04-01-2019, 11:24 AM | #1 |
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330i xDrive Car and Driver Review (Not Positive)
It seems like there is no love for the 3 series after Car and Driver's latest review, they were definitely very tough on the car and were holding it to higher standards. Hopefully they can get a model with the "Track Handling Package," as they suspect that may help with driving experience and I'd want to hear their opinions on differences with those models, but it seems like the car isn't the improvement they were hoping for both dynamically and on the inside, and that we're possibly going to go through the F30 cycle all over again, although this time right at the start of this generation.
There is some hope though, "That said, while this 330i isn't the correction we were hoping for, it's only the first new 3-series we've tested. A brief drive in Europe of other 3-series—including the 382-hp six-cylinder M340i (it arrives this summer), the rear-drive 330i, and versions equipped with the $2450 Track Handling package (non-run-flat tires, an electronically controlled diff, and four-piston front calipers)—were more promising than this particular 330i xDrive. Maybe that correction is still coming." Here's the review-> https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/
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04-01-2019, 11:46 AM | #2 | |
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My exact reaction when I sat in an M Sport tetragon trim over the weekend. Was really disappointed how cheap and plastic-y the dash looked for a $50k vehicle. However, I LOVED the exterior in person. Very much agree that its a handsome and very good looking car. But I'm worried that its just a bunch of make-up covering up whats really going on underneath.
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04-01-2019, 11:49 AM | #3 | ||
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04-01-2019, 11:57 AM | #5 |
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Thought it was going to be a base car. The fact that it was an M-sport with "M suspension" and still got a lukewarm response does not bode well for the heavier M340i.
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04-01-2019, 12:04 PM | #6 |
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Agree, even if the track handling package makes the car much better, its annoying that you'd have to literally option the car to be sporty when it should be like that in base form.
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04-01-2019, 12:10 PM | #7 |
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Also, the M340i has the F30's steering rack due to packaging issues with the new rack. This is also not a good sign. The first drive reviews at Portimao seemed positive though.
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04-01-2019, 12:11 PM | #8 |
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So many sugar coated reviews were hinting at how the G20 is improved from the disastrous F30 but still not as good as the E90. C&D told it as it is...being better than the F30 is NOT good enough.
It's sad but BMW is now engineering their cars to appease those who just want the image associated with a BMW and not the nuances of what made the brand famous (steering feel, stiff suspension, etc.). My parents had a new X5 loaner the past couple days while their E70 M Sport was getting serviced. They HATED the new X5 because it was lifeless to drive. The E70 is so tactile and fun in comparison. BMW has become too large for its own good. When I'm due for my next car the only BMW I'll be looking at is the M2 CS! |
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04-01-2019, 12:20 PM | #9 |
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It is indeed starting to sound more and more that a rwd 330i with THP will be the sweet spot.
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04-01-2019, 12:23 PM | #10 |
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That was one article, and that was a pre production demo Car. They even mentioned that hopefully the production car would have the new steering Rack . So we shall see I guess, I doubt BMW puts the old F30 rack in the M340i , the most sportiest current available 3er.
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04-01-2019, 12:28 PM | #11 | |
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How is this even possible!? I’m becoming rather pessimistic about the M340 or any bimmer, at this point! If you can’t even nail it with the basic model! Mazda! Genesis ( freaking Hyundai??!!). I’m not paying north of $800/month just for a damn badge!! Before I sign on that dotted line, I’m going to do a thorough test drive!! Of course the salespeople are really pushing the M340,we’ll see! As much as it pains me, I may have to test drive a genesis just to have a fair comparison. Last edited by BigSky702; 04-01-2019 at 12:33 PM.. |
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04-01-2019, 12:29 PM | #12 |
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Have you not driven other cars? BMW's EPS is nearly impossibly bad.
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04-01-2019, 12:33 PM | #13 |
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Since it was xDrive, I wonder if it had M Adaptive suspension? Historically the standard xDrive suspension has been trash since the F30, so I'm sure that hasn't entirely changed with the G20 being introduced.
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04-01-2019, 12:34 PM | #14 | |
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Genesis and Mazda are also EPS not hydraulic, correct ?? So how did they get the secret sauce!? And the ultimate driving machine can’t?? |
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04-01-2019, 12:35 PM | #15 |
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Let's face it, an enthusiast magazine such as C&D is not going to be happy with a 4 banger that weighs 3700 lbs and the size of a large family sedan. I didn't expect anything else from them. I am sure 340i review will be pure Kool Aid. "BMW is back" is what I'm expecting to read in that review
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04-01-2019, 12:39 PM | #16 | |
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04-01-2019, 12:42 PM | #17 | |
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330 is what they had to make 340 is what they wanted to make. |
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04-01-2019, 12:50 PM | #18 | |
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I pray that's the case..
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04-01-2019, 12:54 PM | #19 |
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xDrive now get the msport suspension if optioned with msport and not just stock with base or worse than base suspension
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04-01-2019, 01:00 PM | #20 | ||
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While my wife had her LCI F30, I had a Mazda3 and a GTI, both fwd and EPS, with the calipers in the front and steering arm in the rear, engineering wise, as bad as it can get. But both had wildly better steering feel, feedback and linearity than the stupid BMW. Hell, it was bad enough that between the growing size of the 3er and the poor dynamics, we no longer own a single BMW, after 20 years of being owners and fans. Glad to see we didn't make the wrong choice in leaving. |
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04-01-2019, 01:06 PM | #21 | |
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04-01-2019, 01:10 PM | #22 |
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I personally don't see anything wrong with LCI/340i steering rack with Michelin PS4S tires. Now, pre-LCI and with run flats, that was a cluster
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