Need help: May want new 2014 Coupe.. BUT

[Tom T]

I'm getting concerned; I keep on reading almost everywhere that the newest 3 series sedan doesn't live up to the prior model and doesn't possess the same sportiness or handling of the E46 that I have. I have a 2006 330ci which is the last of the E46 series. Most of the Auto magazines are stating the steering has lost its feel and the handling is not as great anymore. Do the experts in here agree or what? Thinking I may have to keep my E46, but was hoping to get the new 2014. Or perhaps even look elsewhere, plus these Bimmers keep on getting more expensive even w/limited options.

thanks,

Tom

[Pyewacket69]

I'm getting concerned; I keep on reading almost everywhere that the newest 3 series sedan doesn't live up to the prior model and doesn't possess the same sportiness or handling of the E46 that I have. I have a 2006 330ci which is the last of the E46 series. Most of the Auto magazines are stating the steering has lost its feel and the handling is not as great anymore. Do the experts in here agree or what? Thinking I may have to keep my E46, but was hoping to get the new 2014. Or perhaps even look elsewhere, plus these Bimmers keep on getting more expensive even w/limited options.

thanks,

Tom

Like practically every other manufacturer, BMW has adapted its vehicle lineup to appeal to a wider audience in order to expand sales.

In the end, only you can determine whether the new vehicle lineup is staying true to your definition of what make as a BMW a BMW, or if the company has strayed too far from its previous product lineup.

I think, overall, a majority will say BMW has moved away from the drivers car towards offering a more sedated driving experience, but again, I'd suggest a test drive of a new 3-series sedan to allow you to come to your own conclusions.

Good luck in your determination...

[Tom T]

thanks for the reply.. and I hear you, but was hoping to also receive real world opinions from new owners vs their E46 or other BMW 3 series model

I see many have viewed this, please reply if you can and thanks

[Mobster1983]

I actually test drove a 2013 335i yesterday since I am in the market for one. I previously owned a 2009 335i and currently own a 2008 M6.

In the other BMWs I have driven, you really "feel" the steering. During the 15 minutes I drove the F30, the steering was far smoother and definitely takes less effort. Many people that I have heard from feel this loses the true feel of the car. I agree to some extent, but I like the smoother/easier steering. I live in the city and it works well driving how I do. Obviously I haven't been able to try it out at higher speeds so this is just for slower city driving.


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[Tom T]

thx for the additional reply... its what I'm hearing. I drive more winding roads in Northwest NJ where I live plus high speed highway since we own a residence in Myrtle Beach, S.C. I kind of prefer the tighter sterering, but perhaps as I age the smoother/easier steering may be ok. Thanks again. one other concern I have is the 3 series is getting more & more expensive especially when you add the usual options. I may have to look elsewhere, but not sure yet

[325x]

My F30 handles great, the feel in Sport mode is just as good or better than my E36. Perfect amount of heaviness in the steering.

[Reedo]

How sporty the car is, or how planted and connected it feels is also affected by what options the car has. My F30 328i M Sport with RWD has a very different feel from one with xDrive, one with xDrive and Dynamic suspension, and a RWD with normal suspension. The transmission plays a large role too. I have the sport automatic with paddle shift, and it is different in feel from the standard 8AT. Obviously, the 6MT will help with the feel as well, but I like paddle shifters.
My first car was an E46 M3 SMG, and I miss that car so much. It's the only vehicle I've ever had that I regret getting rid of. I know that finding a car that feels like it again is next to impossible, but on the same token, I know that my 328i M Sport vs E46 M3 is apples vs oranges.
I love the technology, I love the comfort, and I love the options. I commute for work, and sometimes I'm in my car for 8, 10 or 12 days in a row going to and from work. I also have been on some day trips across the state. It's a very comfortable car to have on the road, and the sport suspension is responsive and controlling and instills confidence, while still being compliant and not overly harsh. Once Dinan comes out with their suspension, that will change. Until that time, I love my car and I love the feel. It's not an E46 and never will be.
If you want the most sporty feeling out of a coupe, you should be looking at a 135i, not a 435i.

[Tom T]

Interesting reply Reedo.. sure seems you miss your E46; thats my fear as well if I sell or trade in my 2006 330ci. But I am concerned about LT reliability & future maintenance costs. Been pretty much cost-free other than Oil changes since I bought it certified early in 2009. And I have done every Oil change myself after the free dealer ones were up. My car has almost 69k miles now so still somewhat low. But maintenance costs may start popping up shortly down the road. I also own a 2008 Mustang GT/Calif Special with only 24k miles so perhaps I should look for a cheaper, every day Coupe who's future Maint costs will be much lower than a BMW. Decisions-decisions

[GVFlyer]

Buy a 2013 335is.

[3coupe]

Buy a 2013 335is.

Shameless plug for the car he owns, but not bad advice. There should be deals to be had on the 335is and 335i with M Sport as we near F32 availability. The steering feel of my E92 with sport package is comparable the E46 I had (also sport package). Can't say I would pick the feel and the handling of one over the other without getting both on a track back-to-back. I do think the ride on rough surfaces was a little smoother with the E46. Probably due to the run-flat tires and related suspension tuning on the E92, but it's still very tolerable. The E46 felt slightly more nimble, being somewhat lighter and smaller. Yet it's difficult to compare the two cars, because the power and torque, especially low-end torque, in my 335i makes it an entirely different animal. My E46 was just a 325Ci, but you can be sure the 330Ci will also feel underpowered compared to an E92 with the N55 engine. Get a 335is with the nicely tuned N54, and the difference will be even more pronounced.

With that being said, BMW has had the opportunity to adjust the new steering configuration and suspension that the 4 series will have, based on the somewhat negative feedback for current sport models and promise of the 4 series being more "sporty" than the 3. It could be significantly different than the F30, and we won't know until the reviews start coming in. As far as I'm concerned, the look of the F32 had huge potential that it did not live up to. If not for the front half of the car, they could have knocked it out of the park. But I'm not a fan of the Bimmerang, the sloping front-end with the hood seam right in your face, or the headlights that meet the grill. Tone down the Bimmerang to something like on the current M3, use the front LED lighting that goes into the grill like on the 4 series concept, and you have yourself a winner. Maybe the next LCI will address some of the issues, but, for now, I like my E92 LCI better. Though I have to admit that I do prefer the look of the 335is, even more than the M Sport.

[bayerische335]

Hi,
I have owned five BMW's so far and loved all of them (E30 325is, E46 325, E90 335i spkg, E90 323, and F30 328i 2012) and I had the opportunity to drive many other models including 535, M3 E46 SMG, E39 328 etc...). All of my cars were stick shift except for the 335 which had paddle shifters (I still prefer the connected feeling and total control of a manual over the paddle shifters, even over the M3 SMG transmission and the first generation 335 E90 had a lot of turbo lag). The F30 is surprising at first and definitely represents the most significant turn in BMW's approach in my opinion. I did test drive all of the competitors again (including G37, Lexus, Merc 300 and Audis) and came back to the BMW again for the engineering, the incredible balance and dynamics of the car. I am impressed with BMW's avant-garde approach, the company seems to keep pushing boundaries of what is accepted as the norm.

The F30 electric steering does feel different, it does not have the same "extremely" connected feeling to the road as previous generations but still offers the best driving experience compared to the competition. Among all of the F30's I test drove before I bought my car, it seems to me that the 328 represents the best deal on the market and offers a fine balance and weight distribution which clearly reflects in handling and responsiveness (the 328 has a weight distribution (50/50) which is better than the 335 and that you can definitely feel when driving both models). I love my new 328 and would definitely recommend it. Nothing comes even close to the liveliness of this fabulous inline four with twin power turbo, there is NO turbo lag (much better than my previous 335) and the fuel consumption is absolutely stunning (I regularly make 5.1L /100KM which is better than a Corolla or a Civic!). I would definitely encourage anyone to stay away for the xi which procure a false sense of security, cost more in repairs and fuel, and adds an amazingly noticeable and unpleasant heaviness to the whole steering and balance of the car.

The amount of comfort (which I have always lacked in previous models especially with Sport Package!!!), power, speed, soundproofing, quality of the interior design, is far improved over any previous 3 series generation and what about those gorgeous angle eyes (one needs to get the Xenons). The exterior design is also one of the most desirable and attractive since the E46 in my opinion. Don't forget that you now have access to 3 cars in one with the possible selection of 3 modes. The sport's mode is very responsive and fun, the echo pro mode is a lot of fun as well for completely different reasons. One can feel the difference in suspension settings in sports mode over comfort mode and echo mode. The damn run flat tires are less noticeable than on previous generations (I drive Contis summers). The sports wheels with gun metal finish are among the best looking wheels on the market as well.

I could say much more, but I hope that this gives a good idea of this new generation. Don't shy away from it because of the diesel sound of its new inline four. Just enjoy the exciting performance (0-60mph in 5.5 sec.) and the exciting noise of the turbos every time you shift gears in sports mode!!! I would highly recommend the manual 328 with all the upgrades.

Thanks and good luck,

[Tom T]

thx for last 2 replies.. some great information! I will not buy a 2013 coupe because I don't like the coupe styling of current generation. So its either keep my E46, get a new 4 series 428i or buy something else more resonable $$ wise. thanks again everyone!