Reviews BMW Event - Private Airport

[mini_cooper4]

I got invited to a BMW event last week and yesterday I went to check what I still haven't drove
We test drove the F20 and F30 on a private airport track which was intensionally made wet to show us what the cars are capable of handling.

I test drove some cars on the track and on the road:

116d, 118d, 118i, 120d - all 5 door
320d, 328i
525xd Touring
A passenger in the Active Hybrid 5-Series

Some Pictures from the event:

BMW M5
Looks good but nothing to blow you away. You have to drive that car to appreciate it.

BMW 640dGC
Amazing interior... most probably the best interior in the world! BnO makes some noise!

BMW 335i Sport
Speechless...

The same car with different wheels on the right side:

Event Pictures:

Impressions:

116d: Light, nimble, agile! When you look at the 116d badge you might think it will be underpowered but after the drive I found out that the engine is great for that small body.
118d: Will be the choice in this class.

120d: The perfect F20. Feels like it's a 3-Series.
118i: Smoother delivery of the power than any of the diesel engines yet powerful enough to be your fun daily driver.

320d: The perfect BMW! Light yet bigger and you can feel either, nimble, agile, luxurious... almost too perfect and it feels somehow boring because of that. M4 will be my choice here!

328i: The 320d does the job perfectly but if you really need a little bit more thrills now you don't have to pay for a 335i anymore... the 328i lacks the sound only.

525xd Touring: Made the 520d feel slow but for me the 520d is still the perfect luxury daily cruiser.

Best options:
* A tie between Modern line and Sport line for the F30* Sport line for the F20* F10/11 should be fully decked* Adaptive suspension/steering is a must in every model - Comfort+ ; Sport+ ; Eco Pro are one of the main reasons I prefer BMWs this days. You can REALLY feel the difference!
* M-Pack is a must if you prefer sportier ride but do not opt for it if you are looking for a comfy ride. Even in Comfort+ it's still too sporty.* Don't by a hybrid BMW if you are not going to drive it only 4km/day with only 20km/h. Get a diesel as BMW are best in doing diesels lately!

 

[mini_cooper4]

I almost forgot to share my conversation with one of the BMW drivers

He gave me a ride in the F10 Active Hybrid and I've asked him about the engine of the next M3.
I told him that I've heard rumors about a V6 and I6 configurations.
I'll quote him: "What do you think it will be?"
My answer: "I6 tri-turbo"
Him: "You haven't heard that from me, ok?" with a big smile on his face
He didn't say anything yet he confirmed that it's an I6... typical BMW marketing

 

[Human]

I envy you!

Thank you for sharing your experience and GREAT photo's! IF I may choose my favorite-favorite's, here they are

Impressions:

116d: Light, nimble, agile! When you look at the 116d badge you might think it will be underpowered but after the drive I found out that the engine is great for that small body.

^
I have posted a review from AE on the 116d, and they gave it 5 Stars

Link: http://www.germancarforum.com/community/threads/first-drives-new-bmw-1-series-f20.38257/#post-578202

328i: The 320d does the job perfectly but if you really need a little bit more thrills now you don't have to pay for a 335i anymore... the 328i lacks the sound only.

^
That I4 is really impressive! The car stunned me on local launch (and yes the soundtrack of an I6 unfortunately lacks)

Thanks again for sharing!

 

[Makini]

Stunning!

If I could afford the 335i sport, this would be the very colour/alloys combo!

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

I drove the F10 Active Hybrid and I walked away very impressed. It's awesome how well that car drives. I'm not a fan of the electric steering on the F30. Completely numb, and you never know what you're doing or where the front tires are doing.

 

[mini_cooper4]

I drove the F10 Active Hybrid and I walked away very impressed. It's awesome how well that car drives. I'm not a fan of the electric steering on the F30. Completely numb, and you never know what you're doing or where the front tires are doing.

Yes the F10 AH is a good ride but you better go for the 535d.
Sport and Sport+ fixes the lack of feedback in the F30

 

[Centurion]

Brilliant share, thanks. What did you get to do in the cars, lap around a top gear-esque circuit?

 

[mini_cooper4]

Brilliant share, thanks. What did you get to do in the cars, lap around a top gear-esque circuit?

You are welcome mate! Indeed a top gear-esque circuit laps on wet track in the 1er and 3er
Was fun and it really shows how agile the cars are and their handling capabilities

 

[Tarek]

That 335i with those rims is really hot..rims on both sides are 20"?

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Yes the F10 AH is a good ride but you better go for the 535d.
Sport and Sport+ fixes the lack of feedback in the F30

I drove a 335i sport in Sport+ mode and while it's better, the steering feel and weight just isn't there. I took a 335iS out today and I today, I'd take it over an M3. As far as sound,steering feel, and day to day usability go, the 335iS is the better choice. For me, the weight of the steering was spot on. We don't have 535d's here yet. The X5 xDrive35d we have a lot of.

 

[mini_cooper4]

I drove a 335i sport in Sport+ mode and while it's better, the steering feel and weight just isn't there. I took a 335iS out today and I today, I'd take it over an M3. As far as sound,steering feel, and day to day usability go, the 335iS is the better choice. For me, the weight of the steering was spot on. We don't have 535d's here yet. The X5 xDrive35d we have a lot of.

You are talking about the e92 is models right ? We don't have them in Europe...
You are right about the electric steering but it ain't that big of a problem in a daily cruiser like the F30

 

[mini_cooper4]

That 335i with those rims is really hot..rims on both sides are 20"?

Yes, 20" optional rims

 

[Zafiro]

You are talking about the e92 is models right ? We don't have them in Europe...
You are right about the electric steering but it ain't that big of a problem in a daily cruiser like the F30

I think the new steering is good. I think it got feel and you know easily where to place your car in a corner. The difference from E90 is that the steering is much lighter so it lacks the heaviness from E90 (which Im going to miss). But both A4 and C-class also have light steering like F30 which is good for city driving and parking.
I still havent tried the optional sportsteering so I can say if its heavier than the standard steering.

At least the steering in F30/F20 gives you more feedback than the 5-series does.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

You are talking about the e92 is models right ? We don't have them in Europe...
You are right about the electric steering but it ain't that big of a problem in a daily cruiser like the F30

Europe never got the e92 iS model? :O The exhaust alone is worth it on that car.

 

[Zafiro]

Europe never got the e92 iS model? :O The exhaust alone is worth it on that car.

We have Z4 35is though

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

We have Z4 35is though

Are they popular? I've only seen a couple driving around here in my area.

 

[mini_cooper4]

I think the new steering is good. I think it got feel and you know easily where to place your car in a corner. The difference from E90 is that the steering is much lighter so it lacks the heaviness from E90 (which Im going to miss). But both A4 and C-class also have light steering like F30 which is good for city driving and parking.
I still havent tried the optional sportsteering so I can say if its heavier than the standard steering.

At least the steering in F30/F20 gives you more feedback than the 5-series does.

We share the same opinion

Ice: The Z4is ain't popular here as it's a top of the range engine and pretty expensive
And yes we never got the e92is...

 

[Zafiro]

Are they popular? I've only seen a couple driving around here in my area.

Roadsters are never popular in Sweden. We only have 3 summer months out of 12 months