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      10-08-2012, 03:57 PM   #1
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F30 328i Xdrive base model loaner

I forgot to make a post on Saturday about my loaner experience. While my exhaust and springs were being installed, the dealership gave me an F30 328i Xdrive base model with tech package (no xenons, no sport 8AT). I've driven several F30 328s and my original ED order was for a 328i before I changed it to a 335i. It was interesting, to say the least, to go back to the N20 after logging 1000 miles with the N55, but I won't comment in detail on the N20 vs N55 comparison since that has been discussed ad nauseum.

I just wanted to comment on the base model steering wheel: WOW, it was so thin and cheap feeling...there is no place for a steering wheel like that on a $43,000 car! Also, the lack of a standard alarm on the 328 and the accompanying lack of a "chirp" or "beep" when locking/unlocking was very frustrating...another feature that I'm still shocked isn't standard on a $40k+ car.
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      10-08-2012, 04:04 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukeb817 View Post
I forgot to make a post on Saturday about my loaner experience. While my exhaust and springs were being installed, the dealership gave me an F30 328i Xdrive base model with tech package (no xenons, no sport 8AT). I've driven several F30 328s and my original ED order was for a 328i before I changed it to a 335i. It was interesting, to say the least, to go back to the N20 after logging 1000 miles with the N55, but I won't comment in detail on the N20 vs N55 comparison since that has been discussed ad nauseum.

I just wanted to comment on the base model steering wheel: WOW, it was so thin and cheap feeling...there is no place for a steering wheel like that on a $43,000 car! Also, the lack of a standard alarm on the 328 and the accompanying lack of a "chirp" or "beep" when locking/unlocking was very frustrating...another feature that I'm still shocked isn't standard on a $40k+ car.
Im more interested in the drive...
Features i can look up on BMW website..how does handling compare?
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      10-08-2012, 04:39 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by driver911 View Post
Im more interested in the drive...
Features i can look up on BMW website..how does handling compare?
It was soft, sort of slow in general driving (it does get up and go if you floor it)...generally it was pretty boring to drive. I didn't get a chance to really play with it hard to get a feel for the X drive...the car was so uninspiring that I wasn't really motivated to push it. And as I said in the original post, that base model steering wheel felt and looked terrible...I had only driven Sport and M Sport previously, I didn't expect the base steering wheel to be so much thinner.
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      10-08-2012, 04:43 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukeb817 View Post
that base model steering wheel felt and looked terrible...I had only driven Sport and M Sport previously, I didn't expect the base steering wheel to be so much thinner.
You are right about this, the baseline steering wheel is very poor, I have it!

I chose the F30 over a C250 Sport and that car had a fantastic steering wheel.

Still happy with that decision overall though...
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      10-08-2012, 04:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukeb817 View Post
It was soft, sort of slow in general driving (it does get up and go if you floor it)...generally it was pretty boring to drive. I didn't get a chance to really play with it hard to get a feel for the X drive...the car was so uninspiring that I wasn't really motivated to push it. And as I said in the original post, that base model steering wheel felt and looked terrible...I had only driven Sport and M Sport previously, I didn't expect the base steering wheel to be so much thinner.
Deff glad i went with 335 then...i had 09 e92 335 before and considered 328
but after driving f 30 335 i didn't even bother driving 328
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      10-08-2012, 07:37 PM   #6
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Don't forget about those dang seats, thank God I caught it when I ordered the car(I had my eyes on the base)! I sat in a sport and a base side by side and I was thinking to myself that it just didn't feel right, the sports seats and the steering wheel really does add to the whole package making the decision well worth it. Though I feel as it should be standard.
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