[xG35c]

New owner of a Deep Green/Terra steptronic/i-drive 330i checking in for the first time. My G35 coupe lease was over and I spent some enjoyable free time over the winter carefully selecting my next car. The parameters were it had to be a sedan (coupes are great but too claustrophobic for rear passengers I carry these days) and the lease needed to be under $600. Looked at the A6 3.2 (great car, kind of big, lease rates are terrible – better to buy this car), M35 (not crazy about the styling, also a big car, great motor from my G35, fair leases), 530i (that trunk and headlights still haven’t grown on me, pricy), and the I350 (slightly smaller than the 330, best motor, not sure I’m ready for a “Lexus”). In hindsight, I should probably have gone for the 530i for the extra space despite the styling. The 2007 G35 sedan would have been a very strong contender if it was available. Anyway, the 330i (as you guys already know) is a great car but, now that I’ve put some mileage on it, has a SERIOUS FLAW.

I know this topic has been discussed before, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to stop smoothly in this car. The stump pulling first gear jerks the car as it engages while slowing, and apparently this “soft stop” feature is modulating the brakes just before a stop conspiring to make the car buck to a stop. Since I live in the land of stop and go traffic (NJ), and I pride myself on smooth driving, this is a VERY annoying characteristic. Using manual mode and holding 2nd gear improves this and even more so by shifting to neutral (so manual drivers probably aren’t too focused on this problem).
And while I’m ranting, I’ll mention the ridiculously hard seats, the rattling rear seats, that first gear which forces the engine to rev high to go ANYWHERE so it seems to accelerate slower in first than the other gears unless you’re on it, and the pathetically slow i-Drive with no “Back” button.

But as long as I keep rolling though, it’s all good!

[David328M-Sport]

welcome,

some Cars were plagued
very early on with the soft stop issue but as i understand it, software upades should have fixed it.

some have also complained about the rattling and a fix was implemented.

my idrive is instant, responsive and very easy to navigate iany direction.

have your dealer check out your issues.

enjoy your car.

[Bimmerista]

enjouy your car and congrtualtions - sorry I cannot help with feedback, since my rear seats are thankfully rattle free, drive manual and no idrive, but I think you should pop by your dealer to have those issues (especially the rattle) checked out.

It will be interesting to see how the new G37 (that is how I think it will be called) will stack up: 300 hp, and if they improved the build and interior quality, should be a strong contender.

[BK]

Originally Posted by xG35c

New owner of a Deep Green/Terra steptronic/i-drive 330i checking in for the first time.

Sounds like a great (and fairly rare) color combo. We need pics!

[younghov85]

I have stated that i think the G35 2007 will be its best contender again, but nothing is beating a 330i. Regardless congrats on the new car and have fun driving!

[GS833]

Congrats but...

[Sedan_Clan]

Enjoy the 330!

[John]

welcome

[backtofront001]

Originally Posted by xG35c

New owner of a Deep Green/Terra steptronic/i-drive 330i checking in for the first time. My G35 coupe lease was over and I spent some enjoyable free time over the winter carefully selecting my next car. The parameters were it had to be a sedan (coupes are great but too claustrophobic for rear passengers I carry these days) and the lease needed to be under $600. Looked at the A6 3.2 (great car, kind of big, lease rates are terrible – better to buy this car), M35 (not crazy about the styling, also a big car, great motor from my G35, fair leases), 530i (that trunk and headlights still haven’t grown on me, pricy), and the I350 (slightly smaller than the 330, best motor, not sure I’m ready for a “Lexus”). In hindsight, I should probably have gone for the 530i for the extra space despite the styling. The 2007 G35 sedan would have been a very strong contender if it was available. Anyway, the 330i (as you guys already know) is a great car but, now that I’ve put some mileage on it, has a SERIOUS FLAW.

I know this topic has been discussed before, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to stop smoothly in this car. The stump pulling first gear jerks the car as it engages while slowing, and apparently this “soft stop” feature is modulating the brakes just before a stop conspiring to make the car buck to a stop. Since I live in the land of stop and go traffic (NJ), and I pride myself on smooth driving, this is a VERY annoying characteristic. Using manual mode and holding 2nd gear improves this and even more so by shifting to neutral (so manual drivers probably aren’t too focused on this problem).
And while I’m ranting, I’ll mention the ridiculously hard seats, the rattling rear seats, that first gear which forces the engine to rev high to go ANYWHERE so it seems to accelerate slower in first than the other gears unless you’re on it, and the pathetically slow i-Drive with no “Back” button.

But as long as I keep rolling though, it’s all good!

Welcome and immediately help yourself to the software update. Ask your dealer for more information. It cures the problem substantially. Although when decelerating at about 1000 to 1500 RPM's there is still a sudden rev drop but after that u can bring the car to a smooth stop if u wish

[Asiann]

Welcome! Sorry to hear about your issues but there are positives aspects with the E90 aren't there?

[xG35c]

Thanks for the replies! I'll post pictures the next time I wash it, the sales guy said they had never sold that particular color combo before.
I've mentioned the brakes and i-drive issues to the dealer and they assured me that's just the way it is...

Originally Posted by David325Australia

my idrive is instant, responsive and very easy to navigate iany direction.

My i-drive has locked up a few times, and gone to blank screen once. Somtimes I need to enter digits from the "keypad" feature when using my phone, the system lag is most apparent here. And no BACK button?? (I'd give up the second phone button) and no way to recall a preferred configuration? - who designed this software?

[danglez1234]

thats what you get for getting automatic, and idrive.

Originally Posted by danglez1234

thats what you get for getting automatic, and idrive.

I have an automatic with iDrive (Sept 05 Build) and have none of the issues you mention. The auto trans is awesome, by the way, and so is iDrive!

[just4kickz]

g35 is a fun car... i wuda kept it

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by xG35c

Anyway, the 330i (as you guys already know) is a great car but, now that I’ve put some mileage on it, has a SERIOUS FLAW.

I know this topic has been discussed before, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to stop smoothly in this car. The stump pulling first gear jerks the car as it engages while slowing, and apparently this “soft stop” feature is modulating the brakes just before a stop conspiring to make the car buck to a stop. Since I live in the land of stop and go traffic (NJ), and I pride myself on smooth driving, this is a VERY annoying characteristic. Using manual mode and holding 2nd gear improves this and even more so by shifting to neutral (so manual drivers probably aren’t too focused on this problem).
And while I’m ranting, I’ll mention the ridiculously hard seats, the rattling rear seats, that first gear which forces the engine to rev high to go ANYWHERE so it seems to accelerate slower in first than the other gears unless you’re on it, and the pathetically slow i-Drive with no “Back” button.

But as long as I keep rolling though, it’s all good!

Brakes:
Everyone complains about the grabby brakes. Its good on the highway at higher speeds, but yes, it takes some time to get used to. You gotta learn. This isn't a nissan.

Hard seats:
Give it some time. It'll soften up a little. Whats wrong with hard seats anyway? If you are looking for a sofa-comfortable seats, go grab a kia. Why are you driving a BMW?

Transmission:
You got a steptronic and complain about gear shifts? Learn how to drive a manual and get 6MT.

Slow I-drive:
You thought you had a pentium 5 computer with 3 gigs of ram in there? Its a friggin' I-drive that every review tells you to avoid. If you weren't ready to take that risk, you just made a huge mistake. Deal with it, or trade your car in.

Your complaints will get a grade of F-.
Please re-write your report and PM me. I might give you a passing grade next semester.

[IrvRobinson]

The Germans want you to be in touch with the road, the Japanese don't want you to know you're on the road...

[ages944]

welcome.

yeah, get ready for the ungodly amounts of brake dust that gets on the wheels as well. As with everything else though, it come with the gig so to speak. As for the seats, I don't think I've ever sat in a German car whose seats weren't at least 'firm'.

[xG35c]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Brakes:
Everyone complains about the grabby brakes. Its good on the highway at higher speeds, but yes, it takes some time to get used to. You gotta learn. This isn't a nissan.

My only complaint about the brakes is the inability to come to a smooth, complete stop. Since shifting to neutral cures the problem, I'll put the blame on the Step downshifting. The G35 stops smoothly.

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Hard seats:
Give it some time. It'll soften up a little. Whats wrong with hard seats anyway? If you are looking for a sofa-comfortable seats, go grab a kia. Why are you driving a BMW?

Soft seats that you actually sink into can be both more comfortable AND more supportive at the same time. The G35 has the best seats in the business (I think they relocated those crazy seat controls from the bolster in the new ones). Don't believe me, sit in a Porsche - comfy soft seats!

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Transmission:
You got a steptronic and complain about gear shifts? Learn how to drive a manual and get 6MT.

I can drive a manual - wouldn't want to every day though! Plenty of complaints about the manual on this forum also. I will risk some flames and say two things: 1) MOST people who have a manual don't shift properly and couldn't drive it smoothly if their lives depended on it. 2) If manuals are so great, why are the manufacturer's working feverishly to perfect the dual clutch transmissions which will REPLACE them!

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Slow I-drive:
You thought you had a pentium 5 computer with 3 gigs of ram in there? Its a friggin' I-drive that every review tells you to avoid. If you weren't ready to take that risk, you just made a huge mistake. Deal with it, or trade your car in.

I-drive has a proprietary operating system designed to specifically perform a few simple functions. I can forgive an overburdened PC slowing down while running multiple programs (and probably accessing the web) at the same time. It is UNFORGIVABLE that the phone keypad lags when trying to enter a digit, as well as several basic design flaws. I changed my expectations to accommodate the machine, so no plans to trade the car in, but it shouldn't be this way!

[lux.sh]

Totally understand. Once again, get used it.

I came from a japanese car also. Quite different.

[just4kickz]

mt g35 has brembos i believe

Originally Posted by xG35c

My only complaint about the brakes is the inability to come to a smooth, complete stop. Since shifting to neutral cures the problem, I'll put the blame on the Step downshifting. The G35 stops smoothly.

My 330i with Step stops very, very smoothly. It didn't for the first day or so, however, as it was designed to do, it "learned" my driving style in two or three days.

Originally Posted by xG35c

Soft seats that you actually sink into can be both more comfortable AND more supportive at the same time. The G35 has the best seats in the business (I think they relocated those crazy seat controls from the bolster in the new ones). Don't believe me, sit in a Porsche - comfy soft seats!

G35 seats the "best in the business"? That's not a very objective statement. Oh well, opinions aren't really objective anyway. I have the sport seats, and want for nothing. What more could you ask for? The seats are awesome.

Originally Posted by xG35c

I can drive a manual - wouldn't want to every day though! Plenty of complaints about the manual on this forum also. I will risk some flames and say two things: 1) MOST people who have a manual don't shift properly and couldn't drive it smoothly if their lives depended on it. 2) If manuals are so great, why are the manufacturer's working feverishly to perfect the dual clutch transmissions which will REPLACE them!

Automatics are so refined now days you don't really need a manual. And I wouldn't want one for my daily driver either. It would piss off the youth of this world if sticks were not available because most young men don't feel manly driving an automatic. It's the "real men drive sticks" syndrome. Additionally, they are spec'd as a less expensive option.

Originally Posted by xG35c

I-drive has a proprietary operating system designed to specifically perform a few simple functions. I can forgive an overburdened PC slowing down while running multiple programs (and probably accessing the web) at the same time. It is UNFORGIVABLE that the phone keypad lags when trying to enter a digit, as well as several basic design flaws. I changed my expectations to accommodate the machine, so no plans to trade the car in, but it shouldn't be this way!

I agree completely. However, I have learned to use it the way it is.

Cost aside, I'd honestly rather have one E90 than two G35s.

When you're driving a BMW, you are at the top of the food chain.

[BK]

Originally Posted by xG35c

It is UNFORGIVABLE that the phone keypad lags when trying to enter a digit, as well as several basic design flaws.

I'm no iDrive apologist, but for entering phone numbers, I find it MUCH easier to hit the voice recognition button: "Dial number" ("Please say the number") "703-555-1212" ("703-555-1212 and next?") "Dial."

Granted, I have only owned the car for a little over a week, but I use this all the time. I've never had to correct a digit in a phone number, although I understand you can do that by voice, too. I just say the number all at once and in a normal tone of voice and at a normal pace, like I'm talking to a person. It gets it right every time. Trying to enter a phone number with the iDrive controller is an exercise in frustration.