F30 Ride and Drive Event - San Diego (Many many photos) - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

SouthpawE46 · 02-18-2012, 01:59 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

So I had to fantastic opportunity to drive the new 2012 F30, 328i and 335i.

I also got to drive the old E90 328i, as well as the competition: MB C250, Audi A4 2.0T Quattro S-Line.

The classes went like this:

F30 New Features, F30 vs the Competition, then F30 delivery.

Then we met up for lunch and it was awesome.

Then we went to the cars... There were over 80+ F30s parked in the underground garage. It was nuts.

I was in the "328i" group, so I drove a 328i to the track, we took our time, a 50 minute drive to a location 10 miles away haha..

It was a good drive. We went 2 to a car, then switched halfway there.

We got to the event, which was a huge parking lot (Del Mar Fairgrounds) filled with 2 different courses.

One course: 2 laps in the F30 328i then 2 laps in the E90 328i

Here are my opinions on how they drive ON THE COURSE, not city driving.

F30:
(+) AWESOME torque, very balanced, great weight, drives like a BMW.
(-) Electric steering doesn't feel right on the track, the 8-sp gearing shifts too soon

E90:
(+) Love the steering compared to the F30, drives like a BMW.
(-) No torque, after 2 laps, the power steering was whining like crazy.

A4:
(+) Good torque, that's about it
(-) Heavy, unbalanced, felt like a horse was sitting on the hood, under-steered like crazy, X-Drive was detrimental

C250
(+) Felt amazing after driving the A4 pig. Much more balanced than the A4, but still not as good as the F30.
(-) Lack of power

Those who drove 328i's to the event then went back to the hotel (again, taking the long way back), drove the 335i's.

Damn, what a fantastic transmission (Sport Auto Tranny). I love everything about that car. And I drove a Black/Coral red Sport Line (I ran to the car to get a sport hehe)

We then arrived back at the hotel, and called it a day.

These photos might not be in order, but enjoy them anyway!

SouthpawE46 · 02-18-2012, 01:59 AM

SouthpawE46 · 02-18-2012, 02:00 AM

SouthpawE46 · 02-18-2012, 02:01 AM

svache · 02-18-2012, 02:27 AM

That's a LOT of pictures lol.. looked awesome! So jealous of you right now!

SouthpawE46 · 02-18-2012, 02:40 AM

Yeah, my iPhone died before lunch... hahah

I had to kill my 3G and data to conserve battery.

svache · 02-18-2012, 02:57 AM

Haha I can imagine it did lol, but it does feel as if you have captured about everything you could capture

Robin_NL · 02-18-2012, 06:17 AM

I feel sorry for the carpet.

Thanx for the pics.

DiavelM3 · 02-18-2012, 10:31 AM

Thanks for the pics!
It looks like that BEE wanted a ride in that M3 too

surma884 · 02-18-2012, 11:30 AM

You have many duplicate pics. Other than that good pics.

DrivenByE30 · 02-18-2012, 12:19 PM

"horse sitting on the hood" (of the A4)

Jeremy Clarkson might charge you royalties for using his line

But Awesome event there!!! Lucky you for attending it!
You must have been bored out of your mind huh?!

skooba · 02-18-2012, 02:17 PM

It was an amazing event. SD is beautiful

justinnum1 · 02-18-2012, 02:29 PM

I thought the 2006-2011 E90 328 used GM auto

E90Fleet · 02-18-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinnum1

I thought the 2006-2011 E90 328 used GM auto

Both GM and ZF produced Auto gearboxes were used at different times on the E90 328i throughout its lifetime

bmrm396 · 02-18-2012, 05:55 PM

Hey southpaw - how bout commenting some more on the 335 vs the 328? Can you confirm what other reviews are saying about the balance and drivability?

Thanks!

SouthpawE46 · 02-18-2012, 06:56 PM

We only drove the 328i's on the track, and I drove the 335i and the 328i on the street.

I didn't drive the car hard enough on the public road to have been able to make a judgement.

However, I can assure you that the N20 is plenty of power to have fun with. Paired up with the sport automatic transmission, it's incredible.

Ali@BMWMt.laurel · 02-19-2012, 01:09 PM

I was there as well. Truly a fun and interesting event.

Diver · 02-19-2012, 01:15 PM

Sounds like a nice time.

PhillyNate · 02-19-2012, 01:16 PM

That new white 335i with the black BMW Accessories wheels looks fantastic with that setup.

Rich@GTBPerformance · 02-19-2012, 01:22 PM

Lots of great photos! I wouldn't mind being in San Deigo for a test drive myself!

iceman335 · 02-19-2012, 01:25 PM

F30 is perfect except I really don't like they put 225 tires all around for 328i, even for the sport. The rear should be 255 just like the E90s!

cgaffney004 · 02-19-2012, 01:32 PM

i sat in the f30 328i at the dealership the other day, and the interior quality felt almost like a GM. acres of cheaper plastice used on the interior. very dissapointed in the fit and finish of the exterior and the interior. love the powertrain tho

i'll be another e9x next

02-18-2012, 01:59 AM	#1
SouthpawE46 Because race car Drives: E36 M3 & 318ti Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USD Posts: 141 iTrader: (0)	F30 Ride and Drive Event - San Diego (Many many photos) Featured on BIMMERPOST.com So I had to fantastic opportunity to drive the new 2012 F30, 328i and 335i. I also got to drive the old E90 328i, as well as the competition: MB C250, Audi A4 2.0T Quattro S-Line. The classes went like this: F30 New Features, F30 vs the Competition, then F30 delivery. Then we met up for lunch and it was awesome. Then we went to the cars... There were over 80+ F30s parked in the underground garage. It was nuts. I was in the "328i" group, so I drove a 328i to the track, we took our time, a 50 minute drive to a location 10 miles away haha.. It was a good drive. We went 2 to a car, then switched halfway there. We got to the event, which was a huge parking lot (Del Mar Fairgrounds) filled with 2 different courses. One course: 2 laps in the F30 328i then 2 laps in the E90 328i Here are my opinions on how they drive ON THE COURSE, not city driving. F30: (+) AWESOME torque, very balanced, great weight, drives like a BMW. (-) Electric steering doesn't feel right on the track, the 8-sp gearing shifts too soon E90: (+) Love the steering compared to the F30, drives like a BMW. (-) No torque, after 2 laps, the power steering was whining like crazy. A4: (+) Good torque, that's about it (-) Heavy, unbalanced, felt like a horse was sitting on the hood, under-steered like crazy, X-Drive was detrimental C250 (+) Felt amazing after driving the A4 pig. Much more balanced than the A4, but still not as good as the F30. (-) Lack of power Those who drove 328i's to the event then went back to the hotel (again, taking the long way back), drove the 335i's. Damn, what a fantastic transmission (Sport Auto Tranny). I love everything about that car. And I drove a Black/Coral red Sport Line (I ran to the car to get a sport hehe) We then arrived back at the hotel, and called it a day. These photos might not be in order, but enjoy them anyway!
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02-18-2012, 10:31 AM	#9
DiavelM3 4 Star General -Twilight Zone Drives: '11 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5280 Posts: 1,013 iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the pics! It looks like that BEE wanted a ride in that M3 too __________________ '12 Ducati Diavel '06 E46 M3 (sold) \| '97 325is - Dinan (sold) '02 Z3 3.0 coupe (sold) Past - '84 Ferrari 308 GTSI \| '88 Ferrari 328 GTS \| '05 Dodge Viper Copperhead Edition #180/300 \| Audi S4

02-18-2012, 12:19 PM	#11
DrivenByE30 Colonel Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC - SoCal Posts: 2,174 iTrader: (0)	"horse sitting on the hood" (of the A4) Jeremy Clarkson might charge you royalties for using his line But Awesome event there!!! Lucky you for attending it! You must have been bored out of your mind huh?! __________________ all 3 are MT > F30 Luxury 335i 6MT- The dream driven... _..._4/12/12 ED trip MASSIVE photo thread here <<<

02-18-2012, 02:29 PM	#13
justinnum1 Brigadier General Drives: 2013 335i Msport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,790 iTrader: (0)	I thought the 2006-2011 E90 328 used GM auto __________________ F30 335i Msport Estoril Blue/Black leather sport auto. black grills, Performance Exhaust, HK,

02-18-2012, 05:55 PM	#15
bmrm396 Major Drives: '08 335i Sedan 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sD, CA Posts: 1,144 iTrader: (2)	Hey southpaw - how bout commenting some more on the 335 vs the 328? Can you confirm what other reviews are saying about the balance and drivability? Thanks! __________________ Formerly addicted to e46fanatics

02-18-2012, 02:00 AM	#3
SouthpawE46 Because race car Drives: E36 M3 & 318ti Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USD Posts: 141 iTrader: (0)

02-18-2012, 02:01 AM	#4
SouthpawE46 Because race car Drives: E36 M3 & 318ti Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USD Posts: 141 iTrader: (0)

02-18-2012, 02:27 AM	#5
svache Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,886 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW F30 328i [2.87] 2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 SMG [4.33]	That's a LOT of pictures lol.. looked awesome! So jealous of you right now!

02-18-2012, 02:40 AM	#6
SouthpawE46 Because race car Drives: E36 M3 & 318ti Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USD Posts: 141 iTrader: (0)	Yeah, my iPhone died before lunch... hahah I had to kill my 3G and data to conserve battery.

02-18-2012, 02:57 AM	#7
svache Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,886 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW F30 328i [2.87] 2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 SMG [4.33]	Haha I can imagine it did lol, but it does feel as if you have captured about everything you could capture

02-18-2012, 06:17 AM	#8
Robin_NL S0THPAW Drives: AW 1M + N55 mids Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands, Europe Posts: 4,208 iTrader: (0)	I feel sorry for the carpet. Thanx for the pics.

02-18-2012, 11:30 AM	#10
surma884 Enlisted Member Drives: Infiniti G35 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 35 iTrader: (0)	You have many duplicate pics. Other than that good pics.

02-18-2012, 02:17 PM	#12
skooba Banned Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: nyc Posts: 72 iTrader: (0)	It was an amazing event. SD is beautiful

02-18-2012, 06:56 PM	#16
SouthpawE46 Because race car Drives: E36 M3 & 318ti Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USD Posts: 141 iTrader: (0)	We only drove the 328i's on the track, and I drove the 335i and the 328i on the street. I didn't drive the car hard enough on the public road to have been able to make a judgement. However, I can assure you that the N20 is plenty of power to have fun with. Paired up with the sport automatic transmission, it's incredible.

02-19-2012, 01:09 PM	#17
Ali@BMWMt.laurel Colonel Drives: 2013 Active 3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,559 iTrader: (7) Garage List 2013 BMW Active Hyb ... [0.00]	I was there as well. Truly a fun and interesting event. __________________ BMW of Mount Laurel - Client Advisor www.BMWofMtLaurel.com Largest Inventory in the Delaware Valley We are an M-Certified Dealer and DINAN Certified goldRush Rally 4 Survivor - Team Exotics Rally

02-19-2012, 01:15 PM	#18
Diver Colonel Drives: Black '12 135i DCT PPK Msport Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 2,030 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a nice time. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com

02-19-2012, 01:16 PM	#19
PhillyNate BMWCCA #405750 Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,421 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	That new white 335i with the black BMW Accessories wheels looks fantastic with that setup. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe (retired 06/21/11)

02-19-2012, 01:22 PM	#20
Rich@GTBPerformance Bimmerpost Gold Supporting Vendor Drives: A hard bargain Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 6,424 iTrader: (4)	Lots of great photos! I wouldn't mind being in San Deigo for a test drive myself! __________________ Your Home For Premium BMW Aftermarket Parts www.gtbperformance.com \| sales@gtbperformance.com \| Facebook \| 973 429 2839

02-19-2012, 01:25 PM	#21
iceman335 Private First Class Drives: 2012 F25 X3 xDrive35i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 145 iTrader: (0)	F30 is perfect except I really don't like they put 225 tires all around for 328i, even for the sport. The rear should be 255 just like the E90s!

02-19-2012, 01:32 PM	#22
cgaffney004 Beer Master Drives: 09' e92 M3/e36 95' M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New York Posts: 59 iTrader: (0)	i sat in the f30 328i at the dealership the other day, and the interior quality felt almost like a GM. acres of cheaper plastice used on the interior. very dissapointed in the fit and finish of the exterior and the interior. love the powertrain tho i'll be another e9x next

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