[Funk0701]

I recently took delivery of a 2018 340 Xdrive that will replace my 2010 335 Xdrive. I ordered the 2018 through the BMW military car sales program from Bavarian Motor Cars in Würzburg, Germany, which saved me 10% off MSRP. I will also save another 10% by not having to pay Washington state Use tax (akin to sales tax).

My F30 has the following options:
Melbourne Red
6MT
M Sport Package
Executive Package
Track Handling Package
19" 704M Wheels
Active Blind Spot
Driving Assistance Package
PDC
Rear and Manual Sunshades
Digital instrument cluster...

I've had my 2010 335 Xdrive since new with about 74 miles on it. It now has 74k miles (it's for sale, https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1525174). For now I'm still driving it to work until I register my F30 in WA. The F30 still has the German registration and license plate on it.

My E90 has the following:
Barbera Red Metallic
Sport package with 18" wheels (I also have a set of BMW style 161 17" wheels with snow tires)
Auto trans with paddle shifters
Cold weather Package
Premium Package
Logic 7 (Harmon Kardon) sound system.

I have loved driving my E90 for the last 8 years it is a great handling car. I've now got about 600 miles on my F30. I absolutely love the 6MT, makes me wish I had ordered my E90 with one instead of buying from the dealer stock. Here are some of my thoughts about the differences.
The E90 is always ready to be tossed into a corner with little body roll, pinning me against the bolsters in the seat. The F30 IMO has noticeably more body roll in comfort mode and a little noticeable in sport. A lot of people have made comments about the steering feel in the F30, but I like it. The E90 steering now seems really stiff at slow speeds, but is manageable.
The E90 tech was great for it's time, but I love the HUD and all the new tech of the F30. One thing I've always hated about the E90 is when in DS mode and I touched the paddle shifter to upshift it would sometimes upshift 2 gears if the car was about to do it. The 6MT in the F30 solves this. When I first test drove a F30 with a 6MT I didn't like the auto rev match, but now I love it. The two gripes about the F30 so far are pretty minor. BMW cheaped out on the auto dimming external mirrors. The E90 would auto dim both external side mirrors, my F30 only the driver's side does (I haven't driven too much at night, so maybe I"m wrong about this). My other gripe is how the seats feel. For me, I think the seats in the E90 are more comfortable, they fit and hug my body better, especially the bottom cushion. Overall I'm very pleased with the F30, but a little sad to say goodbye to my first BMW. Any one else have any other thoughts on going from an E90 to a F30?

As far as mods to the F30:
MPPSK as soon as I get 1,200 miles on it.
Winter set of wheels with snow tires (it will be my DD). It doesn't snow too much here in Seattle, but when it does I still have to get to work. I drove the E90 in snow with the summer tires and not going to repeat that experience.

Possible future mods (if anyone has experience with these feedback would be appreciated):
Dinan Performance springs, supplemental ride quality & Handling Kit, Shockware EDC tuning.
M3 Carbon fiber strut brace (not looking to track the car, just eliminate some of the body roll).

[stein_325i]

Congrats on the new car, love the Melbourne Red!

[upsidedownfunnel]

Beautiful cars! I like your taste in colors. Those new 704 wheels look very nice.

EDIT: I don't think adding the carbon fiber strut brace will drastically improve body roll. BMW made this generation of car very lofty for some reason. The only way I was able to get rid of it was my installing the M Performance suspension.

I think installing Dinan suspension hardware and software will help the most.

[Funk0701]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

Beautiful cars! I like your taste in colors. Those new 704 wheels look very nice.

EDIT: I don't think adding the carbon fiber strut brace will drastically improve body roll. BMW made this generation of car very lofty for some reason. The only way I was able to get rid of it was my installing the M Performance suspension.

I think installing Dinan suspension hardware and software will help the most.

It does have the adaptive M suspension

[uncleruckus]

Awesome looking BMWs!! That Melbourne Red is a sexy color for sure, and 6MT as well... very nice.

I think changing the sway bars will assist with body roll as well, Dinan makes a set of sway bars that I've read good reviews for. I am sure someone that has them installed can chime in and provide their thoughts/feedback

[Funk0701]

Originally Posted by uncleruckus

Awesome looking BMWs!! That Melbourne Red is a sexy color for sure, and 6MT as well... very nice.

I think changing the sway bars will assist with body roll as well, Dinan makes a set of sway bars that I've read good reviews for. I am sure someone that has them installed can chime in and provide their thoughts/feedback

I thought of donning an individual in Ruby Red, but I would have had to order from a US dealership and it would have cost me almost $20k more

[anotheran]

Start with:
1. shockware
2. springs, RHK

see how the car feels

then do sways

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by anotheran

Start with:
1. shockware
2. springs, RHK

see how the car feels

then do sways

i had dinan shockware on my 2016 328i with adaptive m suspension
it was a great improvement for everyday driving and even occasional autocross and track day

but if you get semi serious about autocross or track, it will leave you wanting more

[Rox335i]

Nice car! E90 handles much better than f30s by a lot tho.

[Solidjake]

Damn, that is a beautiful F30. Love it

[chhappy7]

How's the digital speedo at night? One thing I'm afraid of is any backlit screen can be bright, even at black screen unless it's OLED, and I'm wondering if that's an issue.

[Funk0701]

Originally Posted by chhappy7

How's the digital speedo at night? One thing I'm afraid of is any backlit screen can be bright, even at black screen unless it's OLED, and I'm wondering if that's an issue.

No issues at night. It dims nicely

[Fuller]

Congrats. Nice car.

[tsm007]

Congrats on the F30! Looks great especially the digital instrument cluster. It's rare to see the E90 335 in Barbera Red Metallic.

I have to agree, the E90 and the F30 feel like different cars. The X-drive and Pirelli tires on the E90 would stick to the road and I could just hammer it in the corners at insane speeds. I got really used to it. The F30 does have some body roll and feels a little bigger when you're trying to weave in and out of traffic.

But I think with some nice coilovers it'll be much more planted. I have to say the steering on the F30 is super sharp. I still prefer the hydraulic power steering in the E90, although after a long road trip it would feel like I got an arm workout lol.

[rbol13]

Those pics make me want to switch out wheels, nice!

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Welcome to the 6MT Melbourne Red club!


Every time I take a corner in my F30, I regret selling my E90.


But every time I accelerate in 6th gear to pass a lollygagger on the highway, and look down to see I'm suddenly at 100mph, I smile.

[Kailec]

Nice car! Congrats on the move! That being said, keep in mind that adding the F80 CF strut brace is not a simple matter of adding the CF part itself. You need the supporting parts to attach it, and in total will probably cost you $2,000 for very little improvement.

[cfm56d7b]

Beautiful car. Enjoy!

You will most likely feel the difference in suspension behavior as F30 vehicles with xDrive have softer base suspension. I suggest to explore coilover options as well.

[tsm007]

Since you bought the car in Germany I'm guessing that's not the American market car, it has the Euro speed limit in the digital cluster.

[Funk0701]

Originally Posted by tsm007

Since you bought the car in Germany I'm guessing that's not the American market car, it has the Euro speed limit in the digital cluster.

No, the car was made to US specs. The Euro spedo is just a camera. In The US it displays US speed limits

[.BMW.]

Congrats on a beautiful car!