02-02-2016, 12:48 PM | #1 |
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New to BMW and to this forum/just got a 2013 328i
....and I am REALLY disappointed in this car. I rented 3 over the past three vacations abroad; two 320d's 6 speed manuals and a 320i Auto. So I finally went for a CPO 328i XDrive Auto with 37K. It's a DOG. What have I done? It has the sport package/18" rims but handling is numb, suspension waaaay to soft and the engine sounds like a bucket of bolts supplied by Fiat...oh...and 22mpg in comfort mode on a country road commute is the best it can manage....NOT happy. Really really NOT happy...
My son has a 14 year old E46 330ci...now THAT'S a BMW....drives like it's on rails... Yes I test drove this F30...but had 3 people in the car and it's not the same as 'living with it'. Oh...and should I have a booming hum at 60mph from underneath somewhere? My wife's 2010 328i XDrive Coupe was silent...wish i had bought that one out of it's lease but they wanted silly money at the time. Sorry to start on a downer, but I seriously think I bought the wrong car!!!! |
02-02-2016, 01:28 PM | #2 |
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Are you using comfort mode. I had some of the same feelings until I switched to Sport Mode 100% of the time. It's a completely different car in every aspect, amazing!
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02-02-2016, 01:54 PM | #3 |
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You mention a few well known shortcomings of the F30, but some of your observations are a bit surprising.
1. The car should accelerate strongly. The sport tranny combined with the n20 produces acceleration times almost that of the 335i up to around 60mph. It feels less powerful at freeway speeds, and even with stage 1 tuning runs out of breath up top. Never would I describe the car as a dog though. I've never driven an XDrive but the RWD is quick, borderline fast. 2. The suspension/tires on the XDrive sport package is the base suspension. The tires on the x-drive sport package are all seasons and not summer performance. The car wallows and feels numb in base form. Replacing the tires will help with handling greatly, but even with sport suspension/tires the steering still pales compared to the past hydraulic system. There is a software update that you can get which will update the steering profile. It helps improve on center precision, but the artificial feel will always be present. People claim they get used to it and don't notice it after a while. I've merely come to accept it. 3. Fuel economy: I average 21.2 mpg of mixed driving. I have a heavy foot though and on the freeway with cruise set at 75mph, the consumption drops to an impressive ~35mpg. 4. N20 engine sounds like crap. It's one of the biggest detractors of the car. Strangely if you get a N20 equipped loaner that's 2015 or newer, the motor sounds a lot quieter. The Start Stop is also a lot smoother on the newer cars. Not sure what BMW changed but it's significant and unfortunate for the owners of the older models. 5. Booming noise: Not sure what this is attributable to. May be the tires. The F30 suffers from bad wind noise. It's my biggest gripe with the car. I couldn't and still can't believe this is a German car. Came from an 02 Benz E55. With 5x the miles, the car felt both more solid and so much quieter! Have driven both the new 4 and 5 series and it's not an issue on those. New F30s still suffer from this however, and the going theory is that it's due to the mirror design. I think it's also due to the thinner windows, door panels, insulating materials. Overall the car has shortcomings that are both frustrating and surprising. Some of them only become evident after extended seat time. Wind noise, engine sound, steering feel, and paint chipping, are my biggest grievances. Things I like are the styling, the m-sport package equipment, the chassis feel, folding seats, big trunk, spacious rear seats. The tranny/motor combination work really well for every day driving. I'm also a huge fan of the HUD and the adaptive headlights. Sorry you don't like your new car. Part of that seems like it's a function of the spec'd equipment, the other part is that it's an early model year which is a bit unpolished. If you really have bad wind noise, I'd go to the dealer and have them replace your seals. There is an updated window seal which helps make it at least tolerable. |
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02-02-2016, 02:04 PM | #4 |
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Sorry to hear you are so disappointed... BUT IMHO, desired suspension feel, engine noise, and MPG are all things one should sort out before purchasing a car.
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02-02-2016, 03:36 PM | #5 |
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I drove a 328i with the sport package for 3 years and I never encountered anything you have described except the unexceptional engine noises, and I was coming from a 340hp S4 V8. It's not a rocket, but it's definitely not a "DOG". You should probably have it checked out to see if there are problems that could affect performance. I've also never heard a booming hum at 60mph. Sorry you are having a bad experience with it.
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02-02-2016, 03:50 PM | #6 | |
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02-02-2016, 04:06 PM | #7 |
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Yea... I get 26+ mpg on the highway in my 335 xdrive with the Power kit even. and I average 75mph (which means I am going 90 part of the time).
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02-02-2016, 04:21 PM | #8 |
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I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. If he is being sincere then at least I can provide some help. If he is not being sincere then I shouldn't even care because I would be dealing with a child. If a "child" gets off on trolling people, so be it. I'm not self-centered enough to think they have wasted my time. The only one that should really care is him and whomever else he thinks is in his tiny little world. That's just my opinion on all trolls.
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02-02-2016, 04:34 PM | #9 |
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I found MY14 and onwards drive so much better you would think it's a completely different car.
I test drove a MY 13 car and almost did not buy the F30 as it indeed drove like a dog, it was horrible and I could not believe it was a 3 series, BMWs bread and butter! However, I am very happy with my car. Changing the software for the steering definitely helps. |
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02-02-2016, 04:36 PM | #10 |
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+1
If there ever was an automatic troll post generator, it would probably look like this.
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02-02-2016, 06:57 PM | #11 | |
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02-02-2016, 09:25 PM | #12 |
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Let's put it this way, if he is trolling then he wants to get a reaction that amuses him. So I can get mad and call him names or reply earnestly. Being earnest is boring and doesn't give him what he wants. I win either way.
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02-03-2016, 08:43 AM | #13 |
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Oy....I'm a Troll????
First time I ever got called that...pretty funny and I take no offense...I'm a 53 year old British guy with 6 cars who rebuilds engines and transmissions as a hobby; Been on the Saabnet bulletin Board for 20 years....was never accused of trolling. Actually helped a lot of folks with technical questions. Anyhow...I realize I should introduce myself better; 2010 Range Rover Full Size 2004 Subaru XT Turbo 2013 Mini Cooper S 6 speed stick 1985 Saab 900 Turbo 5 speed...330000 miles...(not a typo) 1977 MGB with Overdrive...(V8 conversion the next project) 2013 BMW 328i.....first BMW So be nice....I know more about engines than I should...and given that fact I am kicking myself for this purchase because I feel let down by this new car. It sounds like the 328D....but only manages 22mpg and is probably the harshest, noisiest 4 cylinder car I have ever driven. How BMW ....BMW of all manufacturers....can put this out there and sell so many confounds me. |
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02-03-2016, 08:49 AM | #14 |
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You owned a Subaru, but the BMW is the harshest, noisiest 4-cylinder car you ever owned?
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02-03-2016, 09:09 AM | #15 |
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Since you have xDrive you don't have the sport suspension, so theres that.
It also seems the be noted that 2014 Models seem to be overall better in terms of this stuff, should have went for one.
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02-03-2016, 09:15 AM | #16 | |
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Anyhow....from my first post, I probably should have bitten the bullet fully and gotten a 335....but they just aren't out there CPO. My Dealer could not find one. I just didn't expect this type of experience...I read tons of reviews and watched all the videos...many raving about the power of the 4 cylinder unit....it IS powerful, but is also harsh...and that I didn't expect from BMW. That 2010 328 E90 and even my son's E46 were/are wonderful motors....this just ain't. |
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02-03-2016, 09:17 AM | #17 |
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Probably right....XDrive is not an option for me here in the Northeast with the winters we have going on...and I have quite the slope on my driveway!
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02-03-2016, 09:38 AM | #18 | |
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Also I had a 2012 loaner for 2 weeks. The engine ticked because of DI, but I beat the piss out of it and still got 26mpg.
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02-03-2016, 09:40 AM | #19 | |
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One thing you might like to do is ditch the stock runflats, I changed mine out for some nice ContiDWS go flat tires.
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02-03-2016, 10:02 AM | #20 | |
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I'm going to have to deal....but again I am just...well...you read it already! |
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02-03-2016, 10:22 AM | #21 |
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well it sucks you're disappointed with your new car and I hope you find some solutions...your comments are making me very happy I got a 2014 lol
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02-03-2016, 11:30 AM | #22 | |
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I'm not sure why the insistence for CPO from someone who rebuilds engines and trans either, since it's just extra cost. CPO doesn't necessarily include an extended maintenance program, so you're really just paying for additional warranty.
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