(sorry, I accidentally posted this in someone's thread)
Well, because of some issues with both my wife's & my BMW's I have had 2012 328i as loaners the past few months. I have driven them in many driving conditions, for extended periods of time. I have an E90, and I feel that the new F30 has missed the mark on one very basic element the E90 had perfected.
Cornering.
I drive a 15 mile stretch of road often that is a BMW drivers dream. Hwy 150 from Carpinteria to Ojai. Lots of twists & turns not only at high, but low speeds as well. My E90 would tear up those roads. It was like driving on a rail. Even my wife who really doesn't like the E90, commented on how well it handles. The F30 (basic) disappoints in this area. A lot of mushy body roll combined with a soggy feeling like the chassis is floating on top of the wheels. Frankly, considering I have an F30 on order, It gave me pause and did consider not taking delivery.
The only thing that might save this horrendous difference in cars is the F30 Sport Line. I have only test drove one briefly before I ordered it, but did notice that the suspension is stiffer to some degree and the steering is more firm.
If anyone can comment on this, I'd love to hear some great insight.
Edit/Delete Message
Well BJ, I don't think there are many who expect the F30 to be a sports car, though many might want it to be sporty. Also I don't think many expect the car to be a true luxury vehicle but rather expect an "entry level" luxury car. The car was designed to be an entry level luxury/sports sedan. To get it you must check the boxes for all the tech/luxury/sport options. If you want only a "luxury" vehicle, uncheck the sports options. If you want only a "sport" sedan, uncheck the luxury options. If you want the car how it was intended, pony up and check all the boxes. ;-J
What is it with this Boltja guy? Jesus. You might think you are being helpful, but you are serving your own purpose by commenting like this. Please, forever keep your opinions to yourself if they are not helpful to others. Thank you.
Actually, I am being very helpful. I'm saving you time and aggravation, just cutting to the chase here.
You are asking the board why the F30 doesn't handle like an E90. And the answer is because BMW has changed, it's customers have changed, and it's not 2006 any more. So if you stop wishing the 3 Series to be something that it no longer is, you'll be much happier.
As stated, if you want a sports car, go buy one. The F30 is a luxury car. You can bolt-on all sorts of suspensions and bodykits, but its never going to meet your expectations. You may get close, but it'll cost you money and will still fall short. It's simply not what an E90 used to be. BMW makes a 1 Series and makes a Roadster to fill that void.
I have driven e36's, e46's, e90's, e39's, and e60s.
And the most dissapointing cars I've ever driven - when I was ready for driving excitement - have been among those BMWs just named when they were in automatic transmission, base suspension.
Now the f30 has a tremendous automatic transmission so that's really no longer a concern. But the suspension is still critical. If you want the car to feel exceptional in the corners, get the sport package. It will still be a bit less tactile than an e90, but it will feel great.
Don't worry about BoltJames: He's just upset that his car came with the base suspension that comes on the $34k f30
(sorry, I accidentally posted this in someone's thread)
Well, because of some issues with both my wife's & my BMW's I have had 2012 328i as loaners the past few months. I have driven them in many driving conditions, for extended periods of time. I have an E90, and I feel that the new F30 has missed the mark on one very basic element the E90 had perfected.
Cornering.
I drive a 15 mile stretch of road often that is a BMW drivers dream. Hwy 150 from Carpinteria to Ojai. Lots of twists & turns not only at high, but low speeds as well. My E90 would tear up those roads. It was like driving on a rail. Even my wife who really doesn't like the E90, commented on how well it handles. The F30 (basic) disappoints in this area. A lot of mushy body roll combined with a soggy feeling like the chassis is floating on top of the wheels. Frankly, considering I have an F30 on order, It gave me pause and did consider not taking delivery.
The only thing that might save this horrendous difference in cars is the F30 Sport Line. I have only test drove one briefly before I ordered it, but did notice that the suspension is stiffer to some degree and the steering is more firm.
If anyone can comment on this, I'd love to hear some great insight.
Edit/Delete Message
I don't have the necessary time behind the wheel of a F30 Sport to give a valid opinion but from what I read the F30 chassis is a about 30% stiffer than the E90. Also if you look at some lap times (ex. C/D Lightning Lap) the F30 does pretty good. So while the stock suspension even in sport trim may be a bit of a let down the right ingredients are still there. I will bet that with minor suspension upgrades the F30 can still shine at the track. I find the RWD E90 equipped with the Sport Package to be pretty much perfect for daily driving but it is still a bit too soft for the track.
But due to the stiffer chassis and what not, if you put the same tires and suspension mods(bars, springs, struts) on both cars and put the same driver in both, I would put my money on the F30.
Interesting....up here in the Great White North, the Sport Line comes with the same suspension as the Luxury and Modern Lines. I opted for the optional sport suspension only because my E90 has it and I was concerned that the handling and cornering on the F30 would not be as good as my E90. It sounds like I made the right choice.
In a perfect world you get the DHP with adaptive M suspension then put on the H&R Sport Springs and change your tires to non-RFT and a staggered setup if you want perfect cornering. Add a sway bar for even more fun. I personally do not know this thing called body roll. I havent seen it since I got my f30 and trust me I have tried to find it in the corners
In a perfect world you get the DHP with adaptive M suspension then put on the H&R Sport Springs and change your tires to non-RFT and a staggered setup if you want perfect cornering. Add a sway bar for even more fun. I personally do not know this thing called body roll. I havent seen it since I got my f30 and trust me I have tried to find it in the corners
Jesus. I'm sorry I brought the subject up. Never fails that a person cannot bring up their simple opinion about a car or cars and not have others bash him for having that opinion. Makes posting, not very fun.
Not all F30 owners are as soft as their suspensions, bro.
With the tone and criticism of your original post you should have expected similar honesty in return. You asked for opinions; you can't dictate what those opinions are. You will like (not love) your F30 Sport line. A coil over and some pricey suspension bits will get you the rest of the way.
On an enthusiast forum, BMW cannot win. A few years ago on the E90 forum there were threads upon threads of how poorly that model rode. Look up the term "pothole explosion". BMW was heavily criticized for not having the suspension sorted to deal with RFT tires. Personally as the owner of a 2008 model without sport suspension it was nothing I couldn't easily live with to get the taut handling that even the base model offers. In 2011 it seems BMW changed the specs on their shocks and the suspension better absorbs sharp edged bumps. The handling IMO is unaffected. Yet there is no doubt that my 2011 E90 is stiffly suspended even in the base model.
Now we have the F30 which rides better, has better handling numbers, was forced to switch to EPS due to CAFE regulations and in every other way is a better car yet many say it pales next to the E90. Then again, E46 owners frequently say the E90 is soft compared to their cars. What is BMW to do? Not a damn thing as they will still sell 100K/year.
On an enthusiast forum, BMW cannot win. A few years ago on the E90 forum there were threads upon threads of how poorly that model rode. Look up the term "pothole explosion". BMW was heavily criticized for not having the suspension sorted to deal with RFT tires. Personally as the owner of a 2008 model without sport suspension it was nothing I couldn't easily live with to get the taut handling that even the base model offers. In 2011 it seems BMW changed the specs on their shocks and the suspension better absorbs sharp edged bumps. The handling IMO is unaffected. Yet there is no doubt that my 2011 E90 is stiffly suspended even in the base model.
Now we have the F30 which rides better, has better handling numbers, was forced to switch to EPS due to CAFE regulations and in every other way is a better car yet many say it pales next to the E90. Then again, E46 owners frequently say the E90 is soft compared to their cars. What is BMW to do? Not a damn thing as they will still sell 100K/year.
Up front, I'll say I have never driven an E90. I recently bought an F30 M Sport. I feel the suspension is firm but very composed. It soaks up bumps with no shutter or loud noises. Cornering ability is very good even on the run flats with the 18" wheels that come on the sport lines. Here is my sort of opinion of the E90. My girlfriend bought a new X1 which is based on the E90 platform I'm told. Her car does seem to have more direct feedback with the suspension, steering, and even exhaust note. I also learned on here that the X1 has the older type of steering that most people actually prefer. The X1 not nearly as refined and quiet as the F30 in any way, shape or form. However, I find it very entertaining and idiot proof. Her car has the great 8 speed auto and my car has a manual. You just jump in the X1 and smash the pedal and zip around. It's shockingly fast for a little wagon. When I drive my F30, it seems more serious. Like a much bigger, faster car. It is also harder to see out of than the more up right, wagon body of the X1. I like them both but they are very different considering they have the same engine and horsepower.
For me, the biggest thing that makes my F30 M Sport feel less sporty than other cars I've driven is feed back. It is so quiet and feels so solid. It is a great performing car but would also be very pleasing to someone that just bought an F30 with one of the sport lines because it looked cool and they wanted an entry level, luxury sedan. It's an amazing balancing act by BMW engineers in my opinion.
(sorry, I accidentally posted this in someone's thread)
Well, because of some issues with both my wife's & my BMW's I have had 2012 328i as loaners the past few months. I have driven them in many driving conditions, for extended periods of time. I have an E90, and I feel that the new F30 has missed the mark on one very basic element the E90 had perfected.
Cornering.
I drive a 15 mile stretch of road often that is a BMW drivers dream. Hwy 150 from Carpinteria to Ojai. Lots of twists & turns not only at high, but low speeds as well. My E90 would tear up those roads. It was like driving on a rail. Even my wife who really doesn't like the E90, commented on how well it handles. The F30 (basic) disappoints in this area. A lot of mushy body roll combined with a soggy feeling like the chassis is floating on top of the wheels. Frankly, considering I have an F30 on order, It gave me pause and did consider not taking delivery.
The only thing that might save this horrendous difference in cars is the F30 Sport Line. I have only test drove one briefly before I ordered it, but did notice that the suspension is stiffer to some degree and the steering is more firm.
If anyone can comment on this, I'd love to hear some great insight.
Edit/Delete Message
Says the 17 year old. :rofl: I'm sure BJ could of bought a 7 series if he chose to, my question to you is, who is the 335i a hand me down too? :rofl: You've been here for all of 19 posts. Get out of here with your mind set that you have room to talk.
My car has an MSRP of $50,000 and leasing costs more than owning, something you'll realize when you graduate college and your family forces you to earn a car on your own. I've got a net worth in multiple millions, I've got a 14 year old son, he'll get a beater BMW as a high schooler too, but once he's out of school, he's on his own. Enjoy your 2018 Kia.
Do any of your friends ask you why you are driving a car whose owners average 48 years old, or do they just laugh at you when you drive away?
My car has an MSRP of $50,000 and leasing costs more than owning, something you'll realize when you graduate college and your family forces you to earn a car on your own. I've got a net worth in multiple millions, I've got a 14 year old son, he'll get a beater BMW as a high schooler too, but once he's out of school, he's on his own. Enjoy your 2018 Kia.
Do any of your friends ask you why you are driving a car whose owners average 48 years old, or do they just laugh at you when you drive away?
But at 48 you spend your nights and weekends trying to convince a 17 year old how rich you are. :rofl:
I think our young friend needs to spend a bit more time here to be able to fully understand BJ, his role here on Bimmerfest and why so many here enjoy his antics.
But at 48 you spend your nights and weekends trying to convince a 17 year old how rich you are. :rofl:
I think our young friend needs to spend a bit more time here to be able to fully understand BJ, his role here on Bimmerfest and why so many here enjoy his antics.
Unlike some others who don't get the banter, this kid thinks he's impressive by driving the wrong car for the wrong reasons. When I was 17, I appreciated my dad letting me drive his car but couldn't wait for the day where I could buy my own. I was never interested in a free ride. Half the fun of succeeding in life is fighting the fight and making it.
and I could have bought a Phantom Drophead....but i got my e90 instead...lol makes no sense.. im 17 ouch im so offended
my first hand me down q7 msrp'd higher than a 328...i was actually going to get a 328 but then i realized i didnt wanna be a scrub so i stepped up to the 335i
Good ol' dad to the rescue, ey? :rofl: Decided to get you a 335i instead of a 328. Nice. Make sure to thank him. :rofl: You referred to BJ having a car that costs less then 40k. He CHOSE to lease a car at that price. I'm sure BJ had the ability to lease a car for more if he so decided.
whats so funny about that...butt hurt because your dad gave you his corolla with 200k miles?
yeah i know just like i asked my dad to buy me a 335 instead of a rolls...
Hey now, do you know how much I spend on that thing to transform it to a look alike to the car I've always wanted as a kid?! :rofl:
Don't tell me YOU got a 335. Good ol' daddy got it. Just like your other two cars. Spoiled brats these days, geez. Don't appreciate what they have and always think they can ask for more.
Worked my ass off to get my 328xi coupe. Really annoys the hell out of me when kids like this come in here.
I really like the F30 platform. It's supposed to be a luxury/sports sedan. And it fits that bill perfectly. It's not a sports car. It's a great daily driver, and the Xdrive does very well in the snow here in Denver.
If I really wanted a sports car I would have bought a 911, not a BMW 3-series.
And I still might.
But I bought the 328i because it's a terrific car for my daily commute.
After you put on your footie pajamas, ask your daddy, he'll explain the concept of depreciating assets and the value of leasing to you.
Why do I get the feeling that you're making this all up, that you're the mop-boy at Subway, hoping that someday you'll become the guy entrusted to make $5 foot-longs so you can get that bump in salary and afford to buy an E90 owners manual. Post a few pics of your bicycle. Is it a 10-speed? I'm sure the boys in your chess club really dig it.
That's what you can tell yourself to help you sleep at night knowing a 17 yr old has a nicer car than you.
You probably roll around in your disgusting 328 thinking everyone looks up to you..
I don't think anyone else here is insecure about anything other then you, that is a stuck up preppy brat. I have an idea, I think I'll put you on ignore. Problem solved. I'll see you a couple of years down the line when you're working at McDonalds at minimum wage.
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