[t$]

felt like posting this, been thinking about my car lately because might have to swap it out for an automatic due to family considerations.

currently own a 16 328i 6mt / m sport / track handling. ive come to appreciate lately that its actually a very good car.

my previous (used) cars are as follows:
1997 tacoma 5mt
1999 prelude 5mt
2006 civic hybrid 5mt
2001 323i 5mt
2008 328xi 6mt
2006 4runner 4at (still own)

there are things about all those i will miss - quick prelude rev, stepping out the 323i, steering feel in the e90 despite being xdrive, civic bc it was totalled.

i read a lot about how the g20 is bringing back the 3 series soul. i think its been there the whole time, just hiding out in the right spec. anyone else have similar sentiments?

attached the only pic i have, couple years ago, with snowsocks and pss's (caltrans approved)

[antzcrashing]

Dont switch teach them to drive manual!

[sspade]

Care to share which snow sock you are using there?

Been looking for a set.

[sspade]

Love my 328. Keeping it for a long, long time. Suits me and serves me... extremely well.

[frazervalley]

Love mine too. Been washing and cleaning it up after storing it for the winter.
I did manage to drive it a few times over the winter when it was dry out.
Planning on keeping it for quite a few years, so it is treated with care.

[neonnblack]

Yeah how bout them snow socks? How do they do? And yes, a great car.

[Tomo366]

My 328D is outstanding

[jmg]

My very first car was an E21 320i. It was the last bimmer I had up until 6 years ago when I dipped my toe back in the bimmer waters with a 2013 F30 328i. I loved it so much I've gotten 5 bimmers since. So yeah, I have a special place in my heart for the N20 328i.

[upsidedownfunnel]

The M Sport suspension is too compliant and the steering feels too disconnected compared to previous BMWs. It's not a bad car by any means, but it just doesn't feel like previous 3 series.

The M Performance suspension fixes the body roll and the steering at least is fairly precise (other than on-center feel) and the chassis is pretty good. But the only reason I own my F30 is the manual transmission. It's pretty depressing that they decided to fix things with the G20 yet drop the manual.

[Killakittie]

Bought the car 8 months ago with 30k miles and currently sit at 62k..zero issues. Been a damn good car so far. I do all my own maintenance, been to the drag strip three times, two rear tires and oil changes every 5k miles. The car does have body roll but nothing I can't live or work with as this is my first BMW and my tester car to see if the rumors are true... From what everyone tells me when they ask what car I drive and I tell them a BMW I should have been through two maybe three engines so far and 50k in work to fix all the issues inherent to BMW's..

This car has been thee best daily driver I've ever owned.

[madmortar]

you still on the west coast?

[otay]

Nice spec OP...and I love the thread title.

I actually really like mine, too.

[kingmonkey8]

I replaced my 428i MT M Sport with a 428i M SPort Auto with adaptive suspension due to reliability problems.

I sometimes miss the MT but the sport auto is good enough to live with everyday. Makes daily driving around town so much easier and although it's not perfect, it's responsive enough to make driving fun.
The MT wasn't the best MT transmission. Long drives or city driving could be hard work.
People say 335/435 is the better car,obviously not as fast but I think the 2.0 four pot handles better. I've driven the e92 330i and it felt heavier upfront. With the adaptive suspension even in comfort mode it drives nicely. I prefer the steering in comfort mode and with the slightly softer suspension, it feels more nimble and soaks ups the bumps better and doesn't feel unsettled. Just has a nice flow to it and is easier to drive faster. Even through the tight and twisty stuff it feels nimble for the size of the car.
Not the best sounding car but that doesn't bother me. If it wasn't for the annoying niggles or reliability issues. I would say it's a great car.

[donkey]

I had the same sort of thought process as well. I have a 2014 335i w/ sport + 6mt and was thinking of upgrading to a newer model with automatic just to make it easier for my wife to drive.

I had a 430 GC as a loaner for a few days with the 8AT transmission. It was nice, but I was super happy to get back into my car when all was said and done.

I decided to pay off my car and keep it a while.

Also agreed 100% on the 3 series soul still existing, just gotta option it out right.

[t$]

Originally Posted by sspade

Care to share which snow sock you are using there?

Originally Posted by neonnblack

Yeah how bout them snow socks? How do they do?

These are the ones I have - link. CalTrans approved them a couple years ago in place of regular chains which i really didnt want to use. They worked well no traction issues at all. I think they are probably good if you need it 1-2x a year but Im guessing they wear out if you drive on pavement much.

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

It's pretty depressing that they decided to fix things with the G20 yet drop the manual.

Im sorta curious if the hardware that 'fixes' the g20 is really that much different than the adaptive suspension / vss on the f30 - seems like the main difference is that those are standard on msport/m340i. I drove a g30 at the ultimate driving experience last year and didnt think the steering felt any better, but maybe thats an bad comparison. g20 reviews also seem mixed if things are actually better handling wise. i think itll always just be incremental improvements compared to the glory days of bmw hydraulic steering.

Originally Posted by donkey

I had a 430 GC as a loaner for a few days with the 8AT transmission. It was nice, but I was super happy to get back into my car when all was said and done.

recently had a similar experience - had a 440 vert loaner. was nice to spend a couple days with the b58 but just felt kinda boring towards the end -- which i guess might be my future haha. b58 sure is smooth tho