[Spacegrau]

I was at a BMW event the other day and got to test drive the new G30 5 series, I drove the 540i xdrive and after drove the new 340i xdrive.

I'm still trying to figure out what happened but I came away from the test drives completely shocked because the car I liked the most was the 540i.. I was absolutely blown away.

The G30 was extremely smooth and the power delivery.. so effortless. After I hopped into the F30 and boy was I really disappointed. The 340i felt like a Hyundai in comparison, not even talking material quality just the feel. I realize the 3 series is the more sporty car but it wasn't in a good way, felt harsh, too much road noise and the power deliver even though the motor is the same, felt off somehow.

I didn't push the cars too hard but I felt like the G30 was way more stable and predictable, there is no question it gave me the most confidence behind the wheel.

I was disappointed in the f30 so much and I actually prefer my e90 to it. This changed my plans completely and I will no longer be shopping for a 3 series as a replacement at least not until the G20 comes out.

I guess my point is if you haven't got the change to drive the new 540 or the M550 yet.. go do it!

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Spacegrau

I was at a BMW event the other day and got to test drive the new G30 5 series, I drove the 540i xdrive and after drove the new 340i xdrive.

I'm still trying to figure out what happened but I came away from the test drives completely shocked because the car I liked the most was the 540i.. I was absolutely blown away.

The G30 was extremely smooth and the power delivery.. so effortless. After I hopped into the F30 and boy was I really disappointed. The 340i felt like a Hyundai in comparison, not even talking material quality just the feel. I realize the 3 series is the more sporty car but it wasn't in a good way, felt harsh, too much road noise and the power deliver even though the motor is the same, felt off somehow.

I didn't push the cars too hard but I felt like the G30 was way more stable and predictable, there is no question it gave me the most confidence behind the wheel.

I was disappointed in the f30 so much and I actually prefer my e90 to it. This changed my plans completely and I will no longer be shopping for a 3 series as a replacement at least not until the G20 comes out.

I guess my point is if you haven't got the change to drive the new 540 or the M550 yet.. go do it!

wasnt expecting this much praise for the g30 coming from the critical e90 owners...

I have always wanted the e90 for its lighter weight and nimbleness. dont know how I ended up with an f10 but since then have really learned to enjoy this car for what it is. if you drive it like a luxury yachtz - keeping the chassis within its limits, it is a god damn blast. but low speed, off throttle cornering the f10 falls flat on its face. heavy, lots of body roll, sluggish. poor turn in. the faster you go, the more all of these symptoms dissapears. going attacking 80KM/H+ sweepers it transforms into a beast. nimble, balanced, immensely capable. very little body roll compared to low speed. predictable oversteer at the limit and NO understeer at high speed. while I am pre LCI, no M suspension, I am sure the G30 can somehow relate to this. you need to go very, very fast for this chassis to really shine through. once you learn its weaknesses and capabilities it becomes an extremely enjoyable car.

with that being said, I am not impressed with the f30 either. I was shopping for one, was put off by the n20, wasnt impressed with the build quality or road noise of the f30, felt like the e90 was a little outdated so settled with this f10 528i. probably should have went for an e90 335i (if I even found a RWD example) but oh well... maybe in my next life..

[e36power]

Originally Posted by Spacegrau

I was at a BMW event the other day and got to test drive the new G30 5 series, I drove the 540i xdrive and after drove the new 340i xdrive.

I'm still trying to figure out what happened but I came away from the test drives completely shocked because the car I liked the most was the 540i.. I was absolutely blown away.

The G30 was extremely smooth and the power delivery.. so effortless. After I hopped into the F30 and boy was I really disappointed. The 340i felt like a Hyundai in comparison, not even talking material quality just the feel. I realize the 3 series is the more sporty car but it wasn't in a good way, felt harsh, too much road noise and the power deliver even though the motor is the same, felt off somehow.

I didn't push the cars too hard but I felt like the G30 was way more stable and predictable, there is no question it gave me the most confidence behind the wheel.

I was disappointed in the f30 so much and I actually prefer my e90 to it. This changed my plans completely and I will no longer be shopping for a 3 series as a replacement at least not until the G20 comes out.

I guess my point is if you haven't got the change to drive the new 540 or the M550 yet.. go do it!

Welcome to the club. I have owned or spent substantial time driving the E36, E46 and E90. I passed on the F30 and chose to keep my E90 when it was time to replace the turbo. While the F30 is a great looking car, it just doesn't "feel" right.

[John 070]

When I drove it, the steering still felt light, I'd have to try it again...

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by John 070

When I drove it, the steering still felt light, I'd have to try it again...

Some f30's have light steering. My early model 2011 5er is just as heavy as e90 steering

[ny325]

Haven't been impressed by the F series since it came out. I had a 2017 340i loaner, and I wasn't impressed. Steering still feels numb, interior fit and finish, not impressed for a $60,000 vehicle. BMW has lost my interest. Still holding on to my E90. I'm also not impressed with the new 5 series. Front headlights look way too busy. Rear end looks too boring. The side boomerang ruins the clean lines of the car from the side. Hopefully the G20 drives, and looks better than what's out now. However, not holding my breath. BMW bring back the "Ultimate Driving Machine." please.

[BKBMW335I]

Originally Posted by ny325

Haven't been impressed by the F series since it came out. I had a 2017 340i loaner, and I wasn't impressed. Steering still feels numb, interior fit and finish, not impressed for a $60,000 vehicle. BMW has lost my interest. Still holding on to my E90. I'm also not impressed with the new 5 series. Front headlights look way too busy. Rear end looks too boring. The side boomerang ruins the clean lines of the car from the side. Hopefully the G20 drives, and looks better than what's out now. However, not holding my breath. BMW bring back the "Ultimate Driving Machine." please.

The DCT in them are a delight though, I believe that is the highlight of the entire car.....they're just so smooth and efficient/like butter smoooth.

[ny325]

I agree, the 340i power band is smooth.

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by BKBMW335I

The DCT in them are a delight though, I believe that is the highlight of the entire car.....they're just so smooth and efficient/like butter smoooth.

They're not DCT, it's the 8spd ZF autobox.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by BKBMW335I

The DCT in them are a delight though, I believe that is the highlight of the entire car.....they're just so smooth and efficient/like butter smoooth.

DCT and smooth never should go in the same sentence. There's a reason we're going back to torque converter autos again.

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

They're not DCT, it's the 8spd ZF autobox.

+1

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

With such a drastic change in design going from the E90 to the F30, I have a feeling that the G20 3-series is going to be much better. I'd say the G30 is some evidence of this.

[BKBMW335I]

Originally Posted by Harambe

DCT and smooth never should go in the same sentence. There's a reason we're going back to torque converter autos again.



+1

Wow, you don't consider the DCT smooth?? I'm not sure why but whenever I've driven DCT it shiftly really smooth to me.

[BKBMW335I]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

They're not DCT, it's the 8spd ZF autobox.

Ok, thanks for that correction.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by BKBMW335I

Wow, you don't consider the DCT smooth?? I'm not sure why but whenever I've driven DCT it shiftly really smooth to me.

Shifting is usually fine. BMW and Porsche are probably the best out of the 'normal' brands. Every other car OEM that put a DCT in for fuel economy (e.g. Ford Focus) is going back to torque converters because of smoothness and jerkiness at low speeds and reliability.

[cdgatti]

The F30 - and now even the LCI version is getting killed in the car mags, R&T and Car and Driver recently did sport sedan shoot outs. In one of them they discarded the F30 out of hand said it was not even qualified anymore to take part in the test, it is that bad. In the other it finished 7th out of the 8 cars. Personally i have never liked the car since they came out in 2012, I have driven about 4 or 5 different variations as service loaners over the years. They all leave me, meh... soft, vague, shift way too much, and poor materials of construction. Since the beginning I have the same conclusion, BMW tried to clone the Toyota Camry.

My plan has been to take my E90 to 150K miles (now at 123K) and then get the G20. This new G30 gives me some hope that BMW has corrected this 6 year mistake.

[Breathing_Pharaoh]

I drove a 2016 F30 328i and 2017 330i. The 330i is by far a better upgrade than the 328i however my '11 335d feels like a much more driver oriented and overall better drivers car. I will not be going for another 3 series as well, working for an M4!