I'm driving an F30 (328i and 335i) on the track tomorrow...

Two pics of my current ride.

- Mike

Originally Posted by BobBigMan

That's a surprise to hear the VAG 2.0T is smoother considering the N20 is a brand new engine. Maybe Audi has isolated things better rather than anything else?

It can be a million little things.

Keep in mind that the N20 is basically an N55 minus two cylinders... not a fresh design. Does that affect things? Maybe?

- Mike

^ That I didn't know and now I do it's becoming a lot less appealing.

Originally Posted by BobBigMan

^ That I didn't know and now I do it's becoming a lot less appealing.

Don't quote me... but that is the rumor (unconfirmed by BMW).

- Mike

How does the shifter and the clutch action feel (two questions)?

Really great stuff Mike, thanks for posting!

Wondering if you found out anything about how the M Adaptive suspension works and if it's worth the money?

Originally Posted by Emission

Don't quote me... but that is the rumor (unconfirmed by BMW).

- Mike

I don't know for why but I was expecting a completely new engine designed from the ground up for some reason. This might explain why it's not as smooth but I'm still shocked given BMW's reputation for building super silky smooth engines.

Originally Posted by BobBigMan

I don't know for why but I was expecting a completely new engine designed from the ground up for some reason. This might explain why it's not as smooth but I'm still shocked given BMW's reputation for building super silky smooth engines.

This isn't a new practice at all for BMW, so don't think that I am implying it is inferior. BMW used two 3.0-liter inline-6 engines for its 6.0-liter V12, and the 4.0-liter V8 in the M3 is a chopped version of the 5.0-liter V10 in the M5. I simply don't know if the balance dynamics are the same for an inline-4 as they are for an inline-6.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Blax

Really great stuff Mike, thanks for posting!

Wondering if you found out anything about how the M Adaptive suspension works and if it's worth the money?

I haven't read through my press materials... but the white car in my driveway has "Adaptive M Suspension" for $900, so I will likely find out!

- Mike

Originally Posted by Robert A

How does the shifter and the clutch action feel (two questions)?

Exactly like it does in the E90 (I think it is identical).

- Mike

Originally Posted by Emission

Do they use the same 8AT gearbox? I honestly don't know...

That was the manual.

Sadly, the manual gearboxes are slower than the slushboxes.

Let me rephrase that... the humans are slower than the computers.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Emission

Okay, I just drove nearly 6 hours in the F30 335i 6MT (with one quick stop for a Red Bull).

Having had more time with the F30 335i, would you say the order below might be rearranged somewhat?

Originally Posted by Emission

So, which keys would I grab first for driving on a track (not the fastest, but the most enjoyable):

1--328i 6MT Sport
2--335i 6MT Sport
3--328i 8AT Sport
4--335i 8AT Sport

Which keys would I grab first for driving on the street (money no object):

1--328i 6MT Sport
2--335i 6MT Sport
3--328i 8AT Sport
4--335i 8AT Sport

Lastly, which keys would I grab first if I was paying for the vehicle:

1--328i 6MT Sport
2--328i 8AT Sport
3--335i 6MT Sport
4--335i 8AT Sport

Originally Posted by Saintor

That was the manual.

Woa, I wouldn't want to have to do what's cited in the notes to achieve that 0-60 very often.

Guess there's something to be said for a higher torque vehicle that does the rated 0-60 off idle w/no drama.

Originally Posted by bm323

Having had more time with the F30 335i, would you say the order below might be rearranged somewhat?

Yeah, the second "money no object" ranking:

1--335i 6MT Sport
2--328i 6MT Sport
3--335i 8AT Sport
4--328i 8AT Sport

But, I still don't think I would spend more than $50K on a non-M 3 Series (so I would buy a 328i 6MT Sport over the 335i and chip it!). It simply doesn't have the value.

- Mike

So the shifter is tight?

I've owned two 5 series cars (an E60 and an E39) and neither was all too good. My E36, however, was great.

Originally Posted by Emission

Exactly like it does in the E90 (I think it is identical).

- Mike

Please comment on the lack of quiet. On long highway drives, do you feel fatigued?

Originally Posted by Emission

I spent a lot of time in the 328i (non-sport) with the 8AT today.

However, my first impression is that the F30 isn't as quiet as some of its competitors -- there is audible road and wind noise at speed -- but some would argue they make the driving experience more involving.

- Mike

The balance dynamics are not the same for an inline four as an inline six. A boxer four is balanced.

The 8AT is the same in both cars. And it will be also in the xDrive models. I spent quite a bit of time talking with a ZF rep in Detroit at the NAIAS. ZF also supplies the electric steering for BMW. I did not know that. He said the steering characteristics are all about the programming. They also supply EPS to Ford. He said they have it in one (or more?) of their Super Duties and it has completely different programming.

I asked him about after market re-programming possibilities. He didn't know, but he gave me the phone number for ZF's After Market unit. I've been meaning to mention this. I'll find it and post it.

Originally Posted by Robert A

So the shifter is tight?

I've owned two 5 series cars (an E60 and an E39) and neither was all too good. My E36, however, was great.

It is just like the E90 shifter... a bit rubbery (typical BMW) but easy to use and direct in its operation. I drove all over tonight and kept saying, "wow, this makes me really miss manual transmissions." (That is a good compliment.)

Originally Posted by Robert A

Please comment on the lack of quiet. On long highway drives, do you feel fatigued?

Lots of road noise, and some wind noise, comes into the cabin. It is noisier than my A4 and most other cars, but I drove 5+ hours today without fatigue... part of me says "road noise" is part of the "driver involvement." Truth is, on a sport sedan I want to hear the road surface as it helps an experienced driver determine tire grip.

- Mike

Originally Posted by tturedraider

The balance dynamics are not the same for an inline four as an inline six. A boxer four is balanced.

The 8AT is the same in both cars. And it will be also in the xDrive models. I spent quite a bit of time talking with a ZF rep in Detroit at the NAIAS. ZF also supplies the electric steering for BMW. I did not know that. He said the steering characteristics are all about the programming. They also supply EPA to Ford. He said they have in one (or more?) of their Super Duties and it has completely different programming.

I asked him about after market re-programming possibilities. He didn't know, but he gave me the phone number for ZF's After Market unit. I've been meaning to mention this. I'll find it and post it.

The steering is pretty damn good. The more I drive it, the more I like it... right on par with Porsche's new 911 electric steering. Yes, I said that. Personally, I prefer it on Sport mode.

- Mike

It'll be interesting to see if the other editions are any different.

Originally Posted by Emission

Lots of road noise, and some wind noise, comes into the cabin. It is noisier than my A4 and most other cars, but I drove 5+ hours today without fatigue... part of me says "road noise" is part of the "driver involvement." Truth is, on a sport sedan I want to hear the road surface as it helps an experienced driver determine tire grip.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Robert A

It'll be interesting to see if the other editions are any different.

Sound insulation = weight

I think BMW was really focused on keeping the car light, so it gave up some quietness. As one engineer said, "we cannot keep adding 200 pounds with each subsequent generation."

- Mike

My A6 has at times tons of road surface noise so I can understand Mike's comment of them wanting to keep it light which is my belief with my Audi. Still I wished it was a bit quieter since its supposed to be a luxury saloon.

I appreciate all of your opinions here Mike about the engine smoothness and now the cabin noise levels but I wished is was all more promising. Will need to drive it myself to determine whether it's what we are after.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Emission

Sound insulation = weight

I think BMW was really focused on keeping the car light, so it gave up some quietness. As one engineer said, "we cannot keep adding 200 pounds with each subsequent generation."

- Mike

Hey Mike, so there's more road noise in the F30 than the E90 sedans? Is the road noise the same for both the 328i and the 335i?

I would guess per usual ditching the RFT's would lessen the road noise somewhat.