2017 330i loaner
 

So with the M5 in the shop since last Thursday getting everything up to snuff for the sale the dealer gave me a 2017 330i. When he first told me this on the phone I had visions of an old E46 he found for me somehow.

I get there and it is a brand new 2017 with only around 600 miles on it. So now I guess the two turbo four's are the 320i and the 330i and the Turbo six is the 340i.

A few comments.

- This thing is peppy as hell. I never wanted for more power in normal driving. In sport + the thing gets out of the hole very well and holds gears for very enjoyable driving.

- I HATE the sounds it makes. As I said in the other thread the sound the car makes is a big part of my personal driving enjoyment. (Another main reason for wanting the V8 M3). This thing sounds like your moms Accord. YUK!!

- It has the sport pkg and I don't know what all the fuss about the steering is. Maybe they did something to it recently but its not all that bad. I could be jaded coming for the already light RB steering in the E39 but I still thought it was pretty well weighted.

- Where did the solid BMW "thunk" go? You close the doors on this thing and it's almost like a tin can sound. My "old" E39 has that solid "thunk" when you shut the door. Cost cutting?

- The latest gen iDrive takes a minute to get used to but is then pretty darn neat and intuitive.

- The sport pkg seats are super comfortable. I could sit in these seats all day. They might be a little confining for a larger person but my 5/10 175lbs frame fits like a glove.

In conclusion I am really curious to drive a 340i/240i 6spd and see how the Turbo six adds to the likes above.

Our x3 with the turbo 6 makes better sounds than the 4cyl, though they aren't necessarily enjoyable. It does some popping and gurgling stuff at WOT gear changes, and when you first start it that's sort of "neat" I guess.

IMO, the N55 if a very pleasant engine and the torquiness / power delivery may be more to your liking than the high strung V8 in the M3. When I went from my e39 to my e90 335 xdrive, power / acceleration was one area where I was pleasantly surprised, there wasn't much of a drop off from the s62 and ability to put power to the ground was much better (combination of x drive and vastly improved traction control). If the back seat of the e90 wasn't too small and the suspension of the x-drive cars so distinctly awful, it would have been a great transition car from the m5.

I like the sound of the N55 at WOT with my top down. I often go looking for railroad tunnels and underpasses around here.

The new B58 is supposed to be better than the N55 in just about every way.

I found the n20 to not be anywhere near as nice as the n55, and I assume the new 4 cyl is shit compared to the 6 cyl in terms of NHV type issues. Power was good, but excitement was not. I also agree the new 3er doesn't feel as substantial as old BMWs.

In short, if you miss your e36 M3C at all, I would again throw the 1er/2er 'verts into your list of cars to check out before jumping on the e90 m3.

Josh I have always liked the idea behind the 135i. I even had a deposit down prior to release the first year they came out. When I finally saw it in person and to this very day I cannot get over the looks. Its a personal thing I know.

If they did not have that melted lower door area I probably would have bought one.

I like the looks of the 2 a lot better but if I went with a used 235i I would always be wanting the M2 and that car is two new to be in the price range I want.

I am not dead set on the V8 M3, I am driving a 2013 comp pkg coupe the dealer has this weekend, but I have not found something else that excites me this much in my price range.

Since I have yet to actually drive an E9x M3 I may come away hating it. We will see this weekend.

The B58 is an incredibly smooth, FAST, lag-free engine. (Impressive fuel efficiency, too.) But some folks say they miss the power curve of the N55. I don't know personally, because I had the N52 engine in my E91--and only occasionally drove N55 loaners.

So, a 235i might be not only a great deal, but a more satisfying transition car. Or an F-whatever 435i, 335i, etc.

With the 2, I think you might miss some of the feeling of luxury you got in the M5. That might help make the E90 M3 a better choice.

Although the 2 series is back to the E46 proper placement of cupholders in the center console ;)

Cool, I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on the 2013. I have only driven an e93 M3 (convertible). I didn't love it, but it was a short salesman chaperoned experience, so not very telling.

I'd only consider the 1/2 if you want something with a soft top. I understand what you're saying re: the M2, but since you can get as a convertible (unfortunately), at least buyers remorse would be lessened with a 235 / 240. Everything WDC has posted about her enjoyment of her new 2er is spot on with my experience w/ my 1.

wd thanks for the comments and suggestions. I have also heard great things about the B58 but basically all the newer models are out as I want to buy not lease and I have a price point in mind. Otherwise I would get a new C63s coupe. =)

I also agree on the newer cup holders. My 330i loaner has them as well.

I have a custom metal folding cup holder in the E39 that hides in the center storage unit in the counsel. It was a little pricy but I use it every day.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/1223848...&ul_noapp=true

Like I said if I hate the E92 test drive this weekend I don't know what I am going to look at next.

Another option to keep in mind if you don't like the power delivery of the NA V8 is the 335is. There are more of those around than you might imagine, and they are a decent value at this point.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=148400022

Thanks for reminding me of those. I am interested. I have seen a few in the wild and the sports exhaust they install on those sounds amazing. I also really dig the optional 19's like on the one you posted. Food for thought.

Yes. Lots of upgrades over the straight-up 335i. From Wiki: 335is (2011–2013)
"The 335is was produced in coupé and convertible models for the North American market. It sat between the regular 335i and the M3 in the model line-up, and approximately 6,300 units were produced. The 335is uses a higher performance version (N54T) of the N54 engine from the 2006-2013 335i, which increases boost from 8.7 to 11.6 PSI.[29] This results in 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, plus an overboost function raises torque to 370 lb-ft for up to 7 seconds.
The 335is has stiffer engine mounts and an upgraded cooling system, with a heavy-duty radiator fan and two heat exchangers, one an engine oil cooler, the other a secondary coolant radiator. To accommodate these heat exchangers, which are located ahead of each front wheel, the 335is has larger air openings, similar to the M3. Fog lights were removed from the coupé version to allow for the openings, although they remain on the convertible version. In addition, the 335is is equipped with a revised, high-flow exhaust system, with the twin exhaust pipes finished in matte black, and a rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser-style piece.
Transmission options were a 7-speed double clutch transmission (DCT) with launch control (Same DCT transmission as the M3 but with different software programming) or a 6-speed manual transmission controlled by a short-throw "M" stick. The manual transmission has a heavy-duty clutch with more holding power than the regular 335i.
Interior upgrades include a thicker, "M" steering wheel, "M" steel pedals, standard sport seats, "M" door sills, and textured aluminum trim with "335is" badging on dash and in instrument cluster.[30][31] Exterior differences are black kidney grills, and "Style 313" split-five spoke "M" wheels in 18-inch or 19-inch size."

http://www.bmwofpeoria.com/used/BMW/...a0b14e078f.htm

EDIT: Weird about the fog lights. That might be a deal breaker, given where you live. Unless you get the convertible.