328i feels like an undwhelming boat :(

Originally Posted by dromader

I test drove back to back 335xi msport manual and the 328 xi at stripper (no line) and I had a similar experience quite surprised because of the reviews here. My 2010 238xi yes it feels underpowered but it also doesn't have that much body roll, it feels tighter. The 335 xi was a completely different animal though, ... I'm getting one.

Test driving one with an auto and the other a manual kind of stacks the deck.

does the steering wheel vibrate? that could be your answer

Originally Posted by Jamesonsviggen

Again, what are your expectations for a base engine 3?

I, too, am interested to know what the OP expected. The E90 forums used to be filled with people underwhelmed by the NA I6 (especially when coupled to the GM autobox). A base-model 3 is exactly what it is.... a base model.

And seriously, doesn't anyone go for a test drive before spending $40k+ on a car? I'm not in BJ's tax bracket... I like to know exactly what I'm getting before plunking down my $.

Originally Posted by boltjaM3s

Welcome to 2005.

Those who make the jump from the Mini Cooper to the 328i do it for one reason and it comes with one consequence- they are married, expecting kids in the next 36 months, they get a bigger, more comfortable car and sacrifice go-kart handling.

I don't want to overstep my bounds, but in reading you over the past 4 months you sound like someone who pinched pennies to get a German luxury car he could not afford and then is running around complaining about the very features he deliberately left off.

BJ

You are absolutely right about my reason to transition away from the Cooper.

However, you have to be kidding yourself when you think that these so called options are going to make the car perform that much better. None of these are engine enhancements. Some of them might improve handling, but that's not much of a concern for me. It's the ponies. PONIES. This car is too big for just 240HP

i love my 328i great car but if you were looking for more power should have gotten a 335i

Originally Posted by beden1

Why would anyone want to do this and spend that kind of money on a leased car? If you did modify a leased car, then don't you have to bring it back to stock before you turn it in?

It's not a lease. Mostly paid upfront too with just a bit of financing. Did the same with the Cooper and came out WAY ahead when I sold it 5 years later.

Originally Posted by 328i2013

It's the ponies. PONIES. This car is too big for just 240HP

The N20 F30 is lighter than the N51/52 E90 and has more bhp and more torque.

Here's an idea OP - why don't you join BMW CCA and take your car to a track event or autocross. See if your opinion changes after you get a chance to drive the car for real. Personally I got to drive a student's no line base model 328i automatic on the track and was thoroughly impressed with it.

Expectations control satisfaction - if you expected your car to be a 2 seat sports car like either the Boxster or Z4, then of course you would be disappointed. But I am sure you are intelligent enough to have understood that the 328i is NOT a 2 seat sports car before writing a check...right?

Originally Posted by samualcc

Not sure what you find "slow" about the car. Perhaps you are expecting some kind of Turbo kick? Instead you just go fast without any fuss. If you are used to the turbo kick from other cars, you won't find it here.

I don't know if your previous cooper was modded but the 328i should be faster.

Cooper wasn't modded.

The 328i is quite adequate on highways. The Cooper S would run circles around it on suburban roads.

Originally Posted by justinnum1

does the steering wheel vibrate? that could be your answer

No vibrations, or any other issues, thankfully.

Originally Posted by 328i2013

So, you guys are basically agreeing and saying that "out of the box" BMW's flagship car is not the "Ultimate Driving Machine". It needs mods and bigger wheels and packages and such. Sad.

I'm loving the car, don't get me wrong. It drives very well. Just not fast enough. I of course knew it wasn't going to handle like my Cooper S.

It's funny that when you bought your Mini you chose the Cooper S and not the plain Jane Cooper. Would you have been as happy with the base model and its 121hp vs. the upgraded S model with half again more hp at 181? Would you have been as happy with the base suspension, smaller wheels, etc.? It's all about the "build" choices you make....

.

Research research research
cheers
vern

Originally Posted by rtgirard

I, too, am interested to know what the OP expected. The E90 forums used to be filled with people underwhelmed by the NA I6 (especially when coupled to the GM autobox). A base-model 3 is exactly what it is.... a base model.

And seriously, doesn't anyone go for a test drive before spending $40k+ on a car? I'm not in BJ's tax bracket... I like to know exactly what I'm getting before plunking down my $.

Of course I test drove. But one, it was an auto (wasn't expecting much from it anyway). But how long can one test drive anyway. It was day 3 or 4 of driving my car when I started realizing it was underwhelming....

The numbers on the paper can be deceiving, when they cannot be applied on daily street driving much. That add to the fact he came from a smaller and lighter car. The complaint is natural. It is more fun to drive a slow car fast, than to drive a fast car slow.

He will get used to it. Just remember, don't test drive another smaller and sportier car and don't drive another car with more power during this lease term, you should be fine.

Originally Posted by 328i2013

Cooper wasn't modded.

The 328i is quite adequate on highways. The Cooper S would run circles around it on suburban roads.

wait wait first you say it is all about the ponies, then it is all about beating the 328 on suburban roads. Me thinks you enjoyed the fact that your old car could take corners like a go kart, while having adequate acceleration. Should have got the Sport Line or at least DHP. Straight line the 328 should beat your cooper, noticeably.

You basically bought the car the average BMW buyers gets... stripper, maybe with leather + something. Clearly you where in it for the drive, not the badge, but you bought the badge model!

Originally Posted by 328i2013

You are absolutely right about my reason to transition away from the Cooper.

However, you have to be kidding yourself when you think that these so called options are going to make the car perform that much better. None of these are engine enhancements. Some of them might improve handling, but that's not much of a concern for me. It's the ponies. PONIES. This car is too big for just 240HP

a sport suspension and sport auto would certainly change the car and your opinion of it. The N20 does 0-60 in 5.8 seconds(some mags have it faster). you wont be able to add sports seats or the sport auto, but a suspension upgrade and some 18's with sticky rubber would help.

^well said samualcc. the base stripper is for the average consumer looking to get into a bmw on a budget. the base stripper is not for an enthusiast.

Originally Posted by maxdriver

I test drove a 2012 328i 6-speed. I wasn't aware of the various settings when the drive started and did not have it in sport mode. I thought the steering lacked feeling and the suspension was too soft. I then put it in sport mode and that did sharpen things up. I'm taking a leap of faith that the Sportline I have on order will be a significant improvement as the base package was not sporty enough for me.

You should have gone for the M Sport, I am driving the 328i Sport touring, and find a delay in change down through the gears,very unsettling, it seems to drop into neutral between gears which gives the feeling of speeding up between changes, the suspension is soft and steering poor, this luckily is a bmw loaner till my 330D M Sport touring with adaptive suspension and sports gearbox arrives. I would not want this car at all.

Originally Posted by 328i2013

Of course I test drove. But one, it was an auto (wasn't expecting much from it anyway). But how long can one test drive anyway. It was day 3 or 4 of driving my car when I started realizing it was underwhelming....

I guess I approach a test drive differently... If the experience doesn't sway me one way or another I put it back on the shelf for later evaluation. And I know it's difficult to find a 6MT to test... that is a failing of many, many dealers in the U.S. It really does suck to be forced to test drive a car that doesn't have the options you want.

But, honestly, I still say you should've gotten enough seat-time in a car equipped the way you'd order... not easy to do, but I think it saves a lot of trouble.

I have the base line with just a couple of options and I have to say I am very impressed with the way it drives. I can certainly afford more, but it didn't seem worth it to get options I would only use a couple of times. I do not consider myself a true enthusiast, but I like a car that handles well on highways as well as back roads. I drove this car all over Europe, mostly in comfort mode, but sport mode is where you want to be to really feel the power. I'm waiting to pick up my car within a week or so from the dealer so I can test the steering wheel vibration. I can't recall feeling it in Europe, but to be perfectly honest, I didn't drive it that slow. I'm also coming from a large SUV, so this car feels tiny compared to what I was driving.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App

Not to pile on but this is kind of confusing.

-You care about power... but go with the 2.0L instead of 3.0L engine?
-You care about handling... but don't get a model with the sport or adaptive M suspension?

The latter is especially puzzling since ZDH is such a cheap option as these things go.

I appreciate these responses guys even if we might not agree on some things. I'm sure much of my disappointment is a result of being used to a Cooper S that was fast and handled great.

And since I'm trying to rationalize this purchase for me now, I'm guessing that's what you get when buying a $40K 4-door sedan. I suppose it is some consolation that in this price range and car category, the 328i is as good as it gets. Maybe it is me. Maybe I'm just more of a roadster guy, just didn't realize that till I had already made the jump to this sedan.

On the bright side, come next spring, I can get a neat roadster as my 2nd car. Going to need this sedan for the family stuff eventually. I'm sure when we have kids, with a child seat in the back, the 328i will feel more than adequate cuz I won't be wanting to push it like I want to push it now.

Now my girl was putting makeup on in the car while we were going to a gala the other day. She, as always was running late. She did say that this was the MOST comfortable car to put makeup on. LOL

here is an idea. go rent a ford excursion for the week. that should changed your tune about the 328

Originally Posted by justinnum1

here is an idea. go rent a ford excursion for the week. that should changed your tune about the 328

lmao

Originally Posted by leewtech

You have to do a lot of inter thread reading, but its out there. Mostly X1, X3, 3 series threads with new owners basically asking the same thing. "did I buy the right one" or "bought the 4 cylinder because of budget constraints", "did I do the right thing by getting the 4?".

You won't find too many threads as blatant as this one. Clearly regret as opposed to making the best of their purchase decision.

You said there's an epidemic of regret. I read a lot of BMW forums and have not found this to be the case. In fact it's the opposite where the N20 engine is getting more and more praise.

Originally Posted by 328i2013

After 13 weeks of waiting for my 328i.
And after having driven it for a week.
It hurts me to say that the 328i feels like an undwhelming boat.
I'm not terribly disappointed because its a beautiful luxury car.
But I don't think it's the ultimate driving machine.
Maybe the 335i is, but I've not driven it so I can't say for sure.
Already planning to get a Z4 or the new Boxster for thrillfull driving.
Hate me for saying all this.
But I simply had to say it.
And I gave it a week.
Maybe I'll feel differently in a month.
But maybe that will be cuz I might have got used to this 328i by then.

Boxster grossly better. We know that....do you mean to replace your new car?

Your ride can be greatly improved, starting w/coilovers. But Boxster is a target your 3 will never hit.