BMW 3-Series (F30) First Drives/Tests Thread

[Mr. Mercedes]

I drove a 320d yesterday in sports trim.

This is one amazingly complete car. Nice handling, supple ride, great interior, and it goes on and on. I'd like a bit of extra visual pizazz externally, which the M-sports will provide.

 

[K-A]

Drove an F30 328i "Modern Line" today!

First, the cons (IMO):

-Uninspiring, pretty bland design. Related: You can see the hood puff literally ballooning into the windshields view when driving.
-Start/Stop option is terrible, I felt like the car was sputtering/stalling when doing quick takeoffs.
-"Modern Line" wood trim is grotesque. Looks and feels like children's Fischer Price toy material (very plastic-y). But it's different, unique and cute for some I guess.
-4 Cylinder motor has that distinct nasty 4-Banger "mini tractor" sound, mainly heard at idle when the window is down (hard to hear when the windows are up, a good thing).
-Some extremely cheap plastics in a few areas, like the area that houses the E-Brake (aside from those, fine and appropriate materials).

The Pro's:

Drives phenomenally. No, really. The magazines aren't on drugs for once. The sheer balance and poise, whereas the car doesn't sacrifice much, is very impressive. It's VERY tight and sporty, so much fun to toss around. I haven't felt so inclined to haul a$$ and throw a car around in some time.... and my friend and I arrived to the Dealer in a friggin' Nissan GTR.

The 4 cylinder motor is a marvel. I've never driven a 4-banger so well executed. It pulls throughout the power band, actually throws you back a bit, and keeps going. Of course, MPG goes without saying as well. I drove in Sport Mode the whole time, and couldn't find much to dislike about the drive. It's even comfortable and quiet, and seemed to handle rough patches well enough (didn't test it out on them too much). The salesman invited me back for a real flog fest of the cars potentials and extensive test drive, so maybe I'll take him up on that in a while.

All in all, the engineering that went into the drive is first rate. To be honest, in terms of true BMW driving dynamics and balance, I feel it practically shames its porky siblings. THIS is how a BMW should feel. It took me back to the days of more purity, i.e E34 and E39.

 

[Sayyaaf]

^ so is better than your E-class ?

 

[K-A]

^ so is better than your E-class ?

 

[klier]

This is the car I had for a day:

335i Sport Line, pretty much fully loaded including HUD and stuff.
I don't have much time right now, and I will go into detail later, but let me just tell you.......BLOODY PERFECT.

 

[skbmw]

There is something wrong with those links. I get an authentication popup, maybe the mods should see what the problem is.

 

[south]

There is something wrong with those links. I get an authentication popup, maybe the mods should see what the problem is.

Try again now.


Best regards,
south

 

[K-A]

The 335i must feel so insanely fast and exhilarating. The 328i seriously felt like all the power one should need.

 

[klier]

^ I really want to drive the 328i now. It's lighter and even more nimble, and a little ecu tune gives it 300 hp without a problem...

You didn't like the start-stop function, but in the 335i with I6, I thought it was one of the cooler aspects so to speak. Very fast and reactive, and the sound of the engine when it starts is a pure joy every single time

 

[K-A]

Apparently from what I hear, the 328i is kind of the "just right" 3er, i.e the perfect balance.

What I didn't like about the start stop is that it reacted too slow when I'd do a quick takeoff (not a race one, just like a quick pedal motion), and it totally freaked me out when the car sputtered.... I thought someone hit me or the car stalled or something. Also, the one big con of the 328i, and this is well documented amongst Reviews as well, is that despite its law-of-4 Cylinder-defying logic leading into having someone like me who has a prejudice against 4-bangers finding it to be a great drive, is that it still SOUNDS like a 4-cylinder. At idle, it sounds terrible (like any 4-cylinder really), and I think the D/I and lively nature of the motor allow it to be even more audible than some perhaps. Therefore, maybe it hurts the start-stop factor more, since the last thing I want to do is be reminded to hear the motor. With the 335i motor, obviously the sound issue is flipped around, as you probably want to hear more of that motor.

 

[klier]

Exactly.
But note I don't have a prejudice against a 4 pot

 

[speed_kills]

That prejudice against 4 cylinder will disappear with time.

 

[K-A]

Unless they fix something with the sound, then I probably will continue to be a prejudice a$$hole.

At least they've engineered them to be more pleasurable when driving. It's not as smooth as a 6er or 8er (cylinders), and someone like me who pays close attention to the 4-cylinder behaviors will continuously notice that, but the unit in the 3er is really remarkable at defying as much logic as it can.

 

[EnI]

That prejudice against 4 cylinder will disappear with time.

Sure. With more 4-cyl turbos around, they will become more accepted. And even more when 3-cyl turbos flood the streets.

 

[Levi68]

I really hope the the prejuduce against 4 cylinder engine will disappear, because I want the next M2 to have a lighter I4. Let the I6 be for the M3/M4. There are many very good cars having I4. To name few: BMW M3 E30, BMW 2002 Turbo, Honda Integra Type R, Honda S2000, Toyota Celica GT-Four, Toyota AE86, Nissan Silvia, Mitshubishi Lancer Evolution, Mazda MX-5, Lotus Elise...

 

[ACE]

Exactly.
But note I don't have a prejudice against a 4 pot

Does "" mean "as long as it is a BMW 4 pot"?

 

[klier]

Of course not. I really like the Mini/PSA engine, and I like the VAG 4 pot as well.

 

[Human]

The 4pot is a necessity born out of efficiency and IMO, all 3 German manufacturers have been at the engineering edge trying to make them as efficient and as powerful as can be currently. And it's BMW especially that leads in this regard.

BUT the true 6 cylinder connoisseur will always have to pay more and will pay more for all the logical reasons

 

[DeDe]

[scans] Auto 05/2012 - BMW 320d vs. 328i

 

[Human]

Auto Express
BMW 320d ED
Rating: 5 STAR

The new BMW 3 Series is the cleanest premium compact executive car on sale. The economy figures alone are impressive, at 68.9mpg and 109g/km, but performance is just as good. Fitted with the six-speed manual tested here, the 320d ED will accelerate from 0-62mph in only eight seconds – 4.2 seconds quicker than VW’s equally frugal Passat BlueMotion.
The EfficientDynamics has 16-inch alloys (buyers cannot specify larger rims). But while that means it doesn’t look as stylish as some of the sportier models, it rides very well indeed.
It soaks up rough roads like no other 3 Series we’ve driven and those high-profile tyres – which are also not the standard, stiffer run-flat units fitted to most BMW models – are the reason why.
Without the optional adaptive chassis we’ve become accustomed to on the 3 Series, the EfficientDynamics rolled a little more in corners. But the weighty, communicative steering and short-throw box ensured that this low-emissions car is still a lot of fun to drive.
Some of the familiar criticisms of the latest 3 Series remain, such as the refinement of this diesel, which falls marginally short of the Audi A4’s, and the slightly cramped rear seats.
But as with the 116d ED, the 320d ED costs no more than the equivalent SE model, at £28,080. There’s plenty of standard kit thrown in, too, including air-con, cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
That means the choice is up to you. Company car drivers may prefer the tax savings offered by the ED, while private buyers may want the standard 320d SE, which is half a second quicker from 0-62mph. It does have the firmer run-flat tyres, though.


http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/283132/bmw_320d_ed.html#ixzz1v8Bw8kLg