[smithf80]

Because I really want that car. (But still, don't get me wrong, I really love my current F32 more and more every day)

First off, here are the specs of the car I drove:

Red on Black 340i xDrive
MSport
Premium
Cold Weather
Tech
Drivers Assistance
Drivers Assistance Plus
M Sport Brakes
19" Wheels

It was a fully loaded car.

Let me say this, the LCI touches are REALLY NICE. New subtle stitching on the seats, the satin silver trim pieces all over the place, the new gloss black AC/Radio trim, its all nice. The new halos look very cool, as do the LCI tails.

NBT EVO is also pretty cool, its kind of like an iPhone 5 to a 5S upgrade though, its basically the same, but a little bit faster, and overall better.

The real difference here is how this car drives. This is how BMW should have made the F30 (but then there would be nothing to fix in the LCI).

I only drove the car for 5 minutes, but I could immediately feel all of the suspension differences and most importantly the STEERING.

The steering on this car finally feels real, it fights back, just like my E90 did. When you turn you can feel the wheel wanting to go back to center, its so much more firm and responsive.

As for the engine: the B58 is very smooth in its power delivery, acceleration is effortless and it almost doesn't feel turbocharged.

[gongtowjai]

you should be happy...why sad? I'm coming from E90...based upon you info..i'm pretty excited I made the right choice.

[Blubaron79]

I never hated my steering in my F32 or now my F30. Glad it is better though. A 2012 loaner I had was bad though.

[mike@x-ph.com]

smithf32 exactly the same way i felt when i drove one last month

[sr5959]

OP is your current F32 a 4 or 6 cyl?

[auf Deutsch]

Should be a performer with the mppk, making my decision to go with the M3 a tad more difficult.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by sr5959

OP is your current F32 a 4 or 6 cyl?

4cyl, but I've driven just about everything, including the N55 previous to the B58.

There aren't many recent BMW engines I haven't driven at some point or another, hah.

[300hp]

Great to hear the driving experience is improved, didn't doubt that Bmw would deliver one bit. Love my 335i, but would get the 340i in a heartbeat. However I want to wait for the G series and hang on to my 335i until the G series comes along. It can only get better and hope to hear more from the guys picking up the 340i

[nicknaz]

Nice to hear about the steering OP. I'm going to struggle as well on replacing pre LCI 335 later this year if the LCI F30 is a significant step forward.

We talked about going to X1 or some other SUV, or even i3 hatch but LCI F31 could be a strong contender if the good steering etc carries over to xdrive cars

[CalCarNut]

My ex's fiance just bought an Estoril Blue '15 335i M-sport and has complained about the steering feel in it over the feel of the 2009 335 he gave her. Says the '09 is just much better. Sounds like he should've gotten the 340i . I would have but he hates taking a depreciation hit on a new car. I hold on to my cars forever so it's not an issue...lol

[sr5959]

Originally Posted by smithf32

4cyl, but I've driven just about everything, including the N55 previous to the B58.

There aren't many recent BMW engines I haven't driven at some point or another, hah.

I think there's going to be a huge, noticeable difference between the N20 and the 340, might go for one when I next change my car. I didn't think there was a huge diff between the N20 and the N55.

[P-Bass]

Originally Posted by sr5959

I think there's going to be a huge, noticeable difference between the N20 and the 340, might go for one when I next change my car. I didn't think there was a huge diff between the N20 and the N55.

If you didn't think there was a huge difference then I don't think you were pushing it. You may think you were, but not really. I'm sure I'll get the, "not in real world" responses. I had a 328 for over a week when my car was in the shop; I absolutely noticed the difference, all over the rev range. The N20 is a great engine, for me, the N55 is a much better engine.

[5ilver-5amurai]

I'm of the opinion that the biggest difference felt here was between that of a 4 cylinder and a 6 cylinder.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by PSA955

If you didn't think there was a huge difference then I don't think you were pushing it. You may think you were, but not really. I'm sure I'll get the, "not in real world" responses. I had a 328 for over a week when my car was in the shop; I absolutely noticed the difference, all over the rev range. The N20 is a great engine, for me, the N55 is a much better engine.

There is a noticeable difference for sure, you're right about that. However I wouldn't say the N20 is great and the N55 is "much better" because you're not comparing the same thing. To say the N55 is great and the B58 is much better makes sense, because you're comparing 2 6cyl engines designed for the same thing. The N20 was designed for fuel efficiency and being able to just be a little faster than most of the economy cars out there, the N55 was developed to be fast (hence the 2 more cylinders, lol).

Originally Posted by 5ilver-5amurai

I'm of the opinion that the biggest difference felt here was between that of a 4 cylinder and a 6 cylinder.

Nope, just because I own a 4cyl doesn't meant that I was in some kind of "OMG THIS IS A FAST KAR ZOMG" shock when I drove the 340, like I said, I've driven the N55 extensively and I'm confident in my assessment. The B58 is much smoother and delivers the power in a much more linear fashion compared to the N55.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by smithf32

Nope, just because I own a 4cyl doesn't meant that I was in some kind of "OMG THIS IS A FAST KAR ZOMG" shock when I drove the 340, like I said, I've driven the N55 extensively and I'm confident in my assessment. The B58 is much smoother and delivers the power in a much more linear fashion compared to the N55.

The N55 is an extremely smooth engine. I haven't driven the B58, but I don't think lack of smoothness is a problem for anyone with the N55. Power delivery linearity may be more arguable, but I don't find it to be much of a problem with the N55 either. Basically, if they improved something here, then good, but it wasn't much of an issue to begin with.

The steering is an area that actually needed improvement, so if they fixed that in the 3-series LCI, then that's great. I have a 2016 435i, and the steering is far from impressive.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by visualguy

The N55 is an extremely smooth engine. I haven't driven the B58, but I don't think lack of smoothness is a problem for anyone with the N55. Power delivery linearity may be more arguable, but I don't find it to be much of a problem with the N55 either. Basically, if they improved something here, then good, but it wasn't much of an issue to begin with.

The steering is an area that actually needed improvement, so if they fixed that in the 3-series LCI, then that's great. I have a 2016 435i, and the steering is far from impressive.

Trust me, I'm not saying the N55 isn't smooth, all I am saying is that if you drive the B58 you'll feel the difference.

And yes, the steering really is that much better.

[G30 B58]

Fully loaded car.....every......single..... time.

= no regrets.

[lens]

Tbh, I'm excited to see what the B58 engine can be tuned to, the N55 has seen 450hp safe mode. But I have a feeling the B58 has loads of potential.

[5ilver-5amurai]

Originally Posted by smithf32

Nope, just because I own a 4cyl doesn't meant that I was in some kind of "OMG THIS IS A FAST KAR ZOMG" shock when I drove the 340, like I said, I've driven the N55 extensively and I'm confident in my assessment. The B58 is much smoother and delivers the power in a much more linear fashion compared to the N55.

Going to have to agree with visualguy here, most of the engine differences between the 28 and 35 go well beyond speed. That being said, since you're confident in your assessment, i'll take a 340i for a spin and see for myself.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by 5ilver-5amurai

Going to have to agree with visualguy here, most of the engine differences between the 28 and 35 go well beyond speed. That being said, since you're confident in your assessment, i'll take a 340i for a spin and see for myself.

You should, trust me you'll feel it.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by smithf32

The real difference here is how this car drives. This is how BMW should have made the F30 (but then there would be nothing to fix in the LCI).

I had a 2016 320i loaner recently when I took my car in for service and to replace 3 frickin tires.

I like the taillights a lot but yeah the way the car drove was night and day. Reminded me a lot of how the E90's drove...if the E90 had EPS.

Took an on-ramp at speed expecting a little bit of lean like my car exhibits in Comfort mode...nothing. I was quite impressed, very fun to toss around.