[Spitfire007]

Before you guys freak:

Have family and obligations. No time to peruse 4 or 5 years' worth of threads to find info...

Considering switching from my beloved e90 328i 6-MT to an F sta-wag for space and comfort.

How's the little 4 cylinder?
How's the suspension? (e90 is terrible without dumping money into it) more refined?
Reliability?
Slushbox quick enough? I HATE slow shifting autos...

Also considering F10-535i...

Thanks, just looking for a few opinions...

[obert]

Go with the F10.

If I had to chose I would pick the F10. I have owned both E90 and F30 and it’s basically the same car. The only upgrade would be options if you went with more than what you had in the E90.

Just my opinion.

[Spitfire007]

Originally Posted by obert

Go with the F10.

If I had to chose I would pick the F10. I have owned both E90 and F30 and it's basically the same car. The only upgrade would be options if you went with more than what you had in the E90.

Just my opinion.

Thanks!!

My e90 is a Sport package with heated manual seats, sunroof and decent sound. No Nav, no folddown rear seats...so any car will have more!

[obert]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Thanks!!

My e90 is a Sport package with heated manual seats, sunroof and decent sound. No Nav, no folddown rear seats...so any car will have more!

F30 sport package is a lot better than a base model. Seats are nicer and it has some little sport package options. If you can find one that has the projector headlights, heated steering wheel with paddle shifters and on with Navi. I think you would be really happy with it. But the 535 with those same options would be better.

[Michael Schott]

The F30 does everything better than an E90 save 3 things:

-The quality of the interior materials is inferior
-The in-line 4 is one of the best of its kind but the character is far different than a normally aspirated I6.
-If you love the meaty, visceral steering of the E90 you will probably hate the overly boosted, non progressive steering of the F30.

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Considering switching from my beloved e90 328i 6-MT to an F sta-wag for space and comfort.

How's the little 4 cylinder?
How's the suspension? (e90 is terrible without dumping money into it) more refined?
Reliability?
Slushbox quick enough? I HATE slow shifting autos...

Also considering F10-535i...

Owned two F30 models, 328i Auto xDrive, 335i Sport Auto RWD.

• The 4 cylinder is quite strong, will be quicker, more responsive and get better MPG than your E90 328i. Turbo lag is a minimum.
• The F31 (station wagon) are all xDrive only, suspension will be softer than your E90, your passengers will like it. But an F31 is not meant to be driven hard, it will be very good at what it does
• I had zero issues with 65K miles on my 328i, I have zero with my newer 335i with 45K miles.
• The 8 speed automatic is a great transmission, it is not going to snap your head back with a crisp shift, but it will shift smooth and quick. The transmission has sport mode for manual shifting, I use occasionally and it responds as expected. If you can find one with Sport Transmission (you would know by the steering wheel paddles), get it.
• F10 is a more luxurious car, the interior is plush and the 3.0L engine would be stronger. If you are considering an F10 with a manual trans, there are a few out there, an interesting option may be a F10 550 with a manual, but the sticks are really rare 2012 being the last year for this combination. Also, if you look at the 5 Series Gran Turismo, these have the rear hatchback, these are on the 7-series frame so they are quite roomy and all are loaded (however no manuals).

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

...My e90 is a Sport package with heated manual seats, sunroof and decent sound. No Nav, no folddown rear seats...so any car will have more!

+1 Sport or M-Sport just for the sport seats

Originally Posted by obert

F30 sport package is a lot better than a base model. Seats are nicer and it has some little sport package options. If you can find one that has the projector headlights, heated steering wheel with paddle shifters and on with Navi. I think you would be really happy with it. But the 535 with those same options would be better.

+1
Sport and M-Sport are standard with sport seats, 18" wheels, various interior and exterior trim that is worth the $$

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

The F30 does everything better than an E90 save 3 things:

-The quality of the interior materials is inferior
-The in-line 4 is one of the best of its kind but the character is far different than a normally aspirated I6.
-If you love the meaty, visceral steering of the E90 you will probably hate the overly boosted, non progressive steering of the F30.

+1
F10 interior is also much nicer than the F30. Additional note, the 2.0L turbo engine has a completely different sound than the 3.0L six. If you like the sound of you E90 when you press the throttle and are expecting the same roar out of the turbo 4, it is not there. The steering is precise and predictable. It will be very nice in the parking lot and for parallel parking, but the trade off is the detachment to the road as compared from your E90. It is still good, just be aware of this.

Good luck.

[Mr Podman]

You will hate the brakes compared to the E90.
The electric steering is a poor implementation.
The turbo 4 cylinder is a rocket.
The best thing about an F30 is the cruise control.


podman

[Spitfire007]

Dammit. I love the "analog" feeling of the e90...

[Tribalpinoy911]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

The F30 does everything better than an E90 save 3 things:

-The quality of the interior materials is inferior
-The in-line 4 is one of the best of its kind but the character is far different than a normally aspirated I6.
-If you love the meaty, visceral steering of the E90 you will probably hate the overly boosted, non progressive steering of the F30.

Yep steering is very light. Although I also drive a 370z lowered 2 inches with 19x11 wide rims on 305 rear tires and running aggressive caster.

[anotheran]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Dammit. I love the "analog" feeling of the e90...

Avoid vss

4 cylinder - sounds horrible but it’s fast
Suspension, base and XDrive are horrible. Adaptive on XDrive is ok, msport adaptive on RWD is good
Avoid 2012. Anything before 2015 MY May have chain issue
AT faster than MT

F10 is more plush. Size is getting comparable

[whosagrubb]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Dammit. I love the "analog" feeling of the e90...

Having just come from an E90 myself, that's a very accurate way to look at it.

Sounds like my story is similar to yours. My daily was a minimally equipped E90 328i. It was a RWD 6MT car with Sport Package, manual heated seats, bluetooth, satellite radio and that's it. When it came time to replace, I needed something with more cargo space / utility due to the increase in # of children but also the fact that one plays hockey.

I considered a F31 wagon and a F15 X5. I ruled out the X5 and loved everything about the F31 except for the turbo4 and auto trans. For whatever reason I couldn't get into the 4 after 7 years of driving an I6 and went a different path entirely with a 435i Gran Coupe.

Everything pointed out so far is more or less true in my experience. I'm not sure I agree interior materials are sub par to the E9x though. I do agree the car is definitely much less "analog" than my E90. You're not as connected to the driving experience as you are in the E90, but then again I drive a lot of long distance trips now, and it's been positive for me. Steering is much lighter but I've got the adaptive suspension and M brakes and IMO both are improvements over my E90. The auto trans, which I kind of dreaded having driven manuals for the last 20+ years, is fine. Shifts are quick, though there's times where the car will shift (or not shift) where I totally would have. I've been getting used to throwing it in manual mode and using the paddles.

And since you mentioned space, the combination of the hatch and folding rear seats on the GC met all my needs. It's still not a wagon when it comes to cargo room, but it makes me wonder how I ever lived with a E90 trunk. It easily swallows things like hockey bags, small pieces of furniture, bicycles, etc.

[Buzzo]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Dammit. I love the "analog" feeling of the e90...

Steering of the F30 pre or post LCI is anything but analog. I had hopes the LCI would remedy some of it, but alas; I have not gotten over it and am reminded of it every time I drive my '80 Volvo. Otherwise I have no serious complaints about the F30 and the B58 is masterful.

[Fuller]

Most things have already been addressed, but assuming you want four doors, also consider the 4 series gran coupe. It has a hatch style trunk but doesn't look anything like a hatch back. Having owned both the regular f30 3 series, and f36 gc, the gc also feels a bit "sportier" to drive imo.

If you want, or will settle for an auto transmission, the zf8 in the f30 generation is very nice. It's easily the best auto transmission for daily driving that I've ever experienced. The sport version of the zf8 is even better, and comes somewhat close to imitating a dct. In manual mode, the response to paddle inputs are quick and crisp too.

[Danddd]

I had a E91 with Sports Package. Went to a F31:

• More forgiving suspension, but bouncy. I'm conflicted here as long road trips are less tiresome, but the loss of full control is disconcerting.
• Steering is not razor sharp in the F31 vs E91. F31 has a electric steering with a numb feel at center. No feel vs E91
• Brakes not quite to par as E91
• Quicker turn in on F31, New engine is livelier and feels faster.
• Personally I preferred the sport seats on the E91
• Love the power hatch on the F31, still has the separate back window hatch. Nicely organized for options in carrying things in the back
• Interior quality better on E91, but the F31 seems nicer, just more cheap bits such as the plain black console where the shifter is
• Basically went from sport to luxury feel

[Kafkaesque328]

I have spent considerable seat time in the E90 328i and I would take the turbo 4 in the F30 any day of the week. Only thing the I6 has on it is the sound at WOT, but the engineers at BMW have done such a good job with the active sound, it doesn't really matter. MPG is considerably better, comfort and refinement is a step above without question, tech and iDrive is light years better than the e90 and personally, I prefer the look and design (if equipped with sport pkg or M sport anyway). the 8speed auto is revered across the board as one of the best in the business and the pairing with the turbo 4 is seamless.

Only thing the e90 has hands down is the steering. You will simply not get the steering feel in the F30. its dead on center, its light and in sport mode it is artificially and boosted and still numb.

Oh, and the interior of the F30 is more spacious.

0-60 stock for stock, the e90 328 was a 6 second car on a good day, esp with the slushbox. You can do 5.5 or quicker in the turbo 4 328 all day long and since you have 250lb ft of torque on boil from 1250 rpms and on, it just feels quicker around town.
Nevermind that for a few hundred bucks, you can throw a piggyback on the F30 and be pushing 250hp/300tq * at the wheels *

Here is a 0-60 of my F30 with jb+ so you can get an idea, along with how it sounds and how quick the auto shifts

[N55E90toF30]

Originally Posted by obert

Go with the F10.

If I had to chose I would pick the F10. I have owned both E90 and F30 and it’s basically the same car. The only upgrade would be options if you went with more than what you had in the E90.

Just my opinion.

Lololol at this. Totally untrue

Having owned the exact same engine N55 in both e90 and my f30 let me just say, totally different. F30 is bigger inside.

The steering is electronic in the f30, like a video game, which my wife loves because it’s “light feel” as she says.

The f30 I would compare the inside rear cabin to the e90’s generation 5series.

Easy to fit a child seat in the f30, tight fit in the e90... kids will be comfortable in the f30, complaints in the e90...

The drive is more visceral in the e90.

Good luck w ur pick. Get a manual tho.

This is just my opinion which if you ask me, is a good one HAHAHAHA


~N55

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by anotheran

Avoid vss

4 cylinder - sounds horrible but it’s fast
Suspension, base and XDrive are horrible. Adaptive on XDrive is ok, msport adaptive on RWD is good
Avoid 2012. Anything before 2015 MY May have chain issue
AT faster than MT

F10 is more plush. Size is getting comparable

I believe the MT 328i is 0.2 seconds quicker than the 328i Auto, but the Auto in the 335i is quicker.

[anotheran]

Originally Posted by kpgray

I believe the MT 328i is 0.2 seconds quicker than the 328i Auto, but the Auto in the 335i is quicker.

checking 0-60 times, for the 328i, they're about the same:

2012 model:
i Sedan RWD 6M 5.6 sec 14.3 sec @ 100 mph Car and Driver
i Sedan RWD 8A 5.6 sec 14.2 sec @ 98 mph Car and Driver
i Sedan RWD 6M 5.5 sec 14.1 sec @ 98.2 mph Motor Trend
i Sedan RWD 8A 5.6 sec 14.2 sec @ 97.8 mph Motor Trend
i Sedan RWD 6M 5.7 sec 14.3 sec @ 98.2 mph Motor Trend

https://www.0-60specs.com/bmw-328i-0-60-times/

But you're right on 335i and applies to 340i too

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by anotheran

checking 0-60 times, for the 328i, they're about the same:

2012 model:
i Sedan RWD 6M 5.6 sec 14.3 sec @ 100 mph Car and Driver
i Sedan RWD 8A 5.6 sec 14.2 sec @ 98 mph Car and Driver
i Sedan RWD 6M 5.5 sec 14.1 sec @ 98.2 mph Motor Trend
i Sedan RWD 8A 5.6 sec 14.2 sec @ 97.8 mph Motor Trend
i Sedan RWD 6M 5.7 sec 14.3 sec @ 98.2 mph Motor Trend

https://www.0-60specs.com/bmw-328i-0-60-times/

But you're right on 335i and applies to 340i too

I remember the original BMW F30 brochure in 2012/13 showed the Manual quicker in 0-60 by 0.2 seconds (5.7 Auto vs. 5.5 Manual). Interesting that in the 1/4 mile runs, the manual in all cases is higher trap speed. Thanks for the hyperlink.

[goj]

Six cylinder, M-sport, RWD if possible.

That's all

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Before you guys freak:

Have family and obligations. No time to peruse 4 or 5 years' worth of threads to find info...

Considering switching from my beloved e90 328i 6-MT to an F sta-wag for space and comfort.

How's the little 4 cylinder?
How's the suspension? (e90 is terrible without dumping money into it) more refined?
Reliability?
Slushbox quick enough? I HATE slow shifting autos...

Also considering F10-535i...

Thanks, just looking for a few opinions...

The F30 inline 4 is about the smoothest 4 cylinder I've ever driven. I'm always impressed when I get a loaner. That said, the E90 328i has a GREAT motor. It might not have the torque of the I4, but there is that extra smoothness that only an inline 6 can give you. It's definitely perceptible. I personally love N/A motors and their linear power delivery. That's just me though.

The suspension SUCKS compared to the E90. If you really like the E90 suspension, you're gonna want to upgrade the suspension (even M Sport sucks).

Reliability is probably about the same or better than the E90.

The sport auto transmission (which comes in a lot of F30 trims) is just about the fastest torque converter automatic transmission on the market. The ZF 8HP is both ubiquitous and arguably the best conventional automatic ever created. BMW also knows how to tune these things as they're a long time ZF customer. I'd recommend going with another 6MT, but if you have to go auto, this is the one to get.

Another thing to take note of is the steering. The steering on the F30s sucks. I know later E90 328i cars came with electronic power steering so if yours has that, then it probably won't be much different. But if you have a hydraulic steering rack, then you might be surprised at the isolation of the F30. It's definitely more of a "luxury" steering rack. It feels nicer over bumps, but it also feels very disconnected from the road.

The F10 535i I am fairly sure only comes with EPS. I'm curious why you're considering an F10 535i but an F30 330i? Why not an F30 335i? IMO, the F10 is the worst 5 series made in recent memory. The E60 was relatively lightweight, had excellent steering, and great suspension tuning. The F10 gained a ton of weight, added a terrible steering rack, and softened up the suspension quite a bit. The new G30 is a huge improvement from the F10. The E39 is a classic. The F10 is definitely the worst.

[Spitfire007]

I currently have an 09 328i sport 6-MT

The steering is incredible. The suspension on the e90 is TERRIBLE. So if the F30 is worse, I'm a little worried.
I've done nonRFT and Bilstein B6s to firm/smooth things out a little and my wife and I both agree it's like riding a wooden plank. Was worse when stock!

I'm only considering the WAGON version, F31, and it only comes in 4 cyl/ auto.

Otherwise I'd be on the 335/340 6 MT RWD all day.

F10 is considered because of extra room and refinement in comfort and ride quality, at the expense of some handling even (would find a RWD Msport)

I'm even considering the 335GT...looks decent in silver....and it's BIG

I'm very disappointed in most modern BMW ride quality. I think it sucks (so does my wife) and there's no easy fix, unfortunately.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE INPUT, very helpful!