535i in for hpfp recall -- 328i loaner rocks!

so i got my notice and sent the car to the shop: new programming, hpfp, and 2 injectors... in the meantime, i got a 2011 328I loaner. i *really* loved it! i thought the car would be kind of a dog, but it handled so well and was so tossable. the inline 6 was plenty.

i promise not to dis that model ever again.

any other e60 owner have that experience?

today i got my sunroof seal replaced, got a 2010 535xi Wagon. this car is too big and heavy for N54, don't even mention the handling.. Glad to have my V8 back!!

My loaner was a 335d. Really enjoyed driving it, but it was just too small.

test drove an 07 3 series for my wife and as loaners - not a fan at all.

But never a 335 - I suspect I would feel differently

I have had several 328is as loaner and an X5 diesel. I have to say the 328i is nice and peppy and has a nice size. I would not want a 3 series as a long distance travel car (not a lot of rear seat room) but I think it would make for an awesome commuter.

I had a few 328s as loaners. I was not so impressed. First, the runflats resulted in major suspension crashes that would have been mere thumps when driving my car over bad pavement. The car has a very hard ride without the handling to match. Secondly, the car had little to no power unless I drove it like I stole it (no low to mid range torque). Finally the engine sound with the automatic trans is a letdown compared to the MT.

I have driven a few 328i loaners but I was not impressed. You really have to lay into the gas to get these cars moving. On the other hand I drove a 335i that was very quick and a 335d that was a rocket. All of the 3 series were small inside, and hard to get in and out of, especially the 4 door. If it was just me it would be a fun car, but with the family it is a tight squeeze.

Since I owned 2 first model year BMW (04 E60 and 07 E70) I have driven every BMW loaner that dealers use. Each car has a different feel, pep, ride quality, features. It is kinda fun to have a different perspective but as soon as you get your car back, you will realize that it is just different.

At one point we had our car in for a warranty service appointment and they "over allocated" the loaners. We were put into a used 2010 750IL with 2600 miles on it with a dealer plate for the day.

It reminded me of my mothers 73 Chevy Impala- A land-yacht.

Way to little feedback for me. Maybe when I get older.....

I've had a few 328 loaners and was pleased with them. Of course, I missed the extras that I'm use to in my 5 but the car handled well and felt solid. Just hope you don't get a Toyota rental, scary bad handling.

I too just got my 535i back from the recall work yesterday. Was provided a 2011 328i for the loaner and was not impressed. Just like others have stated, you really need to jump on it to get it to move quickly, and driving under normal conditions makes this car feel sluggish. It could be that we all get used to having the power of the twin turbo and this becomes the norm, yet I drive my wife's 2006 530i sometimes and don't notice the power differential as much as I did with this 328. Otherwise size, seat confort and drivers position were good.

My other huge complaint is the engine noise and sound pollution in the cabin! I don't want to hear an under-powered engine straining to ge the car up and going, and this was loud! also lots of road noise. Hopefully this was just a isolated problem and not what all 3 series are like. For now, I am very happy to have my car back!

While I have had BMW service loaners at the dealer where I get my car serviced it is hit or miss. Most of the time you end up with a crappy enterprise loaner. The dealer only pays for the most basic car - such as the wonderful Hyundai Elantra I had earlier this week .

When I had my 535i in for the recall I got a 335D for a loaner, IMO its a great car all the way around. When are they going to come out with a 535D in the states? If they don't have one by lease end I'm going with a 335D. A few weeks later I went in for a brake flush and to check out the AS. This time I got a 2011 Z4 3.o as a loaner for 3 days. Its a fun car but as far as I'm concerned thats it. You can hear a lot of road noise with the hard top up, yea I know its a roadster,and with the top down its a lot of fun and it turns a lot of heads. It only had 1,800 miles on it . Good luck on your next loaner
cheers
vern

Originally Posted by gotabyte

I've had a few 328 loaners and was pleased with them. Of course, I missed the extras that I'm use to in my 5 but the car handled well and felt solid. Just hope you don't get a Toyota rental, scary bad handling.

+1

the handling of the 328 was really nice -- much better than my 535.

Originally Posted by Dowe

so i got my notice and sent the car to the shop: new programming, hpfp, and 2 injectors... in the meantime, i got a 2011 328I loaner. i *really* loved it! i thought the car would be kind of a dog, but it handled so well and was so tossable. the inline 6 was plenty.

i promise not to dis that model ever again.

any other e60 owner have that experience?

Coming from a 335i... forgive me but I was not cheering in my last 328i loaner...

Originally Posted by Dowe

+1

the handling of the 328 was really nice -- much better than my 535.

Do you have the S;port package,.. makes a lot of difference...

Originally Posted by Dowe

+1

the handling of the 328 was really nice -- much better than my 535.

Thats why handling feel is very subjective and depends on what suspension you have, but with sport package and RWD my 535i handles better than my 335xi coupe.
The problem with my xi, it sits a little higher (even with sport package xi suspension is stock), softer spring and mellower struts and RFT don't help either.

The 335xi handles fine but it's less forgiving in terms of taking bad line in twisties hwy for example, with the 535i you can adjust the steering when making less than perfect approach into a turn and keep the body roll to min, it has firmer suspension, sits lower and ARS(anti roll stability) to keep the chasis flat.

I know I can make my 335xi superb car but that requires KW stage2 coil-over and non-RFT tires, which won;t happens anytime soon, maybe next year.

BTW, the 328 is fun if you drive manual and row your own gear no so with auto but my test drive is rather limited and the CA kept on looking at me everytime I try to check the car out more

Originally Posted by Dowe

+1

the handling of the 328 was really nice -- much better than my 535.

My 328i loaner was a dog... the 335i rocked. To be fair the 328i loaner was sparsely equipped.

Handling was great in my 2nd and 3rd loaners (328I), the first one they had transport mode turned on. Scared the crap out of me getting on i-10 and then the rev-limiter kicks in at 4500! Thought I destroyed the loaner car.


Nothing better than beating on the dealer loaner car that they will put back into their CPO program after it hits 10,000mi. Never buy a rental or a loaner car!

The only way to buy a 328 is with the sports suspension and a 6MT. Without those, it's a rather pedestrian car. But check those 2 boxes and the car is a different animal all together. Quick handling, plenty of acceleration and very fun to drive.

Originally Posted by TRS550

The only way to buy a 328 is with the sports suspension and a 6MT. Without those, it's a rather pedestrian car. But check those 2 boxes and the car is a different animal all together. Quick handling, plenty of acceleration and very fun to drive.

Both times I got a loaner it was a 328 AT non sport and I was not real happy. Coming from my 535 MT, I didn't fit as comfortably (no comfort seats/leather) and was not impressed with the engine/Hp/Trans combo at all.
I agree it would be a different story with the sport/mt combo as I had fun with a 4 banger Mazda 626 for a lot of years because it was a 5 speed manual.

dj

Originally Posted by TRS550

The only way to buy a 328 is with the sports suspension and a 6MT. Without those, it's a rather pedestrian car. But check those 2 boxes and the car is a different animal all together. Quick handling, plenty of acceleration and very fun to drive.

+1
never buy BMW w/o sport package no matter what.

For example, in 335i when you don't check the ZSP-package option when ordering, your car doesn't come with oil cooler; not a good idea for turbo cars. BMW understand clearly that sport package are bought by people who drive their cars harder than regular crowd. BTW, don't you hate the non-sport with that chrome window shadow, sport car has it painted black.

I'm almost always given a 328 for loaner every time my car goes to the shop; I think I have only gotten a 528xi once. Can't say I am impressed with the 328's even though the loaners are all practically brand new. The mushy ride, the lackluster horse power, and the tight cabin space make the car feel no different than some econobox. It's an ok car for a loaner, but not something I would be interested in owning with its $40k price tag.

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

+1
BTW, don't you hate the non-sport with that chrome window shadow, sport car has it painted black.

What? You mean to tell me I shouldn't have replaced my shadowline trim with gold plated trim?

No I still have my black trim. Can't say I quite get the aesthetic appeal of it though.

Originally Posted by Bremen Ben

What? You mean to tell me I shouldn't have replaced my shadowline trim with gold plated trim?

No I still have my black trim. Can't say I quite get the aesthetic appeal of it though.

Ben, gold plated trim on black car, maybe.
Remind me of Nakamichi tape deck Dragon or ZX1000 back then, now I am showing my age