[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Not concerned with trunk space & for my purposes, the 330e is the better fit. Like I mentioned, I can get my daily commute on all electric so that is a significant gas savings. For long trips we take a different vehicle.

The hi-fi audio isn't bad per se, but I have to really crank up up the volume to get any sort of sound, and there is zero base inside but rattles the outside & sounds like garbage. My wife's Previous Grand Cherokee had a HK system that sounded incredible, but I understand they're different vehicles. Her new GC has the upgraded McIntosh audio system so we'll see how that sounds.

I've got 2 BMW dealers in town, already not impressed with the first that replied to my inquiry with "are you ready to place an order now" as the only line in his email.

Leaning more now to keeping the '22 given the feedback thus far.

Have you researched what kind of hit to e-range you might have with AWD and the related tires? The extra weight might have some consequence.

Otherwise, life is short. Get the car you want. I traded a 2000 330i auto with no sport for a 2001 330i with sport suspension and stick in short order, and was totally happy with that decision. Kept the latter for 7 years.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by whynotme

If you can make the math work to an acceptable level get the 340. That inline 6 is just superb!

Fixed that for ya.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Have you researched what kind of hit to e-range you might have with AWD and the related tires? The extra weight might have some consequence.

Otherwise, life is short. Get the car you want. I traded a 2000 330i auto with no sport for a 2001 330i with sport suspension and stick in short order, and was totally happy with that decision. Kept the latter for 7 years.

According to BMW the range is the same, so I don't know how much of a hit it would be. Tires are the same as on my current 330e with MSport and summer performance tires.

In reality, as others have mentioned I probably don't "need" the awd or the dynamic suspension pkg. For high-spirited driving and corner hugging, I have my Z06. I think it was more the feeling that I might have settled when I purchased this one because it was the only one I could find that had almost everything I wanted & I still had to travel 850 mi to get it.

Minus some little quirks with the infotainment screen, it's been a great car so far & I enjoy driving it.

[jfcbmw]

Financially, it'll never make sense. Otherwise, we'd all be driving fully depreciated econo boxes.

But emotionally, who cares? Get what you want. You only live once and you're dead for a LONG time.

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by jfcbmw

Financially, it'll never make sense. Otherwise, we'd all be driving fully depreciated econo boxes.

But emotionally, who cares? Get what you want. You only live once and you're dead for a LONG time.

That would make sense if he was upgrading to M340i or another car.

Trading in for practically the same car within 1 year while taking a financial loss does not even qualify as YOLO.

[Norra Norra]

It makes perfect sence to trade in early if you can qualify for another EV credit and cashed in on the original $5.8k. Those combined will more then offset depreciation, especially with depreciation rates being extremely favorable right now. You'll likely save money. I'm doing the same thing once the drivers assistance pro comes back to the 3 series. I really want the semi autonomous features and will probably order pretty much the same car. Careful with the options though, you have to keep the MSRP under 55k in order for the car to qualify, so I'd skip Xdrive at minimum. Probably the adaptive suspension/M sport pack as well, since the standard suspension is excellent, especially on 18s.

The truth though is the that the 330e is far more capable then it is sporty. It feels every bit its 4,000lb curb weight. It has good grip and performance capabilities, but the car doesn't like to be pushed hard. The steering is so numb regardless of weighting. It's really hard to figure out what the tires are doing. Hopefully that will get better once the runflats are gone. But it's much more at home when cruising and being driven efficiently. The same goes for the 330i and 340i, but to a lesser extent.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Norra Norra

It makes perfect sence to trade in early if you can qualify for another EV credit and cashed in on the original $5.8k. Those combined will more then offset depreciation, especially with depreciation rates being extremely favorable right now. You'll likely save money. I'm doing the same thing once the drivers assistance pro comes back to the 3 series. I really want the semi autonomous features and will probably order pretty much the same car. Careful with the options though, you have to keep the MSRP under 55k in order for the car to qualify, so I'd skip Xdrive at minimum. Probably the adaptive suspension/M sport pack as well, since the standard suspension is excellent, especially on 18s.

The truth though is the that the 330e is far more capable then it is sporty. It feels every bit its 4,000lb curb weight. It has good grip and performance capabilities, but the car doesn't like to be pushed hard. The steering is so numb regardless of weighting. It's really hard to figure out what the tires are doing. Hopefully that will get better once the runflats are gone. But it's much more at home when cruising and being driven efficiently. The same goes for the 330i and 340i, but to a lesser extent.

With x-drive and dynamic handling, it comes in under $55k. I'd have to disagree with you on it feeling it's weight. It's a much larger and heavier (900lb) car than my Z06 but honestly feels more nimble. My Z06 has the Z07 "ultimate performance pkg (i.e. track pkg) with magnetic ride adjustable suspension, and even so the 330e feels a little more stuck to the road in tight curves. Could be because I can push the BMW to more of its limit than I can the 700 hp Corvette without fear of it breaking loose. I have a very curvy and hilly commute every day and it's a blast to drive. I don't feel that the steering is numb at all.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

With x-drive and dynamic handling, it comes in under $55k. I'd have to disagree with you on it feeling it's weight. It's a much larger and heavier (900lb) car than my Z06 but honestly feels more nimble. My Z06 has the Z07 "ultimate performance pkg (i.e. track pkg) with magnetic ride adjustable suspension, and even so the 330e feels a little more stuck to the road in tight curves. Could be because I can push the BMW to more of its limit than I can the 700 hp Corvette without fear of it breaking loose. I have a very curvy and hilly commute every day and it's a blast to drive. I don't feel that the steering is numb at all.

I'll just say that I sold my 2001 330i with auto transmission and no sport suspension only about a year or so after I bought it. I then ordered a 2002 330i with stick and sports suspension and kept that car for seven years. I blame in part these boards that have you reconsider your decisions and second guessing your choices. But, it was a great car and I don't regret the swap. (Plus, I did not lose a ton of money.)

Now, of course, I research the hell out of every car I buy, so I don't have to swap so fast again. Or live with regrets.

My takeaway when you order, is just to order everything you might want so you have no regrets. I never regret what I did order; I have always regretted what I did not order.

[SLGrassoPA]

Nora -- Yes, you are correct when you say: "The steering is so numb regardless of weighting. It's really hard to figure out what the tires are doing. Hopefully that will get better once the runflats are gone. But it's much more at home when cruising and being driven efficiently. The same goes for the 330i and 340i, but to a lesser extent."

I don't think there is any known fix for the steering issue. Micro corrections are constantly needed. It's not the tires or the alignment. The problem cannot be corrected (in my experience) with alignments, tire changes, pressure adjustments, etc.... . Here are some links on this. The steering problem on the 3 series has been extensively documented by professional reviewers and on forums like this.

1) At 22:35 the guy talks about the 3 series steering issues:

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1774603

2) Discussed on this website here :

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1855230

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Now, of course, I research the hell out of every car I buy, so I don't have to swap so fast again. Or live with regrets.

My takeaway when you order, is just to order everything you might want so you have no regrets. I never regret what I did order; I have always regretted what I did not order.

I generally order the cars I want. I really stumbled into the 330e because the vehicle I had ordered still hadn't been delivered after 9 months and I was in a situation where I needed another daily driver. I sold my DD several months earlier when my dealer told me the new car was on its way. I didn't expect to sell it within an hour of posting it online.

My current 330e was the only one I could find in-stock in the country at the time, and checked almost all of the boxes so I traveled 3 states away & picked it up. Like I said I really like the car and it's a blast to drive. It's just missing those 3 options that I originally wanted.

After more research and consideration I'm not fond of some of the interior changes on the '23 & neither local dealer has answered my questions about ordering one, so I'm going to hang on to my current '22.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by SLGrassoPA

Nora -- Yes, you are correct when you say: "The steering is so numb regardless of weighting. It's really hard to figure out what the tires are doing. Hopefully that will get better once the runflats are gone. But it's much more at home when cruising and being driven efficiently. The same goes for the 330i and 340i, but to a lesser extent."

I don't think there is any known fix for the steering issue. Micro corrections are constantly needed. It's not the tires or the alignment. The problem cannot be corrected (in my experience) with alignments, tire changes, pressure adjustments, etc.... . Here are some links on this. The steering problem on the 3 series has been extensively documented by professional reviewers and on forums like this.

1) At 22:35 the guy talks about the 3 series steering issues:

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1774603

2) Discussed on this website here :

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1855230

I guess I'm lucky as I don't have any of those issues with the steering. Seems like it's similar to "death wobble" in Jeep Wranglers that seems prevalent but I've owned 7 different Wranglers and never experienced it with any of them.

[wdc330i]

I don’t have any steering issues either in my 4 GC. I would, frankly, dump a car that suffered from constant steering problems.

[Norra Norra]

I'm pretty sure my steering is functioning properly. Its just numb with very little difference in perceptible load when turning. In normal driving conditions its really nice and adds to the smooth and quiet ride, resulting in a very premium and refined feel, but it lacks the sporting nature of their older cars. Overall the G20 is probably the best 3 series they've ever made, but not in all ways.