[mundo74]

Just drove the A4 and 328 at the Olympic drive event.
The A4:
Pros:
-Really nice car with good interior finish.
-While BMW was harping on the turbo lag I found it to be more throttle response. In sport mode it feels OK.
-The power is adequate for most people
-Like the electro hydraulic parking brake. No need to release it just hit the gas and go. (Pseudo auto hold)

Cons:
-The DNA of the car comes out when pushed. Felt squirmesh under hard braking. Felt the Jetta within.
-Even good engineering cannot beat physics. FWD is a no no on a performance car when driven hard. Simple maneuvers that I would not bat an eye in my e90 were evident in the A4 with torque steer to boot.
-The switches are lifted from the VW global parts suppliers. Felt clicky like a computer mouse button. BMW buttons felt positive with good travel, feel and feedback. (It’s the small things that get you…think the guy who develops the gong from the CNBC program)

The 328:
Pros:
-Interior made my E90 look cheap. Basically a mini F10 which is a good thing. Nuff said
-Really love the tech that is flowed down from the 5 and 7 series. HUD is a must for me. The drive control is cool and so is the camera.
-Have to agree with Hammond, it is better than the E90 that I believe is a very good car to start with.
-Drive dynamic is still BMW. Electric steering is nice and seamless. Nice low speed effort and good high-speed feedback. Don’t miss my hydraulic setup.

-The attention to detail is striking. Stuff like radio tuning displayed in HUD. The 1000 ways you can configure everything in Idrive and even the cruise set point changing from green to orange when cruise is canceled. Just a much better execution that the E90.
-Love the auto. Seamless. Enough to give up my 6MT

Cons:
-If I get the 328 it needs a chip before I take it home. After the drive getting back into my cobb 335 was the only think that made me smile about my car.
-I could not tell the power difference between the A4 and the 328 and I pushed them.
-The ZSP steering is not as fat as the E90
-Not much more cons about this car

This car is definitely an upgrade to the E90 that is a phenomenal car. The upgrade in cabin tech and materials are welcomed. The hardest part for me is to decide on the F10 or the F30

Update:
Just drove the f30 335 with zsp and active suspension. First the route was in city and short. Did not discern the difference between sport and sport plus. That said having considered the 328 and driving this car this is my conclusion;

Hp is addictive and while the n20 is a phenomenal engine I could not give up the n55 for it. It would be a perfect engine if my wife wanted a BMW that offered it.

Loved the induction turbo noises the 335 made.

The zsp on this car makes it just palatable to drive vs the razor sharp e90. Again maybe someone can comment about the adaptive suspension

The electric steering on the f30 is well sorted out really, don't miss my zsp e90 here. Just drive the f10 and f30 back to back to see what I mean. I like the low speed effort. This brings me to my last point

The f30 feels 98% of the e90 sportiness (in zsp form) but the n55 compliments it more than the n20 for enthusiast and aggressive drivers like me. I still maintain that for the f10 with the Lexus like suspension and numb electric steering the n20 is all you need.

[John 070]

electric power steering = thumbs down

[mike3000fl]

328 (sportline)
con: stupid expensive with options like premium and the tech package that has the HUD you like. we are talking 45K+

[AndyR83]

Waiting for them to release a 335 coupe before I make up my mind. So far I'm on the fence, and am especially disappointed that there's no blue color available.

[E90Company]

Nice write-up.

The new 328i may sway a lot of 335i owners/potential buyers to it, due to being higher priced than the E90 counterpart (making some move a step down from the F30 335i), and power/tunability it provides over the N52.

N52 will be missed though. Smooth NA power FTW

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by E90Company

Nice write-up.

The new 328i may sway a lot of 335i owners/potential buyers to it, due to being higher priced than the E90 counterpart (making some move a step down from the F30 335i), and power/tunability it provides over the N52.

N52 will be missed though. Smooth NA power FTW

that is so true. A lot of us 335 owners are looking at the n20. I will have to drive the N55 to make up my mind; right now I think for a tossable 3 series and the way I drive the N55 would be better, However if I go soft and get an F10 then I would look no further than a N20 528. The extra power for the f10 335 does not make it more fun to drive IMO. The F10 is just too Lexus like.

[Propagator]

So you drove a FWD A4, one that is equipped with a CVT?

I don't think that is a fair comparison, you can easily get a well equipped Quattro A4 for the 328i money. And the A4 does not share its platform with the Jetta.

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by Propagator

So you drove a FWD A4, one that is equipped with a CVT?

I don't think that is a fair comparison, you can easily get a well equipped Quattro A4 for the 328i money. And the A4 does not share its platform with the Jetta.

That is the comparo that BMW had fair or not. I am not really saying the A4 is on a jetta chassis but I will say the DNA of the A4 and 328 is different. IT was evident when pushed. I drive aggressively and use every bit of my car's ability everyday. But for most people who buy these cars I would tell them to get the one they like on a purely superficial basis.

[mike-y]

did the A4 have the new 8 speed transmission?

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by mundo74

That is the comparo that BMW had fair or not. I am not really saying the A4 is on a jetta chassis but I will say the DNA of the A4 and 328 is different. IT was evident when pushed. I drive aggressively and use every bit of my car's ability everyday. But for most people who buy these cars I would tell them to get the one they like on a purely superficial basis.

Oh I see. It was a BMW event. No wonder the comparison wasn't fair.

I agree the A4 feels different from the 3er. I prefer the feel of the BMW as well.

I do hope you are exaggerating somewhat when you say "use every bit of my car's ability everyday". That would be ridiculous on public roads, given the absolute limits of our cars.

[pits200]

I was at the dealership this morning and got to sit in a 2012 f10 and was not a fan of the interior at all. The navigation seems lost like it was just popped on top of the dash. I also don't like the skinny center console where the Idrive is.

BMW still does not have the cup holder game down. The interior just does not look as stout as the e90. Perhaps it was because it was a tan interior and I prefer black. Either way, the very basic overview that I got to see of the interior was not striking to me. (I didn't start the car or move it, this is just based on first glance.

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by Propagator

Oh I see. It was a BMW event. No wonder the comparison wasn't fair.

I agree the A4 feels different from the 3er. I prefer the feel of the BMW as well.

I do hope you are exaggerating somewhat when you say "use every bit of my car's ability everyday". That would be ridiculous on public roads, given the absolute limits of our cars.

Well a bit... otherwise I would not have a license

Originally Posted by pits200

I was at the dealership this morning and got to sit in a 2012 f10 and was not a fan of the interior at all. The navigation seems lost like it was just popped on top of the dash. I also don't like the skinny center console where the Idrive is.

BMW still does not have the cup holder game down. The interior just does not look as stout as the e90. Perhaps it was because it was a tan interior and I prefer black. Either way, the very basic overview that I got to see of the interior was not striking to me. (I didn't start the car or move it, this is just based on first glance.

You mean F30 right cause most people find the f10 interior nice

[JBE90335]

I feel like BMW tried to make the gap bigger between the 3 and the 5. In the past the 3 and 5 had similar interiors but the F30 has more of 1-series interior than a 5 series interior, unfortunately. Exterior wise though they're very alike.

[mundo74]

Updated with the f30 335 zsp

[itrocks4u]

Just saw a white F30 driving around. Definitely looks aggressive. Just needs time.

I think the only difference between sport and sport plus is no traction control

[Sara]

We did it here in New Orleans today. Took some video clips driving with my iPhone.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...ostcount=10416

[The X Men]

BMW definitely gain a little bit going from the E90 to the F30, but they have also lost a little bit. Overall, I see it as it sideway move, not enough improvment to justify the extra $10000 price tag over the E90.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by John 070

electric power steering = thumbs down

I had an F30 for a full week as a loaner. Now my E92 steering feels so heavy....

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by mundo74

Just drove the A4 and 328 at the Olympic drive event.
The A4:
Pros:
-Really nice car with good interior finish.
-While BMW was harping on the turbo lag I found it to be more throttle response. In sport mode it feels OK.
-The power is adequate for most people
-Like the electro hydraulic parking brake. No need to release it just hit the gas and go. (Pseudo auto hold)

Cons:
-The DNA of the car comes out when pushed. Felt squirmesh under hard braking. Felt the Jetta within.
-Even good engineering cannot beat physics. FWD is a no no on a performance car when driven hard. Simple maneuvers that I would not bat an eye in my e90 were evident in the A4 with torque steer to boot.
-The switches are lifted from the VW global parts suppliers. Felt clicky like a computer mouse button. BMW buttons felt positive with good travel, feel and feedback. (It’s the small things that get you…think the guy who develops the gong from the CNBC program)

The 328:
Pros:
-Interior made my E90 look cheap. Basically a mini F10 which is a good thing. Nuff said
-Really love the tech that is flowed down from the 5 and 7 series. HUD is a must for me. The drive control is cool and so is the camera.
-Have to agree with Hammond, it is better than the E90 that I believe is a very good car to start with.
-Drive dynamic is still BMW. Electric steering is nice and seamless. Nice low speed effort and good high-speed feedback. Don’t miss my hydraulic setup.

-The attention to detail is striking. Stuff like radio tuning displayed in HUD. The 1000 ways you can configure everything in Idrive and even the cruise set point changing from green to orange when cruise is canceled. Just a much better execution that the E90.
-Love the auto. Seamless. Enough to give up my 6MT

Cons:
-If I get the 328 it needs a chip before I take it home. After the drive getting back into my cobb 335 was the only think that made me smile about my car.
-I could not tell the power difference between the A4 and the 328 and I pushed them.
-The ZSP steering is not as fat as the E90
-Not much more cons about this car

This car is definitely an upgrade to the E90 that is a phenomenal car. The upgrade in cabin tech and materials are welcomed. The hardest part for me is to decide on the F10 or the F30

Update:
Just drove the f30 335 with zsp and active suspension. First the route was in city and short. Did not discern the difference between sport and sport plus. That said having considered the 328 and driving this car this is my conclusion;

Hp is addictive and while the n20 is a phenomenal engine I could not give up the n55 for it. It would be a perfect engine if my wife wanted a BMW that offered it.

Loved the induction turbo noises the 335 made.

The zsp on this car makes it just palatable to drive vs the razor sharp e90. Again maybe someone can comment about the adaptive suspension

The electric steering on the f30 is well sorted out really, don't miss my zsp e90 here. Just drive the f10 and f30 back to back to see what I mean. I like the low speed effort. This brings me to my last point

The f30 feels 98% of the e90 sportiness (in zsp form) but the n55 compliments it more than the n20 for enthusiast and aggressive drivers like me. I still maintain that for the f10 with the Lexus like suspension and numb electric steering the n20 is all you need.

I agree 100%. The A4's torque steer was horrible and I couldn't deal with that everyday. Both great cars but the F30 was more dynamic. Although this was a FWD CVT A4 instead of the 8 speed Quattro. The sport line F30 feels much better than the non sport line (incld. steering) and I would agree that is about 98% of the E90s sportiness.