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 CONTENTS
Independently written for real enthusiasts
Welcome
It is quite hard to believe that the F30 generation 3 Series has
BMW Car, Kelsey Publishing Ltd, The Granary, been with us for 10-years now, that’s largely thanks to how fresh
Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL it still looks today. In this issue we bring you one of our Ultimate
EDITORIAL
Editor: Simon Jackson
Guides to this handsome 3 Series which – depending on the
Email: bmwcar.ed@kelsey.co.uk Tel: 07391 718134 model you opt for – is now available for a song, p10.
Contributors Bob Harper, Andrew Everett, Guy Baker, John Glynn,
Dan Bevis, Jason Dodd, Liam Heitmann-Ryce, Shane O’ Donoghue Now, given how its release date has been moved on
Art Editor Lorna Mansford numerous occasions since lockdown what I’m about to write
ADVERTISEMENT SALES next might leave me with egg firmly planted on face, but here
Laura Crawte / Liam Stone Tel: 01233 228754 / 01233 228751
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goes... With a bit of luck the latest instalment of the James
PRODUCTION
Bond franchise – No Time To Die – is in cinemas around the time that you are reading
Tandem Media Bmw@tandemmedia.co.uk this. To celebrate we revisit one of 007’s most underrated vehicles – his E38 7 Series from
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Artwork enquiries: 01233 220245 Tomorrow Never Dies with the help of Jason Barlow – author of a recent book chronicling
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Chief executive: Steve Wright Elsewhere in the issue comes our usual mix of classic, modern classic and contemporary
Chief Operating Officer: Phil Weeden
Publisher: Gareth Beesley BMWs – with everything from an E30 to a First Drive of the new G23 4 Series Convertible.
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CONTENTS
10

Contents
Independently written for real enthusiasts
Regulars
Independently written for real enthusiasts 006 News
Catch up with the latest BMW news
061 Workshop Wisdom
Andrew Everett gets his hands dirty
with a range of BMW technical issues
025 Comment: Bob Harper
Our resident marque expert talks 065 Our Cars
all things BMW The trials and tribulations of the
BMW Car fleet
026 Comment: John Glynn
This time John talks used cars 072 Subscriptions
Subscribe to BMW Car and save money!
028 Shop
NewforProducts
the latest and greatest products 074 Trouble-Shooter
Technical tips and fixes for common
032 Motorsport Month
The latest BMW motorsport news
BMW problems

035 Letters 079 Reader’s Rides

Your BMW’s five minutes of fame – did
Have your say your car make it this time?
036 First Drives
Behind the wheel of the latest BMWs
080 Classifieds
Find a bargain in our free classifieds
058 Market Watch
BMW marketplace analysis
082 What’
Nexts inMonth
the next issue of BMW Car?
4 BMWcar
 CONTENTS

46 36
18 40

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BMWCarMagazine @bmwcarmag bmwcarmag
November 2021
Features
010 F30 3 Series
It’s 10-years since the F30 generation 3 Series 040 F06 M6 Gran Coupé
arrived in our lives. We delve deep into the BMW dealer ‘Genius’ Matt “Q” Quarrington’s And when this 320i Touring sold at
model to reveal everything there is to know... dream car has long been an F06 M6 Gran auction recently for an impressive
Coupé. When this car was taken in part £17,000, it was a clear sign that the
018 007’s E38 7 Series
With the release of No Time to Die finally
exchange at his place of work the rest was
rather inevitable...
wagon’s time has come.
upon us, we revisit an earlier James Bond
adventure and pay tribute to one of the 046 E30 320i Touring 052 G30 M3 Vs G82 M4
Has the G80 M3 and G82 M4 grown on
franchise’s most underrated vehicles with The E30-generation 3 Series is seriously hot the naysayers yet? Perhaps it’s time we
Bond Cars author Jason Barlow. property on the used market at the moment. found out...

52
NOVEMBER 2021 5
 BMW
NEWS

News
BMW LAUNCHES
NEW iX3
BMW has refreshed the exterior design of the iX3, with
hints of the iX and i4, adding the M Sport Package as standard.
The new BMW iX3 has landed and, perhaps control to cool the drive system components a range of up to 286-miles on the WLTP test
unsurprisingly, it takes its new design cues and brakes, has grown in size. Changes to cycle which is good but not game changing.
from its electric relations – the iX and i4. the front and rear bumpers and diffusers are Two trim levels are on offer – M Sport or
The exterior design refresh has seen the joined by a slim light graphic and new (three- M Sport Pro. Four exterior metallic colours
introduction of the M Sport Package as dimensional) pincer-shaped indicators. are available on the new iX3 including
standard in the UK, the kidney grille is now Aside from the mild styling update the iX3 Carbon Black, Mineral White, Phytonic Blue
larger than before and has a single-piece uses BMW Group’s fifth-generation eDrive and Sophisto Grey. Black High Gloss exterior
frame which comes in Pearl-effect Chrome technology with which we are already familiar. trim is standard alongside 19” Black wheels,
with a blue accent, the inner surfaces have a When using a rapid-charging station the an automatic tailgate, adaptive suspension,
mesh-like structure. The headlight contours are high-voltage battery can be charged from 0 heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof.
now slimmer (by 10mm), helping to give the to 80 percent of full capacity in 34-minutes, Inside come four colour choices for the
new iX3 a sharper look. The lower air intake, 62-miles can be added to the car’s driving Vernasca leather, while a Sensatec dashboard,
which comes with ten-stage active air flap range in just 10-minutes. The new iX3 offers sun protection glazing, ambient lighting and

6 BMWcar
 NEWS
BMW CARGO
BIKE AND
E-SCOOTER
CONCEPTS
BMW has revealed electrified
bicycle and e-scooter
concepts.

BMW has unveiled two interesting design

concepts for city centre travel. The electrified
electric seats are all offered as standard. with 286hp and 295lb ft carrying bicycle Concept Dynamic Cargo, and the
The M Sport Package provides wireless the new iX3 to 62mph in 6.8-seconds and e-scooter Concept Clever Commute, are both
phone charging, heated front seats and the onto a top speed on 112mph. Prices for micromobility vehicles designed for future,
driver assistance technology such as Driving the M Sport model start at £59,730, the M electric, living.
Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant Sport Pro is priced at £62,730. Customers The Cargo is a compact, three-wheeled,
and BMW Live Cockpit Professional. The M who purchase a new iX3 vehicle via a BMW bike concept with variable loading platforms
Sport Pro adds a Head-up Display, Harman Centre are eligible for both ‘bp pulse’ and for transporting loads and/or children.
Kardon surround sound, Gesture Control, ‘IONITY Plus’ charging packages for free for The main front frame is connected to the
Parking Assistant Plus, darkened headlights, 12 months. rear via a pivot axle which tilts in corners.
automatic high beam assistant, Comfort The first UK customer deliveries of the The rear section remains stable through
access and Lumbar support to that list. new iX3 are slated to take place from corners without tilting towards the road. This
Both models offer identical performance December this year. combines with an electrified powertrain –
activated as soon as the rider starts to pedal
– which drives the two rear wheels. The rear
wheels also provide the basis for a versatile,
pick-up-style transport platform which
can be fitted with a selection of modular
attachments. There's also the facility for
adding a system for weather protection.
The Clever Commute e-scooter is
designed as an ideal park and ride partner.
It folds up making it ideal for carrying in
the car boot (it fits length ways into the
3 Series boot, for example) and for carrying
on public transport. It can be rolled along on
both wheels, rather like a trolley case. The
front wheel features an integral hub motor
providing electric power that makes it easier
to push the scooter up ramps.
Both micromobility concepts have been
designed to offer a range of over 12-miles.
Their battery packs can be removed and
charged at home. BMW is in discussions with
potential licensees to build both concepts.

NOVEMBER 2021 7
NEWS

POINTS PROGRAMME
REWARDS HYBRID DRIVERS
BMW has rolled out a Points Programme rewarding customers with
charging credit for each electric mile driven with their hybrid BMW.
BMW plug-in hybrid owners can now benefit from BMW Points in the UK.
Offered to 330e, 530e, 545e, 745e, X3 30e (produced from August 2021)
and X5 45e drivers with BMW Operating System 7.0, the programme offers
free charging in exchange for driving electric miles. Drivers can earn two
points for each mile driven electrically, four for each mile driven electrically in
a designated eDrive zone.
BMW Points users are also awarded 20 bonus points every time their
vehicle is charged for a minimum of fifteen minutes. Plus, a monthly reward
of 500 points for each user who charges their vehicle twenty times a month
for a minimum of fifteen minutes each time. 
Once drivers have collected 3,200 points, they will be rewarded with £10
of charging credit to be used across the BMW Charging network. At the 7500
point threshold, customers will receive £25 and at 14,500 points a £50
free charging credit. Vehicles can be registered on the BMW Points scheme
via the My BMW App, once you are registered miles are automatically
logged by the vehicle. Additionally, any miles driven throughout Europe are
also recorded – BMW Points is already available to customers in Germany,
Belgium and Netherlands.
Existing eDrive (low emission) Zones in London and Birmingham have
been bolstered by a further six Zones launched across the UK in Glasgow,
Edinburgh, Belfast, Liverpool, Bath and Manchester. The most recent
additions also include Dublin and Limerick. The BMW eDrive Zones digital
service automates the process of switching to electric-only power when a
BMW plug-in hybrid vehicle enters a defined area of designated cities. The
eDrive Zones are highlighted on the vehicle’s Central Control Display
navigation screen, in London they include the TFL Congestion Charge/ULEZ
zone, in Birmingham the service covers the city’s Clean Air Zone.
8 BMWcar
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M PERFORMANCE PARTS.
THE CROWD.

With our range of BMW M Performance Parts, you can take sportiness right down to the last detail.
Whether it’s enhanced aerodynamics, drivetrain, interior or chassis, we have all the equipment you need
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To find out more, please contact your preferred BMW Retailer or visit
www.bmw.co.uk/mperformanceaccessories
F30 3 SERIES ULTIMATE GUIDE

Ultimate Guide:
F30 3 Series
When it was launched ten years ago the F30 was the most advanced 3 Series
ever made, today it represents an excellent used buy...
Words: Words: Bob Harper Photography: BMW

I t seems barely possible that the F30

generation of 3 Series is celebrating its first
decade this year, but it’s almost ten years
to the day since the sixth version of the
iconic executive saloon first saw the light of
day when it was revealed at the Munich plant
back in 2011. The arrival of a new 3 Series is
always an important time for BMW and helps
define how the entire BMW range is viewed
by both the press and the buying public. When
get wrong.
As you’d expect there was quite the fanfare
to accompany the launch of the new car and
BMW had plenty to shout about, claiming
“The new BMW 3 Series Saloon is a car of
contradictions: larger and more spacious than
the model it replaces, but lighter; quicker in
many cases, but more fuel-efficient; and more
nimble and agile while even safer. There have
been big steps forward in style, quality, comfort
exclusively turbocharged, electro-mechanical
power steering across the board as well as
an eight-speed automatic gearbox option
and previously unavailable options such as a
head-up display being offered to customers to
for the first time.
It was great when it was new and is still
a brilliant used buy with a large number of
examples to choose from with a variety of
differing engines and trim levels there’s more
the F30 was launched the 3 Series saloon and specification for only a minimal price or less an F30 3 Series to suit every driver
accounted for one fifth of all BMWs sold so it increase.” There were a number of firsts for the whether you’re looking for the ultimate in
was a model that BMW really couldn’t afford to 3 Series too, with an engine line-up that was economy or feel the need for speed.

10 BMWcar
 F30 3 SERIES ULTIMATE GUIDE

History
The F30 was first revealed in October 2011, Series Saloon line-up featured turbocharged
made its motor show debut in Detroit in power units and comprised of one six-cylinder
January 2012 and went on sale in February that and three four-cylinder engines – 320d, 320d
year in just about all the world’s major markets. EfficientDynamics, 328i and 335i and these
While BMW generally experiments with its were closely followed by the 316d, 318d and
design language with less mainstream models 320i in March 2012.
it usually plays it fairly safe with the 3 Series All the four diesels used the same 1995cc
and that was certainly true of the F30. It was engine, but in different states of tune, with
neatly styled – nothing too outlandish for this power outputs ranging from 116hp to 184hp.
vital sector of the market – and was instantly The 320d EfficientDynamics was particularly
recognisable as a BMW and as a 3 Series. noteworthy, offering 163hp, 280lb ft of
What was most obvious was that the torque, an 8.0-second 0-62mph time and
F30 had grown considerably, with the latest a top speed of 143mph, while emitting just
machine being 93mm longer than the 109g/km of CO2 and returning 68.9mpg on
outgoing car and with 50mm of that extra the combined cycle.
length going into the wheelbase it came as no Of the petrol models, both the 320i and the
surprise that the F30 offered more spacious 328i came with the four-cylinder twin-scroll
accommodation than before, particularly turbocharged N20 with outputs of 184hp and
for rear seat passengers. The new car also 245hp respectively, offering 0-62mph times
featured a stiffer body and an all-new chassis of 7.3- and 5.9-seconds, while the 328i has
with widened front and rear track (37 and a combined economy figure of 44.1mpg.
47mm respectively) in the quest for even The 335i used the same basic engine as the
better driving dynamics but also to move even outgoing model but offered better performance
the smaller wheels to the edges of the wheel economy and emissions, especially when
arches for improved aesthetics. The boot was hooked up to the automatic gearbox.
bigger too – up 20-litres to 480 – but even All F30 Threes came as standard with a
though the Three had increased in size BMW six-speed manual with an automatic being an
reckoned it weighed either the same or up option, and this self-shifter had eight ratios
What goes wrong?
Generally speaking the F30 generation
to 50kg less than the old car depending on
options and specification.
It was perhaps inside that the greatest steps
making the auto models particularly efficient.
There was more good news for buyers of the
320d EfficientDynamics, as for the first time this
is so far proving to be a pretty forward were made for the F30 with a much model was available with the eight-speed auto.
reliable machine but there are always more upmarket feel than previous generation. Further models joined the line-up later in
exceptions to the rule so give potential The increased rear accommodation made it 2012 – the 316i, the 320i EfficientDynamics,
purchases a thorough check over, feel more spacious than BMW’s figures might the 330d, the 320i xDrive and the Active
especially when it comes to the have suggested as 15mm more knee room Hybrid 3. The all-wheel drive 320i xDrive
various gadgets and gizmos. Look for and 8mm of additional headroom might not became the first 3 Series saloon to be offered
a cast iron service history and ignore sound much, but it definitely felt better than in the UK with this type of drivetrain while the
any examples that look to have had before. The dash layout and design seemed Active Hybrid 3 was the 3 Series’ first foray into
stretched oil change intervals. hybrid power. The combination of the 335i’s
Unless you have your heart set on to have taken their design cues from the
an unusual colour combination with contemporary 5 and 6 Series and with a slight turbocharged straight-six and an electric motor
some specific options you should have angle towards the driver it felt sporty enough, offered excellent performance – 0-62mph
plenty of choice when buying an F30 too. All models featured a 6.5-inch monitor took just 5.3-seconds – but it’s 2.4-mile all
so if you’re unsure about any potential sitting on top of the dash and if Professional electric range meant that this wasn’t really
purchase it’s best to walk away and navigation was specified the screen grew to designed with the eco warrior in mind.
find one that’s perfect. 10-inches. The quality of trim was a step up on Brawnier diesel models also joined the
the previous E90 generation, too. fray, the 330d in mid-2012 and the 335d in
When the F30 was launched the entire 3 2013, along with a middle-ground option, the
NOVEMBER 2021 11
F30 3 SERIES ULTIMATE GUIDE
325d. While the 335d offered the ultimate was the least successful with matt chrome but in a different state of tune, was used
in performance it could only be ordered with highlights and a two-tone Oyster interior – it in the 330i which replaced the 328i. With
xDrive so those after traditional rear-wheel was quietly dropped when the F30 received 252hp and 258lb ft and it could reach 62mph
drive thrills were limited to the 330d (which its facelift. The Luxury models majored on from rest in just under six seconds in manual
could be specced with xDrive, too), but it lashings of chrome, gloss wood interior trim Saloon form. Top dog in the petrol line up
was still a hugely impressive machine. The and leather seats while M Sport featured the was the new 340i which was the first BMW to
330d was only expected array of receive the new B58 modular version of the
offered with the
eight-speed auto The major change came M aerodynamics,
wheels, leather
six-cylinder petrol unit. With a swept volume
of 2998cc it developed the same 326hp
but with 258hp and
413lb ft of torque. in 2015 when the car sports seats and
sport suspension.
and 332lb ft of torque and was good for a
5.1-second 0-62mph time.
It knocked off the
0-62mph dash in underwent its mid- The major change
for the F30 came
The 316d, 318d, 320d and 320d
EfficientDynamics all used the new B47 unit
just 5.6-seconds yet
returned a combined life refresh mid-2015 when
the car underwent
to replace the old N47 and had outputs
ranging from 116hp and 190hp and offered
fuel economy of its mid-life refresh. up to 72.4mpg. The 320d EfficientDynamics
57.6mpg and CO2 emissions of just 129g/km. Exterior upgrades weren’t ground-breaking with managed to dip below the magic 100g/km
So there was an extensive engine line-up minor styling tweaks to the bumpers along with CO2 barrier (when spec’d as an auto) which
(and we haven’t even got to the LCI models restyled head and tail lights which featured made it a very popular company car choice.
yet!) but there was an equally extensive increased use of the now de rigueur LEDs. The last two diesels, the 330d and 335d
selection of trim levels to choose from. ES Inside there were some updated components xDrive used tweaked versions of the previous
models (only available on the 316i and 316d) but it was under the skin that the most N57 engine with outputs of 258 and 313hp
were a little bit down on spec but still received important changes were to be found. respectively. Both were popular models.
auto air, 17-inch alloys, keyless go, cruise, Virtually the entire engine line-up was The LCI models also saw changes to their
Bluetooth, iDrive and a USB audio interface, revamped with the new modular B class family suspension and steering to enhance their
but you’d have been better off with an SE spec of engines, with just the 330d and 335d sporting credentials while both the eight-speed
machine. This added 17-inch Star-spoke style retaining previously used units. For the first auto and six-speed manual ‘boxes featured
393 alloys with run-flat tyres, auto air-con (two time in the 3 Series a three-cylinder engine minor revisions, including rev matching on the
zone), an auto dimming rear-view mirror, rear was used for the new entry-level petrol model, manuals when changing down the ‘box.
PDC and a rain sensor with auto headlight the 318i, which effectively replaced the 316i. The last major arrival was the debut of the
activation. On the 328i and above, SE spec It punched above its 1499cc weight and 330e in 2016. It combined a four-cylinder
also added Extended lighting, front PDC and with 136hp it could just dip below the nine petrol engine with an electric motor for a
Servotronic steering. second mark from rest to 62mph and thanks combined output of 252hp and an official
New for the 3 Series were Sport, Modern to its relatively light weight was actually quite combined economy of up to 148mpg and
and Luxury trim levels which all aimed to give entertaining to drive. CO2 emissions as low as 44g/km. It has an
the car a different feel and ambiance. Sport For the 320i the N20 was ditched and electric range of up to 25-miles but the battery
was perhaps the most convincing with unique- replaced with the B48 2.0-litre turbocharged pack did rob some boot space, dropping
to-the-model 17-inch alloys, black high-gloss four-cylinder unit that developed 184hp and its capacity to 370-litres which did blunt its
air intakes with redesigned bumpers, sports 214lb ft of torque which gave it a 7.2-second practicality a little.
seats with red stitching, a Sport leather steering 0-62mph time yet offered around 50mpg on The F30 was eventually replaced by the new
wheel and further sporty detailing. Modern the official combined cycle. The same engine, G20 model in early 2019.

12 BMWcar
 F30 3 SERIES ULTIMATE GUIDE

Engines
We’ll start here with the diesels as the range Other problems to be aware of include Generally speaking the petrol engines
of engines fitted to the F30 tend to be front exhaust flexi-pipes can split whilst fare better than the diesels with the four-
slightly less reliable than the petrol units – gradual coolant loss can be due to the cylinder N20 and later B48 units proving to
indeed, in What Car?’s latest reliability survey Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler be pretty reliable. The N20 is pretty solid but
some BMW diesel models were significantly leaking coolant into the inlet manifold and there have been the odd instances of timing
more likely to be troublesome than their thus into the engine to be burnt off. The chain problems and they can suffer from the
petrol counterparts. EGR valves themselves can jam and require occasional oil leak from the oil filter housing
The four-cylinder N47 diesel found in the either cleaning or replacement and there and valve cover gasket. So far the B48 looks
pre-facelift F30 was much improved over have been numerous EGR-related recalls so to have a good reliability record but with all
earlier versions of the engine but there’s still double check that a potential purchase has these engines regular oil changes are key to
the timing chain issue to be wary of. The had this done. The B47 that replaced the keeping them in fine fettle.
chain is located at the back of the engine N47 seems to be healthy so far, although The six-cylinder N55 petrol in the 335i
so replacement involves the removal of the they can still suffer from EGR problems. is generally not a bad unit although like
engine – it can be done by removing the The N57 found in the 330d and 335d many N series engines it does seem rather
gearbox, but either way it’s going to be costly uses a similar design but the smoother susceptible to an oil leak, notably from
when repairs are required. A failing chain can running of the six-cylinder unit seems to the oil filter housing gasket. As it’s a direct
be spotted by a rhythmic ‘shh, shh, shh’ noise make them less susceptible to the chain injection unit it can also suffer from carbon
rather than by a heavy rattle you might expect issue, but listen closely as they have been build up which can be removed with walnut
and if a car you’re looking at exhibits this known to fail. Turbos and injectors are again blasting. Rattling from the top of the engine
noise then walk away and look at another. fairly robust, but the faults still apply and will generally be down to the hydraulic lifters
Extended service intervals didn’t help so we’d cheap diesel can also make a mess of the rocking in their bores and this is more likely
recommend changing the oil on one of these high pressure fuel pump and injectors, too. to happen on units that haven’t had regular
units every 8,000-miles or so, no matter what It’s also worth asking yourself whether you oil changes or have generally been a little
the service indicator tells you. really need the additional performance of a abused. Direct injection pumps can fail, too.
Turbos and injectors seem to fare much 335d – its additional complexity makes the So far the B58 in the 340i is looking pretty
better than on older versions of the engine, 330d a better buy when it comes to forking solid and doesn’t exhibit any notable foibles
but can fail on higher mileage examples. out for repairs. so that’s good news.

NOVEMBER 2021 13
F30 3 SERIES ULTIMATE GUIDE
Transmission
Fortunately there aren’t too many problems to be found with the F30’s Steering and suspension
gearboxes, either the six-speed manual or ZF eight-speed auto. Which you Overall there aren’t too many problems with the F30’s
choose is down to personal preference but there are a couple of items to underpinnings but hard driven examples may now be ready for
note. On the manuals, especially higher mileage cars you can get a rattle from replacement dampers, especially if the car’s been driven hard
the dual mass flywheel and even an aftermarket item will set up back around when fully loaded. Listen out for knocks or clunks on a test drive
£600 plus the cost of a new clutch too, plus labour. Also check that the box as bushes can wear out with one of the more regular problems
engages reverse without problems – they have been known to be problematic. being the bump stops which can split. Parts aren’t expensive but
the struts have to be removed to effect a replacement.
The eight-speed auto is very good and rarely gives cause for concern, Another known foible of the F30 is a rattle from the steering,
any problems generally being related to the electronics rather than the ‘box especially when travelling over rougher roads. The only known
itself. They’re sealed for life units but ZF reckons the oil should be changed cure is a new electric rack – around £2,000 for the part from
by around 75,000-miles or eight years, especially if used in hot conditions, if BMW. F30s do seem to be quite susceptible to their suspension
driven in a sporting manner or if the car is used for towing. geometry going out of kilter after a few years and have a full
Differentials and drive shafts aren’t a cause for concern, but do listen out geometry check every few years will do wonders for the way the
for any untoward noises from the diff as a whining unit is not unheard of, car drives and should also prevent excessive tyre wear, too.
even if it’s pretty rare.

Body
You won’t find rust on an F30 unless it’s
been poorly repaired but that doesn’t
mean you should skimp on the usual
checks. Do the panels line up correctly
with more or less uniform gaps? Is the
paint finish consistent between panels?
Are the lights all in good condition
without and crack, chips or water ingress?
Are any exterior trims in good order?

F30s do seem to be susceptible to their

suspension geometry going out of kilter...

14 BMWcar
 F30 3 SERIES ULTIMATE GUIDE
F30 Diesel models (selected highlights)
320d LCI 330d LCI
Engine: B47 four-cylinder N57 six-cylinder
Capacity: 1995cc 2993cc
Power: 190hp @ 4000rpm 258hp @ 4000rpm
Torque: 295lb ft @ 1750-2500rpm 413lb ft @ 1500-3000rpm
0-62mph: 7.3-seconds 5.6-seconds
Top speed: 146mph 155mph
Economy: 67.3mpg 56.5mpg
Emissions: 111g/km 131g/km

F30 Petrol models (selected highlights)

330i LCI 340i LCI
Engine: B48 four-cylinder B58 six-cylinder
Capacity: 1998cc 2998cc
Power: 252hp @ 5200-6500rpm 326hp @ 5500-6500rpm
Torque: 258lb ft @ 1450-4800rpm 332lb ft @ 1380-5000rpm
0-62mph: 5.9-seconds 5.1-seconds
Top speed: 155mph 155mph
Economy: 43.5mpg 36.7 mpg
Emissions: 151g/km 179g/km

Wheels, tyres and brakes

For the F30 generation the spectre of cracked alloys that seemed
to plague the E90 3 Series seems to have been resolved but give
the wheels a good check over anyway. Check for cracks and kerb
damage. Virtually all models came with runflats and by the time
the F30 hit the streets they were pretty good from a ride comfort
perspective, but if buying an M Sport on the optional 19-inch rims
don’t expect a magic carpet ride. 17s offer a decent ride, the 16s
on the EfficientDynamics models are even better and 18s are a
tolerable compromise between looks and ride comfort. Check that
whatever boots it’s fitted with are a known brand – nothing screams
that a car’s been run on a shoestring like budget rubber.
There aren’t many worries on the braking front other than regular
pad and disc replacements – rear pads can require replacement
frequently on hard driven examples as the DSC uses them to keep
on top of the car’s stability. ABS is more or less problem free and the
F30 is too new to worry about rusty brake pipes unless it’s spent its
entire life driving through sea water.

NOVEMBER 2021 15
F30 3 SERIES ULTIMATE GUIDE
Interior
The F30 was pretty well screwed together and the materials
used were of a decent quality so a potential purchase should
still be in good order. Both the leather and fabric seats seem
to wear well but do the usual checks for rips and tears or any
staining. Bolsters seem to resist wear fairly well, too.
One seat-related item that does not do so well are the seat
bases which have a tendency to rust. Its unsightly rather than a
structural problem and if you make a big fuss you might have
them replaced by a dealer under goodwill or warranty.
Check all the electrics work well – these 3 Series had more
equipment than ever before so it pays to take your time and
ensure everything works as it should. Does the air-con blow
cold? Does the sat-nav boot up quickly? Do all the windows
work? Simple things to check, but they’ll avoid financial pain
further down the line if checked prior to purchase.

Verdict
With a vast number of different engines 330d you won’t regret it – it’s almost as of short trips a 330e could also be a good
to choose from and an extensive range quick as a 335d and is a gem to drive. option, but do bear in mind the loss of
of trims there really is an F30 to suit all The petrol models do seem to be a little luggage capacity if you plan to regularly fill
tastes and budgets. Pre-facelift diesels more reliable than the diesels and the 320i the boot.
aren’t compatible with London’s Ultra is a very nicely balanced and entertaining Post face-lift cars do drive a little better
Low Emission Zone so avoid those if you machine to drive. The 328i and 330i do and have the advantage of packing the
regularly head to the capital. Other than offer considerably more go without being latest technology – if budget allows then
that the 2.0-litre diesels are great machines, significantly more expensive to run so again, these are the cars to go for. Overall though
offering a great blend of performance and these are the models we’d recommend. If any F30 is a very decent machine – buy the
economy, although if you can stretch to a you’ve somewhere to charge it and do lots best you can and enjoy it!

16 BMWcar
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007’S E38 7 SERIES

Tomorrow
Never Dies
With the release of No Time to Die finally upon us, we revisit an earlier
James Bond adventure and pay tribute to one of the franchise’s most
underrated vehicles with Bond Cars author Jason Barlow.

I
Words: Liam Heitmann-Ryce Photography: BMW
f you were to play the word-association Enter BMW. Despite a strong reputation audiences were given a sneak preview of the
game with “James Bond” and “car”, the for luxury vehicles with faultless sporting understated – and despairingly gadget-free –
first thing to come out of a person’s mouth credentials, the German marque has long Z3 roadster, with 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies
would most likely be ‘Aston Martin’, or received short thrift from even casual Bond thrusting Bond into the back seat of a remote-
maybe ‘underwater Lotus’. They would fans. The outrage that their favourite superspy control 750iL and 1999’s The World Is Not
probably imagine the silver DB5 from would be seen in anything as recognisably Enough placing Brosnan behind the wheel of
Goldfinger, complete with ejector seat and suburban as a BMW may have diluted since the achingly beautiful Z8 roadster, complete
front-mounted machine guns, or they may the 1990s, but Bayerische Motoren Werke is with side-mounted missile launchers.
picture the sleek white Esprit from The Spy still unlikely to appear in the Bond car word- Of the three, the full-size 7 Series routinely
Who Loved Me diving off the edge of a jetty association game. suffers the harshest criticism from fans, lacking
and gracefully transforming into a propeller- A Bond for the new millennium, Pierce the immediate glamour of its two-seater
powered submarine. No matter what, the Brosnan’s rendition of the suave secret counterparts. For all the excesses in product
consensus is clear: Bond cars are sleek, sexy, agent, brought with it some notable placement exhibited by the decades-long
almost always two-door coupés, and represent product placement, in the form of Omega franchise, Tomorrow Never Dies is frequently
the highest automotive aspirations of just wristwatches, Brioni tailoring, and three very pinned as a low point of 007’s onscreen
about every filmgoer and car enthusiast. flash BMWs. Beginning with GoldenEye, outings. Much of that vitriol is directed
18 BMWcar
 007’S E38 7 SERIES

toward the 750iL provided for Bond while on automotive design. for my views are shared by the current authority
assignment in Hamburg, a vehicle fitting for Of the 750iL we see onscreen, I am voice on the subject of James Bond’s four-
his cover as a British banker but otherwise confident BMW purists will join me in playfully wheeled co-stars. Journalist and broadcaster
dismissed as one of the most lacklustre cars scorning Desmond Llewelyn’s Q for the Jason Barlow is a contributing editor for GQ
ever to have wound up in a Bond film. incorrect pronunciation of the model number, and Top Gear magazine, and the author of last
This has always bothered me, as perhaps referring to the car as “your new BMW seven- year’s 336-page masterwork Bond Cars: The
the only person I know who upholds the hundred-and-fifty.” Yet this may well have been Definitive History. With a career in automotive
“007 Series” as their favourite Bond car. the doing of director Roger Spottiswoode. For journalism that has seen him at the launch of
Upon voicing that opinion I am met with a many of his appearances as Q throughout the every major BMW model of the past quarter-
mixture of ambivalence and disbelief, with the series, Llewelyn commonly read off what he century, Barlow was more than happy to
unbeatable pairing of Bond and Aston Martin called ‘idiot cards’ to guide him through his share some love for the ‘007 Series’, as well
almost completely invalidating my own choice. character’s famously jargon-laden dialogue, yet as offer some revelations about its onscreen
Few people are willing to recognise the sleek for Tomorrow Never Dies Spottiswoode insisted appearance which weren’t published his book.
muscularity of this imposing sports sedan, with the 82-year-old actor recite his lines by heart. Jason begins by sharing that the Tomorrow
the regal E38 representing the pinnacle of Nevertheless, I feel assured in my defence Never Dies BMW is “one of my favourite Bond
BMW’s strikingly elegant and inoffensively boxy of the 750iL as one of 007’s greatest vehicles, cars. There’s a strong case to be made for the
NOVEMBER 2021 19
007’S E38 7 SERIES
The E38 7 Series is
equipped with various
gadgets as expected
of any Bond car

E38 being the most elegant of all the 7 Series His penchant for creating vehicles with
iterations, the archetypal large German saloon.” drooping rear ends, a design trademark
While he concedes there are individual derisively known as the “Bangle butt” –
highlights within BMW’s illustrious history, exemplified by the E65 7 Series and E64 6
such as the E30 3 Series, the original 6 Series Series – was initially viewed with the same
and the classic 2002, he broadly believes kind of vitriol previously reserved for the
“that BMW’s design peaked in the Nineties. “egg yolk” headlights of the 996 Porsche
Chris Bangle, whose work I always defend – 911 Carrera. While the latter has been more
although he was a better designer of products favourably reassessed in recent years, it is
than of cars – had to kick against it in order to uncertain whether anyone can look at the
move the brand forward.” offensively pudgy 7 Series of the early 2000s
And kick the trend Bangle certainly did, and assert its status as an icon of automotive
for the defence rallied by Mr Barlow for design, in the same way its class-leading
these design innovations is not one shared predecessor had in the decade prior.
by the author of this article. After the sleek Yet despite the subtle grace of the E38,
musculature of BMW design embodied by the there was no escaping its vast dimensions
E36 3 Series, E39 5 Series and first-generation as a long-wheelbase saloon, so its presence
X5, my view on the bulbous, wallowing vehicles in a Bond film was not one received with
produced under Bangle’s design direction is ecstatic approval. Indeed, it was overlooked
that they are nothing short of sacrilege. as little more than brazen product placement,
Was BMW’s support despite the producers’ best efforts to call back
of the Bond films the classic DB5 with the BMW’s Aspen Silver
more than a mere paintwork and an almost identical registration
marketing exercise? plate. But 007 in a German four-door, in a
company car? For many, it was inexcusable.
Jason stands by me here in defending the
750iL’s place within the Bond canon.
“I certainly don’t dismiss the E38 in
Tomorrow Never Dies as a piece of
opportunistic product placement. One could
argue that it’s exactly the right sort of car for
Pierce Brosnan’s Bond. It has that sort of
crisply tailored precision: there’s a modernism
to the E38, an almost clinical sense of
aesthetic perfection,” he says.
Jason keenly points out how sharp the
low-slung saloon looks compared to the other
vehicles in the film’s famous car park chase
sequence, riding on non-standard 18” M
Sport alloys that really give the car its shark-
like grace. While his chapter on the E38 in
Bond Cars is about as comprehensive as one
can hope for, the result of weeks of research
within the EON production archives of the
20 BMWcar
 007’S E38 7 SERIES

Very few of the 17 cars used for filming

survived their ordeal...

franchise’s near 60-year history, I suspected to the BMW’s flagship vehicle at the time. For Is Not Enough featured the Z8, which was so
there was still more to be said about the most viewers accustomed the curvaceous new that BMW hadn’t even started making
car we saw onscreen. That hunch was well- grace of 007’s earlier two-door beauties, it as the film was in production. Although a
founded, as Jason told me that the most this full-size luxury car seems a deplorably ‘007-Series’ is a lovely idea, I suspect that the
profoundly nerdy things had to be excised uninteresting set of wheels – but there is motivation was mostly commercial, although
in the edit in order to maintain the book’s much to be said in its defence. much less onerous than the one that led to
general-interest appeal. For one, its immense 5.4-litre V12 made it AMC cars appearing in The Man with the
No matter which way you look at it, one of the smoothest saloons on the road – Golden Gun.”
moviemaking is as much an artform as a and even Rolls-Royce pilfered it for their Silver Jason was able to offer one major revelation,
business – and the Bond films are no exception Seraph coupé – and it was a remarkably lithe however, perhaps the final answer to one
to this. Following the phenomenal success of vehicle for all its weight and size. The units of the longest-held debates within the Bond
GoldenEye in 1995, bringing Bond back to provided by BMW for filming were all finished car community. Over the years, it has been
screens after a six-year absence, the follow-up with those non-standard alloys, with its grille, frequently disputed that the 750iL onscreen
was obligated to strike fast in order to capitalise doors and bumpers lined with a slender is actually the less-powerful – and rather less
on renewed fervour for the classic espionage chrome pinstripe to ensure the big Beemer costly – 740iL. More attentive viewers will
series. This meant the next film had to surpass was nothing short of an executive’s dream. have worked this out for themselves, as the
outlandishly high expectations, and so a budget I asked Jason if he had learned anything sound purring from beneath the E38’s bonnet
of $110 million – almost twice the cost of about the car undergoing any bespoke in the film is, unquestionably, the sharp snarl
GoldenEye – was sure to meet the challenge. glamorising for its onscreen appearance? of a V8, rather than the deep rumbling swell
The enormous budgets required by each “I can only speculate,” he replies. “For a of a V12. Logistically, however, the decision to
Bond film make them especially dependant major product placement, I would guess that use 740’s rather than 750’s is one motivated
on promotional tie-ins, from the clothes Bond BMW suggested the producers use the then- by production costs, as very few of the 17
wears to the wheel he’s sat behind. In the case new E38 7 Series. This is just as GoldenEye cars used for filming survived their ordeal. It is
of Tomorrow Never Dies, that wheel belonged showcased the brand new Z3, and The World somewhat dumbfounding, all the same, that
NOVEMBER 2021 21
007’S E38 7 SERIES

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22 BMWcar
 007’S E38 7 SERIES
Bond Cars:
The
Definitive
History
Celebrating the
iconic James
Bond cars
made famous
in numerous
007 films
– Bond Cars:
The Definitive
History by
Jason Barlow
is available
to purchase online and from all good book
stores. ISBN: 9781785945144 

Left: E38’s stunt driver is

positioned behind the driving
seat in the rear of the cabin

the filmmakers did so little to disguise their from the BMW’s sunroof – Bond retreats and Neil Layton – had real trouble interrogating
V8-engined cars with any post-production runs over his own spikes. the software to make the car do what they
sound mixing. Even in the film’s ‘hero shots’, Fortunately, the car is equipped wanted, and still function. On Tomorrow Never
in which Brosnan is seen driving a standard, with reinflating tyres, an optional extra Dies, though, [special effects coordinator] Chris
gadget-free car – and thus the perfect demonstrated in close-up. Yet the alloys Corbould would have overseen this process,
opportunity to use at least one V12 750 – we appear to change size and design in this shot, as he still does now.” 
are quite obviously hearing the V8 of a 740 as resembling the far less glamorous 16” wheels Unceremoniously launched off the roof
he floors the accelerator. found on the E36 and lesser models of the of a multi-story carpark, Bond’s 750iL meets
But Jason proposes that we aren’t even E38 line-up – including the 728. Given the a spectacular end befitting its brief, riotously
looking at a 740iL here, but an entry-level degree of focus afforded to the M Sport alloys, enjoyable onscreen appearance. Perhaps the
728iL. It was while collecting research for with much of the car’s screen time framed in most underrated of all the cars provided by
Bond Cars that Barlow spoke with a former low-angle shots as to render them practically Q-branch over the decades, the silver E38 of
BMW employee, who insisted that the majority unmissable, it is jarring to see the wheels Tomorrow Never Dies has enjoyed the quiet,
of cars used for filming were six-cylinder change in this obvious continuity error. fervent applause of a dedicated fanbase which
728s, a choice which once again returns to Speaking to Jason, he was able to offer continues to grow within BMW forums and
the matter of money.... “Why trash an entire some other behind-the-scenes insights into the comments section of the many YouTube
fleet of the most expensive version,” Jason the making of Tomorrow Never Dies, as well videos sharing the film’s iconic car chase.
ponders, “when a modified version of the as share a few details from the set of the most Imposing, sleek, undoubtedly elegant and
cheapest would suffice?” recent Bond adventure No Time to Die, the beautifully understated, the 750iL proves that
If there is one piece of evidence that could filming of which he was invited to observe in Bond doesn’t always need to be behind the
attest to the production’s use of the 728iL, the summer of 2019. “All BMW stunt vehicles wheel of an Aston Martin to make a lasting
it would be the change of alloys we see in are modified to a certain extent. Generally impression. That’s the certainly the case for the
the middle of the chase sequence. At one speaking, the ABS and traction control are writer of this article, who has adored the big
point, Bond deploys a tray of tyre spikes and disabled, so that the stunt drivers can do their Beemer since first seeing it on his VHS copy of
immobilises the Mercedes W126 S-Class thing. This can lead to unexpected problems,” the film aged eight. It was that car, in that film,
pursuing him. However, after he is forced to he says, citing an example from No Time to which inspired a lifelong passion for BMWs – a
turn around by a security shutter – strangely Die. “There’s a Lancia Thesis in one scene passion, I’m sure, will only continue to grow
impervious to the stinger missiles fired at it and the film’s car people – led by a guy called stronger with each passing year ●
NOVEMBER 2021 23
COMMENT

JOHN GLYNN
John has some thoughts on your next used car purchase...
Will we see a
supply issue
with good used
cars in future?

A recent coffee break exercise comparing new car registration

data from the German and UK car markets was thought-
provoking on the subject of future used car supply.
In July 2021, 236,400 new passenger cars were
registered in Germany: 25% fewer than in July 2020.
While this was the first monthly fall in Germany after four consecutive
months of growth, the YTD total was still up 7%, with c.1.6 million cars
registered. That said, the 2021 total is still down 25% compared to the
first seven months of 2019 – the year before coronavirus.
UK new car registrations for July fell by 29.5% to 123,296 units,
the fall in private sales over recent years; it is getting harder to buy a
three- or four-year-old car privately these days. Thanks, We Buy Any Car.
Secondly, national used vehicle stock may be made up of fewer fleet
cars and more private cars. Many private buyers do not spend as much
as fleet buyers and are drawn to cheaper brands. Private buyers in the
prestige sector are often on lease and PCP plans and are encouraged by
manufacturers to take cars from UK stock, so reducing the level of new
car personalisation. This could lead to fewer interesting and high spec
examples in the future and a further rise in value for well optioned cars.
Thirdly, surging demand for the latest battery electric, hybrid and
according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). plug-in hybrid vehicles has led to their registrations rising 32%, 46%
The decline is artificially lessened in comparison with July 2020, when and 72% respectively. Demand for plug-in hybrid has outpaced battery
registrations rose dramatically as showrooms enjoyed a full month’s electric in five of the last six months since changes to the Plug-in Car
operation following the first 2020 lockdown. Grant were introduced in March. There are now some 130 plug-in
However, July’s performance was down over 22% on the average models on the market and the numbers are growing. All electric vehicles
recorded over the past decade, as the ongoing semiconductor are expensive and have likely been written up by finance and lease
shortage and the ‘pingdemic’ impacted on both supply and demand. companies at strong future values/final payments, but these numbers
Consequently, this was the weakest July for new car registrations since will still be well below the cost and potential extended lead times to
1998, prior to the introduction of the two-plate system. replace these cars with newer models when the contract period expires.
Most sales were lost in fleet which, at 61,140 units, was almost With the high standard spec now seen on so many new cars unlikely
30% lower than the average recorded over the past decade. Private to be rendered significantly obsolete for quite some time, and with a
registrations fell by a lesser extent vs average: down 11% to 59,841 three- or four-year-old car facing slower depreciation, private buyers on
units. A decline in fleet business for July did not match the YTD trend, HP, PCP or personal lease agreements may opt to keep their cars when
which is up almost 30% YoY, but that’s thanks to woeful 2020 numbers. the contract expires rather than hand it back and start again. This would
The YTD total for all sectors was 1,033,269: a 24.7% increase on the be another issue for supply of used electric vehicles – exactly what most
same period last year. So, while fleet registrations have kept pace with used car buyers are likely to be looking for in 2025 and beyond.
general market performance thus far through 2021, anyone with an eye So, if you’re a private buyer who’s been looking at the electric market
on the economy and changing work trends will acknowledge the risks and planning to jump in circa 2024/2025 when the technology is a
to the fleet sector. August was another poor month, with 12,627 fewer little more proven, it may be worth considering your options in the face
fleet cars registered: a fall of more than 27% vs August 2020. of low new cars sales through 2020 and 2021 and what this could
While new cars sales are down for several reasons, including the mean for you as a buyer in what is likely to be quite a strong market.
chip shortage and the pandemic, this fall in registrations and changing Electric vehicle demand is unlikely to slow down, while supply of the
market patterns could hurt future used car buyers in several ways. most desirable models will be limited and prices will be high as a result.
Firstly, supply of used cars in two to three years is going to be lower Current trends suggest that depreciation on the most desirable EVs
than we have become familiar with, so if you’re used to buying your (BMW included) over 36 to 48 months could be very low. If the supply
main car at three or four years old with 60% of depreciation behind it, of good used electric cars does not improve we may all end up driving
that may be different next time around. It is also worth bearing in mind internal combustion vehicles for many more years than expected l
24 BMWcar
 COMMENT

BOB HARPER
Bob really should not look at what’s selling at auction...

Would you pay a

premium for a car
that has barely been
driven from new?

I t’s a sad fact that when perusing the motoring classifieds if something
looks like a bargain then it’s probably too good to be true. Obviously,
there are exceptions but generally speaking if you see an E30 M3 in
reasonable condition being advertised for £10k then you’d no doubt
smell a rat. If something is desirable and is in limited supply it’s going
to be expensive, but what I don’t get is the obsession that seems to
revolve around low mileage cars.
I should probably shy away from looking at traditional auction
results as well as those from the glut of online classic auctions that
are proliferating at the moment as they really don’t do anything for my
possessions, but if you’re not going to drive it what’s the point of owning
it? I can understand collecting art – there’s not a lot else you can do with
it other than hang it on the wall and admire it, and surely that’s what the
artist would have wanted. But I can imagine that poor old Paul Rosche
is turning in his grave in the knowledge that one of his finest creations
was never used in anger. I can only hope the new owner will actually
drive it occasionally, but sadly that will affect its value so it’ll no doubt sit
in a garage or warehouse before being sold in a few years’ time with a
few million added to its price tag.
The second car that sold this month comes from the more affordable
blood pressure. Every time I see something selling for an exorbitant end of the scale, but this particular example has risen (unlike its
amount of money I can’t help but kick myself for not renting a load of mileage) into the stratosphere. Yes, an E46 M3 CSL that had covered
barns and stuffing them full of cars a couple of decades ago, but I’m just 2,657-miles sold on Collecting Cars this month for £120,000.
sure many of us feel the same way. Quite why my crystal ball didn’t According to the auction description it wasn’t serviced from 2004
alert me to this years ago is beyond me. to 2014 and came on its original tyres – why would you pay such a
What I should have done is bought a load of new, desirable cars, left premium for a car like this? To me personally it just doesn’t make any
them unused for decades at a time and then unleashed them on the sense when good, useable examples are available for far less and won’t
collector market. Two examples jumped out at me over the last month. need a new set of tyres before you can drive them. Like much of the
First up was the McLaren F1 sold by Gooding & Company at Pebble world today the collector market seems to have lost its grip on reality.
Beach for over $20 million and while the price was eye-watering what Anyway, if my bank manager’s reading this how do you feel about
had me sobbing into my keyboard was the mileage – it had covered lending me enough money to rent a barn for 15-years or so? Oh, and
just 390-kilometres from new. Or approximately 15-miles a year. I think if you could also see your way to funding the purchase of plenty of M2
it’s a crying shame that one of the finest driver’s cars ever produced has CSs to store in it I’ll be able to pay you back, plus interest, in a decade
just sat there for the best part of 27-years doing absolutely nothing. or two… assuming, that is, the car market remains as bonkers as it is
I get that it’s an owner’s right to do what they want with their right now… l
NOVEMBER 2021 25
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 New
NEW PRODUCTS

Products
AC Schnitzer AC4
Flowforming Wheels
How Much? £TBC
Where: ac-schnitzer.de
AC Schnitzer has launched a new generation of wheel – the AC4 Flowforming W
20-inch wheels come in Bi-Colour Silver/Black and Black. T
9.5x20, the design features double spokes forming an elongated pentagram with a rounded
triangle below – part of an all-new design language for AC Schnitzer's wheels.
The flowforming process is one of the most advanced production technologies in the wheel
industry. After the aluminium casting stage, the raw product is processed by rolling it out. T
for the rim. And this is measurable – the AC4 Flow
11.9kg (9.5J x 20"). Fur
thus lowering its CO2 emissions. At the same time, there is also a noticeable improvement
in driving dynamics as the forces at the axles are reduced.

Spray Adhesive BMW Tablet Case Cover

How Much? £14.41 (650ml) How Much? £40.00
Where: designengineering.com Where: bmw.co.uk
DEI has improved the formula of its high- This BMW Tablet Case Cover is part of the Iconic Collection, it fits
temperature Spray Adhesive to provide greater tablets up to 10.5-inches in size and is an exclusive, hand-made,
holding strength. Perfect for installing DEI heat and universal item made from calfskin leather with a double seam
sound control products, as well as other materials in waxed thread and magnetic closure. The outside of the case
such as upholstery foam, vinyl, leather, carpet, features an extra pocket and a stainless steel-look BMW logo. The
fabric, headlinings, metal and wood, it creates a inside has a decorative
strong heat and water-resistant bond making it ideal jacquard lining bearing
for all automotive interior related projects. the BMW kidney grille
The new formula is a very aggressive, high-build, design and BMW
pressure-sensitive and clear, it is designed to bond lettering. It measures
most materials while maintaining a high level of 11.7x24.7x0.7cm
tack, that allows the material to be repositioned which means it fits the
before being pressed firmly and left to dry in its iPad Air 2, Samsung
final position. The improved nozzle provides a web Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and
pattern spray for excellent coverage with a tack time smaller tablets. The
of only two to four minutes and heat resistance of BMW Article number is:
up to 200-degrees Fahrenheit (93 Celsius). 80212406670.
28 BMWcar
 NEW PRODUCTS
Carbon Steering Wheels
How Much? £499.00
Where: mstyle.co.uk
M-Style is reporting that it now has stocks of M-Performance Carbon
Steering Wheels and inserts which will fit all BMW F chassis M models.
The wheel features a genuine carbon fibre rim with Alcantara trim on the
grip areas, and the iconic M-Performance logo at the end of the bottom
spoke. The price of the wheel is £499.00 with the insert priced at £189.00.
A professional fitting is recommended due to the transfer of the air bag
system, and M-Style can provide just that for a reasonable £80.00. For
further details e-mail info@mstyle.co.uk or call 0208 598 9115 and don't
forget to tell them that BMW Car sent you!

Adjustable Twin F2x / F3x

Feed Regulator Sequential Mirror
How Much? From £104.71
Where: webcon.co.uk
Signals
Webcon's twin feed regulators have
been designed for installations where the How Much? £34.95
regulator is fitted either before, or in the Where: mstyle.co.uk
middle of, the fuel rail. The new range is We've all see sequential front and rear
supplied with twin 8mm side feeds and a indicators. Now, thanks to M-Style, owners
single 8mm base return, and is available in of BMW F2x and F3x models can have sequential
a number of pressure settings; WFR205T indicator repeaters in their mirrors too! The
0-5 bar adjustable, WFR235T 3.5 bar fixed, simple 'plug and play' kit is available at just £34.95
WFR240T 4.0 bar fixed, and WFR245T 4.5 and we are told that fitting is quite straightforward,
bar fixed. These are available directly from however, M-Style can carry out the fitting for you for
Webcon and appointed Webcon dealers a small charge. For further details e-mail info@mstyle.co.uk
around the world. or call 0208 598 9115 and tell them you saw it first in BMW Car.

BMW Stainless
Steel Keyring
How Much? £20.00
Where: bmw.co.uk
This petite, high-quality and classy BMW
keyring – with BMW logo – comes in
a small, handy format. Made of high-
quality, hypoallergenic stainless steel it
measures 37x30x8.5mm and features
an aluminium, painted, BMW logo which
itself measures 9mm. The split rings fits
all BMW car keys. You need BMW Article
Number: 80272454771 to buy this one.

NOVEMBER 2021 29
NEW PRODUCTS
BMW Bag
How Much? £63.00
Where: bmw.co.uk
This BMW M Motorsport Overnight Travel Bag measures 52x22x34cm
(LxWxH) and boasts a generous 45-litre volume. It features foam padding,
a two-way plastic zip in black for its main compartment, a zip pocket on
the back, a moulded BMW M zip pull with textile strap, open pockets on
both sides, handle straps finished with seat belt webbing, and an adjustable
shoulder strap – also finished with seat belt webbing. Lastly there's a
padded laptop compartment inside. The BMW Article number for this one
is: 80222461145.

Webcon Rod to
Cable Lever
How Much? £21.54
Where: webcon.co.uk
Connecting a Weber DCOE rod linkage system to a
throttle cable is usually difficult, with no easy way of
attaching the cable to a rod operating arm, however
Webcon has now solved that problem with its new
FK0005 Rod to Cable Lever kit –as pictured here.
The kit has been designed to work with a 5/16" cross
rod. The lever from FK0005 kit is simply installed in the
most convenient location and the yoke and pin then
allow easy connection to a throttle cable. The installer
then simply needs to fabricate a suitable cable outer
anchor bracket and the installation is complete. You can
buy this from all Webcon appointed dealers.

BMW Thermo Mug BMW Suitcase

How Much? £20.00 How Much? £175.00
Where: bmw.co.uk Where: bmw.co.uk
Great for when you're on the go, this This genuine BMW unisex suitcase measures 55m
stylish BMW M Thermo Mug is intended (H) x 40cm (W) x 23cm (T) and has a useful interior
for tea, coffee or water. It features a volume of 42-litres. Its outer shell is made from strong
360-degree push button, the BMW and pure polycarbonate, inside there's a polyester lining
BMW M logos in glossy print on the with a mesh zip compartment. 360° double spinner
body, and a screw lid to keep liquids wheels – in BMW M design – help move it about,
from spilling. Made from stainless steel while an integrated, adjustable trolley system with
(304 inside/201 outside), it measures handle (again with M logos) gives you something to
215mm x 68mm and has a capacity of handle it by. A TSA-lock accompanies. There's also a
450ml for liquids. You can have it in any fabric laundry bag (44cm x 35cm) too. If you
colour you like, as long as it is black – want to look stylish at the airport then write
though there is a cheaper gold version of down BMW Article number 80222466332
a slightly different design. Jot down BMW and prepare to part with £175.00.
Article Number: 80232466311.

30 BMWcar
MOTORSPORT MONTH

Motorsport
Month
Formula E
BMW Bows
Out in Style
The finalé of Season 7 of Formula E took place in Berlin,
BMW i Andretti Motorsport's Jake Dennis was in with a title
shot at the brand's farewell race...
Briton's Jake Dennis has been the surprise of back into the points with some efficient driving manufacturers deserting Formula E in 2021.
the Formula E season for many. The British and smart use of Attack Mode. Dennis was Dennis started the race from ninth on the
driver – new to BMW i Andretti Motorsport for battling for third place right to the end and was grid, and the race was quickly over for two of
Season 7 –  made his race debut in Diriyah delighted to finish fifth – scoring 10 points. The his title rivals due to a collision between Mitch
and has done nothing but impress ever since. result moved him up to third in the drivers’ Evans (Jaguar) and Edoardo Mortara (Venturi).
Dennis arrived in Germany for the season finalé standings just four points away from first in That put Dennis in a promising position for
as one of several drivers in with a title shot. the battle for the world title. Günther crossed the restart only for a jammed rear axle to put
Dennis made the best of starts, dominating the line in eighth place to score crucial points paid to his world title ambitions as he slid
both practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, for the teams championship – BMW i Andretti into the wall and was forced to retire. Nyck de
recording the best time in each, however, he Motorsport now sat in sixth position with 157 Vries (Mercedes) went on to secure the title,
did not manage to reach Super Pole for the points, just 14 points behind the leader. but Dennis was still able to finish third in the
Berlin E-Prix from group one in qualifying, he Sunday's race, the 15th and final of the drivers’ championship with 91 points despite
ended up claiming eighth place on the starting season, took place on Sunday on the reversed his retirement – an outstanding performance in
grid. Team mate Maximilian Günther began the Berlin-Tempelhof circuit, it also marked a his rookie Formula E season.
meeting's first race on Saturday in tenth place. farewell from Formula E for BMW after three Günther started in 18th place but a bold race
Both BMW drivers dropped back a bit at years as a works team and seven as Official strategy was not enough for a points finish. He
the start of the race before working their way Vehicle Partner. BMW is one of several crossed the line 15th, ending the season in

32 BMWcar
 MOTORSPORT MONTH
BTCC
WSR Hits 100!
An annual visit to Knockhill in Scotland resulted
in WSR's 100th BTCC win – its 75th with BMW.

Colin Turkington was in imperious form in the Teammate Tom Oliphant endured a luckless
first of three British Touring Car Championship day, he was on course for a top-10 finish in
(BTCC) races held at the undulating Knockhill Race One when he was turned around by a
circuit in Scotland. The Northern Irishman led rival at the hairpin, dropping out of contention.
16th position in the overall standings. BMW every lap from pole position (and set fastest Starting from the back row in Race Two he tore
i Andretti Motorsport completed its final lap) on his way to a hugely significant win, through the field to finish 17th and then made
season as a BMW works team in sixth place his second of the season in his BMW 330i further progress in the weekend's finalé to
in the team championship with 157 points. M Sport. The result gave West Surrey Racing salvage two points for 14th spot.
The team will continue as a non-works outfit. (WSR) – the organisation behind Team BMW Having qualified 14th, Stephen Jelley set
Team Principal, Roger Griffiths commented – a milestone 100th victory in the series, and his stall out to keep away from trouble in the
after the race: "I think we can be very proud a 75th BTCC with BMW. opening pair of races and did so to finish
of what we have achieved together as BMW Carrying the series’ maximum 75kg success 11th and ninth. Jelley led the final race of the
and Andretti Formula E and of the hard work ballast in Race Two, Turkington led the field weekend, having been drawn on reversed-grid
that everyone has put into it to get us to this and resisted intense pressure until the final lap pole position, but running the less favourable
point. Of course we would have loved to when a minor error caused him to slide wide at medium tyre he was pressurised from behind
continue like this but it is not to be. the chicane. That meant he finished second to throughout and ultimately fell to third by the
"We are excited what Season 8 will bring record his fourth podium finish of the season. chequered flag, but he has now secured
for us. I say thank you to everybody, not only He managed eighth place in Race Three as he podium finishes at successive BTCC events for
the team on the front line but also everybody surged from ninth to third in the Drivers’ points. the first time in his career.
in the background who helped to make this
project a success. Thank you very much!”

NOVEMBER 2021 33
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You
YOU WRITE

Write...
2002 Project
It goes without saying that I am a very keen
reader of BMW Car and have been for
many years – I appreciate the effort that the
team put into each and every edition that I
wholehearted enjoy devouring each month.
Amongst all the articles that regularly appear
it’s the contributions from Rob Richardson on
the development of his 1973 2002 in Our
Cars that has really struck a chord with me.
I was fortunate enough to have had two
‘02s back in the early 1980s, since then
there has always been a BMW of some sort
in the garage. Several years ago while looking to thank Rob for the inspiration and road map Thank you for your kind words Andrew –
at photos of that time in my life that itch that he has provided with his articles. His time we really appreciate your comments on the
returned resulting in me adding a 1972 2002 and effort in documenting his journey is very magazine and when we passed your email on
alongside the current residents in the garage. much appreciated by me and I’m sure many to Rob said that you “made his day”!
The 02 was used sparingly as I was not sure other 2002 owners around the world. Not that these classic project cars are ever
what I wanted to do with it, that is, until Rob’s The latest issue of BMW Car that I have truly ‘finished’, but Rob has got to the point
articles started appearing in BMW Car. They received is May 2021, in it Rob sounds like he where most of the hard work is now complete
are so informative that they really inspired is signing off with the project completed – but and we are gearing up to present the car for
me to shift up a gear and follow his example. please don’t let him go! I know that I, and I a full feature in BMW Car, documenting its
Here in Adelaide, South Australia, we are not suspect many other readers, would like to hear final guise – with new paintwork – soon.
blessed with the availability and selection how his car develops with use as he now gets However, do not fear! All the time Rob
of parts and accessories that Rob has at his to enjoy the fruits of his labours – from what keeps the car we’ll continue featuring it in
fingertips, most of what we need has to be I have seen so far I bet there is still plenty of these pages. Oh, and he’s missing from this
sourced from the UK or USA and – with things fine tuning yet to come. issue’s Our Cars pages purely because of
the way they are – that takes a little time. Thanks for giving us something to look the recent birth of his new baby girl, though
My project to produce a fast road-going forward to, particularly in these difficult times. we bet he’s still found time to escape to the
2002 is, however, under way, and I would like Andrew Poulsen, via email garage to fettle the 2002...

If you’ve got a point to make, a view to express or a burning, BMW-related bee in BMW Car magazine and Kelsey Media
your bonnet, then we’d love to hear from you. Email us at: bmwcar.ed@kelsey.co.uk, do not necessarily share the views
contact us via social media or write to: BMW Car, Kelsey Publishing Ltd, The Granary, Downs expressed within the letters on this page
Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL and accept no responsibility for any
inaccuracies they may contain.

NOVEMBER 2021 35
FIRST DRIVE
G23 420i Convertible
T
A return to a fabric roof helps make the new 4 Series Convertible more desirable than ever.
Words: Shane O’ Donoghue Photography: BMW
he new G23 is only the second- smoothening out the overall profile. Besides keyless access and other niceties,
generation BMW 4 Series Not only does this look great, but it’s also Comfort Access allows you to open the roof
Convertible. In reality, however, its claimed to be good for aerodynamics and from outside the car, by just holding down the
lineage can be traced all the way the reduction of wind noise. It’s not quite as unlock button on the key fob. That allows you
back to the 1978 Baur Cabriolet, silent on that last score as the 4 Series Coupé to wonder at the balletic movement of the
based on the E21 3 Series. The open-topped is, but it is more than acceptably civil at high various components as the roof folds and tucks
car has evolved considerably in the intervening speeds. Multiple layers of acoustic insulation itself out of sight. The operation takes just 18-
years, though the new 4 Series debatably are built into the fabric, too, which helps seconds and it’s quiet. A button on the centre
represents a backwards step in one way. with that. Meanwhile, there’s a proper glass console can be used to lower or raise the hood
That is, of course, the ditching of the folding rear window and an extra five millimetres of at speeds of up to 31mph, too, which can be
hardtop roof that was first introduced for the E93 front-seat headroom in comparison to the really useful. Meanwhile, a single button in the
3 Series Convertible – and continued into the old car. Admirably, despite all this, BMW has driver’s door allows raising or lowering of all
first-generation 4 Series Convertible, the F33. In managed to bring the weight of the roof down four windows with a single touch.
its place, the new 4 Series gets a fabric roof. – by some 40 percent in comparison to the No matter how precious you are about your
It’s not any old fabric soft top, though, as previous model’s folding hardtop. And there hairdo, you’re unlikely to enjoy having all the
BMW’s engineers have pulled out all the stops are two different colour options for the hood. windows and the roof down at anything over
to ensure that owners of the folding hardtop So yeah, it’s fine when you have to have 40mph, as it’s seriously blustery. Nonetheless,
cars won’t feel like they’re compromising the roof up, but there’s no point buying a the amount of wind buffeting in the front seats
when it comes time to trade up to a new convertible if you’re not going to drop the top at motorway speeds is perfectly acceptable
model. A quick glance at the new hood is all it at every available opportunity. Upgrade to the when the windows are raised – even without
takes to notice how smooth it is when raised Comfort Pack for £1,350 to maximise that, as it the optional wind deflector in place. For
– the usual joins and framework underneath includes a heated steering wheel, the excellent ultimate hairdo protection, it is recommended,
are conspicuous only by their absence. That’s Warm Air Collar (heated air wafting through though its use means you can’t carry rear
thanks to a new ‘panel bow’ structure using the headrest to your neck and shoulders) and passengers as you might expect.
paper-honeycomb. When the roof is up, it’s a wind deflector, along with Comfort Access, If you really have to transport people in the
pulled taut over these panel bow elements, more storage and extra USB ports. back, they’ll find it quite cramped unless the

36 BMWcar
 FIRST DRIVE

front-seat occupants slide quite far forward, maximum volume, you must manually push reading, as there’s 184hp and 221lb ft of
and the rear seatbacks are also very up a plastic flap in the boot, which is easy to torque on tap – and the latter is produced
upright. Still, it’s entirely doable for shorter do, but it can be a little annoying the next time from just 1350rpm. But 8.2-seconds to 62mph
journeys, though it gets breezy back there you come to drop the roof and discover you’ve from a standstill isn’t impressive and, sad to
from quite low speeds if the roof is down. forgotten to pull it back down into place. It’s a say, we found the performance to be quite
Many buyers will treat the rear seats as shame that can’t be done electrically. underwhelming at regular road speeds. Despite
extra luggage space, but the actual boot Nonetheless, we have no complaints about the official figures, the car feels quite flat-footed
isn’t at all bad. A through-load facility is the profile of the car – roof up or down. It’s at low revs, as if it needs much more torque to
standard to allow carrying of longer loads, a pleasingly flat rear deck that adds elegance overcome the non-insignificant 1765kg mass.
while the new 4 Series Convertible holds to the 4 Series shape, with more than a hint Once on the move, it’s not a problem, and
300-litres of luggage with the roof down, of muscularity around the rear. The Sanremo if you do extend the turbine-smooth engine
some 80-litres more than its predecessor - Green Metallic paint is stunning, too, especially to the redline, it feels rapid enough, but we
or up to 385-litres with the roof up, which in bright sunshine. In the UK, the 4 Series suspect that most people that go for the base
is 15-litres more than before. To get the Convertible is sold in M Sport specifications engine won’t drive their Convertible in such a
only, so all look good, with 18-inch alloy wheels manner, and hence might find the car lacking
at a minimum, though in our opinions the car in oomph.
looks much better with the black grille surround Perhaps this effect is heightened by the
that comes with the Pro package or as part of talents of the chassis. It sits on the same
the more expensive M Sport Pro Edition. core platform as the 4 Series Coupé, with
Our test car was the entry-level 420i model, widened tracks front and rear and a significant
powered by BMW’s turbocharged 2.0-litre increase in torsional stiffness – in comparison
four-cylinder petrol engine. On paper, the to the previous model. The Convertible gets
performance figures make for acceptable additional reinforcement of the side sills, a

NOVEMBER 2021 37
FIRST DRIVE

new aluminium ‘shear panel’ at the front and Which is perhaps why we found the 420i Or, if you want to go all out – and the M4
other structural bracing to ensure it feels up powertrain so frustrating. There’s no issue with Convertible is out of reach – there’s always
to scratch. And it does. Even over a bumpy the always-excellent eight-speed Steptronic the M440i xDrive variant to consider, the
mountain road, it feels solid, allowing the automatic gearbox, of course, but this car is only petrol version using a straight-six. It
suspension work as intended. deserving of more performance. The 430i gets 374hp, all-wheel drive and a unique
The Convertible is fitted as standard uses the same base 2.0-litre engine (both get M Performance Vehicle makeover to help it
with the lift-related damping elements that a twin-scroll turbocharger, high-pressure direct stand out. And it manages to come in at a
debuted on the current 3 Series, configured injection, Valvetronic variable valve timing and whisker under £60,000.
specifically to suit the characteristics of double-Vanos), but with usefully more power, That’s quite a lot of choice from the
the open car. These mechanically alter the at 258hp, and torque uplifted to 195lb ft. It’s cheapest at £45,800 to the most expensive,
damping force depending on the suspension a full two seconds quicker to 62mph from taking in modest and serious petrol power,
travel, smoothening out smaller vibrations and rest, as well, which says a lot. two diesel engines, rear-wheel drive and
reducing nervousness over particularly bumpy The 420d Convertible has the same amount all-wheel drive. The only thing missing is a
stretches of road. The Adaptive M suspension of torque available, paired with 190hp, which manual gearbox. Other than that, buyers of
features Sport and Comfort settings, along should be more satisfying to drive than the the 4 Series Convertible can pick and choose
with an Adaptive mode to automatically adjust 420i, despite a bit more weight and a less as suits their needs – whether that’s ambling
the damping and other driving sub-systems. enticing engine note. That’s remedied in the around town looking good or doing the same
It all works wonderfully, enabling comfortable other diesel option, the 286hp 430d, which, at more elevated speeds on the open road.
cruising if that’s your thing, or indecent levels budget allowing (it costs from £51,165), Either way, BMW has undoubtedly moved the
of maintaining pace across country at the could be the best all-round mix between genre on, making the open-topped model
other end of the spectrum. performance and efficiency in the line-up. more desirable than before ●

420i Convertible
ENGINE: Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol,
longitudinally mounted
CAPACITY: 1998cc
MAX POWER: 184hp at 5000-6500rpm
MAX TORQUE: 221lb ft at 1350-4000rpm
0-62MPH: 8.2-seconds
TOP SPEED: 146mph
ECONOMY: 39.8mpg
EMISSIONS: 162g/km
WEIGHT (EU): 1765kg
PRICE (OTR): from £45,800
 3 FOR 2 ON ALL
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F06 M6 GRAN COUPÉ

Q Branch I
BMW dealer Genius Matt “Q” Quarrington’s dream car has long
been an F06 M6 Gran Coupé. When this car was taken in part
exchange at his place of work the rest was inevitable...
Words: Simon Jackson Photography: Jason Dodd
t was somewhat inevitable that Matt
Quarrington – owner of this striking F06 M6
Gran Coupé Competition – would end up
driving a tidy BMW. For the past decade Matt
has worked for Chandlers Hailsham BMW
in East Sussex, working his way up the ladder
from Apprentice Receptionist in March 2012
at the tender age of 19 (by his own admission
with very little knowledge of the BMW brand!),
through the ranks of the service department
to become a ‘BMW Genius’ – supporting the
Sales team with his – now in-depth – BMW
product knowledge.
“I’ve happily been nicknamed ‘Q’ (from the
James Bond films) due to my interest in all
things tech and gadget related,” Matt smiled,
“I help customers when they collect their
new cars by showing them its new features,
as well as offering a second point of contact
for any questions or queries during their time

40 BMWcar
 F06 M6 GRAN COUPÉ

of ownership – I’m on hand to assist and many other cosmetic and performance parts and presence.”
troubleshoot problems.” which made the car truly unique.” The 2015 M6 in question had been taken
28-year-old Matt’s interest in cars began at Matt began hitting the car show circuit and as in part exchange by the dealership. The usual
a young age, and perhaps originated from a a result he made new friends and even met his routine checks in the workshop revealed that it
slightly unusual angle: “I’ve always been into partner – now mother of his son. Matt moved had been remapped during its lifetime which
cars and grew up on the Fast and Furious films house in that car three times over and won a meant it could not be offered as an ‘Approved
as well as the early Need for Speed computer couple of trophies at car shows, but sadly things Used’ BMW with the accompanying BMW
games. As well as influence from my dad came to an end with the 1 Series in August warranty. The car auction house was calling...
taking me to car shows such as Ultimate Street 2020 when the – now highly modified – car “I just couldn’t let it go to auction!”
Car,” we’re told. started to become less and less reliable, it was Matt laughed. “Working around the BMW
Matt purchased his first BMW in summer spending more time off the road than on it. The brand for so long I’d always had a dream
2012, a brand new F20 116i M Sport fitted with next chapter in Matt’s BMW story beckoned. M6 specification in mind and, by sheer
the full M Performance bodykit and wheels. “One day in September 2020 a colleague coincidence, this car ticked all of my boxes –
“Having been so inspired by the car shows, drove around the side of the dealership in a including being my favourite BMW colour. And,
films and games, I always dreamt of building stunning San Marino Blue M6 Gran Coupé,” being a Gran Coupé meant that I could justify
a show car,” Matt explained. “Over the course Matt recalled. “For me the 6 Series has always it to my partner – its five-doors would be
of eight years I kept adding to the 1 Series, been a bit of a dream car. I remember just practical for the family!”
including custom-built air-ride suspension after I started working in the BMW service The stars were aligned, Matt quickly got into
from D2 Racing, deep dish 18-inch Heritage department seeing a 6 Series Coupé for the the nitty gritty of the dealership’s asking price
‘Hokkaido’ Wheels from the USA, as well as first time – I was just taken aback by its styling and, thanks to the car having done the bulk of

NOVEMBER 2021 41
F06 M6 GRAN COUPÉ

its depreciation already, a deal was struck.

“I decided to go ahead and purchase the M6
F06 M6 Gran Coupé Competition at a fraction of its original value, at the same
time the process of putting the 1 Series back
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION: S63 4.4 Litre Twin Turbocharged V8, Eventuri carbon fibre air intake to standard began,” Matt explained. “It was a
system with air scoops, MTC Motorsport decat downpipes, BootMod3 Stage 2 Aggressive map heartbreaking moment as the 1 Series meant
(745hp / 671lb ft torque) a huge amount to me sentimentally, but after
CHASSIS: 20” Light Alloy M double-spoke style 601M wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres all round, eight-and-a-half years and 76,000-miles – it
Bimmec 15mm spacers front and rear, BMW floating wheel centre caps had 7-miles on the clock when I drove it out of
EXTERIOR: San Marino Blue Metallic paint, Competition Package, BMW M Performance Carbon the showroom – I had certainly had use of it!”
bootlid spoiler, BMW M Performance carbon fibre wing mirror covers, tinted rear tail lights and A few weeks later all of the aftermarket parts
rear reflectors were stripped from the 1 Series and it went off
INTERIOR: Full Merino leather in Silverstone, AWRON Performance display gauge, BMW M to auction, not the M6, shortly afterwards.
Performance carbon gear shifter trim, Red BMW “M” mode buttons on steering wheel Following a further health check in the
COST NEW: £101,170. Total cost of options when new: £8070 workshop at Hailsham Matt arranged a
separate, non-BMW, warranty, and took delivery
of the M6 at the end of October last year.
“Driving the M6 for the first time was
incredible,” Matt recalled. “Working for a main
dealership I have been incredibly fortunate to
have driven the vast majority of the BMW range
– including 1M Coupé, i8 Roadster and M8

42 BMWcar
 The M6 featured all of
Matt’s desired options –
and it was finished in his
favourite BMW colour

Coupé to name just a few. I had driven a few allowed me to map the car to Stage 2, pushing really see many of them around, let alone the
cars with the S63 engine before but it’s never the power from 600hp and 516lb ft of torque Gran Coupé models as BMW only made one
the same when you own the car yourself.” to 745hp and 671lb ft of torque.” generation of M6 GC,” Matt said. “I’m hoping
Now with a better look around the car Matt That’s quite the upgrade! We wonder what it will become a future classic being that BMW
was delighted to discover an Eventuri Carbon the driving experience is like now? has now stopped production of the 6 Series
Air Intake System with air scoops was already “Incredible!” Matt smiles. “Being quite a model, I do think it had a very unique style and
fitted, so too an AWRON display – this fits big car it’s very smooth and comfortable for flair about it. Although the new 8 Series is a
into the driver’s air vent and displays technical long drives, and it can achieve around 30mph fantastic car I don’t think it has the same kind of
and performance information about the car believe it or not! But, changing into one of the style and sleekness as the 6 Series.”
while you drive. Being a fan of the modified M Modes transforms it into an absolute animal. Working at a BMW dealership as Matt does
car movement it was obvious that Matt would “With the adaptive dampers it corners very means that any work required on the M6 is
personalise the M6 further. A set of 15mm nimbly for a large car, and as soon as you put undertaken in the workshop at Chandlers
Bimmec wheel spacers went on both front your foot down the boost from the turbos kicks BMW Hailsham.
and rear, and he tinted the rear tail lights and you back into your seat – you hit the speed “Our BMW M specialist technician, who was
reflectors. Of course Matt knew that the car limit before you know it.” fantastic with the work on my 1 Series, is my
was mapped, but he had no idea by who and Matt also reports that the 7-speed dual clutch ‘go to’ man,” Matt laughed. “I often get the look
with what system. (with paddle shift) is lightning fast to react, of ‘here we go again’ when I go over to ask
“After selling the 1 Series I upgraded the and thanks to that remap and decat exhaust about what crazy things I can do to the car.”
licence I had for Bootmod3 – the mobile the sound is phenomenal, it roars under Evidenced by his long relationship with the
mapping software for BMWs and MINIs – to the acceleration and downshifts are accompanied aforementioned 1 Series, and the fact that this
S63,” Matt explained. “I replaced the downpipes by deep crackles and bangs. “One of the things M6 Gran Coupé is his dream car, Matt has no
with MTC Motorsport decat downpipes, this then I love most about the M6 is that you don’t plans to part with this car any time soon.

NOVEMBER 2021 43
F06 M6 GRAN COUPÉ
Eventuri air intake helps
boost performance to an
impressive 745hp

“As soon as you put your foot down the

boost kicks you back into your seat”
“I intend to keep the M6 for as long as Octane fuel, we organise many car events in M6 into something really unique and special
I can,” Matt said. “I’m fortunate that it is a and around Sussex and I attend various UK- – whether that be custom wheels, air-ride
weekend car so I don’t have to drive it every based shows.” suspension, or a body kit.”
day – it averages only 16mpg – so it is mainly So, if this car is a keeper, does Matt have It sounds as though we need to ‘watch this
used for attending car shows and events at future plans to modify further? space’, but regardless the keys for this BMW
weekends. I also help run a Sussex-based car “After spending eight-years building my 116i dream drive won’t be prised from Matt’s hands
club called Pump99, the name stems from 99 I would love to take the time again to build the anytime soon ●

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The (17)
E30 320i TOURING

Grand
Touring
The E30-generation 3 Series is seriously hot property on the used
market at the moment. And when this 320i Touring sold at auction

W
recently for an impressive £17,000, it was a clear sign that the
wagon’s time has come. Words & Photography: Dan Bevis
hen a factory-standard E30 ducks into a neat little row, and now have the strong; indeed, in some cases it’s even more
320i Touring sells at auction ready cash to splash on the cars they always pronounced, because the GTIs and Cosworths
for £17,000, that tells us dreamed of through their youth. The fact that and whatnot were the variants that were more
two things: firstly, that the so many desirable cars of this era were subject likely to be deemed worth saving. Cast your
market has very much turned to the irreparable vagaries of the Max Power mind back to the average high street of, say,
a corner and the days of E30s being cheap, treatment, as well as oodles of them being twenty-five or thirty years ago, and think about
disposable transport are long behind us. And wrapped around lamp-posts by over-exuberant which cars were everywhere then but you
secondly, that this particular 320i must be teens, means that surviving examples are never see today. The Mk3 Vauxhall Cavalier.
something rather special. relatively few and far between, and these all- The Mk1 Ford Mondeo. The second-gen
It probably hasn’t escaped your attention grown-up enthusiasts are more than willing Renault 5. Where are they now? They’re in
that the enthusiasm for 1980s sports cars, to pay top dollar when a good one hits the your kitchen cupboard, reshaped into compact
homologation specials and hot hatches has market. This is why you see Vauxhall Nova cylinders to contain your baked beans.
gone a bit nuts recently. This is owing to Sports selling for £30k, Peugeot 205 GTIs for So it is with the E30-generation 3 Series.
the fact that the kids who grew up in that £50k, and Ford Sierra RS Cosworths for £90k. These things used to be on every street and
generation have now reached an age when However, this trend isn’t exclusive to every corner, but today? Well, the 325i has
they’ve forged a career, started a family, got sporting models. Nostalgia for the everyday been wrapped in cotton wool by some, and
the mortgage in order, sorted their figurative cars of the 1980s and ’90s is every bit as obviously the M3 is running the numbers in
46 BMWcar
 E30 320i TOURING

high-end collections across the globe. But the 320i for £500, whack a set of 18” Alpinas on paperwork. The 62,000-miles we see racked
everyday runabouts? Well, there was a time in there (again, cheaply and easily available), and up on the clock are genuine, all of which is
Britain when E30s were cheap and abundant, drive it like a loon until it blew up. Then you backed up by the documentation. This means
but that time is long-gone. In the collective could just throw the whole thing away and that throughout its thirty-one year life, it’s
consciousness of the BMW Car office this start again. In hindsight, perhaps it was partly averaged just 2,000-miles a year. That’s about
doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago, but the ensuing supply-and-demand logic of this five-and-a-half miles a day. Hardly strenuous. It
when we lift the rose tints and scrutinise the sort of frivolousness that’s led to E30s being seems apparent that these haven’t been harsh
classifieds with a growing sense of horror, it unexpectedly pricey today… in which case we and unsympathetic miles either – with just
becomes increasingly apparent that the time apologise, we didn’t know. It was fun while it four former keepers since it was first registered
we’re remembering was the early- to mid- lasted though, wasn’t it? on June 26th 1990, all of the old MoTs are
2000s. The E46 was, at the time, the current The long and short of it is that survivors like here to back up the mileage and we can see
3 Series on the market, and the E30 was the the 320i Touring you see before you are few that the majority of its regular use happened
last-but-one model – old enough to be cheap- and far between. This is a car that’s never been early in its life; the 1993 MoT, for example,
and-cheerful, but not yet sufficiently aged to messed about with or abused; never viewed shows that the mileage then was 15,635, and
enjoy the retro chic that’s pushing up values as disposable or second-rate. There are two it’s climbed very gently year-on-year since.
in 2021. Back in, say, 2004-ish, it was easy defining features that verify its rarefied position So it was well-bought by its last owner, but
to pick up a perfectly straight and complete in the strata of cosseted E30s: mileage, and what he did to it in his tenure is another story
NOVEMBER 2021 47
E30 320i TOURING
Dashboard protection keeps
the top from cracking

altogether. You see, the minty-freshness of This level of fastidiousness wasn’t solely
the condition you see today isn’t quite how applied to the exterior. The cabin of the
he took delivery; indeed, the path from that E30 is just about as close to a time-warp as
point to this one has bordered on obsession you’re likely to find in 2021; the cloth seats
at times, with an incredible amount of correct have worn the years remarkably well, and
and sympathetic work being carried out to get everything in here is clean, original, and fully
everything tip-top. functional. The only deviation from factory
In 2017, the Touring was delivered to Arun specs is the period aftermarket radio-cassette
Bodyworks & Valeting in Littlehampton, with head unit, which is surely something any
the artisans therein charged with the task of connoisseur could forgive. This pampered
perfecting the bodywork to make it as good example has clearly spent a lot of its life
as it would have been the day it rolled off garaged or under cover, as the interior shows
the forecourt. The bodywork was already no signs of sun damage. You know how the
incredibly solid and tidy, with all the original dash-tops love to crack on these cars? Not
panels hanging straight and true, and with with this one – and it’s got a tailored dash mat
no obvious dents, dings or blemishes. What fitted now, to continue protecting it for the
Arun Bodyworks did was to address what next three decades or more. The owner had
few issues existed (including making a minor a new headlining professionally fitted in the
repair to the offside rear wheelarch), before correct fabric, and the boot features its original
repainting the shell in its original shade of retractable load cover. It’s really reassuring to
Diamantschwarz Metallic, followed by various find that everything’s as it should be and –
stages of machine polishing and a full ceramic most importantly of all – everything works: the
coating. The pretty cross-spoke alloy wheels electric windows front and rear, the electric
were then refurbished and treated to new sunroof, it’s all doing what it should.
Toyo rubber, and the overall effect is one of a Speaking of which, this thing is an absolute
car that looks like it only recently drove away peach to drive too. As you’d hope with an
from the dealership in 1990. engine that’s never been over-stressed and

48 BMWcar
 E30 320i TOURING
E30 Touring: Under the Hammer
We’ve scoured the auction results across as many houses as possible, and it would appear that this
Available 24/7
TABLET • MOBILE
£17,000 selling price is unprecedented in the UK. The closest comparable cars we found were sold
in late 2020 for impressive numbers, but nothing approaching this. One was a White 1991 320i
Touring that sold through Tennants Auctioneers – with 40,000-miles and a full BMW service history,
this extremely tidy example had an estimate of £8-10k and ended up selling for £8,000. The other
was a black 1990 320i Touring that went through Anglia Car Auctions in November; that one had a
manual gearbox, 70k miles on the clock, and had been stored unused between 2011-17 before a light From £2.31
pocketmags.com
recommissioning. The selling price including premium? £11,070. There’s an upward trajectory here... shop.kelsey.co.uk/bmc

E30 320i Touring

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION: M20 2.0-litre straight-six, 4-speed ZF auto
CHASSIS: OE 15” cross-spoke alloy wheels, 205/55 Toyo Proxes T1-R
tyres, original 320i specification
EXTERIOR: Diamantschwarz Metallic, optional headlamp wipers, original
320i spec
INTERIOR: Grey cloth trim, sunroof, electric windows front and rear,
Pioneer radio-cassette

NOVEMBER 2021 49
E30 320i TOURING

has always been properly maintained, the 2.0- labour of love. Bodyshops and resto outfits it could be, simply because that’s what he
litre M20 straight-six is creamy-smooth, and it’s may build project cars within strict budget wanted to do. And when the time came to
a supremely willing companion. The automatic parameters with the aim of maximising return sell, the market appreciated the efforts and the
transmission is equally silky and, yes, we’re on profit, but that’s seldom the way with quality and provided a surprisingly high selling
going to have to use the term ‘time-warp’ private enthusiasts – the work gets done price, through a Car & Classic online auction
again. It really is that good. With a car of this to the correct standard by the right people, which attracted fifty-six bids. Which is where
age you’d reasonably expect to find the odd simply because that’s the way it should be we arrive at the crux of the matter: £17,000
rattle, knock or squeak when you’re driving done and that’s what the car deserves. It costs is, as the evidence here shows, the value of
along, but there’s none of that here. what it costs. With the itemised spending a very tidy and low-mileage 320i Touring. No,
All in all, this E30’s previous curator scrutinised, one might suggest that investing this isn’t the value of every 320i Touring – this
estimates that he spent over £15,000 £15k in a car and then selling it for £17k particular example is an exceptional one – but
restoring the car over the last few years. And doesn’t represent a massive reward once time, it’s fascinating to see that the tide is turning
that does sound like a colossal investment stress and complexity (not least the original this way. Cheap and disposable E30s are long
into a car that arguably didn’t require any purchase price of the car itself) are factored gone, and it’s clear that it’s not just the sports
restoration in the first place, but we have into the equation, but that’s not really the models that will henceforth be commanding
to remember that such endeavours are a point. This owner made the car the very best high premiums. Any E30 is a desirable E30 l

Restoration work
totalled around
£15,000 – making
the sale price
slightly more
understandable

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G80 M3 VS G82 M4

AARock
Hard Place
There’s been plenty of criticism of the styling of the latest M3 and M4 but how do
we feel about the cars one year on from when they were officially revealed?
Words: Bob Harper Photography: Jason Dodd

B MW is no stranger to controversy
and its past is littered with examples
of both production and concept cars
that have garnered more than their
fair share of criticism and derision.
There seems to be a misconception that this
is something of a recent phenomenon, but it’s
been ongoing for quite some time now. When
the 2.0-litre version of the Neue Klasse was
launched it was criticised for its rectangular
When the company went the other way and
launched the avant garde E65 7 Series you’d
have thought the world had ended and there
was derision in almost equal amounts directed
at its lugubrious looks and the ground-breaking
iDrive system. The E60 5 Series didn’t receive
universal praise when it hit the streets back in
2003 and the E63 6 Series had its fair share
of detractors too. Perhaps the bottom line is
that people don’t like change but for a car
the bottom of the sales charts. It needs to
come up with fresh new designs that can
immediately be identified by your average
buyer as a BMW but are different enough from
the old model to appeal to those who want
the next great thing.
Of late BMW has once again been receiving
a lot of stick for its latest design language –
Bangle’s ‘Flame Surfacing’ has moved on to
Flame Grilling and the size of BMW’s kidneys
headlights and back in the early ‘90s there manufacturer like BMW that is on a seven-year have come in for a lot of stick, both in the
was a certain amount of uproar when the E36 model cycle this can be a bit of a problem. press and amongst enthusiasts. And this is
3 Series arrived with its more curvaceous body While some enthusiasts would seemingly exhibited quite clearly by the new M3 and M4
and headlights behind a glass cover. Then be happy for BMW to constantly regurgitate which were unveiled to the world this time
there was the E38 7 Series that was initially the E46 3 Series, E39 5 Series and E38 last year. It was quite clear from the disguised
lambasted for looking far too much like the 7 Series for each new model cycle it’s safe spy shots that the iconic M cars would be
E32 that preceded it… to say that if it did BMW would be firmly at sporting a brave now look but even so, there
52 BMWcar
 G80 M3 VS G82 M4

was plenty of internet chatter when the official available to UK buyers) packs a mighty 510hp As you’d expect there were a plethora of
images were revealed. and a massive 479lb ft of torque. Enough for changes under the skin for the new generation
But how do we feel about the dynamic a 3.9-second 0-62mph time and an equally of M cars with an eight-speed auto replacing
duo 12 months on? Have we warmed to stunning 50-75mph time (in fourth gear) of just the older DSG transmission that featured
their new faces, or are we still feeling a bit 2.6-seconds – that’s a mightily flexible engine. in the F80/2 generation. The new cars had
underwhelmed? To be honest, it wasn’t And bear in mind those are the figures for the longer wheelbases, wider tracks, stiffer bodies
just their visages that were criticised, many rear-wheel drive version, the M xDrive examples and improved aerodynamics. Electronically
commentators seemed to be ready to find shave half a second off that 0-62mph time. adjustable dampers feature along with 380mm
fault with the cars for other reasons too – When the previous generation F80 M3 front discs clamped by six-piston callipers while
‘they’re too big’, ‘why so heavy?’ and ‘where’s and F82 M4 were launched back in 2014, the traction control features a possibly too
the manual?’ being typical comments. But as admittedly in non-competition form, they had complicated ten different settings. A plethora of
is often the way once the cars were launched 79 less horsepower and 74lb ft less torque different settings for most of the car’s features
there were far more positive comments to play with and even if they were up to 88kg can be programmed into the steering wheel-
directed at the M3 and M4. lighter (when equipped with the DSG gearbox). mounted M1 and M2 buttons which does
The ingredients were certainly there with They couldn’t hold a candle to the new kids simplify the complex nature of the cars.
both cars featuring the S58 twin-turbo straight- on the block though, taking almost a second There are four new colours to choose from
six that in Competition tune (the only version longer to knock off that 50-75mph increment. for the G8x generation – Sao Paulo Yellow,
NOVEMBER 2021 53
G80 M3 VS G82 M4

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Skyscraper Grey, Isle of Man Green and

Brooklyn Grey and the level of standard
equipment is huge. There are six main
option packs to choose from – Comfort, M
Carbon, Visibility, Technology Plus, M Pro and
Ultimate – and it’s now possible to spec an
M4 up to the £90k mark, leading quite a few
commentators to say that the new M3 and
M4 are now occupying the territory that was
the preserve of the M5 a scant couple of
years ago.
But no matter how well the new M3
and M4 were equipped both in their
mechanical makeups and in their impressive
list of standard equipment It was still the
way they looked that was the hot topic of
conversation. Jeff Heywood, Vice President
54 BMWcar
 G80 M3 VS G82 M4

G80 M3 / G82 M4 Competition

G80 M3 Competition G82 M4 Competition
Engine: S58 six-cylinder, twin-turbo S58 six-cylinder, twin-turbo
Capacity: 2993cc 2993cc
Max power: 510hp @ 6250rpm 510hp @ 6250rpm
Max torque: 479lb ft @ 2750-5500rpm 479lb ft @ 2750-5500rpm
0-62mph: 3.9-seconds 3.9-seconds
50-75mph: 2.6-seconds 2.6-seconds
Top speed: 155mph 155mph
Economy: 28.8mpg 28.8mpg
Emissions: 224g/km 223/km
Weight (EU): 1805kg 1800kg
Price: £74,815 £76,115

of the BMW Car Club and dyed-in-the-wool while one or two agreed the vast majority were all the way to its 7200rpm limit. The body
BMW fan summed up his feelings when the aghast at the thought that someone actually control is excellent and the ride is impressively
official pictures were first revealed; “I was in thought they looked okay.” supple if you avoid the sportier settings and
shock. Sure, there had been plenty of ‘artist However, like the E65 Seven et al, most despite being an electric set up the steering
impression’ type images of what people of the motoring press seems to have rapidly feels responsive, too. Yes, it might be big, yes,
thought the new grilles were going to look moved on from talking about the styling a it might be heavy, but on the road it really
like, fuelled by a never-ending flow of spy soon as they drove the cars. There have been doesn’t feel it.
photos. Even so, the very first photos made some gripes about the automatic gearbox But what does a lucky new owner think? We
the ‘cringeometer’ in the pit of my stomach fly perhaps not being quite as sharp as the DSG spoke to Steve Smee, the owner of the M3 you
off the scale! Just what were BMW thinking of? was, particularly on down changes, but apart can see in the pictures here and unsurprisingly
Reactions elsewhere were equally as horrified. from that both the M3 and M4 have received he’s delighted with his new car as he relates;
Being a dyed-in-the-wool BMW person, I rave reviews, and once you’ve experienced the “I think I was the first person to get a new
admit to sticking my head above the parapet cars from behind the wheel you can see why. M3 from Barretts BMW in Canterbury, I put a
and posting something along the lines of ‘The The engine really is exceptional with the deposit down about 15 months before, so I
grilles aren’t as noticeable on the green M3 wonderfully responsive feel to the throttle picked mine up in April this year, and at the
press car’ and ‘we’ll soon all get used to them pedal that you don’t always get with a same time I put a deposit down for the M3
after all this furore has calmed down’ and turbocharged unit and it revs freely, too, singing Touring which is due out next year.

NOVEMBER 2021 55
G80 M3 VS G82 M4

Bangle’s ‘Flame Surfacing’ has

moved on to Flame Grilling

“I like the idea of the four-wheel drive the additional practicality that the saloon forgotten about it and as the years move on I
version but I was a little impatient so I’ve got has but also reckons it’s a better-looking car. think everyone will love it. Styles change and
the rear-wheel drive M3 to start with, but the “Personally, I prefer the way the M3 looks. people like different things, so ultimately I
M3 Touring will have the M xDrive. I’ve been The M4 has too much panel behind the don’t think the looks are an issue. Once you’ve
in Audis for many years and have appreciated doors and on the M3 you get the stepped driven one the styling is immaterial – it’s such a
the additional security the four-wheel drive rear wheel arch which looks great, too.” But great car to drive and hides its weight well.”
gives you – the M3’s been fine on dry roads what about those controversial kidney grilles? And that view is borne out by the motoring
so far, but I know that when it gets a bit damp Steve continues; “As it was coming out you magazines – the way the M3 and M4 look
it’ll be lighting up the traction control light the obviously see all the photos in the magazines has certainly taken a back seat once their
whole time!” and none of them had a number plate on performance and handling have been
Not only does Steve revel in the car’s them, but as soon as you put the plate on it thoroughly sampled. Perhaps the styling furore
performance he’s also very happy with the looks immeasurably better. It’s grown on me. will go away, or perhaps it’ll continue to be an
build quality of the car, reckoning it’s superior It’s certainly different, there’s no mistaking it issue? If we return to Jeff Heywood’s take on
to his Audis that came before it. Steve for something else, and I like that individuality. the cars he’s not sure which way the cookie
opted for the four-door M3 as he needs Give it a year and I think everyone will have will crumble; “Despite my positive initial

56 BMWcar
 G80 M3 VS G82 M4

comments the grilles jarred at launch and they And Jeff has pretty much hit the nail on the more we’re becoming accustomed to them
still jar with me now. Which is a great shame. head there – if sales are affected the change in – perhaps not a ringing endorsement, but
Look beyond the grilles and what you find styling direction will be seen as a mistake, but they certainly have presence. Ultimately, we
is a fantastic driver’s car. But is that enough? BMW’s form in this department is pretty good. think Steve’s view will be the prevailing one
I’m not so sure. BMW’s sales figures will be The E65 sold well, beating the supposedly – they’re fantastic cars and as styling trends
the ultimate barometer when the last of the better looking E38 in the sales charts while change over the coming years these will still go
G80/2 models roll off the production line. But its controversial iDrive is still in use today, down in history as one of the last of the great
my gut feeling as well as among some other admittedly in a heavily refined form. The E60 combustion-engined M cars l
petrolheads I talk to is that the controversy 5 Series matched the E39 for sales and the
caused by the grilles isn’t going to go away. E63 generation of 6 Series sold 30,000 more THANKS
What matters most (especially to BMW) is examples than the original Six, despite being Steve Smee for the loan of his G80 M3, and
will it affect sales? If it doesn’t, BMW will be on sale for half the amount of time. Barretts BMW Canterbury for the loan of the
vindicated for being brave, but if it does it will Yes, the new nose treatment on the G8x G82 M4.
leave the company with egg on its face – only generation of M3 and M4 is controversial Tel: 01227 828888
time will tell…” but the more we see them on the road, the Web: www.barrettscanterburybmw.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2021 57
 Market
MARKET WATCH

Watch
BMW
E52 Z8 However, it’s not just a stunning performer it
also pampers the driver and passenger with a
luxurious specification that includes a classic
Motorola cell phone, plush Nappa leather

C
BMW’s Z8 is a stunning classic with values to match. upholstery, a matching hard top, Xenon low-
beam headlights and Neon indicators and
For £140k you too can pretend to be Pierce Brosnan... brake lights. Every car came with its own
personalized handmade book and only 5703
ombining classic BMW 507 Motorsport-derived 4941cc V8 motor – taken Z8s were ever produced by BMW.
looks with contemporary M Car from the E39 M5. Featuring eight throttle The first UK cars had a base price of
performance, the E52 1999- bodies plus variable valve timing it produces £86,850 – with James Bond’s Titanium Silver
2003 BMW Z8 has become a 400hp at 6600rpm and 369lb ft of torque the most popular paint choice. The majority
serious collector’s item – with at 3800rpm. All cars were manufactured in of Z8s were manufacturer in this colour but
big sums being paid for examples with a low left-hand drive and BMW only offered one you will sometimes come across Black, Topaz
mileage and pristine provenance. Claiming a transmission – a Getrag six-speed manual. blue, Red and even Stratus grey examples,
starring role in the 1999 James Bond film The Capable of breaching 62mph in just 4.7- along with just 124 rarer hues – painted by
World Is Not Enough real-world buyers first seconds and claiming a 7000rpm redline, BMW’s Individual department. The Z8 Roadster
got their hands on the car in early 2000. And top speed was limited to the usual 155mph, also became the basis for the more touring-
values have remained sky-high ever since. but derestricted the Z8 can top out at over focused automatic Alpina V8 Roadster.
Incredibly, the aluminium-bodied, 180mph. Significantly lighter than the M5 With a low production run, searing
507-inspired BMW Z8 Roadster still looks Saloon, BMW’s Z8 Roadster was 15-seconds performance and stunning good looks, well
modern in 2021 and possesses a potent quicker around the famous Nürburgring. cared-for Z8s have maintained their values
rekaB yuG :sdroW

58 BMWcar
 MARKET WATCH

pretty much ever since, so if you want one

now you’ll need pretty deep pockets – prices
range from £70,000 to nearly £200,000,
depending, of course, on the car’s mileage,
condition and provenance.
Only a few examples appear for sale every
month, often at auction, with the Z8 now
proving extremely popular with collectors.
So if you want to get your hands on BMW’s
highly-desirable Roadster then you’d better
be prepared to act quickly when a suitable car
does appear. And you’ll probably struggle to
find a much better example than the Titanium
Silver 2001 example we spotted for sale at
Kaaimans International in Nottinghamshire
(www.kaaimans.com).
Boasting Black leather trim and electric
seats, it also comes with satellite Navigation,
a 10-Speaker Stereo, Xenon headlights,
Anthracite Headlining, air-conditioning, the
factory hard top roof and that iconic Motorola
flip phone. A stunning example this Z8 has
covered just 30,100-miles and that goes
some way to explaining the eye-watering
£189,975 price tag. However, we expect there
will be a little scope for negotiation on this.
But don’t expect a big discount, because
a similar 2000-registered UK model was tomhartley.com) in Derbyshire, it comes with cam sensors, valve-cover leaks, broken trim
recently sold for £179,990 by Simon a striking red leather interior too. An EU model and worn timing chain guides. BMW originally
Furlonger Specialist Cars in Ashford (www. originally supplied to Malaga, it looks incredible promised 50-year parts support for the Z8 –
simonfurlonger.co.uk). It had covered a and comes with a similar specification to the so that bodes well – but watch also out for
remarkably low 11,468-miles and was other two cars we’ve highlighted. And the delaminating mirror glass, damaged, fogged
collection ready. It was sold with the original asking price? A cool £199,995. headlight lenses (including moisture in the
leather book pack and a fully-stamped service At this end of the market it goes without headlights), brittle plastic cooling system parts,
handbook, it also came with the matching saying that a proper inspection by an expert and any electronic glitches l
factory hard top roof, tonneau cover and both is essential – the best examples have all had
original keys. very few owners and boast a pristine service
Only very rarely do even lower-mileage Z8s
appear, and the concours 8000-mile 2001
history. Look out for damaged front shock/
strut towers, faulty neon taillights, dashboard
WITH THANKS...
Grant Darling and Darren Parker at
Titanium Silver car at Tom Hartley (www. delamination, worn VANOS solenoids and James Paul (www.jamespaul.co.uk), the
BMW Car Club of Great Britain (www.
Recent BMW Z8 auction prices* BMW Car retail bmwcarclubgb.uk), British Car Auctions
Model Trans-
mission
Reg Mileage
Year
Sale
Price
price guide (www.bca.com), Silverstone Auctions (www.
silverstoneauctions.com), Bonhams (www.
bonhams.com), Coys (www.coys.co.uk)
BMW Z8 Roadster Manual 2000/X 47,000 £165,000 Poor: Under £70,000
BMW Z8 Roadster Manual 2001/Y 17,709 £167,995 Good: £70,000 to £140,000 Luzzago.com, Classic Car Auctions (www.
BMW Z8 Roadster Manual 2001/Y 13,235 £151,500 Excellent: £140,000+ classiccarauctions.co.uk), Glenmarch.
BMW Z8 Roadster Manual 2001/Y 69,809 £69,200 Special editions: None com, www.bimmerforums.co.uk, Redish
BMW Z8 Roadster Manual 2001/Y 27,500 £118,086 Motorsport (www.redish-motorsport.com)
BMW Z8 Roadster Manual 2002/02 23,700 £141,700 and Glass’s (www.glassbusiness.co.uk) for
*Sale prices of good-condition examples sold recently at classic car auctions their help with this feature.

NOVEMBER 2021 59
 We sell everything but . . .

WWW.CAARPARTS.CO.UK

WITH OVER 350,000 PARTS & ACCESSORIES CLICK & COLLECT

FROM OVER 300 INDEPENDENT MEMBER STORES

Not all member stores currently offer buy online / collect in store but all stores offer a telephone ordering service.
Workshop
WORKSHOP WISDOM

Wisdom
Z3Repair
Mirror
O
Is the mirror base corroded on your Z3?
Here’s how to fix the problem...
ne of the problems that the things lubricated, but most will not have. paint from BMW for about £25 with lacquer.
BMW Z3 has in old age is mirror Up until recently, the answer was either a Halfords BMW paint range includes Bright
base corrosion. This is both complete new mirror costing hundreds, or Red, Alpine White II, Montreal Blue, Gloss
on the aluminium mirror base a good used mirror costing around £150 – Black 668, Arctic Silver, Topaz and Estoril
that bolts to the door, and also assuming you can actually find one (not only Blue and Black Sapphire – not a bad range.
where the mirror swivels on said base – both that but can find one in the right colour?). Otherwise you’ll need to either guess what is
the base and the inner mirror frame are made British company X8R (x8r.co.uk) have been closest from the paint can rack or have one
from the same alloy and over the years they supplying new parts to fix the previously mixed for around £25. We found that Ford
corrode together ferociously with inevitable unfixable from E46 M3 exhaust flanges to Tourmaline Green is a near identical match for
results. You go to move the mirror in when VANOS and suspension pump repair kits – its Oxford Green II so we bought a can for about
parked, or get it clobbered by a passer by, and website is well worth a look. It can also supply £6 from a local motor factors.
the frame snaps off from the base. Z3 mirror bases in corrosion-free plastic. The mirror is quite easily removed, once
Repair is impossible, the corrosion is so bad These cost £109.99 and, once painted and either swivelled or just broken anyway you’ll
that the broken frame will not move at all and fitted, you will never have to worry about the find a pair of small Allen screws that secure
the diecast alloy cannot be welded. Careful issue again. Best of all, you can retain the the mirror to the door. Remove the door card
owners will have known about this for years existing outer casing so you only need to paint to access the inner cable connector – you
and will have moved the mirrors regularly the plastic base. Our car was Oxford Green can just about access it with the top corner
and sprayed a penetrating oil in there to keep II and you can buy a colour-matched aerosol pulled back but there is a risk of damaging it.

NOVEMBER 2021 61
WORKSHOP WISDOM

1 With the mirror removed,

the connector cable needs to be
2asIt’shown
s removed sideways
with a small
3 Now carefully
remove the mirror glass from
passed through the broken base. screwdriver. Be careful not to the electric adjuster motor.
However, it is too wide for this, so pull any wires from the plug. That This is retained by four clips – go
you need to remove the clip on the done, it will pass through the hole really easy here and just ease it off
end plug. in the mirror base like this... one clip at a time.

4 Here we can see the four

mirror glass retaining lugs on the
5 Remove the four motor
retaining screws so that the motor
6halvesWithofthose screws out, the two
the mirror outer casing
outer diameter of the white plastic is loose, then remove these four can be unclipped and pulled apart
ring. Also visible are the four motor outer casing screws – they are as shown. The cable can be pulled
retaining screws and four mirror either small Torx or Allen screws. If through the old mirror frame and
casing screws.  they look rusty take extra care. the motor removed. 
62 BMWcar
 WORKSHOP WISDOM

7 This shows the severe

corrosion of the mirror base and
8is theA actual
common fault on the mirrors
mirror glass separating
9 Here is the new X8R plastic
mirror frame, and very sturdy it is
really, it was just way past saving from the plastic backing. They can as well. It is an exact copy of the
without a lot of prep work. You can be carefully pulled apart slightly original so there are no problems
also see here the break in the alloy before Araldite or a strong silicon refitting the parts from the old
frame where it snapped.  sealer is used as a glue. mirror to it. 

11 Once dried (the

longer you leave it the
better) we had the mirror
rebuilt in 20-minutes. All
the retaining screw holes
are in exactly the right
place, this is a very good
quality product. 

12mirror.Here’s the finished

The new plastic
X8R base is very stiff –
and would need a few
tries to loosen up a bit
10and youThe canbasedoneeds to be painted
this now or later
– but there is no doubt
that this is an excellent
solution to the common
once the mirror is built up. We chose Z3 mirror problem.
to do it first, leaving it a couple of
hours to dry, and used a plastic
primer, top coat and clearcoat. 
NOVEMBER 2021 63
 Get even more grea
classic car content online a
ClassicsW
Classics World TV

S Visit classicsworld.co.uk
WATCHING TODAY Head to YouTube and search Classics World
 OUR CARS

Our
Cars
Welcome to BMW Car magazine’s fleet of vehicles... Here
In association with

Jason Dodd
we share the trials and tribulations – both good and bad –
of running a range of BMWs in the real world...
F87 M2
Elliott Stiling Matt Robinson

1983 1989 2003 2007

E28 Alpina B9 E30 318i SE E46 325Ci Sport E61 M5 Touring
v Pat Har er Rob Richardson

1997 2014
E36/5 318Ti Compact E39 528i Auto F25 X3 xDrive20d SE 1973 2002
Bob Harper M S h H er

1976 2003
E61 530i SE Touring E3 3.0L E46 330i Sport E39 530i Sport

68

NOVEMBER 2021 65
OUR CARS
Jason Dodd

Stopping Power
F87 M2

The M2 gets new EBC brakes to help it cope on track...

Tyrepoint in Kent
performed the work

Yellowstufff
pads contrast
with the blue
M callipers

The M2 has had a relatively quiet

time mileage wise, after putting a
lot of miles on it since March when
I purchased it, only 1500 have
been added in the last two months.
This has been mainly due to the
acquisition of a new daily driver, a
Kia Ceed 3 auto, but as I write this
it has now made way for a Mk5 VW
Golf GTI – but that’s another story
entirely though!
I have attended a few events in
the BMW, the most notable one
was part of the Kent Drive Club’s
charity super car show at Tyrepoint
in Maidstone. This had 70 cars on
show, including a McLaren Senna,
Lamborghini Countach and a mix of
66 BMWcar
 OUR CARS
Left: Mk5 Golf takes
the heat off the M2
M2 will now stop far
better on track In association with

F87 M2
YEAR: 2017
TOTAL MILEAGE: 19,789
MILEAGE THIS MONTH: 1600
MPG THIS MONTH: 26.2
COST THIS MONTH: 380

BMWs – it was nice to see them a little bite halfway through the over 200-miles on them. Members Meeting, I might take the
classed as supercars! session. Speaking to Stefan at You will see from the Golf down to West Sussex for that
The event raised just under EBC he recommended Yellowstuff photographs on these pages the one though, just to tie in with more
£2,500 for the Kent Air Ambulance brake pads, new hoses and lines yellow makes a nice contrast with of a ‘classic’ vibe...
and took place on a warm but which would maintain better bite the blue of the M brake callipers. The GTI is taking up a bit of
overcast Saturday evening. It and hotter temperatures. John at While the wheels were off John time at the moment actually, but
was nice to have a chance in the Tyrepoint fitted all the brake parts gave them a good clean as well. I’m I have a few options to enhance
morning for a full detailing session with meticulous care and attention, writing this in late August, so the the performance of the M2 in the
on the M2, the only concerning talking me through the process. next test for the brake set up will be pipeline so don’t worry. It’s just
thing is the number of stone chips The current pads were still fairly at Goodwood in early September tipped over 19,000-miles and is
that angry looking front bumper fresh but they are designed for – look out for the next update in sounding better through the gears
picks up. general road use, the Yellowstuff these very pages to see how I got than ever before, I remember a
I ended up returning to Tyrepoint compounds are for light track use, on on track. 135i I had, that settled in after
the following week to have some and so far have shown progressive I’m expecting to put some miles 15,000-miles, felt faster and louder.
EBC brake pads, hoses and lines braking to be smoother, they also on the M2 in the coming weeks, I’ll It could just be me, but even the
fitted. This had been my only have excellent cold bite with high be at Salon Privé which takes place wife has noted that at 6am it has
issue on track at Goodwood temperature fade resistance – they at Blenheim Palace, then a couple more of a burble than before!
back in March as the brakes lost are just bedding in now with just of weeks later the Goodwood Jason Dodd

NOVEMBER 2021 67
OUR CARS
Bob harper

Happy Campers?
E61, E3, F25 the added complication of not
wanting to unload all the camping
gear while we were at the cottage
so the easiest way of doing things
was to load one car with the
camping stuff and the other with
the dog and the cottage stuff.
Along with half the population, the Harper family head Anticipating that traffic to
Cornwall would be approaching
to sunny Cornwall for their holidays... apocalyptic levels this year we
arranged to travel on a Monday
but there were still plenty of
folk cluttering up the A303 so it
made a welcome break to stop
at Teals near Sparkford where we
met some friends for lunch. If
you don’t know it, Teals is a farm
shop/take away/restaurant that
is a great alternative to stopping
at normal services, especially
as it has a proper fenced off
field whose sole purpose is for
exercising your dog. Our friends
did warn us to make sure we
went the right way when we
I’m afraid it’s that time of the canvas so for the first week booked had no Wi-Fi, TV or 3/4G
year, yup, the annual Harper we would have that unusual coverage and he immediately
holiday to the west country sensation of being in Cornwall decided that camping would be
and I can’t help but feel that surrounded by four walls and more up his street.
I’ve missed a trick by not being with a proper roof over our Thus we headed off to
sponsored by the Cornish Tourist heads. Luxury. The children have Cornwall with two adults, two
Board for all these years. We now reached an age where they cars and a dog. Yes, it is faintly
usually go away to somewhere don’t want to come on holiday ridiculous that we still take two
hot for a week before making with us unless it involves a villa cars with us – if I’d tried really
the annual pilgrimage down the somewhere in the Mediterranean hard we probably could have
A303 and A30 but this year we
decided against the lottery of a
although our youngest did say
he’d come to Cornwall for a week
shoehorned everything into the
one car but if you saw Mrs H’s
F25 X3YEAR:
xDrive20d
2014
SE
European week away and opted – probably as he couldn’t bear list of camping equipment and MILEAGE THIS MONTH: 1,034
for a fortnight in Cornwall. the thought of having to cook holiday ‘essentials’ that she digs TOTAL MILEAGE: 61,077
I put my foot down and for himself for a whole fortnight. out every year you’d probably MPG THIS MONTH: 40.4
boycotted two weeks under We let slip that the cottage we’d opt for two cars too. We also had COST THIS MONTH: £ Nil

E3YEAR:3.0L
1976
MILEAGE THIS MONTH: 0
TOTAL MILEAGE: 11,697
MPG THIS MONTH: 0
COST THIS MONTH: £ Nil
Both X3 and 5
Series went along

YEAR: 2006
ouring
MILEAGE THIS MONTH: 706
TOTAL MILEAGE: 71,230
MPG THIS MONTH: 28.4
COST THIS MONTH: £ Nil

68 BMWcar
 OUR CARS
In association with
left as it’s all too easy to end up quiet for some autumnal walking was irritating and amusing in
heading in the wrong direction up the coast path it’s a brilliant spot equal measure.
the A303… so it was no surprise to visit. After a week we headed The trip home was uneventful
when I watched Mrs H and the X3 off to the south coast of Cornwall – bar the inevitable A303 snarl
do just that, heading back towards on The Roseland Peninsula for ups – and I was grateful once
London. Doh! our week of camping, picking again to be able to use Teals’ field receipts and discovered that
The dog and I continued in the youngest Harper child from to exercise the dog halfway home. when calculated by the brim-
a westerly direction and it was the train station en route. As you There’s not much to report on the to-brim method over the last
only when we pulled up outside can see from the picture (below cars front – both the 530i and the couple of tanks it had actually
the cottage in north Cornwall left) he was quite useless when X3 performed their duties without returned 28.4mpg which was
that it dawned on me that Mrs H it came to unloading cars and any drama or troubles but both slightly more palatable but
didn’t have the full directions to putting up tents. have returned with boots full of nowhere near the 40+ mpg
the house. She knew the name As the dog was a year older dog hair and sand – the sign of that Mrs H’s X3 had managed.
of the village but tracking down and a year wiser (?) he was a bit a good holiday as far as the dog Ah well, mine sounds better!
the cottage was a bit awkward… more relaxed on the campsite and was concerned. No movement on the E3 this
especially with a complete was quite happy to be tethered I was a trifle disappointed with month thanks to the holiday
absence of a phone signal. up on a long lead while we were the indicated miles per gallon on and deadlines either side of it,
In the end we had a lovely lounging around which made the 530i’s journey computer as but hopefully I’ll get something
week, long dog walks on the coast for a far more relaxed stay. He by the time I got back to London done on it next month.
path, scrambling down to virtually did make it his business to try it was indicating 24.5mpg for Bob Harper
deserted coves and beaches and and scare off anyone who dared the 600-mile trip. However, next
while the weather wasn’t brilliant, to come towards our patch to time I filled up I dug out the
it wasn’t awful either. We were use the water tap with some previous fuel
staying a little to the north of demented barking before rolling
Bude and if you fancy somewhere over for some tummy rubs which

NOVEMBER 2021 69
OUR CARS
Mani Singh Hayer and travelled well through the gears
though I was not too shocked at
long when left for a few days so
decided I to do the sensible thing
E46 330i Sport Individual this given it had spent all its time and purchase a new battery from
530i Sport Champagne Edition II

The Individual
at BMW retailers being serviced BMW and have it replaced.
and maintained as evidenced by After giving the car a thorough
the huge chronologically ordered detail both inside and outside,
service history folder which The it allowed for me to assess the
Natural History Museum would be bodywork condition in greater
proud of. All four windows went up detail. When I went to see the
and down slowly but I was aware car, I did notice a few stone
This month Mani introduces us to his that these needed attention since
the window regulators required
chips that had started to rust in
a couple of areas so I knew that
E46 330i Sport Individual. replacement and so this was
factored into the price I paid for
these needed attention at some
point; although not urgent. For
Having introduced both of my it for sale the very next day and the car. now, I covered it with wax. Other
modern classics a few issues ago, bought it – just a few days before So, mechanically things were things bodywork wise included
I have decided to dedicate this Christmas as it happens. looking pretty good. Having some paint bubbling on the rear
update on my 2002 E46 330i On collection day and on the researched some of the weak passenger sill, a tiny ding on the
Sport Individual with 85,000- drive home, it gave me a really spots of the M54 engine, I knew rear bumper and all the alloy
miles which I purchased in 2018. good opportunity to find out what the cooling system needed wheels needed refurbishment
The primary reason of this car was needed attention mechanically. refreshing. However, given the given the previous owner clearly
to provide me with something a Whilst the test drive a few days little mileage I intended on driving used the kerbs as some sort of
little different to drive during the earlier did not really identify this car, it was the expansion tank target practice.
summer season in dry days only anything, the drive home was about that I wanted to get replaced One thing that drew me to
and the glorious M54 330i (either two-hours so it allowed sufficient sooner rather than later since it the car when I first saw it was
in saloon or coupé form) was time for me to get acquainted was still on its original one. The how purple Individual Velvet Blue
what I was after and found. with my new Christmas present water pump, thermostat and all of actually looks and once clean,
It took most of 2018 to find to myself. Rather surprisingly, the rest of the cooling system will it really shows it off well. If ever
the right one but as soon as this there was nothing to report. No be done in the future. there was a collaboration between
came up for sale online, I went vibrations, no squeaks, no odd I also noticed that the car BMW and Cadburys, surely this
down to the specialist who had noises; nothing. It drove superbly was not holding its charge for would be the colour to use.

70 BMWcar
 OUR CARS
In the interior, again nothing the car. A couple of days before Interior was in
major and whilst there were no the car was due to go in, I went pretty good shape
tears or rips to the leather, it could to the local petrol station to fill
do with a refresh since some of it up with some go-go juice and
it was peeling on the head rests top up the tyre pressures and
(very similar to my E39). just reacquaint myself with the
So, this concluded my ‘to do’ car on a short drive. On the way
list on the car and it was not too back home though, there was
bad overall. I used the list and a problem. The car was making
fired up Excel and put a schedule a grinding noise and was losing
together of when I want to aim to speed quickly without even
get the various works done over touching the brake pedal. When
the next two-to-three years since I got out to have a look, the rear
there is no major rush to get right brake disc decided, without
anything done. As it is a summer any prior discussion with me, that
car, I said my goodbyes and put it wanted to see how hot it could
the car into storage for the rest get and judging by the smoke
of winter. being emitted from the disc, I
Fast forward to Spring 2019 would say it was doing a really
and I got the car booked in at my good job; top marks! So, I had the Rust issues are
next to be sorted
local BMW Independent Specialist car recovered to the specialist it
for the battery to be replaced, was booked in with and added
expansion tank replacement, a suspected sticky brake calliper
brake fluid and coolant which needed investigating to
replacement. An oil service was their job list.
not required given that it just had Having prayed to the relevant
one at BMW a short time ago. Gods for a good outcome,
When booking the car in, I also I received a video with the
asked for them to give the car a technician’s assessment of the car
thorough once over since this had a few hours later which confirmed
not been done since I purchased that it was indeed a sticky brake
calliper. Mechanically, there was
nothing major to report which
was great news and a big relief
and the expansion tank, battery,
brake fluid and coolant had all
been replaced. However, the
sticky brake calliper meant that
both rear brake discs and pads Individual touches
lift the car nicely
needed to be replaced as well as
the offending brake calliper which
of course I approved.
The remainder of the summer
passed without incident and I
continued to enjoy driving it and
basked in its magnificent colour.
The end of 2019 meant it was
due its annual service and MoT
and so once again, I got it booked
in with my specialist. Whilst it did
pass its MoT, there were some
minor advisories on the front
brakes and suspension arm pins
which were not too concerning
for now. They did also note a
minor oil leak but after wiping it
away and driving it for some time,
it seems to have disappeared.
This pretty much covers the
story of the car from purchase in
late 2018 up to the end of 2019.
Other than an unexpected repair
bill due to the brake calliper, E46YEAR:
330i2002Sport
it had performed as expected E39 530i Sport
which was great news. Going
back to my to do list, 2020 was
MILEAGE THIS MONTH: 2,000 (all of 2019)
TOTAL MILEAGE: 85,000 Champagne Edition II
YEAR: 2003
marked as the year of sorting out MPG THIS MONTH: 25
MILEAGE THIS MONTH: 200
the bodywork and rust issues so COST THIS MONTH: £700.00
TOTAL MILEAGE: 38,241
I’ll leave you in suspense for the (fluid replacement, expansion tank,
next update on how that went. battery, rear brake pads and discs, MPG THIS MONTH: 24
Mani Singh Hayer rear right brake calliper) COST THIS MONTH: £ Nil

NOVEMBER 2021 71
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 Trouble
TROUBLE SHOOTER

Shooter
We look at the common issues with
the F34 3 Series Gran Turismo –
here are the essentials that
you need to know...

T
Words & Photography: Andrew Everett
hink GT, and you may well think Rostyle But why would you want one? Easy – space, and
wheels, side stripes and maybe a vinyl roof lots of it. As well as being a few inches taller than the WHAT MODELS
– or is that me showing my age?
It’s over 10-years since BMW launched the
3 Series, it shares the eight-inch longer wheelbase
of the Chinese market F35 long wheelbase 3 Series ARE THERE? 
The GT was launched in
long wheelbase (7 Series-based) 5 Series saloon, and it’s only when you sit in the back of the GT
GT and whilst it didn’t sell so well, it was well loved by that you realise just how spacious it is inside. The extra the UK in 2013 but wasn’t
those who had one. Ditto the 3 Series GT – launched length also makes for a very decent sized boot and available with quite the full 3
not long after the F30 3 Series saloon, the F34 arrived whilst you’re not going to be carrying tumble driers, it Series model range – we got
in 2013 to one of those awkward silences but time will take a surprising amount.  the four cylinder 318d, 320d,
has been quite kind to it. The current ‘interesting’ rash It’s not especially exotic, but the GT is a very good 325d 320i, 328i and from the
of BMW styling has certainly helped it and really, the 3 car that will ease its way into your life – a great driving 2016 LCI facelift, the 330i. Six-
Gran Turismo is not a bad looking car at all.  car that has practicality on its side. cylinder diesels counted the
330d and 335d.
Various trim levels were
available – the standard SE
with cloth trim and 17-inch
wheels, the Sport with 17- or
18-inch wheels plus sports
seats, steering wheel and
bumper air intakes, as well as
slightly uprated suspension.
The Modern, which is just a
trim option, and the Luxury,
another trim level but with
leather, 18-inch wheels and
chrome line exterior trim.
The M Sport featured revised
bumpers, sports seats, 18-
or 19-inch alloys, M Sport
suspension, short shift gear-
lever on manuals as well as all
the various trim changes. 

N47 DIESEL ENGINES

Various engines are used in the F34, the 320d a good idea to spend £1300 on having the
was the most common model so we’ll deal engine taken out and replacing the chains and
with that first along with the detuned 318d that guides – some specialists will do it with the
is mechanically almost identical. The N47 2.0d engine in situ but with the gearbox removed.
engine has a bad reputation for timing chains Be careful where you buy diesel as well – you
– they are much better than they were, but wouldn’t be the first to buy some cheap diesel
we still see and hear of higher mileage units somewhere that was diluted with some other
that have gone wrong and you can often hear muck, quickly ruining the high-pressure pump
the dreaded chain rattle at 80k. The rest of the and some expensive injectors. Turbos are very
N47N engine is good but we’d think long and good on all cars with very few reported failures
hard about a high mileage example or at least and at £800 new (plus fitting) a new BMW
buy it cheap and have the chain replaced – it’s unit isn’t too dear at all.
about £1300. The B47 as introduced in early One thing we would recommend is to have
2015 is basically a revised N47N, and so far it an interim oil change – every year or 10,000-
appears to be good. There are quite a few with miles is more than enough, and at £140 it’s
150-000-miles on the clock that have been no not expensive.
problem at all. Coolant loss can be caused by a leaking EGR
The 325d model cars got an N47 or B47 cooler, not that you’ll see any drips because it
four-cylinder engine with 218hp. They are nice leaks internally – the coolant getting burnt off
cars with really good performance and virtually in combustion or down the exhaust. These are
320d levels of economy.  being replaced under warranty at the moment
In short? By 100,000-miles it’s probably so you may get some goodwill on an older car.

74 BMWcar
 TROUBLE SHOOTER
N57 DIESEL ENGINES
The 258hp 330d and 313hp 335d are much the same – the N57
EGR COOLER
You’ve heard all about this, what happens is that they clog up
is really just an N47 with two extra cylinders and whilst the timing with soot and they can then jam in the open position so that hot
chain problems are not as common, they can still happen. What exhaust gas is getting fired straight back into the manifold. That's
causes it? In the opinion of many mechanics, the chain just isn’t not good when you’re charging down the motorway with the EGR
that beefy. Also, the N57 in 35d form is getting a bit of a rep for fully open with the heat from the exhaust gas melting the plastic
crank main bearing failure on hard driven cars – more frequent inlet manifold – the car goes into limp home mode (drivetrain
oil changes are very highly recommended and we would avoid malfunction). If it does that, stop right away.
high mileage cars like the plague. Buy with low mileage and really It’s not really BMW’s fault, it’s down to whoever made the EGR
maintain the engine as befits a powerful turbo diesel and it should cooler, but it’s a good idea to make sure it’s had a recall to have it
be fine. either checked, or to have a new one fitted. It’s not a bad DIY job

N47 HIGH PRESSURE

FUEL PUMP
If there is one thing a bit of hindsight would
help with, it’s what will go wrong with your
car next. And given that the high pressure
diesel pumps on diesels of old almost never
went wrong, who would have thought the
pump on the N47 2.0 diesel – and to a
lesser extent those win the 3.0 diesel –
would be failing? Steel particles from the
failing pump get fired back into the tank to
go through the pump and injectors again
and again, eventually ruining it all.
On these, the pump bolts to the back of
the block under the intake manifold and is
driven by the cam chain. Replacing it is quite
involved and you need a special tool that
holds the pump drive gear as it pushes the
pump out. But really, it’s not that common
and if it does fail, replacing the fuel system
with good used parts and flushing the fuel
tank out is under a grand.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Manuals of course involve a dual mass flywheel and a clutch,  
budget £1500 if you need both at once. BMW want £1476 for a
flywheel (we love their optimism!) and £570 for a clutch. An LuK
(original equipment) flywheel costs £794 and a clutch kit is £330, so
there’s a massive saving there. 
Gearbox syncros can fail suddenly and a refusal to engage reverse
first/second or reverse is the sign that you need another box or a
rebuild, but it’s not so common and we’ve seen150,000-mile cars
that are still fine. But, if you need a gearbox be aware that they are
difficult to repair due to limited parts availability and a new ‘box is
£4400. Used? About £1000 but it must be exactly the right ‘box
because – due to the stop start system correlating with the gear and
final drive ratios – the car will be in limp home mode permanently if
it’s the wrong unit.

NOVEMBER 2021 75
TROUBLE SHOOTER
N20 PETROL ENGINES
The common petrol engine in the GT is the four-cylinder 2.0-litre
B48 PETROL ENGINES (LCI)
LCI cars had the all-new B48 turbo four with the 252hp 330i
turbo unit, the N20. On pre-LCI cars this came as a 320i with replacing the 328i, whilst the 320i was boosted slightly to 190hp.
184hp and a 328i with 245hp. All are superb engines but the An all-new engine based on the design ideas of the B47 diesel,
328i really does go well, and the economy is very good, too. Older the timing chain is at the back and we have heard nothing bad
N20 units will be about ready for a timing chain replacement but about it after five years. As an engine it really does seem to be
as the chain is at the front, it’s a thousand quid job. There have a very good one and, as always, ignoring the official oil change
been some issues with crank thrust washers but overall, the N20 intervals and changing the oil and filer every 10,000-miles will only
isn’t a bad engine and it’s vastly better than the previous N43 in help it. 
the last E90 3 Series with very low instances of injector problems If you don’t really need a diesel, the 330i with the 8-speed
and far fewer timing chain problems. By 100,000-miles though we automatic gearbox really is a fantastic powertrain that will still return
would recommend replacement, and listen out for a weird whine you over 40mpg on a steady run. 
from the front of the engine – that will be the oil pump chain,
although this problem was largely ironed out by 2014. 
One last thing – beware of remapped 320is. The higher
compression 184hp unit does not take kindly to more boost and it
will break. BMW will always detect a remap as well.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The 8-speed auto is a far better choice for the GT and these are very reliable. Most problems,
if and when they appear, can be due to software, battery IBS issues as well as other electrical
faults connected with the ABS and DSC. Rectification can be time consuming. It’s not mileage
dependent either, just the luck of the draw with an incredibly complex bit of machinery that
involves electronics. A good test is to reverse the car, if you can hear a weird whining sound,
that’s a good indicator that the ‘box is on its last legs.
But really, don’t fret over automatics as the 8-speed is a really good unit – so reliable in fact that
you can buy a good used one for well under £500, but you will need a good BMW specialist to fit
and code it to the car. In our opinion the auto is a better bet than the manual on which you are
guaranteed a £1500 clutch job eventually.

xDrive
A number of 3 Series GTs were ordered with the xDrive four-wheel
SWIRL FLAPS
For the N47, the system was changed completely and the flaps ran
drive system and by and large it’s a good system. Whilst the rear on a common pivot shaft. Once external, the operating shaft runs
differentials of all F34 cars are just about unbreakable, the front through the centre of the intake runners and the swirl flaps fit onto
diff can cause trouble on high mileage cars. But really, as long as the shaft like kebab meat on a skewer. The shaft is made from brass
the car isn’t hammered, has the correct oil level (as well as four and plastic ‘bearing’ supports, an electronic flap actuator bolts to the
matching tyres) then they’re pretty good. Having said that, don’t end of the manifold to rotate the shaft – thus opening and closing
the flaps at the same time.
T

cars it’

remove the
swirl flaps.

76 BMWcar
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Back Issues
Complete your collection...
£ea5ch.p5lu0s
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From

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NOVEMBER 2020 DECEMBER 2020 JANUARY 2021 FEBRUARY 2021

Cover Story: Z3 versus Z4 Cover Story: 15 classic BMW Cover Story: E30 325i Cover Story: 2002tii
Inside: 840Ci versus 850CSi, buys: 1970s-1990s... Inside: Birds 340i Touring, Inside: Alpina B3 Touring drive,
E70 X5 M, E46 330i, E93 335i, Inside: M2 CS meets siblings, E93 M3 Convertible, BMW 1M E36/5 Compact, Classic buys:
F32 435i, 545e xDrive driven E46 Alpina B3 3.3, E39 at 25 coupé, 128ti driven 850 Vs M3, M440i drive

MARCH 2021 APRIL 2021 MAY 2021 JUNE 2021

Cover Story: E46 M3 vs E92 Cover Story: E30 M3 Cover Story: E36 at 30 Cover Story: E36 M3 track car &
335i Inside: E30 M3 collection: race, Inside: F15 X5 vs F16 X6, Frank Compact rally car driven
Inside: 3.0 CSL, Z1 trio, E34 5 rally and road, £5k BMW Buys, Sytner interview, E39 5 Series Inside: E39 M5 vs M635CSi,
Series, E39 5 Series, X1 drive E38 7 Series, 4 Series driven Champagne, E30 325i Sport E30 325i Touring, Z4 3.0

JULY 2021 AUGUST 2021 SEPTEMBER 2021 OCTOBER 2021

Cover Story: 2002Tii at 50 Cover Story: E36 Alpina B2.5 Cover Story: £15k BMW Buys Cover Story: M2 – buying and
Inside: F40 128ti meets E46/5 Inside: Neue Klasse at 60, E53 Inside: E46 M3 Cabriolet, F31 owning BMW’s pocket rocket
Compact ti, E30 M3 racer, E39 X5, E38 7 Series, modified F80 335d Touring, E24 635CSi racer, Inside: E39 Alpina B10, E64
530i, E46 330Cd, G30 530e M3, F86 X6M F25 X3, F90 M5 CS First Drive 645Ci, E36/8 Z3M

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Reader’s
READER’S RIDES

Rides
H
Danny Tiplady’s E90 318d
ere’s something rather unusual! Danny
Tiplady explains that he cannot drive and is
not a mechanic, which makes the work he
has carried out on this E90 3 Series all the
more impressive. A keen model maker,
Danny transferred his skills to this car, once owned
by his brother. It arrived at Danny’s Kent residence
in December 2020 with a snapped timing chain
and was quickly stripped to its bare bones. The N47
engine was removed and diagnosed with a damaged
sprocket, a rebuild ensued with the assistance of
Danny’s mechanic aunt (and YouTube!) before the car
was put back together.
“With the cost of parts I was £1100 in on a £4k car
– I considered selling but I knew the car inside and
out,” Danny explained. “By the time she was running
I was out of money but I had already purchased the
wrap.” Danny wrapped the entire car himself for just
£140. “I learned so many new skills with this project,
from engine mechanics to wrapping and wiring.”
A roof rack found for £50 gave birth to another
unique touch, Danny added lights, fuel cans, a radio
antenna and ammo boxes to complete his look.
Danny’s love of Transformers added more personality
to the car which he describes as “a breath of fresh air’.
“I’ve never been so proud of myself!” Danny smiles
with confidence. “Nothing is impossible and you
should never doubt yourself – I fixed the first car I
owned and I can’t even drive it yet. The next step is a
matching trailer!”

We want your car!

Want to see your BMW in print? Email us a
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alongside a 100-200 description in your own
words – we want to know why you bought it
and what you think of it! We’ll do the rest in our
Reader’s Rides page.
Email your entry to: bmwcar.ed@kelsey.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2021 79
MOTORFREE ADS TO ADVERTISE VISIT
WWW.MOTORFREEADS.CO.UK
CURRENT LISTINGS
BMW 3 SERIES BMW 320 BMW 2800

1998, 58856 miles, £6,500. Future Classic,

Super investment with increasing value in
exceptional condition, One Lady Owner suppled
by Millcars BMW. Finished in Morea Metallic
Green with Full Beige Leather Interior. Full Service 2003, 106000 miles, £1,650. 320i SE Touring. 1970, £45,995. 2800 Coupe Sports automatic.
History with Service Book and Invoices, Previous Rare, full service history, Japanrot red, manual, A beautiful looking car that is equally impressive
MOT’s with HPI Certificate, 5 Speed Automatic cloth interior, auto climate, tow bar electrics, two to drive. The attention to detail on this car is
Gearbox, Folding Rear Seat Backrest. Electric previous owners, new front disks, unused fitted excellent throughout. A fantastic car that will
Tilt and Slide Sunroof, On Board Computer, ABS mats, torch and toolkit. Please call 07971 174328, not disappoint. Please call 01944 758000,
with Automatic Stability Control, Duel Climate Air Scotland. Yorkshire and the Humber.
Conditioning, and more. Please call 07976398044 109152
107585
, East of England.
108907
BMW 328I BMW 635
BMW 3 SERIES

1996, 150.000 miles, POA. All original mint

1989, 74412 miles, Guide price: from £6,500 condition inside and out and underbody fully 1989, 121441 miles, Guide price: from £10,000
to £7,500. 320i Convertible (E30), White (Cat C), stamped. BMW and local documented history, to £12,000. 635 CSI Auto, Diamond Black, Petrol,
Petrol, Manual, 1990cc. Original bill of sale for owned and enjoyed for 16 years with all invoices. 3430cc. Current local owner since 2003, four
£19,777 in May 1989 from Cronk BMW of Redhill. Very rare based upon factory spec left hand drive previous keepers, comprehensive history file.
Two previous keepers, current owner since 2017. body with bill sheet, M-Tec sport suspension Original BBS TRX wheels with tyres included
Original book pack including hand books. Subject supplied and fitted by BMW dealer. Sport mode in sale. UNDERGOING CHERISHED NUMBER
to an insurance claim in 2016. New soft top in exhaust system, extra wide wheels, pipped TRANSFER. LOGBOOK TO FOLLOW. To bid online
2014. Create an account and Bid online on the interior, one touch locking system, appreciated in please create an account on the Hobbs Parker
Hobbs Parker website. Auction date - 28th and value, classic collectable, MoT Jan 2022. Please website. Auction 28/29th July. Viewing from the
29th July. Viewing from the 26th July. Please call call 07903805145, East of England. 26th July. Please call 01233506266, South East.
01233506266, South East. (T) 109664 (T)
109333 109525

FEATURE YOUR MOTOR IN YOUR FAVOURITE MAGS! OR FIND YOUR NEXT!

BMW 840 BMW ISETTA BMW Z3

1997, 88000 miles, £23,950. 840Ci 4.4 V8 Sport 1963. Auction date 28/29th July. To bid online
Coupe. Finished in Barbados Green with M Styling please create an account on the Hobbs Parker 1 999, 43000 miles, £24,995. Z3 M, 3.2
System II light alloy wheels and electric sunroof. website. Viewing available from the 26th July. convertible, two door petrol, manual. In near
Light parchment leather interior with Sport Please call 01233506266, South East. (T) faultless condition. Silver coach work with black
electrically adjustable front seats, cruise control, and red leather interior. Great spec. Please call
M Sport suspension, M aerodynamics package 108952 01623 411476, East Midlands.
and Hi Fi loudspeaker system. Only 88,000 108350
miles with history file and stamped service book.
Excellent condition throughout. Please call 02085 BMW M3
679729, Greater London.
110159
BMW Z3

BMW 840

2000, 96788 miles, Guide price: from £5,000

to £6,000. BMW / Z3 Roadster. Panel off body
1994, 95750 miles, BMW / 840 CI Auto / Coupe respray including new genuine BMW door sills.
/ Silver / Petrol / Auto / 3982cc / 95750 miles. 2001, 137000 miles, £20,500. Fantastic original New soft top and refurbished leather interior are
Direct from BMW main agent heritage collection, spec, excellent drive and stunning condition. This amongst other things in no expense restoration
three previous keepers. Freshly recommissioned. has been my dream car since they were released. down to details such as renewed number plates.
To bid online please create an account on the I bought this in 2012. I have loved, cherished and Current owner since 2016, five previous keepers.
Hobbs Parker website. Physical viewing at our looked after this car to the best of my ability from To bid online please create an account on the
auction centre from 9:00am to 6:00pm from Mon day 1. Since March 2020 it has cost me £12,000 Hobbs Parker website. More photos on the
25th to Wed 27th and Thurs 28th from 9:00am. in planned and unplanned maintenance and on website. Please create an account on the Hobbs
Please call 01233506266, South East. (T) my salary I can no longer do this. That’s why I’m Parker website. Physical viewing at our auction
109985
selling even though I don’t want to. Please call centre from 9:00am to 6:00pm from Mon 25th to
07799737979, East Midlands. Wed 27th and Thurs 28th from 9:00am. Please
110171 call 01233506266, South East. (T)
BMW ALPINA 109988

BMW X6 M BMW Z4

2005, £24,995. A very rare and powerful Alpina

B5 with just 3 owners. In fantastic condition
throughout, with no dents or scratches just very
minor stone chips to the leading edge of the
bonnet, the alloys are almost perfect and recently
refurbished, the interior is beautiful with no rips, 2011, 24000 miles, £29,995. Titanium silver 2006, £14,750. A beautiful Montego Blue Z4 coupe
tears or marks. Please call 07711645465, South with black Nevada leather interior. Please call in fantastic condition. Please call 07711645465,
East. (T) 02083485151, Greater London. South East. (T)
109008 108369 109788

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 NEXT
ISSUE
ON SALE:
29 OCTOBER 2021
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WHAT’S INSIDE
THE DECEMBER
2021 ISSUE?
● We explore a lovely E30 325i once
owned by legendary McLaren and Ferrari
Formula One designer John Barnard – and
we speak to the man himself about his
recollections of it in period!
● It would be rude not to include the
iconic 3.0 CSL Batmobile in our classic
BMW special – we do just that!
● ...And, while we’d all love to own a
Batmobile, the 2800 offers much of the
experience for a quarter of the money. We
drive one...
● Is the E23 7 Series a forgotten classic?
As prices of similar cars continue to rise,
we explore what might be the next big
thing on the classic BMW scene.
● Modern classics are thriving, but where
should you spend your money? We pitch
the E34 535i against the E36 M3 Cabriolet
to find out.

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