[Bluelondon]

How long have you been driving yours and what has your experience been so far? Any good/bad points you think are worth sharing? Please also mention your build, packages, options, etc.

428i M sport
sapphire black
black dakota leather
premium
driver assist
lighting
HK
M brakes
Heated seats
Nav

I'm 2-3 weeks into my lease and all I can say is this is the best car I have ever driven, without a doubt. Not the fastest, but the best overall package. A 2.0 liter turbo that can get to 60 in around 5.5 seconds? Are you kidding me? Not to mention 35mpg in ECO mode for those long journeys. The car gets compliments almost on a daily basis for it's design.

It's been a while since I've looked forward to getting inside a car just for the sole reason of actually driving it.

I get lost in the 30 minute drive to work, and back home. I look forward to it like a child looks forward to desert time. I remember feeling this way 12 years ago when I bought my first ever BMW back in London, England; a 1.6 liter 316i coupe for £2600.

The good so far:

The acceleration of the car is what surprised me the most. Quite a nippy little bugger for a 4 cylinder The interior is very sexy, not the best out there, but it's more than enough for me. People go on about luxurious M Benz and Audi interiors but personally I prefer the 4 series interior. The wide angle idrive screen, touchknob and night time orange lights all over the car is very nice. Makes it look like something out of TRON.

The new idrive is a joy to work with and very fast compared to M benz system (last car was a 2011 E350 sedan).

In terms of looks, 'the car is a big head turner. I had mine tinted soon after delivery to get that black on black look going, so I move around quite inconspicuously

The bad:

Noticeable wind noise inside the cabin and a few other first world problems that aren't even worth mentioning. If it's not obvious by now, I'm completely in love with this car.

Would be great to hear others experiences.

[eekthecat]

Hey Alzo/BlueLondon -- here are my impressions so far, coming from a history of E46 (323i)->E92 (335i)->E92 (335i)

The good:
+ Interior... is overall much improved. It's just a little more driver-centric, and most pieces seem to be of better construction. Maybe it's just the new car smell, but it feels better getting into the car.
+ HK upgrade... seems better on the high end/clarity than the previous cars with HK.
+ iDrive... is slicker, smoother, more responsive, but not a whole lot more useful. I do like that traffic info includes surface streets now.

The Bad:
- The drive... and it's not just a N54/N55->N26 issue. The N26 is satisfactory - with my E92, I never felt like I got to open them up and use the extra power. It's the steering, oh god the steering. It feels like a camry. I have DHP/VSS, which may play a role, but I just plain don't like being able to turn the wheel with one finger while I'm in a parking lot -- it does firm up well at higher speeds, but it's still numb.
- The noises... as you mentioned, wind noise is noticeably more prominent in the F32. Also, I have this odd light rattle that I can't isolate, in addition to a bizarre buzz-rattle that I only hear when listening to AM radio.
- The options... I originally ordered a car with just Sportline/Premium/HK/Heated Seats/Tech. I ended up buying an Msport/Premium/HK/Heated Seats/LED/Tech/Msport Brakes. $2k for LEDs is not something I would do again. It's certainly no upgrade (IMHO) from Xenons functionally, and probably not noticeable to non-BMW-enthusiasts. HUD is a "nice to have" item, but the extra $1k above plain-NAV isn't worth it either. Throw in the fact that it's invisible to me if I wear my polarized sunglasses, and it's basically $1k thrown away.
- The Msport brakes... just don't "grab/bite" as well as the plain brakes on my E92. If these were an "upgrade," how terrible are the stock brakes? And the brake dust!!!
- I've been wanting to get my windows tinted, but after reading about your wind noise issues, I'm holding off.

Anyway, all things considered, I enjoyed my E92 more.

[Steven1077]

Other than a tiny bit of wind noise I love it, guess it's lucky I never drove an E92!

[jusdorange]

I really hate the term "first world problems"

surely the point of progression is to make things better?

oh well, beats riding a horse

[metrathon]

It's mind boggling how they are not bothered addressing the noisy cabin. EVERY.OTHER.CAR out there is quieter: A4, C, IS, etc. This was my first and last 3/4-Series.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by eekthecat

- I've been wanting to get my windows tinted, but after reading about your wind noise issues, I'm holding off.

Tints, unless done using legs instead of hands, have nothing to do with the wind noise. Search the forums, the longest thread is about wind noise. It's a design flaw or a deliberate "f@#k you, you'll buy the car anyway" from BMW's part and it carries on to 4 Series and most probably 4GC as well.

[jusdorange]

Originally Posted by metrathon

It's mind boggling how they are not bothered addressing the noisy cabin. EVERY.OTHER.CAR out there is quieter: A4, C, IS, etc. This was my first and last 3/4-Series.

I've never driven a 4 series over 30mph

is it very different to a regular f30?

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by taleb

I've never driven a 4 series over 30mph

is it very different to a regular f30?

In case you are not just making fun of me: dynamically they are very close, 90% of the drivers will never tell the difference.

[Blubaron79]

The only problem with my 435 is that it doesn't show up for another 2-3 weeks.

I've driven the 428/35 on a track and on the highway. Superior to my e92 in almost everything. The brakes are better, the tranny is better, and so is the iDrive. I need to feel the power of the MPPK when mine shows up to compare it to my PPK N54.

[Bluelondon]

Originally Posted by eekthecat

Hey Alzo/BlueLondon -- here are my impressions so far, coming from a history of E46 (323i)->E92 (335i)->E92 (335i)

The good:
+ Interior... is overall much improved. It's just a little more driver-centric, and most pieces seem to be of better construction. Maybe it's just the new car smell, but it feels better getting into the car.
+ HK upgrade... seems better on the high end/clarity than the previous cars with HK.
+ iDrive... is slicker, smoother, more responsive, but not a whole lot more useful. I do like that traffic info includes surface streets now.

The Bad:
- The drive... and it's not just a N54/N55->N26 issue. The N26 is satisfactory - with my E92, I never felt like I got to open them up and use the extra power. It's the steering, oh god the steering. It feels like a camry. I have DHP/VSS, which may play a role, but I just plain don't like being able to turn the wheel with one finger while I'm in a parking lot -- it does firm up well at higher speeds, but it's still numb.
- The noises... as you mentioned, wind noise is noticeably more prominent in the F32. Also, I have this odd light rattle that I can't isolate, in addition to a bizarre buzz-rattle that I only hear when listening to AM radio.
- The options... I originally ordered a car with just Sportline/Premium/HK/Heated Seats/Tech. I ended up buying an Msport/Premium/HK/Heated Seats/LED/Tech/Msport Brakes. $2k for LEDs is not something I would do again. It's certainly no upgrade (IMHO) from Xenons functionally, and probably not noticeable to non-BMW-enthusiasts. HUD is a "nice to have" item, but the extra $1k above plain-NAV isn't worth it either. Throw in the fact that it's invisible to me if I wear my polarized sunglasses, and it's basically $1k thrown away.
- The Msport brakes... just don't "grab/bite" as well as the plain brakes on my E92. If these were an "upgrade," how terrible are the stock brakes? And the brake dust!!!
- I've been wanting to get my windows tinted, but after reading about your wind noise issues, I'm holding off.

Anyway, all things considered, I enjoyed my E92 more.

You're right ETC. The steering does feels a bit weird. It's inconsistent, sometimes super soft, sometimes hard.

Coming from 3 M benz previous cars, the M brakes feel super sharp for me.

I really BMW would do something about all the rattle/wind/EMI cabin noise. It just doesn't fit that the "ultimate driving machine" should have these silly issues before leaving the factory.

[jusdorange]

Originally Posted by metrathon

In case you are not just making fun of me: dynamically they are very close, 90% of the drivers will never tell the difference.

Sorry allow me to clarify

I own a f30 but I meant in terms of wind noise in the cabin how are they different ? If at all

As I haven't driven the 4 series above 30mph, and it sounded quiet to me so beyond that speed is it noticeably louder than a regular 3er?

[Bluelondon]

Originally Posted by taleb

Sorry allow me to clarify

I own a f30 but I meant in terms of wind noise in the cabin how are they different ? If at all

As I haven't driven the 4 series above 30mph, and it sounded quiet to me so beyond that speed is it noticeably louder than a regular 3er?

At 30mph you probably won't notice any wind noise. Mine starts around 55-60mph.

Take any other car I've ever owned, drive it down the freeway at anything above 60 with the drivers window almost closed all the way with maybe a couple mm before it completely shuts, and imagine the wind noise you would get there. That's how my car sounds when the window is FULLY shut.

I just play music over it or ignore it for now, but will definitely mention it when I visit the dealer next. Expecting they will have no solution.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by Bluelondon

At 30mph you probably won't notice any wind noise. Mine starts around 55-60mph.

Take any other car I've ever owned, drive it down the freeway at anything above 60 with the drivers window almost closed all the way with maybe a couple mm before it completely shuts, and imagine the wind noise you would get there. That's how my car sounds when the window is FULLY shut.

I just play music over it or ignore it for now, but will definitely mention it when I visit the dealer next. Expecting they will have no solution.

There is no solution. Poor design or just weight saving measure.

[BDWonder]

Took delivery 12/30/2013 of the 435 MSport Estoril Blue with Coral Red Interior. Got all the goodies, except for LED lights and Cruise Control. Total MSRP 63,125, or something very close. This is a lease. I previously had the 2010 335i Msport coup. I love the 435, in all its aspects. The steering feel, the suspension (DHP) from comfort to sport, the launch control, the park assist (still freaks me out lol), the M Sport Brakes, the HUD, etc. the ride is smoother on these 435 19” rims in comfort than the 2010 18” coupe. Around the corners I’d say the 435 is better. The interior is actually very well put together and feels expensive, compared to the 2010 coupe. Not certain why people stated the interior is cheap, but its cool everybody is entitled to their opinion 100%. I do not get much wind noise. Love the top view cameras, helps parking in garage and on my Brooklyn streets. I do not use the front side cameras at all. I feel that the 435 is as quick as the 2010 coupe, which is my biggest concern. I would have loved for the 435 to have more BHP and Torque as standard without having to resort to the HP package they’re offering. I still hold a special place in my heart for the 2010 coupe, it is a marvelous car, with a monster engine. But, this 435, as a whole and when broken apart is simply wonderful. Better than the 2010 in every way. I also wish that 435 would look more different than the 335 sedan counterpart, not theres anything wrong with the sedan. Im just used to the separation from the past looking models. To me, the 435 and 335 sedan look almost identical. Also wanted to point out, with the DHP, I’d thought the difference and feel between Comfort and Sport suspension wise would be more noticeable. It is noticeable, but not quite as I wanted it to be. Still excellent. Shuts down many NYC potholes in Comfort, although since I have RFTires, some potholes I can feel, but without breaking my teeth lol. Let me know if you have any more specific questions.

[BDWonder]

Originally Posted by eekthecat

Hey Alzo/BlueLondon -- here are my impressions so far, coming from a history of E46 (323i)->E92 (335i)->E92 (335i)

The good:
+ Interior... is overall much improved. It's just a little more driver-centric, and most pieces seem to be of better construction. Maybe it's just the new car smell, but it feels better getting into the car.
+ HK upgrade... seems better on the high end/clarity than the previous cars with HK.
+ iDrive... is slicker, smoother, more responsive, but not a whole lot more useful. I do like that traffic info includes surface streets now.

The Bad:
- The drive... and it's not just a N54/N55->N26 issue. The N26 is satisfactory - with my E92, I never felt like I got to open them up and use the extra power. It's the steering, oh god the steering. It feels like a camry. I have DHP/VSS, which may play a role, but I just plain don't like being able to turn the wheel with one finger while I'm in a parking lot -- it does firm up well at higher speeds, but it's still numb.
- The noises... as you mentioned, wind noise is noticeably more prominent in the F32. Also, I have this odd light rattle that I can't isolate, in addition to a bizarre buzz-rattle that I only hear when listening to AM radio.
- The options... I originally ordered a car with just Sportline/Premium/HK/Heated Seats/Tech. I ended up buying an Msport/Premium/HK/Heated Seats/LED/Tech/Msport Brakes. $2k for LEDs is not something I would do again. It's certainly no upgrade (IMHO) from Xenons functionally, and probably not noticeable to non-BMW-enthusiasts. HUD is a "nice to have" item, but the extra $1k above plain-NAV isn't worth it either. Throw in the fact that it's invisible to me if I wear my polarized sunglasses, and it's basically $1k thrown away.
- The Msport brakes... just don't "grab/bite" as well as the plain brakes on my E92. If these were an "upgrade," how terrible are the stock brakes? And the brake dust!!!
- I've been wanting to get my windows tinted, but after reading about your wind noise issues, I'm holding off.

Anyway, all things considered, I enjoyed my E92 more.

Hey sorry to hear about the "bad". I have the 435 M Sport, and I do not have any rattles in the cabin, or when driving at high speeds on the highway. There is no wind noise. My optional M Sport brakes are miles better than my 2010 MSport Coup standard brakes. These things grip so well, my teeth will come out. The brake dust is certainly there, yes. But this is due to them being somewhat "high performance" brakes (if you want to call them that). My previous Infiniti G37 also had this issue since those brakes were huge. The LED I passed on. the HK sound is miles better than the 2010 standard system. I am really enjoying HK. Is it the best? No way, is it good. Most certainly. I am not trying to say anything against your opinion, just thought I'd share my experience.

[moviebumm]

Originally Posted by metrathon

It's mind boggling how they are not bothered addressing the noisy cabin. EVERY.OTHER.CAR out there is quieter: A4, C, IS, etc. This was my first and last 3/4-Series.

Why are you closed minded about getting into another 3/4 series?
Most cars are not perfect. They all have specific areas that need improvement.

[eekthecat]

Originally Posted by BDWonder

Hey sorry to hear about the "bad". I have the 435 M Sport, and I do not have any rattles in the cabin, or when driving at high speeds on the highway. There is no wind noise. My optional M Sport brakes are miles better than my 2010 MSport Coup standard brakes. These things grip so well, my teeth will come out. The brake dust is certainly there, yes. But this is due to them being somewhat "high performance" brakes (if you want to call them that). My previous Infiniti G37 also had this issue since those brakes were huge. The LED I passed on. the HK sound is miles better than the 2010 standard system. I am really enjoying HK. Is it the best? No way, is it good. Most certainly. I am not trying to say anything against your opinion, just thought I'd share my experience.

Yeah - I'm starting to wonder if I should ask the dealer to take a look at my brakes the next time I'm in for something. There's no way they should be "worse" than my E92 Msport's brakes. As someone else mentioned in another thread about them, perhaps it's just the amount of "travel" required before they grip. (not sure of the terminology here)

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by moviebumm

Why are you closed minded about getting into another 3/4 series?
Most cars are not perfect. They all have specific areas that need improvement.

Not looking for the perfect car, there is none. It's about find the right car for you. While I don't care about some aspects (ASS, road feel, weird iDrive, etc), other really bother me (road noise, wind noise).

I always had quiet Bimmers. When I jumped into the F30 I was shocked to discover how noisy it is. But I powered through, hoping for a fix, or that the coupe of the GC will be different. Seems not.

Hence, no more entry-level Bimmers for me.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by Bluelondon

At 30mph you probably won't notice any wind noise. Mine starts around 55-60mph.

Take any other car I've ever owned, drive it down the freeway at anything above 60 with the drivers window almost closed all the way with maybe a couple mm before it completely shuts, and imagine the wind noise you would get there. That's how my car sounds when the window is FULLY shut.

I just play music over it or ignore it for now, but will definitely mention it when I visit the dealer next. Expecting they will have no solution.

Have you done a search on these forums about this? One of the members (frogman) was having the same issue -exactly- as you are having. He has a 328i Luxury. I have a 328i M Sport. We drove in his car and the wind noise was exactly as you described. We drove in my car and it was significantly quieter, at the same speeds on the same route. He finally got it resolved when the dealer replaced the trim around the windshield. Don't quote me on this part but I believe it was the trim on the A pillars that was causing the wind noise. It's worth mentioning to your dealer. I encourage you to search for the thread so you can enjoy your 4.

Good luck.

[Alamat]

Its my first BMW but I've driven a few MBs, Acuras and Lexus'. Like how it drives, Sport mode is like turning a light on, zoom! I do not have any cabin noises or wind noise you guys speak of though I have only gone 102 mph before and that was in Munich.
Of note though, its at the dealer right now, drivetrain malfunction alert and the VANOS solenoid is being replaced. Have a 2013 328i as loaner and its not better or worse noise wise.

[chetman7]

I've had my 435ix since October about 3500 miles. I've been to the dealer 3x so far. 2x for headlight leveling malfunction, and 1x for window malfunction.

I have no wind noise what so ever. I honestly don't particular like how it handles and steering feedback and I have the DHP package.
My previous car was a stage 3 genesis turbo with the only changes to suspension being upgraded front and rear sway bars. I felt so confident in turns at increased speed and felt like I could feel the road through the steering wheel....which some people may hate.

The 435 i super smooth...almost too smooth..I guess I'm used to a aggressive suspension.

[marvin100]

420d luxury line, about 4 months in?

Love it. I've only driven hoopdies before, so not much to compare it to. Lots of torque, iDrive is easy and reliable, grip is great, chassis feel is amazing, and I love the little hand that gives me my seatbelt.

Oh, and the stereo sucks. First upgrade coming soon haha.