Since its last blog entry, our long term BMW 330i has flown past the 20,000 mile mark. As you can see in the photo, the car's trip computer says we're averaging 22.1 mpg, which is impressive considering the BMW's performance and the abundance of low speed/high rpm driving it's subjected to.
This weekend I drove the 330i nearly 350 miles around Los Angeles in complete satisfaction. My wife thinks the sedan's ride is a little too stiff, but I reminded her that our car is equipped with the optional Sport Package and run flat tires...
Buyers that want a cush ride don't have to order either. Personally, I love the way our 330 rides. I think it's a perfect compromise between sport and luxury. Most of those 350 miles were with two large child safety seats and my two small children taking up the back seat, proving the 3-Series has gotten just large enough to accommodate small families. To cap off the weekend we cruised to Ricky and Ronnie's, a '50's style diner in Torrance, for burgers and its famous Fifties Fries. Fun place. Great car.
Inside Line Executive Editor Scott Oldham, 20,749 miles
blueguydotcom says:
01:35 AM, 10/10/06
Scott - but I reminded her that our car is equipped with the optional Sport Package and run flat tires. Buyers that want a cush ride don't have to order either.
Uh not true. All 3 series sedans starting in 06 came only with junky, chunky, rough-riding, horrible-roadholding runflat tires. In 07 the coupe joins the runflat misery.
BMW's biggest mistake regarding this car - beyond making it too darned big - was equipping it with those overly heavy, poor handling tires. My e90 330i's runflats = abject misery in regard to ride and more importantly handling.
banditone says:
11:17 AM, 10/10/06
You're right. What I should have said is that our car has the Sport Package which adds 18-inch run-flat tires. Run-flats might be standard, but they're standard in the 17-inch diameter. And the added sidewall of the smaller diameter tires would certainly and positively affect the car's ride.
Also, I must disagree with you about the grip of those run-flats. Our test car has run our slalom at 68.6 mph and circled our skidpad at .88g. Impressive numbers for a sedan in anybody's book.
Inside Line Executive Editor Scott Oldham
blueguydotcom says:
11:44 AM, 10/10/06
Talk to people who have swapped tires to non-runflats. From all reports on forums, the switch results in the following: the unsprung weight drops (runflats are crazy heavy), the ride gets smoother, the car handles better (runflats do not perform well on uneven pavement) and it's a quieter ride.
I keep meaning to order new tires for my car... I should go to tirerack right now and just handle it.
desmolicious says:
11:59 AM, 10/10/06
So what do you do if you have a puncture? My MCoupe had a puncture repair kit with compressor. Are peeps carrying these?
blueguydotcom says:
02:07 PM, 10/10/06
Desmo, yep, lots of people are carrying the fix-a-flat repair kit that comes with Ms. It's our only choice. BMW pushed this RFT junk on us and to be honest it runs counter to the concept of a performance sedan to add heavy, poor performing tires to a car.
dedalus says:
12:24 PM, 10/11/06
Speaking as one who uses his 330i for daily commutes over less than perfect roadways (e.g., the cross bronx expressway, aka, pot hole alley), I for one am thankful for having run flats. I am more than happy to forego the experience of changing a tire as impatient new yorkers go whizzing by. This is my first bimmer, and I find its ride and handling light years ahead of my former lexus, saab and jaguar autos. Run flats are a great idea for your everyday time-strapped commuter-enthusiast.