F30 320i advice

[Zenith]

Hi all,

I need some advice. I currently own an E90 320i 2005 model and I'm seriously thinking of trading it in for a 320i F30 2014 model.

I need some feedback from those who have driven both the E90 320i and the new F30 320i model. A few questions if you don't mind :

1) How is the ride quality comparing the E90, normal suspension set up, non-M sport to the F30?

2) Is the F30 320i really much faster than the 320i? I'm heard some guys say it's pretty quick, but specifically compared to the E90. Is this true, what are your thoughts?

3) Is the F30 320i lighter on fuel compared the E90 320i and is it something that one will really notice?

I'm thinking of going the auto route as my car is currently a manual. Your thoughts and advice here would be appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[FerdiBotha]

The F30 really is that much quicker, stronger, better and lighter on fuel than the E90 and it will definitely be a major upgrade from your current car.

I would personally go for the 320d though (I know it wasn't mentioned). Fuel consumption on the 320d far trumps the 320i with arguably more usable power accross the board on the 320d.

 

[tman]

2) Is the F30 320i really much faster than the 320i? I'm heard some guys say it's pretty quick, but specifically compared to the E90. Is this true, what are your thoughts?

3) Is the F30 320i lighter on fuel compared the E90 and is it something that one will really notice?

I can comment on 2 of these;

2. Its light-years quicker. E90 is N/A, while the F30 has a turbo, which makes a HUGE impact on performance.

3. This is debatable, I would say do not believe the BMW claimed figures on the website as its not accurate. You will maybe see a slight improvement in economy, but its way off the claimed figures for the majority of F30 320I drivers. Have a look here, and compare average usage for 2012 - current models: http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/320i

 

[ChefDJ]

Agree with Ferdi.

I am not an E90/F30 fundi but my experience in both has left me more appreciative of the F30 over the E90. F30 is softer on the road, will definitely have more power, and should be lighter on fuel.

And yes if you can get the diesel rather than the petrol, then do it.

Also, the auto is brilliant in the F30.

 

[M135i]

f30 320d ftw!

 

[Ebo]

Agree with Ferdi.

I am not an E90/F30 fundi but my experience in both has left me more appreciative of the F30 over the E90. F30 is softer on the road, will definitely have more power, and should be lighter on fuel.

And yes if you can get the diesel rather than the petrol, then do it.

Also, the auto is brilliant in the F30.

^^^^
What he said,

alternatively I remember reading about a guy in East London who can hook you up with a 335i conversion for the E90 cheap cheap

 

[F30LagunaSeca]

I have driven in the E90 and can confirm that the F30 is much more comfortable, way more quicker and noticeably lighter on fuel.

 

[Zenith]

Thanks guys for all your advice and feedback! I'm going for a test drive next week so I can't wait.

A few reasons I don't want to go for the diesel is the diesel clatter, the initial increased outlay (the diesel offerings in the same year model were like R30k+ more)

I've also heard that diesels are a bit more expensive to maintain and service. Not sure how accurate that is. I have little doubt they are quicker due to all the extra torque.

 

[Deren]

Hi all,

I need some advice. I currently own an E90 320i 2005 model and I'm seriously thinking of trading it in for a 320i F30 2014 model.

I need some feedback from those who have driven both the E90 320i and the new F30 320i model. A few questions if you don't mind :

1) How is the ride quality comparing the E90, normal suspension set up, non-M sport to the F30?

2) Is the F30 320i really much faster than the 320i? I'm heard some guys say it's pretty quick, but specifically compared to the E90. Is this true, what are your thoughts?

3) Is the F30 320i lighter on fuel compared the E90 320i and is it something that one will really notice?

I'm thinking of going the auto route as my car is currently a manual. Your thoughts and advice here would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Hi Bud

I have done the same upgraded from a 320i E90 Lci to the F30 320i auto

1) I would say the ride quality overall is better on the F30 suspension seems softer. However i have to mention I felt the Steering much better on the E90 some may disagree but I personally preferred the heavier steering feel the F30 is very light. The overall build quality also felt much better on the E90 to me

2) YES, there is no comparison, test drive one for yourself its really chalk and cheese bud

3) due to the better performance you find you wont need to really work the right foot that much to get up to speed thus the Fuel consumption is much better in my personal experience

Auto would be the best, the 8 speed box is magic!!!

:coolShake:

 

[tman]

Agree with Ferdi.

I am not an E90/F30 fundi but my experience in both has left me more appreciative of the F30 over the E90. F30 is softer on the road, will definitely have more power, and should be lighter on fuel.

And yes if you can get the diesel rather than the petrol, then do it.

Also, the auto is brilliant in the F30.

^^^^
What he said,

alternatively I remember reading about a guy in East London who can hook you up with a 335i conversion for the E90 cheap cheap

*pffft -coffee all over my keyboard!

What ever happened to that oke?!

Sent on the move via Tapatalk

 

[CK4LIFE]

Cant wait for the new 3series G20 to come to SA so the F30 prices can be cheaper.. :crazylaugh:

 

[FerdiBotha]

Thanks guys for all your advice and feedback! I'm going for a test drive next week so I can't wait.

A few reasons I don't want to go for the diesel is the diesel clatter, the initial increased outlay (the diesel offerings in the same year model were like R30k+ more)

I've also heard that diesels are a bit more expensive to maintain and service. Not sure how accurate that is. I have little doubt they are quicker due to all the extra torque.

Diesel maintenance was an "issue" when N/A cars were the norm due to diesels actually being turbocharged, thus having turbo related problems etc. In today's time this is no longer really the case.

There is no way around diesel clatter, but if I were you I'd test drive one and decide if it really is unbearable or if the diesel's strengths outweigh the clatter.

The initial capital outlay on diesels is more, yet the return if you were to sell it eventually is also more, so it's a bit of a two way street.

Good luck with your purchase though

 

[ChefDJ]

Diesel clatter these days on new gen cars is not what it was before.

 

[Lizzard]

My neighbor drives a 428i, I know it isnt F30 320i but just hear me out.

So she starts the car up and it sounded like the engine is being dragged, the clutter in the engine bay is enough to make you just want to climb out the fence, her car is like new only has 20 000km on the clock and then the performance was amazing and it kept relevantly ok with the speeds which was a surprise for me.

The F30 320i is also turbo charged from the same B48 motor, so I do think the chatter, noise and just that ugly WTF moment when it starts up will be there. Long story short, I will stick with my E90 puring 6 cylinder motor for now, sad I sold my E46 cause that was a drivers car. And lets not start with that stupid dash in the F30 :smashScreen:

 

[Nick]

chalk and cheese bro.

 

[Zenith]

Good to know, thanks for your comments on the diesels. So aren't there any downsides to diesels, otherwise why have a 320i?

Also, can anyone please comment on the cabin noise while on the road? With my E90 the wind and tire noise is very audible. Has this been improved much on the F30 models?

Apparently the steering is lighter on the F30 but there is a sport mode and I don't know if that adds any weight to the steering feel. Maybe someone can comment.

Do the various modes actually make much of a difference?

 

[Nick]

Steering is electric in the f30, so it is what it is.

Wind noise im not sure, my e90 is silent.

 

[Deren]

Good to know, thanks for your comments on the diesels. So aren't there any downsides to diesels, otherwise why have a 320i?

Also, can anyone please comment on the cabin noise while on the road? With my E90 the wind and tire noise is very audible. Has this been improved much on the F30 models?

Apparently the steering is lighter on the F30 but there is a sport mode and I don't know if that adds any weight to the steering feel. Maybe someone can comment.

Do the various modes actually make much of a difference?

Steering gets a little tighter in sport mode but nowhere close to the E90 heavy feel

Wind noise is a issue on the F30 apparently due to the way the side mirrors are styled thats what the dealer told me when i complained

 

[FerdiBotha]

Good to know, thanks for your comments on the diesels. So aren't there any downsides to diesels, otherwise why have a 320i?

Also, can anyone please comment on the cabin noise while on the road? With my E90 the wind and tire noise is very audible. Has this been improved much on the F30 models?

Apparently the steering is lighter on the F30 but there is a sport mode and I don't know if that adds any weight to the steering feel. Maybe someone can comment.

Do the various modes actually make much of a difference?

Steering gets a little tighter in sport mode but nowhere close to the E90 heavy feel

Wind noise is a issue on the F30 apparently due to the way the side mirrors are styled thats what the dealer told me when i complained

+1 on the F30 wind noise.

Steering-wise I quite like the feel of the F30 as it isn't loose and sloppy, but not as heavy as the E90. The F30 does seem to get heavier as you speed up - thus being light when parking and fairly weighted when driving out on the road. The modes also seem to make a difference to the steering weight/feel on M-Sport F30s (can't comment on normal models), but nothing major.

When comparing E90 and F30 there is a clear winner, that being the F30, but it's not enough to completely ignore the E90. This is exactly why I opted for a low KM E90 330d as opposed to a F30 320d. That said, all factors considered the F30 is a great car.

 

[Zenith]

Sorry last question, if you toggle the sport mode option on the normal non-M models does it improve acceleration?

Oh and the sound system. Is it improved compared to the E90? Or horses for courses?