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      04-12-2021, 10:17 AM   #1
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The Ultimate F30 review

It's time for me to say good-bye to F30 ownership, having sold my 335 on Cars & Bids last week.

I purchased my first F30 (a 328 in Estoril Blue) back in 2014, and have put a combined 200,000 miles on both that and the 335.

So, what do I think? Are they the worst 3 Series ever made? Should you get one? I tell my experience with my usual photographic skill.

https://machineswithsouls.com/2021/0...series-review/

If you'd like to know what I think of Cars & Bids, I also reviewed that:
https://machineswithsouls.com/2021/0...-of-cars-bids/

In short, I thought it worked out pretty well.

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      04-12-2021, 11:20 AM   #2
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Thanks for sharing! I thoroughly enjoyed reading the review, and I am also annoyed at the lack of a "sync" button for the climate control.
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      04-12-2021, 11:32 AM   #3
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Great read! Thanks for the write up.
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      04-12-2021, 11:55 AM   #4
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This is a very interesting review.
I guess most people migrate from E90 to F30 and then do not like the F30 as much.

I come from the 6 / 5 series world and jumped into the newest (to me) 5 series, the F30. The F10 being a 7 series in my book.

I love the F30 a WHOLE LOT. I love the steering feel and the precise turn in.
I love how the EDC suspension is nice and firm and the corners predictable.
I am going to use the car on the track soon and I am sure that it will behave much better than my 5s ever did.
As for the power, I love it also, with stage 1 coming soon, it will be even better.

Interior quality is pure crap, the 5 was much better in all aspect. But Mechanically and handling is perfect for my daily drives and spirited drives.
Wrenching on the car is very easy, being a Xdrive adds a level of complexity but still manageable.
After 20+ years of BMW ownership, I am very happy with my F30.
As for the track, nothing that a set of sway bars won't fix.
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      04-12-2021, 11:59 AM   #5
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Appreciate the write up. But isn't it a little disingenuous to review the "F30" when you never had an LCI.

That's like judging the Porsche 997 based only off the 997.1, without consideration of the 997.2

Just my .02. Definitely a good read, but the chassis and engine differences from pre lci to lci are noticeable. Steering feel still kind if meh, but the VSS helps. Just saying.
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      04-12-2021, 12:57 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by AllaVodka View Post
Appreciate the write up. But isn't it a little disingenuous to review the "F30" when you never had an LCI.

That's like judging the Porsche 997 based only off the 997.1, without consideration of the 997.2

Just my .02. Definitely a good read, but the chassis and engine differences from pre lci to lci are noticeable. Steering feel still kind if meh, but the VSS helps. Just saying.
Frequent trips to the Performance Center and local shoots have given me enough exposure to the car that I couldn't justify the cost of a 340 over a 35.

https://machineswithsouls.com/2020/0...omotive-paint/

To further your analogy, the 997 update is a better car than the original, but both have the same design flaw of an engine in the wrong end of the car. The fundamental issues that make up the F30 remain.
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      04-12-2021, 01:48 PM   #7
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I forgot to mention that your pictures are amazing and you are very talented.

So what are you going to buy next? Another BMW or something else?
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      04-12-2021, 01:56 PM   #8
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I forgot to mention that your pictures are amazing and you are very talented.

So what are you going to buy next? Another BMW or something else?
Thank you!

I've decided on a new G80, and it should be here in June.
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      04-12-2021, 06:53 PM   #9
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Eh, I've definitely read that the LCI-F30 Msport cars are very close to the G20 series as far as vehicle dynamics go.

Constant dash board fondling is what has made BMW lost its way as well I think.
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      04-13-2021, 04:20 PM   #10
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Excellent review. I was nodding throughout the entire thing while reading it. The assessment on ride quality is spot on. With the run-flats, you feel all the bumps but there still is body roll. And the really bad bumps shudder the whole car and the noise makes it sound like you 100% broke something. Build quality is also an issue in my book. It's not just the materials, but the way some of the interior panels line up is truly bad. I won't even get into the steering feel, but I was nodding through that one too.

I will say this. If the N20 didn't have its timing chain issues, I would argue that it was the best turbo 4 on the market at the time. I have it with a manual, and I can easily get 34-36 mpg at 80 mph. It pulls well, it's reasonably smooth, and it sounds pissed off when you rev it past 4k. To avoid the timing chain issues (I'm at 82K miles on a 12'), I change my oil every 5k miles or once a year (I do it myself), I let the oil warm up before going past 3k rpms, and I turn start-stop off whenever I start the car. I also think having the manual helps because I never lug the engine. At 80 MPH, you're at about 3K rpms.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend an early N20 to anyone unless they know exactly how the car was treated. Treat it right, and you won't get any nasty surprises. It's a great engine, you just have to be careful with it.
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      04-13-2021, 04:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apascutia View Post
Excellent review. I was nodding throughout the entire thing while reading it. The assessment on ride quality is spot on. With the run-flats, you feel all the bumps but there still is body roll. And the really bad bumps shudder the whole car and the noise makes it sound like you 100% broke something. Build quality is also an issue in my book. It's not just the materials, but the way some of the interior panels line up is truly bad. I won't even get into the steering feel, but I was nodding through that one too.

I will say this. If the N20 didn't have its timing chain issues, I would argue that it was the best turbo 4 on the market at the time. I have it with a manual, and I can easily get 34-36 mpg at 80 mph. It pulls well, it's reasonably smooth, and it sounds pissed off when you rev it past 4k. To avoid the timing chain issues (I'm at 82K miles on a 12'), I change my oil every 5k miles or once a year (I do it myself), I let the oil warm up before going past 3k rpms, and I turn start-stop off whenever I start the car. I also think having the manual helps because I never lug the engine. At 80 MPH, you're at about 3K rpms.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend an early N20 to anyone unless they know exactly how the car was treated. Treat it right, and you won't get any nasty surprises. It's a great engine, you just have to be careful with it.
Mine seemed to be bullet proof, but I did exactly as you suggested - oil changes at 5k, warming up, no auto start/stop.

The N55 is more "fun", but I think the N20 is a better match for the chassis.
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      04-13-2021, 05:28 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MachinesWithSouls View Post
Mine seemed to be bullet proof, but I did exactly as you suggested - oil changes at 5k, warming up, no auto start/stop.

The N55 is more "fun", but I think the N20 is a better match for the chassis.
I agree. I love the straight 6 sound/smoothness, but the 328i feels lighter when going through tight corners. Mine has also been very good (knock on wood). If you maintain it correctly and treat it right, it's a great engine.

Edit: I have two friends with N20s. One has a 2014 528i, and the other has a 2013 328i. Both had timing chain guide issues, but they also thrashed their cars and changed their oil in the 10-15k mile range. Maintenance and care is crucial on these cars.
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      04-13-2021, 05:36 PM   #13
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By the way, I saw that you put in an order for a G80 M3. From what I've seen/read so far, it's a big improvement over the F80. Maybe not in looks, but power delivery, interior quality, sound, and ability to put power down. It's looking like it's gonna be an awesome car!!
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      04-13-2021, 06:45 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apascutia View Post
By the way, I saw that you put in an order for a G80 M3. From what I've seen/read so far, it's a big improvement over the F80. Maybe not in looks, but power delivery, interior quality, sound, and ability to put power down. It's looking like it's gonna be an awesome car!!
Super excited! It actually rides better than the F30, despite being much stiffer. I also did stick, I missed it.

Should be here in June. I was able to get a hold of one back in February to drive and shoot, if you'd like my thoughts

https://machineswithsouls.com/2021/0...g80-m3-review/
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      04-13-2021, 06:56 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MachinesWithSouls View Post
Super excited! It actually rides better than the F30, despite being much stiffer. I also did stick, I missed it.

Should be here in June. I was able to get a hold of one back in February to drive and shoot, if you'd like my thoughts

https://machineswithsouls.com/2021/0...g80-m3-review/
Read it, very cool! Looking forward to hearing how you like yours when you get it. I'm kind of a fan of how BMW structured the trims for the G80. Maybe it'll get more people to get the manual.
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      04-13-2021, 07:01 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apascutia View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MachinesWithSouls View Post
Super excited! It actually rides better than the F30, despite being much stiffer. I also did stick, I missed it.

Should be here in June. I was able to get a hold of one back in February to drive and shoot, if you'd like my thoughts

https://machineswithsouls.com/2021/0...g80-m3-review/
Read it, very cool! Looking forward to hearing how you like yours when you get it. I'm kind of a fan of how BMW structured the trims for the G80. Maybe it'll get more people to get the manual.
I just don't think I'm going to miss the extra power. Besides, if you rev out a 500hp Comp car, you're going to be doing illegal things. While no slouch, the base car has "only" 405 lb-ft of torque, so I hope it'll allow me to drive the car a bit before hitting warp speed.
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      04-14-2021, 07:54 AM   #17
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Very nice, I enjoyed that post. Thank you.

Pretty much agree with your 335 assessment. I've been fortunate to avoid some of the random mechanical issues you've experienced, but overall I agree it makes a nice daily. I love the n55...so much so I bought an OG M2 instead of an M2C.

But at the end of the day I regret trading in my E90 for the F30. My 328 was way more fun to drive than my current 335, and she had a lot of life left in her when I traded her in. One of those occasions where I was seduced by something shiny and different.

That all said, I agree with others...love your photography.

Be well
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      04-14-2021, 08:17 PM   #18
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Nice review and awesome pictures!

Same here, I was wondering why there is no 'SYNC" button. I had 2004 Honda Accord and it had "SYNC"! .
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      04-14-2021, 11:36 PM   #19
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Nice review and awesome pictures!

Same here, I was wondering why there is no 'SYNC" button. I had 2004 Honda Accord and it had "SYNC"! .
An OCD thing to have the temps the same, you can imagine how many times I cursed the missing button over the years.
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      04-26-2021, 02:02 PM   #20
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Good review and outstanding pictures.

My 2014 328 Xdrive is so far without any real problems. But then, it only has about 48,000 miles. I am generally pleased with it but would be more pleased if the ride were not quite so harsh and if the steering offered more feedback.

I'm an old guy but was an unenthusiastic driver even back when I was not an old guy. However, I do appreciate being able to quickly overtake a semi even on a hill to escape the blind spot and avoid hovering along the side. I am hoping that my mild-mannered driving habits are rewarded with the absence of timing chain issues, etc.

People choose a car for lots of different reasons. In my case it was because with the demise of Saab it was the only car I could find that was comfortable for my tall frame and at the same time narrow enough to fit into a narrow garage. It is a nice width by today's standards, a full 1" less than a Camry and inbetween an Audi A3 (too cramped for me) and A4 (too wide for the garage).

It is disappointing that the current 328 has gotten fatter. As it is I have to park between the studs on the side so that the door can open without banging. A hanging ball helps guide the way in. IMHO, carmakers would do well to offer medium-sized vehicles of reasonable width and length. Saab had it right in that respect.
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