Since my last update on the F30, I can’t deny the fact that this car has treated me extremely well. I decided to replace my coolant cap while I did with the M140i on this one as well just as a precautionary measure. She was due for a brake fluid service which was done at SMG Umhlanga, and they had also done a coolant top up as I noticed it was higher than when I gave the car in.
The only thing that seemed a bit of a concern was the oil consumption, as I noticed that the car had went to 50% oil capacity in the system after 4000kms. I had a look at my tappet cover and not a leak anywhere either. I have since topped up and levels are at max. Will do an oil service by December.
I have been using this car for mostly in town driving recently and my consumption sits anywhere between 8 – 10 which is fairly decent.
This past weekend, I was away with family at San Lameer on the South Coast of KZN. Initially, I was set on taking the M140i up with me again. But due to space as my parents and brother were coming with me, as well as for sentimental reasons, I opted to take the F30 instead. Left on Friday morning with the car’s boot loaded to the max, and 5 adults including myself. I managed to do consumption between 5.5 to 6.7 to and back, doing around 450kms and with more than half a tank of range remaining. Trying to get close to the 1000km range if its possible for a 320i (wish me luck).
Unfortunately for me, I cracked my front lip going over a speed dip which means I’ll need to replace it.
As I mentioned, San Lameer is a very sentimental place for my family and I as we have many special memories here throughout the years. I was looking at a few old pictures and I had found one that I had to recreate, making the F30 the car to use for this trip.
Picture 1 is a photo of my mother and I, with my Ballie's Pre facelift 1999 E46 323i, which was the very same car that brought me home from the hospital when I was baby.
Picture 2 is a photo I couldn’t help but recreate with my F30, some 20 odd years later with my mother, taken in the same spot of the E46. Point is, I learnt from the Ballie. The Love for BMWs in our family, especially the 3 series started through him.
Next on the list:
- New Front Lip From Jabsport
- M Performance Side Decals
- Rim Refurbishment with Black Insides
- Shadow Edition Tail Light Tint
- 340i Style Back Box + Diffuser
- Head light Detail
I don't plan on replacing this car anytime soon. I would like to think the B48 has proven to be a fairly good engine over time, especially with this one being the early variant of them.
