[MGT81]

Originally Posted by kpgray

You are going to be hard pressed to find ANY new car that will have the steering feel of any E9x. That being said, if this one has the Adaptive suspension that is a huge upgrade, I put it in sport for that tighter steering feel. Dinan has a software upgrade that is suppose to help also. Another mod will help the steering, change out the Upper Thrust Control Arm set, this is suppose to correct much of the softness:

Kies Motorsports VAC - F3X UPPER (THRUST) CONTROL ARM SET RWD

Although you may still crave the hydraulic steering, the late model F3x are better than earlier versions. They have 5 bolt strut vs. earlier 3 bolt struts and the electronics are updated to give a better feel. Although the E9x was awesome when driving, it can be rather tight in parking areas where slow speed and tight turns are required. This is where the electronic steering can really shine as it is easier. Yet in BMW fashion, the steering is precise and will go where you point it, it is predictable and reliable. The 2017 is late model run and many early bugs are gone. I put Eibach Springs on mine to get rid of the xDrive gap and front rake. These were virtually the same stiffness yet the lower car just handles corners much more level and tight although regrettably no change in steering feel.

My Son-in-law looked long and hard for several months for an Estoril Blue Manual xDrive. Two that came up had sold before he had all the information on the vehicles. The one he has now, was purchased from 800 miles away and was shipped to him. So I really suggest you jump on this if not already gone! If this does not have the MPPSK, have them add it and get a Dinan intake as this will now get this vehicle close to 370HP. The stock engine seems to flatten out above 5,500 RPM and the MPPSK will change that.

Thanks for the info. Yes, the fact that this thing is basically a unicorn is what’s making me consider this so hard. It’s an Estoril Blue 340i xDrive M-Sport with the M Performance Packages 1 & 2. And most importantly, a MANUAL! The exhaust in Sport + mode is hilariously loud. It’s optioned exactly the way I’d want. I don’t really care about the tech and whatnot. Just performance. Going to drive it again Monday.

I feel like I could happily drive my E90 for the rest of my life but i totalled up what I’ve spent in maintenance over the last 7 years and it’s insane. Plus my turbo wastegates are starting to rattle.

[paulymu]

Awesome spec 340. Wish i could have find one just like this when i was in the market. Considering picking up a used E90 gen just to experience the steering feel as this F30 my first bmw.

[joescramble228]

I came from a 2006 E90 330i and a 2008 E82 135i to a 2018 F36 440i and found lots of similarities between the E90 and the F36. My 330i had the sport suspension with the higher output NA N52 engine. The engine had a very linear power delivery to it. My 440i has similar smoothness in the power delivery. Both suspension feel very similar where it's firm and well dampened. Unlike my 135i, which felt a bit more nose heavy and unsettled on bad pavement. But the 135i felt more like a rocket ship in terms of speed and acceleration. Overall the 440i feels larger, more high tech, modern, quiet, and less engaging (due to the electronic steering). While the 330i felt more planted, direct, and driver focused.

^^ All auto transmissions.

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by MGT81

Thanks for the info. Yes, the fact that this thing is basically a unicorn is what’s making me consider this so hard. It’s an Estoril Blue 340i xDrive M-Sport with the M Performance Packages 1 & 2. And most importantly, a MANUAL! The exhaust in Sport + mode is hilariously loud. It’s optioned exactly the way I’d want. I don’t really care about the tech and whatnot. Just performance. Going to drive it again Monday.

I feel like I could happily drive my E90 for the rest of my life but i totalled up what I’ve spent in maintenance over the last 7 years and it’s insane. Plus my turbo wastegates are starting to rattle.

The thing to keep in mind is "This is not an E90". It is not going to have the steering you are used to (as if I am telling you anything you don't know). There are couple things that can improve the feel (as stated above from aftermarket) yet it is electronic steering! Trade off is 1. easier when parking vs. 2. the steering feedback we like. That being said, the vehicle steering is very predictable and better than anything else in it's class. One thing of note on the Manual is rev-matching when shifting. At first when I drove (and drove several) I was surprised of it, yet after driving for a couple miles, it started to grow on me quickly as it does provide a much smother downshift IMHO, Less jerky when driving aggressive and this would be greatly appreciated by passengers. By the way, my Son-in-law paid $39K for a 6-Speed certified '17 with 18K miles, Estorial Blue with a $62.5K MSRP 6 weeks ago. Seems to be a premium on the last of the manuals.

[MGT81]

Originally Posted by kpgray

The thing to keep in mind is "This is not an E90". It is not going to have the steering you are used to (as if I am telling you anything you don't know). There are couple things that can improve the feel (as stated above from aftermarket) yet it is electronic steering! Trade off is 1. easier when parking vs. 2. the steering feedback we like. That being said, the vehicle steering is very predictable and better than anything else in it's class. One thing of note on the Manual is rev-matching when shifting. At first when I drove (and drove several) I was surprised of it, yet after driving for a couple miles, it started to grow on me quickly as it does provide a much smother downshift IMHO, Less jerky when driving aggressive and this would be greatly appreciated by passengers. By the way, my Son-in-law paid $39K for a 6-Speed certified '17 with 18K miles, Estorial Blue with a $62.5K MSRP 6 weeks ago. Seems to be a premium on the last of the manuals.

Yeah I’ve realized that. I’m going to drive it again tomorrow and try to enjoy it on its own merits, rather than comparing it to my E90. I think it also didn’t help that the first time I drove it, I’d just finished a rather spirited drive to the dealership from across town, so it was hard not to compare them mentally. I didn’t even turn on the radio or mess with any of the options/technology.

[smokinHawk]

I went from a E90 to the F30 with some time in between
I bought a 2008 335xi manual sport edition like yours in 2011 with 30k miles. Of course had lots of water pump, fuel injection fuel pump issues. Put on a lot of miles 143k when I sold it in 2018. It just got to costly to fix all the stupid stuff that would break.
Got my 2017 340i xdrive msport with 19k miles last January and love it.
I prefer it over the 2008. I can't tell a difference in the steering only thing with the steering I can feel different is the front end is longer
I had a jb4 on both the 335 and 340, think the 335 seemed a tad quicker with it then the 340

[CRtoE92]

I actually prefer the way E90 drives over F30. That heavy hydraulic steering feeling plus smooth Inline6cyl perhaps the best combination in 3 series history.

I actually had F30 and have F31(328i xdrive sport wagon) plus my E90(328i),

I drive between these two cars and i must admit. E90 feels more solid to my preference

[MGT81]

Yeah I think I’m done. My water pump failed suddenly last night without warning. For the second time. Getting towed to my mechanics today. Think I’m gonna pull the trigger on that 340. Feels like a sign. Gonna have to put more money into this thing to sell it.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by MGT81

Yeah I think I’m done. My water pump failed suddenly last night without warning. For the second time. Getting towed to my mechanics today. Think I’m gonna pull the trigger on that 340. Feels like a sign. Gonna have to put more money into this thing to sell it.

Ooh, that hurts. I do think you’ll enjoy the 340i!

[MGT81]

I pulled the trigger on the 340 today. Keeping the E90 for now. May even end up selling the F30 if I can’t let go of it. Either way, the 340 was too rare to let go of.

Estoril Blue 340i xDrive
6-speed manual
M Performance packages 1 & 2 (cosmetics + upgraded exhaust and horsepower/torque bump)
Premium Essentials package
Variable Sport Steering
M Adaptive suspension

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by MGT81

I pulled the trigger on the 340 today.

Congratulations. We'd love to hear how you like it after a few thousand miles of driving. My crystal ball says you will love it and not look back.

Keep in mind there are two really inexpensive mods that will change how the car will drive if you are not thrilled out of the gate.

1) Dinan Shockware
2) Swap out the run flats for proper go flat tires

Enjoy and please report back!!

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by MGT81

I pulled the trigger on the 340 today. Keeping the E90 for now. May even end up selling the F30 if I can’t let go of it. Either way, the 340 was too rare to let go of.

Estoril Blue 340i xDrive
6-speed manual
M Performance packages 1 & 2 (cosmetics + upgraded exhaust and horsepower/torque bump)
Premium Essentials package
Variable Sport Steering
M Adaptive suspension

Congrats!! Did you get them to put the 19” wheels and tires back on?

[MGT81]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Congrats!! Did you get them to put the 19” wheels and tires back on?

Thank you! Yes I did. They swapped on the 19” M wheels with new tires. There were some minor scuffs on the wheels so they’re refinishing them all for me.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by MGT81

Thank you! Yes I did. They swapped on the 19” M wheels with new tires. There were some minor scuffs on the wheels so they’re refinishing them all for me.

[anotheran]

Congrats!

[paulymu]

Congrats👏🏾👏🏾

[vmaniqui]

Congrats. You’ll love it. Coming from someone who has a 340i also.