03-31-2012, 12:11 PM | #1 | |
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New C&D sports sedan compare (F30 vs A4, G25, C260, S60)
Featured on BIMMERPOST.com Quote:
Overall not as whopping of a victory as the e90.
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03-31-2012, 12:40 PM | #2 |
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It wins but the gripes are the same as everyone... steering, steering and steering. They said it does not offer the feedback of the E90 and no one could really argue that.
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03-31-2012, 12:43 PM | #3 | |
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"Steering feedback is comparable to that of the outgoing 3-series, in spite of the noticeable reduction in effort. The new steering system’s quicker ratios compensate nicely for the loss of response that—at least theoretically—accompanies any wheelbase increase" (Sherman, 2011). The same article doesn't go into any detail about the new run-flats, but what I've read from other sources about how the new run-flats are massively improved over the outgoing ones seems to contradict Car and Driver with this latest article. Maybe they didn't want to seem too biased and narrowed the victory gap a little. Heck, I would bet on it since they have a subscription crowd to think about. References Sherman, D. (2011). 2012 BMW 3-series: First drive review. Car and Driver. Retrieved from http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review |
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03-31-2012, 01:08 PM | #4 |
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Here's the on-line article: http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests
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03-31-2012, 01:52 PM | #6 | |
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Now about this comparo, at least the F30 won but here are a few disturbing parts. Engine NVH for the 328i was the worst at 7/10... all others were 8 and above. Chassis performance is the worst and steering feel is the 2nd worst. Hell breaks loose with this; an Infiniti G25 is rated more fun-to-drive (and top pick). |
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03-31-2012, 01:55 PM | #7 | |
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03-31-2012, 02:37 PM | #9 |
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the steering issue will always be debated, overall it is NOT getting as negative reviews as the F10 did, which were unanimously horrible.
They did say that the 335i they tested had better steering input: "The 335i we tested last month wore sportier tires, and its steering, while still light, had more feel than the 328i’s here. Tires more worthy of a sports sedan would go a long way to improving the 328i’s chassis performance. " I do think it is a shame that u have to change ur tires on a car this expensive.
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03-31-2012, 02:45 PM | #10 | |
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Can't compare the EPS in an F10 because that is a large boat luxury sedan where steering response won't be nearly as much of a priority as it is in a sport sedan.
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03-31-2012, 02:49 PM | #11 |
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also related to the tires:
"Low-rolling-resistance rubber is designed to keep rolling, which is why the 328i stopped from 70 mph in a full-size-SUV-like 191 feet." this is flat out horrible, my x5 is better than this.
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03-31-2012, 04:06 PM | #12 | |
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03-31-2012, 04:27 PM | #13 |
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Highs: Turbo four thinks it’s a six, balanced weight means balanced handling, larger inside but no huge jump in mass.
Lows: Feel-lite steering, sounds like a diesel at idle, fuel-economy tires. Verdict: Handling? Check. Efficient and powerful? Check. Lousy tires? Check. Steering feel? Check, please. The new 328i looks a lot like a dehydrated 528i, especially from the rear. Inside, the design is a mix of 5-series and the previous 3. All of the electronics work as well as they did in last year’s car—no problems there. A larger exteri*or and a 1.9-inch-longer wheelbase bump up cabin space enough that the BMW’s rear seat topped our subjective comfort and objective space categories. Mass is up by 133 pounds over the last 328i, but the new 328i’s 3485-pound curb weight is only 38 pounds greater than the smaller and lightest-in-test C250. So far, so good. Start the new 2.0-liter turbo four cold, and its clicking and pulsing direct injectors make it sound, from the outside anyway, like you’ve fired a diesel. Once warm, the engine quiets down, and excellent sound-deadening keeps the clatter from approaching the *driver’s eardrums. Its 40-decibel idle is whisper quiet. Accelerate, and the 328i jets from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds, tying the Audi as the quickest non-Volvo of the test. A tiny bit of four-cylinder coarseness asserts itself, but the engine revs almost as smoothly as the outgoing naturally aspirated six. With 240 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, the turbo four easily surpasses that old six’s output. Power is delivered evenly from just off of idle all the way to the 7000-rpm redline. Note that the BMW is the only car here that shifted at redline: The 328i’s new eight-speed auto—similar in design to the A4’s auto—was deemed the best-applied transmission in the test. Even after hammering the 2.0-liter for 300 miles, it returned the best fuel *economy of the bunch—21 mpg. Chasing high mpg numbers means that many BMWs—even those with the Sport Line’s 18-inch wheels—will have all-season run-flat tires bent on saving fuel. Low-rolling-resistance rubber is designed to keep rolling, which is why the 328i stopped from 70 mph in a full-size-SUV-like 191 feet. Stops were at least consistent and free of any fade. The pedal remained firm, responsive, and progressive. Subjectively, the brakes are great, but they’re severely let down by the tires. Even wearing its run-flats, though, it exhibited a noticeable improvement in ride quality over the last 3er. BMW is getting better at tuning suspensions for the heavy and hard tires it fits to its cars. The brand’s obsession with even weight distribution pays handling dividends. Front and rear tires seem to work equally hard. The new 3 most closely resembles the previous car in its balanced feel and nearly neutral handling. The most glaring difference between 3-series new and old is the new electric power steering’s feedback. First, it’s far lighter than before. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. That the electric power steering doesn’t offer much feedback or feel is a bad thing, though. At least it is accurate, allowing you to place the car precisely in a corner without lost motion. Our beef is that the primary communication between driver and road—the steering—is now pleading the Fifth. Please, BMW, remedy this fault. What we’re left with is a 328i whose *personality is less distinct than that of the car it replaces, and we’d grown to love the old personality. The 335i we tested last month wore sportier tires, and its steering, while still light, had more feel than the 328i’s here. Tires more worthy of a sports sedan would go a long way to improving the 328i’s chassis performance. But maybe that tire choice is emblematic of a new approach at BMW, one that values fuel economy and rear-seat space and comfort more than it once did. This diminishes the dynamic gap between the 3-series and its ever-improving competitors, even as it results in an empirically better car. Indeed, the 328i’s virtues are considerable, even with a bloated, $50,870 sticker price. But if you’re put off by this more mature, less ornery bull, find yourself a previous-generation 328i. New ones are still out there.
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03-31-2012, 06:14 PM | #14 |
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It's annoying that BMW is fitting those crappy all-season tires. Still, it sounds like essentially all their gripes with the car are due to the tires. They even said the 335i they drove earlier had sportier tires and (as a result, apparently) better steering feel.
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03-31-2012, 06:35 PM | #15 |
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I just read the article last night. They didn't seem as enthused as most the reviews I've read. Luckily, it still took the top spot
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03-31-2012, 07:33 PM | #16 |
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BMW has really made my next purchase a headache as a driving enthusiast. I keep reading so many different opinions about the F30, leaving it almost split down the middle. I just don't understand how the results are so inconsistent unlike every other 3 series article in the past.
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03-31-2012, 07:40 PM | #17 |
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I have had many 3-series and other past BMW's. E34, E39, two E46, an E92 and now an E90 with an E70 X5. Test drove the new F30 several times as well as the F10. I must say, no current BMW does anything for me driving wise. What made BMW is no longer for purchase.
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03-31-2012, 08:07 PM | #18 |
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I'm curious to how many people talking about steering feel or lack there of are actually pushing the car to the potential for that feel to actually make a difference. Not saying any of you dont know what your talking about as this will be my first BMW but if your not tracking your BMW 3-10 times a year what's the difference?
(I will not be tracking my f30' maybe a handful of autox, but I track an Evo to track) |
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03-31-2012, 08:39 PM | #19 | |
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Anything above 40mph and your not turning the wheel enough to notice, also the electric builds nice pressure above 20mph, and also in sport it stiffens it up, but in comfort and at low speeds you can steer with your pinky, no way could i steer with my pinky ever in the e90
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04-01-2012, 12:35 AM | #21 |
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it is, but all the models they're testing have so much additional equipment
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04-01-2012, 12:56 AM | #22 |
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That's why it is so important to not listen too much to the opinions but rather make your own.. Try to schedule several test drives with competitors and then see what you think of the cars yourself
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