[ATX78703]

Man, can you imagine the comparos where the f30 328i sport line goes against A4 2.0T, C250, G25 & IS250?

It is going to absolutely slaughter the competition.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

Man, can you imagine the comparos where the f30 328i sport line goes against A4 2.0T, C250, G25 & IS250?

It is going to absolutely slaughter the competition.

I think the 328 will seriously own those cars, i have driven each of them except the is c250 but the g25 and is are not even close. The a4 is nice but not so sports...the 328 could be going up agasint the is350 and g37 and c350 lol

If pricing is a factor tho, the 328 will prob be more than most(not the benz and audi)

[miko_10]

For me thinking of moving from my E46 to an E90 just made me feel like ehhhhh with a overall blah feeling, I din't hate it or anything just didn't want it enough to let go of my E46. But I think moving up to an F30(especially after viewing this video) would give me that OHH YEAH feeling. Any other new official video reviews posted anywhere else? links?

[FstopBMW]

Wow.. the way the car sounds, drives is amazing. Cant wait to order mine!

[BKsBimmer]

Amazing how BMW keeps raising the bar with the 3 series generation after generation, consistently significantly outpacing the competition and setting the new standard for it's class. BMW is seriously on their game. Just gotta love these guys!

[Roth517]

Nice incandescent bulb taillights, BMW. Guess we'll have to wait, yet again, for the LCI for them to put LEDs on it (while all the other premium manufacturers are putting LEDs in all their cars).

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

From the 23-11 edition of Autocar Magazine:

[John_01]

Call me a sceptic, but this review sounds like an advertisement to me. Since when does lighter steering and remapped throttle pedal make a car more nimble .

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by John_01

Call me a sceptic, but this review sounds like an advertisement to me. Since when does lighter steering and remapped throttle pedal make a car more nimble .

I think he means in perception. Lighter steering does make the car feel more nimble by the driver, just because smaller strength imputs will make the car change direction. The best example of that is probably the Ferrari 458 Italia. BTW, lighter steering does not mean less precise... IMO the current 3 series' steering is too heavy.

But from most reviews, the new car seems to be more nimble; It has to do with wider tracks, revised suspension settings, lighter weight (probably lower center of gravity) and more rigidity. Also the cars tested were with the adaptative suspension, which, in the sports setting can make a big difference in handling...

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Enjoy!

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ViperJPB

Not defensive at all. If you notice I said new "modern" interior. The design is definitely an improvement in most instances and surly in it's various slick lines. Just the increase in plastics is sad. If the quality of the plastic is improved, great, but still plastic. I went from a Civic to my current 335i. I can honestly say the plastic in the civic was of higher quality than my current car, at least in feel. I love the exterior design and a lot of the interior of the new 3's. Super jealous of the heads up display too.
No jealousy here or defensiveness. And why would I, my N54 has a lot more power to pull out of her yet than these new vehicles . Plus I plan to move on to the new M5 anyhow.
But in all seriousness, the F30 is a fantastic improvement in design. Great looking car. Just not a fan of the new fad in car design to up the use of plastics. Gone are the days of Steel, Chrome, and leather dashboards. Cost savings and weight is what it's all about now.

Nearly all car dashes use mostly plastics. Even the 5 and M5 use a lot of plastic on their dashes.
Cars with leather wrapped dashes are rare and costlier and haven't been a common material in most cars for decades.
Those days were very very long ago. You can still get it in some cars, but the price is high. Still, you could have it custom made at a local shop and you can then have it to your liking. It's not a bad way to go for a unique look.

I've never been in any Civic that has less plastic or better feeling plastics than even my former E46 3 series. Even my plastic laden 135i has better overall plastic quality to anything Honda currently has, especially the updated Civic, which went DOWN in interior quality.

These days even low cost cars have very nice plastic for their dashes.
I just test drove a number of compact class cars for my sister, like Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, Honda Civic.
The Focus, Cruze, and Elantra have some very nice dash materials and styling. I was very happily surprised at how nice the interior quality of these cars is, and they cost from the high teens to upper $20's.
Overall though their materials would have fit nicely in the E46 era 3 series.
However, the new/updated Mazda 3 and updated Civic are current design and materials let down. They use some very cheap and hard feeling plastic pieces, along with odd dash designs. The Focus has decent materials but the dash design is what happens when the design team doesn't know when to stop.

Trim materials like wood and aluminum are used in higher end cars, but mostly as decorative smaller pieces. I agree in that this level of automobile can use a bit more materials like real aluminum, stainless steel, leather, and wood.
But those materials in larger pieces are costly and can add weight.

One thing on the new 3 dash that most seem to dislike very much is the ridiculous color strip. I too find that design element to be way out of left field and not befitting this class of automobile. A nice brushed aluminium piece would have been much better, or anodized in subtle copper, silver, or gold finishes would have been much nicer and appropriate for this car. For the more sport look, even a subtle anodized aluminum piece in red, gray, or blue would have looked much nicer than the bright ricer colors BMW choose. I hope that BMW finds a better material to use for that piece as it's something the driver will have to look at every time they drive.
I DO NOT want that crap in my 3.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by adamsclubs

The fact all people can talk about is the interior looks, no one even noticed the light steering comment, and driving like being a passenger...

BMW has clearly hit it out of the ball park with our future buyers.

After seeing the video and paying closer attention to that comment, seems he's not talking about the actual "weight" of the steering feel, but about how the vehicle responds to steering. Here, "light steering" is referring to how nimble the and "light" the vehicle responds to steering inputs.

You can have a heavy weight steering feel, but if it's attached to a poorly designed steering and suspension system, then it can feel "heavy" and ponderous. In my comprehension of what he's saying, I think he means the car is responding nicely to steering input and overall here "light" means, light on it's feet in a very positive way.

If the steering wheel weight or feel were too light I think he would have stated that in a clearly negative way. But, he's actually very happy and very positive about the overall steering and vehicle response to the steering. Sounds positive to me. Then, in the written article it also comments about the light steering ease, but then he says that the system was set to "comfort", and when he switched it to higher performance setting everything became more precise including steering feel.
Guess we'll just have to wait and try this new 3 to really understand all these comments.

I too wonder how BMW did with adopting electric assist instead of old school all hydraulic assist. This review seems to say that BMW did very well with it.

Now, back to that STOOOOOOPID red stripe, which is all I see now when looking at the dash....I HATE IT. What the F were they thinking?
Brushed aluminum PLEASE for that piece, or I'd even take the black tinted poplar I currently have in my 135i.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

Man, can you imagine the comparos where the f30 328i sport line goes against A4 2.0T, C250, G25 & IS250?

It is going to absolutely slaughter the competition.

The only one to give any competition will be the A4.
Still, Audi needs to really step up and step on that 2.0T.
That engine has a LOT of power potential as shown by it's use in various models at much higher power levels.
Audi can easily respond to this, but they need to it quickly.

The newest A4 now also comes with a new 8spd automatic, which will help it's accel numbers and MPG ratings.
A bit more power, new 8spd auto and AWD grip will easily keep the A4 the only true competitor to the 328i.
MB with their new 201hp little turbo seem to be wearing blinders to what's happening in their own neighborhood.
By MB's own estimates, the power improved C350 will achieve 0-60 in the same time as the new 328i, 5.9
BUT, the upped power C350 V6 now has 302hp/272lb ft!

I'm sure the 1/4 and trap speed will be ahead of the 328i. It has to if the C350 truly has 302hp.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by RPM90

After seeing the video and paying closer attention to that comment, seems he's not talking about the actual "weight" of the steering feel, but about how the vehicle responds to steering. Here, "light steering" is referring to how nimble the and "light" the vehicle responds to steering inputs.

You can have a heavy weight steering feel, but if it's attached to a poorly designed steering and suspension system, then it can feel "heavy" and ponderous. In my comprehension of what he's saying, I think he means the car is responding nicely to steering input and overall here "light" means, light on it's feet in a very positive way.

If the steering wheel weight or feel were too light I think he would have stated that in a clearly negative way. But, he's actually very happy and very positive about the overall steering and vehicle response to the steering. Sounds positive to me. Then, in the written article it also comments about the light steering ease, but then he says that the system was set to "comfort", and when he switched it to higher performance setting everything became more precise including steering feel.
Guess we'll just have to wait and try this new 3 to really understand all these comments.

I too wonder how BMW did with adopting electric assist instead of old school all hydraulic assist. This review seems to say that BMW did very well with it.

Now, back to that STOOOOOOPID red stripe, which is all I see now when looking at the dash....I HATE IT. What the F were they thinking?
Brushed aluminum PLEASE for that piece, or I'd even take the black tinted poplar I currently have in my 135i.

Which is why you can replace it with the high-gloss black strip which looks awesome!

[justinnum1]

Why is everything about 0-60? How about handling, feel, ...bmw rapes auid* and mercedes* in those areas.



s and amg excluded

[RPM90]

Given these very positive reviews about this new chassis, the 335i version should be simply amazing.

OPT for a $900 tune and the new 335i may be a value priced M3 sedan.
I know, I know....I'm just sayin.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Which is why you can replace it with the high-gloss black strip which looks awesome!

That's nice, but I do not like high-gloss black either. It looks cheap just like the red piece.
I'm still holding out hope for a material in line with this level of automobile and this price point, something like a much better satin brushed aluminum piece. That would be cool, stylish, and worthy.

Still, who at BMW even thought that stupid red stripe should have been used in the first place, and who was the upper management boob to approve it?
I just can't, can't get over how awful it looks in red.

Black gloss will have to do and I hope it comes out easily enough so I can have it refinished.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by RPM90

That's nice, but I do not like high-gloss black either. It looks cheap just like the red piece.
I'm still holding out hope for a material in line with this level of automobile and this price point, something like a much better satin brushed aluminum piece. That would be cool, stylish, and worthy.

Still, who at BMW even thought that stupid red stripe should have been used in the first place, and who was the upper management boob to approve it?
I just can't, can't get over how awful it looks in red.

Black gloss will have to do and I hope it comes out easily enough so I can have it refinished.

Disagree
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...6#post10860076

[BMWDAD]

BMW 1 series hatchback weighs 3009lb.

BMW 3 series saloon weighs 3400lb (?)

Real competition will be the 228i coupe vs the 328i coupe.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Disagree
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...6#post10860076

I do like it.
I didn't mean to say the piece is cheap, just that, for me, I don't like high gloss black as it looks cheap.

It does work MUCH better than the red stripe, and since it's so thin I can easily live with it. I like the aluminum trim in that pict, very nice.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by BMWDAD

BMW 1 series hatchback weighs 3009lb.

BMW 3 series saloon weighs 3400lb (?)

Real competition will be the 228i coupe vs the 328i coupe.

It would awesome if the new 228/235i were 3000lbs. Of course the 235i will be heavier due to the 3.0 and it's turbo and plumbing. If it manages to stay around 3100-3150lbs, it too will be very sweet.

Here's some interesting weight numbers:
F30 328i 8spd auto - 3311 lbs
F30 328i 6spd MT - 3311 lbs
F30 335i 8spd auto - 3487 lbs
F30 335i 6spd MT - 3487 lbs

The auto trans and MT have the same weight.

E90 328i 6spd AT - 3428 lbs
E90 328i 6spd MT - 3362 lbs
E90 335i 6spd AT - 3605 lbs
E90 335i 6spd MT - 3593 lbs

F30 328i auto is 117 lbs lighter than E90 328i auto.
F30 335i auto is 118 lbs lighter than E90 335i auto.

F30 328i MT is 51 lbs lighter than the E90 328i MT.
F30 335i MT is 106 lbs lighter than the E90 335i MT.

F30 328i AT is 176 lbs lighter than the F30 335i AT.
F30 328i MT is 176 lbs lighter than the F30 335i MT.

E90 328i AT is 177 lbs lighter than the E90 335i AT.
E90 328i MT is 231 lbs lighter than the E90 335i MT!

Difference in weight between F30 328i in AT or MT is 0 lbs, same weight.
Difference in weight between F30 335i in AT or MT is 0 lbs, same weight.

E90 328i MT is 66 lbs lighter than E90 328i AT.
E90 335i MT is 12 lbs lighter than E90 335i AT.

Heaviest 3 is the E90 335i AT at 3605 lbs.
Lightest 3 is the F30 328i AT or MT at 3311 lbs.
For a difference of 294 lbs.

If you're going from an E90 335i auto to an F30 328i AT or MT, you'll feel a substantial weight difference, 294 lbs LESS.
With that much less weight, substantial increase in HP and torque, and the quicker 8spd AT, the F30 328i should feel pretty darn good, and it should be a good deal quicker than the E90 328i AT.
Somewhere between the E90 335i AT and the 328i AT, yet closer to the E90 335i AT.
Real tests will tell the tale.

[justinnum1]

Yea, going from an e90 335 auto to an F30 328 manual will be aweomse, almost 250lbs! Cant wait to see how this thing handles