What issues should I be aware of before a test drive?

LMK5 · 07-09-2020, 12:12 PM

Guys, I'll be doing an extended test drive on a base 2020 330i tomorrow. What are some of the issues to look out for, examples being:
--iDrive issues
--Common squeaks and rattles
--Features that don't work as advertised
--Performance/drivability issues

EBS0712 · 07-09-2020, 04:23 PM

The only issue you might encounter is that a number of the controls are different then in prior BMW models. Lots more stuff is controlled by the iDrive. Besides that everything you ask about should be nonexistent. Have fun and enjoy the ride!

LMK5 · 07-09-2020, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBS0712

The only issue you might encounter is that a number of the controls are different then in prior BMW models. Lots more stuff is controlled by the iDrive. Besides that everything you ask about should be nonexistent. Have fun and enjoy the ride!

Thanks for the response. How do you like the suspension/ride on your G20 vs. your F31?

wtwo3 · 07-09-2020, 05:05 PM

I believe most of the iDrive issues have been ironed out since last year, so you shouldn't experience many of the bugs it initially had. I personally haven't experienced any squeaks or rattles in the 10 months I've had the car, but there have been owners who have reported rattling coming from the sunroof.

I have an M340i, which just has the m-sport suspension, and I find it to be a bit harsh. I've heard the adaptive suspension helps smooth things out quite a bit, so maybe look into that.

GrannyShiftG80 · 07-10-2020, 11:01 AM

my connecteddrive (phone app) doesn't really work at all

if launch control is important for you, see if the car has it

run flat tires are kinda harsh

LMK5 · 07-10-2020, 11:21 AM

2 questions:
1) Do you still need an annual subscription for Apple CarPlay for the 2020 models?
2) If you get the convenience package, does it include rear cross traffic alert?

VipinLJ · 07-10-2020, 12:02 PM

1. No. It is included now.

2. Not very sure but I want to say yes.

SteveinArizona · 07-10-2020, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMK5

Guys, I'll be doing an extended test drive on a base 2020 330i tomorrow. What are some of the issues to look out for, examples being:
--iDrive issues
--Common squeaks and rattles
--Features that don't work as advertised
--Performance/drivability issues

Seats. This forum is filled with folks who hate or love various BMW seats. i believe you have at least two different kinds of seats available on a 3 series. Try sitting and driving with different kinds of seats and make sure you like the ones before you buy. The seats will be different from those in the M3.

eluded · 07-12-2020, 03:47 AM

Shimmy at 110 mph.

VipinLJ · 07-13-2020, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eluded

Shimmy at 110 mph.

Can you elaborate? Do you mean the car shakes/vibrates for a quick second at 110mph?

RedKloud · 07-13-2020, 07:49 AM

The moonroof noise... this is currently my ONLY complaint about the car.

LMK5 · 07-13-2020, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedKloud

The moonroof noise... this is currently my ONLY complaint about the car.

During my test drive I was hearing a kind of thumping noise over bumps. I thought it might be the sunroof based on what I read here previously, but I believe it was the unoccupied passenger seat.

What kind of noise does the sunroof make? Does it occur when it's open or closed?

RedKloud · 07-13-2020, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMK5

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedKloud

The moonroof noise... this is currently my ONLY complaint about the car.

During my test drive I was hearing a kind of thumping noise over bumps. I thought it might be the sunroof based on what I read here previously, but I believe it was the unoccupied passenger seat.

What kind of noise does the sunroof make? Does it occur when it's open or closed?

Mine makes 2 different noises: one is most likely caused by the rubber weather strip... it goes away if you tilt or open the roof.

The other is a squeak/rattle which doesn't go away if the roof is tilted, but does even if it is slightly open.

07-09-2020, 12:12 PM	#1
LMK5 Lieutenant 147 Rep 477 Posts Drives: 2017 330i Imperial Bloo Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	What issues should I be aware of before a test drive? Guys, I'll be doing an extended test drive on a base 2020 330i tomorrow. What are some of the issues to look out for, examples being: --iDrive issues --Common squeaks and rattles --Features that don't work as advertised --Performance/drivability issues
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07-09-2020, 04:23 PM	#2
EBS0712 BMW CCA #257 74 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 Wagon / 2020 G20 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Utah iTrader: (0)	The only issue you might encounter is that a number of the controls are different then in prior BMW models. Lots more stuff is controlled by the iDrive. Besides that everything you ask about should be nonexistent. Have fun and enjoy the ride! __________________ 2014 F31 328 xDrive Touring 2020 G20 330 xDrive Sedan 2023 G01 X3 xDrive BMW CCA # 257
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07-09-2020, 05:05 PM	#4
wtwo3 Major General 17944 Rep 5,475 Posts Drives: 23 X7 40i; 23 M3; 24 cooper s Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Mini Cooper S ... [10.00] 2023 BMW M3 [9.40] 2023 BMW X7 40i [9.75]	I believe most of the iDrive issues have been ironed out since last year, so you shouldn't experience many of the bugs it initially had. I personally haven't experienced any squeaks or rattles in the 10 months I've had the car, but there have been owners who have reported rattling coming from the sunroof. I have an M340i, which just has the m-sport suspension, and I find it to be a bit harsh. I've heard the adaptive suspension helps smooth things out quite a bit, so maybe look into that. __________________ 2023 BMW X7 xDrive40i 2023 BMW M3 6MT 2024 Mini Cooper S Convertible '20 BMW m340i... '20 BMW X5 40i... '16 Infiniti Q50 RS 400... '10 Lexus RX 350... '08 Lexus IS 350... '00 Nissan Maxima... '93 Nissan Maxima
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07-10-2020, 11:01 AM	#5
GrannyShiftG80 Captain 1289 Rep 875 Posts Drives: G20 330i, G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	my connecteddrive (phone app) doesn't really work at all if launch control is important for you, see if the car has it run flat tires are kinda harsh
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07-10-2020, 11:21 AM	#6
LMK5 Lieutenant 147 Rep 477 Posts Drives: 2017 330i Imperial Bloo Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	2 questions: 1) Do you still need an annual subscription for Apple CarPlay for the 2020 models? 2) If you get the convenience package, does it include rear cross traffic alert?
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07-10-2020, 12:02 PM	#7
VipinLJ Petrolhead 1942 Rep 3,521 Posts Drives: ‘20 330i,‘16 X3,‘18 SQ5,‘17 A7 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Illinois iTrader: (2)	1. No. It is included now. 2. Not very sure but I want to say yes. __________________ Current: 2020 BMW 330i xDrive 2018 Audi SQ5 Prestige 2017 Audi A7 Prestige
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07-12-2020, 03:47 AM	#9
eluded 2JZ-GTE 3005 Rep 3,986 Posts Drives: 340 6MT, 50e, others Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sofia iTrader: (0)	Shimmy at 110 mph. __________________ A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
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07-13-2020, 07:49 AM	#11
RedKloud Major 736 Rep 1,261 Posts Drives: BMW i4 M50 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	The moonroof noise... this is currently my ONLY complaint about the car.
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