[BMW007CA]

Hello,

I have a 2020 330i (Sport Line) non-M model. The other day, I had a 2024 330i (Sport Line) loaner as my car was in service and I though it will be great to test drive and see what improvements were made other than the big screen and the cosmetic changes to the front and back of the car.

I was VERY SURPRISED at the following and would like to know if anyone noticed the same with the 2024 330i model:

1. Compared to my car, the 2024 330i suspension seems to be way softer than mine, as if BMW softened the suspension. I experienced this both in the Comfort and Sport settings. I did not like this change at all as it felt I was driving a C class.

2. Similarly, the steering felt way more numb and vague. With my car, when I increase the speed (especially in Sport mode), the steering feels noticeably "heavier", which is appropriate of the 3 series. This was not the case with the 2024 model, the steering feedback was very weak, even in Sport Mode.

3. Because of the inclusion of the long rectangular screen, there now seems to be more "open space" that I felt made the car to feel larger but that's my opinion.

4. The seats were slightly more comfortable and being perforated is a nice touch.

In conclusion, when I picked my car up I immediately noticed the difference in ride and handling.

I will not consider this refreshed model in the future, definitely not with the dumbed down suspension and steering.

What do you guys think?

[madpistol]

Did you check to make sure the tires were the same? Are you sure the suspension was identical? (M sport vs normal)

[Mason Hatcher]

Tires make a difference, and apparently so does Adaptive Suspension vs standard.

[Motorwerke_man]

Does your car have the 704 M-sport suspension? I drove a 2024 330i xDrive loaner with the standard suspension and it feels quite different from my 2022 M340i, more of a delta than expected.

I had the same impressions essentially. The seats seem more comfortable perhaps because the perforated ones are sensatec without the adjustable bolsters. I thought they are slightly more comfortable at first but by the end of the day wanted my adjustable bolsters and lumbar back.

[madpistol]

BMW might have changed the seats. My previous M340i with black vernasca leather seats were much more firm compared to the “same seats” with red vernasca leather in my M440i GC. I was not a fan of the seats in the M340i, but the seats in my M440i GC are definitely softer. Can’t compare suspensions as they are different cars and the M340i had fixed M-sport suspension, while my M440i GC has adaptive.

[Sushimaster]

Tires play a big difference on how the car feel. I recently traded my 330e 2023 for a 330e 2024. The new one have the crappy bridgestone turanzo vs the okaish pireli p7 on the old one and ride much more firm but have better road feel than the pireli.
Will probably swap out for a non funflat pair

[BMW007CA]

Originally Posted by BMW007CA

Hello,

I have a 2020 330i (Sport Line) non-M model. The other day, I had a 2024 330i (Sport Line) loaner as my car was in service and I though it will be great to test drive and see what improvements were made other than the big screen and the cosmetic changes to the front and back of the car.

I was VERY SURPRISED at the following and would like to know if anyone noticed the same with the 2024 330i model:

1. Compared to my car, the 2024 330i suspension seems to be way softer than mine, as if BMW softened the suspension. I experienced this both in the Comfort and Sport settings. I did not like this change at all as it felt I was driving a C class.

2. Similarly, the steering felt way more numb and vague. With my car, when I increase the speed (especially in Sport mode), the steering feels noticeably "heavier", which is appropriate of the 3 series. This was not the case with the 2024 model, the steering feedback was very weak, even in Sport Mode.

3. Because of the inclusion of the long rectangular screen, there now seems to be more "open space" that I felt made the car to feel larger but that's my opinion.

4. The seats were slightly more comfortable and being perforated is a nice touch.

In conclusion, when I picked my car up I immediately noticed the difference in ride and handling.

I will not consider this refreshed model in the future, definitely not with the dumbed down suspension and steering.

What do you guys think?

Both cars are the standard model, Not the M-Sport. Both cars had the same brand of tires.

[awh5]

Same brand name of tire doesn’t mean too much. I have seen people say the seats did get a slight more cushioning. Also, I would it hard to believe BMW made no tuning adjustments over the last 6 years of production. The steering was/still considered to be artificially heavy in sport mode with minimal feedback. The suspension could be due to wear. Also, does it feel worse in the corners? When you softer, it is comfort or body lean? It is possible to better dampening to have softer suspension without performance sacrifice.

[RCtennis3811]

I don’t think the seats are different provided you compare the same seats in 2020 and 2023/2024 (I.e. Vernasca seats with adjustable bolsters). They feel exactly the same to me. Source: own both.