test drove F30 335i

[stevehifi]

Hi Guys,

I have a 2008 E90 M3 6-speed and was at the dealer getting my car washed so I decided to test drive a 335i sedan loaded with 6-speed to get an idea of the F30 and see if I would consider getting one. Here is my feedback:

-Steering: I like it, very direct, smooth and linear. I actually even prefer it to the M3 steering (which feels too artificial). Hard to believe its EPS.

-Suspension: I was on sport+ setting so this is the stiffest setting. I liked it alot, much less harsh than M3 and very compliant. I don't get as much road feel of course but corners very flat and well composed

-Chassis: Car feels solid and more rigid, I can see why they can get away with a softer suspension. Getting back in my M3 it felt a bit more flex in the chassis.

-Power: like the torque, but don't like the non-linear power approach (1-3k nothing and then all of sudden a rush of torque). It's not as predictable,
too bad turbos are here to stay.

-Brakes: Not very good (the car had the 2-piston calipers up front). M3 brakes have way more bite and better feel.

-Interior: more room in the cabin, especially in the rear and trunk. front cabin feels closer to the driver, and I feel like in sink into the car better than the M3 which is good.

Overall its a great car, definitely not as raw and power is so-so, brakes could be better but chassis, suspension and steering are A+.

I definitely wouldn't cry if I had to force myself into one, but I think I"ll wait for the new M3 in 2014.

Steve

[JonnyM3]

You think a 335's steering is more direct, and the chassis is more rigid? Should've got ZCP, bro.

[KKM3]

I was at the dealership today and was given the chance to test one out but I opted to drive a 2011 c63 that was sitting on the lot instead. I like the interior of the f30 but the front of the car looks very strange, very narrow and awkward and theres a gap between the headlight and the hood that just does not look right. The craftsmanship is very unlike bmw and very disappointing. After 16 years of driving nothing but bmw's I think I can finally say that I'm done with them. The cost cutting measures they've taken are very apparent in the finished product not to mention the uninspiring boring FI engines in all models. A 6 cylinder engine from a 3 series in a 100k 6 series? How gay is that? The 4 cylinder is even a more of a joke. We "fired" one up and lifted the hood only to hear and see an engine that you would expect to see in a civic, Not a 50k bmw.

[nick3753]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

Hi Guys,

I have a 2008 E90 M3 6-speed and was at the dealer getting my car washed so I decided to test drive a 335i sedan loaded with 6-speed to get an idea of the F30 and see if I would consider getting one. Here is my feedback:

-Steering: I like it, very direct, smooth and linear. I actually even prefer it to the M3 steering (which feels too artificial). Hard to believe its EPS.

-Suspension: I was on sport+ setting so this is the stiffest setting. I liked it alot, much less harsh than M3 and very compliant. I don't get as much road feel of course but corners very flat and well composed

-Chassis: Car feels solid and more rigid, I can see why they can get away with a softer suspension. Getting back in my M3 it felt a bit more flex in the chassis.

-Power: like the torque, but don't like the non-linear power approach (1-3k nothing and then all of sudden a rush of torque). It's not as predictable,
too bad turbos are here to stay.

-Brakes: Not very good (the car had the 2-piston calipers up front). M3 brakes have way more bite and better feel.

-Interior: more room in the cabin, especially in the rear and trunk. front cabin feels closer to the driver, and I feel like in sink into the car better than the M3 which is good.

Overall its a great car, definitely not as raw and power is so-so, brakes could be better but chassis, suspension and steering are A+.

I definitely wouldn't cry if I had to force myself into one, but I think I"ll wait for the new M3 in 2014.

Steve

You lost me at you were at the dealer getting your car washed.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by nick3753

You lost me at you were at the dealer getting your car washed.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by KKM3

How gay is that?

Totally gay.

[stevehifi]

No wonder I don't post here anymore. The IQ level has dropped
Significantly.

[klammer]

To say the f30 335 has better steering feel and a more competent chassis than the e9x m3 is quite the bold statement. Looks like its time to go for a test drive.

[bunnn]

I've always felt that the E9X m3 steering was too artificial...damn servotronic. The E9x has detracted from the E46 m3 steering feel, maybe this will push them back on the right track. I don't think he's out of his mind to say the F30 feels better, Porsche has gone EPS too.

[gthal]

I think the reason you thought the 335 chassis was tighter was because it is a new car. You M3 is 4 years old and will loosen over time. I bet if you drove a 2012 M3 you would think it was a MUCH tighter car than your 2008. When I went from my 2010 to my 2011 M3, even one year made a difference in how tight the car felt.

[Da M3nace]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

Hi Guys,

I have a 2008 E90 M3 6-speed and was at the dealer getting my car washed so I decided to test drive a 335i sedan loaded with 6-speed to get an idea of the F30 and see if I would consider getting one. Here is my feedback:

-Steering: I like it, very direct, smooth and linear. I actually even prefer it to the M3 steering (which feels too artificial). Hard to believe its EPS.

-Suspension: I was on sport+ setting so this is the stiffest setting. I liked it alot, much less harsh than M3 and very compliant. I don't get as much road feel of course but corners very flat and well composed

-Chassis: Car feels solid and more rigid, I can see why they can get away with a softer suspension. Getting back in my M3 it felt a bit more flex in the chassis.

-Power: like the torque, but don't like the non-linear power approach (1-3k nothing and then all of sudden a rush of torque). It's not as predictable,
too bad turbos are here to stay.

-Brakes: Not very good (the car had the 2-piston calipers up front). M3 brakes have way more bite and better feel.

-Interior: more room in the cabin, especially in the rear and trunk. front cabin feels closer to the driver, and I feel like in sink into the car better than the M3 which is good.

Overall its a great car, definitely not as raw and power is so-so, brakes could be better but chassis, suspension and steering are A+.

I definitely wouldn't cry if I had to force myself into one, but I think I"ll wait for the new M3 in 2014.

Steve

Thanks for your impression. I think we would all be smart to wait for the Real M model to come out. I kight be trading up when that baby comes out.

[adc]

Originally Posted by KKM3

A 6 cylinder engine from a 3 series in a 100k 6 series? How gay is that?

Do you mean that BMW makes a $100k 2 door boulevard cruiser and the only thing you find wrong with that it that is shares an engine with the 3 series???

The 4 cylinder is even a more of a joke. We "fired" one up and lifted the hood only to hear and see an engine that you would expect to see in a civic, Not a 50k bmw.

First of all, you completely forget that the car that put BMW on the map was a humble 4 cylinder, the 2002.

Second of all, you completely ignore the fact that in the rest of the world, there have been all manner 4 cylinder BMW's (including diesel) for the longest time.

What's more important, none of that matters one bit, because they all drive the way a BMW should. So I hate to burst your bubble, but you only thought you knew what BMW was all about - but you clearly don't get it.

It's so sad that you fired up the engine but was not curious enough to take it for a spin...

[termigni]

Originally Posted by adc

Do you mean that BMW makes a $100k 2 door boulevard cruiser and the only thing you find wrong with that it that is shares an engine with the 3 series???



First of all, you completely forget that the car that put BMW on the map was a humble 4 cylinder, the 2002.

Second of all, you completely ignore the fact that in the rest of the world, there have been all manner 4 cylinder BMW's (including diesel) for the longest time.

What's more important, none of that matters one bit, because they all drive the way a BMW should. So I hate to burst your bubble, but you only thought you knew what BMW was all about - but you clearly don't get it.

It's so sad that you fired up the engine but was not curious enough to take it for a spin...

Amen.