F30 test drive - 328i

[E46Fanatic]

Actually the F30 is a very decent car even in dynamics. Just fell short of some of our expectations and in my opinion not as direct, nimble and sure footed vs. the E90. Still a great car and much better than the C class.

 

[docrayboy]

If I were to buy a new 3 series, it would be the F30 over the E90. But, if you already have an E90, I wouldn't trade it in for a F30, yet. Next upgrade, probably not a F10 520d but maybe a Z4, but a very small maybe. Still so much a diesel-boy for the mo! And a Z435si costs a not-so-small sum of 488K. If only it was 280K, it would be an easier choice.

 

[B33mEr]

The current F30 currently using 225/45/18 ... That's pretty tall for BMW standard and i suspect the dynamics will be much improve if using a lower sidewall like 35 or 40 series. But still i'm impressed with the driving dynamics and the upcoming M-Sport version will sure improve those areas no less.

 

[328Sport]

Whatever grumbles you E90/92 owners may have, no one here could stop BMW from moving forward, downsizing + more comfortable ride, unforunately.

I haven't had a chance to drive a 6 pots E90 in my entire life, but from test drive the 328 sports suit me well. I guess 90-98% of its owners will be happy with it as > 95% of the time we get stuck in heavy traffic

 

[haywire]

Whatever grumbles you E90/92 owners may have, no one here could stop BMW from moving forward, downsizing + more comfortable ride, unforunately.

I haven't had a chance to drive a 6 pots E90 in my entire life, but from test drive the 328 sports suit me well. I guess 90-98% of its owners will be happy with it as > 95% of the time we get stuck in heavy traffic

I guess BMW has succedeed in roping in new buyer like yourself, then? Thats the whole idea.

 

[t2ribena]

and be very proud about it...hehehe

I guess BMW has succedeed in roping in new buyer like yourself, then? Thats the whole idea.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

I drive an E92 and I can't understand what the huff is about. Yes, yes, the F30 in stock form, it doesn't handle as well as a lowered E90 but I bet once you give it the same treatment (incl. staggered setup) the F30's much improved agility should be more fun. Certainly, the engine is already, matching the E90 330i and murdering the E90 325i in cold blood and broad daylight.

Yet again, I already ordered the F30... of course, I could be biased - Like 328Sport, my daily route would be so much more enjoyable with the early fat flat torque curve of a twin scroll turbo. And, I realised that with a 1.6 ltr 4-pot TP Turbo on a RCZ. Funnily, I got a neighbour who drives an F10 528i (3.0 L6) and RCZ and he is convinced the RCZ feels more responsive on the go. I told him, it's the characteristic of the turbo.

Whatever grumbles you E90/92 owners may have, no one here could stop BMW from moving forward, downsizing + more comfortable ride, unforunately.

I haven't had a chance to drive a 6 pots E90 in my entire life, but from test drive the 328 sports suit me well. I guess 90-98% of its owners will be happy with it as > 95% of the time we get stuck in heavy traffic

 

[E46Fanatic]

John, I think the F30 in sport trim (stock form) doesn't handle as well as my ex-E90 325 in stock form (non M sport and before mods). For the E90, it had more aluminium suspension parts and yes, 17 inch 245 series staggered rear tyres. Why did BMW go with 225 series green/eco tyres all around with a softer suspension setup, and replace important unsprung suspension bits from aluminium to cheaper steel bits for the F30 is a wonder... Definitely going against the grain of what a BMW is all about.

Agree with 328sport, that at the end it'll still sell well, and that's what matters to a car manufacturer. But still a real shame to see the latest F30 335i get destroyed by the outgoing S4 in terms of performance right?

 

[jason]

..... But still a real shame to see the latest F30 335i get destroyed by the outgoing S4 in terms of performance right?

If you were referring to the motor trend comparo done by presenter Carlos Lagos, it was not an apple to apple comparison, Carlos basically did another standalone review of the 335i. The 335i in the stand alone review posted a very different set of performance numbers (better) than the 335i in the comparo. This basically boiled down to the 335i wearing different shoes, summer vs all-season. Make your own conclusions......

That said, I think the 335i will still have lost by a smaller margin, but not because its gone soft, but because Audi has upped its game. Kudos goes to Audi.

Jason

 

[E46Fanatic]

This is the other head to head battle of the E90 335i vs. S4. Much closer as you mentioned. Shows how much more capable the E90 is on the handling front vs. F30.

 

[JCKL]

I have been driving the F30 328i Sport for the last 2 days. It's a strange feeling, it's feel too comfortable to be a BMW. The ride is softer, it goes over uneven surfaces without a fuss unlike the E90, it has got the kind of gliding feeling, yet when you push it around a bend, the car stays flat without body roll. Strange.....do I like it? I'm not sure yet, but the passengers definitely do!

 

[jason]

This is the other head to head battle of the E90 335i vs. S4. Much closer as you mentioned. Shows how much more capable the E90 is on the handling front vs. F30.

I do not see how we arrive at the conclusion that the E90 pips the F30 on the handling front. Neither reviews draw that conclusion. Both reviews do conclude that Audi S4 has come a long way vs 335i (both E90 and F30). My opinion is that the F30 lost by a larger margin due to the use of all season tires instead of Summer which was used by the same reviewer in an earlier 335i standalone review. Numbers from that standalone review appear to match the E90.

Jason

 

[E46Fanatic]

My opinion is that the F30 lost by a larger margin due to the use of all season tires instead of Summer which was used by the same reviewer in an earlier 335i standalone review.
Jason

Based on the video (http://youtu.be/Nr3YrHMuLgw), the F30 335i and the S4 were using identical Pirelli P7 summer tyres (http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/car/sheet/p7.html) in the head to head test. Best to compare head to heads as testing conditions (temp, track surface etc) are similar. The common denominator in the video tests is the S4 which can serve as a control, where the F30 and E90 are benchmarked against in each of the test, under the same conditions as the S4.

 

[jason]

Based on the video (http://youtu.be/Nr3YrHMuLgw), the F30 335i and the S4 were using identical Pirelli P7 summer tyres (http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/car/sheet/p7.html) in the head to head test. Best to compare head to heads as testing conditions (temp, track surface etc) are similar. The common denominator in the video tests is the S4 which can serve as a control, where the F30 and E90 are benchmarked against in each of the test, under the same conditions as the S4.

Err.... the S4 was on wider 245 Y rated Summer while the 335 was on 225 V rated All Season. Listen closely at 1'40" to 1'50". Also during the acceleration runs you can hear the 335i tires chirping even in 2nd gear. This would be due in part to the absense of quattro but more so because of the non-performance tires on the 335i. So as I said, not apples to apples nor Head to Head.

But this is the real world, so buy whatever you like and by all means stick with the E90 if that is what you believe is better.

Jason

 

[takayoto]

I have been driving the F30 328i Sport for the last 2 days. It's a strange feeling, it's feel too comfortable to be a BMW. The ride is softer, it goes over uneven surfaces without a fuss unlike the E90, it has got the kind of gliding feeling, yet when you push it around a bend, the car stays flat without body roll. Strange.....do I like it? I'm not sure yet, but the passengers definitely do!

Bravo!,,,,!!!!JCKL

 

[zhul]

... I'm not sure yet, but the passengers definitely do!

Yes, even the Benz lovers like the ride in the back seat, very different from comments on non-Msport e90.

 

[johnnyf30]

I almost settle down on the W204 C class last year but held back due to wait for the launch of F30 in Malaysia.
My experience in my own ride as compared to MB C class:

Pros:
Very powderful as compared my friend's MB W204 C250 CGI
Full of tech gadgets (better than MB Comand) especially the half ipad with the sport display
It is a driver's car (steering heavier than C class)
I prefer 3er's angel eyes to W204 DRL strip
Bigger interior space as compared to W204.
Overall vehicle size is equivalent to 5 series E39
Smooth shifting of ZF 8-speed GB vs MB 7Gtromic 722.9 GB (A bit of worried that its valve body is going kaput in about 100,000km mileage).
Sport+ mode: very good acceleration hit 100 km/h in about 6 secs.
This is a new model which is going to last for 7 years whilst the MB W204 has about 2 years to go before reaching the end of lifecycle.

Top speed: haven't tried but cruising at 160 km/h is a breeze

Cons:
Interior is not so luxurious as compared to C class (personal opinion)
I have to admit the engine sound is very rough like lorry ("Chiak, Chiak, Chiak, Chiak ..." on idling but the sound not quite visible inside the cabin)
The gas pedal positioned to near to the brake pedal (very small gap in between). I stepped on the gas pedal with my right knife foot only.

Anyway, these are all my 2 cents and do not feel offended if you do not agree with my opinion.

 

[Chivas]

Both lines comes with the same setting, same suspension, etc. the only different is how they look.

yes, it's the same. But at the end change to sports line bcos if the sports seats. Darn, have to wait longer to get my car

 

[r1m]

Test drove it and was impressed at how quick it is but doesn't feel as dramatic as the E90. Maybe it's just me!

 

[alpina b5]

test drove the 328i first time. didn't like it. test drove today for the second time at quill. fell in love with it. no idea why. i guess better SA and the car came in a nicer interior colour for me :~