[Versipellis]

Originally Posted by UNC2016

And isn't the 4 series lower than the 3 series? Would that not afffect the handling?

Lower and wider.

[RPM90]

In the past BMW has put the sport suspension in the coupe versions as the base suspension, whereas in the sedan you have to get the optional sport suspension.

It's possible that that is what BMW is explaining.
However, the extra bracing is something new and different from past ways.
The extra bracing can have an effect on body roll.

To verify if the coupe is really "completely different" compared to the sedan, look up the springs model numbers and dampers model numbers for the 328i sport/Msport with static sport suspension, and then look up the numbers for the 428i sport/Msport with static sport suspension.

[Icarus M]

I'm from 3 to 4

4 series having longer, wider and lower body than 3
you can really feel it sticks to the road while cruising or cornering
and you feel driving faster at same speed because you sit slightly lower position than your old 3

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by Icarus M

I'm from 3 to 4

4 series having longer, wider and lower body than 3
you can really feel it sticks to the road while cruising or cornering
and you feel driving faster at same speed because you sit slightly lower position than your old 3

Im also going from an F30 to an F36, the latter is noticeably lower - a difference of 1.6 inches. Length, width, and track are only slightly greater by 0.5 to 0.6 inches, wheelbase and weight are the same.

[philbake]

Went from a '13 328i xDrive to a '16 428i GC xDrive. There is a modest, but noticeable difference in the ride. The 4GC feels more planted, with a lower center of gravity. Less body roll and the steering feels better too. My GC has 19" wheels, compared to the 18's on the 328, so that makes a bit of a difference too. Mostly though, I like the look of the GC more. Sleeker lines and far fewer on the road too.

[oonowindoo]

So i drove a 340i fully loaded loaner.

You can definitely feels the weight difference between the 340 and the 435GC. But while it felt light it still feels more "floaty" than the 4 series.

Not sure if BMW did something with the ZF8 but it shifts more crisp and faster in a good way, especially in comfort mode. The car feels a lot less lazy.

The interior LED is actually LED white now when you unlock the car finally the LED looks like LED.

Now the steering, i was actually very surprised that the steering wheel in comfort mode actually feels noticeable lighter now. i thought they had changed that. The one in the F36GC feels 10-20% heavier in the same mode.

[RM7]

Well, if you think the 428 handles well, wait until you actually drive a car that handles well...

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Well, if you think the 428 handles well, wait until you actually drive a car that handles well...

Come on man, the 4 series does handle well in comparison to most none sports cars on the road.

The car is RWD with some sport tuning, sporty parts, and can come equipped with Performance Summer tires. This ain't a damn Camry and you know it.

No, it's not an ///M, and for sure can't touch a Porsche Cayman or Jag F Type, but it's pretty good.

For most guys coming from an Accord or some other FWD car, stepping into a 3 and beating on her a little will be a new world experience. Once they master the 3, then they can aspire higher.

Everything in due time, but don't work so hard to steal their joy.

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Well, if you think the 428 handles well, wait until you actually drive a car that handles well...

I have had 2 s2000, which i considered one of the best "affordable" sports cars.

The handling feel, the scream and the balanced feel would make any current BMW feels like a boat. But they are built to do that. You can't compare cars that are built for different purposes.

[IndotagSwizz]

Originally Posted by Lafinkel

In reading through BMW literature, I think I found my answer:

"Are there suspension or steering tweaks/improvements in the F32 compared to the F30?

The F32 is much more rigid than the F30. One way BMW has done this is by using a different suspension with extra V- or X- bracing from the subframes going back to the car's chassis. Also, the entire suspension is different from the F30. We know this car will be mostly driven with two people aboard and in a sporting way. Therefore, we have tuned the suspension for the performance minded driver who needs a coupe that can hold four people occasionally. BMW has tested its competitors car's chassis, and we (BMW) have the highest torsional rigidity in this class of car. The F32's electric power steering has different programming to allow for a sportier experience."

This is most likely true and not just marketing, every time I get a loaner I look at every thing on it very conspicuously to see if I notice any differences within models, last week I left my 320 for service and I got a 428 vert, take a look at these brackets on the engine bay that I can assure you my f30 doesn't have, I bet just those two alone make a hell of a difference

[oonowindoo]

To be honest, upper braces might make a difference, but it is not something that we can actually feel on a daily basis.

other than the lower center gravity, wider stance, i think there is something more "basic" that caused the difference.

I know the springs/shocks are interchangeable, i am wondering if the OEM spring rates are the same.

[englishguy84]

I test drove a 2016 328i base suspension three weeks ago and a 2016 428i base suspension last week. Same route. 428i was better—stiffer, tighter in the corners, and as another poster mentioned, being lower to the ground made everything feel faster and a little more exciting. It was not as bouncy. My feeling was that the steering was also a little better, but this may be false memory.

For anyone who is underwhelmed by the F30, check out the F32.

[greekcs]

F32 has a pretty good suspension for every day driving. My old E46 M3 on KWV2's handled like it was on rails but was too stiff for daily driving. There are always trade-offs.

[englishguy84]

Originally Posted by greekcs

F32 has a pretty good suspension for every day driving. My old E46 M3 on KWV2's handled like it was on rails but was too stiff for daily driving. There are always trade-offs.

Agreed. The F32 is not my first choice for true canyon carving of the sort that magazines do when they test a car, or on a track, but it's a great balance for a daily driver

[RM7]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

Come on man, the 4 series does handle well in comparison to most none sports cars on the road.

The car is RWD with some sport tuning, sporty parts, and can come equipped with Performance Summer tires. This ain't a damn Camry and you know it.

No, it's not an ///M, and for sure can't touch a Porsche Cayman or Jag F Type, but it's pretty good.

For most guys coming from an Accord or some other FWD car, stepping into a 3 and beating on her a little will be a new world experience. Once they master the 3, then they can aspire higher.

Everything in due time, but don't work so hard to steal their joy.

I think you underestimate how far most car makers have come and how BMW has watered down these cars over the years. I came off a Camaro SS, obviously I didn't expect it to handle the same, the SS was an dream comparatively, but compared to my brother's previous 325, I found the 428 a bit disappointing.

[englishguy84]

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

Nope.

I had the same conclusion.

I had a 13 F30 335 6mt and took it in for service in 2015 and they gave me a 428 F32. The difference was in body roll, the stiffness, the bumpiness of the road, and just the overall feel so apparent within the first 3 minutes of driving and i had already made up my mind before I got on to the freeway that i am going to get a 4 series.

That is how big of a difference there is. We all know how soft F30 feels compare to E46/E9X, the F32/F36 to me is in between E9X and F30 in handling FEEL. I am not saying which one handles better but rather which one FEELs better.

But 4 series is noticeable bumpier and less comfortable than my F30. But that is what i wanted and liked.

ordered an F36 and 3 months later, i got what i wanted, A BMW that somewhat reminds me what BMW was like 15 years ago

Was your loaner an M-Sport or base suspension?

People who prefer the 4--which suspension did you drive?

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by IndotagSwizz

This is most likely true and not just marketing, every time I get a loaner I look at every thing on it very conspicuously to see if I notice any differences within models, last week I left my 320 for service and I got a 428 vert, take a look at these brackets on the engine bay that I can assure you my f30 doesn't have, I bet just those two alone make a hell of a difference

Verts always have additional bracing since they cut the roof off.....(although they do have hard top roofs when in place..)

My 428GC doesn't have this bracing but I do have the 704 suspension so I'm guessing its only on the Verts.....

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by englishguy84

Was your loaner an M-Sport or base suspension?

People who prefer the 4--which suspension did you drive?

All M sport and RWD.

my F30, loaner F32 and my current f36

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by Lafinkel

I'm currently driving a 2012 328i RWD sedan with the sport line package. Today I drove a 2014 428i Msport. I noticed quite an improved handling feel versus the sedan. Since my sedan is a sport line package it has the M sport suspension so I thought the driving feel would be the same between the sedan and the coupe. In comfort mode, my sedan feels numb. With sport mode, it's obviously tighter. But with the coupe, even in comfort mode I felt it was stiffer and better road feel than the sedan. And again, sport mode made it even better.

Is this my imagination or does the coupe have better driving characteristics versus the sedan in terms of handling and road feel?

Agree 100%. I have a base 328i and had a loaner 428i base and could feel the difference immediately. In my mind the 328i Msport drives like the base 428i.

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

So i drove a 340i fully loaded loaner.

which dealership has a fully loaded 340i as a loaner??

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

Come on man, the 4 series does handle well in comparison to most none sports cars on the road.

The car is RWD with some sport tuning, sporty parts, and can come equipped with Performance Summer tires. This ain't a damn Camry and you know it.

No, it's not an ///M, and for sure can't touch a Porsche Cayman or Jag F Type, but it's pretty good.

For most guys coming from an Accord or some other FWD car, stepping into a 3 and beating on her a little will be a new world experience. Once they master the 3, then they can aspire higher.

Everything in due time, but don't work so hard to steal their joy.

You perfectly described how BMW is approaching their cars lately.

Trying to win new buyers from mainstream brands.

But where does this leave BMW long term customers - wondering where their sports sedans have disappeared to....

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by XKxRome0ox

which dealership has a fully loaded 340i as a loaner??

New Century.

They have a very big selection of loaners. By selection, i mean if you are lucky or if your SA will help you out.

I don't think i have ever gotten a base model of anything as a loaner. Usually i get to choose from X1, X3, X4, 2, 3 and 4 series.

i have gotten a brand new 528 with pretty much everything except for LED headlight a few months ago. Hated it.