BMW 328i (F30) driving report

[Zafiro]

BMW 328i Luxuryline, manual gearbox

I have seen the car with different lines and different colors. My favorite colors are white and red and equipped with sportline.

The weather is cold and and moist in Sweden and all the cars is equipped with wintertyres. If it was dry and warm I would test the driving dynamics more properly.

The difference between E60 and F10 is considerable larger than its between E90 and F30. If you’re driving a E90 today you will feel at home with F30 which I think is a good thing.
The first thing you notice is that F30 has become roomier inside the car compare to previous version.

Like I said before the interior is what I reacted to first. There are hard plastics in some places and the interior hasn’t been improved compare to E90. In fact F20 and F30 is today the same.
Directly after my test drive I went to a Mercedes dealer to check out C-class to compare the interior. But just like F30 there are hard plastics. For example the glove department is much harder in C-class than F30. When it comes down to fit and finish both cars are the same. But I prefer the interior design in F30.

I didn’t feel much difference between Comfort and Sport but when you changed to Sport you felt something happen to the engine. I guess the car gets more alert and uses slightly more fuel in Sport. Sport+ were missing so I assume the car didn’t have Adaptive M suspension but despite this, standard chassi and runflats, the car felt comfortable. I have been driving other bimmers with adaptive chassi but I don’t think the extra option is needed because honestly I don’t feel much difference, at least not for Swedish roads.

The car didn’t have the optional Variable Sport Steering but the standard steering is very direct and react fast to movements. Just steer the car and the rest of the car follow with ease. The steering is no longer as heavy like bimmers been in the past and I think many people are going to like this change. Maybe the optional sport steering will add some of the heaviness that’s been lost.
The steering is superior to the steering in 5-series and I really hope the facelifted 5-series is getting the same steering as the 3-series.

The engine is effective and there isn’t much drama and now the engine have more low torque than ever. On the freeway the car accelerate fast and reach 160km/h instantly. When you rev up to around 4500 rpm, you notice a powerboost.

Actually I think a 328i isn’t needed. 320d will do the job just as good 328i and for less money.

To sum it up the new 3-seriens hasn’t lost its driving appeal. Same nice steering, same wonderful chassi but more refined and improved ride comfort. Plus better interior space. What more can you ask for, the balance between sport and comfort is what BMW does best. The new 3-series is still the car to beat in this segment.

Next weekend I’m going back to drive 320d.

 

[SKY]

Very interesting review. Regarding the general car driving experience I had no doubts about what this or any other review will say. But what has surprised me is the interior. I´ve been inside a couple of E90 and they were nothing special. I thought it was because of the Bangle syndrome. The C-Class interior is worse than many other MB interiors, like the W212 or the new ML, B-Class or SLK, but the parts changed with the LCI have indeed a better feel than the pre-LCI ones. I would have prefer to read you the F30 had surprised you regarding the interior. I hope we see better ones in the upcoming bimmers and that the new MBs mantain the SLK level.

Otherwise, a very nice car overall, and currently the true reference on the segment.

 

[Giannis]

What do you think about the sound of the car, Andreas?

A 4 banger can sound good, but the turbocharger plumbing doesn't really help...

 

[Zafiro]

What do you think about the sound of the car, Andreas?

A 4 banger can sound good, but the turbocharger plumbing doesn't really help...

Didnt pay much attention to be honest but what I remember Its not bad but the exhaust sound is much better than the sound coming from the engine.

 

[Deckhook]

I've searched the Internet and a common complaint of the 328i has been refinement, though most of these comments have come from America which probably only have experience of 6 cylinder Beemers. One thing which has been praised is it's slightly superior frontend grip on turn-in. I suppose less weight and the engine even further back all help here compared to the 335i.

Glad to see you feel performance is more than acceptable.

 

[Mr Robert]

Refinement will be an issue with a 4-banger... at least if you're used to an I6 engine.

 

[Cashmere]

No LEDs and still using an old hand brake? Did it make you feel old?

 

[LaArtist]

I might go by my dealer tomorrow and check it out..

Sounds like a safe ( abit boring) update to a great car..

Should sell well as always

 

[Giannis]

Refinement will be an issue with a 4-banger... at least if you're used to an I6 engine.

Modern balancing technology can make a 4 cylinder engine sound acceptable. Yet, the issue lies with the turbocharger's plumbing. This is what kills the sound of the engine. So it needs quite a good accoustics job in the exhaust system.

With only some YT videos so far, to base my judgment, I am not sure they got it right.

 

[Deckhook]

Just spent a morning drive an F30 328i Lux (Auto) and frankly it's a bit of good and bad with regards to the car and I definitely disagree with some of the reviews and it's mainly the dynamics of the car and not the looks.

Chassis
The stock suspension is comfortable and copes well with most surfaces but sudden bumps are vocal and felt, one bump in particular had the suspension sounding and feeling through the seat as if I were back in my Caddy Van. Also steering in Comfort mode doesn't turn-in as sharply as I would have expected but sport mode improved this, didn't know if this should be the case but it's what I felt.

Refinement
Normally wind and tyre noise is something BMW are good at but I'm finding with more and more brands that these two disciplines aren't as good as they were and that's the case with the 328i, surprising amount of wind noise was present from the passenger wing mirror and surface noise was as bad as the new A6..... in other words not good.

Engine
Mixed bag here, refinement isn't good guys... sorry. I expected VAG 2.0TFSi levels of refinement but isn't quite at that level and vocally it's not a great noise when pushed. Economy is good though and so is the performance on offer, though the latter is only truly noticeable when placed in sport mode. In fact the whole car improved in sport mode where it actually feels like a proper BMW and finally feels as if the throttle pedal is connected to an engine with nearly 250hp but as this car is an auto it also means the gearbox holding on to the gear longer than you would want for normal driving. A proper 'Individual' setting where you could pick and chose the different modes for each (suspension, steering throttle and gearbox) would be a major plus.

Gearbox
Nothing bad to report here, it works as expected and never finds itself in the wrong gear.

Overall
Had very high expectations of this car but alas it didn't live up to the press hype in my opinion. It's a very good car but it's against equally good cars, it's not the leap forward of pass versions. I hate to say it but if it were for me and not the wife I would pick the 5 over this, far more refined, feels more luxurious and expensive a product to drive.

Originally we wanted to be first to get an M/Sport in the area but now I think we will wait and drive their demo M/Sport before committing to anything. Also questioning whether I should either downgrage to the 320d or upgrade to the smoother 335i.

 

[Zafiro]

That's the point with sport, to improve steering and throttle response. Did your car have the Optional sport steering?
Like I said in my report the difference between e90 and f30 isnt big like new 5er vs old. I think its a good idea to keep what 3er is about and not make it something it's not.

 

[Deckhook]

That's the point with sport, to improve steering and throttle response. Did your car have the Optional sport steering?
Like I said in my report the difference between e90 and f30 isnt big like new 5er vs old. I think its a good idea to keep what 3er is about and not make it something it's not.

I just expected more from it. My experience of the E90 was quite limited when it came to the normal versions but compared to the old M3 I had I reckon it was better insulated from road and wind noises and it's suspension coped far better with jaring bumps, admittedly there's a huge price difference between both but I feel a luxury model should feel luxurious and for me the F30 didn't. The engine was the biggest let down, it wasn't refined compared to the competition but in the right mode it is surprisingly fast and economical but it's an engine note that doesn't reward you for pushing it to the limit compared the 335i which sounds way better.

Looks well in Black though but the beige interior isn't to my taste and I bet will be a bitch to keep clean.

 

[Zafiro]

F30 isnt a luxury car. Luxury line is just a name, like sportline and modern line. F30 is just like e90 but more refined and modern. But e90 owner will feel at home.

 

[Deckhook]

F30 isnt a luxury car. Luxury line is just a name, like sportline and modern line. F30 is just like e90 but more refined and modern. But e90 owner will feel at home.

I will have to take your word on it being more refined than the E90 normal version because I didn't drive one to compare but on the roads I drive daily and where I drove today it didn't come across all that refined or that well composed.

 

[Deckhook]

F30 isnt a luxury car. Luxury line is just a name, like sportline and modern line. F30 is just like e90 but more refined and modern. But e90 owner will feel at home.

I will have to take your word on it being more refined than the E90 normal version because I didn't drive one to compare but on the roads I drive daily and where I drove today it didn't come across all that refined or that well composed.

 

[Zafiro]

I will have to take your word on it being more refined than the E90 normal version because I didn't drive one to compare but on the roads I drive daily and where I drove today it didn't come across all that refined or that well composed.

My father have a E90 and F30 feels more modern and roomier and also with slightly better ride comfort. And as I heard the optional Adaptive chassi offer even better chassi tweakings than the standard suspension but for swedish roads adaptive chassi isnt needed IMO. But I heard the roads in UK are pretty harsh and bumpy so maybe Adaptive chassi is more useful on UK roads..

 

[Deckhook]

Couldn't knock the extra space, that's one of the reasons we're considering it and doing a search on the net I came to the same conclusion that adaptive suspension is a must for me on my roads. I remember the M3 when I picked 18" over the 19" because of how much better it rode.

Engine refinement is still a concern, like how would you rate it to say a 2.0TFSI in a Golf or A3?

 

[Human]

It's not my intention to derail this thread nor have I had the opportunity of driving the F30, yet.

Refinement
Normally wind and tyre noise is something BMW are good at but I'm finding with more and more brands that these two disciplines aren't as good as they were and that's the case with the 328i, surprising amount of wind noise was present from the passenger wing mirror and surface noise was as bad as the new A6..... in other words not good.

Ditto. Thanks I have said this^ before about the wife's X1 (as if sound deadening materials are less to save weight, fuel, CO2 emissions bla, bla so sick of OEM excuses to actually make more profit as if we are stupid imbecelis). Also have driven a new/demo Audi A6 2.0 TDI Multitronic from Audi Centre Bloemfontein, only in the city up and down two main streets and yes - surface noise was as bad as in the X1 or rather shocking I'd say. Well at least it's not the Run Flats then, just cost cutting

Overall
Had very high expectations of this car but alas it didn't live up to the press hype in my opinion. It's a very good car but it's against equally good cars, it's not the leap forward of pass versions. I hate to say it but if it were for me and not the wife I would pick the 5 over this, far more refined, feels more luxurious and expensive a product to drive.

Let's face the facts, there is NOT going to be ANY leaps forward for the Next A4, F30, Next C-class W205...and F20, Next A3...maybe the A-class could surprise us...LOL no it won't.
If you want a BMW now. If you want a new, fresh design with double wishbone front suspension, all soft touch materials, impeccable build, space, tech galore, luxury and versatile. In other words a BMW F01 for a price slightly higher than a F30 or wait for a full spec demo there is only 1 choice! A BMW F10 5 Series sedan!

Thank God, BMW has set such high standards in the F10. It's the only true Premium product in their range for near F30 money. Above that the prices gets ridiculously expensive - that goes for all three German brands. Sorry, I have to mention E-class and F10. The A6 disappoint in the perceived quality and surface noise.

I will finish with this. I do feel privileged being the owner of an X6 M and IMO a real masterpiece that never stops amusing, entertaining and a delight to drive and enjoy. It's just truly sick to pay that kind of money for life's little pleasures. That is why cars i.e. the F20 and F30 exist! They should deliver Premium - Driving Pleasure. And judging by the X1 23d's standards, it's a fine engine, gearbox and excellent drive but poor perceived quality, harsh ride over bad surfaces and iffy fit and finish in some places takes all the fun out of it. This should NEVER happen to a A4, 3 Series or C-class never and yet its seems as if Premium in this price bracket is becoming a dinosaur.

 

[Deckhook]

^ Actually the biggest problem for Audi, BMW and Merc is that the sub-premium brands are upping their game and quality so the gap has narrowed to the point where there's little noticeable difference in some cases, the new Jetta is a great example of this. The wife still likes it lots so will have to see what the M/Sport drives like in comparison to the Lux but that's still months away.

If it were me I'd pick the 530d M/Sport and be done with it but she thought it felt much bigger than the 3 and coming from a GTI she still rates the 328i as quiter anyway.

Who knows the M/Sport on adaptive suspension might make all the difference.

 

[Human]

^ Actually the biggest problem for Audi, BMW and Merc is that the sub-premium brands are upping their game and quality so the gap has narrowed to the point where there's little noticeable difference in some cases, the new Jetta is a great example of this. The wife still likes it lots so will have to see what the M/Sport drives like in comparison to the Lux but that's still months away.

If it were me I'd pick the 530d M/Sport and be done with it but she thought it felt much bigger than the 3 and coming from a GTI she still rates the 328i as quiter anyway.

Who knows the M/Sport on adaptive suspension might make all the difference.

And what a relief! Same goes for the Polo in it's segment (the sedan's rear is just a disaster) but that is besides the point>

Anyway, VAG is the only barrier between sub-premium brands in Germany's HUGE car industry and the i.e. Korean invasion. So they should keep up the good work!

Whilst Premium brands has to keep up their standards (please!)

Edit: I know that Klier is correct when he argues that premium is more than perceived quality. The engineering i.e. drive train, suspension, dynamics etc. defines the actual premium vs sub-premium. Yet it's only time before that changes and it's coming sooner than we think. Governments are dishing out money for development to automotive companies as Autonews reported the U.S. Government will be parting with $250 Billion in the next decade - that money for greener technological advanced vehicles is not going to the German Premium manufacturers. This only provokes China, South Korea and Japan to keep up!