Ask the Car People.SM


BMW F30 3-Series (2012+)

37 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2012 at 11:58 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Future Vehicle, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 4

#29 of 37 Re: Do you really think it will weigh less? [55396] by 55396

Nov 05, 2012 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: 55396 (Oct 01, 2012 10:01 pm)
We tried out a 2012 528i. Didn't trip our trigger. Too much wing dip when whipping the wheel back and forth - Much more than the 2013 Lexus ES 350, and a very noticeable lag before downshift, again unlike the Lexus. Then we drive a 2008 528i. Ahh, that's what I expected in a BMW. Even with $12000 off, I will still look for a pre-2011.

#30 of 37 Re: 2013 328i xDrive [idoc2] by busiris

Nov 13, 2012 (12:37 am)

Replying to: idoc2 (Nov 05, 2012 10:55 am)
The start/stop feature can be programmed by BMW to remain in the mode it was in as of the last time the car was driven.
 
In other words, if you have the option disabled and turn the ignition "off", the next time the car is started, the start/stop feature will automatically be in the "off", or disabled, mode.
 
After spending 2 weeks in a MB diesel in Germany in October that had this feature, I finally became accustomed to it. Still, I prefer the option to disable, which BMW now offers in the USA.

#31 of 37 Re: 2013 328i xDrive [idoc2] by fourthbmw

Nov 13, 2012 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: idoc2 (Nov 05, 2012 10:55 am)
My new 2013 335i sedan arrived in port last Monday and I picked it up Thursday. it replaces my 2006 330i. So far i love it. I will write (post) a critique in several weeks after I put it through the paces

#32 of 37 E90 vs. F30 by roadburner

Nov 25, 2012 (6:01 pm)

I recently spent a couple of days in an F30 328i loaner while my son's X3 was getting front pads and rotors(I'm not complaining; they lasted over 84,000 miles), so I was able to make a true A-B comparison as I drove the F30 back-to-back with my wife's 2009 E90 328i.
  
Exterior: I like both about the same. I'll note BMW did an excellent job with the E90 LCI(facelift).
  
Interior: I've never been a great fan of the E90 interior; it lacks the traditional BMW driver-focused feel. The F30 interior is very nice except for the "beer tap" automatic shifter- why replace something that works perfectly well with a non-intuitive mechanism that requires additional thought and effort? The standard information screen in the F30 looks like it should retract- but it doesn't. I like the oil temperature gauge in the F30; the E90 328i has no temperature gauge of any kind. Seats are adequate in both; the F30 has more rear seat room and a larger trunk.
  
Drivetrain: You simply can't beat the E90's BMW inline six. It sounds and feels infinitely better than the F30's four(as a matter of fact, the M42 in my 1995 318ti also sounds and feels smoother- and the M10 in my '02 isn't all that far behind). And while the turbo four in the F30 may be faster on paper, it sure doesn't feel faster. On top of that, the auto-stop feels pretty crude- although now it can be "disabled". Both transmissions are excellent.
  
Brakes: Both cars have decent feel and modulation, with a slight edge to the E90.
  
Steering/Suspension: The E90 is by far the nicer drive. The F30 steering is better than the numb tiller in the F10 5er, but not by all that much. The cars are approximately equal in terms of grip, but the E90 gives you a much better idea of what is happening at the four contact patches.
  
Frankly, I can see no reason why a driving enthusiast would pick an F30 over an E90- and Car and Driver apparently shares my opinion; here's what they said in the November 2012 issue:
  
Our grave concern here is that, with each new car it introduces, BMW seems to wrap more padding around the sensations and feel that make them great—while its competitors only zero in more tightly on those same attributes. (We’re convinced that the E90 would handily win a comparison test against the F30.)
  
As a matter of fact, after I dropped off the F30 and drove away in the X3, I noticed how much better the X3's steering performed. It felt like I was actually driving a BMW again. That said, I'm glad I had the opportunity to drive the F30, as the experience has almost convinced me to grab an E92 328i M Sport before it is replaced with the F32 4er...

#33 of 37 Re: E90 vs. F30 [roadburner] by busiris

Nov 25, 2012 (8:37 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 25, 2012 6:01 pm)
" the E90 328i has no temperature gauge of any kind."
 
My 2010 E93 must be different, as it has an oil temperature gauge.

#34 of 37 Re: E90 vs. F30 [busiris] by roadburner

Nov 25, 2012 (9:50 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Nov 25, 2012 8:37 pm)
My 2010 E93 must be different, as it has an oil temperature gauge.
 
The E90 335i has an oil temperature gauge; the E90 328i makes do with the fuel economy gauge instead...

#35 of 37 Re: E90 vs. F30 [roadburner] by 55396

Nov 25, 2012 (11:09 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 25, 2012 9:50 pm)
That's interesting. I think I read a similar comparo of a 2011-12 5 Series (Not familiar with the other designations) and the previous version. I do have a 96 Z3 but our driver is an 03 Avalon with updated suspension and while I really like the car now, 114k it's time to move on while it still has value. Anyway, we drove a 13 Lexus ES 350 and a 12 528i RWD. We didn't care much for the 5, even discounted $12k with 3800 miles. Dead spot on downshift and lots of wing dip moving the wheel back and forth. Much more than the Lexus. I thought 'This is a BMW?' The delay reminded me of what I didn't like about our Audi 5000. Then we drove an 08 528i. Ya, that's more like it. We're going to look at an 09 ES 350 and an 08 528i tomorrow. That should be interesting. I would probably upgrade the ES suspension with Tokico or KYB/GR2 struts as we did on the Avalon. What a difference. Anyone have thougts on other sport/performance suspension brands? The KYB's offered a great improvement without a real stiff ride. With 60k on them, the ride is perfect.

#36 of 37 Re: E90 vs. F30 [55396] by roadburner

Nov 26, 2012 (11:19 am)

Replying to: 55396 (Nov 25, 2012 11:09 pm)
I'm partial to Bilstein HDs and Koni FSDs.

#37 of 37 Re: Suspension by 55396

Nov 26, 2012 (11:58 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 26, 2012 11:19 am)
Let's kick it around here:
 
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f267b36

Messages Page 4 of 4

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement