[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by Monkeycmonkeydo

Thats one of the reasons I got the 335. Much better brakes. And finished in the front unlike the 328 ones.

Yeah, but the Sport/Base pads on the 335 do not inspire confidence. I drove one and was left less than confident. It was likely the tires too.

Now an M-Sport 335 with staggered summer tires, that I bet is superior.

[Monkeycmonkeydo]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

Yeah, but the Sport/Base pads on the 335 do not inspire confidence. I drove one and was left less than confident. It was likely the tires too.

Now an M-Sport 335 with staggered summer tires, that I bet is superior.

I felt confident on the autobahn cruising at 130mph when twice I needed to brake fairly quickly to about 75mph but yes it is night and day different since I went to Hankooks with staggered 20s. The car is way better now.

That being said I think I know what you mean. The brake setup is very interesting as many times you get that "confidence" when you barely touch the brakes and you get that little body roll forward. What I like about the brakes is they are kind of like the steering. The more you brake, the harder it grabs. If you mash the brake pedal to the floor doing 60 you will be shocked at how fast you stop. However, if you push just a 1/3 of the way down it will feel like they are barely grabbing. Once you realize that your confidence level actually increases. However, this is only for the 335. I cant say the 328 has the same effect.

[Forza Milan]

I drove E9x for seven years, apart from the spongy brake feel, the F30 is a much better car. Especially, the interior.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

Yeah, but the Sport/Base pads on the 335 do not inspire confidence. I drove one and was left less than confident. It was likely the tires too.

Now an M-Sport 335 with staggered summer tires, that I bet is superior.

The E46 M3 has such good brakes that you had to be wary of stopping too quickly lest you get rear ended. The F30 M-Sport from my few short weeks of driving is similar. But as noted all over the Forums: brake dust abounds....

[justinnum1]

the car brakes, it just doesn't feel as good as the e90 brakes

[mocohead]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

Great post.

I think F30 braking is let down by the pads and tire options. I have now driven a no line and Sport with all seasons. The brakes really reduced my confidence and they were not as strong as the similar E90 cars I had driven. My M-Sport pads are far more confidence inducing and with the proper tires, the bite and response is more what I am used to in terms of BMW braking performance.

I totally agree about the pads and tires on the f30. Since my e90 is a really late build car, it also has relatively dustless pads. But the car feels like it stops much better than my F30 does. Next time I go to the track I will see how it feels with my CarboTech track pads installed.

One additional comment about the e90 - no matter how you slice it, the awe inspiring smoothness of the N52 (which IMHO is much smoother than the N54 or N55) is just unmatched by the N20. Throttle response is also better with the N52. Just thought I would throw that in for good measure!

[dzt]

Originally Posted by Forza Milan

I drove E9x for seven years, apart from the spongy brake feel, the F30 is a much better car. Especially, the interior.

I agree with you, I am bored with E90 interior. That's why I had my offer for F30, but after I read those negative about f30 in this forum, I just want cross my finger. By the way I will bet my f30 335i next friday.

[fshubert]

I came from 2 E90's prior to my F30. Loved the E90's. I think the F30 is a step up from the E90 but the E90 is no slouch.

[DerekS]

I have been driving BMWs since 1984, including 3 E90s before I took delivery of my 335i M Sport. IMO, the F30 that I now have is improved in every way over the E90. I really have come to appreciate the exterior (M Sport version) styling and the interior design. The F30-335i handling, steering, power delivery and braking are all first rate. My wife drives an E93, so it is easy for me to assess the differences between the two generations on a regular basis.

One feature I do miss from the LCI E90 is the LED turn signals. BMW took a backward step by re-introducing non-LED signals. Of course I am familiar with the past history of BMW adding LEDs to the LCI version, but it is no excuse in today's market for BMW to equip the F30 with anything less than the best available turn signals.

With reference to prior forum members' comments on braking, I am impressed with the optional M Sport factory installed brakes, which are unfortunately not available to our American neighbours. The extra large rotors and Brembo callipers really do the job with powerful stopping power. There is no grabbiness nor spongy feeling, nor any squealing and only minimal dust. These brakes are an incredible bargain for $350 !

[DarkTrigger]

Originally Posted by DerekS

I have been driving BMWs since 1984, including 3 E90s before I took delivery of my 335i M Sport. IMO, the F30 that I now have is improved in every way over the E90. I really have come to appreciate the exterior (M Sport version) styling and the interior design. The F30-335i handling, steering, power delivery and braking are all first rate. My wife drives an E93, so it is easy for me to assess the differences between the two generations on a regular basis.

One feature I do miss from the LCI E90 is the LED turn signals. BMW took a backward step by re-introducing non-LED signals. Of course I am familiar with the past history of BMW adding LEDs to the LCI version, but it is no excuse in today's market for BMW to equip the F30 with anything less than the best available turn signals.

With reference to prior forum members' comments on braking, I am impressed with the optional M Sport factory installed brakes, which are unfortunately not available to our American neighbours. The extra large rotors and Brembo callipers really do the job with powerful stopping power. There is no grabbiness nor spongy feeling, nor any squealing and only minimal dust. These brakes are an incredible bargain for $350 !

$350 is the bargain of a lifetime.

Originally Posted by fshubert

I came from 2 E90's prior to my F30. Loved the E90's. I think the F30 is a step up from the E90 but the E90 is no slouch.

Question for both of you: Do you think the current electric powered steering is any more vague than the previous generation's hydraulic powered steering?

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by DarkTrigger

Question for both of you: Do you think the current electric powered steering is any more vague than the previous generation's hydraulic powered steering?

Compared to the E90 steering, I do not find the VSS steering in my F30 to be in any way vague. There is slightly less road feel, and by that I mean there is a small reduction in the transmission of road imperfections through to the steering wheel. Overall, I am very satisfied with the variable sport steering; it's very direct, accurate and much more user friendly in tight turning situations.
When I drive my wife's E93, I am immediately struck by how heavy the steering is.

If you really want to experience vague steering, try test driving a F10-335i or any Mercedes C Class.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

Yeah, but the Sport/Base pads on the 335 do not inspire confidence. I drove one and was left less than confident. It was likely the tires too.

Now an M-Sport 335 with staggered summer tires, that I bet is superior.

I dont think staggered has anything to do with it. It should be the rubber. On another forum it was stated that the 335i's bigger brakes are thought to be negated in stopping power vs the 328i non full brakes by the extra two cyl in front of the axle compared to the 328i and the car of choice on the track was the 328iAT then the 335iAT and then in the same order for MT for 3rd and 4th.

All in all both cars are great. Most of us arent gonna drive it 10/10th. Mocohead let me know the next time you go out! I cant get enough, all I think about is track days now.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

I dont think staggered has anything to do with it. It should be the rubber. On another forum it was stated that the 335i's bigger brakes are thought to be negated in stopping power vs the 328i non full brakes by the extra two cyl in front of the axle compared to the 328i and the car of choice on the track was the 328iAT then the 335iAT and then in the same order for MT for 3rd and 4th.

All in all both cars are great. Most of us arent gonna drive it 10/10th. Mocohead let me know the next time you go out! I cant get enough, all I think about is track days now.

Staggered tires just lead more to understeer than anything else, I just refer to them as "staggered summer" as it's the most aggressive tire setup offered from the factory.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

Staggered tires just lead more to understeer than anything else, I just refer to them as "staggered summer" as it's the most aggressive tire setup offered from the factory.

I think the square setups are the most aggressive in terms of performance. Eg. my square 17s haha. (Or the square sport 18s).

[BMWinGE]

Just had a E90 320d wagon for a loaner while my car was serviced. It gave me a good opportunity to compare to the F30. The F30 is slightly bigger & was more comfortable on the road even though mine has 19" wheels compared to the E90's 17". I understand what people are saying about the steering, the E90 is much stiffer, but I prefer the F30 for most day to day driving, as its much easier to maneuver in parking areas, etc. Although I think the F30 interior is far more exciting, I do think the E90 has better quality, at least in terms of the plastics, creaking, rattling, etc. I prefer the arrangement of the radio and climate controls in the F30, the radio is below and recessed in the E90, and it was not as intuitive for me to use. The E90 is quieter at speed though, I definitely noticed a difference in wind noise at @80 mph. I also noticed the E90 has bigger side mirrors. I did enjoy my time in the E90, but I definitely prefer the F30.

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by 328inGE

Just had a E90 320d wagon for a loaner while my car was serviced. It gave me a good opportunity to compare to the F30. The F30 is slightly bigger & was more comfortable on the road even though mine has 19" wheels compared to the E90's 17". I understand what people are saying about the steering, the E90 is much stiffer, but I prefer the F30 for most day to day driving, as its much easier to maneuver in parking areas, etc. Although I think the F30 interior is far more exciting, I do think the E90 has better quality, at least in terms of the plastics, creaking, rattling, etc. I prefer the arrangement of the radio and climate controls in the F30, the radio is below and recessed in the E90, and it was not as intuitive for me to use. The E90 is quieter at speed though, I definitely noticed a difference in wind noise at @80 mph. I also noticed the E90 has bigger side mirrors. I did enjoy my time in the E90, but I definitely prefer the F30.

agreed....after getting a loaner Exx, the interior fit and BUILD is much better than the F30.

Sad.