[3002 tii]

Not sure if this is even relevant given the car has been out so long but I figured I’d post my review of the 328i I received as a loaner. So many owners of the previous generation 1/3 series like to crap on the new Bimmers but I was pleasantly surprised. Here are my observations:

Handling
Something that’s been beaten to death but it’s true, the electric steering is really light. I have electric steering on my 2007 Z4 (I think it was one of the first models to receive it) and even that feels heavier. However the steering feels noticeably more responsive. Little steering inputs translate into noticeable direction change. The E82 may have better/heavier feel but for regular driving this may not necessarily be better. But for a track day I will take the heavy steering since the resistance allows user to add corrective inputs without having to second guess are they adding too much.

Stock for stock, the 328i handles way better than my 135i. The front end doesn’t feel heavy as the E82. And this does NOT come at the cost of comfort neither. Despite the car being equipped with runflats it felt just as comfortable as my 135i with Michelin PSS. Crazy I know.

Engine / Drivetrain
4 cylinder turbo doesn’t disappoint, great for daily driving. My only complaint is the lack of audible feedback – hate to say it but sounds like I’m driving a hybrid (and I’ve owned a 4 cylinder turbo before). Given the car wasn’t a loaner I wasn’t going to push it and see how the top end feels but again, for regular driving the torque is there and sufficient. Lag is minimal.

8 speed auto was great, shifts were seamless and I never felt the car was in the wrong gear.

Interior
The iDrive system/interface is nice but the overall dash is really bland. But not sure if this is different for cars with different options/packages. The cluster gauge just seemed very basic, no details like chrome rings. I know it doesn’t change the driving dynamic but this particular optioned 3-series felt more “bottom of the barrel” BMW than other E9x I’ve driven.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Thanks for the review
you deserve a +1 for the effort

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

The cluster gauge just seemed very basic, no details like chrome rings.

Not sure who would want chrome rings... I shudder at how tacky that would be. But if you mean aluminum / silver gauge rings, actually the F30 does have them. The red accents on my Sport line are another nice little detail that I like. I'd have to disagree that the dash is bland, I think they took a pretty bold leap with the sweeping shape and I really prefer it to the straight-edged E90 dash. Not to say that I don't like the E90 interior, I do, but unfortunately it becomes quite dated compared with the F30 update.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

Not sure who would want chrome rings... I shudder at how tacky that would be. But if you mean aluminum / silver gauge rings, actually the F30 does have them. The red accents on my Sport line are another nice little detail that I like. I'd have to disagree that the dash is bland, I think they took a pretty bold leap with the sweeping shape and I really prefer it to the straight-edged E90 dash. Not to say that I don't like the E90 interior, I do, but unfortunately it becomes quite dated compared with the F30 update.

Yes, aluminum is what i meant.

Perhaps the dash on this particular loaner reflects the lack of options.

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

Not sure who would want chrome rings... I shudder at how tacky that would be. But if you mean aluminum / silver gauge rings, actually the F30 does have them. The red accents on my Sport line are another nice little detail that I like. I'd have to disagree that the dash is bland, I think they took a pretty bold leap with the sweeping shape and I really prefer it to the straight-edged E90 dash. Not to say that I don't like the E90 interior, I do, but unfortunately it becomes quite dated compared with the F30 update.

Actually I think the red and blue accents are pretty tacky.

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

Actually I think the red and blue accents are pretty tacky.

I was thinking of the accent on the gauges:

[3002 tii]

I misspoke, there seems to be some accent on the gauges but barely noticeable at first. This is how my loaner looks.