Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe raves about F30, calling it best there's ever been! - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

Ultimas · 11-17-2011, 07:50 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Summary:

Very very good
Light and agile and nimble on its feet compared with the E90.
Steering is always really nice and precise. Lovely steering.
Suspension feels as the 3 series always have - a really natural car to drive.
8 speed auto is really smooth. Upshifts and downshifts are so fast.
Bottom line: it's still really really neat to drive.. handling isn't just good, it's great. It's better than it's ever been.
Best 3 series there's ever been!

Other F30 reviews: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612222

KORALLROT · 11-17-2011, 08:10 AM

Just got done watching this review 2 seconds ago. Man, my heart is pounding. This looks great so far. I got a good feel for the engine sound, cabin esthetics and ergonomics, dash layout, ride noise. Not sure anyone can knock the turbo 4 anymore (myself included). This is going to be a great 328i. Can't wait for the 335i.

Also, did he just say 44 mpg combined?

I am now reminded, yet again, of why I disliked the e90 interior so much (still do). I mean just look at the F30 already. Really, look at the center console, dash, control unit ... no comparison. This is such a profound improvement over the e90. This is a MUCH worthy upgrade coming from the e90 to the f30, than it was going from the e46 to the e90. I'm psyched!

I'm also surprised BMW gave out the 328i's for review of it's all new F30. Wouldn't they normally start with the bigger, more confident car (ie; 335i)?

KORALLROT · 11-17-2011, 08:30 AM

Also noticed they went back to orange dash lights (classic - love it), opposed to white?

KORALLROT · 11-17-2011, 08:43 AM

Alright, just watched this review 3 more times. I'm really looking forward to this car now.

7or8 · 11-17-2011, 08:50 AM

Yeah I'm liking his comments about the handling being the best in a 3 series to date and the steering being really good too. I'm getting excited about testing it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shicobico

..
I am now reminded, yet again, of why I disliked the e90 interior so much (still do). I mean just look at the F30 already. Really, look at the center console, dash, control unit ... no comparison. This is such a profound improvement over the e90. This is a MUCH worthy upgrade coming from the e90 to the f30...?

I'm in the same camp. I just couldn't pull the trigger on the e90. It's not that I hated the interior..it's just that it never made me feel anything, good, or bad. It was just there. The F30 makes me feel excited of the prospect of getting into this car every morning.

Ultimas · 11-17-2011, 08:20 PM

This maybe my next car soon, i'm also excited

justinnum1 · 11-17-2011, 08:49 PM

carl_d · 11-18-2011, 05:31 AM

Does this car have the M-Sport Adaptive dampers?

SoonerJohnInDallas · 11-18-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shicobico

I'm also surprised BMW gave out the 328i's for review of it's all new F30. Wouldn't they normally start with the bigger, more confident car (ie; 335i)?

My guess is they're wanting to show off how quick the 328i is with the N20 turbo 4 whereas the 335i has the same engine it has already had.

southlight · 11-18-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shicobico

I'm also surprised BMW gave out the 328i's for review of it's all new F30. Wouldn't they normally start with the bigger, more confident car (ie; 335i)?

It's a global event and while the 28i is the base model in the US it's quite upscale in most other markets. For example, most popular version in Germany is the 320d. Plus, the 28i is a fairly new engine while the 35i has been available for a bit longer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shicobico

Also noticed they went back to orange dash lights (classic - love it), opposed to white?

Regular BMW models have always had orange dash lighting, opposed to the M models which have white lighting.

Best regards,
south

Needsdecaf · 11-18-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shicobico

J

Also, did he just say 44 mpg combined?

Euro cycle, completely different.

Figure high 20's, possibly low 30's combined best guess on the EPA cycle. After all the heavier 528 with same powertrain is 22/32, IIRC.

SteveMD · 11-18-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Euro cycle, completely different.

Nope. Imperial Gallon. Completely bigger.

Schnorbitz · 11-18-2011, 10:46 AM

Rick Sutcliffe

ATS · 11-18-2011, 10:54 AM

There you have it; all the crying about how bad the new E-steering was going to be, it turns out to be great.

BTW, Top Gear also referred to it as "the steering might not be the last word in feedback, but the weighting is so good and the nose so responsive that it's never an issue."

Robin_NL · 11-18-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schnorbitz

Rick Sutcliffe

His brother's name is Steve, but I don't know what he is doing atm. Fishing?

Diver · 11-18-2011, 11:11 AM

Is that 44 MPG based on UK gallons? If so, for the US it drops to 35 MPG, plus they knock it down some more on the sticker.

nyte3k · 11-18-2011, 11:15 AM

Awesome!

The engine doesn't even sound too bad. I know the 335i is faster and has the nicer exhaust note, but this will be hard to beat from an economical standpoint.

I can't wait to see the F32!

Budge · 11-18-2011, 11:19 AM

I may be the only one, but all I could think about when watching this video was HOW STUPID THE NAV SCREEN IS! On a bright day, that thing is going to turn into a mirror. If you get this car with iDrive, every control is viewed on that screen. And without some kind of shade, it's rendered worthless. How many accidents are going to be caused by people desperately trying to read a washed out lcd instead of watching the road ahead? Absolutely unacceptable for BMW.

James T. Kirk · 11-18-2011, 11:31 AM

Impressive.
.

SamS · 11-18-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budge

I may be the only one, but all I could think about when watching this video was HOW STUPID THE NAV SCREEN IS! On a bright day, that thing is going to turn into a mirror. If you get this car with iDrive, every control is viewed on that screen. And without some kind of shade, it's rendered worthless. How many accidents are going to be caused by people desperately trying to read a washed out lcd instead of watching the road ahead? Absolutely unacceptable for BMW.

They put an anti-glare coating on the Nav screen to combat this situation.

ab3 · 11-18-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budge

I may be the only one, but all I could think about when watching this video was HOW STUPID THE NAV SCREEN IS! On a bright day, that thing is going to turn into a mirror. If you get this car with iDrive, every control is viewed on that screen. And without some kind of shade, it's rendered worthless. How many accidents are going to be caused by people desperately trying to read a washed out lcd instead of watching the road ahead? Absolutely unacceptable for BMW.

Every F30 has iDrive and I'm sure they have some sort of anti-reflective coating on the screen.

ab3 · 11-18-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamS

They put an anti-glare coating on the Nav screen to combat this situation.

Ahhhh balls, I guess I was a moment too late...

11-17-2011, 07:50 AM	#1
Ultimas Private First Class Drives: BMW X6 30d Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Trinidad Posts: 125 iTrader: (0)	Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe raves about F30, calling it best there's ever been! Featured on BIMMERPOST.com Summary: Very very good Light and agile and nimble on its feet compared with the E90. Steering is always really nice and precise. Lovely steering. Suspension feels as the 3 series always have - a really natural car to drive. 8 speed auto is really smooth. Upshifts and downshifts are so fast. Bottom line: it's still really really neat to drive.. handling isn't just good, it's great. It's better than it's ever been. Best 3 series there's ever been! Other F30 reviews: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612222
	Tweet

11-17-2011, 08:10 AM	#2
KORALLROT ESTORILBLAU 2 Drives: f30 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,079 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 335i xDrive [5.00] 2006 330i [5.00] 2003 330xi [4.00]	Just got done watching this review 2 seconds ago. Man, my heart is pounding. This looks great so far. I got a good feel for the engine sound, cabin esthetics and ergonomics, dash layout, ride noise. Not sure anyone can knock the turbo 4 anymore (myself included). This is going to be a great 328i. Can't wait for the 335i. Also, did he just say 44 mpg combined? I am now reminded, yet again, of why I disliked the e90 interior so much (still do). I mean just look at the F30 already. Really, look at the center console, dash, control unit ... no comparison. This is such a profound improvement over the e90. This is a MUCH worthy upgrade coming from the e90 to the f30, than it was going from the e46 to the e90. I'm psyched! I'm also surprised BMW gave out the 328i's for review of it's all new F30. Wouldn't they normally start with the bigger, more confident car (ie; 335i)? __________________ e21 e21 e46 e90 f30

11-17-2011, 08:30 AM	#3
KORALLROT ESTORILBLAU 2 Drives: f30 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,079 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 335i xDrive [5.00] 2006 330i [5.00] 2003 330xi [4.00]	Also noticed they went back to orange dash lights (classic - love it), opposed to white? __________________ e21 e21 e46 e90 f30

11-17-2011, 08:43 AM	#4
KORALLROT ESTORILBLAU 2 Drives: f30 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,079 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 335i xDrive [5.00] 2006 330i [5.00] 2003 330xi [4.00]	Alright, just watched this review 3 more times. I'm really looking forward to this car now. __________________ e21 e21 e46 e90 f30

11-17-2011, 08:49 PM	#7
justinnum1 Brigadier General Drives: 2013 335i Msport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,793 iTrader: (0)	__________________ F30 335i Msport Estoril Blue/Black leather sport auto. black grills, Performance Exhaust, HK,

11-17-2011, 08:20 PM	#6
Ultimas Private First Class Drives: BMW X6 30d Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Trinidad Posts: 125 iTrader: (0)	This maybe my next car soon, i'm also excited

11-18-2011, 05:31 AM	#8
carl_d General Drives: E90 335i M-Sport N55 6SP Nov10 Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 678 iTrader: (0)	Does this car have the M-Sport Adaptive dampers? __________________ 2010 E90 335i M-Sport, 2005 E90 325i M-Sport, 2003 E60 520i, 2002 E46 330i Sport II, 2000 E46 325i Sport I, 1999 E46 318i, 1998 E46 323i SE, 1996 E36 323i SE, 1996 E34 518i, 1995 E36 320iA, 1994 E36 316i

11-18-2011, 10:46 AM	#13
Schnorbitz Second Lieutenant Drives: 318d Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 236 iTrader: (0)	Rick Sutcliffe

11-18-2011, 10:54 AM	#14
ATS Captain Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: FL Posts: 828 iTrader: (0)	There you have it; all the crying about how bad the new E-steering was going to be, it turns out to be great. BTW, Top Gear also referred to it as "the steering might not be the last word in feedback, but the weighting is so good and the nose so responsive that it's never an issue."

11-18-2011, 11:11 AM	#16
Diver Colonel Drives: Black '12 135i DCT PPK Msport Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 2,030 iTrader: (0)	Is that 44 MPG based on UK gallons? If so, for the US it drops to 35 MPG, plus they knock it down some more on the sticker. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com

11-18-2011, 11:15 AM	#17
nyte3k Software Nerd Drives: E92 328i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 52 iTrader: (0)	Awesome! The engine doesn't even sound too bad. I know the 335i is faster and has the nicer exhaust note, but this will be hard to beat from an economical standpoint. I can't wait to see the F32!

11-18-2011, 11:19 AM	#18
Budge Professional Trophy Husband Drives: '09 M3 Sedan DCT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 136 iTrader: (0)	I may be the only one, but all I could think about when watching this video was HOW STUPID THE NAV SCREEN IS! On a bright day, that thing is going to turn into a mirror. If you get this car with iDrive, every control is viewed on that screen. And without some kind of shade, it's rendered worthless. How many accidents are going to be caused by people desperately trying to read a washed out lcd instead of watching the road ahead? Absolutely unacceptable for BMW.

11-18-2011, 11:31 AM	#19
James T. Kirk Captain of the Enterprise Drives: 2011 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 Posts: 1,406 iTrader: (0)	Impressive. . Attached Images __________________ 2011 1 Series M Coupe VO M3 vs 1M Comparo Review 2011 M3 E90 DCT ZCP (sold) * 2010 335i Sedan (sold) 2005 M3 Convertible (sold) * 2003 325i Sedan (sold)

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