BMW 330i M Sport Saloon (New)

[smashy]

Well all you Rev merchants would have some fun in this !!

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2016-bmw-340i-ac...


Its been a long long time since i have driven a tasty petrol ,maybeIi should test drive on to see what the fuss is about..

[335d]

cerb4.5lee said:

Don't get me wrong I respect the 330d highly as a package and had a E90 330d for six years and over 150k miles so I do like them, the engine is just a one trick pony though for me(short rev band/limited reward)and It wouldn't be a car I would choose to just jump in and go for a drive.

I understand what you mean, and while it was very competent, I certainly wouldn't have jumped in an E90 330d for fun either. The F30 is quite a different animal though, thanks largely to the ZF8 gearbox which is a huge step forwards from the slushmatic 6 speed auto. With its rapid changes, it takes away most of the downside of the narrow rev range of a diesel lump.

Unlike the E90, the suspension on all F30s, sDrive M Sport included, is a bit too wallowy for an entertaining drive, but that is easily solved. The end result is quite a compelling package. Even after a year of ownership, I still find myself taking the long way home in my ACS sprung 335d.

[cerb4.5lee]

335d said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Don't get me wrong I respect the 330d highly as a package and had a E90 330d for six years and over 150k miles so I do like them, the engine is just a one trick pony though for me(short rev band/limited reward)and It wouldn't be a car I would choose to just jump in and go for a drive.

I understand what you mean, and while it was very competent, I certainly wouldn't have jumped in an E90 330d for fun either. The F30 is quite a different animal though, thanks largely to the ZF8 gearbox which is a huge step forwards from the slushmatic 6 speed auto. With its rapid changes, it takes away most of the downside of the narrow rev range of a diesel lump.

Unlike the E90, the suspension on all F30s, sDrive M Sport included, is a bit too wallowy for an entertaining drive, but that is easily solved. The end result is quite a compelling package. Even after a year of ownership, I still find myself taking the long way home in my ACS sprung 335d.

Pleased you are enjoying the 335d now you have got it how you want it, regards the ZF8 gearbox(have it in a 640d) I agree it is better than the ZF6 and it does change quickly in sport plus mode and feels pretty good doing it but the package still suffers from a lack of reward I think.

Once you have done a few straight line blasts in a twin turbo diesel/ZF8 combo that's pretty much where the enjoyment ends, in saying that though my worry is that a twin turbo petrol/ZF8 combo(haven't driven one) would suffer the same quick and easy feel and not being very rewarding either.

As you can probably tell I am hankering after a car that is entertaining to drive rather than just set up to be a comfortable cruiser which most BMW`s are to be fair and they are excellent at that.

[335d]

I think the 640d is intended to be more of a refined GT than a sports car. The quality of materials and sound insulation is well above the 335d, but it is less suited to twisty roads. I have only driven a 640i though, which was very refined, but felt like it could do with a bit more power (and Adaptive Drive?) to make it interesting. I imagine that the 640d feels a little quicker.

The 335i and 340i are single turbo these days, although still have the deliberately confusing 'Twinpower Turbo' engine cover. I will be interested to try the 340i.

Every car is a compromise though. For me, the 335d plus springs is probably the closest I can get to a single car which ticks all of the boxes - long distance economical cruiser, sports car, family transport. If I spent more time on the motorway I guess a 535d, 640d GC or 740d might be the best option. Perhaps an M5 if I was prepared to forget about economy.

[cerb4.5lee]

335d said:

I think the 640d is intended to be more of a refined GT than a sports car. The quality of materials and sound insulation is well above the 335d, but it is less suited to twisty roads. I have only driven a 640i though, which was very refined, but felt like it could do with a bit more power (and Adaptive Drive?) to make it interesting. I imagine that the 640d feels a little quicker.

The 335i and 340i are single turbo these days, although still have the deliberately confusing 'Twinpower Turbo' engine cover. I will be interested to try the 340i.

Every car is a compromise though. For me, the 335d plus springs is probably the closest I can get to a single car which ticks all of the boxes - long distance economical cruiser, sports car, family transport. If I spent more time on the motorway I guess a 535d, 640d GC or 740d might be the best option. Perhaps an M5 if I was prepared to forget about economy.

A very good sum up that and I agree every car is a compromise, make no mistake I respect the 335d as a package without question and it will be a flying machine as well with that engine in it.

I tried a E92 M3 as a do it all car and that car made me realise that there just isn't such a thing so I agree you go for a motor that closest suits your needs at any given time, I have been hankering after a fun weekend motor for a while now and I would like to go back to running a reasonable daily and something fun for the weekend because I really miss that set up.

[335d]

I like the E92 M3 a lot. It has a fantastic engine (better than the current one) and driving it feels like an event. Not so sure I want that sort of event on a wet Monday morning though. I would enjoy one as a weekend toy.

The best single all-rounder from my point of view is the current M5. Spectacularly fast and good fun on twisty roads, while being relaxed and refined on the motorway. Sadly I don't possess the required level of man maths to make it add up, so the 335d stays as the sensible alternative.

[cerb4.5lee]

Yes I think I would have liked my M3 a fair bit more if I had used it as a second or occasional car, you are like me in terms of the M5 and I would put that as arguably the best current do it all one car solution in the BMW range...I love them loads.

[Trfcok]

330D Msport with active suspension.

Try one!

[Boggy]

Any idea when the 325d will be released ? That sounds the best compromise to me ?

Boggy