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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions C&D 330i RWD Review

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      08-29-2019, 04:15 PM   #1
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Car and Driver recently criticized the latest 330i when they tested an xDrive variant with no sport packages (other than the M-Sport package) equipped. Now, they have tested a RWD variant, with every option ticked (including the track handling package) to see if the 3 series has improved in comparison to the last test.

In the end, they find the improvements to be quite noticeable and a step in the right direction, praising the ride and handling, fuel economy, and the powertrain, but they do make sure to point out, an Alfa could be had more fun in, and a Genesis could provide similar amounts of fun with more luxury for less, and that steering and price aren't the greatest.

Hopefully they will soon test the M340i as well...

Here's the full review -> https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/
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      08-29-2019, 06:31 PM   #2
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Man, these options sure do get expensive. $60K for a loaded 330i is just too much.
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      08-29-2019, 06:46 PM   #3
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Thanks for this link. I think this review verifies what the consensus is on the G20 so far: It's improved a lot relative to the f30, and generally a solid leader in the segment, but not perfect. The main issue seems to be the steering. Getting the best out of the EPS seems to be the biggest thorn in their side engineering wise.
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      08-29-2019, 10:34 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
Thanks for this link. I think this review verifies what the consensus is on the G20 so far: It's improved a lot relative to the f30, and generally a solid leader in the segment, but not perfect. The main issue seems to be the steering. Getting the best out of the EPS seems to be the biggest thorn in their side engineering wise.
No EPS rack is going to be twitchy and provide all the "feel" of cars in the past, but I have to wonder why BMW can't tweak its steering a little more. There's a happy medium between annoyingly rough and numb, and BMW has not found it.
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      08-30-2019, 02:14 PM   #5
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From the review:

Quote:
...while the Genesis G70 has a far more upscale, quilted-leather interior at a substantially lower price.
The interior of the G70 is not even in the same league as the BMW when you look at the overall package. I have owned soft leather Japanese cars for most of my adult life so I know it's a baseless comparison.

I predict ~18 months before Genesis G70 owners start complaining with "My leather is stretched/wrinkled/damaged, how do I fix it?". And imagine trying to get a such a complaint addressed at a Hyundai dealership? (https://genesisowners.com/genesis-fo...ts.3272/page-2)

Lexus finally moved over to a proprietary faux leather they call "nuluxe" because they could not match the Germans in leather quality. Nuluxe is certainly a very nice material and easy to maintain in my IS350.

So the way I see it, the Koreans are a step behind the Japanese, and two steps behind the Germans with interior material choices. You really do get what you pay for. End rant.
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      08-30-2019, 02:48 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggler View Post
The interior of the G70 is not even in the same league as the BMW when you look at the overall package. I have owned soft leather Japanese cars for most of my adult life so I know it's a baseless comparison.

I predict ~18 months before Genesis G70 owners start complaining with "My leather is stretched/wrinkled/damaged, how do I fix it?". And imagine trying to get a such a complaint addressed at a Hyundai dealership? (https://genesisowners.com/genesis-fo...ts.3272/page-2)

Lexus finally moved over to a proprietary faux leather they call "nuluxe" because they could not match the Germans in leather quality. Nuluxe is certainly a very nice material and easy to maintain in my IS350.

So the way I see it, the Koreans are a step behind the Japanese, and two steps behind the Germans with interior material choices. You really do get what you pay for. End rant.
I don't know, while the actual leather in the G70 isn't as nice as the BMW, there is much more soft touch plastics and leather/learherette in areas where the BMW is lacking, such as the center console/kneerest and a small portion of the dashboard. One thing to also remember is that the Genesis is priced almost $15-20k lower than a 3 series, so for the money, I honestly think, material wise, the G70 offers a better interior.
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      08-30-2019, 04:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
I don't know, while the actual leather in the G70 isn't as nice as the BMW, there is much more soft touch plastics and leather/learherette in areas where the BMW is lacking, such as the center console/kneerest and a small portion of the dashboard. One thing to also remember is that the Genesis is priced almost $15-20k lower than a 3 series, so for the money, I honestly think, material wise, the G70 offers a better interior.
You make an excellent point... and first impressions usually leave a lasting impression, but I firmly believe you will always get what you pay for, and ultimately, it remains to be seen how happy G70 owners will be with their aging interior's in 3-5 years.

Given that BMW is polishing a diamond at this point, material choices are likely balanced between form and function, and without being an expert on the subject, I'd wager BMW chose not to use soft/quilted leather appointments on the seat/door/center console for any number of reasons, but most likely due to aging concerns and sun damage.

Speaking objectivity, I feel the G20 interior is incredibly solid and well put together with nice stitching and materials throughout. Throw in the superior interior tech on top of that and you have what I feel is the clear winner.
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      08-31-2019, 07:48 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggler View Post
You make an excellent point... and first impressions usually leave a lasting impression, but I firmly believe you will always get what you pay for, and ultimately, it remains to be seen how happy G70 owners will be with their aging interior's in 3-5 years.
Ironically, most BMWs are leased so the majority of the original customers don’t even know what the interior looks like after year three.
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      09-01-2019, 12:07 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggler View Post
The interior of the G70 is not even in the same league as the BMW when you look at the overall package. I have owned soft leather Japanese cars for most of my adult life so I know it's a baseless comparison.

I predict ~18 months before Genesis G70 owners start complaining with "My leather is stretched/wrinkled/damaged, how do I fix it?". And imagine trying to get a such a complaint addressed at a Hyundai dealership? (https://genesisowners.com/genesis-fo...ts.3272/page-2)

Lexus finally moved over to a proprietary faux leather they call "nuluxe" because they could not match the Germans in leather quality. Nuluxe is certainly a very nice material and easy to maintain in my IS350.

So the way I see it, the Koreans are a step behind the Japanese, and two steps behind the Germans with interior material choices. You really do get what you pay for. End rant.
Hmm, I completely disagree. The nappa leather in my 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan has held up almost perfectly. This is real world experience over 93,000 miles and 5+ years of ownership.
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      09-01-2019, 09:20 AM   #10
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I know the Genesis is considered competition but not so much in the real world. The price difference alone implies that a Genesis buyer may not have the means or desire to spend at the minimum 13k more to get a base model M340i. Genesis sells on value for dollar ala parent company Hyundai. Genesis still have the inferior transmission which is integral to any cars driving enjoyment. And while there are some nice touches like the metal accent on the doors, i still don't see the Genesis interior as better quality.

I would wager that people buying M340's are not agonizing over the Genesis. It's the guys who are buying neither that are usually the biggest critic. I test drove the 3.3.T in the beginning only because at the time I was thinking of getting the 330I M Sport. Once i test drove the 330I M Sport i was no longer interested in the Genesis 3.3T. Now that i actually acquired an M340i, the Genesis is irrelevant to me.
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      09-02-2019, 03:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RCtennis3811 View Post
Hmm, I completely disagree. The nappa leather in my 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan has held up almost perfectly. This is real world experience over 93,000 miles and 5+ years of ownership.
I went to Autotrader and looked up 2015 genesis and the interiors of all the examples I found demonstrated wear patterns typical of soft leather. So your experience appears to be an exception.
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      09-02-2019, 07:40 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Germanauto View Post
No EPS rack is going to be twitchy and provide all the "feel" of cars in the past, but I have to wonder why BMW can't tweak its steering a little more. There's a happy medium between annoyingly rough and numb, and BMW has not found it.
Is there a difference between the steering algorithm/dynamics on the 330i vs 340i? Because I do not have that dead-on-center feeling referenced in the 330i reviews. It's not the most direct steering in the world, but it's certainly immediately responsive on center in the 340i. And I heard it's even more responsive with the PS4 summer performance tires.
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      09-04-2019, 01:11 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggler View Post
Is there a difference between the steering algorithm/dynamics on the 330i vs 340i? Because I do not have that dead-on-center feeling referenced in the 330i reviews. It's not the most direct steering in the world, but it's certainly immediately responsive on center in the 340i. And I heard it's even more responsive with the PS4 summer performance tires.
330i has a new rack with different teething and tuning for feel. The M340i has a tuned version of the older F30 rack. While the 330i has newer improved steering with better feel, I agree with the review about the on center dead spot, its much improved from the F30, but I still noticed it.
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      09-04-2019, 04:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
330i has a new rack with different teething and tuning for feel. The M340i has a tuned version of the older F30 rack. While the 330i has newer improved steering with better feel, I agree with the review about the on center dead spot, its much improved from the F30, but I still noticed it.
Since finally figuring out what "dead spot on center when steering means" my F30 definitely has it (but my E92 was far worse and I could never get it figured out. Something was wrong with it and I wish I could have fixed it) and you are right, the G chassis it is a slight bit better, but still there.
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      09-06-2019, 08:31 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggler View Post
Given that BMW is polishing a diamond at this point, material choices are likely balanced between form and function, and without being an expert on the subject, I'd wager BMW chose not to use soft/quilted leather appointments on the seat/door/center console for any number of reasons, but most likely due to aging concerns and sun damage.

Speaking objectivity, I feel the G20 interior is incredibly solid and well put together with nice stitching and materials throughout. Throw in the superior interior tech on top of that and you have what I feel is the clear winner.

I'm repeating myself here, but soft leather requires a regimented caring routine to keep looking nice and new, and even then it's a losing battle... something most car owners don't realize until it's too late.
It's not so much about form/function as it is cost cutting. Take a look at a 5 or 7 series, there's a lot more soft touch materials in those vs. a 3. In Europe at least, not sure about the US, the 3 is offered with Merino leather as an option, which is softer than the Nappa in the Genesis.

I prefer something thats agile and fun to drive, so I was hoping to go with a G20 for my next car, but after driving it a few times, the cheap interior plastics have me shying away from it...I didn't realize how much better the materials in the 5 series were until I drove my 530 back to back with an M340.

As far as wear, my G30 has Nappa seats as does my E36 and the leather in both cars looks nearly new (except a small hole in the bolster on the E36, but after 21 years, its expected). I do use leatherique once a year to keep them in good shape, but thats it.
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