G20 M-Sport Test Drive

ANP202 · 02-18-2019, 08:32 PM

Drove 330i today with m-sport package. I have to say that it’s quite a bit better than F30 I drove few weeks back. Engine pulled hard, handling was surprisingly good and it even sounded nice. I have 2006 330xi as my daily alongside my M4 and this car could be a modern replacement for E90 gen. I never considered replacing my E90 with F30 but I think I may with G20. It is definitely a step in the right direction IMO.

upsidedownfunnel · 02-18-2019, 10:56 PM

What jumped out at you compared to the F30?

cfm56d7b · 02-19-2019, 11:27 AM

Very interested in more details about the suspension behavior.

ANP202 · 02-19-2019, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

What jumped out at you compared to the F30?

That it was quite a bit more dialed in and was actually fun to drive.

danfratamico · 02-20-2019, 07:14 AM

I drove a 330i xDrive as well last Saturday and OP is on point. The car did pull very well and the handling was precise, much more than the EPS steering on the F30.

DarthFader · 02-20-2019, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANP202

Drove 330i today with m-sport package. I have to say that it’s quite a bit better than F30 I drove few weeks back. Engine pulled hard, handling was surprisingly good and it even sounded nice. I have 2006 330xi as my daily alongside my M4 and this car could be a modern replacement for E90 gen. I never considered replacing my E90 with F30 but I think I may with G20. It is definitely a step in the right direction IMO.

I had a chance to drive one as well and feel the same. It was a 330 with x-drive, and was quite impressed with the chassis feel. Another nice thing to note, the x-drive version is the same height as the non x-drive - like the current 2 series.

We have a E90 335 and it felt like a refined version of that car. I passed on the F30 but will definitely consider this as a replacement for the E90.

For those who have sat in or driven one, did you happen to feel the side to side leg room has decreased vs E90/F30. My right thigh was resting against the tunnel the whole time. I guess I could get used to it.

apascutia · 02-20-2019, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthFader

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANP202

Drove 330i today with m-sport package. I have to say that it’s quite a bit better than F30 I drove few weeks back. Engine pulled hard, handling was surprisingly good and it even sounded nice. I have 2006 330xi as my daily alongside my M4 and this car could be a modern replacement for E90 gen. I never considered replacing my E90 with F30 but I think I may with G20. It is definitely a step in the right direction IMO.

I had a chance to drive one as well and feel the same. It was a 330 with x-drive, and was quite impressed with the chassis feel. Another nice thing to note, the x-drive version is the same height as the non x-drive - like the current 2 series.

We have a E90 335 and it felt like a refined version of that car. I passed on the F30 but will definitely consider this as a replacement for the E90.

For those who have sat in or driven one, did you happen to feel the side to side leg room has decreased vs E90/F30. My right thigh was resting against the tunnel the whole time. I guess I could get used to it.

Apparently the driver's seat is angled towards the center of the car in the G20. It has to do with crash protection.

bavarianride · 02-20-2019, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apascutia

Apparently the driver's seat is angled towards the center of the car in the G20. It has to do with crash protection.

That's not what I observe but when re-confirm the next sitting in the car.

Pauleebe · 02-20-2019, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apascutia

Apparently the driver's seat is angled towards the center of the car in the G20. It has to do with crash protection.

Wait, what? So it's slightly of it's axis to orient towards the center of the car/dashboard?

DarthFader · 02-20-2019, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pauleebe

Wait, what? So it's slightly of it's axis to orient towards the center of the car/dashboard?

Reverse of M2 seat position

apascutia · 02-20-2019, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthFader

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pauleebe

Wait, what? So it's slightly of it's axis to orient towards the center of the car/dashboard?

Reverse of M2 seat position

I meant like in the M2. Angled towards the door, not towards the center.

DarthFader · 02-21-2019, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apascutia

I meant like in the M2. Angled towards the door, not towards the center.

I really didn't notice an angle issue with the seat. Given that I have normal size legs and the car is bigger than the F30, I was surprised to find my lower right leg resting on the tunnel and it felt snug.
I'm sure I could get used to it.

note46 · 02-21-2019, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANP202

Drove 330i today with m-sport package. I have to say that it’s quite a bit better than F30 I drove few weeks back. Engine pulled hard, handling was surprisingly good and it even sounded nice. I have 2006 330xi as my daily alongside my M4 and this car could be a modern replacement for E90 gen. I never considered replacing my E90 with F30 but I think I may with G20. It is definitely a step in the right direction IMO.

I test drove a none m-sport but it was still lot better than the F30. It felt like it handled like E90 but wasn't super harsh and hard riding. I went in not expecting a big improvement (specially since it was the standard suspension) but I came away impressed with the improvement. I purposely took the car on not so great bump roads and it felt more comfortable than my F10 535i.

Cortexiphan · 02-21-2019, 12:38 PM

I drove one today, just an hour ago. A 330i xdrive with M package. I'm very impressed.
Especially the steering and the suspension are much improved. The car feels tight, precise, and balanced. It also sounded much better than I remember. Some might complain about the stiffness though, because I think especially on the highway it had too much movement, but over the damaged roads or potholes, it was good.

Influence · 02-22-2019, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthFader

I had a chance to drive one as well and feel the same. It was a 330 with x-drive, and was quite impressed with the chassis feel. Another nice thing to note, the x-drive version is the same height as the non x-drive - like the current 2 series.

We have a E90 335 and it felt like a refined version of that car. I passed on the F30 but will definitely consider this as a replacement for the E90.

For those who have sat in or driven one, did you happen to feel the side to side leg room has decreased vs E90/F30. My right thigh was resting against the tunnel the whole time. I guess I could get used to it.

I noticed the exact same thing with the new G05 X5. I think it has to do with the wider center console/transmission tunnels. At least they look wider to my eyes. My right knee/thigh area never touches the console/transmission tunnel in either our F15 X5 of my F30.

I didn't notice this in the new X7 I drove last weekend though. Sadly, I didn't have time to test drive the new 330i MSport they had on the lot too. I didn't even sit in it

I still have 18 months left on my '17 340i lease, so no need to tempt myself - at least until I can drive a new 340. . .

I will say that I thought the new 3 looked pretty darn good, especially the Portimao Blue MSport my dealership had. It was parked between their their last F80 M3 and a 530. You could see the size increase vs the F80/F30 but it still looked smaller than the 5'er.

02-18-2019, 08:32 PM	#1
ANP202 Private 145 Rep 56 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SLC iTrader: (0)	G20 M-Sport Test Drive Drove 330i today with m-sport package. I have to say that it’s quite a bit better than F30 I drove few weeks back. Engine pulled hard, handling was surprisingly good and it even sounded nice. I have 2006 330xi as my daily alongside my M4 and this car could be a modern replacement for E90 gen. I never considered replacing my E90 with F30 but I think I may with G20. It is definitely a step in the right direction IMO.
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02-18-2019, 10:56 PM	#2
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 1996 Rep 2,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	What jumped out at you compared to the F30?
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02-19-2019, 11:27 AM	#3
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Very interested in more details about the suspension behavior.
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02-20-2019, 07:14 AM	#5
danfratamico Private 17 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335xi Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Elkins Park, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335xi [0.00]	I drove a 330i xDrive as well last Saturday and OP is on point. The car did pull very well and the handling was precise, much more than the EPS steering on the F30. Attached Images
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02-21-2019, 12:38 PM	#14
Cortexiphan Major 2042 Rep 1,202 Posts Drives: 24' BMW iX Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	I drove one today, just an hour ago. A 330i xdrive with M package. I'm very impressed. Especially the steering and the suspension are much improved. The car feels tight, precise, and balanced. It also sounded much better than I remember. Some might complain about the stiffness though, because I think especially on the highway it had too much movement, but over the damaged roads or potholes, it was good. __________________ 11’ E92 ///M3 15’ F82 ///M4 18’ G30 540i ///Msport 21’ G20 ///M340i 24' i20 iX xDrive50
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