My "New" 2012 F30 320d Sport - First drive impressions

[wz3k]

Hi guys,Just picked up my "new" 2012 F30 320d Sport just now. Took it home on the highway. I'm changing from 2011 E90 320d M-Sport. The following are my impressions:- Got into the car, I noticed how big the car or maybe it's because of the bonnet..- Legroom is also better on the driver side.. I noticed the same on passenger side..- Started the car, fumble a bit on the shifter.. managed to put it to D..- I notice the car is quieter compared to my E90.. maybe the aircond was on high, maybe the insulation is better..- Steering is much softer compared to the e90 m-sport of course.. quite nice..- Smooth driving on the highway, ride is more comfortable..- Changing lane and taking corner not as confident as in my e90 m-sport.. it sways abit..The car is a bit dirty so will be going for a wash very soon before any photo taking can happen.. Glad to join you guys in the F30 section..

 

[_M_]

Congrats bro & welcome to the F30 section :top:

Coming from the firm E90 M Sport setup, do u feel the urge to immediately upgrade the suspension?

 

[wingzee]

Sold the old E90 320d? Congrats on the purchase!

 

[wz3k]

Thanks bro. Honestly I'm torn. I like the comfort very much. Such a relieve to turn the steering and forgiving when u hit bumps. However, cornering and changing lanes are not as fun. If only there's a suspension that can do both. I've heard about Koni FSD back when I had my Civic. Not sure how it will behave on F30 though.. Time to do some research I guess. Haha

Congrats bro & welcome to the F30 section :top:

Coming from the firm E90 M Sport setup, do u feel the urge to immediately upgrade the suspension?

 

[wz3k]

Thanks bro. Havent sold it yet. Got a buyer looking to secure finance. Hope to confirm soon..

Sold the old E90 320d? Congrats on the purchase!

 

[Mavik]

Thanks bro. Honestly I'm torn. I like the comfort very much. Such a relieve to turn the steering and forgiving when u hit bumps. However, cornering and changing lanes are not as fun. If only there's a suspension that can do both. I've heard about Koni FSD back when I had my Civic. Not sure how it will behave on F30 though.. Time to do some research I guess. Haha

You can always try out KW or Ohlins suspension setups as well

 

[_M_]

Thanks bro. Honestly I'm torn. I like the comfort very much. Such a relieve to turn the steering and forgiving when u hit bumps. However, cornering and changing lanes are not as fun. If only there's a suspension that can do both. I've heard about Koni FSD back when I had my Civic. Not sure how it will behave on F30 though.. Time to do some research I guess. Haha

If u like the comfort, u can just try firmer springs ( eg. H&R or Eibach) with the stock shocks.

Much easier on the wallet

 

[gendong]

Join the guys during TTs or drives, then you can differentiate and feel each available option..... a small investment compared to a costly mistake in my opinion.....

 

[Volvos525i]

Congrats on your new ride bro..

aku ada stereng lori dan bas......kau ada....

 

[wz3k]

Thanks for the warm response guys! Now I do have a few options to think about already.. but gendong is right.. probably should join TT to see which setup I would like the best..

A bit of unique case for me since I'm getting a second hand car from company, it came with Black exterior and Red interior.. not my color of choice but they give a good price for the car, so I thought why not..

I think for me the focus now is on Tint, Interior color, Exterior Color then only suspensions.. tint and interior color will definitely change.. but exterior and suspensions not sure yet..

 

[xatomic]

Normal Sport or M Sport suspension?

 

[wz3k]

Mine is the 2012 version so it's only sports trim without the m-sport package. Suspension is the normal type.

Normal Sport or M Sport suspension?

 

[AT-Sixx]

Welcome a board bro - i got my f30 for similar reasons ie its much roomier than the previous one. i was not going to get the f30 until i sat in one and the bigger dimensions helped make up my mind !

Could you also share, coming as someone who used a 6 cylinder 3 series to a 4 cylinder 3 series, do you feel anything different ?

Cheerz

 

[wz3k]

Thanks bro.. my previous ride was E90 320d 2011 so, it was also a 4 cylinder.. same engine as this F30 320d.. the new 8 speed transmission is very smooth though..

Welcome a board bro - i got my f30 for similar reasons ie its much roomier than the previous one. i was not going to get the f30 until i sat in one and the bigger dimensions helped make up my mind !

Could you also share, coming as someone who used a 6 cylinder 3 series to a 4 cylinder 3 series, do you feel anything different ?

Cheerz

 

[Kewl_AL]

So how does the F30 320d compare with the E90 320d? The E90 320d was a msport model right? The suspension would have been pretty stiff.

 

[wz3k]

Yup, E90 320d is the m-sport model.. suspension is stiff indeed but as a driver I kinda like it...it's like the car sticks to the road.. my wife constantly complain about it though.. haha.. One thing I won't miss on the E90 is the stiff steering.. sooo tiring to drive with that steering..

The F30 has a much softer steering even in sports mode..

I still have my E90 but it's in service with ingress now.. when I get it back tomorrow I'll update the feeling of switching back to E90.. I suspect I will like it as a driver... I wish I can afford to keep both.. hahaha..

So how does the F30 320d compare with the E90 320d? The E90 320d was a msport model right? The suspension would have been pretty stiff.

 

[Kewl_AL]

Yup, E90 320d is the m-sport model.. suspension is stiff indeed but as a driver I kinda like it...it's like the car sticks to the road.. my wife constantly complain about it though.. haha.. One thing I won't miss on the E90 is the stiff steering.. sooo tiring to drive with that steering..

The F30 has a much softer steering even in sports mode..

I still have my E90 but it's in service with ingress now.. when I get it back tomorrow I'll update the feeling of switching back to E90.. I suspect I will like it as a driver... I wish I can afford to keep both.. hahaha..

Well the F30 320d msport would have been ideal. Too bad I wasn't really into getting a diesel and couldn't afford the 328msport so decided to settle on a 320i sportline and probably start modding along the way ...

 

[AT-Sixx]

thanks bro for the education haha - i thot e90 was 6 cylinder and f30 was the 1st of the 3 series to use 4 cylinder. the 8 transmission really does make a difference

 

[wz3k]

What mod do you have in mind now?

 

[wz3k]

Oh yeah the 8 speed transmission does make a difference.. the model that change from 6 to 4 cylinder is E90 323i/325i (6 cylinders) which is now F30 328i (4 cylinders with twin turbo)

thanks bro for the education haha - i thot e90 was 6 cylinder and f30 was the 1st of the 3 series to use 4 cylinder. the 8 transmission really does make a difference