[metallicpea]

Sorry, just spent some time in a 2010 328i base model and wanted to share my thoughts. It has been discussed quite a bit, but I haven't driven an E90 recently, so I have new thoughts to share. For now, I will stick to driving dynamics...

I love the normally aspirated six. I am shedding tears over it's demise. Smooth, linear, responsive. Enough power for me and has it when and where I want it. My M3 is great, but I wasn't sure that was because the S54 is killer, or if I was remembering my 325 correctly. I had a twin turbo N54 too, and although it was a beast and the current engines are great, I'd rather have a normally aspirated engine. Oh well, they're gone.

Steering on the E90 is that much better. Regardless of the heft, which I do like, the feel, feedback and overall steering is just so much better compared to my 2016 F30. All the back and forth aside. It is a huge difference and that's all there is to it - for me. The F30 is too easy and isolated - even the latest revision, it's my only major knock and it's a big gap.

Suspension, I like my F30 704 suspension better, but the stock E90 is much better than the stock F30 as I have driven several recently.

Rest of the drivetrain & chassis: The F30 drives like a much lighter, more crisp car. The E90 felt sluggish and heavier than I expected, although mostly during normal driving and not so much when you push it a little harder.

It is certainly a huge change in the overall dynamics of the car, so I can see why there is so much discussion about it - even 5 years after the switch.

I still like the F30 for a commuter and it has some benefits, but it isn't primarily a sports sedan like it used to be. The softening is real.

[snowghost]

Dinan Springs, Shockware and I don't miss my E46 M3.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by snowghost

Dinan Springs, Shockware and I don't miss my E46 M3.

"Yeah, yeah, but....if I add this, and this, and this...!"

[you're just validating his point]

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

It is certainly a huge change in the overall dynamics of the car, so I can see why there is so much discussion about it - even 5 years after the switch.

I still like the F30 for a commuter and it has some benefits, but it isn't primarily a sports sedan like it used to be. The softening is real.

It was never meant to be simple commuter, that's my biggest issue with 3 series the way it's today. Engines are still fantastic in my opinion, but handling is just not as sporty as it used to be and I agree with you, softening is real.

Originally Posted by snowghost

Dinan Springs, Shockware and I don't miss my E46 M3.

That's just the thing, when do you stop adding things to make it into what it has been all along before F30 ? Just replace some of the interior trim with higher quality plastic...etc... etc.

[goj]

I don't think my E92 handled better than my F30 with adaptive suspension. Steering a different story

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by goj

I don't think my E92 handled better than my F30 with adaptive suspension. Steering a different story

Well my E90 without a single doubt out-handles my F30 with Adaptive/DHP. It's almost SCARY how the rear end can get out of sorts mid-corner with any type of road imperfection in the F30. These cars are on different planets. The chassis is as different as the steering.

[goj]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

Well my E90 without a single doubt out-handles my F30 with Adaptive/DHP. It's almost SCARY how the rear end can get out of sorts mid-corner with any type of road imperfection in the F30. These cars are on different planets. The chassis is as different as the steering.

I have auto-crossed both cars and never felt the the rear was out of sorts in my F30. I dunno, my experience seems to be consistent with reviews too..at least of the LCI. The car could be more connected to the driver but objective observations in performance are very good

[strumbringer]

Yeah the LCI suspension is much improved, but I agree with the OP's assessment. Put the B58 engine in an E90, add parking sensors (very tight parking at work) and I'd snap it up in a heartbeat.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by goj

I have auto-crossed both cars and never felt the the rear was out of sorts in my F30. I dunno, my experience seems to be consistent with reviews too..at least of the LCI. The car could be more connected to the driver but objective observations in performance are very good

I'm hardly the only one who's found mid-corner disruptions more than a bit disconcerting in the F30.

[Blubaron79]

The 328 e90 feels sluggish and heavier because it is. The N52 with xdrive, and auto was the worst.

[donkey]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

I'm hardly the only one who's found mid-corner disruptions more than a bit disconcerting in the F30.

Tires?

[Versipellis]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

The 328 e90 feels sluggish and heavier because it is. The N52 with xdrive, and auto was the worst.

Agreed with this. It's fine as a daily driver, but after taking it to autocross a couple of times and driving some other cars I'm really looking forward to my 440 now

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by snowghost

Dinan Springs, Shockware and I don't miss my E46 M3.

How does this help the steering?

I think the 704 suspension in the F30 is very good. Doesn't need springs or other adjustments, although I haven't tracked it. Unlikely that I will.

I can't imagine that's all it takes to bring it close to E46 M3. I have an E46 M3. I have driven it back to back with my F30 on the same roads, and they are totally different animals. Engine aside, the set-up - suspension and steering are worlds apart.

[yoandry]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

How does this help the steering?

I think the 704 suspension in the F30 is very good. Doesn't need springs or other adjustments, although I haven't tracked it. Unlikely that I will.

I can't imagine that's all it takes to bring it close to E46 M3. I have an E46 M3. I have driven it back to back with my F30 on the same roads, and they are totally different animals. Engine aside, the set-up - suspension and steering are worlds apart.

I also have an E90 330i N52 and my f30 with stock suspension sucks. Now, I put the M Performance suspension and it handles better than the E90.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by yoandry

I also have an E90 330i N52 and my f30 with stock suspension sucks. Now, I put the M Performance suspension and it handles better than the E90.

What suspension does your E90 have on it?

[anotheran]

Transitioned to from a gen 1 tsx to the f30 and really miss the steering feel from the TSX. It's heavier and i could feel the road better in turns. And since the E90 was better than my old friend, I'd easily agree with the Op.

Glad you got the 704 suspension. I got an xdrive with 2VF and i still feel a tad too much body roll. Got plans for suspension changes

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by anotheran

Transitioned to from a gen 1 tsx to the f30 and really miss the steering feel from the TSX. It's heavier and i could feel the road better in turns. And since the E90 was better than my old friend, I'd easily agree with the Op.

Glad you got the 704 suspension. I got an xdrive with 2VF and i still feel a tad too much body roll. Got plans for suspension changes

I agree, I drove an xdrive with 2VF for 2 days and it was all compromise. The comfort was too soft and the sport was harsh, but still too much body roll. Dampers do not make up for spring rate. I see why some people want that, but it's not for me.