A quick review.
An true heir to older 3-seriee models. Dimensionally it sits right between the E46 and E92. Not only does the I4 make more power and torque compared to both the E46 330 and E92 328 it has less weight over the front axle which itself improves balance and handling. The weight penalty over the e92 328 is 150lbs which is nothing really.
Excellent driving dynamics and the M-sport brakes provide great stopping power.
Technology. No doubt it's packed full of features. HUD can be adjusted or turned off completely.
The 4k screen provides great resolution and the iDrive (ver8) isn't slow to respond to inputs.
I much prefer the horizonal layout of the screen rather than vertical placement in the center console that some automakers have opted to go.
Plenty of power.
The Meh,
Decades of BMW DNA have been stripped from the interior by the wide screen. It's saddening.
I don't like the fact that BMW did away with the home screen from previous version of I drive.
I don't like the layout of the gauges.
I don't like the fact that the display is a touchscreen. Yes there's still a knob with hot buttons which you can use but people will intuitively use the screen.
Comfort Mode has tuned the ZF8HP to upshift rather quickly in order to take advantage of the 295 lbs-ft of torque but I think it should hold gear a little longer and downshift a little sooner.
Some turbo lag with moderate tip in on the throttle. It is a 4cyl after all.
Verdict,
While the vehicle isn't technically a slow car I think it would fall into the category of slow cars which people like to drive fast. I think it would be a lot of fun on the track.
An true heir to older 3-seriee models. Dimensionally it sits right between the E46 and E92. Not only does the I4 make more power and torque compared to both the E46 330 and E92 328 it has less weight over the front axle which itself improves balance and handling. The weight penalty over the e92 328 is 150lbs which is nothing really.
Excellent driving dynamics and the M-sport brakes provide great stopping power.
Technology. No doubt it's packed full of features. HUD can be adjusted or turned off completely.
The 4k screen provides great resolution and the iDrive (ver8) isn't slow to respond to inputs.
I much prefer the horizonal layout of the screen rather than vertical placement in the center console that some automakers have opted to go.
Plenty of power.
The Meh,
Decades of BMW DNA have been stripped from the interior by the wide screen. It's saddening.
I don't like the fact that BMW did away with the home screen from previous version of I drive.
I don't like the layout of the gauges.
I don't like the fact that the display is a touchscreen. Yes there's still a knob with hot buttons which you can use but people will intuitively use the screen.
Comfort Mode has tuned the ZF8HP to upshift rather quickly in order to take advantage of the 295 lbs-ft of torque but I think it should hold gear a little longer and downshift a little sooner.
Some turbo lag with moderate tip in on the throttle. It is a 4cyl after all.
Verdict,
While the vehicle isn't technically a slow car I think it would fall into the category of slow cars which people like to drive fast. I think it would be a lot of fun on the track.
