[Ikester19]

Beautiful, congrats!

[Trevikins]

Lovely colour combination and +1 for the Gtechniq treatment, congratulations 👍

[Alpine110]

Thanks for the good wishes everyone

Yesterday was a bit manic, the M340i delivery was delayed so ended up with an M4 Competition for a few hours to go home with, Tanzanite Blue with Silverstone interior, I was impressed by how refined it was.

Today I treated the seats with GTechniq L1 Leather Guard.

[ramparts]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

Thanks for the good wishes everyone

Yesterday was a bit manic, the M340i delivery was delayed so ended up with an M4 Competition for a few hours to go home with, Tanzanite Blue with Silverstone interior, I was impressed by how refined it was.

Today I treated the seats with GTechniq L1 Leather Guard.

Sounds like they delivered you your car already and that they have a new g21 demo !

[Alpine110]

He he, it’s good but it would have to be a touring for me. The M4 feels significantly different to the M340i but you would need to be tracking it to get the use out of it. I also think you’d need a big track as it’s heavy.

[Alpine110]

The weather improved up here yesterday so was able to give the M340i a thorough wash with GTechniq Wash and AMDetails APC and iron out, my plan is to use GTechniq Liquid Crystal until such a time that the detailer that I use starts to take bookings again.

In classic spring time weather got caught in a downpour, so it will need another wash .

As I ordered on line and hadn’t seen an M340i a couple of surprises have been the fact the wheels are diamond cut and the size of the front calipers.

I’m happy with the colour combo, after I ordered I wondered whether I should have gone for the Blue stitching- Black interior which also looks really smart.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

The weather improved up here yesterday so was able to give the M340i a thorough wash with GTechniq Wash and AMDetails APC and iron out, my plan is to use GTechniq Liquid Crystal until such a time that the detailer that I use starts to take bookings again.

In classic spring time weather got caught in a downpour, so it will need another wash .

As I ordered on line and hadn’t seen an M340i a couple of surprises have been the fact the wheels are diamond cut and the size of the front calipers.

I’m happy with the colour combo, after I ordered I wondered whether I should have gone for the Blue stitching- Black interior which also looks really smart.

Very nice, great choice

[Alpine110]

The A110 and M340i in the same place for the first time, Should make for an entertaining 2 car garage over the next few years. A110 has been with us for 3 years and will be for many more I think.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

So this morning it was finally time to pick up the M340i, weather conditions not ideal in Scotland this morning but I was impressed how intuitive the M340i is to drive, lots to get used to in the coming weeks.

Very nice indeed!

Mine is also Tanzanite although I went with the Tartufo Merino leather. However, looking at the configurator I think Tartufo's no longer available so that being the case I'd also go with Cognac if I was choosing again now - with the money saved from the leather upgrade I'd tick the box for the M-Sport seats instead (which weren't available when I ordered mine!).

Anyway, the G21 M340i is a very fine machine so enjoy!

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

It will be going for a full detail , paint correction and GTechniq Ceramic later in May.

It sounds like you're already familiar with Gtechniq but shortly after getting mine I treated it to one of their ceramic coatings and being honest if I could turn the clock back I'm not sure I'd do it again!

To be clear, I've nothing against either Gtechniq or the people who did the work but, despite having the top range Crystal Serum Ultra applied - and despite me being very careful with how I look after the car (always garaged, snow foam and two bucket method for washing, etc) - the paint has still picked-up a few light swirl marks and tiny scratches. Nothing that couldn't be resolved quite easily if the car had had a conventional wax polish applied but I'm wondering if the ceramic coating might complicate things - anyone on here had a similar issue on a car with a ceramic coating and if so what was the solution?

To keep the 9-year guarantee valid I'll be taking the car back to the detailers for its first inspection in a few weeks time so I'll be interested to hear what they say - hopefully the problems will be a lot easier to resolve than I'm thinking!

[Alpine110]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Very nice indeed!

Mine is also Tanzanite although I went with the Tartufo Merino leather. However, looking at the configurator I think Tartufo's no longer available so that being the case I'd also go with Cognac if I was choosing again now - with the money saved from the leather upgrade I'd tick the box for the M-Sport seats instead (which weren't available when I ordered mine!).

Anyway, the G21 M340i is a very fine machine so enjoy!

Thanks, That’s a brilliant spec- like you I’m not certain Tartufo is still available as I couldn’t find it on the configurator, I may well have gone for it if it had been available.

I’ve had GTechniq applied to 4 cars over the last 8 years and we’ve been happy with particularly over the winter months up here where we don’t get a lot of days where I’d want to be waxing a car , I tend to keep it topped up with Liquid Crystal.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

Thanks, That’s a brilliant spec- like you I’m not certain Tartufo is still available as I couldn’t find it on the configurator, I may well have gone for it if it had been available.

I’ve had GTechniq applied to 4 cars over the last 8 years and we’ve been happy with particularly over the winter months up here where we don’t get a lot of days where I’d want to be waxing a car , I tend to keep it topped up with Liquid Crystal.

I think my anxiety with the ceramic coating - which will hopefully prove unfounded - is that when you do get swirl marks and light scratches they're potentially not so easy to rectify as they would be with a conventional wax. Worst case scenario, if sorting them out means removing the ceramic coat, polishing the marks out and then reapplying the ceramic coat that strikes me as quite a big job (and costly if you've used Crystal Serum Ultra as that can only be applied by an accredited GTechniq dealer!).

But there's no doubt the coating makes the car easier to clean and their other products - such as those for the wheels - also seem to work very well. I think I just need to have a chat with my detailer when it goes back for its annual inspection and see what's to be done about some of the marking on the paintwork - on a lot of colours you probably wouldn't notice it but on Tanzanite you do!

[advantage20]

Perfect garage, Alpine110

[Alpine110]

Thanks, can’t believe that we’ve had the A110 for 3 years this summer, with all that’s being happening it’s only been on one big European trip to Austria and the Dolomites, need to take it France when things get back to normal. I think the M340i will be a great daily alongside the A110 as they contrast so much ... one is 700kg lighter.

[verysideways]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

Thanks, can’t believe that we’ve had the A110 for 3 years this summer, with all that’s being happening it’s only been on one big European trip to Austria and the Dolomites, need to take it France when things get back to normal. I think the M340i will be a great daily alongside the A110 as they contrast so much ... one is 700kg lighter.

Have a look at my website - may give you some ideas. There are loads and loads of amazing roads in Europe which would put your A110 in its element.
Road trips are awesome (in groups or on your own) 👍

[Alpine110]

Cheers will take a look, we’ve did 2 big trips when I had the Targa to Modena and Monaco via RN85, we normally head across on the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry and head through Germany to save a long drive through U.K.

But for the A110 I’m considering Dieppe-Le Mans- Pau - Paul Ricard- Monaco- Col de Turini- Alpe d’huez - Macon and home .

I also want to take the M340i to Munich then possibly down to the Italian Lakes.

You’re right that there is nothing better than a long roadtrip. Let’s hope those great times come back very soon

[Alpine110]

The M340i is home after a 1500 mile trip to Goodwood and back this last week, the Touring has been exceptional on the trip and I’m looking forward to some future road trips with it in the coming years.

[Alpine110]

M340i out early to meet a mate for a coffee, it’s getting a GTechniq detail next week - can’t wait

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by JNW1

It sounds like you're already familiar with Gtechniq but shortly after getting mine I treated it to one of their ceramic coatings and being honest if I could turn the clock back I'm not sure I'd do it again!

To be clear, I've nothing against either Gtechniq or the people who did the work but, despite having the top range Crystal Serum Ultra applied - and despite me being very careful with how I look after the car (always garaged, snow foam and two bucket method for washing, etc) - the paint has still picked-up a few light swirl marks and tiny scratches. Nothing that couldn't be resolved quite easily if the car had had a conventional wax polish applied but I'm wondering if the ceramic coating might complicate things - anyone on here had a similar issue on a car with a ceramic coating and if so what was the solution?

To keep the 9-year guarantee valid I'll be taking the car back to the detailers for its first inspection in a few weeks time so I'll be interested to hear what they say - hopefully the problems will be a lot easier to resolve than I'm thinking!

Wet interesting feedback. With the F Type being BRGreen I was thinking about a coating again… let's just say the £1400 quite put me off! I'll let it get a few marks e eg now and then and then give the whole car a good amateur (me) clean and detail.

OP sorry for OT but that's a stunning car, huge congrats !

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Wet interesting feedback. With the F Type being BRGreen I was thinking about a coating again… let's just say the £1400 quite put me off! I'll let it get a few marks e eg now and then and then give the whole car a good amateur (me) clean and detail.

OP sorry for OT but that's a stunning car, huge congrats !

Interesting Chris, I had Crystal Serum Light for £600. full 2 stage polish to make sure the paint is perfect (after a good wash and decontamination) and then the coating. The best thing is the guy who did it comes and washes it every 8 weeks or so to make sure it stays looking great - he will do a top up in next 2 months and make sure all good but well worth every penny to me...

Had the same on the last 2 cars - didnt really keep the M5 long enough to see the benefit but the SQ5 looked great at 23 months / 22k miles when it went back...

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Interesting Chris, I had Crystal Serum Light for £600. full 2 stage polish to make sure the paint is perfect (after a good wash and decontamination) and then the coating. The best thing is the guy who did it comes and washes it every 8 weeks or so to make sure it stays looking great - he will do a top up in next 2 months and make sure all good but well worth every penny to me...

Had the same on the last 2 cars - didnt really keep the M5 long enough to see the benefit but the SQ5 looked great at 23 months / 22k miles when it went back...

The only thing I'd say is in my experience a ceramic coating - Crystal Serum Ultra in my case - does NOT prevent swirls and light scratches. I'm pretty careful with how I wash my car (two bucket method, etc) but it's still marked; ok, not badly - and many would probably look at it and say what's your problem - but nevertheless I know it's not right (maybe the Tanzanite paintwork doesn't help with this as it does tend to show any blemishes).

Now when it has its annual inspection in a week or so the detailer may say it's no big deal and there's an easy fix in which case fine. However, if they say sorting it out means removing the coating in the affected areas, polishing out the imperfections and then reapplying the coating at a further significant cost I won't be impressed - if that's the solution it will be the first and last time I'll be using a ceramic coat!

[DavidXJ]

Originally Posted by JNW1

The only thing I'd say is in my experience a ceramic coating - Crystal Serum Ultra in my case - does NOT prevent swirls and light scratches. I'm pretty careful with how I wash my car (two bucket method, etc) but it's still marked; ok, not badly - and many would probably look at it and say what's your problem - but nevertheless I know it's not right (maybe the Tanzanite paintwork doesn't help with this as it does tend to show any blemishes).

Now when it has its annual inspection in a week or so the detailer may say it's no big deal and there's an easy fix in which case fine. However, if they say sorting it out means removing the coating in the affected areas, polishing out the imperfections and then reapplying the coating at a further significant cost I won't be impressed - if that's the solution it will be the first and last time I'll be using a ceramic coat!

As a tanzanite 40i owner, I agree that a ceramic coating doesn't prevent the kinds of swirls that even careful 2-bucket washing will at some stage leave behind. The colour is fabulous; but the very kind of bright days on which it looks its best are also those days when you're going to spot the odd topcoat scratch or swirl. On balance, I'd happily spec this colour again, as I'm willing to put up with the high maintenance and swirl tendencies for the sake of what is a truly lustrous look (when clean!) that particularly suits the meaty contours of the G20. What I would advise, though, is be super careful if you ever use detailing sprays or so-called waterless wash sprays to remove pollen or dust. Even with an upmarket microfibre towel you can easily mar a ceramic coating if you happen to pick up a bit of gritty dust or conifer seed (my car sometimes has to be parked under trees!) and tanzanite will immediately show up your mistakes. I'm having my detailer guy look at such a scratch next week, and it'll be interesting to see how (if) he goes about removing and then reapplying the coating to the area in question.