328i

[JST]

I got a 328i/4 service loaner the other day when the M was in for the 1200 mile service; not sure what options it had, but probably PP and CWP. Most importantly, it was an auto, non-sport.

On the positive side, that's really a fairly powerful car. It's not an M3, or a 335, certainly, but gone are the days when the base 3er was an anemic slug that couldn't get out of its own way. Honestly, for daily driving, the 328 is probably all you need.

On the negative side, the transmission SUCKS. In non-sport mode, it upshifts way too readily, and you always find yourself in the wrong gear. In sport mode, the pendulum swings too far the other way, and the car holds gears too long and serves up a rough, lashy feel on deceleration that would embarass me if I were driving a manual. The only way to drive the car is in manual mode, which is better than either of the auto modes but isn't exactly rewarding. Anyone who buys the auto in this car should have their head examined.

Also on the suck side of the legder are the seats and steering wheel. The former offer little more support than those found in a Camry, and punish your back after even brief drives. The latter is thinner than the wood rim on a Shelby Cobra.

But with a stick and the SP, this would be a remarkably tolerable car.

[Sharp11]

If I were buying this car, it'd be either the sedan or coupe (probably the coupe) in a 328i with Sp and a stick - that's it.

My next car, having just seen the "official" pics, is the new Z4 - in the S Drive 3.0 trim - it's got 255 hp and is, from what I can tell, the same engine offered in early E90's and the saem engine that was the Si model on the former car (the other engine choice is the TT, naturally).

Ed

[equ]

I took a friend car shopping today. We test drove the passat cc and an audi. All day we tore around in my 330i, and especially with stick, sport package and lighter wheels, it was quite fast. I genuinely think losing the boat anchor 162's + runflat's feels like 15hp added...

I do think the 3er/M is the best bmw platform. To me, the 1er and z's don't drive better enough to make up for the loss of space. That thought is open to change of course.

[Nick M3]

I don't understand BMW's current automatics. They're great hardware that's programmed horribly.

[wdc330i]

don't they supposedly adapt to your driving style? Our 5 wagon and X5 are just fine. Actually, the X is better--almost always in the right gear--and surprisingly mildly enjoyable to drive in manual mode. It should be even more so when break-in period is over.

BTW, JST, I can't believe you already have 1,200 miles on the M?

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

don't they supposedly adapt to your driving style? Our 5 wagon and X5 are just fine. Actually, the X is better--almost always in the right gear--and surprisingly mildly enjoyable to drive in manual mode. It should be even more so when break-in period is over.

BTW, JST, I can't believe you already have 1,200 miles on the M?

My mom's e90 325xi has an auto. The transmission does adapt to your driving style. Everytime I borrow it the trans shifts at all the wrong times but by the time I bring it back it is much more aligned to my shifting expectations. Having said that, it does hold gears way too long in sport mode, and is no competition for a manual. Coming from the MDX, I find even the 325 with x and auto to be pleasantly powerful.

[Sharp11]

I never had a problem with the auto in my 323i, it always seemed just right - drive it in D when you were loafing along, S for autocrosses and manual mode for fun.

My wife's car, the Infiniti M35, has what I think is the best auto I've ever driven - smooth, always in the right gear and perfect rev-matching by the computer.

Ed

[IndyMike]

Originally Posted by equ

I do think the 3er/M is the best bmw platform. To me, the 1er and z's don't drive better enough to make up for the loss of space. That thought is open to change of course.

I've often ruminated what the 135 would be like with proper stock performance tires in a +1 fitment from current stock. That would have to improve the road feel and handling substantially. Certainly not enough to overcome the 8 in the M in a straightline, but at least in the curvies the 135 might have a slight edge.

Can't believe that on a so-called enthusiast board nobody has bothered to find out.

As for the E90 328, I've never driven one so I can't really comment. All I know is visually the non-SP rigging looks like it's riding on bicycle tires, because there's such a pronounced gap in the wheel-wells.

How anybody could buy a non-SP E9# anything is beyond me. The SP rigging looks more formidable, and the suspension has to be more playful in the twisties. I don't mean to badge(r) them, but I suppose most people who buy these don't really care about driving anyway.

While the E46 engine in the Touring may be a bit on the wimpy side, at least with SP it can carve up canyons with some verve.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by Sharp11

I never had a problem with the auto in my 323i, it always seemed just right - drive it in D when you were loafing along, S for autocrosses and manual mode for fun.

My wife's car, the Infiniti M35, has what I think is the best auto I've ever driven - smooth, always in the right gear and perfect rev-matching by the computer.

Ed

The E46 steptronic was a lot better than what they're using currently. It's funny - the E9x auto is actually pretty damned good when you're thrashing the car. It shifts fast, it generally has the right gear, etc... It's just that it's miserable to drive around town.

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by equ

I do think the 3er/M is the best bmw platform. To me, the 1er and z's don't drive better enough to make up for the loss of space. That thought is open to change of course.

I thought you liked the 1, almost enough to buy one, did you change your mind after a subsequent test drive?

Fwiw, Mike Miller, the guy who writes the tech column for Roundel, recently stated the 1 series as the best driving BMW available today - and that included the new M's

Ed