[jusdorange]

Originally Posted by kalo

What I can't understand is that if LCI models are available for shipping, as confirmed by one of our members in a thread earlier this week, why BMW is unable to muster a UK specified version of the LCI for some of the most critical reviews. These first reviews will stick for a long time and will be what many people read when deciding on how to spend 40 grand on a car. I can't fathom how a company like BMW could drop the ball like that. The suspension and drivability of these cars are what is supposed to separate them from their competitors, surely they should have made this version perfect. It does suggest that by heavily discounting the car they were trying to ensure sales which they will have succeeded in doing.

I imagine more in depth reviews will bring other opinions on the model. I would be keen to see a review for a standard x drive m sport model which is the one that has gained a bad reputation for its factory suspension.

The reviews were done months ago

The embargo gets lifted same time , hence everyone posted same time

Invite all to Germany , lay on few identical cars

[Tengocity]

I've just read all the reviews and I'd say they were all very good except for views on the VSS, however CAR think it's perfectly good, and suggest that it's down to personal preference.

It sounds like the steering has the biggest change, and it's because of the Chinese and US markets apparantly. However I think VSS is something that you just need some time to get used too. When I drive any other car without it I find I need to recalibrate my inputs!

But overall in terms of the new engines, overall handling balance, and ride comfort it sounds like they've made meaningful improvements. And it seems that without changing too much they've managed to lift the overall interior feel, which is no bad thing.

[HighlandPete]

What is confusing is identifying the exact specification these demo cars have fitted, the journo's don't always know themselves and their comments often indicate lack of knowledge.

Unless I'm reading it wrong, seems at least some of the cars have what is described as the "track option", adaptive suspension and VSS, 18" wheels on Michelin PSS tyres.

If this is so, maybe it is the wrong set of options to give to the press for initial impressions. If not, it does appear BMW have some oddities going on, to say the least.

HighlandPete

[Sussex_G20]

All driven together, same hotel, same bars....group think perhaps??

As previously suggested some more reviews of delivery cars needed.

It is of course to the individual to decide what is right for them after they have test driven. Nothing better than an extended test drive in a model directly comparable to the basis of your desired spec. I wouldn't have had adaptive until i drove it.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Sussex_F32

It is of course to the individual to decide what is right for them after they have test driven.

Yes this is the key point- The Car reviewer says that he likes the VSS, but is open minded enough to know that not everyone will, and says this. The other reviewers just tell you it's rubbish and to not get it.

The fact is that on this forum I think everyone who has VSS really likes it, though it does seem that it's changed a fair bit on the LCI.

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Yes this is the key point- The Car reviewer says that he likes the VSS, but is open minded enough to know that not everyone will, and says this. The other reviewers just tell you it's rubbish and to not get it.

The fact is that on this forum I think everyone who has VSS really likes it, though it does seem that it's changed a fair bit on the LCI.

It does certainly sound like it. Despite the overall vagueness in exact specs, you would have thought that BMW would have chosen decent spec combos for the first press reports. That most found the cars underwhelming on what are pretty well surfaced roads doesn't really bode well....

Suppose we'll find out soon enough - not holding my breath!

[SkyJawa]

Group hug for the old model then!

Looks like the all new 3 series might arrive sooner rather than later then!!!

On the bright side - still looks a million times better than that god awful C!

[jusdorange]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Group hug for the old model then!

Looks like the all new 3 series might arrive sooner rather than later then!!!

On the bright side - still looks a million times better than that god awful C!

The chrome flourishes ruin the interior

[Wills2]

The PH review says they love the car (sans VSS) and that it probably pips the XE now in the handling stakes, a car that has been universally praised.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

It does certainly sound like it. Despite the overall vagueness in exact specs, you would have thought that BMW would have chosen decent spec combos for the first press reports. That most found the cars underwhelming on what are pretty well surfaced roads doesn't really bode well....

Suppose we'll find out soon enough - not holding my breath!

I really don't think they were that underwhelming. The steering is the only point if issue and sounds like the rest of the package is great. The new engine sounds very good!

[Drek]

Got rid of the VSS on my order. I've always been split on this option as having never had it, I could never really see a need for it and the reviews have always been 50/50.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Feel sorry for anyone that decided to go for the LCI rather than the current model...

Nightmare, worse handling and having to live with those Chavvy rear Led's


What a bummer, long wait for a worse car than the current one.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

What is confusing is identifying the exact specification these demo cars have fitted, the journo's don't always know themselves and their comments often indicate lack of knowledge.

Unless I'm reading it wrong, seems at least some of the cars have what is described as the "track option", adaptive suspension and VSS, 18" wheels on Michelin PSS tyres.

If this is so, maybe it is the wrong set of options to give to the press for initial impressions. If not, it does appear BMW have some oddities going on, to say the least.

HighlandPete

It certainly looks like they all had the track package. Even if they didn't specifically state it, they had all the components of it (wheels, brakes, tyres, VSS and Adaptive). Interesting that the 398 wheels are available in silver with MPSS but in the UK, you *have* to have the black ones. Silver looks loads nicer IMO.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Feel sorry for anyone that decided to go for the LCI rather than the current model...

Nightmare, worse handling and having to live with those Chavvy rear Led's


What a bummer, long wait for a worse car than the current one.

I know this is tongue in cheek and looks are personal preference, but the reviews are universally positive, except from VSS (which was never liked). As mentioned above, Pistonheads loved it!

On a side note, it's good to hear that they've stiffened up the dampers and springs (sounds like they also lowered some models too?) and have been able to do this because the front end is more strong. However it was also the sport model they were driving which has always been lowered and stiffer compared to the SE. I'm wondering if this is all pseudo bollocks and actually all they've done it put the sport suspension on the SE levels and claimed a 10mm height reduction and stiffer springs etc based on that. Technically it's true, but only for a couple of models.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Feel sorry for anyone that decided to go for the LCI rather than the current model...

Nightmare, worse handling and having to live with those Chavvy rear Led's


What a bummer, long wait for a worse car than the current one.

I know, how will I ever live it down?!

[davyk31]

Clearly the journalists are all idiots and drunk on German beer criticising the ultimate driving machine.
Looks like Jag will prosper with some winning reviews.

[Daftasabrush]

Found a video of a startup and 0-200KMh run:

[k44ENT]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

I know this is tongue in cheek and looks are personal preference, but the reviews are universally positive, except from VSS (which was never liked). As mentioned above, Pistonheads loved it!

On a side note, it's good to hear that they've stiffened up the dampers and springs (sounds like they also lowered some models too?) and have been able to do this because the front end is more strong. However it was also the sport model they were driving which has always been lowered and stiffer compared to the SE. I'm wondering if this is all pseudo bollocks and actually all they've done it put the sport suspension on the SE levels and claimed a 10mm height reduction and stiffer springs etc based on that. Technically it's true, but only for a couple of models.

I understood that pre LCI sport model shared the same suspension as the SE and only m-sport had stiffer/ lower settings?

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by k44ENT

I understood that pre LCI sport model shared the same suspension as the SE and only m-sport had stiffer/ lower settings?

M sport and sport shared the same suspension, Luxury and SE got the SE suspension

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by k44ENT

I understood that pre LCI sport model shared the same suspension as the SE and only m-sport had stiffer/ lower settings?

I think other markets may have been different. Though, you are correct, UK SE and Sport models shared the same suspension unless adaptive was specified.

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by teaston

They both say the test car has the adaptive m sport suspension, so exept for the wheels and tyres the handling review is basically of an M Sport.

Strange Autocar & Autoexpress are completely opposed on the handling though!

Sorry, missed that.

I wonder if there is a market tune in the adaptive dampers?

Also, on my 18" square winters Sport damping is compatible with 19" staggered summer wheels in terms of body control...

On the 18" winters it always felt a little like it wanted to roll and pitch. However, this could be due to the winter rubber and the high tyre pressures.

[NISFAN]

Some details stand out which lead me to believe not much has changed.

Firstly the press cars were shod with MPSS tyres. All the owners on here that have changed to these have felt a significant improvement to the drive and noise/ vibration. They aren't standard, so why go to the lengths of fitting them to press cars? Can only be to amplify 'improvement' in my mind.

They make a big deal about the 5 bolt strut tower mod. Hardly a feature that would transform a suspension unless there were serious flexing issues to start with, which I'm sure there isn't. Harping on this as a new feature is grasping at straws, quite frankly.

Apart from that, typical comments expected from a non F30 driver. I've been driving an Infiniti Q50 for the last few weeks. Getting back into my VSS equipped F30, the steering does feel odd, weights up differently at different steering angles, and has a variable rack so takes a bit (teeny weeny) of getting used to. I know that once you are used to it, you can look past the electric numbness. Having owned both VSS and the Servotronic, for me VSS any day of the week, but admit to it being more 'different' than the Servotronic is to most other cars, so can see why the journos might be negative to it, they always have even in the M135i which has a similar unit to the F30 pre-lci.

I'm smiling a little at the thought some BMW engineer might have read some comments made in this forum about the F30 suspension