[swagon]

As the title says, I'm looking for some info from those who have had experience with either pre-LCI/LCI I and the newest LCI 2 models.

Compared to E90 LCI, the interior of F30's doesn't seem to be of any higher quality but I have not had the opportunity to try the newest models which have that new stitched dash.

Also, would like to hear about wind noise from people that made the switch from E90 to F30. E90s weren't very quiet on the highway... Haven't had the chance to test drive an F30 yet. Thinking about getting one next year just before the end of production.

Thanks.

[shawntech]

Originally Posted by swagon

As the title says, I'm looking for some info from those who have had experience with either pre-LCI/LCI I and the newest LCI 2 models.

Compared to E90 LCI, the interior of F30's doesn't seem to be of any higher quality but I have not had the opportunity to try the newest models which have that new stitched dash.

Also, would like to hear about wind noise from people that made the switch from E90 to F30. E90s weren't very quiet on the highway... Haven't had the chance to test drive an F30 yet. Thinking about getting one next year just before the end of production.

Thanks.

I wouldn't say my lci 2016 340xi is any quieter on road or wind noise than the e90 it replaced, embarrassing to admit but the 2017 ford escape titanium 2 litre 4wd we just picked up for the gf is significantly quieter in both road and wind noise... of course depending on temperature a few things inside may rattle or creak slightly and the interior materials aren't as good as the bmw but it makes me realize the f30 lci is 10yrs back on noise refinement.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by ls3c6

I wouldn't say my lci 2016 340xi is any quieter on road or wind noise than the e90 it replaced, embarrassing to admit but the 2017 ford escape titanium 2 litre 4wd we just picked up for the gf is significantly quieter in both road and wind noise... of course depending on temperature a few things inside may rattle or creak slightly and the interior materials aren't as good as the bmw but it makes me realize the f30 lci is 10yrs back on noise refinement.

Hmm mhmm, this is in line what I have read so far on the forums... Had a rental 1 Series hatch months ago and I thought that car was actually noticeably quieter than the E90 LCI and so if F30s are not any quieter, then I don't what is going on lol.

[la02max]

Personally, I'm glad it's not any more muted. I think it already drowns out too much of the engine/road noise. Initially I was looking at a used 535i 6MT, and that thing is so quiet, it felt like I was driving an appliance. No connection to the engine or road, at all.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by ls3c6

I wouldn't say my lci 2016 340xi is any quieter on road or wind noise than the e90 it replaced, embarrassing to admit but the 2017 ford escape titanium 2 litre 4wd we just picked up for the gf is significantly quieter in both road and wind noise... of course depending on temperature a few things inside may rattle or creak slightly and the interior materials aren't as good as the bmw but it makes me realize the f30 lci is 10yrs back on noise refinement.

I find my 2017 RWD 330i to be reasonably quiet, on par with my 2013 Honda Odyssey. It's not as quiet as the 2013 Altima I had, but much quieter than the 2007 CRV I own. As a side note, the 3-series is extremely good in windy conditions--very little course disturbance.

The 3-series is not bllled as a luxury cruiser so I think the noise level is in line with what's to be expected. Of course BMW's bewildering attraction to RFTs doesn't help the cause.

[Danddd]

I would say the F31 is slightly quieter than my E91. Especially with the roof open and the glass closed. Seems the reduced sized rails make it quieter. F31 doesn't ride as harsh and long trips are more relaxing. Interior quality isn't really improved and not as driver oriented as the E91, but looks nicer except the flat black panel along the shifter. Steering feel quality way reduced, but turn in seems sharper. I preferred the E91 sport seats to the F31 sport seats. I miss the E91 driving dynamics, but appreciate the F31.

[vp]

I had a 2016 F36 which had a lot of road noise and squeaks. The road noise was probably due to the Bridgestone Potenza run flat tires.

2 weeks ago I got the 2018 F36 LCI and this thing is way more quiet than my previous 2016. So far, I have not even heard 1 squeak. I tried pressing a few areas of the car where i previously noticed squeaks in the 2016 and they seem to have fixed all of them.

This car came with Pirelli PZero run flats and I have to say these are wayyyy better than the bridgestones, much much quieter. They almost feel like non- run flats. I will also add that the suspension in the LCI has been retuned and this may also have to do with the vehicle absorbing bumps and rougher roads better.

I hope this helps in your decision making.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by vp

I had a 2016 F36 which had a lot of road noise and squeaks. The road noise was probably due to the Bridgestone Potenza run flat tires.

2 weeks ago I got the 2018 F36 LCI and this thing is way more quiet than my previous 2016. So far, I have not even heard 1 squeak. I tried pressing a few areas of the car where i previously noticed squeaks in the 2016 and they seem to have fixed all of them.

This car came with Pirelli PZero run flats and I have to say these are wayyyy better than the bridgestones, much much quieter. They almost feel like non- run flats. I will also add that the suspension in the LCI has been retuned and this may also have to do with the vehicle absorbing bumps and rougher roads better.

I hope this helps in your decision making.

This mirrors my experience with the 2017 330i vs. my 2014 328i. Just a more solid car. My lease manager mentioned to me that BMW's best cars are always the last 2 years of a model run.

What size tires do you have for the Pzeros? The current RFT choices for 225/45/18 and 255/40/18 are quite poor.

[vp]

Originally Posted by LMK5

This mirrors my experience with the 2017 330i vs. my 2014 328i. My lease manager mentioned to me that BMW's best cars are always the last 2 years of a model run.

What size tires do you have for the Pzeros?

I had the 19" rims on both cars with the staggered set up.

[Wires]

Keep in mind sport suspensions and RFT's are going to add a lot to road noise (regardless of models or brand).

Only way to lose road noise is to make it ride like a marshmallow. Lots of glass gives you wind noise as well. I find pulling the sunshade on the highway drops the noise over the sunroof substantially.

[Kafkaesque328]

I have pulled up my SPL (dB) meter app on my phone in the car in both my car and my wife's Tiguan on the same stretches of freeway, cruising at 75-80 and the Tiguan is quieter. That said, even though the M sport suspension and runflats can ride a little rough, it is amazing how much better it soaks up the rough roads and bumps than the Tiguan with 16" all season tires and standard suspension. Having ridden a lot of late model economy cars via UberX, the 3 series is certainly a cut above of your run of the mill Altima/Accord/Fusion etc. as far as overall refinement but on the flip side, my wife's friends 2015 A4, and now Q5, as well as my buddy's IS200T or my other friends C300 are all more solid, quiet and refined than my 3 series.

The 328i is plenty refined for me, I'm not looking for a Lincoln or something, but I just can't abide by the rattles and buzzing and all that. I have a new buzzing coming from the passenger side trim/speaker area now that is driving me crazy. I literally never experienced this kind of thing in years of driving used beater Japanese econo-boxes... Nope, didn't truly know interior rattles and build issues until I started driving 'premium' German brands. Go figure.

By the way, my 2014 320i had far less squeaks, creaks and rattles then my LCI 2016 328i, so I don't really buy it that the new ones are any nicer.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by Kafkaesque328

I have pulled up my SPL (dB) meter app on my phone in the car in both my car and my wife's Tiguan on the same stretches of freeway, cruising at 75-80 and the Tiguan is quieter. That said, even though the M sport suspension and runflats can ride a little rough, it is amazing how much better it soaks up the rough roads and bumps than the Tiguan with 16" all season tires and standard suspension. Having ridden a lot of late model economy cars via UberX, the 3 series is certainly a cut above of your run of the mill Altima/Accord/Fusion etc. as far as overall refinement but on the flip side, my wife's friends 2015 A4, and now Q5, as well as my buddy's IS200T or my other friends C300 are all more solid, quiet and refined than my 3 series.

The 328i is plenty refined for me, I'm not looking for a Lincoln or something, but I just can't abide by the rattles and buzzing and all that. I have a new buzzing coming from the passenger side trim/speaker area now that is driving me crazy. I literally never experienced this kind of thing in years of driving used beater Japanese econo-boxes... Nope, didn't truly know interior rattles and build issues until I started driving 'premium' German brands. Go figure.

By the way, my 2014 320i had far less squeaks, creaks and rattles then my LCI 2016 328i, so I don't really buy it that the new ones are any nicer.

Yeah, I would say the 3-series is slightly above average as far as wind and road noise is concerned. It certainly is quiet enough that a long road trip won't be fatiguing.

As far as rattles, buzzes, and squeaks, it seems that luck plays a large part when it comes to BMWs. The 2017 330i loaner I had for a month certainly had some annoying sounds, yet my car is exactly the same, also built in SA, and has no interior noise of any kind over any road surface. I guess the margins for interior component fitment are such that you may or may not get a rattle or buzz here or there. Certainly, if BMW would use conventional tires, they would improve upon this with no further effort.

As far as Japanese cars go, I agree that they've got the secret sauce as far as delivering the perception of solid interior build quality--especially Toyota. Maybe they have less pieces involved, such as a modular dash, but even in the 1970s, one of the distinctions of Japanese cars vs. American cars was the elimination of interior noises, adding to the feeling of superior quality.

My 1997 Camry, 2001 Sienna, and 1981 Celica were all quiet. My 2013 Odyssey has certainly developed some wind noise and squeaks, and my 2008 Fit is a little buzzy. But the 2007 CRV is rock solid.

[Orion4]

With my 2013 F30335i Sportline, I've experienced an annoying amount of "wind noise" around both front door window areas as have number of others as posted on this forum.In my case, it manifests itself starting around 45mph, increasing with speed and is the same regardless of gear or rpm. Been to the dealer several times with no resolution from BMW. The Dealer Service Manage even took a drive with me and acknowledged the problem which he said was systemic with the F30 model. Other forum members have found various solutions to their issues, but I have not. This is the first BMW, I experienced this problem with including a 95 M3, 99 540 Sport, 2000 323i, 2008 335i.

[nedmon]

I'm planning to pull the seats and carpet on my 2013 328i CPO to lay on sound proofingi. I will also do the doors, trunk and wheel wells.

I just cant stand the racket.

[TBN54]

MY17 340's wind noise is terrible compared to my precious 08 E92. It's annoying that an almost 10 year newer car is louder.

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by nedmon

I'm planning to pull the seats and carpet on my 2013 328i CPO to lay on sound proofingi. I will also do the doors, trunk and wheel wells.

I just cant stand the racket.

I put dynamat and luxury liner pro in my doors and that alone made a good difference! Well worth it.

[Kafkaesque328]

I am in a 2018 4 series grand coupe loaner and the interior quality seems pretty similar to mine. It has like 1100 miles on it and already has an annoying buzz coming from the passenger door trim area.

[swagon]

Damn. Seems like they really got cheap on the interior and insulation in the F30 gen.