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Old 12-12-2017, 12:25 PM   #1
robg
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Anyone driven an F30 330?

BMW keeps upping the ante with various incentives which piqued my interest enough to check out my local dealer's inventory. Came across a 330 wagon w/ adaptive suspension that looked appealing.

In the end, I was not a big fan of the n20 + ZF8 combo in my 528-- too jerky at low speeds and sometimes rough feeling idle. The f30 328s I've driven (w/ base suspension) have left me pretty uninspired with their sloppy steering and somewhat sloppy suspension. Supposedly, BMW has made a bunch of tweaks to the suspension, steering and drivetrain as of the 17 330 but I remain skeptical. Every review I read of the wagon w/ adaptive suspension seems very positive- but that may because the reviewers are drinking too much wagon koolaid.

At some point, I will test drive one but figured I'd ask you guys for feedback...
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Old 12-12-2017, 01:21 PM   #2
Theo
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Just one comment. I have had two 330 loaners and while they are very pleasent and actually pretty darn quick I could never bring myself to spend 50 large on a car that sounds and feels like it has a tractor motor under the hood. EPA be dammed.
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Old 12-12-2017, 01:33 PM   #3
robg
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Just one comment. I have had two 330 loaners and while they are very pleasent and actually pretty darn quick I could never bring myself to spend 50 large on a car that sounds and feels like it has a tractor motor under the hood. EPA be dammed.
Yeah-- I tend to agree. Was hoping to avoid a 4 cyl turbo this time around as well but it's hard to do without spending lots more or making other compromises. The 330 wagon is one of the few cars I might be willing to make an exception for. Atleast BMW's 4 is the best of the bunch. Had been kicking around hte idea of getting a leftover 17 x3 35i but they're all pretty much gone now. But-- if the suspension and steering are still as bad the 328s I've driven I don't think I'd do it.
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Old 12-12-2017, 01:34 PM   #4
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Yeah-- I tend to agree. Was hoping to avoid a 4 cyl turbo this time around as well but it's hard to do without spending lots more or making other compromises. The 330 wagon is one of the few cars I might be willing to make an exception for. Atleast BMW's 4 is the best of the bunch
I haven't driven one but the BMW implementation of the 2.0L turbo four is substantially worse than a lot of the competitors, IMHO. I have no issue with a well engineered turbo four, but the BMW engine is just blergh.
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Old 12-12-2017, 01:40 PM   #5
robg
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I haven't driven one but the BMW implementation of the 2.0L turbo four is substantially worse than a lot of the competitors, IMHO. I have no issue with a well engineered turbo four, but the BMW engine is just blergh.
Hmm- who do you think does it better? I've been even more underwhelmed by the turbo 4s i've tried in:
Fords, Jags, Audis, and VWs.

The main issues I've had with the drivetrain atleast in the 28 models I've driven were the manic way they program the transmission (super aggressive about shifting down to 1st). Also didn't like how the idle is overly rough somtetimes.
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Old 12-12-2017, 01:59 PM   #6
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Hmm- who do you think does it better? I've been even more underwhelmed by the turbo 4s i've tried in:
Fords, Jags, Audis, and VWs.

The main issues I've had with the drivetrain atleast in the 28 models I've driven were the manic way they program the transmission (super aggressive about shifting down to 1st). Also didn't like how the idle is overly rough somtetimes.
I like the engine in my VW better. Hell, I prefer the engine/transmission combo in my parents' Escape to the one in the last 328 I drove. And, yeah, the BMW transmission is (or at least has been) terrible, but it's the roughness of the engine that drives me nuts.
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Old 12-12-2017, 01:42 PM   #7
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What about a 340 GT?
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Old 12-12-2017, 01:44 PM   #8
robg
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What about a 340 GT?
Yeah... have mulled that over. Looked at them in person and in pics. Makes a lot of sense on paper. But...I just can't get over the way it looks (and I was willing to even overlook the ugly previous gen x3s styling but the GT is a bridge too far). I'm more likely to try and justify a 340 sedan despite the loss of practicality. THe 440 gran coupe is just too tight in the backseat.
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Old 12-12-2017, 02:36 PM   #9
John V
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I keep coming back to this article.

https://thegarage.jalopnik.com/bmw-e...hit-1784684330
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Old 12-12-2017, 02:58 PM   #10
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I keep coming back to this article.

https://thegarage.jalopnik.com/bmw-e...hit-1784684330
I've really come around on that article recently.
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