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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions Which 3 Series is the best?

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      06-09-2019, 04:32 PM   #1
F06msportmia
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Which 3 Series is the best?

I used to have E90 MSport which I loved. Wasn't a fan of the F30 at all, the line that separates hood and bumper was not thought out. The G20 reminds me a lot of the E90, thinking of test driving it.

Which 3 Series do prefer?
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      06-09-2019, 08:28 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F06msportmia View Post
I used to have E90 MSport which I loved. Wasn't a fan of the F30 at all, the line that separates hood and bumper was not thought out. The G20 reminds me a lot of the E90, thinking of test driving it.

Which 3 Series do prefer?
I have (about to sell) an 07' 328i with sport package. I absolutely love her. I told my brother in law to F off and wouldn't sell her to him as i know he won't care for her. She as 115k miles. As some background I've maintained her meticulously. I just replaced the windshield washer pump myself this am as I don't want the next buyer to have any worries. I replaced all suspension at 80k. She drives great. Every car I got into during my year of test driving and trying to figure out what was next left me empty as when I got back into my e90 it just felt right again. If you follow my posts, I cross shopped and drove multiple M3, 330i, Audi S5 sportback and the Alfa Quadrifoflio. I waited for the m340i to come out before making my decision. I just took delivery of my M340i on Friday and couldn't be happier. My short reasons were this. M3 was just too much car for me. The S5 has too much body roll. The 330i has too much turbo lag and while it was great at the ultimate drive auto cross it just didn't do it for me on the day-to-day. The Alfa actually may have been my number one but my wife was dead set against it because of the issues with service and potentially reliability. You can debate the accuracy of that all day. Once I test drove the m340i on a Saturday morning I had my order placed by the following Monday without a second thought. Now that I've had three days with her the tech blows away Alfa and the drive style/quality are perfect for me. Two young girls age 2 and 5. I have taken the e90 for a few drives purposefully trying to see if she entices again me now that I have the m340i. For the first time i can honestly say I'm ready to let her go. Although she still looks gorgeous all cleaned up driving away in the twilight.

Hope this helps you make your decision easier.
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      06-10-2019, 12:48 AM   #3
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      06-10-2019, 12:48 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hockeymen14 View Post
Now that I've had three days with her the tech blows away Alfa and the drive style/quality are perfect for me. Two young girls age 2 and 5.
Does the back seat work well for your two young kids?
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      06-10-2019, 02:42 AM   #5
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You could say that over the years I have been a fan of the 3 series. I do like the new G20 though

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      06-10-2019, 02:52 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by openwheelracing View Post
Does the back seat work well for your two young kids?
can confirm theres load of room for those ages. as long as you have front facing boosters, you're good.

I wouldnt put a rear facing capsule back there, not unless you want the front passenger jammed into the windscreen
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      06-10-2019, 11:35 AM   #7
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Does the back seat work well for your two young kids?
So far so good. I have been doing it since they were born in my e90. It's slightly better in the G20. Once my 2 yo goes forward facing it will get even better as currently in rear facing the convertible car seat prevents the front passenger seat from moving back to an ideal position but for my wife (5'7") it's perfectly fine.

I would not consider this a deal breaker at all. The only car i shopped and forgot to mention was the genesis G70 and that back seat was too small for me. For many other reasons it was a hard pass.

My new rule though is no shoes in the back seat for the kids. Excessive? Yes, but I'll be damned if those girls are going to stuff up the rear console and seat backs again!
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      06-10-2019, 12:52 PM   #8
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F30 lci 330/340
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      06-10-2019, 02:21 PM   #9
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They're all handsome cars. I felt the F30 was too similar to the generation it replaced though. Styling was too much of a glorified refresh.

G20 pushes the bar forward thankfully, but it's visibly a massive car. I felt the E90 was the perfect size for a 3-series. And overall that car that car just perfect in every way.
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      06-16-2019, 09:22 AM   #10
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The best looking 3s by far is an M sport E90/2 and M sport F30. Haven't driven a g20 yet but the best 3 I ever drove was the e90 (including all ms as well)
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      06-16-2019, 10:44 AM   #11
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Either the e46 or e90 for me.

I’ve never owned an e46 but from the times I drove them they seemed to Bridge the gap between old school bmw (e30/e36) and modern 3 series.

But I also love how the e90 was perfect for me. The size was right and it provided the right amount of feedback from the road to make me want to take it out for a drive. The inline 6 N/A engine and 6MT was so satisfying every time I drove and the car felt indestructible and that it would run forever if properly cared for.

Unfortunately it wasn’t as indestructible as I thought and was destroyed when it was rear ended by a box truck. The car did keep me alive and further reinforced my opinion of how well engineered it was.

I have driven the F30/F80/F82 many times and they just don’t do it for me. To me they feel like the worst generation of the 3 series, to the point where I don’t think they should have the BMW or 3 series badge. I know later versions of the f30 were improved but they still sucked so much that I skipped the f30 and went to a G30 when the e90 was totaled. The G30 is certainly a bland car, but you can tell there’s a bmw under there hidden in the excellent chassis somewhere, and the interior quality is what I’d expect of a bmw.

The G20 seems like a step up from the f30, but I haven’t had enough time with one yet to really form a strong opinion. The lack of a 6MT definitely drops it down a bit in my mind compared to 3 series of the past.
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      06-16-2019, 11:03 AM   #12
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IMO G20 and E46.
And the worst are E36 and F30.
Looks-wise, the best looking is F82 Comp, the worst is non-M E90 sedan IMO.
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      06-16-2019, 02:00 PM   #13
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For handling, my E30 M3 could not be beat.
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      06-16-2019, 05:40 PM   #14
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Personally I think the F30 was a complete flop. Yeah I know a lot of people love it but to me it was not attractive inside or out and the driving experience was greatly lacking. I skipped it and went to M235i (great little car!) and back to another E92 M.

E9x has my heart with E46 close behind. Although this new G20 is so good I wouldn't be surprised if it takes the crown once I've had a year in it.
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      06-16-2019, 09:27 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F06msportmia View Post
I used to have E90 MSport which I loved. Wasn't a fan of the F30 at all, the line that separates hood and bumper was not thought out. The G20 reminds me a lot of the E90, thinking of test driving it.

Which 3 Series do prefer?
The one you prefer (...or the one you consider the best) is the one you're willing to pony up the cash for.
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      06-17-2019, 12:14 AM   #16
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Different strokes for different folks on this one. I've owned E46 ZHP, E92 335is, E92 M3, and F80 M3. None were best at everything.

E46 ZHP looked great and had great steering & suspension. The con is that it is underpowered.

335is looked great, great power, great sound. The con is the suspension.

E92 M3 looked great, great sound, solid steering. The cons are brakes, lack of torque, high seating position, and tends to feel heavy.

F80 M3 looks good (don't love front end); great power, great seating position; sharp turn in & solid handling. The cons are steering feel, sound, & suspension compliance.
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      06-17-2019, 06:25 AM   #17
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Best looking in my opinion has to be a E92 LCI followed be a E46 face lift .

Designation type, has to a 330i (the proper one though with 6 cylinders and a 3.0 litre engine).
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      06-17-2019, 10:36 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MT4life View Post
F30 lci 330/340
I agree. F36 440i with B58 engine needs to be added to the list.
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      06-17-2019, 11:10 AM   #19
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I agree. F36 440i with B58 engine needs to be added to the list.
Definitely, all F3X LCI
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      06-17-2019, 11:21 AM   #20
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My favorites are the 335is and the facelift e46 (04+) 330ci. I love the e46s, but the material quality is so poor that I cannot go back after owning an e93 with the twin turbo. I'm hoping that the new M3/4 shakes this up!
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      06-17-2019, 12:33 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by F30ZHP View Post
For handling, my E30 M3 could not be beat.
For me raw handling wise e46 m3 was amazing, still miss that car.
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      06-17-2019, 01:34 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MT4life View Post
For me raw handling wise e46 m3 was amazing, still miss that car.
I believe it. I just recall being able to throw just about any corner or curve at my M3 and it stuck like glue. It weighed nothing which was awesome. Totally tossable!
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