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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions 330i xDrive Car and Driver Review (Not Positive)

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      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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Part of the M Sport package is a SensaTec-wrapped instrument panel that cheapens the interior because the vinyl in no way resembles leather. Then again, the seating surfaces are cow-sourced and they don't look particularly rich, either, despite the Vernasca leather's $1700 asking price. A hard-plastic center tunnel and the Aluminum Tetragon trim firmly quash any further luxury fantasies. There are three no-cost wood trims to choose from. Go with one of those.

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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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Bundy's Dodge View Post
Quote:
Part of the M Sport package is a SensaTec-wrapped instrument panel that cheapens the interior because the vinyl in no way resembles leather. Then again, the seating surfaces are cow-sourced and they don't look particularly rich, either, despite the Vernasca leather's $1700 asking price. A hard-plastic center tunnel and the Aluminum Tetragon trim firmly quash any further luxury fantasies. There are three no-cost wood trims to choose from. Go with one of those.

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.
Same here, I sat in two and the one with a lighter oyster leather and dark matte wood looked and felt a lot more premium than the black and tetragonal did. Now I'm just hoping that the track handling package makes all the difference in the world, I'll be looking forward to their opinion on the M340i.
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      04-01-2019, 11:57 AM   #4
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3,709 pounds?! I suppose the rumors of a lighter 3er were just that.
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM1123 View Post
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.
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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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
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.
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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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM1123 View Post
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.
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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Which vehicles have better electric power steering? Here's a partial list: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Genesis G70, Mercedes C-class, any Porsche sports car or Cadillac sedan, Mazdas.
What the hell?!?!

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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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSky702 View Post
Quote:
Which vehicles have better electric power steering? Here's a partial list: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Genesis G70, Mercedes C-class, any Porsche sports car or Cadillac sedan, Mazdas.
What the hell?!?!
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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Have you not driven other cars? BMW's EPS is nearly impossibly bad.
Coming from an Infiniti Q50 with DAS, it felt immensely better! But that’s not saying much.

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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Originally Posted by MT4life View Post
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
Understood... then why put a potential POS on the road? That’s a crappy way to (attempt to) grab market share.
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      04-01-2019, 12:42 PM   #17
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Understood... then why put a potential POS on the road? That’s a crappy way to (attempt to) grab market share.
Because BMW decided they needed to complete with A4 and c300 4 bangers that are 10 cars per every parking lot on a $399 lease special.
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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You should at the very least test drive the car you're going to be buying/leasing :
Oh, I will!!!! As soon as it's available... I'm not committed.

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Originally Posted by MT4life View Post
Because BMW decided they needed to complete with A4 and c300 4 bangers that are 10 cars per every parking lot on a $399 lease special.
330 is what they had to make 340 is what they wanted to make.
I pray that's the case..
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      04-01-2019, 12:54 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pauleebe View Post
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.
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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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSky702 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
Have you not driven other cars? BMW's EPS is nearly impossibly bad.
Coming from an Infiniti Q50 with DAS, it felt immensely better! But that’s not saying much.

Genesis and Mazda are also EPS not hydraulic, correct ?? So how did they get the secret sauce!? And the ultimate driving machine can’t??
Ha, yes, you had the worst possible steering setup.

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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Quote:
Originally Posted by BimmerFix View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM1123 View Post
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.
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.
They'll likely tweak the old F30 rack for the M340i but due to the inline 6, it can't fit the new steering rack the 330i has.
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      04-01-2019, 01:10 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
They'll likely tweak the old F30 rack for the M340i but due to the inline 6, it can't fit the new steering rack the 330i has.
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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