E90 328xi versus F30 340i xdrive for throttle and steering

[Lucky1]

I had a 128i 6 speed which I loved; had perfect steering AND good throttle response. I bought a 135i 6 speed (albeit less optioned) and I just couldn't get into the turbo throttle response regardless of the amount of power. In fact the power with an open diff in winter was offputting (spinning the rear wheels when leaving parking lots on aggressive takeoffs was NOT enjoyable to me). I decided to get an E90 M3 instead.

Now I do more winter driving and I decided to take up the AWD cause to get through the weather. The F30 340i xdrive 6 speed I bought is wonderfully comfortable, fits nice in the cabin, and is a blast in winter weather. Clutch and shifter are easy to modulate and really insulates you while the B58 delivers smooth inline 6 performance.

However as time goes on I'm having trouble getting the steering to feel consistent and weight properly consistently; I also find it wobbly and to have a lot of play while tracking straight. There are other times when I put my foot down on the throttle and nothing happens...some combination of turbo lag and the traction nannies. I can feel the front end loading up with the power through the wheel and it feels strange. I know tossing shade on the B58 is BMW sacrilege but it just doesn't feel consistently right to me.

Would I be happier if I got back into an N52 engined car via the E90 328xi 6 speed? Did they come with a sports package and sport seats? I would build the N52 for power using MILVs, 3IM, BPC tune, maybe a gearbox diff ratio that makes it feel peppier. I've driven many E90 335xi's and I felt the steering was too heavy and made the car drive like a boat. I need active steering? Or an E90 M3 rack swap for servotronic variable steering?

Thoughts are welcome. Don't say RWD versions of these cars + snow tires will be good enough...been there, don't feel that way, suggest keeping it out of the discussion as its not what I want (I already have an E90 M3 that I drive in winter thank you).

[Leucosticte]

The xDrive E90s did come with sport package and sport seats. But keep in mind that the only thing that the sport package gives you on xDrive is the seats and steering wheel, the suspension remains the same as base and this is where the issue begins to me. IMO the xDrive E9X is too compromised compared to the RWD version, it loses out on the aluminum subframe, aluminum control arms, and M3 upgrade paths compared to the RWD version. It's also heavy (which you definitely feel on an N52, you don't have the torque of the N54) and complicates maintenance.

That being said I'm sure you can find aftermarket suspension upgrades to fix the xDrive suspension, but things like active steering and the E90 M3 rack just don't fit on the xDrive E90. You can get a servotronic rack from the X1 and wire that in, but that's about it, you're still stuck with the bad steering ratio.

I know AWD is important and you said not to bring up the RWD versions but I feel as though it should be said so you know what to expect in terms of the driving experience and upgrade paths, the xDrive E90 is otherwise a great winter daily driver.

[CJ421]

To me ...this move would be a mistake.

The N52 is going to feel lethargic next to the 340i's B58. It's smooth and predictable but lacks grunt, particularly paired with xDrive. And the occasionally unresponsive throttle situation affects both... I owned a 340i 6MT and drove an '08 128i 6MT for many years and experienced it with both cars.

I'm guessing you're somewhat handy because the E90 will be 15+ years old at this point and is going to have issues like all cars that old.

Something else that would keep me away from any E90 is the harsh ride quality, which is exacerbated on the xDrive models with their shorter shock travel and limited upgrade options.

Basically, I think you've got to make your peace with the F30 ...it's not perfect but it's probably more perfect than an E90.

Charles

[Altamate]

There are a few threads on fixing F3X front suspension/steering feel. The number one item is a set of upper Monoball control arms. How many miles on your car, the stock bushings wear out and leak pretty fast, so replacing with monoball control arms is a very big improvement. If worn do the lower control arms too.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Altamate

There are a few threads on fixing F3X front suspension/steering feel. The number one item is a set of upper Monoball control arms. How many miles on your car, the stock bushings wear out and leak pretty fast, so replacing with monoball control arms is a very big improvement. If worn do the lower control arms too.

Check, done! What else should I do?

[vt100]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Check, done! What else should I do?

Sell it and get E9x!
Yes, EPS on F-series is crap and I have exactly the same feelings when I need to drive them. And no, M3/M4 steering isn't much better, it's still crap, sadly (though better than on regular F- cars)
Monoballs can hardly change that

Regarding boat-like feeling in xDrive E9x... IMO, all E9x series (including M3) feel like a boat if you switch from a 1-series Doesn't matter it's AWD or RWD.

[Brandoch]

E9x M3

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

E9x M3

Check, done! But I want more confident winter traction. I can WOT on an open road full of snow and track straight as an arrow with xdrive AWD. M3 is lighting the traction control up like nobody's business if you even breath on the throttle, even with non performance winter tires.

[pbonsalb]

I had an E90 M3 for 10 years and enjoyed it. Winter driven in northern New England. 5 years ago, I sold it and bought an F90 M5 and like it. I don’t miss the M3, though it definitely had more character.

[Altamate]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Check, done! What else should I do?

Drive your M3 instead, not sure what you are expecting, the 340 is your Winter car. Just putting Winter tires on it greatly reduces handling/steering feel.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I had an E90 M3 for 10 years and enjoyed it. Winter driven in northern New England. 5 years ago, I sold it and bought an F90 M5 and like it. I don’t miss the M3, though it definitely had more character.

If I decide to give up the third pedal thats probably what I’ll do and was the exact car I was thinking of. I think in the F gen it sounds like the ///M cars do consistently steer like the BMW’s of yore.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Altamate

Drive your M3 instead, not sure what you are expecting, the 340 is your Winter car. Just putting Winter tires on it greatly reduces handling/steering feel.

I think what I am hoping for based on my post is to hopefully receive some opinions on whether the E90 328xi would better meet my expectations. Even better if any opinions offered informed from direct experience of owners who have driven and/or owned both cars. Of course I can drive my M3 but it would not have the winter inclement weather performance of either AWD cars mentioned. Thank you for your post.

[Altamate]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I think what I am hoping for based on my post is to hopefully receive some opinions on whether the E90 328xi would better meet my expectations. Even better if any opinions offered informed from direct experience of owners who have driven and/or owned both cars. Of course I can drive my M3 but it would not have the winter inclement weather performance of either AWD cars mentioned. Thank you for your post.

I had a 2008 328 x-drive for nearly 8 years. It was a fine Winter and Summer car, but no way I’m going back to it.