[Eddian!]

First, I own a 2012 F30 328i. It is an excellent car. I love it. I test drove it along with the 335i and decided to go with the 328i. Cool.

Today I got a loaner E90 335i. It is so fun! I truly enjoy driving it. It is the true definition of the ultimate driving machine. Way better than the F30. The interior looks dated and nowhere near as nice as the F30, kinda awkward, old looking, and way less convenient. But the handling and road feel are great. The steering is exciting! It reminded me of my old car. It is making me consider trading my F30 in for an E90.

Now I understand what E90 drivers have been saying about the new bimmers. I cant wait to get mine back from the dealer so that I can compare it again. I am worried I won't like it as much anymore

[Seagull]

Fair enough. Report back.

I've been out of my F30 for almost 2 months now. I'm wondering how it'll feel when I get back into it.

[bmrm396]

Originally Posted by Seagull

Fair enough. Report back.

I've been out of my F30 for almost 2 months now. I'm wondering how it'll feel when I get back into it.

same here - just keep it in sport mode 24/7. u wont hate it, but u wont miss the e90 as much ... basically its JUUUUST enough to keep ya around haha

[7thGear]

I hate reading threads like this. My last Bimmer was an E39 525i a few years back and I'm looking forward to getting the new 4. The last thing I want to hear is that I'm going to be disappointed!

[Presario]

The E90's are fun to drive for sure. The steering feedback and suspension feel great. The F30 is lacking in some of those areas, but I'm hoping BMW retunes the electric steering for us to get some of that feel back, and with the release of aftermarket sways and struts in the near future, I'm sure we'll be able to tighten things up.

This is completely subjective, but I really dislike the way the E90s look and couldn't get over those cupholders. So after my E46 coupe, I skipped a generation. I like new models so I don't think I'd be able to trade my F30 for an E90. But if the excitement you get while driving an E90 outweighs the financial burden, I'd say go for it.

[DesertSmokeBBQ]

Originally Posted by Eddian!

First, I own a 2012 F30 328i. It is an excellent car. I love it. I test drove it along with the 335i and decided to go with the 328i. Cool.

Today I got a loaner E90 335i. It is so fun! I truly enjoy driving it. It is the true definition of the ultimate driving machine. Way better than the F30. The interior looks dated and nowhere near as nice as the F30, kinda awkward, old looking, and way less convenient. But the handling and road feel are great. The steering is exciting! It reminded me of my old car. It is making me consider trading my F30 in for an E90.

Now I understand what E90 drivers have been saying about the new bimmers. I cant wait to get mine back from the dealer so that I can compare it again. I am worried I won't like it as much anymore

I felt that way until I drove my F30 335....

[martyl]

Originally Posted by DesertSmokeBBQ

I felt that way until I drove my F30 335....

Same here.

[Michael Schott]

I don't think there's any doubt that the E90 provides a more engaging driving experience than an F30. The steering and suspension are more direct. However the ride is on the harsh side and this feels tiring compared to the more sophisticated F30. Then there's the engine which in the E90 N52 is like filet mignon. Smooth and the sound is lovely if a bit muted. The city fuel economy is poor if driven with any level of enthusiasm. I don't have enough time in an F30 328i (I have one on order) to make a truly educated comment but the N20 is a great 4 cylinder engine, very powerful and is much more efficient.

[nicknaz]

others on this forum have posted that there were steer rack hardware and EPS software updates for the F30 sometime during the 2013 model year run

From my experience with my E89 (which had a steer rack recall and EPS software reflash) it makes a noticeable difference.

I went from E90 to F30 and don't miss the E90 at all. Hope you get over it OP.

[vitriol]

Everything reported by OP is true.

Same thing has been said time and time again by F30 owners, automotive journalists, auto industry analysts, BMW haters, BMW lovers, and so on Even my mom talks about how weak the electric steering is in the F30 compared to the relatively sublime hydo setup in the E90.

It's 100% true. E90 is more fun to drive. That's an opinion of course, but it's shared by the majority of people who have an opinion on the topic.

F30 is an exploration of yet-uncharted territory for 3 series. More comfortable, refined, luxurious. Less of a sports car than an executive saloon. One poster recently -- and wisely -- compared the F30 to the departed E39 in terms of spirit.

I'm on the record as saying I miss my E90 dearly. My F30 -- which I love -- isn't quite as fun to drive. Doesn't inspire as much confidence. Not the same experience.

The F30 is a great car in different ways.

My theory -- and I think it's true -- is BMW is taking 3/4 series upstream, the plan being to install the 1 series as the ultimate sports sedan (or coupe). I don't know if it will work. I don't know if BMW will heed the criticisms and complaints and bring the F30's successor closer to its roots. I do know the F30 is a terrific car, but somehow it's just not comparable to E90 (much as E60 and F10 aren't really comparable to E39; there was a departure in spirit).

Anyway. Yeah. E90 is a helluva car. F30 is too.

[btbossman]

Yeah I drove an e90 328 today as a loaner, Feels like it dosnt have power steering in the parking lot LOL...All in all the f30 is a much better car all around - whatever bullshit little problems. The transmission was a joke(i felt I was in slow mo)with the e90, and I feel like in a much smaller car. All in all the f30 is a huge hit!

[infinitigor]

ugh i miss my old e90, id love to just have it back for a week. i gave it back to the dealer with performance suspension and m3 control arms

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by DesertSmokeBBQ

I felt that way until I drove my F30 335....

What he said.

[Gastoys]

Coming out of my e90 335i the only, only and I mean only thing I miss about my e90 is the steering feel when my f30 335i m sport is in comfort mode. Put the f30 in sport mode and I don't miss the e90 anymore. Ok, maybe car payment.

e90 was a great car, but its dated, less mpg, not quite as fast say 1/10th second slower 0 to 60 and 1/4 mile, not as roomy in front and definitely not the rear. Oh, and the f30 8sp auto is a magnificent wonder - I love it! The design of the f30 is a twist of retro and f10, best looking 3 series since the e36!

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by Presario

The E90's are fun to drive for sure. The steering feedback and suspension feel great. The F30 is lacking in some of those areas, but I'm hoping BMW retunes the electric steering for us to get some of that feel back, and with the release of aftermarket sways and struts in the near future, I'm sure we'll be able to tighten things up.

This is completely subjective, but I really dislike the way the E90s look and couldn't get over those cupholders. So after my E46 coupe, I skipped a generation. I like new models so I don't think I'd be able to trade my F30 for an E90. But if the excitement you get while driving an E90 outweighs the financial burden, I'd say go for it.

You don't like the look because of cup-holders? Just don't drink when you drive.

[Presario]

Originally Posted by zamboni

You don't like the look because of cup-holders? Just don't drink when you drive.

My friend's wife cut her leg twice exiting the car from the passenger side. The second time it broke off. Not drinking in the car isn't really an option for most people.

[Roki_014]

i think u feel this way because you have a 328 ( and its a great car ) plus you probably dont push it as hard as you did the loaner since its not yours , if you had the f30 335 i am sure you would like it more, its kind of like going back to an old gf or getting a new one , which one would you choose ?

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by Roki_014

i think u feel this way because you have a 328 ( and its a great car ) plus you probably dont push it as hard as you did the loaner since its not yours , if you had the f30 335 i am sure you would like it more, its kind of like going back to an old gf or getting a new one , which one would you choose ?

The new girlfriend comes with a little more sophistication, loves to wear more makeup, is younger, has the right curves (though a little snouty nose) and is amazingly skilled with 'dynamic handling package'

I would still miss the ex who was just pure pleasure, felt just perfectly well connected and had an amazing character

[Gastoys]

I traded in my 2011 e90 335i sport for a 2013 f30 335i m sport and don't regret it for a bit. I don't even miss my old e90, in fact when I went to the dealership to pick up my plates there was a 2011 e90 335i with the m sport package, I stopped to take a look and was thinking to myself how dated the car was and happy I sold mine.

[rallybull]

yet another E vs F thread

[HighlandPete]

Comparisons can easily be influenced by specifications, an F30 328i against an E90 335i isn't exactly a level playing field.

Even comparing F30 models with different specifications can be a chalk and cheese experience. I've found that, it is the same in F10 models where something as simple as different wheel/tire size completely changes the steering feel and chassis dynamics.

I know EPS in the F30 has had a fair amount of discussion/criticism, but we had EPS in some of the E9* models here in the UK, and it hardly got any mention, just that it was a lighter feel.

I wonder if a lot of the criticism is more because the F30 chassis is tuned more to comfort for the BMW mass market, rather than just the EPS itself.

I've driven E90 models with EPS and other than the weighting/heft, the precision and feel were virtually identical to the hydraulic system.

The hydraulic system in the E90 was often criticised for being "too heavy", over here in the UK.

HighlandPete

[Roki_014]

Originally Posted by bavarianboar

The new girlfriend comes with a little more sophistication, loves to wear more makeup, is younger, has the right curves (though a little snouty nose) and is amazingly skilled with 'dynamic handling package'

I would still miss the ex who was just pure pleasure, felt just perfectly well connected and had an amazing character

hey but the ex is an ex for a reason