[bimmer456]

So, I got a G20 330i loaner. It is a larger car compared to the F30 for sure.

I put everything in sport, and the steering still felt light. But that tends to be the case with the 330i. Stick-to-the-left or using paddles was a little better. The moonroof doesn't open all the way, but now the sunshade is powered vs. the F30's manual operation. I looked like a 5 Series when they were pulling up in the loaner. There was a small amount of exhaust burble, but it was still pretty quiet.

It feels more like a family sedan than a sports sedan and would take some some getting used to. Maybe the more aggressive M340i remedies some of that. I will have to see how the M340i drives at the limit at the UDE.

The added size does give more usable space for taller rear seat passengers like a 5 series due to longer wheel base where rear passengers might have been cramped in F30. This car had the optional spare because of the go flats, but that eats up trunk space. You can just remove it to recover some trunk space, however.

Anyone else try a G20 loaner?

[nola2atx]

I feel like the 3 series is always going to be more "family sedan" and pretty boring without the M Sport package or opting for the M340i

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by nola2atx

I feel like the 3 series is always going to be more "family sedan" and pretty boring without the M Sport package or opting for the M340i

It always is

My memories with always be haunted by these E90 stripper service loaners with 16" rims, halogens, and leatherette with no other options. Tires would squeal when you cornered too hard.

[RedKloud]

Even my 340i (F30) without the M Sport package handled like a Lexus. The drive train was pretty sweet though.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

Even my 340i (F30) without the M Sport package handled like a Lexus. The drive train was pretty sweet though.

Mine is the sport line but with 19s. It handles pretty good much sharper than the 330 loaner and the steering is heavier in sport than the 330 in sport. It's a blast with mppsk.

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Mine is the sport line but with 19s. It handles pretty good much sharper than the 330 loaner and the steering is heavier in sport than the 330 in sport. It's a blast with mppsk.

You probably have the Sport suspension, my xDrive came with standard suspension.

[bimmer456]

I will say this it's nice to finally have a sport individual mode where steering, suspension and throttle response can be configured independently like the M3. Would be nice to have 3 separate buttons though rather than having to do it in I drive. Switching it on the fly more quickly and with led lights so you know what mode you're in with each setting at a glance. Still no sport plus on 330 though. Would be nice if you can have full traction control in sport plus like in the x5 not sure if that's the case with G20 you should be able to choose the level of traction control in any mode from all to none. EDIT. Looks like it's passive suspension so only settings for steering, engine and transmission are available.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

You probably have the Sport suspension, my xDrive came with standard suspension.

Yes x drive has a floatier suspension and rides higher than my s drive.

[bimmer456]

I did notice that there is a discernable turbo sound on boost or some waste gate situation, it's subtle but you can hear it.

[BimmerFix]

Originally Posted by praxis218

It always is

My memories with always be haunted by these E90 stripper service loaners with 16" rims, halogens, and leatherette with no other options. Tires would squeal when you cornered too hard.

My god I hated those loaners lol , what an abomination . About the only good thing was the heavy hydraulic steering, that's it.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by BimmerFix

My god I hated those loaners lol , what an abomination . About the only good thing was the heavy hydraulic steering, that's it.

The e90 is one of my favorite 3 series chasis, second only to the e46.

e46
e90
f30
e30

[BimmerFix]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

The e90 is one of my favorite 3 series chasis, second only to the e46.

e46
e90
f30
e30

Really , my list is like the opposite of that lol . Well I have no idea of the e30 never had any experience with it. But general consensus here was the E90 chassis was pretty terrible, stiff jarring suspension. all those subframe damages and bushings problems. I'm talking strictly chassis , not the amazing godlike steering or that wonderful V8 in the M . Never owned a E46 but my father did , I did own a E92 335i which got lemoned , and my current car F82 , which by far has the best chassis in my opinion, but the worst steering out of all those mentioned. And when I say worst I'm talking road feedback and tactile feel. Precision and turn in is amazing tho.

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by BimmerFix

But general consensus here was the E90 chassis was pretty terrible, stiff jarring suspension. all those subframe damages and bushings problems. I'm talking strictly chassis

And the exploding noise when you hit potholes!

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by BimmerFix

Really , my list is like the opposite of that lol . Well I have no idea of the e30 never had any experience with it. But general consensus here was the E90 chassis was pretty terrible, stiff jarring suspension. all those subframe damages and bushings problems. I'm talking strictly chassis , not the amazing godlike steering or that wonderful V8 in the M . Never owned a E46 but my father did , I did own a E92 335i which got lemoned , and my current car F82 , which by far has the best chassis in my opinion, but the worst steering out of all those mentioned. And when I say worst I'm talking road feedback and tactile feel. Precision and turn in is amazing tho.

I was talking 3 series. ///M cars I would say:

f80
e46
e90


And no, e90 wasn't bad at all. Stiff (sporty), yes. Corners like a champ, absolutely. Hydraulic steering, GTFOOH.

If you call that jarring ... ok. I get it. But what about all the people walking around with sand in their vaginas?

[geddylee]

The G20 is such a dud!

[BigSky702]

Originally Posted by geddylee

The G20 is such a dud!

:

[BigSky702]

Originally Posted by geddylee

The G20 is such a dud!

:

[chickennuggets]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

So, I got a G20 330i loaner. It is a larger car compared to the F30 for sure.

I put everything in sport, and the steering still felt light. But that tends to be the case with the 330i. Stick-to-the-left or using paddles was a little better. The moonroof doesn't open all the way, but now the sunshade is powered vs. the F30's manual operation. I looked like a 5 Series when they were pulling up in the loaner. There was a small amount of exhaust burble, but it was still pretty quiet.

It feels more like a family sedan than a sports sedan and would take some some getting used to. Maybe the more aggressive M340i remedies some of that. I will have to see how the M340i drives at the limit at the UDE.

The added size does give more usable space for taller rear seat passengers like a 5 series due to longer wheel base where rear passengers might have been cramped in F30. This car had the optional spare because of the go flats, but that eats up trunk space. You can just remove it to recover some trunk space, however.

Anyone else try a G20 loaner?

I test drove one, but not enough time behind the wheel to make any real judgment. Things that did jump out to me where:

*It's huge. Felt like the 5er my high school girlfriend's father drove. Not a bad thing if you want comfort, but it was hard to whip it around.

*Felt like I had to hammer the accelerator to get it moving. The numbers are good on paper but I didn't feel the get up and go.

*Sport/manual mode was nice. I wish the shifters were metal though.

I saw the first G20 330i on the road yesterday in Pasadena. I was wondering when they were going to start showing up. Looked nice, it was an alpine white one. The grille was chrome, could have stood to be blacked out. The tail lights looked very BMW when in use (brake, turn signal).

I was on my way back from m-school where I fell in love with the M2 Comp

I would love to drive the M340i, I think this chassis will be amazing paired with an 6 cylinder engine.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by chickennuggets

I test drove one, but not enough time behind the wheel to make any real judgment. Things that did jump out to me where:

*It's huge. Felt like the 5er my high school girlfriend's father drove. Not a bad thing if you want comfort, but it was hard to whip it around.

*Felt like I had to hammer the accelerator to get it moving. The numbers are good on paper but I didn't feel the get up and go.

*Sport/manual mode was nice. I wish the shifters were metal though.

I saw the first G20 330i on the road yesterday in Pasadena. I was wondering when they were going to start showing up. Looked nice, it was an alpine white one. The grille was chrome, could have stood to be blacked out. The tail lights looked very BMW when in use (brake, turn signal).

I was on my way back from m-school where I fell in love with the M2 Comp

I would love to drive the M340i, I think this chassis will be amazing paired with an 6 cylinder engine.

Yes it's pretty big feels mid size but the trunk is still small. Didn't feel very fast either, but would like to dry the m340i xdrive.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by praxis218

And the exploding noise when you hit potholes!

Keeps me awake.

[AnotherName25]

Drove both an M sport 330i (no track handling package w/ the adaptive suspension) and m340i with the adaptive suspension. Both 30 min test drives through Napa area. Curves roads, bumps, etc. so I got a great feel for them. I’m also coming from a 228i Sportline convertible, which had Potenza rft’s and now PS 3+ non-rft’s for background. Tires were the same for both, Pirelli’s, but I forgot to look at exact model. Both rft.

330i: comfortable, could have been better, soft steering (stiffer than mine, softer than x3 m40i I test drove as well). FeedBack: sort of there, especially in sport mode. Couldn’t really push it but wasn’t 228i / F30 numb. Acceleration: good. Exhaust sound (w speakers) much better than F30’s I’ve driven.

M340i: more comfortable, probably from adaptive suspension. Wasn’t too sure what to do with it versus putting it into sport. FeedBack was more numb than the 330i probably from it using the old ZF steering rack. Exhaust sounded deeper than the 330i albeit muted still. Honestly think cars like the e90 sound better, n/a or turbo. Fast as expected. After driving it for 15 or so minutes on curvy roads, it didn’t feel any more special than my 228i.

Would go with the 330i based on better steering feel, but with the adaptive suspension.

Just my honest 2 cents, let me know if any of you had similar experiences or questions about it.

[mikesmitherino]

Also drove a G20 330i with only Convenience Package. Coming from an M-Sport F30 335i, this is what I noticed:

• Handles bumps way better in that bumps are dampened much more without that "bang" on impact that my F30 makes.
• Steering was noticeably lighter than my F30, even in sport mode (I guess because it's the 330i as you said) but definitely had more feel to it. I also noticed that you could change the vibration intensity of the steering to how you want it.
• The car gets up to speed easily and masks it very well. Whereas I don't feel like I'm going fast at high speeds in the G20, I do feel like I'm going fast at high speeds in my F30. Was pretty disappointed by this.
• Interior quality seems a lot more solid than the F30. Though I didn't like the piano black trim the particular loaner I got came with, its interior didn't have any creaks or rattles that my F30 is full of. The SensaTec seats were more comfortable than the Dakota leather seats in my F30, but anytime sunlight hit the seat and I sat in it afterwards, it would be scalding hot to touch even through my jeans. The G20's seats do feel like they can go lower than the F30's, but I'm not sure if it was just my imagination.
• The overall layout of the dashboard seems more confusing to use, mainly iDrive, button layout, and the digital cluster's layout. I'm sure it has a learning curve to it, but I think some informatiod could be presented better.