[iceberg87]

Hey Guys,

I am up for my first BMW in the market.

I am looking for a CPO 328i.

I surveyed the prices of 3 series sedan but i am not sure either to go for E90 series or the F30 series since E90 (mostly 2011 328i is ranging from 23-27 grand) and F30 (2012,2013 would be ranging from 29-35 grand)

I am restricting my budget to 26k however in that budget i am getting 2011 CPO 328i and if i spend more 6k i am getting into the territory of F30s 328i.
does 26k justify value of 3-4 year old CPO 3series ??

I am fairly new to the World of BMW...!!

[notnow]

The F30 328i's engine is worth the extra, I also like the styling of the F30. The headlights are another plus, you don't have to pay extra to get white AND full angel eyes.

[roundle]

While I prefer the E90's inline 6 (N52), (aluminum) sports suspension, and traditional hydraulic steering, I would probably recommend paying a slight premium for the F30. Here's why:

In 3-4 years, the "old" E90's very likely to be worth quite a lot less than the still "current" F30. From the residual value perspective, the F30 is probably the wise choice.

That said, if you can score a BIG discount on an E90, and you prefer the way it drives, then why not?

[Mike.]

f30, you get a turbo breh

plus, resale value is in favor of the f30

[iceberg87]

thanks guys i will take a note of these points..!!

[Mardio]

The question you need to ask yourself is do you like to drive? canyon runs? The E90 has a very connected feel to the road that BMW is known for due to its hydraulic steering. The N52 is a pretty much bullet proof engine as well. I owned one for five years and had zero problems with the car.

My wife has the F30 and the electronic steering has a pretty numb feel (even with the sports package). The engine hardly sounds like any BMW I have heard, almost like a diesel. She does not mind any of this because she just wanted a commuter car.

So if you like to drive E90, if that does not matter than the F30 is a fine choice.

[iceberg87]

Originally Posted by Mardio

The question you need to ask yourself is do you like to drive? canyon runs? The E90 has a very connected feel to the road that BMW is known for due to its hydraulic steering. The N52 is a pretty much bullet proof engine as well. I owned one for five years and had zero problems with the car.

My wife has the F30 and the electronic steering has a pretty numb feel (even with the sports package). The engine hardly sounds like any BMW I have heard, almost like a diesel. She does not mind any of this because she just wanted a commuter car.

So if you like to drive E90, if that does not matter than the F30 is a fine choice.

Spot on .. thats what i have been reading in the forums and blogs about the 2 models ..
I love to drive on all terrains that's the reason i am inclining towards e90 more than f30 (just the price and depreciation is a concern).

[bvanlieu]

You need to drive both (especially if you are going to compare sport vs non-sport behavior). If you don't notice the steering its a non-issue. If you do notice the steering, its E90 time.

My personal bias is that a BMW 3 should have an i6 as well so the death of the NA 6 on the F30 is a non-starter for me

- b

[dlbrooks18]

I'd go F30.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

[SgtGoldy]

I dont care for the look of the F30... just looks like they tried too hard imho.

[bahasad]

I myself am in a similar boat but I am considering a 2011 335I vs. a 2012 328I. I am leaning towards the latter. I have had an F30 loaner for a few days. The engine has a lot more power/torque than my N52 and it's definitely noticeable. Car pulls hard from a stop, and at any speed. Plus it's a turbo and there are plenty of mods to get more gains, compared to the N52 which barely has any. The I6 sound is definitely nice, but for the power you get from the F30, I could live with the diesel sound. The steering is light, but it's very precise. If you get some springs, anti-roll bars, and better tires that will help the handling and feel imo. Plus resale value on the F30 is better. Compared to an E90 335I it is a harder choice since the N55 is a stronger and more powerful motor. Even so, I'd most likely take the F30 because it's newer, more space inside, and better resale.

[jeff080]

I'll be doing an ED on an F30, however, I believe an E90 with M-Sport is timeless.

[compdr59]

When I drove an F30 for the first time as a service loaner, I couldn't wait to get my E90 back. There is no feedback in the steering, buzzy 4 cylinder turbo and the start/stop system jerks during a restart. IMO I wound go with the E90. Mine has an in service date of Dec 2011 with plenty of factory warranty left.

[DC_Oldboy]

Can't go wrong with either IMO. Even though the E90 is outdated, the E90 LCI is still sexy as hell in my eyes.

[Akleifg]

Originally Posted by compdr59

When I drove an F30 for the first time as a service loaner, I couldn't wait to get my E90 back. There is no feedback in the steering, buzzy 4 cylinder turbo and the start/stop system jerks during a restart. IMO I wound go with the E90. Mine has an in service date of Dec 2011 with plenty of factory warranty left.

+1
the f30 is for housewives.

[gilly22]

roflmao

Personally, the f30 figures are interesting from a fuel economy stand point, but I was counting down the minutes to return the 3 different f30 loaners I've been given. They just didn't feel like a BMW to me. Plus, that front end is hideous IMO.

[XM_Rocks]

Originally Posted by compdr59

When I drove an F30 for the first time as a service loaner, I couldn't wait to get my E90 back. There is no feedback in the steering, buzzy 4 cylinder turbo and the start/stop system jerks during a restart. IMO I wound go with the E90. Mine has an in service date of Dec 2011 with plenty of factory warranty left.

X 2

I had the same take and I did a short impression review on the car lounge.

Link to I orig review: The early bird gets the worm? Not this time - F30 328i Loaner Impressions (Poverty Spec)

For the lazy...

Disclaimer: This is not a proper review and am I not an automotive journalist.

Brought my new to me E90 335i (2007 w/ 76k miles) in for software and an outstanding recall.

When I was walked to my loaner there was a F30 335i Sport/Premium Pack behind the 328i.

Before I could ask for it a lady and another service adviser walked over to it. :banghead:

If only I would have slept in 5 mins...

Impressions...

Obviously cant really compare this to my car due to packages.

Hard and skinny steering wheel... middle of the road seats... All Season 17" skinny Conti tires...

The 328i engine seems unrefined from any previous BMW inline-6... sounds a little like a diesel. The car has decent power and very little lag. The ultimate deal killer is the annoying and abrupt start-stop feature. I don't know if there is a way to kill this but its rough and annoying.

Sound system is decent but nothing like my Logic 7... a good 6-7 out of 10.

The car seems to have more wind and road noise than my E90. Might be the Contis but I distinctly remember hearing more wind noise.

Non-Nav Idrive interface is ok... screen is nice.

Steering is lighter for sure and does not have as much feel.

Sport - Comfort - Eco Modes = How it should be - Meh - Where mah powah go?

Pros:

- Love the exterior styling
- Good power - Good EPA Numbers - Very little lag
- More greenhouse space (if you want that)... seems much larger in passenfger compartment
- Usable Cupholders

Cons:

- Average everything.
- Lack of BMW refinement in the powertrain
- I dislike the interior styling
- Horrible start-stop feature

In conclusion there is no way I would pay anywhere near the $40,225 that BMW sells this for.

The car just isn't the same with the sport and premium pack... I dont understand outside of leases why anyone would pay $40k of their hard earned money for this spec.

Honestly if I had to have new I would get a loaded VW GLI instead.

I know... ZOMAGOD RWD vs FWD... power slides to work... still would pick the GLI over this new vs new.

Having said everything I am totally happy with my E90! Cant wait to get her back!

Anyone want me to look or try anything on the car?

Pics for clicks:

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by compdr59

When I drove an F30 for the first time as a service loaner, I couldn't wait to get my E90 back. There is no feedback in the steering, buzzy 4 cylinder turbo and the start/stop system jerks during a restart. IMO I wound go with the E90. Mine has an in service date of Dec 2011 with plenty of factory warranty left.

Would say pretty much the same thing. I own a 2011 E90 and absolutely love getting in it, even just to commute, because it's a blast to drive. When my car headed to the shop for about a week (for some minor fixes), I requested an F30 for my loaner because I had originally been in the market for one, but they weren't quite coming off lease last summer and were therefore a bit out of my price range. This topic has been beat to death, but I'll voice my personal thoughts here again: the F30 is basically a Lexus. It doesn't feel like a BMW to me. This makes it a smart choice if you're simply commuting and not interested in really 'driving' the car. The turbo 4 liter engine saved me some MPGs, and gave me some cruising speed torque on the highway, the navigation is faster and looks nicer, and the whole cockpit is more user friendly. It's no slouch regarding the performance, but it never put a smile on my face. It never excited me. It never made me want to just get in drive for the pure fun of it. And don't get me started on the leatherette...

As others have said, the F30's residual will likely beat out the E90's, so there's that.

Again, smart choice as a luxury commuter, but I was **dying** to get my E90 back at the end of the work period. It feels like a driver's car. The F30 is the more economical choice, even if you spend a little more now, but I would really test drive both aggressively. It just comes down to what's more important to you when you open the door and get in that driver's seat: comfort and economy, or performance and driving feel.

The F30 is a well-built car, but it basically just represents BMW's attempt to match Lexus and Audi in terms of cockpit comfort and overall economy. This obviously isn't a bad thing, but I personally feel that they sacrificed too much in their attempts.

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by XM_Rocks

X 2

I had the same take and I did a short impression review on the car lounge.

Link to I orig review: The early bird gets the worm? Not this time - F30 328i Loaner Impressions (Poverty Spec)

For the lazy...

Disclaimer: This is not a proper review and am I not an automotive journalist.

Brought my new to me E90 335i (2007 w/ 76k miles) in for software and an outstanding recall.

When I was walked to my loaner there was a F30 335i Sport/Premium Pack behind the 328i.

Before I could ask for it a lady and another service adviser walked over to it. :banghead:

If only I would have slept in 5 mins...

Impressions...

Obviously cant really compare this to my car due to packages.

Hard and skinny steering wheel... middle of the road seats... All Season 17" skinny Conti tires...

The 328i engine seems unrefined from any previous BMW inline-6... sounds a little like a diesel. The car has decent power and very little lag. The ultimate deal killer is the annoying and abrupt start-stop feature. I don't know if there is a way to kill this but its rough and annoying.

Sound system is decent but nothing like my Logic 7... a good 6-7 out of 10.

The car seems to have more wind and road noise than my E90. Might be the Contis but I distinctly remember hearing more wind noise.

Non-Nav Idrive interface is ok... screen is nice.

Steering is lighter for sure and does not have as much feel.

Sport - Comfort - Eco Modes = How it should be - Meh - Where mah powah go?

Pros:

- Love the exterior styling
- Good power - Good EPA Numbers - Very little lag
- More greenhouse space (if you want that)... seems much larger in passenfger compartment
- Usable Cupholders

Cons:

- Average everything.
- Lack of BMW refinement in the powertrain
- I dislike the interior styling
- Horrible start-stop feature

In conclusion there is no way I would pay anywhere near the $40,225 that BMW sells this for.

The car just isn't the same with the sport and premium pack... I dont understand outside of leases why anyone would pay $40k of their hard earned money for this spec.

Honestly if I had to have new I would get a loaded VW GLI instead.

I know... ZOMAGOD RWD vs FWD... power slides to work... still would pick the GLI over this new vs new.

Having said everything I am totally happy with my E90! Cant wait to get her back!

Anyone want me to look or try anything on the car?

Pics for clicks:

i hate those seats, get Sport seats "Sport package", they look good and feel good

[CWysong]

if the new f30s didnt look so generic, so much like every other new car on the road, id say go with the newest... but they are getting so homoginized now its sad.

the e90 is the classic bmw profile, and new enough to have all that you need!

[evoix]

Originally Posted by compdr59

When I drove an F30 for the first time as a service loaner, I couldn't wait to get my E90 back. There is no feedback in the steering, buzzy 4 cylinder turbo and the start/stop system jerks during a restart. IMO I wound go with the E90. Mine has an in service date of Dec 2011 with plenty of factory warranty left.

Exactly. I wasn't a fan of the f30. Wanted my car back after 10 minutes of driving the loaner. E90 is connected to the road and you actually feel like you are in control

[CWysong]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

i hate those seats, get Sport seats "Sport package", they look good and feel good

get sports package for the seats alone!