Test-driven a F30 to compare with a E90.

JohnMan · 03-12-2012, 01:30 AM

I test-drove a F30 328i last week to see how it compares to a E90. Overall, the suspension is noticeably softer, with less of that firmness found in the E90. The variable steering also took some time to get used to, as in eco and comfort mode, it's very light, very un-bmw-like. I almost thought I was driving an Audi. Once you switch to sport mode, then the weight of the steering comes back, thankfully. Probably the biggest difference is the engine response (from the turbo). Traditionally, BMW was somewhat lacking in low-end torque but will really rev it all the way to the redline as that is where the meat of the torque is. Here for the F30, the low-end torque is immediate but it will start to drop somewhere around after 5000-6000 rpm.

What remains the same is the good handling, the softer suspension has not impacted agile character of the 3 series and that's a relief.

I hope I don't sound negative on the F30, it's just the character of the F30 is in some ways quite different to the E90 and the other 3 series before it. It's still a darn good handling car, but with a somewhat different personality. Has anyone else here test-driven the F30? Do you agree with my view? Disagree?

ny911 · 03-12-2012, 09:14 PM

I guess the difference is about the same as E60/F10 and 997/991. But the interior is really a downside of F30 to me.

I would miss the old steering systems and engines more and more later on.

Laguna Seca Blue · 03-14-2012, 10:40 AM

I test drove the F30 328i a couple of weeks ago. Coming from an E46 M3, I too appreciated the snappy low end torque. Physiologically however, I couldn't get my head around the four-cylinder engine. There's just something inheriantly less satisfying about the spool up of power. A free reving inline six just feels more satisying, there's something a bt artificial about the way this engine puts its power down.

Hopefully the suspension in the sports line is significantly more taut because the base model was rolling all over the place when I was pushing it through a hill pass.

Think I'm going to save a whole bunch of money and have a lot more fun buying a lightly used E92 335i

clarence · 03-17-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ny911

I guess the difference is about the same as E60/F10.

The F10 lost a lot of the sharpness found on the E60, whereas the F30 retains it whilst offering the same handling qualities as the E60.

clarence · 03-17-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMan

I test-drove a F30 328i last week to see how it compares to a E90. Overall, the suspension is noticeably softer, with less of that firmness found in the E90. The variable steering also took some time to get used to, as in eco and comfort mode, it's very light, very un-bmw-like.

The suspension on the F30 feels softer than the E90 cos of the latest runflat tyres. It's actually not the suspension that's softer it's the tyres that are softer riding.
The F30 comes with servotronic as standard & so the steering feels very light compared to E90, but if u've driven a E90 with servotronic then the weight is not much different.

ny911 · 03-18-2012, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarence

The F10 lost a lot of the sharpness found on the E60, whereas the F30 retains it whilst offering the same handling qualities as the E60.

Is F30 as sharp as E90 then?

clarence · 03-19-2012, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ny911

Is F30 as sharp as E90 then?

If u compare both with servotronic then not much difference. F10 gained a lot of weight when compared to E60, so there's a big difference.

JohnMan · 03-27-2012, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarence

The suspension on the F30 feels softer than the E90 cos of the latest runflat tyres. It's actually not the suspension that's softer it's the tyres that are softer riding.
The F30 comes with servotronic as standard & so the steering feels very light compared to E90, but if u've driven a E90 with servotronic then the weight is not much different.

In that case, if I switch to a more sporty tires than the OEM, it should provide a more firm ride?

My E90 has the classic hydraulic power steering which gives good feedback. I hated the active steering on the E90 since it gives no feel. The F30 variable steering feels just as bad unless you switch over to sports mode which firms up the steering for a much better feel.

Minichamps · 04-04-2012, 09:31 AM

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...lIEhs.facebook
At idle, this four-cylinder sounds like a diesel.

ac325i · 04-10-2012, 11:22 AM

Hi there, I'm new here. Test drove the 328 last week and I find it quite a good family sedan. I do agree that it loses a bit of the bimmer experience by going towards the Audi side. That's why I'm back to the E90

JOE YOUNG · 02-28-2013, 02:47 PM

the loaner F30 with servotronic im driving at the moment doesnt handle as tight as my previous m sport E90 on standard steering.Its easier around town though.

Soikiu · 02-28-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minichamps

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...lIEhs.facebook
At idle, this four-cylinder sounds like a diesel.

Yes, it totally does.
Another member and I heard one up close and personal and it was a taxi... I mean F30... lol

Icy J · 03-01-2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soikiu

Yes, it totally does.
Another member and I heard one up close and personal and it was a taxi... I mean F30... lol

unfortunately my dad doesn't understand why this is a bad thing...

03-12-2012, 01:30 AM	#1
JohnMan Lieutenant 40 Rep 423 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Test-driven a F30 to compare with a E90. I test-drove a F30 328i last week to see how it compares to a E90. Overall, the suspension is noticeably softer, with less of that firmness found in the E90. The variable steering also took some time to get used to, as in eco and comfort mode, it's very light, very un-bmw-like. I almost thought I was driving an Audi. Once you switch to sport mode, then the weight of the steering comes back, thankfully. Probably the biggest difference is the engine response (from the turbo). Traditionally, BMW was somewhat lacking in low-end torque but will really rev it all the way to the redline as that is where the meat of the torque is. Here for the F30, the low-end torque is immediate but it will start to drop somewhere around after 5000-6000 rpm. What remains the same is the good handling, the softer suspension has not impacted agile character of the 3 series and that's a relief. I hope I don't sound negative on the F30, it's just the character of the F30 is in some ways quite different to the E90 and the other 3 series before it. It's still a darn good handling car, but with a somewhat different personality. Has anyone else here test-driven the F30? Do you agree with my view? Disagree?
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03-12-2012, 09:14 PM	#2
ny911 Captain 28 Rep 651 Posts Drives: R35/981 CS Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	I guess the difference is about the same as E60/F10 and 997/991. But the interior is really a downside of F30 to me. I would miss the old steering systems and engines more and more later on.
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03-14-2012, 10:40 AM	#3
Laguna Seca Blue Major 239 Rep 1,042 Posts Drives: N54 E92 \| N55 F15 \| N55 E70 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	I test drove the F30 328i a couple of weeks ago. Coming from an E46 M3, I too appreciated the snappy low end torque. Physiologically however, I couldn't get my head around the four-cylinder engine. There's just something inheriantly less satisfying about the spool up of power. A free reving inline six just feels more satisying, there's something a bt artificial about the way this engine puts its power down. Hopefully the suspension in the sports line is significantly more taut because the base model was rolling all over the place when I was pushing it through a hill pass. Think I'm going to save a whole bunch of money and have a lot more fun buying a lightly used E92 335i
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04-04-2012, 09:31 AM	#9
Minichamps First Lieutenant 10 Rep 372 Posts Drives: E91 330i Delivered June 27 '07 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...lIEhs.facebook At idle, this four-cylinder sounds like a diesel. __________________
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04-10-2012, 11:22 AM	#10
ac325i Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: E91 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Hi there, I'm new here. Test drove the 328 last week and I find it quite a good family sedan. I do agree that it loses a bit of the bimmer experience by going towards the Audi side. That's why I'm back to the E90
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02-28-2013, 02:47 PM	#11
JOE YOUNG SEAL TEAM SIX 123 Rep 498 Posts Drives: E46 E90 E84 F30 X3G01 LCI Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Great Western iTrader: (0)	the loaner F30 with servotronic im driving at the moment doesnt handle as tight as my previous m sport E90 on standard steering.Its easier around town though.
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