Thoughts on the BMW 328i (6th Generation F30)?

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
But I do agree with others; a BMW shouldn't be cross-shopped with FWD sedans. They just don't have the same proficiencies. I have zero desire to own a BMW, just as BMW owners likely have zero desire to own a FWD sedan. I'm surprised that there's as much market overlap as there is.

 

[hattaresguy]

A C250 with a manual trans would probably be a good cheap commuter car.

 

[d00df00d]

I've driven a 2010 C300 Sport with a 6-speed manual. Seemed basically perfect as a commuter. If it were slightly smaller and available with a limited-slip diff, I'd be gunning for one pretty hard...

 

[hillclimber]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: hillclimber
For what it's worth, Motorweek, on Sunday, aired a sport sedan test. It was the 328i vs. the ATS, S60, A4, C-class and Acura TL. The BMW finished first and the Acura and Volvo were second and third, although I'm not sure of the exact order. The Acura was the only one with a v-6, iirc. Nice car, that. I liked that Volvo, too, good power and good ride. You have a lot of choices.


Can you confirm that it was a TL, and not the TSX (also available with a V-6)?


Yes, it was a TL. It's on cars.com as the "$46,000 sport sedan challenge".

What we liked: The consensus among the reviewers was the TL was very comfortable and that its V-6 engine gave it plenty of go. "It absolutely hauls around the track," Robinson said.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

(But I do agree with others; a BMW shouldn't be cross-shopped with FWD sedans. They just don't have the same proficiencies. I have zero desire to own a BMW, just as BMW owners likely have zero desire to own a FWD sedan. I'm surprised that there's as much market overlap as there is.)


There's probably a lot of overlap because the RWD aspect isn't that important to a lot of people. It's probably just going to be a select few who care, even though BMW is somewhat known for sticking to RWD. A lot of people buy BMWs for reasons other than the driving experience, and some may be so out of touch when it comes to driving that it wouldn't matter if they were in a BMW or a Corolla. Not every 3 series is going to the track. Many are just meandering across lanes at 10 MPH under the limit while the driver plays with some infotainment toy or sets up their Bootoof.

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
I've driven a 2010 C300 Sport with a 6-speed manual. Seemed basically perfect as a commuter. If it were slightly smaller and available with a limited-slip diff, I'd be gunning for one pretty hard...

Given that I've always had FWD vehicles, I'm not familiar with the benefits of a limited-slip differential versus an open differential, the latter being what I understand the 328i to have. Is the preference for limited-slip more a purist thing, or does it provide an "everyday" advantage?

 

[Noobie]

I consider the F30 one of the best looking cars in its class. Take the F30 + M Sport Package + Estoril Blue II = Sexiest entry level luxury sports sedan.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
There's probably a lot of overlap because the RWD aspect isn't that important to a lot of people. It's probably just going to be a select few who care, even though BMW is somewhat known for sticking to RWD. A lot of people buy BMWs for reasons other than the driving experience, and some may be so out of touch when it comes to driving that it wouldn't matter if they were in a BMW or a Corolla. Not every 3 series is going to the track. Many are just meandering across lanes at 10 MPH under the limit while the driver plays with some infotainment toy or sets up their Bootoof.

The difference between FWD and RWD cars affects more than just which wheels are driven. It affects the weight distribution and steering, and thus also the handling and braking. Even with zero track use, the best thing that can be said about how a FWD car handles is that it's almost as good as how a mediocre RWD car handles.

If all you're doing is puttering around at speeds where those differences are meaningless, a BMW 3-Series is frankly a terrible car. It's not just a waste; it's seriously among the worst in its class for that kind of duty. Even the newly softened and watered-down F30 generation is still too firm, too noisy, and too expensive.

But in the end, you're right; mild drivers are still buying BMWs, and they will probably continue to do so. I suppose it's no worse than people buying supercars and never driving them at all...

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: barlowc
Given that I've always had FWD vehicles, I'm not familiar with the benefits of a limited-slip differential versus an open differential, the latter being what I understand the 328i to have. Is the preference for limited-slip more a purist thing, or does it provide an "everyday" advantage?

Depending on the type, it can be a big deal in slippery conditions. The M Variable units on recent BMW M cars can make a night-and-day difference on snow and ice. On the flip side, an open diff can be a bit safer for an inexperienced or inattentive driver if things start to get hairy.

In reality, modern cars are good enough in other ways that the difference is minor-to-nonexistent at almost all times, unless you drive very aggressively. Even on snow, you'll want winter tires no matter what kind of differential you have. That's probably why none of the cars in this class is available with a limited-slip differential, except for certain trim levels of the G37 and ATS. The BMW M cars, however, all have it as standard.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
The BMW M cars, however, all have it as standard.


So you can do sweet multi-gear burn-outs sideways and ruin very expensive tires

 

[d00df00d]

Amen, brother.

 

[Coprolite]

Hattaresguy, I somehow doubt you have tested the 328 given how much you are looking down your nose at it. It almost got me to buy it... It is more than enough car for day to day use. I also think the latest generation has done a great job by growing in size but not by weight. The back seat is now fit for more adult humans. I am 5'10" and wouldn't mind riding in the back of someone else's F30. If you asked me to ride in the back of mine, I'd laugh.

Regarding Infiniti mentions above, the G25 has been discontinued. I think it only made it through one year. The G has a limited slip differential. Even after I upgraded the sway bars, I could not drive it as aggressively as the 335 without fear of kicking out the rear on turns.

The only regret I have with the F30 is buying the one off the lot and not ordering to my exact spec(mainly color). What can I say, there were none in the pipeline that matched my needs, so I used it as a negotiation point and got a deal I couldn't turn down. Being a black on black on even more black, the air conditioning has its hands full during Texas summers.

 

[Coprolite]

If a Mineral White loaded 328 had been available, I would be driving it today... Which would make it easier accepting my wife's ban on tracking the family car a.k.a. her favorite car ever. I think it is the first time that I have heard her talk love and cars.

I know that it isn't perfect, but it is the first one that has made me sell another of my cars and still feel the same about it almost a year after I bought it.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Coprolite
Hattaresguy, I somehow doubt you have tested the 328 given how much you are looking down your nose at it.

I somehow doubt you know what you've gotten yourself into with that comment.

Originally Posted By: Coprolite
The G has a limited slip differential.

Only on the Sport models or with the sport package.

 

[Coprolite]

I like to stir it up. He can correct me if he sees fit. I mainly made that remark due to his mix up of HP rating with the 320...His standards for a sport sedan might be quite high, but then there wouldn't be many options on the market that would meet it. Performance models (M/AMG) are a different category imho. I basically agree with 80% of what he has stated in this thread, so I was emphasizing the differences...

I maintain that I was pleasantly surprised with the 328 performance. In truth, the 335 bounds would be better explored on a closed course with a pro driver...
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: Coprolite
Hattaresguy, I somehow doubt you have tested the 328 given how much you are looking down your nose at it.

I somehow doubt you know what you've gotten yourself into with that comment.

Originally Posted By: Coprolite
The G has a limited slip differential.

Only on the Sport models or with the sport package.

Which is what my G had and what I used for the driving comparison. I tend to be loose with my diction and grammar when chatting.

In the end, the 3 is our family car. The 335 may not be the ultimate sport sedan, but I like it a lot.

 

[d00df00d]

On a minor point: I don't think anyone's disputing the abilities of either the 328i or the 335i. What's under debate is not what they can do, but how they feel to drive.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: hillclimber
What we liked: The consensus among the reviewers was the TL was very comfortable and that its V-6 engine gave it plenty of go. "It absolutely hauls around the track," Robinson said.


Yes, a TL would certainly haul the mail around a track. My mother-in-law owns a 2010 TL, and she traded a 2004 TL in on the 2010. I liked the 2004 a touch better; it was a little smaller, a little "tighter" fitting, and it seemed more playful. The 2010 seems a touch more "grown up". Still, it will flat boogey if you mat it. And though it's a FWD sedan, it really does turn a corner well. Interior fit-and-finish are outstanding as well.

 

[Coprolite]

Since people complained about the steering, I paid attention to it while driving to work today. I could feel the changes in texture of the road. If I weren't paying attention they wouldn't jump up and grab me. They are muted more than other cars(e.g. G37S), but I could still feel them.

I think for the average Joe driver that wants to just get in a car, be seen and get to the other end, the new 320 will fit the bill.

 

[Mykl]

What's the projected long term reliability look like on these? I like BMWs but I'm a little too much of a tightwad to buy a new one. Did they get the fuel pump issues sorted out?

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: Mykl
Did they get the fuel pump issues sorted out?

If my research informed me correctly, the fuel pump issues were limited to the N54 twin-turbo I6 engine which was replaced in 2010 by the N55.