| Long Term Test | BMW 330d M Sport saloon |
Been anywhere interesting?
Since the last report a lot has happened in our 330d. Before Christmas kicked off the birth of my son dominated my life and hence that of the BMW. Some day I'll tell him that his first ever experience of a car (on the way home from the hospital) was in the back of a new 330d - not a bad way to start life, is it? Soon after his birth the Christmas holidays arrived, which we spent visiting relatives and friends around the country. Now life has settled back into a semi-normal fashion and the Beemer is a big part of it, albeit with a baby car seat and pram in tow most of the time.
Anything stand out...?
Interest in our car. I don't know if it's the distinctive Bluewater paintwork, aggressive M Sport body kit or the subtly new lights, but an awful lot of people seem to have their eye caught by the 330d and more than one enthusiast has given
that approving nod. Given that the 3 Series is a common sight, this attention is a little surprising. You, dear reader, are also apparently interested - if the emails we've received are anything to go by. I'm actually a little envious of one reader who recently went out and ordered a new 330d M Sport Touring having discussed the car with us in detail.
...and for the wrong reasons?
I'm fully aware that there are plenty of more practical D-segment cars on the market than the 3 Series, though buyers of the BMW - and other small executive saloons - don't seem bothered. While packing for our Christmas journeying it became abundantly clear that our 330d saloon only just had enough room to fit everything that we needed for a week away in. That's two adults, a newborn baby in his car seat, a carry cot, travel cot, pram base, clothes and wrapped gifts. Alright, that sounds like a lot now that it's written down, but we'd have been sacrificing a few changes of clothes if there was another kid to fit in. Be warned: if you have two very small children you're probably better off opting for the Touring model. Then again, you probably know that already...
Where next?
We have no big trips planned in the immediate future in the BMW, though it will continue to assist in day-to-day life. It's probably time to lift the bonnet and check the levels and perhaps the tyre pressures while I'm at it. At this time of year that's even more important than ever.
