Couple of Silly Questions Pertaining to 320i

[beemerx]

Dear sifus,As you know, I've recently taken ownership of a 320i SE late 2008 model. Being driving it for the past 2 weeks and every drive is exciting.Just wanted to know some statistics about this ride1: On a full tank, how much should the car average in terms of mileage for a) city driving b) highway driving c) combination of both2: Noticed that the alloy rims get dirty easily from the brake pad residue... is that normal? Is it due to the special break pads that BMW use? Are there any alternatives that are safe to use?3: Also noticed that if any of the car door or boot is open and when we try to arm the alarm / lock the car, the alarm doesn't go off? Is that normal?4: According to my SA, all beemer alarm systems are by default on silent mode.. meaning it doesn't make noises such as siren or honking. Is that true?5: There's no indicator in the display screen in the centre of the 2 speed meter that shows if a door is not closed properly. Is my observation correct?Hope you can share with me your knowledge & wisdom on the topics above.Thanks! :top:

 

[dannis]

Finally some question for me to answer...

1: On a full tank, how much should the car average in terms of mileage for
a) city driving 580-610km
b) highway driving 700km The max I had tried
c) combination of both Maybe around 650km

2: Noticed that the alloy rims get dirty easily from the brake pad residue... is that normal? Is it due to the special break pads that BMW use? Are there any alternatives that are safe to use? That's normal but doesn't happen to astroboy's car. He wash everyday

3: Also noticed that if any of the car door or boot is open and when we try to arm the alarm / lock the car, the alarm doesn't go off? Is that normal? ALARM? What you mean doesn't go off

4: According to my SA, all beemer alarm systems are by default on silent mode.. meaning it doesn't make noises such as siren or honking. Is that true? Is not silent mode, it doesn't have siren at all. Maybe other country have it. What's the point to have a siren in silent mode. Maybe SA thot vibrate mode can grab attention

5: There's no indicator in the display screen in the centre of the 2 speed meter that shows if a door is not closed properly. Is my observation correct? There is indicator, it even tell you which door is not properly close

Hope my answer help. Any DIY job, check with astroboy. He aldy wrote a few manual on DIY on certain job, but dun try to change engine oil by reading his manual.:wink:

 

[beemerx]

Thanks for the in-sights dannis

 

[astroboy]

Wah... how come so many reference to astroboy le? Famous/popular fella ka?! :24:

320i SE model was long gone before 2008. At the beginning, they had baseline and SE. The SE comes loaded with features like rear window screen, rear door screen, front PDC, fully automated seat, rear reading lights, 17" wheels and a host of other features, some are missing from my 2007 baseline model. During my time, 2007/2008, they had Highline model which comes with rear Blackline taillights, different rims, wood paneling. So I'm not sure which variant is yours. Is yours the last batch of the pre-LCI model that comes with 156hp? Mine is 150hp..

1. Fuel mileage: my Highway FC is worst than my City FC.. At above 160kph, the FC is worst than a Bukit Bintang bumper to bumper FC. For my normal office commuting using LDP at an average speed of 39kph (OBC reading), my FC is 11.9L/100km.

2. Nope, I don't wash my rims daily, that was another forummer.. The dust is a by-product of brake force. Normally, pads that produce more dust are more friendly to the brake disc and more "makan". Just like using rubber eraser to rub your pencil writings, but I have seen eraser that claim to be low "dust"..

3. Alarm? Ours no alarm. Alarm = siren = alert. Have u seen "Alarm Clock" that's no sound? We only have immobilizer to protect the car, so without the key fob, ECU will not work and no one can drive the car away. But your LV bags on the seat is exposed to smash-and-grab la.. Not sure if door not shut whether can active the remote to lock the doors. I know if your boot lid not shut, you can still lock the doors with the remote, thus leaving the boot opened, no siren/warning/alarm.. :stupid:

4. Refer item 3.

5. I think u r right. There's no stand alone door ajar on the dash instrument cluster like the JDM but the moment you start to move your car, it will scream at you with an beeping alert and a big warning sign will show up in the middle of your OBC display.. I have tried it with boot not shut when driving, I have tried it with handbrake forgotten to release when driving. Even when u have left with less than 80km of fuel, it will keep screaming on the OBC display as well.. very annoying!

Haha! Thank you dannis for reading astroboy's DIY post with "reservation"... you should because he's not going to be responsible for any screw up..

 

[beemerx]

Hi Astroboy,

Thanks for your in-sights.. now I know why everyone refers to you as you're the real sifu!

My 320SE comes with DTC, front PDC, rear windscreen auto sun shed, 17" rims with RFT, wood panelling, semi auto electronic seats for driver and front passenger (up,down & tilt is auto while front & back is manual), rear reading lights, rear air conditioning, auto light levelling with automatic light & rain sensor, cruise control and front & back fog lights. According to my SA, mine is the 156hp model... how do I verify that?

My current blended mileage is about 9.7km/l which comes to about 650km. It that considered ok?

My car is generally clean even after heavy rain due to it being just polished by Carnuaba Spa but the rims get dirty very very easily. :wink:

I've done some trial & error and totally concur with your point no.3... kinda weird right that it lets us lock the car when one of more doors or compartment is not closed properly. :stupid:

 

[astroboy]

Your VIN number will reveal the real manufacturing origin and year of make. That's our chassis number la. Use the following website to verify..

http://bmwfans.info/vin/

But I'm pretty sure no more SE in 2008 la!, even 2007, early 2007 perhaps.. because when I shop for mine in the last quarter 2007, already no more and they have the Highline, with Blackline tail lights. And in 2008, it was the MSport 320 that gets the spot light! :top:

Your FC very good. Mine is 8.8km/L.

 

[beemerx]

Hi Astroboy,

I've checked the VIN # and the following is listed.

320i (N46N) 3' E90, Sedan
Region: Malaysia
Version: Right-hand drive
Transmission: Neutral
Date: '08, January

So is this an SE model or not? Does the date stated here refer to manufacturing date?

 

[astroboy]

Yes! That's manufacturing date! CKD Malaysia.. Doubts cleared!

Now go see the front of your engine where the v-belt is, look for the engine model number etched on the engine block, on a plate facing up..

My 150hp reads N46B20BA, check what's yours... I think the 156hp doesn't end with "BA".. good luck!