[etinifni]

My '12 328i is at the dealership getting the new oil line with the check valve installed and I have a '16 428i loaner. Man I'm ready to get rid of my car and get one of these now! This car is extremely quite, no real DI engine noise and overall it feels more refined. The one thing that I dislike is the front cockpit. The smaller windshield makes it seem squashed. Are the sport seats in the 4 series the same as in the 3 series, they feel a bit more roomy.

[CalCarNut]

Pretty sure the seats are the same. I don't feel the front windshield view is squashed...however the rear view is limited but if you adjust the mirrors on the car correctly, it's fine.

I'd imagine a car 4yrs newer is going to feel a bunch tighter

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by etinifni

new oil line with the check valve installed

What's this?

[etinifni]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Pretty sure the seats are the same. I don't feel the front windshield view is squashed...however the rear view is limited but if you adjust the mirrors on the car correctly, it's fine.

I'd imagine a car 4yrs newer is going to feel a bunch tighter

The engine noise, or lack there of was the biggest surprise. I noticed on the door jam there looks to me some plastics that could aid in noise reduction too.

[etinifni]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

What's this?

I have smoke billowing out of my exhaust on cold starts, the longer the car sits the worse it gets. It has to do with oil getting past the turbo inlet iirc. My SA said if the oil line doesn't fix the issue they will be doing a PUMA to replace the turbo.

[the_phew]

A lot of journalists/enthusiasts first drove the F30 in 2012, and formed their opinions about that car. BMW has improved a lot of small things since then, even if they don't advertise them. Someone that hated a 2012 328i might well love a 2016 328i.

I wonder if BMW/dealers realize how important loaners are to car shoppers. I would never seek out a test drive of the new X1 for instance, but I had one as a loaner and was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't buy one myself, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it now, transverse FWD-biased drivetrain and all.

The B46 engine is a real gem; I think owners of early 328i (with the N20/N26) will be blown away when they drive the new 330i with the B46; the engine is so much smoother/quieter. Auto stop/start is almost imperceptible. Personally, I'm ready for an engine that's more raucous (rather than more refined), but I can appreciate progress nonetheless.

[adhrp]

I had the chance to drive two loaners recently - one a '16 428i and the other a '16 528i. Both were MSport. Then I went back in to get some rattles fixed a couple of weeks ago and got a '16 528i non-MSport. Got to say - I loved driving the 528i MSport more than I thought I would! It's the first time I felt that I could consider the 5 for my next car (if I don't get a Tesla that is ). The non-Msport version, not so much. I liked driving the 428i too, but didn't care for the narrow entry and rearview.

[etinifni]

Originally Posted by adhrp

I had the chance to drive two loaners recently - one a '16 428i and the other a '16 528i. Both were MSport. Then I went back in to get some rattles fixed a couple of weeks ago and got a '16 528i non-MSport. Got to say - I loved driving the 528i MSport more than I thought I would! It's the first time I felt that I could consider the 5 for my next car (if I don't get a Tesla that is ). The non-Msport version, not so much. I liked driving the 428i too, but didn't care for the narrow entry and rearview.

Right now I plan on keeping my 328i until the warranty is up in 2018. If I can sell and recoup $12,000-$15,000 at that point I might go into a newer 4 series. I've never leased a car because I typically keep my cars for a long time but with the good rates and ability to upgrade to newer features I might go down that road.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by etinifni

Right now I plan on keeping my 328i until the warranty is up in 2018. If I can sell and recoup $12,000-$15,000 at that point I might go into a newer 4 series. I've never leased a car because I typically keep my cars for a long time but with the good rates and ability to upgrade to newer features I might go down that road.

Likewise. At the end of the day I still thoroughly enjoy driving my '12 328i.

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by etinifni

The engine noise, or lack there of was the biggest surprise. I noticed on the door jam there looks to me some plastics that could aid in noise reduction too.

They've also improved the sound deadening and engine sound in the 2016 GC as well, so I assume they've done the same for the F30's.

[etinifni]

Originally Posted by AndDown

They've also improved the sound deadening and engine sound in the 2016 GC as well, so I assume they've done the same for the F30's.

I had a '16 328i loaner a couple weeks ago and while it was quieter you could definitely hear the distinct DI sound of the engine while the car was running.

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by etinifni

I had a '16 328i loaner a couple weeks ago and while it was quieter you could definitely hear the distinct DI sound of the engine while the car was running.

I had a X1 loaner (with the new B46 engine), and the injector clatter is gone. Very smooth engine!

[HawaiianVibes]

Had a F31 M sport a few years ago and loved the car. A buddy of mine was shopping for an X3 at the time, and I had no plans on getting into another car. ( perfect sucker ) long story short. I traded my wagon for a 428 GC RWD. before the LCI which I have not tested yet for good reason. The GC feels more refined and a lot more sportier, which it should compared to a x-drive wagon. I feel that BMW took everything good of the F30 at that time, and put that into the 4 series. It's been a little over a year now, and I absolutely love my GC. Lower center of gravity, wider stance, smoother engine response. By no means does it handle like my E46 M3, but the car has a soul. Point being. it's an overall better package of the F30 in my opinion. side note. : not doing to many mods on her at the moment. Enjoying her stock until the engine decides to give out. Currently rebuilding a S65 power plant replacement for when that happens:

[etinifni]

Are xenons only available on the 4 series LCI, I didn't see an option for them on the new 3? Having driven both LCI versions(xenon & led) I'm sticking to my opinion that light output/throw is better with the xenon.