Having 2nd Thoughts and Interested in Your $.02

seis-speed · 11-05-2012, 02:08 PM

http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...ies-gran-coupe

ZMM_OMG · 11-06-2012, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson743

I wouldn't drop $50k+ on a car unless I loved it. You love your old BMW and want to keep it. Why would you buy another 4 door sedan?

That's pretty much the crux of my indecision. I'm wondering if the F30 is different enough to justify the expense of upgrading. Part of me wants to keep the e46 and buy a Subaru BRZ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reznick

I track & autocross. If you're gonna still plan on tracking the car I'd go with an e9x , hell even a CPO. You'll love it , especially if you are setting it up for autocrossing. There's so much in the way of aftermarket. I'm by no means saying the F30 is a bad car, but its a new platform, there's gonna be some bugs to work out. I still have my E46 ( & you're right,,its timeless. Please don't sell yours if you can avoid it) I think you'd like the feel if the e9x better since you like you E46 so much. But when it comes down to it, go drive both of them again for a while . You won't be unhappy with either car . Above was just my opinion and you know what they say about those. Good luck

It's looking increasingly likely that if I buy the F30, I'll keep the e46. I've driven the e9x and it's a definite no. While I'm undecided about the F30, I'm sure of this much... the e9x gets me about as excited as a cold shower with a basket full of dead kittens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seis-speed

I am really hoping this M2 is going to happen, I would buy one yesterday if that were the case.....have you seen the renders?

I have seen the M2. If the render/speculation turns out to be true, I'll be writing BMW a check in 2015 or 2016.

A big thanks for all the constructive opinions and feedback, folks. I'm still on the fence, but the talk about options like springs and keeping the e46 is very helpful.

I'm also gonna have to pester my friend for some serious seat time in her F30.

ZMM_OMG · 11-12-2012, 08:34 PM

I headed out to Thunderhill Raceway this past weekend for a 2-day track school (SUPER FUN!) and had the opportunity to experience the F30 335 in a couple of ways: 1) My friend lent me her car for a good hour-long drive on the 2-lane roads surrounding the track, and 2) Another friend who is an amazing driver and an instructor for the school took me on the track with it. Here are some thoughts:

Power and Handling

DAMN this thing is fast and incredibly capable right of the box! My buddy nailed the gas after exiting the pits and the N55 just hunkers down and runs like a scalded cat! Thunderhill is a small-ish and somewhat technical course with elevation changes, off-camber turns, and tight, low-speed turns. The F30 took them all in stride. If you ever really wanna know what your car is capable of, take that sucker to the track. Wowsers.

I doubt this is a newsflash, but the F30's increased heft is noticeable. To me, it shows up as a "stiff-leggedness" when folding the car into a turn where the e46 is more tossable. If the e46 is the collegiate athlete, the F30 is what happens when it takes a desk job and hits its late 30s.

Steering feedback is better than I remembered. Experiencing the car on a longer stretch of 2-lane paints a much better picture than a short jaunt around town or a "1 exit" dealer test drive. At lower speeds, the lighter steering weight and electric pump do mask some feedback, but at freeway speeds it's not that far off of my e46. I have to note 1 big complaint, though; the car has a HUGE dead spot on center.

Design

Something I found surprising is that the cockpit of the F30 actually feels more intimate than the e46. The increase in passenger space is noticeable, but the steering wheel felt like it was a smaller diameter and the sport seats can be adjusted down for a much smaller person. I'm 5'10"/140 and when the side bolsters are all the way in, they're too tight for me. That's never happened in any car before. Lastly, the cowl line at the windows seems about the same, but the hoodline is higher, giving the feeling that one is sitting further down in the interior.

Technology

HUD is awesome as is the ability to send directions to the NAV unit. F30 is the clear winner for creature comforts.

Conclusion

The F30 is still a great driver's car. The increased power and suspension tuning are a way of overcoming the increases in size and weight. Ultimately, the F30 is a different and more grown-up driver's car, like the e39 that we end up comparing it to.

Will I buy one? I'm thinking "yes", because I'll have the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. If I don't like it, there's always the rumored M2.

S-Dot · 11-12-2012, 09:15 PM

Hallelujah! Another E46 pilot understands the F30!!

Brilliant review. I would award you ten internets, but I'm new here...

Great review! The E46 seems more "tossable", but once you get on the gas on the new models, the F30 finds considerable redemption. And it does it in such a ho-hum manner that it feels you're not even trying.

ZMM_OMG · 11-13-2012, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sveinsdóttir

Hallelujah! Another E46 pilot understands the F30!!

Brilliant review. I would award you ten internets, but I'm new here...

Great review! The E46 seems more "tossable", but once you get on the gas on the new models, the F30 finds considerable redemption. And it does it in such a ho-hum manner that it feels you're not even trying.

LOL... I'll take those 10 interwebz. The existing one is running out of room from all the pr0n.

boltjames · 11-13-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMM_OMG

Will I buy one? I'm thinking "yes", because I'll have the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Yeah, umm, that's nice and all but we've decided you can't buy one.

Sorry.

BJ

ZMM_OMG · 11-13-2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltjames

Yeah, umm, that's nice and all but we've decided you can't buy one.

Sorry.

BJ

Nice try. I'm Chinese; I'll make one of my own for 1/2 the price!

boltjames · 11-13-2012, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMM_OMG

Nice try. I'm Chinese; I'll make one of my own for 1/2 the price!

No need. South African delivery is awesome, you can save a lot of money that way and get a free trip to the rainforest in the process.

BJ

ZMM_OMG · 11-14-2012, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltjames

No need. South African delivery is awesome, you can save a lot of money that way and get a free trip to the rainforest in the process.

BJ

But if I do Shanghai Delivery, I can use the savings and buy a year's supply of iFauxns and even get a 335Li. Now THERE's some status.

boltjames · 11-14-2012, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMM_OMG

But if I do Shanghai Delivery, I can use the savings and buy a year's supply of iFauxns and even get a 335Li. Now THERE's some status.

LOL. I like you.

You have my permission to buy an F30.

BJ

ilhan1103 · 11-14-2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltjames

LOL. I like you.

You have my permission to buy an F30.

BJ

Meh, I say he needs to let the sun beat down upon his face, stars to fill his dream. He is a a traveler of both time and space, to be where he has been

boltjames · 11-14-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilhan1103

Meh, I say he needs to let the sun beat down upon his face, stars to fill his dream. He is a a traveler of both time and space, to be where he has been

Dinosaur time.

BJ

azzurro · 11-14-2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilhan1103

Meh, I say he needs to let the sun beat down upon his face, stars to fill his dream. He is a a traveler of both time and space, to be where he has been

Excerpt of lyrics from Led Zeppelin's Kashmir...nice.

ZMM_OMG · 11-14-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltjames

LOL. I like you.

You have my permission to buy an F30.

BJ

jtuds · 11-14-2012, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMM_OMG

Nor am I interested in a penis-waving contest

Well, now you've lost me.

TheObviousChild · 11-14-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMM_OMG

But if I do Shanghai Delivery, I can use the savings and buy a year's supply of iFauxns and even get a 335Li. Now THERE's some status.

Do they support iFauxn integration with the new 335Li?!

ZMM_OMG · 11-14-2012, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtuds

Well, now you've lost me.

Well not in this thread, anyway. Meet me over in off-topic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheObviousChild

Do they support iFauxn integration with the new 335Li?!

Yes, but the browser blocks websites outside of China and the Navigation directions are far more accurate than a phone running IOS 6.

11-05-2012, 02:08 PM	#45
seis-speed #savethemanuals 2431 Rep 1,969 Posts Drives: 1M \| GT3 \| J392 \| GRc Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	not sure how to add link? http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...ies-gran-coupe
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-12-2012, 08:34 PM	#47
ZMM_OMG First Lieutenant 144 Rep 399 Posts Drives: '15 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 M3 [0.00] 2009 BMC Pro Machine [10.00]	An Update I headed out to Thunderhill Raceway this past weekend for a 2-day track school (SUPER FUN!) and had the opportunity to experience the F30 335 in a couple of ways: 1) My friend lent me her car for a good hour-long drive on the 2-lane roads surrounding the track, and 2) Another friend who is an amazing driver and an instructor for the school took me on the track with it. Here are some thoughts: Power and Handling DAMN this thing is fast and incredibly capable right of the box! My buddy nailed the gas after exiting the pits and the N55 just hunkers down and runs like a scalded cat! Thunderhill is a small-ish and somewhat technical course with elevation changes, off-camber turns, and tight, low-speed turns. The F30 took them all in stride. If you ever really wanna know what your car is capable of, take that sucker to the track. Wowsers. I doubt this is a newsflash, but the F30's increased heft is noticeable. To me, it shows up as a "stiff-leggedness" when folding the car into a turn where the e46 is more tossable. If the e46 is the collegiate athlete, the F30 is what happens when it takes a desk job and hits its late 30s. Steering feedback is better than I remembered. Experiencing the car on a longer stretch of 2-lane paints a much better picture than a short jaunt around town or a "1 exit" dealer test drive. At lower speeds, the lighter steering weight and electric pump do mask some feedback, but at freeway speeds it's not that far off of my e46. I have to note 1 big complaint, though; the car has a HUGE dead spot on center. Design Something I found surprising is that the cockpit of the F30 actually feels more intimate than the e46. The increase in passenger space is noticeable, but the steering wheel felt like it was a smaller diameter and the sport seats can be adjusted down for a much smaller person. I'm 5'10"/140 and when the side bolsters are all the way in, they're too tight for me. That's never happened in any car before. Lastly, the cowl line at the windows seems about the same, but the hoodline is higher, giving the feeling that one is sitting further down in the interior. Technology HUD is awesome as is the ability to send directions to the NAV unit. F30 is the clear winner for creature comforts. Conclusion The F30 is still a great driver's car. The increased power and suspension tuning are a way of overcoming the increases in size and weight. Ultimately, the F30 is a different and more grown-up driver's car, like the e39 that we end up comparing it to. Will I buy one? I'm thinking "yes", because I'll have the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. If I don't like it, there's always the rumored M2.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-12-2012, 09:15 PM	#48
S-Dot Private First Class 5 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Luxury Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: near Calgary iTrader: (0)	Hallelujah! Another E46 pilot understands the F30!! Brilliant review. I would award you ten internets, but I'm new here... Great review! The E46 seems more "tossable", but once you get on the gas on the new models, the F30 finds considerable redemption. And it does it in such a ho-hum manner that it feels you're not even trying.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search