F30 320d engine noise & steering

remvs · 06-02-2012, 04:41 PM

Hi all,

This week i took delivery of my new 320d. Great car! I left my 318d E90 at the dealers. Great car as well!

During a 2 day test drive earlier I noticed two things i do not particulary like about the new f30 and maybe the 20d engine.

One is engine noise. The 320d at low speeds (during take of etc) has a very VW 1.9TDI-like diesel grunt that seems to increase with torque. At higher speeds it is gone luckily. I was told that the current 520D (same engine) does not have that issue... What can it be?
I have to add that i have the 320d EDE. here in The Netherlands we have two versions of the 320d. The EDE version has a slightly better fuel economy and with that a reduction on taxes (complex, will not bother you with the tax details)

Second is the steering characteristics. The f30 has a softer feel to the steering compared to my old E90. The guys at BMW told me that they indeed changed the steering to appeal to broader 'audience'.
Don't get me wrong it still bends around a roundabout like any E90, but the F30 lacks the crisp and sporty feel the E90 has, a bit.
I know a litle automotive tech and my guess is they decreased the KPI (King Pin Inclination). More inclination basically adds to the cars tendency to keep a straight line.
How do other f30 owners feel about this?

Thanks all

Remvs

pcbrew · 06-02-2012, 04:51 PM

BMW changed from hydraulic to electric assist from E90->F30.

There is a lot of information about in in the forums, but is for fuel economy (and probably works better with the Auto Start/Stop system. The electric assist only draws power when when active, unlike the hydraulic, which had the pump powered all the time.

SomeRandomer123 · 06-03-2012, 07:03 AM

^^ What he said and I think I can point you in the right direction for engine noise.
The 320ed or 320d EDE is less refined regarding noise than the 320d. You're right it does sound like one of VW Groups 1.9 TDI units! Not particularly nice, especially when you're using that low down torque as you say. BMW encourage you to drive this way by implementing Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorbers (sexy name I know) which as you might've already guessed, absorb vibration. This allows the car to be driven at very low revs on the move without the engine shaking like mad - giving better fuel efficiency.
I don't know why it is less refined though and more noisy, with a much more commercial diesel sound compared to the 320d.
Weight savings?

arnsbrae · 06-03-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

^^ What he said and I think I can point you in the right direction for engine noise.
The 320ed or 320d EDE is less refined regarding noise than the 320d. You're right it does sound like one of VW Groups 1.9 TDI units! Not particularly nice, especially when you're using that low down torque as you say. BMW encourage you to drive this way by implementing Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorbers (sexy name I know) which as you might've already guessed, absorb vibration. This allows the car to be driven at very low revs on the move without the engine shaking like mad - giving better fuel efficiency.
I don't know why it is less refined though and more noisy, with a much more commercial diesel sound compared to the 320d.
Weight savings?

That's interesting to know - thanks.

Micleg · 06-03-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcbrew

BMW changed from hydraulic to electric assist from E90->F30.

There is a lot of information about in in the forums, but is for fuel economy (and probably works better with the Auto Start/Stop system. The electric assist only draws power when when active, unlike the hydraulic, which had the pump powered all the time.

I have the E90 EDE and I think it has EPS. Does it? I also have servotronic and I am very pelased with the steering and not being worried about that on my ordered F31; I think I am already used to EPS

demge01 · 06-03-2012, 01:56 PM

I have an F30 320ed but I wouldn't say it was any different to the F30 320d sport I test drove.
There is some diesel rattle with light throttle but it disappears when accelerating.
I remember reading a couple of reviews stating the E90 320ed as being slightly more refined than the regular 320d.
See Autocar review:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/3-series/first-drives/bmw-320d-efficient-dynamics

06-02-2012, 04:41 PM	#1
remvs Registered 1 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW f30 320d Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	F30 320d engine noise & steering Hi all, This week i took delivery of my new 320d. Great car! I left my 318d E90 at the dealers. Great car as well! During a 2 day test drive earlier I noticed two things i do not particulary like about the new f30 and maybe the 20d engine. One is engine noise. The 320d at low speeds (during take of etc) has a very VW 1.9TDI-like diesel grunt that seems to increase with torque. At higher speeds it is gone luckily. I was told that the current 520D (same engine) does not have that issue... What can it be? I have to add that i have the 320d EDE. here in The Netherlands we have two versions of the 320d. The EDE version has a slightly better fuel economy and with that a reduction on taxes (complex, will not bother you with the tax details) Second is the steering characteristics. The f30 has a softer feel to the steering compared to my old E90. The guys at BMW told me that they indeed changed the steering to appeal to broader 'audience'. Don't get me wrong it still bends around a roundabout like any E90, but the F30 lacks the crisp and sporty feel the E90 has, a bit. I know a litle automotive tech and my guess is they decreased the KPI (King Pin Inclination). More inclination basically adds to the cars tendency to keep a straight line. How do other f30 owners feel about this? Thanks all Remvs
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06-02-2012, 04:51 PM	#2
pcbrew Captain 29 Rep 784 Posts Drives: 2012 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	BMW changed from hydraulic to electric assist from E90->F30. There is a lot of information about in in the forums, but is for fuel economy (and probably works better with the Auto Start/Stop system. The electric assist only draws power when when active, unlike the hydraulic, which had the pump powered all the time.
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06-03-2012, 07:03 AM	#3
SomeRandomer123 Colonel 306 Rep 2,612 Posts Drives: F30 328i Luxury - Sport Auto Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lancashire, North West England, UK iTrader: (0)	^^ What he said and I think I can point you in the right direction for engine noise. The 320ed or 320d EDE is less refined regarding noise than the 320d. You're right it does sound like one of VW Groups 1.9 TDI units! Not particularly nice, especially when you're using that low down torque as you say. BMW encourage you to drive this way by implementing Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorbers (sexy name I know) which as you might've already guessed, absorb vibration. This allows the car to be driven at very low revs on the move without the engine shaking like mad - giving better fuel efficiency. I don't know why it is less refined though and more noisy, with a much more commercial diesel sound compared to the 320d. Weight savings? __________________ Gone: 2006 BMW E60 520d SE 6MT Gone: 2009 BMW E90-LCI 330d SE 6MT Current: 2012 F30 328i Luxury 8AT On Order: 2015 Audi A6 Avant Ultra, Black Edition (sorry!)
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06-03-2012, 01:56 PM	#6
demge01 Private First Class 8 Rep 145 Posts Drives: F30 320ed Join Date: May 2012 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0) Garage List '65 289 A Code Manual [9.00]	I have an F30 320ed but I wouldn't say it was any different to the F30 320d sport I test drove. There is some diesel rattle with light throttle but it disappears when accelerating. I remember reading a couple of reviews stating the E90 320ed as being slightly more refined than the regular 320d. See Autocar review: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/3-series/first-drives/bmw-320d-efficient-dynamics
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