09-10-2013, 11:53 PM | #1 |
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Eventually Someone Had to Do It
So, I got my current issue of R&T and much to my surprise I find this: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...n-65-3-roa1013
R&T say, "for the first time in memory, the top-of-the-line 3 Series leaves us wanting...The chassis still makes you look like a genius, and in normal driving, the BMW exudes a rare sense of effortlessness. The ZF-sourced gearbox is so quick-witted and smooth that you almost don't miss a clutch pedal. But the new-to-this-car electric power steering is heartbreakingly bland and distant. As with past 3 Series, the brakes are strong and communicative, but the world has caught up, and they're no longer special." Do I rue having bought an F30 for my kid? No. I am interested in buying one to replace my E92? No, but then I wasn't wanting one even before the R&T article. Would I consider a IS for my last kid's car? Probably, but it's unlikely to be what I'll buy him as the other two have BMW 3ers and I'm not going to buy him a 335i in any case. In the end, I guess it's nice that the 328i tops its category. It's nice that the bang for the buck winner is the 328i (or the 320i). Considering it's for all intents and purposes as fast as the IS350F, being less costly makes it the clear way to go. I think that's a good thing. It makes it all the more true that if one is going to get an F30 335i, one just does so because one wants that car, and not because there are no other compelling alternatives.
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09-11-2013, 12:25 AM | #3 |
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I still think the tuning options are better with the BMW, leaving enough room to out perform with equal tuning on other platforms.
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09-11-2013, 01:21 AM | #5 |
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The aesthetics of the Lexus are far from my liking. The Infiniti is sexy, but I wouldn't buy one.
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09-11-2013, 01:45 AM | #6 | |
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I don't know if looks alone would stop me from choosing one were I buying for myself, particularly if the price were compelling enough. I mean, I'm not keen on the IS' rear end design, but I don't think it's so butt ugly that I couldn't live with it. At the end of the day, I don't choose DD cars based on looks. Of course, as I said above, raw speed/power isn't much of a priority in a DD either, thus why I'd likely pick a 328 or 320 anyway. Is it just me or does the Infiniti look a lot like blend of a Maxima and Altima with a little Sonata thrown in for good measure?
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09-11-2013, 03:09 AM | #7 |
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I think the difference you are seeing is specifically from 120-130 so if you were rolling with an Infiniti at 120 and decide to start racing him, yes, you would lose. Otherwise,I think your math is a bit off.
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09-11-2013, 05:07 AM | #8 | |
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09-11-2013, 08:28 AM | #9 |
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Does any of this really matter? Who cares what the magazine tests say? If you're happy with your car, there are always going to be those who favor something else. I personally don't let magazine testers determine what I buy - I evaluate the choices myself.
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09-11-2013, 08:28 AM | #10 |
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From Motortend
"In the admittedly go-hard-or-go-home crucible that is our figure-eight test -- in other words, nothing but limit, 10/10ths handling -- the Infiniti was at twice as much fun to toss around as the comparably buttoned-down Lexus. The IS350 felt sluggish, as if it hadn't had its coffee yet. The Q50S, on the other hand, seemed like it had just paid a visit and some cheddar to Walter White and Jesse Pinkman." Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz2eadVahfw" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.motortren...z2eadVahfw</a>" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://<a href="http...dVahfw</a></a>" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://<a href="http...fw</a></a></a> Also when you look at the IS350 vs Q50 video MT mentioned the stability control induced understeer on the 350 A kind soul posted the article with the scoring, the Lexus won because of exterior, interior, brake feel and driver comfort points not handling were both were tied. On the topic of brake feel, the 335i has zero brake fade and stops better than the IS350 but lost one point on brake feel
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09-11-2013, 09:40 AM | #11 | |
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Yelp also told me that Mama D's in Newport Beach is 4.5 stars with almost 1,000 reviews. My wife and I test drove it and it was horrible. However; Yelp said it's great so we are going back! |
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09-11-2013, 10:05 AM | #12 | |
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09-11-2013, 10:06 AM | #13 |
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These comparo tests are definitely wonky... the Lexus has the lowest g-rating on the skid pad, the worst stopping distance, the slowest 0-60/5-60 times, the second slowest 1/4 mi time, the second worst gas mileage, and it's the heaviest of the bunch. And it's weird looking. Lexus... FOR THE WIN!
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09-11-2013, 10:12 AM | #14 | |
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I think that is where I am with the reviews, they wont make me change my car choice and I hope it's a wake up call for BMW to really improve the F30 for the LCI.
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09-11-2013, 10:26 AM | #15 | |
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09-11-2013, 11:13 AM | #16 |
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on a side note, i have very little complaints about the EPS in my 2014.... very accurate, great weight and I am getting feedback (but i haven't pushed it hard on a corner yet, so we'll see...) I'm not sure if they're using a different rack or a different program. I also have DHP.
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09-11-2013, 11:18 AM | #17 | |
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I have very similar observations to yours, F30 with PPK and DHP have a different steering set up to those with neither and I have no complaints driving the E70 and F30 back to back. Comfort mode seems to be the most natural steering set up and sport+ stiffens things up but I am still torn on which I prefer, comfort or sport+, only time will tell
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09-11-2013, 11:23 AM | #18 | |
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I still need to get my tire situation straight on the new f30, the dealer overinflated to 46 psi all around so i want to drop that to about 3-5 psi over sidewall rec's. it is fairly bouncy right now. i am also eventually going to swap out to michelin PSS, non-RFT and I really am curious about the whole steering, handling, responsiveness (heck even braking) experience at that point.
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09-11-2013, 11:33 AM | #19 | ||
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I am surprised you don't enjoy the E70 anymore, it brings smiles to my face especially in the curves. The E70 is what convinced me to go BMW all the way when I had a G37.
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09-11-2013, 03:50 PM | #20 | |
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I've driven an e70, and it was really impressive. Felt similar to my e53 - which is equipped with Dinan camber plates and a strut brace. It's really amazing how great these big vehicles handle... so much for the old adage, "it's not how well the bear dances, but that the bear dances at all."
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09-11-2013, 03:59 PM | #21 |
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My reply to this on the other forum:
Again,I don't care for the F30 to not finish first. I don't need the validation. But when you score the LOOKS of the IS as 4.5 and the LOOKS of the F30 at 3.0, I am sorry, your scoring system is done for. And I am sorry, but the 3.5L IS, the engine is two steps behind and hurts the car as an overall package. Driving cars and writing is one thing. But people who pay $50-60k for a car are not going to buy one that looks that stupid when the BMW is so well rounded. Best MPG, best straight line, best all around car to live with-it's the F30. BMW sends over test cars that are HEAVILY optioned in ways that don't make the cars BETTER and then have much higher MSRPs than the competition. They could get away with it before, now-not so much. Lastly, the 335i is the only car there offered in a 3 pedal manual-some of you are like me and that makes any of the other cars a DOA scenario.
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09-11-2013, 03:59 PM | #22 | ||
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It would be I interesting to hear your thoughts once your car arrives and you are out of the wimp mode affecting many 2014 owners these days.
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