Perspectives On the F30

Hi,

Below is an article I wrote for my blog. Feel free to comment, share your opinions, or ask questions. Enjoy!





BMW released the new 3 Series on October 14th. After years of research and development, the automaker hopes to continue the success of the previous iteration.

New to BMW with both the new F20 1 series, and the F30 3 series, are different "equipment lines". While this tactic has been offered by competitors such as Mercedes, (C-Class Luxury and Sport Variants) Audi (Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige) along with others, BMW has traditionally been unique in the class with their abundant order combinations. Although US specs have yet to be released, it is unlikely that you will be able to get for example, the aggressive sport variant with a Saddle interior and walnut trim. This is really a shame as some customers might want a more custom specification which is no longer available as the packages will probably have restrictions.

While the new combination limitations might be disappointing, one area to applaud BMW is on the new chassis. BMW has been designing their product with a more luxury and comfort emphasis, while losing their distinctive sporty traits. Unlike other recently released products, (5, 6, X3) the 3 series manages to actually LOSE weight in comparison to the the previous generation, the E90!!! Hopefully, this translates into a sportier car which handles just as well as the praised E90 and still maintains the sporty ride. In their press release, BMW emphasizes that their car is as dynamic as ever. Many customers choose the 3 series solely because it is the most "athletic" car in the segment and hopefully BMW recognizes this and engineered the car to fit this need, suspension tunings included. That being said, it would be nice to know that BMW finally got an electronic steering system right. Ever since BMW has introduced electronic steering in an effort to reduce fuel consumption, their cars' steering has been severely criticized. BMW should have had sufficient practice with the system and fine tuned it enough to maintain the 3 series trademark steering, despite switching to an electronic system.

Lastly, while the loss of a naturally aspirated engine is a shame, hopefully the new I4 will be a good replacement! In the coming weeks we will know more about the vehicle. BMW claims to have greatly improved their most important product, but only time will tell.

We can only hope that the new 3 Series is an improvement on the outgoing E9x. I'm not so sure, given the electronic steering.

Originally Posted by hpowders

We can only hope that the new 3 Series is an improvement on the outgoing E9x. I'm not so sure, given the electronic steering.

This is BMW's volume model after all so it should have had a huge R&D budget. Therefore, I hope it is a better car overall. Yes, we will have to wait to see if BMW could finally get an electronic steering system right.

Originally Posted by Autoreply

This is BMW's volume model after all so it should have had a huge R&D budget. Therefore, I hope it is a better car overall. Yes, we will have to wait to see if BMW could finally get an electronic steering system right.

I agree. It's BMW's bread and butter model. They screw this one up and the reviews are mostly negative, it will hurt their bottom line.

Originally Posted by hpowders

I agree. It's BMW's bread and butter model. They screw this one up and the reviews are mostly negative, it will hurt their bottom line.

Very true, but I confident that will not be the case.

Originally Posted by Autoreply

Very true, but I confident that will not be the case.

C&D already criticized the F30 for its steering, brakes and suspension.

If the new 4-cyl 5-series provides any indication, the new 4-cyl 3 series will perhaps give you some greater kick starting from 0mph, BUT those who loved the rush of the 2nd kick from 60mph to 100mph will miss that dearly in the 4-cyl engine.

Originally Posted by e46_325xi

If the new 4-cyl 5-series provides any indication, the new 4-cyl 3 series will perhaps give you some greater kick starting from 0mph, BUT those who loved the rush of the 2nd kick from 60mph to 100mph will miss that dearly in the 4-cyl engine.

Yes...the engine has been noted for its torquey low end, sacrificing the high revving nature of a NA engine.

Originally Posted by e46_325xi

If the new 4-cyl 5-series provides any indication, the new 4-cyl 3 series will perhaps give you some greater kick starting from 0mph, BUT those who loved the rush of the 2nd kick from 60mph to 100mph will miss that dearly in the 4-cyl engine.

Totally misleading.

Believe it or not, turbo don't help on 5-60mph. The reason why they get good 0-60mph is because you can cheat at pre-compressing RPM like nobody would do in normal spirited driving.

For example, the Z4 N20 gets a great 5.6s 0-60mph and a ordinary 7.1s 5-60mph, same as a 528i N52. The 528i N20 should not do any better.

Originally Posted by Saintor

Totally misleading.

Believe it or not, turbo don't help on 5-60mph. The reason why they get good 0-60mph is because you can cheat at pre-compressing RPM like nobody would do in normal spirited driving.

For example, the Z4 N20 gets a great 5.6s 0-60mph and a ordinary 7.1s 5-60mph, same as a 528i N52. The 528i N20 should not do any better.

How does this make sense?

A 5-60 time should always be lower than a 0-60 time, given that 5-60 fits within 0-60.

Originally Posted by Inline Sixer

How does this make sense?

A 5-60 time should always be lower than a 0-60 time, given that 5-60 fits within 0-60.

Although it does seem counterintuitive, 5-60 is almost always higher. Browse around some car mag reviews and you will see this is almost always the case.

Originally Posted by E90Alan

Although it does seem counterintuitive, 5-60 is almost always higher. Browse around some car mag reviews and you will see this is almost always the case.

So if identical cars were in a drag race where a car at full stop where to suddenly accelerate as soon as the other car at 5mph was aligned, and with both a full throttle, the car from a dead stop will win?

I realize too that the car at a dead stop will somehow have to hit 5mph at some point -- and if you click on a stop watch from that point, the time ought to be less than the 0-60.

Very confusing indeed. But I'll take your word for it. I am subscribed to both motortrend and car and driver, I'll keep an eye out for those numbers.

Originally Posted by Inline Sixer

How does this make sense?

A 5-60 time should always be lower than a 0-60 time, given that 5-60 fits within 0-60.

0-60 allows the tester to get maximum traction for the best hookup. You can rev the engine and slip the clutch while using the best traction control setting. 5-60 is just using the cars normal acceleration. Drop the hammer in 1st gear. It's more like what you'd see on the street.

Originally Posted by Autoreply

Strangely enough, C&D was the only negative review that I read. All others were for the most part positive about the aspects you mentioned.

Positive in what context?

So far the Autocar review is the most positive. One reason was because, according to him, the steering was so light, the gas peddle so delicate, it felt like being a passenger.

I suppose if you like to drive an E or C class, the bigger 3 has finally caught up, so you are correct. Someone who loves to drive an E or C would find the F30 making very positive gains.

Maybe this is what BMW intended, so they succeeded. But why should I move from my E90 to F30 next time? Why not just get a C350, or E350?

Originally Posted by dtc100

Positive in what context?

So far the Autocar review is the most positive. One reason was because, according to him, the steering was so light, the gas peddle so delicate, it felt like being a passenger.

I suppose if you like to drive an E or C class, the bigger 3 has finally caught up, so you are correct. Someone who loves to drive an E or C would find the F30 making very positive gains.

Maybe this is what BMW intended, so they succeeded. But why should I move from my E90 to F30 next time? Why not just get a C350, or E350?

I disagree completely. While the 5 and X3 have definitely moved towards a more luxury oriented audience, the 3 seems to have maintained its sporty appeal in most applications. And yes while the steering is not as "heavy" as before many have said that is still very precise while offering decent feedback.

As per automobile magazine:
"Paired with the manual, the turbo four is even quicker, reaching 60 mph in 5.7 seconds (0.6 second quicker than before)...We have no such reservations about the suspension, which exhibits all the athleticism we’ve come to expect here. That was particularly in evidence over five rainy laps of the Circuit de Catalunya, where the new 3 really came into its own. The steering, which we had been thinking was a bit less communicative than the delightfully informative system in the previous car, here conveyed plenty of info about the front tires’ tenuous relationship with the wet tarmac. The chassis balance (weight distribution is 50:50) was also evident, helping us on the slick circuit to keep the car in the narrow band between front-end push and power oversteer."

I'm not going to quote every single review, but know there are more positives out there. It is important to remember that these reviews are very subjective. As a result, we will both have to wait until February where we can form our own opinions.

Sounds like the E90 is better than the F30 as to brakes, steering, suspension and road feel. Why indeed should any of us move to the F30 from the E90? I might as well get a freakin' VW GTI!

Originally Posted by hpowders

....I might as well get a freakin' vw gti!

Love mine

Originally Posted by volsfan0911

Love mine

I've driven a few. Not bad at all.

I'm having a lot of trouble getting past those atrocious looking headlights. Reminds me of those ghastly headlights on the E60 5 Series. I don't want "angry-looking".

Autoreply, what you had quoted had nothing to do with whether the car is a driver's car, or more a passenger's car, a point I was making based on the most positive (Autocar) review so far.

As I said in another thread, about the only positive thing I read of the new 328i is its 0-60, and the tuning potential that will make the 0-60 better.

But you know and I know 0-60 is hardly the measure to define a driver's car. Just head out to a drag race event, I challenge you to find a few you would call a driver's car.

The quote you used demonstrated the new 328i's good wet traction on a track. Again this is hardly something people traditionally looked for in a 3. If I wanted that I would have gone with the A4.

I didn't get the RWD 328i to drive in the rain. Not that you did not raise a good point, better traction on wet tarmac is a good thing. Just that it is not one of the measures that defines a driver's car.

This is why I asked, positive in what "context?"

Originally Posted by dtc100

Autoreply, what you had quoted had nothing to do with whether the car is a driver's car, or more a passenger's car, a point I was making based on the most positive (Autocar) review so far.

As I said in another thread, about the only positive thing I read of the new 328i is its 0-60, and the tuning potential that will make the 0-60 better.

But you know and I know 0-60 is hardly the measure to define a driver's car. Just head out to a drag race event, I challenge you to find a few you would call a driver's car.

The quote you used demonstrated the new 328i's good wet traction on a track. Again this is hardly something people traditionally looked for in a 3. If I wanted that I would have gone with the A4.

I didn't get the RWD 328i to drive in the rain. Not that you did not raise a good point, better traction on wet tarmac is a good thing. Just that it is not one of the measures that defines a driver's car.

This is why I asked, positive in what "context?"

The section of the Autocar review you brought up earlier was referring to the car's normal mode. It goes on to say that the car feels more "alive" in sport mode.

I agree that 0-60 is an irrelevant characteristic of a "driver's car", but strong acceleration is nice to have. I think that this generation of the 3, just like every other generation, is the most driver oriented in comparison its competitors. This is a sedan not an extremely expensive weekend track toy so naturally there are some inherent compromises.

Unfortunately, you, myself, and other car enthusiasts only gross a small percentage of 3 series sales. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that BMW designed this car for a large range of audiences, some of whom are looking for a very actively and passively safe car.

A comparison is to the owner of 911 GT3 RS 4.0 (What I consider the epitome of the drivers car) whose main concern is of performance. This owner will accept sacrifice numerous things in interest of the most pure car out there.

The 3 series was not made solely for performance so I think one must be lenient with their criticism and remember that it maintains its superiority in driving dynamics when compared to rivals.

Originally Posted by Autoreply

The section of the Autocar review you brought up earlier was referring to the car's normal mode. It goes on to say that the car feels more "alive" in sport mode.

I agree that 0-60 is an irrelevant characteristic of a "driver's car", but strong acceleration is nice to have. I think that this generation of the 3, just like every other generation, is the most driver oriented in comparison its competitors. This is a sedan not an extremely expensive weekend track toy so naturally there are some inherent compromises.

Unfortunately, you, myself, and other car enthusiasts only gross a small percentage of 3 series sales. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that BMW designed this car for a large range of audiences, some of whom are looking for a very actively and passively safe car.

A comparison is to the owner of 911 GT3 RS 4.0 (What I consider the epitome of the drivers car) whose main concern is of performance. This owner will accept sacrifice numerous things in interest of the most pure car out there.

The 3 series was not made solely for performance so I think one must be lenient with their criticism and remember that it maintains its superiority in driving dynamics when compared to rivals.

I am not here to trash the F30 at all. Believe me I want to love it. It is to my benefit if it turns out to be as much a driver's car as my current E90, while adding more comfort and gadgets for the family.

But review after review, I have sensed that the things that define our 3 in terms of driving dynamics (the unique steering feel as an example) are giving way so other priorities can be met.

I know it is a business decision, I don't blame them.

Originally Posted by dtc100

But review after review, I have sensed that the things that define our 3 in terms of driving dynamics (the unique steering feel as an example) are giving way so other priorities can be met.

Sadly this seems to happen every time there is a redesign.

Originally Posted by dtc100

I am not here to trash the F30 at all. Believe me I want to love it. It is to my benefit if it turns out to be as much a driver's car as my current E90, while adding more comfort and gadgets for the family.

But review after review, I have sensed that the things that define our 3 in terms of driving dynamics (the unique steering feel as an example) are giving way so other priorities can be met.

I know it is a business decision, I don't blame them.

I think that as you say this is your sense and not at least IMO the predominant thought in the reviews so far. As a matter of fact most say it's the best 3 series yet and these are enthusiast reviewers.

I know there are some that feel the 3 series should not have too much luxury and should be the modern interpretation of the 2002tii. The F30 is the latest version of the 3 series which means it has to appeal to a wide demographic regarding gadgets but still has the key dynamics that makes it the best luxury sport sedan in its price range.

I say drive it and see for yourself. Only you use your car like you do and so only you can decide whether the F30 does what you need it to do better or worse than previous models.