This Week I have Mostly Been a Passenger in a....

BMW 330i......

Flew into Frankfurt on Monday, through Austria yesterday and Switzerland today and tomorrow.

All in all around 1000km in the swiss registered BM. God, it pains me to say it but what a good car it is. And fast. very fast. 265 bhp with a derestricted engine, we constantly hit 162mph on the autobahns.

It's a 2007 model, silver/blue paint, with sports suspension, xenon adaptive lights, LED door light guides, black leather, adaptive sat nav, bluetooth and fat tyres

The guy driving me has an 'interesting' past, but in one of his previous lives, he test drove for Jag - lets just say he was probably one of the most complete drivers I've been with, especially considering his fairly advanced age (65 years old). Not once did I feel unsafe, despite the efforts of half asleep Audis pulling out into our lane at 260kmh+ and the BM was faultless at nearly all things. The engine was great (no, really it was), the brakes surprisingly excellent considering the speed that we had to scrub off at times!

Night driving with the adaptive xenon lights was a new experience for me and climbing up the Swiss mountains, with the engine screaming, windows down to listen to the exhaust note up to the hotel last night was a pretty amazing experience.

In fact,other than the awful fuel consumption (full 60-63 litre tank every 280 miles!!!), lousy wiper blades, its pig ugly looks and uninspiring interior, the BMW was pretty complete. But then again it ought to be for a base price of around £32-33k.

So right now, I'm sat on my balcony in the sun, overlooking Lake Constance, listening to the goat bells, enjoying a cheeky beer before my lovely looking female translator comes to collect me for another lake side dinner where I don't have to worry about driving afterwards... Ah bliss....

Oh yes and another blat in the 330i tomorrow back to Zurich and then back to reality at Manchester airport tomorrow....

My view right now:-
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...v/P5080122.jpg

You lucky &#*%@........ ....business or pleasure Hunter?

Business - as normal, but I'm looking forward to dinner....

Mechanically superb, aesthetically compromised is the picture I get, plus you having an idyllic view and beer while I'm still desk-bound.

I've been out in the last gen 330d and dull interior aside I'd say it felt pretty decent from th epassenger seat. You have to hand it to BMW - they rip you off but they can make a good driving car.

Originally Posted by Hunter

In fact,other than the awful fuel consumption (full 60-63 litre tank every 280 miles!!!),

20.5mpg average.. Considering it was being brayed thats not awful. I'd say reasonable.. Someone I know has one of these and drives it "normally", gets 35mpg usually but 40mpg on a run. You can't fault that when you can open the taps and unleash 265 ponies, in such a heavy car.

I'm well jealous - of your current situation and that view.

BMW's a very good tool, no doubt about it. But IMHO that's all it is.

Originally Posted by Pud237

20.5mpg average.. Considering it was being brayed thats not awful. I'd say reasonable.. Someone I know has one of these and drives it "normally", gets 35mpg usually but 40mpg on a run. You can't fault that when you can open the taps and unleash 265 ponies, in such a heavy car.

Yes, I guess when you put it like that, then 20mpg is pretty good.
Shame the car looked so dull and the interior was like an undertakers shop-front.

Originally Posted by Fraser

I'm well jealous - of your current situation and that view.

BMW's a very good tool, no doubt about it. But IMHO that's all it is.

Ive got a couple more pics somewhere...
I might bore you all tomorrow when I can send them from work.

Amazing views, wonderful views and lots of police enforcing the low Swiss speed limits!

That fuel consumption doesnt sounds too bad for a 3litre 6, being worked hard

Good review shame it's a Beemer

I was in a 530i before top line one thought the interior wasn't bad kinda tan cream leather in it was black. One thing that did stand out for me was how quiet it was compared to most cars when you close the door and the straight 6 did sound nice. And handled well too.

But other than that very boring.

Slightly off topic but as promised, some photos from my evening meal a top the lake....

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...v/P1010033.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...v/P1010034.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...v/P1010039.jpg

Looks great - I've just arrived in the banks of Lake Geneva for the next 6mths or so - nice appt after a couple of weeks in hotels. Heading out tomorrow to try and find some snow and some nice pic locations but the view from the balcony is plenty at the moment.

Swiss speed limits may be tight but it does wonders for economy

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...c/DSC00057.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...c/DSC00058.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...c/DSC00059.jpg

Geneva is beautiful! Have a great time

My hotel view was better

Agree that your view was better but only cos I've a bloody great tree blocking my lake view. Managing to avoid Geneva other than the weekly airport run but my daily drive is from lakeside in Vevey to 800m at Chatel St Denis mostly with the roof down and sun on my back.

Makes a difference from my last office view

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...c/IMG_0622.jpg

Fantastic Croydon view mate!!!

I was in Mitcham Road today....

Lucky you with the roof down along the lakeside every dayEnjoy it to the max