F30 test drive - 328i

[JCKL]

200...210....220....230....I was glancing at the speedometer constantly to check the speed, which was still climbing after 230 km/h but unfortunately my balls are not titanium ones, more over the undulating surface of the highway was making the car felt a bit unsettled. I eased back to 180 km/h, the car felt rock solid & at home at that speed, but wind noise seemed fairly noticeable the moment the speed went pass 170km/h.

My impression of the F30 328i? It's definitely a worthy successor to the E90 325i in every sense, well maybe not every sense : the 325i I6 engine is still sublime. No doubt that the F30 is a more exciting car to drive and to live with. The dynamics are better, even at Sport + mode, it rides better than the E90 in standard mode and corners flatly with hardly any body roll. The eight speed gear changes impeccably, which is hardly noticeable. Engaging the paddle shift is just a simple tap on the paddle, and the gear changes with an assuring thud sound when ever you down or up shift. And with 8 speeds to play with you seem to go on & on until you reach an insane speed! I was initially concern on the noise level of the 4 pot engine at high speed but my fear was baseless as noise was not intrusive, in fact the wind noise & tyre roar were more of a concern.

The cabin is very much more pleasant place to be in compared to the E90 whose "bench" style dash feel spartan (I'm glad that Chris Bangle left BMW finally, he's designed BMW dash to look like a piece of Scandinavian furniture which was not befitting to the BMW tradition). The interior feels a lot more up market, and red lining & stitches makes the Sport Line more special too, not to mention the body hugging sport seat (you've to be fairly slim to feel comfortable though) gives plenty of support.

For those who are concern that F30 328i does not come with dynamic suspension, IMO the 4 settings (Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport & Sport +) are sufficient for our everyday use. I think most drivers, myself included, will set it to one setting & leave it there most of the time (which is Comfort).

 

[dark1234]

the 4 suspension that come with f30 is it like f10 ? where its configurable. on a f10 that setting is like 3 in 1 car.

i

 

[JCKL]

F10 has more settings, you can set the engine to Sport but suspension to Comfort & vice versa, I think.

 

[dark1234]

yes , you can and it does transform the car. on lazy day confort the car can beat merc on comfort. on a sporty day full sport , the car car behave like sport car. on normal day ( comfort / normal ) easy to drive.

 

[a5glude]

For those who are concern that F30 328i does not come with dynamic suspension, IMO the 4 settings (Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport & Sport +) are sufficient for our everyday use. I think most drivers, myself included, will set it to one setting & leave it there most of the time (which is Comfort).

Ok, will settle with the non adjustable damper, but please, BMWM need to spec it better when it come to SKD to convince E90 owner to upgrade.

 

[JCKL]

Ok, will settle with the non adjustable damper, but please, BMWM need to spec it better when it come to SKD to convince E90 owner to upgrade.

I was told that the spec will pretty much remain, but there'll be a price drop. Of which i can understand, they must reserve some additional features for future upgrades.

 

[Bruce_Z]

For those who are concern that F30 328i does not come with dynamic suspension, IMO the 4 settings (Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport & Sport +) are sufficient for our everyday use. I think most drivers, myself included, will set it to one setting & leave it there most of the time (which is Comfort).

Really, for the SKD Sport line, BMW Malaysia should add at least the sport suspension to the package. It doesn't have to be the adaptive version (probably will make it much more expensive, but I wouldn't mind it if it's part of the sport line package). The current driving experience control that we have here doesn't change the chassis settings, that's why people don't feel any change the ride quality even when tthey are in sport+ mode. the sport line needs to be really differentiated to really appeal to the enthusiasts...vs. the people who picks the luxury line.

And please....delete the tacky "sport" or "luxury" badges on the sides of the car BMW!!

 

[gameover]

And please....delete the tacky "sport" or "luxury" badges on the sides of the car BMW!!

I just saw this and completely agree! Take it out, it's just bad.

 

[astroboy]

It does have the air inflatable waist support M Sport seat though.. which helps a lot so the driver can corner better. I doubt the luxury line has sport seat. Is both variant 328i priced the same? Sport seat very costly le! but nice! :top:

 

[haywire]

'Sport' badge is maybe OKish, but the 'luxury' one is a total no no.

 

[astroboy]

The wood trim very expensive le.. hence the "luxury" badge.. :4: Some more the kidney grille has 11 fins.. extra fins wor..

 

[Bruce_Z]

Heh heh.just like the tiny thin strip of black ("sport")or chrome (luxury) on the rear bumper to help express "the intent" of the driver....I tell you man, some of these BMW designers are really being precise to a point of putting trims on the car that are irrelevant to the enthusiast...I'm sure by the time the LCI comes about, all these tacky designs will be rubbished into the hall of fame of "what were we thinking of dude"

 

[astroboy]

BMW fender light is one of my favorite design. it‘s only possible for cars with stretch bonnet and short front overhang which is unique to BMW. now they replace that with a chrome emblem.. just like the blue efficient Merc trim.. not very original to do that.. adding ornaments that irrelevant to driving dynamic has never been BMW‘s style.. serious, whah are the designers thinking of? What's next? Chrome trim on bumper ? Sigh!

 

[Bruce_Z]

Been seeing this alpine white F30 sport line parked at a basement in a kl building for a few weeks already. Everytime I see it, I'd notice the kinda biggish gap between the top of the tyres/rim and the wheel well, esp on the front wheels fenders. In alpine white this gap looks even bigger than maybe a car in mineral grey. Maybe if we have the 19inch style 401 wheels it will fix this problem better than the 18 in style 397 which is the std for the sport trim. Saw many of the sport trim ones overseas on these in other forums... Ride quality will probably worsen a bit but with the std suspension it may harden then ride just enogh to mimic the msport susp. settings.

 

[Vroom325]

Been seeing this alpine white F30 sport line parked at a basement in a kl building for a few weeks already. Everytime I see it, I'd notice the kinda biggish gap between the top of the tyres/rim and the wheel well, esp on the front wheels fenders. In alpine white this gap looks even bigger than maybe a car in mineral grey. Maybe if we have the 19inch style 401 wheels it will fix this problem better than the 18 in style 397 which is the std for the sport trim. Saw many of the sport trim ones overseas on these in other forums... Ride quality will probably worsen a bit but with the std suspension it may harden then ride just enogh to mimic the msport susp. settings.

Bro, it may look a bit narrower, but the actual gap is still about the same coz the car is not lowered. Not very familiar with F30 so I am not that confident...

 

[Vroom325]

I have read two overseas car magazine about F30.
It is a good car, best among all from the same segment.
However, one thing for common that they said was the BMW feel is missing bit by bit.

From business perspective, they will need to do that, a car for most pepole to appreciate then only can sell more.
However, a lot of editors kinda miss the E90, especially when it comes to the steering feel and feedback.

Well, I haven't try yet. Let's find out some day.
No hurry anyway.

 

[initialM]

However, one thing for common that they said was the BMW feel is missing bit by bit.

However, a lot of editors kinda miss the E90, especially when it comes to the steering feel and feedback.
.

Seconded especially when you cant afford the ///M cars

 

[VKS]

Finally I had my time to test the 328.. My verdict,
- Power on all speed on a tap, makes my E90 325 feels like Camry after the test drive thanks to the twin turbo powerplant and 8 speed tranny
- Not as stiff as my msport so I feel my 18 incher and Sports suspension handles better but of course vice versa on comfy.
- Comfort, steering feels like MB now and great interior.

If the SKD selling at 290k then I can say its a good buy(in Malaysia). But I will certainly miss the stiffness and smoothness of the E90 sports if I trade for F30.

 

[initialM]

Finally I had my time to test the 328.. My verdict,
- Power on all speed on a tap, makes my E90 325 feels like Camry after the test drive thanks to the twin turbo powerplant and 8 speed tranny
- Not as stiff as my msport so I feel my 18 incher and Sports suspension handles better but of course vice versa on comfy.
- Comfort, steering feels like MB now and great interior.

If the SKD selling at 290k then I can say its a good buy(in Malaysia). But I will certainly miss the stiffness and smoothness of the E90 sports if I trade for F30.

I still feel my E90 325 got more power and smoother, and handling my E90 better due to suspension upgrade. Yup steering feel like Merz. Yup still cant compare as its stock standard. But like the 8 speed gearbox. Overall feel is like Japanese car. BMW has lost its rawness power and handling feel

 

[docrayboy]

I still feel my E90 325 got more power and smoother, and handling my E90 better due to suspension upgrade. Yup steering feel like Merz. Yup still cant compare as its stock standard. But like the 8 speed gearbox. Overall feel is like Japanese car. BMW has lost its rawness power and handling feel

Ultimate Verdict-Keep our E90 cars-for now???.....or at least, till.....M Sports Versions come out, till.....the next generation 3 series?? Oh oh.....