[MGT81]

I’m the happy owner of a 2008 335xi. N54, 6 MT, sport package. That’s it’s for options and that’s all I wanted. I love the car and it’s in great shape, but I’ve spent a bunch of money on maintenance in the last 5 years. Starting to get some wastegate rattle and I’m wondering if it makes sense to keep it much longer. It’s also 13 years old, though the age doesn’t bother me. I still love driving it.

Part of my reluctance to replace it is the fact that it’s pretty hard to find a car that checks all my requirements, which are:
- Manual transmission
- Turbo engine with 260+ HP
- AWD
- 4 doors
- Decent interior refinement, and a decent ride (so not a WRX or Focus RS)

Not many cars that meet these criteria, but yesterday, I found a 2017 340i xDrive 6 MT with M Performance Packages I & II. B58 motor. Estoril Blue (which I love)

I test drove it today and while I loved the engine and exhaust sound, the steering just isn’t as sharp as my E90. The car feels a bit floatier, larger, blunter and less buttoned down than the E90. This isn’t me trying to pick apart the car - just my impressions from driving. It is what it is though. Still a very capable car.
At the same time, this thing is pretty a unicorn in terms of having the M performance packages, Manual transmission, B58, etc. Feel like I’ll kick myself if I miss out and need to replace my E90 in the near future. I’m trying to convince myself that I could learn to love it the same way I do my E90 now.

Are any of you former E90 owners and did you undergo an “adjustment” period with your F30? I’m mostly asking about in terms of the driving experience. Obviously there’s way more tech, screens, toys, etc but I don’t really care about that stuff as much.

My E90:

[MGT81]

The 340i I’m looking at:

[tturedraider]

It’s definitely going to be an adjustment. The power steering is electric and it is not the same as hydraulic. The base suspension is softer than the E90 base suspension and that’s the suspension the xDrive has. The B58 will probably be a fair bit more reliable than the N54. Overall the F30 is a really good 3er, but it’s not the same as an E90.

btw - your E90 looks great!! What red is that? The F30 looks great, too!

[vmaniqui]

Originally Posted by MGT81

The 340i I’m looking at:

and he's looking at you too.....

[MGT81]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

It’s definitely going to be an adjustment. The power steering is electric and it is not the same as hydraulic. The base suspension is softer than the E90 base suspension and that’s the suspension the xDrive has. The B58 will probably be a fair bit more reliable than the N54. Overall the F30 is a really good 3er, but it’s not the same as an E90.

btw - your E90 looks great!! What red is that? The F30 looks great, too!

Thanks! It’s a 2008 Crimson Red 335xi. I also have a 1990 E34 M5, shown below. So I’m definitely a BMW enthusiast.

Yeah, the steering isn’t bad. But there’s less feel, and a
Bit of a dead spot off centre.

I’m wondering if there’s a way for me to stiffen up the suspension? This car is an xDrive but it also said it had the Adaptive M Suspension. Is that separately adjustable somewhere? I had the car set to Sport mode, but not sure if the suspension is a separate adjustment?

[MGT81]

Originally Posted by vmaniqui

and he's looking at you too.....

👀

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by MGT81

I’m wondering if there’s a way for me to stiffen up the suspension? This car is an xDrive but it also said it had the Adaptive M Suspension. Is that separately adjustable somewhere? I had the car set to Sport mode, but not sure if the suspension is a separate adjustment?

I’m pretty sure putting it in sport mode should tighten up the suspension, but you can also choose a firmer suspension setting in iDrive. I think the next option to consider might be some firmer springs.

[GreyF30]

AFAIK the xDrive models, even with M-Sport package, will have standard suspension instead of the "704" sport suspension. Not sure why BMW does this, maybe to increase the ground clearance. This might be the reason of the "floaty" feeling.

However, you mentioned this one has the M Performance package on top of M-Sport. Do you know which suspension you have?

Edit: Nevermind. Looked at the listing and it says Adaptive M Suspension. If that's the case you can set it to be firmer in Sport mode, as tturedraider above said.

[MGT81]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I’m pretty sure putting it in sport mode should tighten up the suspension, but you can also choose a firmer suspension setting in iDrive. I think the next option to consider might be some firmer springs.

I think I’m gonna drive it again, so I’ll try that. It’s weird, because my E90 has the stock xDrive suspension, which isn’t as low or stiff as the RWD sport suspension, but it still feels firmer overall than the F30

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by MGT81

I think I’m gonna drive it again, so I’ll try that. It’s weird, because my E90 has the stock xDrive suspension, which isn’t as low or stuff as the RWD sport suspension, but it still feels firmer overall than the F30

Yeah, the E90 has a firmer suspension from the get go.

[tturedraider]

I went and looked at the listing. I agree with you. If you let this one slip by you’ll probably regret it.

I was just in the same situation as you are. Based on the age and value of my 2006 E90 330i it was getting hard to justify the maintenance expenses. I’m also adjusting to the F30, but I’m mostly adjusting to the differences in the very linear response of my naturally aspirated motor and response of the turbo motor.

[MGT81]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I went and looked at the listing. I agree with you. If you let this one slip by you’ll probably regret it.

Agreed. Still can’t decide tbh. If I don’t get this one, I’m basically deciding that I’m never going to replace my car with an F30, since I don’t think I’ll find another one like this. Love the colour, the spec, and it’s a manual with both M perform and packages.

Thanks. Just that sentence kind of helped me decide. I’m leaning toward yes. I also feel like by the time I’m finally ready to let go of my E90, it’ll be damn near impossible to find a car that pairs a straight six with a manual transmission. In 10 years, everything will be automatic, small turbocharged engines, or electric.

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

I regret trading in my e90 for my f30...it's a better drivers car in almost every way, and certainly more fun. I was seduced by the f30 newness and good looks, and ignored what was underneath...which is a soft riding, sloppy handling, numb steering, highway cruiser. E90 felt like it was on rails at all times.

That said, f30 is still solid, and better than so many other cars out there. Definitely took me a while to adjust. And I'm actually having a hard time getting myself to sell it...there is stil a lot to like (6MT!)

[Boostedphil698]

Just an FYI, the 6MT has 2nd gear syncro issues.

[Burnt Reynolds]

First mod I did to my '19 F36 was Dinan sway bars. I didn't want to lower the car but couldn't stand the floaty body roll. Sway bars tightened everything up right away in the exactly the manner I'd hoped for. Road feel and body roll are perfect IMHO for a public road sports car.

[anotheran]

Wrong car to buy. Golf R

[MGT81]

Originally Posted by anotheran

Wrong car to buy. Golf R

Drove it twice. Didn’t like it more than my E90.

[muncie21]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts OP. I'm in a similar boat (2008 E92 6MT with FBO) and looking to move to either a 340 or 440 (preferably the 440 as I prefer the coupe) but hate to give up on the old girl that runs fantastic and is still a joy to drive.

[anotheran]

Originally Posted by MGT81

Drove it twice. Didn’t like it more than my E90.

Did you try a 2016 S4 Manual with sports diff?

F30, if you decide to buy, factor the price of a set of B16 damptronics

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by anotheran

Did you try a 2016 S4 Manual with sports diff?

F30, if you decide to buy, factor the price of a set of B16 damptronics

That reminds me, Dinan Shockware could also be an option. Lots of folks swear by it. It’s about $200.

[auburnf30x]

I can't speak to the transition, but I can tell you that they are both beautiful cars! Difficult decision.

[Psi5]

Originally Posted by MGT81

Agreed. Still can’t decide tbh. If I don’t get this one, I’m basically deciding that I’m never going to replace my car with an F30, since I don’t think I’ll find another one like this. Love the colour, the spec, and it’s a manual with both M perform and packages.

Thanks. Just that sentence kind of helped me decide. I’m leaning toward yes. I also feel like by the time I’m finally ready to let go of my E90, it’ll be damn near impossible to find a car that pairs a straight six with a manual transmission. In 10 years, everything will be automatic, small turbocharged engines, or electric.

FWIW, I went from an 07 E90 335 to a 2020 F32 440 (both RWD, 6MT, Sport, etc.). Loved the E90 but do not regret the swap at all. The F32 is faster and stops better. The B58 pulls better and more linearly than the N54.

The steering is not as good but it's close and I leave mine in Sport mode most of the time anyway. The safety and tech features are a plus - love the HU display (it is life changing) and customizable instrument panel.

I suppose if I still had my E90, I'd be happy but not a day goes by when I am not happier to have the F32. YMMV.