Autoexpress on F30 3 Series: The Best Just Got Better - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

Jason · 11-16-2011, 09:34 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Autocar on F30 3 Series: The Best Just Got Better

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Autoexpress rates the new 3 a full five stars. In sum, they feel that the F30 improves upon the E90 in virtually every area. "The best just got better," as they said.

Salient points from their review:

Quote:

Inside, the 3 Series feels more upmarket than ever. The slickly designed dashboard is angled around the driver, while all the controls are perfectly sited. Better still, a wide range of wheel and seat adjustment makes it easy to get comfortable.

As you’d expect, the fit and finish are first rate and the switchgear operates with slick precision. High quality materials are used throughout, helping to give the cabin an executive feel. Yet we’re not convinced about the heavily textured wood trim that’s standard on Modern guise models - lesser models get more tasteful finishes.

Quote:

Turn into a corner and it’s clear the 3 Series has lost none of its poise and precision. With a perfectly balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis, strong grip, well-weighted controls and direct steering, it’s still the top choice for keen drivers.

Adding to the car’s appeal is the Drive Performance Control (DPC). Already seen in the new 1 Series, it offers EcoPro, Comfort and Sport modes – the former tweaks the engine settings for greater fuel efficiency, while the latter sharpens the throttle response and adds weight to the steering.

Our car also benefitted from the £750 M Sport adaptive damper package. This impressive piece of kit adds an even racier Sport+ mode to the DPC system that stiffens the suspension, virtually eliminating roll and further improving body control.

Quote:

Its predecessor was still setting the class benchmark after six years in production, yet the newcomer improves on the old car in virtually every area.

On this showing it's going to take something very special indeed to knock the BMW off the top step of the podium. The best just got better.

They've also posted a nice set of photos from their drive:

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justinnum1 · 11-16-2011, 09:54 PM

750pounds for msport suspension...sounds like it could be $1000 here...not bad.

orb2k · 11-16-2011, 11:57 PM

No more hydrolic trunk..WTH???????? why?

z335ixp09 · 11-17-2011, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Its predecessor was still setting the class benchmark after six years in production, yet the newcomer improves on the old car in virtually every area.

On this showing it's going to take something very special indeed to knock the BMW off the top step of the podium. The best just got better.

these words sum it all up. while we may not like the loss of hydraulic steering, the car will make up for the other improvements done to it.

Memphis1 · 11-17-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orb2k

No more hydrolic trunk..WTH???????? why?

whats the difference if it has this:

"Contactless opening of the tailgate.
You’re standing behind your new BMW 3 Series with your hands full of shopping and want to load the boot. So now you need to search your pockets to find the car key. Or do you? No, not any more. With innovative Comfort Access as special equipment you can open the tailgate without making contact. One well-placed movement of the foot is all that’s needed."

Taipei-TT · 11-17-2011, 12:40 AM

Actually just noticed this...and not sure if E90s are like E92s in this regard or not....

But the switches for the windows have been moved back on the armrest so that they are now under the door latch. And as a result of this, the door handle is no longer the cut-out for your hand. It's a small thing...but I've never liked that my doors are asymmetrical or the feel of the current handle on the e92 interior.

Are the doors on E92 and E90 driver's side the same?

And one another note..that super chunky woodgrain in the model above is really not for me!

Everything else on this car (steering caveats aside) just keeps looking more and more promising.

kaishang · 11-17-2011, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memphis1

whats the difference if it has this:

"Contactless opening of the tailgate.
You’re standing behind your new BMW 3 Series with your hands full of shopping and want to load the boot. So now you need to search your pockets to find the car key. Or do you? No, not any more. With innovative Comfort Access as special equipment you can open the tailgate without making contact. One well-placed movement of the foot is all that’s needed."

Would that "well placed movement of the foot" be some Bruce Lee style flying kick which busts the lock?

cstavaru · 11-17-2011, 04:52 AM

The exterior looks good, but the interior does not look sporty at all

Not my type of interior.

330cdsport · 11-17-2011, 06:14 AM

That wood trim is truly hideous!!!!!

justinnum1 · 11-17-2011, 09:09 AM

Not feeling these modern and luxury lines at all

Cl0ud7 · 11-17-2011, 10:42 AM

Then don't buy it...Thats why they made 3 different version and the M-sport on top of that

M-Power111 · 11-17-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstavaru

The exterior looks good, but the interior does not look sporty at all

Not my type of interior.

thats the modern line shown, the sport line has a much sportier interior.

Bimmerforlife · 11-17-2011, 11:02 AM

Wow, check out that glare on the front windshield, gotta have them polarized glasses. I hope the front windshield is not angled so much that it causes all that glare.

Nice review, waiting for m-sport to come.

I'm sorry but for me...that interior color just screams my fathers buick, too much beige for my taste. lol

Year's_End · 11-17-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaishang

Would that "well placed movement of the foot" be some Bruce Lee style flying kick which busts the lock?

lol

NL-J · 11-17-2011, 11:14 AM

I like it, prefer the sport version though

Forster · 11-17-2011, 11:18 AM

Still looks like my heavy mother-in-law sat on the front bonnet...

pitt03 · 11-17-2011, 12:53 PM

I'm glad to hear the reviews are so far stellar. I really want to like this car but something about it just doesn't appeal visually to me

keanu1 · 11-17-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330cdsport

That wood trim is truly hideous!!!!!

+1

Blubaron79 · 11-17-2011, 01:32 PM

I think they were trying to go with the Nav screen to look like an iPad. I do like it.

rmani · 11-17-2011, 01:36 PM

i like the old 3 series front and interior better, but i like the new rear a lot.

dmboone25 · 11-17-2011, 01:45 PM

It isn't surprising to me that the car performs well--I would expect that out of BMW for the 3er.

I just can't get over how big it looks...maybe it won't look as huge in person...

neo871 · 11-17-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstavaru

The exterior looks good, but the interior does not look sporty at all

Not my type of interior.

Not sporty?!

11-16-2011, 09:54 PM	#2
justinnum1 Brigadier General Drives: 2013 335i Msport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,817 iTrader: (0)	750pounds for msport suspension...sounds like it could be $1000 here...not bad. __________________ F30 335i Msport Estoril Blue/Black leather sport auto. black grills, Performance Exhaust, HK,

11-17-2011, 04:52 AM	#8
cstavaru Brigadier General Drives: 2009 335i M Sport Sedan 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 3,229 iTrader: (0)	The exterior looks good, but the interior does not look sporty at all Not my type of interior. __________________ Mods(click): Cobb + RB Turbos \| Aquamist HFS-4 Meth \| Drexler LSD \| Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit \| Custom K&N Apollo Intake \| Wagner Intercooler \| Macht Schnell Downpipes \| BMW Performance Power Kit \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| BMW Performance Short Shifter \| M3 Subframe Bushings \| Licensing

11-17-2011, 06:14 AM	#9
330cdsport Right Responsible Drives: Sop. Grey 535d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N. Ireland Posts: 1,636 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 535d M Sport [0.00] 2007 E91 320 M Sport [0.00] 2007 E92 335d M Sport [0.00]	That wood trim is truly hideous!!!!! __________________ Last: 330cd Sport - Silver Grey, 335d M Sport Coupe. Current: 535d M Sport, Sophisto Grey, Oyster/Black leather, Pro Nav, Vis, and other bits. Current: X5 XDrive 35d M Sport - Black Sapphire, lots of toys.

11-17-2011, 09:09 AM	#10
justinnum1 Brigadier General Drives: 2013 335i Msport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,817 iTrader: (0)	Not feeling these modern and luxury lines at all __________________ F30 335i Msport Estoril Blue/Black leather sport auto. black grills, Performance Exhaust, HK,

11-17-2011, 11:14 AM	#15
NL-J Second Lieutenant Drives: E89 sDrive30i Join Date: May 2010 Location: NL Posts: 292 iTrader: (0)	I like it, prefer the sport version though __________________

11-16-2011, 11:57 PM	#3
orb2k Enlisted Member Drives: 09 328i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Montreal Posts: 48 iTrader: (0)	No more hydrolic trunk..WTH???????? why?

11-17-2011, 12:40 AM	#6
Taipei-TT Captain Drives: 2011 E92 325i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Canadian in Taipei Posts: 604 iTrader: (0)	Actually just noticed this...and not sure if E90s are like E92s in this regard or not.... But the switches for the windows have been moved back on the armrest so that they are now under the door latch. And as a result of this, the door handle is no longer the cut-out for your hand. It's a small thing...but I've never liked that my doors are asymmetrical or the feel of the current handle on the e92 interior. Are the doors on E92 and E90 driver's side the same? And one another note..that super chunky woodgrain in the model above is really not for me! Everything else on this car (steering caveats aside) just keeps looking more and more promising.

11-17-2011, 10:42 AM	#11
Cl0ud7 Private First Class Drives: 2009 M3 / 2013 X3 2.8i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Catasauqua, PA Posts: 149 iTrader: (0)	Then don't buy it...Thats why they made 3 different version and the M-sport on top of that

11-17-2011, 11:02 AM	#13
Bimmerforlife Karen Carpenter-a star on earth-a star in heaven Drives: 2011 335i Sedan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: FL Posts: 707 iTrader: (0)	Wow, check out that glare on the front windshield, gotta have them polarized glasses. I hope the front windshield is not angled so much that it causes all that glare. Nice review, waiting for m-sport to come. I'm sorry but for me...that interior color just screams my fathers buick, too much beige for my taste. lol

11-17-2011, 11:18 AM	#16
Forster Private First Class Drives: X5M, S54 Mcoupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 169 iTrader: (0)	Still looks like my heavy mother-in-law sat on the front bonnet... __________________ 11' BMW X5 M 01' BMW M Coupe

11-17-2011, 12:53 PM	#17
pitt03 Enlisted Member Drives: '08 335i Join Date: May 2011 Location: HI Posts: 38 iTrader: (2)	I'm glad to hear the reviews are so far stellar. I really want to like this car but something about it just doesn't appeal visually to me

11-17-2011, 01:32 PM	#19
Blubaron79 Major Drives: '09 335 XDrive Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,368 iTrader: (0)	I think they were trying to go with the Nav screen to look like an iPad. I do like it. __________________ '09 E92: Space Grey, Black Leather, Alum. Trim, XDrive, Premium, Sport, Nav, Sirius, Logic 7, CA, 18'', iPod, Cold, PPK.

11-17-2011, 01:36 PM	#20
rmani Buys too many toys... Drives: 2000 Ferrari 360 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 279 iTrader: (0)	i like the old 3 series front and interior better, but i like the new rear a lot. __________________ 2000 Ferrari 360 2004 Yamaha R1 2003 X5 4.6is (Sold) 1995 M3 (Sold)

11-17-2011, 01:45 PM	#21
dmboone25 Brigadier General Drives: 2011 E82 N55 135i/DUC M1100EVO Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL & Indianapolis IN Posts: 4,029 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 328i [0.00] 2007 328i [0.00]	It isn't surprising to me that the car performs well--I would expect that out of BMW for the 3er. I just can't get over how big it looks...maybe it won't look as huge in person... __________________ Current - 2011 N55/DCT E82 135i--Lemans Blue, Gray Leather, M Sport, Premium Past BMWs: 2008 E82 135 - AW, N54, MT 2007 E92 328 - JB, N52, MT, ZSP (traded in for 135) 2007 E92 328 - JB, N52, MT (retired by a drunk driver)

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