where you would spend most of the time. Maybe new steering? New leather covers? The list is practically endless and depends on your personal taste.

For the exterior, if the budget permits you can go for a body kit or change alloys/alloy wheel paint.

I hope this helps! Looking forward to seeing more posts on your Red!

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

IMHO, the wisest thing to do would be to buy a nice uncleji family car without any sporty pretensions (Camry Hybrid, E Class, Lexus ES, etc.) and separate the state and church. The other car can be your personal weapon of choice.

You can consider a used but very well-kept Camry Hybrid for family duties. You will get it under 15L in Mumbai. It is a PHENOMENAL car within the city which is what I expect a lot of usage would be. My comparison is with S class, I am thoroughly impressed by it within the city - from the perspective of myself as a driver and family comfort. Other than a potential new hybrid battery (Rs 2.5L), it will run forever without any issues.

Keep the 3 series while you hunt for a suitable "sports" car, preferably a coupe from Porsche. I won't say Porsche cars are better and I am sure others have caught up with it - but the brand is absolutely sexy with immense street cred. Don't buy an all-purpose M5 or Panamera unless you don't have parking for two cars.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Having driven a 170 bhp turbocharged petrol engine with the super-slick 7 speed Dry Clutch DSG, I'd like to believe my standards on drive quality are pretty high for my next car.

BHPian krishnadevjs recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Background:

Back in 2017, we decided to upgrade from our 3 year old Honda City Diesel. After much research, plenty of test drives and comparison (Audi A3, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla were the other cars in the ring), we finally ended up choosing the Octavia 1.8L L&K model.

Our Octavia after a nice, detailed wash.

The Octavia was definitely an upgrade from our previous car, in all parameters - driving dynamics, driving feel, comfort, dimensions, features, safety, road presence, space, practicality, looks, almost everything!
It was simply too good a car at that price point - almost 27 lacs. At double of what we paid for the City, it sure felt twice as good as the City.

Till date, I've done 50k km in 4.5 years, despite 2 years of the pandemic. This includes 4 round trip drives from Mumbai to my hometown, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and many other road trips within Maharashtra. Never has the Octy failed to bring a smile to my face. There hasn't been a single day when I don't look back at the Octy after parking her and walking away.

Despite the threat of the DQ200 gearbox hanging over us, we've been quite fortunate to have a fuss-free ownership experience.

Even in terms of service, we were pretty happy - except for one bad experiences in JMD Skoda, the Mumbai service center. In fact, the Trivandrum Service center, Malayalam Skoda where we did 2 years worth of service, was truly amazing!

In these 4.5 years, except for one instance of noise coming from the steering column and another where a suspension bush had to be tightened, there has been ZERO trouble with the car so far, apart from regular maintenance.

My wife says I look after my car better than I look after my daughter. She may be right, because the Octy does not look like she's 5 years old. She's in an immaculately maintained condition, with no signs of wear either on the exterior or on the interior. Every colleague/friend of mine who gets into my car, has commented that I maintain my car really well.

The above photo, in fact, was taken last week.

All in all, I have no reason to change my car.

• I love my Octy too much even now.
• It serves all my requirements very well.
• It's such a good car that upgrading from it is such a challenge.

Being a car fanatic, right from childhood, I've always looked up to luxury brands - especially a Mercedes Benz or a BMW or an Audi. Over the last few months, there have been some changes in my life, both from a personal and a professional POV, which have put these aspirational brands within reach.

While I was sure I'd own one of these brands at some point in my life, the temptation of having one right now simply proves too strong to ignore. While the heart says I should plunge right in and get my first luxury car, the mind says I could possibly wait a couple of years, especially given how good the Octy drives/looks/feels.

But then, looking never hurt anyone. So, I decided to step into the car market once again, after a gap of 5 years, and at least evaluate a worthy successor to the mighty Octavia.

Criteria:

Now that I decided to evaluate options, I noted down stuff that mattered to me:

Only Sedans:

For me, a car needs to have a certain shape and proportion. It needs to have a hood, a cabin and a boot. It needs to look like a sedan.
That they have superior handling characteristics is the cherry on the icing.

I did try out an SUV, and while I did like the high seat position as well as the fact that the bottom never scraped, I did not like the comfort of it; neither did I like the proportions or the way it looked.

Driving Experience:

I'm the kind of guy who doesn't hand over his car to even a valet for parking. I always prefer driving myself and cannot even fathom having a chauffeur. Hence, this new car too would be 100% self driven.
Having driven a 170 bhp turbocharged petrol engine with the super-slick 7 speed Dry Clutch DSG, I'd like to believe my standards on drive quality are pretty high.

Our upgrade would need to satisfy my need for a fulfilling drive. This means a quick throttle response, very nimble and precise steering control, exciting engine sound, super quick imperceptible gear changes, the option to do manual shifts (esp with paddle shifters), quick acceleration (the kind that pins you to your seat) and great handling characteristics.

It is juvenile, but I still like being the first one off the line from traffic lights. The Octavia served very well for that requirement - the new car too needs to be extremely good to drive.

Feature Rich & Plushness:

Given this is supposed to be an upgrade over an already feature rich car, the expectation is that the new car would be loaded to the hilt with the latest gizmos, driving aids, safety aids and creature comforts.

The Octavia already came with a sunroof, auto-parking, keyless entry and go, ambient lights etc. So, the replacement should justify the premium. While the Octy was worth 2X the price of the City, the replacement (which would likely be 2X the price of the Octy) needed to atleast be 60-70% better.

Further, how good the car interiors look and feel would be a key criteria for selection.

Safety:

We do quite a lot of highway drives, and safety is a non-negotiable requirement. In addition to passive safety features, I would be looking forward to having more new-age active features.

Comfort/Space:

We'd soon be a family of 4 - with 2 car seats. So, the new car absolutely needs to be comfortable with a good amount of space inside the cabin. Since we also do quite a few road trips, it should have a nice amount of space in the boot. We've been quite spoilt for boot space, courtesy the cavernous 590L boot space in the Octavia.

Brand Value:

As mentioned earlier, I really don't need an upgrade right now, as our Octavia is absolutely perfect in terms of satisfying our needs. It's more of satisfying my itch for an aspirational car that the new one is for. And one of those perks that comes with such a car is the snob value that comes with it. This is something that would probably tilt the scales in favour of a luxury brand over a more logical choice like a Volvo.

Cars considered so far:

BMW 330i M Sport / 330 Li M Sport:

The BMW 330i M Sport.

The BMW 330Li M Sport.

For as long as I can remember, this has been a DREAM car. I've always wanted to buy a BMW 330i when I had the opportunity. While I've read so much about this car and watched so may reviews of it, I had a strong preference for this option.

And so I took a test drive of not just the 330i, but also the long wheelbase version - the 330 Li.

Pros:

• Amazing Drive: The way the 330i drove was just BRILLIANT! As I pressed down on the organ type accelerator, the car just leaped forward, pushing me back into the driver's seat. The steering was super precise and the car just went the way I pointed the steering at. The 330 Li was not very behind in terms of performance, and even it felt like a significant upgrade in the drive department.
• Space: While the 330i felt like a reasonable upgrade from the Octavia, the 330 Li hit it out of the ballpark in this department. Although there was a big transmission hump in the rear-mid seat, the cabin was wide enough to comfortably sit three mid sized adults.
• Looks: Both the BMW models looked extremely beautiful! From the power bulges on the hood to the sleek LED lights to those huge, beautiful rims - everything screamed attention. This was no ordinary car for sure.

Cons:

• Comfort: Although the SA did say that the tyre pressures are messed up, and that could be a reason for the stiff ride, he did acknowledge that BMW rides are generally stiffer. I too have read and seen reviews where the stiff ride of the BMW has been called out. However, my problem was that I couldn't perceive any improvement in ride comfort over the Octavia. Sure - there were better seats, more lumbar support, a plusher cabin etc, but the suspension setup was just too stiff. Even on the Li, which is supposed to have a plusher feel, I didn't find the ride quality magical, or even better than the Octavia.
• Features: The global semiconductor shortage seems to have been taken as an excuse by even luxury brands to shamelessly cut features on Indian models, without a commensurate reduction in price. It truly feels like cartelization, with prices increasing so much, and features getting cut down so much! No keyless entry, no front camera, no 360 camera view, no rear sunblind, no rear passenger sunblinds, no gest2ure control, no HUD, no electrical closing of boot, no ventilated seats - I'm appalled at how many features have been given a miss at this price point! There were only a handful of features over the Octavia, which I really appreciated - such as the full auto parking (rather than just steering control), auto start stop etc.
• Plushness: Sure, it was a BMW from the outside. But from the inside, the cabin didn't feel very superior to the Octavia. Even the material used were not that much of an upgrade - artificial leather on the dashboard top layer was pretty much the only difference. I did not find the cabin of the BMW a special place. Even in terms of tech, it did not feel like a significant upgrade.

Hence, despite it being the favourite in this race, AND the car I really thought I'd end up owning sometime, the 330i / 330Li did not meet the requirement. Hence, we dropped it from the list, with a very very heavy heart.

Mercedes-Benz C220d / C300d:

The C220d.

The C300d.

Mercedes was the epitome of luxury, for kids of my generation. While BMWs and Audis sprung up later, Mercedes was the true symbol that you had arrived. "Benz caril vanniranguka" (Coming out from a Benz car) was a huge aspiration, not just for my generation, but even for my parents!

And hence, there was huge excitement about these cars in my family. We were literally questioning ourselves as to whether we could really think of owning a Mercedes-Benz!

After making sure we weren't dreaming, we took a test drive of the C220d.

With Mercedes, we were okay with going with a diesel car, as we'd read so much about how silent and smooth even their diesel cars were. Further, a Mercedes diesel is supposedly less polluting that a petrol car from peers.

Pros:

• Plushness: The car screamed luxury! One look inside the cabin and I was like ! This is by far, the most beautiful interior of a car I've seen. The virtual cockpit, the massive central screen, the beautiful AC vents, the floating armrests, the brilliant dashboard pattern, the quirky headrests - everything was eons above what I've ever experienced! While I had experienced Ambient lighting on the Octavia, this was at a whole different level - the interiors of the C class truly felt special.
• Comfort: While driving the C220d, I really felt it to be much better on NVH as well as ride quality in comparison to both the BMWs and the Octavia. Despite being a diesel car, the car was silent, and had very little vibrations. The integrated starter alternator did a very good job of making the Auto Start stop function imperceptible. The ride was so comfortable that my daughter actually dozed off in the back seat during the TD!
• Tech: Now, this car actually felt like it was an upgrade. There was so much tech everywhere! And while the BMW also had some of these functions like Auto Hold and electronic parking brake, everything felt so much better in the Mercedes. The driving aids came in at the right time, the entertainment system was so much better, there was even a fingerprint sensor to personalize the car! Add to it the fact that this was a mild hybrid with a 20 HP and 200Nm boost function, the Mercedes definitely felt like a proper tech upgrade. I also loved the tiny things - the ambient light around the AC vent going red if I increased temperature and green if I decreased it, the seatbelt pulling you ever so lightly as it pre-tensed to adjust to your body, the gear selector on the steering column, making my left hand completely free, the ability to make the headrest come forward and support your head, and so many others.
• Looks: Like the BMW, the Merc too looked amazing. While I had seen the 220D, and was enamored even with that, the 300d is supposedly better looking - with the AMG body kit and wide 18 inch alloy wheels. The car looked very gentlemanly and had a very elegant presence. I absolutely love the new headlight and taillight treatment the Mercedes family has. While it does make the entire family look the same, I think this works to the C class's advantage.

Cons:

• Drive: Having driven the 220d, I felt the drive wasn't something very special. Even though the figures on paper seemed better than the Octavia, I felt like I was driving around a tank - I felt slow throttle response and not very exhilarating acceleration. The steering however was precise and driving the car was super easy - the proportions didn't seem very large. The SA was super-confident in claiming the 300D drove much better. Though both models came with the same engine, the state of tune was quite different. The 300d came with an additional 65HP and 110 Nm, as well as a claimed 0-100kmph of 5.7 against the 220D's 7.3 and the BMW 3 Series' 5.8s.
• Features: The semiconductor shortage had eaten its way through even the C-Class. Notable features which were absent were: Ventilated Seats, Front Parking Camera, 360 Camera, Active Cruise Control, Keyless entry etc. To not have even basic stuff like keyless entry at this price point seemed criminal to me! However, the Merc did fare better than the BMW, as it came with electric steering adjustment (and a neat feature of steering going up and seats going back to facilitate easy egress once the car was stopped), fully electrically adjustable seats (including lumbar support), a much better entertainment system (especially the 13 speaker Burmeister system in the 300D), and the MBUX interface system.
• Ground Clearance: Having opted for a sedan, GC was bound to be an issue, but the Merc took it one step ahead. Even in the small bumps around the place I live, the bottom scraped. And this was attributed to the extended wheelbase along with the comfort setting of suspension. Despite driving as slowly as I could, the underbelly did scrape. Given the absolute lack of education or common sense among the officials who plan our Indian roads, this would be a major challenge if I bought this car.

So, overall the Mercedes did fare much better than the BMW, and I could see this car as a reasonable upgrade to the Octavia. Coming in at around 2.3X the price (courtesy BH registration), the 300d seemed to, at least on paper, be a solid drive as well as a comfortable, plush ride.

However, the fact that the Indian C300d had so many features removed from the international version, even basic ones like keyless entry, has me in a fix.

Should I look at other options - Audi? Volvo? Anything else?

Would an Audi feel too similar to the Octavia, given they share the MQB platform and even parts? Besides, it's a FWD with not much to speak of in the drive department.

Would a Volvo be able to tick off all my requirements or would I find myself yearning for a luxury brand again in another 3 years?

Should I even buy a car now? Should I wait for the semiconductor shortage to end, thereby bringing in more features and prices down?

The heart tells me to go for the C300d now, the mind tells me to wait it out or look at other more VFM options. Any suggestions people?

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

I don't really see prices coming down anytime soon, but features may return. However, it would be too long a wait in my opinion, since prices would certainly have increased by then. My tentative suggestion would be to listen to your heart and purchase a car sometime soon.

I think you should try to test drive the C300d just to be fully informed about its driving characteristics. However, in your case, the 330Li should only be considered if you find the handling so vastly superior in comparison that you can live with the missing features. Otherwise, for your use case, the C300d pretty much has you completely covered. I think you can fulfill your dreams of stepping out of a Benz, and reminisce of the fantastic drive you had just prior to stepping out.

Since you're upgrading from an Octavia, the A4 might leave you underwhelmed with the driving experience despite the interior quality being up by a notch. The Audi A4 and the Volvo S60 certainly won't match up to the handling of the C300d or 330Li due to them being FWD, but a test drive won't hurt. Good luck.

Here's what BHPian Aj56 had to say on the matter:

If you're willing to go upto 70L for a C300, might as well get the 530i M sport, the 5/E/A6 class will have better space at the rear for a family of 4 as they're midsized sedans vs the compact 3/C class.

Reason I’d avoid the ES is you want an engaging drive and the Lexus is anything but (great for cruising still), XF is too old as is the S90. So I’d say pick between the E LWB and 530i, the former is not as engaging to drive but it’s interior is leagues ahead of the 5, but the 5 is quicker and handles better. Test drive both.

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

The 3 and C are barely an upgrade over an Octavia. They are only marginally better in most areas and significantly worse in a few (cabin and boot space) but the asking price is more than double. You’ll be spending just for the badge. The A4 is basically an Octavia wearing different clothes.

If you truly want an upgrade, you need to a segment higher, to the 5, E and A6. Do check out the A6 in particular, it offers excellent value compared to its peers.

Note that all these cars have limited boot space, further compromised by the space saver tyre placed inside the boot area. None of them can be loaded up in any way like your Skoda. Octavia is an excellent car, very difficult to upgrade from. You’ll end up spending 3 times it’s price to find something substantially better. Law of diminishing returns catches up very fast in this end of the market.

It is very clear that this is a purchase from the heart. My suggestion would be to go big and get a 530d or an E350d. Even if you have to delay it by an year or two.

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

Welcome to the club. I own a 2016 Octavia TDI with 70k kms run. In 2020, with this itch, I was actively looking for an upgrade and my budget was up to 50 to 55 lakhs. Tried every car (A4, 3 and C previous) and nothing did really feel a real upgrade to Octavia. 330i was definitely a great car and best upgrade, but on practicality (say boot space) and the additional money commanded, I really did not feel like parting from Octavia which was so well maintained and totally trouble free. Being a salaried, I was also taking a big hit on depreciation if I upgraded then. Finally I spent around 4 to 5 lakhs and did many mods - remap, Bilstein B6, 17inch wheels, android auto etc. And boy, I am all over in love with Octavia again. Now have no plans to sell for another couple of years minimum. This drives like a dream and with remap is faster than almost everything on road.

Being a hardcore BMW fan, I am sure my next upgrade will mostly be 330i. But not yet.

In your case I would suggest to hold on to Octavia and explore the full potential with some mods. But then, YOLO, suggest go for 330i or 300d if you really have to.

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

You should definitely buy a car from this category if finances look healthy simply because you will not have the josh later on in life. As you get into higher categories, price doesn't correlate with value linearly - be ready to be guided by your emotions :-) Octavia is a very good car and you won't find 50-60% OVERALL improvement in your next upgrade - but you will find justifiable improvement in very specific areas.

Mercedes cabin ambience and comfort will be that area if you go with MB.

It would be highway driving pleasure in the case of BMW.

These are real standout features that an Octavia owner can't miss.

It seems like most of your usage is within city which probably warrants an MB but their prices and ownership costs will be a tad higher than BMW.

Most of us on this forum enjoy long Highway drives, value reliability and savings and hence have a soft corner for BMW. My personal favourite is 5 series - it has its flaws but it scores high in things that are important to me: great looks, street cred, outstanding drivetrain options (2L diesel for bullet proof reliability for those looking for very long term ownership, 2L petrol for fun, 3L for some serious power) and 5 series has proven to be very reliable in this category.

The only used car that is relatively safe to buy in this segment would be a BMW and this is a good source.

If you have better use for your money, keeping the Octy would be a wise decision. I would still say do the car scene when you are young instead of postponing for later if finances look good.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Lots of good choices for sure in this segment now! And every car brings something unique to the table.

Mercedes C-Class

What you'll like:

• Stunning looks & design . Matched to solid build quality too
• Premium quality interiors, supportive seats, filled with technology
• Useable rear seat, with better legroom than before
• Wide range of engines; powerful 265-hp C300d for enthusiasts, workhorse C220d and a C200 for sedate drivers
• Smooth & competent 9-speed AT gearbox
• Well-damped suspension offers mature ride quality
• Fun to drive (with the right engine)! Communicative chassis & excellent high-speed manners
• The C220d (especially) & C200k are reasonably fuel-efficient for the segment
• Equipment such as seat kinetics, latest-gen MBUX, panoramic sunroof, memory seats, electric steering adjustment…
• Top notch safety kit, runflat tyres, powerful brakes & a suite of electronic aids to keep you safe

What you won't:

• C200 petrol’s 1.5L drivetrain feels just about adequate. Best for chauffeured use or for calm owners
• There is no bigger or more powerful petrol engine option (like the C300d)
  Rs 55 - 61 lakh ex-showroom pricing is stiff! We find it overpriced
• Boot space (already at a premium) is drastically impacted by the spare wheel on the floor
  Better as a 4-adult seater than 5
• BMW’s 330i is the more fun-to-drive petrol sedan
• IMHO, the faux leather seats just don't cut it at this price point (3-Series gives real leather). No ventilated seats either
• Styling is more of an evolution than a revolution. Also, looks very similar to other sedans in the Mercedes range
• While it’s not unusual for premium sedans, you need to be careful on bad bumps. This car with 4 people and luggage bottomed out a few times during our Mussoorie drive

Link to Official Review

BMW 3 Series

What you'll like:

• Just the right size for a luxury sedan for India
• Punchy rev-happy engine & well-tuned gearbox deliver superb performance
• Great combination of ride and handling; just how a 3 Series should be
• Big step up in interior quality & design (from the F30)
• Loaded with tech, new style speedometer & more. iDrive 7 is nice to use

What you won't:

• Sad boot space with the spare wheel underneath
• Features like keyless entry, HUD, Adaptive LEDs are expected at this price
• Rs. 47 - 53 lakh price is stiff, although fat dealer discounts are available
• Fake engine noise piped in; tad too fake for our taste

Link to official review

Audi A4

Link to BHPian sauravpat's Ownership Review

Volvo S60

What you'll like:

• Astonishingly handsome styling! The Volvo S60 looks absolutely fabulous
• Solid build quality is very satisfying
• Sweet-looking cabin that’s loaded to the gills with features. Has sufficient room too
• Spectacular Harman Kardon sound system. Easily the best ICE in the segment
• Smooth & peppy 2.0L turbo-petrol engine mated to a competent 8-speed AT
• Sorted ride & handling. The S60's high speed stability is excellent too
• Euro NCAP's 5-star safety rating & loads of tech like adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, lane-keeping aid, collision mitigation support (front) etc.
• Depth of engineering that is as good as the best from Germany

What you won't:

• A FWD car in a segment where RWD is the norm
• Power & torque figures are lower than the competition
• No diesel engine on offer with the Volvo S60. Those with high running will look elsewhere
• The rear seat is placed too low, under-thigh support is poor and the floor hump is too big
• The S60 is missing some features like paddle shifters, 360-degree camera, cooled seats...
• Volvo's thin dealer network in India
• To many people, the Volvo brand doesn't have the badge cachet of the German marques
• Not as exhilarating to drive as the BMW 330i which is the segment benchmark

Link to official review

BMW M340i xDrive

What you'll like:

• Ferocious 6-cylinder turbo-petrol motor with 382 BHP on tap! Lives for 7,000 rpm
• All-wheel-drive gives the BMW M340i leech-like grip & solid stability levels
• Sporty, well-tuned exhaust note is addictive at high revs
• The ZF 8-speed AT is the best gearbox in the segment. Fast & smooth
• 0 – 100 in 4.4 seconds with 4-door everyday practicality. Go touring with the family!
• Lovely cabin, premium build, very supportive seats & a fab driving position
• BMW’s strong track record for reliability (among the luxury marques)
• 5-star NCAP rating, awesome brakes & a laundry list of safety equipment

What you won't:

• Ride is much firmer than a regular 3-Series. Liveable, but you feel everything on the road
• Sad boot space with a spare wheel
• We don’t like the radiator grille, same rim design (as the 330i) and gunmetal-coloured ORVMs
• Rear floor hump is enormous! Car is better as a 4-seater than 5
• Your fuel costs will be a lot higher than say, a 530d
• Runflat tyres come with many compromises, wear out soon & are expensive to replace
• We hate the all-digital instrument console. Also, the rev counter is weirdly inverted
• Some irritants such as the lack of keyless entry (!!!), w-i-d-e 6 meter turning radius & annoying speed warnings

Link to official review.

Lexus ES

What you'll like:

• Funky styling stands out from the crowd. Decently priced for a CBU too (imported as is from Japan)
• Hybrid powertrain with good low-end torque and a butter-smooth CVT gearbox
• Very good for city usage due to mileage and comfort offered
• Loaded with kit (heated and ventilated front seats, 17-speaker sound system, heated and reclinable rear seats)
• Lexus' track record of reliability & exemplary customer service

What you won't:

• Weird front styling not to everyone's taste
• Not as much fun to drive as its German competitors
• CVT can get lazy & noisy with a heavy right foot
• Unintuitive infotainment system with a touchpad that is poorly positioned for a right-hand drive vehicle
• Tiny sales network. Period

Link to drive report.

Audi A6

Link to BHPian hrk997's Ownership Review

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

Lots of good choices for sure in this segment now! And every car brings something unique to the table. My vote is simple:

Diesel = C300 AMG. Absolutely love what Mercedes has done with the new C-Class. The styling, interiors, it's more fun-to-drive, adults can now actually sit on the rear seat and that 9-speed gearbox.

Petrol = M340i for just 5 lakhs more than the C300. This car is a monster; more power than you'd ever need on Indian roads, leech-like grip and daily-driver usability.

If my running was a lot (2000+ km / month), I'd get the C300 as powerful diesels give you the best of both worlds (performance + efficiency). But my running isn't that high and I can live with 4 kmpl, hence it's the M340i for me.

Here's what BHPian karan561 had to say on the matter:

Wait a minute ! With almost 14 months of ownership of the M340i I have NEVER witnessed a 4 km/l figure. In Mumbai City, with mixed driving / mild traffic one can easily achieve anywhere between 6.5 to 9 km/l. In fact on highways when driven well it can achieve 14 - 15 km/l too.

Here are a few examples:

14 km/l on a 200 kms stretch achieved by a M340i owner in our group:

Another one of our group cars achieved 15.6 km/l over a 250km stretch:

Note: Its an M340i but has an Alpina cluster coded.

Note: Didn't mean to go off topic but that 4 kmpl figure can be misleading hence thought i'll contribute/clarify.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I paid the biker's hospital bills & he also apologised for his mistake. However, 2 weeks later, he filed a police case against me for causing an accident!

BHPian kiranton recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Was cruising at around 85-90km/hr on NH 47 near Thrissur when a biker merged onto the highway and crashed into my car (BMW 320d). He was a young guy, 19-20 years old on his new Dominar, hardly a month old. I took him to a nearby hospital and was soon joined by his friends and locals at the hospital. Those who saw the incident admitted it was the biker's fault. I paid for all the hospital bills/procedures/consultations. The biker apologised for his mistake and his mother also thanked me for paying the hospital bills.

2 weeks later, I got a call from the local police station (2 hours away from my house) that there is a guy who filed a complaint against me for causing an accident. I told them that I have the dashcam footage and can share it with them. He asked me to meet the SI the next day with my footage and also called the biker. The biker didn't turn up. Police told me not to worry as my dashcam footage clearly showed the incident and I left.

2 weeks later, I got a call from the same police station saying the biker now has some new evidence against me. I went again and the biker was there this time around. He showed a 2-second clip of the accident (from the CCTV footage from a nearby bakery) from a side profile where you can't make out who's at fault. I showed my clip and the SI immediately asked the other guy why he wants to file a case against me as my footage clearly shows who's at fault and dismissed the case.

I should have made a GD entry in the police station that same day itself. Someone must have instigated the young guy to file a case against me to get some more money.

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

This section of Airport road is so badly designed, it is a place for an accident waiting to happen. There were plenty of bad accidents that had happened at this section.

Riders/drivers on the service road think it is their right of way to cut across and join the main road, since the service road continues to join the ring road at the Hebbal intersection. Most of the traffic merges onto the main Airport road at this point to go over the Hebbal flyover. On the other hand, vehicles coming down from the Airport road, come at good speed until this point and have to brake hard to avoid accidents because of vehicles merging onto the main road without bothering to check for traffic (which is a trait of Indian roads anyway).

Like many others said, honk honk honk when in midst of two/three-wheelers. It may annoy people inside the car as well as outside, but you can avoid situations like these.

Heck, I even honk a couple of times when approaching a two-wheeler on a straight/un-divided road.

Here's what BHPian SR-71 had to say about the matter:

Don't be surprised if that someone were the cops themselves. A few years ago, when my friends and I were returning from a trip to Masinagudi, a drunk biker hit my friend's stationary car head-on. This was in Malavalli police limits. While the biker apologized and my friend left the spot, he was surprised to be chased down by a patrol vehicle 10 minutes later on the town outskirts. They were threatened and dragged to the police station for hit and run! His was a TN registered vehicle and the dashcam footage was seized.

Unfortunately for the cops and fortunately for my friend, the trip had 3 lawyers who were in my car. We were behind them by 30 minutes and the belligerent cops changed their tone once they realized they have bitten more than they can chew. The SI left the station apparently for a cup of tea and a couple of minutes later a constable requested my friends to leave.

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

Good that nothing serious happened and the case got closed.

But in my opinion, looking at the dashcam footage, cruising at 85-90kmph at that crowded junction having a signal doesn't sound right. At least in Maharashtra, the speed limit on NH around the town area is 50 kmph. If I was in such a situation I would have reduced my speed, especially if I was on the left lane, and would have used my car's horn. Not saying you were wrong, but just some desi things that we have to do on roads.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Brochures of all models still talk about "ConnectedDrive" specifically. In the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine's manual, it can be found on page 11.

BHPian Impulsivemedusa recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello Everyone,

I brought home a BMW 330 Li just a fortnight ago after extensive research from the forum. However, I am slightly disappointed that the forum so far hasn't discussed the (total lack of) connected features in the BMW.

While in India a lot of cars come with a "connected" tag just to show some mundane things like your fuel level, whether your car is unlocked (beats me as most cars lock themselves automatically) and such things (yes, you can get the thrill of asking Alexa or Google Home these things and get them as well).

BMW is different. Its on-board computer, when connected to the Internet, can take intelligent decisions like whether it can coast you on Eco Pro mode, can pre-condition the car (turn on A/C or warm it before you get in), integrate with your parking assistant to find parking information near your destination and so on. However, I was baffled to note that BMW has withdrawn ConnectedDrive features and the app is not downloadable in India any longer.

This is in spite of the fact that the brochures of all models still talk about "ConnectedDrive" specifically (In the 3 GL manual, it can be found on p-11). A mail to the organization just elicited a "caveat emptor" response. I wanted to know why they have withdrawn ConnectedDrive in India and their plans to get it back.

Just wanted to know from fellow BHPians if they have had this conversation with BMW and if they have had any responses. It is rather baffling that BMW would be starting to sell their electric vehicles based on their iDrive7 systems without connectivity!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Should be more fun to drive and handle better than the Fiesta.

BHPian Ojas recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Friends, first of all, thank you everyone here for making this forum an excellent source of information and advice. I really appreciate the passion, attention to detail, and willingness to help.

I’m in the market for a new car and need your advice before I take the plunge.

Current ride:

My current ride is a Ford Fiesta SXI 1.6 Duratec, bought in 2010 and clocked around 1.2L kms. Needless to say, it’s a driver’s delight and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed driving it for more than a decade now. The phrase “poor man’s BMW” is something that stuck in my mind all along.

Usage profile:

It’ll be for 2 adults and 2 kids. Medium sized cars are perfect as we are not very tall/big. City/highway split will be 70:30.

Budget:

Mustered the courage to go up to 60L, partly because I can save about 18% in terms of tax savings and car running/maintenance expenses through company lease.

Requirements:

• Should be more fun to drive and handle better than the Fiesta.
• I enjoy my music, so should have a premium audio system with punchy bass.
• Good in-cabin NVH.
• Comfortable ride (need not be very plush, but has to be definitely comfortable).
• Power should be a significant step up.
• 5-star safety.
• Paddle shifts.
• Wireless Android Auto.
• Good to have: Digital cockpit, sunroof, ventilated seats, sun blinds.

Cars dropped:

• Jeep Compass: Slow gear box was a deal breaker. Cabin insulation and music system were average.
• VW Tiguan: Stiff ride, unexciting interiors, basic music system.
• Audi A4: Nice interiors and good ride/handling balance. Average music system. At this price, thought the 3 series with RWD will be a better option.
• BMW 520d: Met all my requirements and then some, but it’s above my budget. In-cabin NVH was acceptable and almost petrol like. Has been hard to find a suitable used car in Hyderabad. I’m also dropping the used car option now, since Orix needs the car to be at most 2 years old for lease.
• Skoda Superb: Not a handler.
• Skoda Kodiaq: Don’t need a big 7 seater.

Cars not considered:

• Volvo S60: Given lower power/torque and FWD setup, despite it having a “spectacular” Harman Kardon system (from Team BHP review). Would be interested in knowing if it’s worth considering.
• Mercedes-Benz: Given they are generally not known to be driver’s cars. But I never drove one to know first hand.

• Cars shortlisted:

• Skoda Octavia: Ideal size for us and fun-to-drive. Missing features like sunroof and ventilated seats are OK, somewhat. The car felt powerful, light, and agile. I’ll be test driving this again to gauge the handling since I did not have much opportunity when I test drove. Really liked the Canton audio system (better than the Harman Kardon one in the 330 Li).
• BMW 330 Li: Liked the power and refinement more than the 520d as expected. It felt fine around the corners, but again, didn’t have much opportunity to drive fast around curves. The Harman Kardon system was good. Will be taking a second test drive soon.
• BMW 330i: No TD vehicles available. There was a vehicle to be delivered in showroom, but could not test the music system as PDI was pending. Will find one soon to see or test drive.

Questions:

How do Octavia, 330 Li, and 330i compare relative to each other (and relative to Fiesta if you have driven one) in terms of handling and fun-to-drive aspect?

Reviews of 330 Li have a lot of variance on handling – comments range from “still a great fun to drive car” (Power Drift did tests on slalom course and hairpin bends) to “it’s only for the chauffeured”. If it handles only as good as Octavia, then I’d be less inclined to spend double the money (despite the 3 offering more luxury and power).

How’s the audio system on 330i? How close or behind is it to the Harman Kardon one in 330 Li? If it’s good and if 330 Li does have much reduced handling capabilities, then I may compromise on audio system (don't really want to) and go for the regular 330i.

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

Your post has "330i" written all over it. Go for the regular variant (not LWB) as you don't need that extra legroom at the back. It's cheaper & tighter to drive. BMW's turbo-petrol is glorious, as is the ZF gearbox and the brand's reliability varies between good to excellent.

How do Octavia, 330 Li, and 330i compare relative to each other (and relative to Fiesta if you have driven one) in terms of handling and fun-to-drive aspect?

330i > Octavia. Although I've had a lot of fun in both. Since 2 generations, BMW has started prioritising ride comfort (unlike the bone-jarring E90), but not as much as Skoda who's gone really soft with the new Octavia. All said and done, both cars are damn good. It is you who has to decide if the BMW 330i is worth the extra money to you.

Personally, I'd go for the 330i especially since - like me - you also keep your cars for 10+ years. Go high-revv away into glory, brother.

There's a mouthwatering 2003 325i somewhere in the classifieds section, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat if I was in your situation.

 A 20-year old German sedan can be someone's project car, but not really a daily driver, especially not one with a 60-lakh budget. Many of us are too busy at work to bother with an old car on a weekly basis (sourcing parts, talking to mechanics, dealing with niggles & problems...).

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

As a fellow ex-Fiesta owner, I completely understand where you're coming from. Very few cars are able to live up to the joy of a driver's car the Fiesta was.

You've chosen 2 brilliant options : the 330i v/s the Octavia. Nimble, quick, comfortable, and fairly practical options.

Interestingly, after our Fiesta, I switched to daily driving our Skoda Laura, and now am dailying a pre-owned F30 328i.

Regarding differences between the two: It all boils down to your driving style.

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

Ojas, eyes closed go for a brand new 330i M Sport for ~64L: 2022 production has started, and a lease company can swing it for you in 2 weeks flat.

Plan B:

A lightly used M340i (there was one for ~70L some time back): Makes the 330i look like a pussy cat.

Plan C:

A pre-worshipped vRS (very unlikely given your 2 year age limit) for 40L.

Coming from a Ford Fiesta, do not even think of an Octavia.

The Octavia can do 80% of what the BMW can do - the BMW will feel better at higher speeds, will be quicker, and a better handler + all the fun of RWD cars, while having a nicer ambience & feel, better presence, etc. Plus, BMW has some great warranty and service packages as compared to Skoda.

If you see yourself as a driver who enjoys pushing the car to the limit, would value the nicer interiors and the feel good factor : the BMW is your cup of tea. It handles high speed undulations better, getting the tail out is always fun, and experiencing a RWD launch is so much nicer to experience than the FWD wheelspin.

The Octavia that way feels more like a good cruiser - if you don't see yourself flooring the pedal often, not picking the best line for a corner, and just want a good, fast, safe cruiser - the Octavia could be a good option without stretching your budget.

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:

Brilliantly and clearly laid out analysis and ‘what car’ query. Makes it so easy for the forum to provide advise. A caveat - I know very little about the audio systems of these cars so my advise will not factor this aspect at all.

But from your stated parameters, I have zero hesitation in recommending the petrol BMW - the 330i M Sport, to be specific. The Octavia will be no match to the puritan RWD of the BMW.

IMO, I would actually expect the BMW to be more reliable - it comes with great warranties and service packs too (although so does the Octavia). The 330Li is also a great car (and the one I would pick for myself) but in your case I think the 330i does the job best.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.