Hyundai i30N Performance
Discussion
After deliberating and procrastinating after the Millbrook event a couple of years ago, and finally spurred on by a terminally unreliable Audi shed, I took the plunge and got myself an i30N
Picked it up yesterday. 7 month old 10,000 mile example in Phantom Black from a Hyundai main dealer. Apart from a couple of small stone chips and one lightly scuffed alloy, it is pretty much as new.
Only done about 100 miles so far but it’s been enough to learn a few things:
It’s going to be crap on fuel
It makes a brilliant noise
The damping compared to my old M140i is in a different league. Where the BMW bucked and jiggled, the i30N feels planted and settled.
The front end grip is incredible and the way the diff helps pull the car round the corner is very impressive.
The whole car inspires confidence and makes you want to push on. Yet there’s just enough of an edge to it that stops it being too polished and competent. There’s a bit of torque steer, and the engine needs to be worked rather than shoving you along on a flat torque curve. It is a very well judged and sorted package
It is really nicely made. Material quality won’t worry the Germans, but the fit and finish, paint and panel gaps are all flawless. It is also completely rattle free inside.
Anyway, here it is. Very much looking forward to getting to know it properly.
Picked it up yesterday. 7 month old 10,000 mile example in Phantom Black from a Hyundai main dealer. Apart from a couple of small stone chips and one lightly scuffed alloy, it is pretty much as new.
Only done about 100 miles so far but it’s been enough to learn a few things:
It’s going to be crap on fuel
It makes a brilliant noise
The damping compared to my old M140i is in a different league. Where the BMW bucked and jiggled, the i30N feels planted and settled.
The front end grip is incredible and the way the diff helps pull the car round the corner is very impressive.
The whole car inspires confidence and makes you want to push on. Yet there’s just enough of an edge to it that stops it being too polished and competent. There’s a bit of torque steer, and the engine needs to be worked rather than shoving you along on a flat torque curve. It is a very well judged and sorted package
It is really nicely made. Material quality won’t worry the Germans, but the fit and finish, paint and panel gaps are all flawless. It is also completely rattle free inside.
Anyway, here it is. Very much looking forward to getting to know it properly.
That looks well OP.
I’m a big fan of these. I’m obviously in the minority because I quite like the blue (all of the local ones are that colour). They do make a cracking noise.
These were one my list a few years ago. I know a lot complain about the interior but I though it was absolutely fine.
Looking forward to hearing how you get on with it.
I’m a big fan of these. I’m obviously in the minority because I quite like the blue (all of the local ones are that colour). They do make a cracking noise.
These were one my list a few years ago. I know a lot complain about the interior but I though it was absolutely fine.
Looking forward to hearing how you get on with it.
Court_S said:
That looks well OP.
I’m a big fan of these. I’m obviously in the minority because I quite like the blue (all of the local ones are that colour). They do make a cracking noise.
These were one my list a few years ago. I know a lot complain about the interior but I though it was absolutely fine.
Looking forward to hearing how you get on with it.
Yes, i like blue color too.I’m a big fan of these. I’m obviously in the minority because I quite like the blue (all of the local ones are that colour). They do make a cracking noise.
These were one my list a few years ago. I know a lot complain about the interior but I though it was absolutely fine.
Looking forward to hearing how you get on with it.
Gongrats OP, nice car. Looks good in black.
It does get quite good mpg, car own computer shows too high consumption. You have to calculate it by yourself to get the right mpg. My average is circa 35mpg for the whole year and 20 000km.
rriggs said:
Very nice. Looks good in black
I really like the fastback version of these so it will be interesting to hear how you get on with the hatch so I can decide if it stays on my potential next car list....
Fastback is brilliant.I really like the fastback version of these so it will be interesting to hear how you get on with the hatch so I can decide if it stays on my potential next car list....
I'm curious what OP thinks about i30N compared to beemer. I find modern BMW's quite badly damped and little bit boring cars.
Thanks all for the kind comments.
I actually like the Performance Blue (the Blu Tack colour), but happened to find the right car that happened to be black. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the right choice.
Of course, the nice thing with buying these used is that it's only really the colour that varies. The spec is all standard, with just a no cost option to replace the standard electric heated seats with lighter "motorsport" ones. I didn't see any cars for sale that had had that option ticked. Otherwise you get all manner of stuff that the Germans relegate to option packs, including reversing camera, heated seats and steering wheel, lane departure warning, wireless phone charger, CarPlay & Android Auto, keyless entry, cruise control, electrically adjustable seats with memory function.... the list goes on. It's loaded.
In terms of the drive vs the M140i, the BMW felt good at moderate speeds, and then started to fall apart as you pushed harder. If you really grabbed it by the scruff of the neck, it felt ragged and unsettled. The Hyundai seems to feel better and better the more you push on. Although it's considerably slower than the BMW, so the speeds don't build quite so quickly. The BMW's engine is epic, and it is the faster straight line car by a mile, but the Hyundai is a much more rewarding driver's car. Better damped, weighty and accurate steering, a lovely slick manual 'box, and a genuine sense that it has been set up by people who enjoy driving.
I actually like the Performance Blue (the Blu Tack colour), but happened to find the right car that happened to be black. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the right choice.
Of course, the nice thing with buying these used is that it's only really the colour that varies. The spec is all standard, with just a no cost option to replace the standard electric heated seats with lighter "motorsport" ones. I didn't see any cars for sale that had had that option ticked. Otherwise you get all manner of stuff that the Germans relegate to option packs, including reversing camera, heated seats and steering wheel, lane departure warning, wireless phone charger, CarPlay & Android Auto, keyless entry, cruise control, electrically adjustable seats with memory function.... the list goes on. It's loaded.
In terms of the drive vs the M140i, the BMW felt good at moderate speeds, and then started to fall apart as you pushed harder. If you really grabbed it by the scruff of the neck, it felt ragged and unsettled. The Hyundai seems to feel better and better the more you push on. Although it's considerably slower than the BMW, so the speeds don't build quite so quickly. The BMW's engine is epic, and it is the faster straight line car by a mile, but the Hyundai is a much more rewarding driver's car. Better damped, weighty and accurate steering, a lovely slick manual 'box, and a genuine sense that it has been set up by people who enjoy driving.
Looking forward to seeing this being updated. Recently sold my i30N as the price I was offered for it was too good to turn down when I'm looking to replace out main family car and every penny helps.
With regards to fuel economy, I really didn't find it too bad. Sure you'll get <20mpg if you do a 3 mile run to the shops on a cold morning but spirited B roads still saw me at ~28mpg, 6 hour drive up to Kendal (with a few spots of 50 motorway) saw me at 38mpg. Really hard to think of anything in this price bracket, with this spec and warranty that could tempt me when looking for a fun car.
With regards to fuel economy, I really didn't find it too bad. Sure you'll get <20mpg if you do a 3 mile run to the shops on a cold morning but spirited B roads still saw me at ~28mpg, 6 hour drive up to Kendal (with a few spots of 50 motorway) saw me at 38mpg. Really hard to think of anything in this price bracket, with this spec and warranty that could tempt me when looking for a fun car.
One of the things I'm immediately impressed by is the way the driving modes seem to fundamentally alter the character of the car. N Mode is great, except for the suspension which becomes ridiculously stiff, and robs the car of its ability to deal effectively with our appalling roads. The good thing is, Hyundai has seen fit to give you the option to combine individual settings for throttle mapping, exhaust, suspension, diff, rev matching and stability control, and then save it into a custom mode, which is recalled simply by double pressing the N button on the steering wheel after start up. After a lot of playing around, I've settled on what is effectively N Mode, but with the suspension backed off to Normal (which gives a suitably supple ride but retains good body control), and also the steering which also stays in Normal. As with many of these ePAS systems, the "sport" settings add weight, but no extra feel. The steering feels more natural to me in Normal mode, and in my opinion is pretty accurate.
Of course when I picked the car up, like any car enthusiast who refuses to grow up, it was straight into N Mode, and full on child mode to go with it. Once settled into the motorway cruise coming home, I selected Normal mode, and it was remarkable. The exhaust shuts up, you feel the damping back off a notch, and it turns into a very relaxed motorway cruiser. 6th is tall enough that as long as you aren't in a loud exhaust mode, the engine is barely audible until well above the NSL. Combined with the comfy seats, huge range of driving position adjustment, and generous kit list, you could easily use this for a long motorway hike on a regular basis and it would prove to be a perfectly comfortable and pleasant proposition. Play with the settings, and you'll find a combination to suit your tastes.
Gripes so far? Not too many really. I can't remember when I last owned a car that feels so obviously different when all the fluids are cold. For the first mile or two after a cold start, it all feels a bit awkward. The engine is a bit lumpy and feels just a little bit hesitant, and the gearbox feels heavy and notchy. As it warms through, this all disappears. The gearbox becomes an absolute delight to use, and the engine becomes much smoother and more consistent. And I love the BMW M-esque amber lights on the rev counter that set the red line low on cold oil, then slowly extinguish as the oil warms through. Oh, and every squirt of the throttle seems to wipe 20 miles off the range! I suspect this will not get close to the economy of the M140i which was a genuine 40 mpg machine on a motorway run, and averaged 30 without really trying. With two extra cylinders, another litre, and another 65 PS. As I'm going to be lucky if I do 10k a year from now on, I'm really not too bothered.
Of course when I picked the car up, like any car enthusiast who refuses to grow up, it was straight into N Mode, and full on child mode to go with it. Once settled into the motorway cruise coming home, I selected Normal mode, and it was remarkable. The exhaust shuts up, you feel the damping back off a notch, and it turns into a very relaxed motorway cruiser. 6th is tall enough that as long as you aren't in a loud exhaust mode, the engine is barely audible until well above the NSL. Combined with the comfy seats, huge range of driving position adjustment, and generous kit list, you could easily use this for a long motorway hike on a regular basis and it would prove to be a perfectly comfortable and pleasant proposition. Play with the settings, and you'll find a combination to suit your tastes.
Gripes so far? Not too many really. I can't remember when I last owned a car that feels so obviously different when all the fluids are cold. For the first mile or two after a cold start, it all feels a bit awkward. The engine is a bit lumpy and feels just a little bit hesitant, and the gearbox feels heavy and notchy. As it warms through, this all disappears. The gearbox becomes an absolute delight to use, and the engine becomes much smoother and more consistent. And I love the BMW M-esque amber lights on the rev counter that set the red line low on cold oil, then slowly extinguish as the oil warms through. Oh, and every squirt of the throttle seems to wipe 20 miles off the range! I suspect this will not get close to the economy of the M140i which was a genuine 40 mpg machine on a motorway run, and averaged 30 without really trying. With two extra cylinders, another litre, and another 65 PS. As I'm going to be lucky if I do 10k a year from now on, I'm really not too bothered.
Edited by Limpet on Monday 29th March 09:17
OP, so pleased you are enjoying it. Really interesting first thoughts too.
I have a Kia Stinger and much of what you have said rings true - the high spec as standard, the driving modes making a real difference to the way the car behaves, and the fact that everything works better once the car is properly warmed through.
Enjoy yours and keep the updates coming!
I have a Kia Stinger and much of what you have said rings true - the high spec as standard, the driving modes making a real difference to the way the car behaves, and the fact that everything works better once the car is properly warmed through.
Enjoy yours and keep the updates coming!
tgr said:
It would be very interesting to get your considered thoughts given your familiarity with the usual Germans. Most write ups don’t offer that perspective
I'm keen to see how that pans out as well. All I've really noticed so far in terms of differences are little things that Hyundai seem to be a bit more traditional, and dare I say more conservative about. Silly things like the engine having a physical dipstick (instead of an electronic readout), an indicator stalk that behaves conventionally (stays up or down when used, and then returns to centre when the indicator cancels instead of returning to centre when you let go of it), traditional fixed 12 month / 10k service intervals rather than this variable stuff, and an old school prop on the bonnet rather than hydraulic struts. Despite the 4,000 driving modes and the feature laden infotainment, it all feels very conventional.
In terms of the assembly quality, panel gaps, paint and that general feeling of engineering integrity and solidity, there certainly doesn't appear to be a gulf between this and an F20 1-series. Of course, the proof will be how well it stands up to daily use, and it will get used. As well as thoroughly enjoying the performance, it will be doing tip runs, school runs, carting the family about, and generally doing main family car duties, just as the German stuff did.
Delahorney said:
Welcome to the club! I have an Engine Red one myself, had it since December 2019. Any mods planned? The owner's group on FB is one of the better ones I've been a part of as well if you're so inclined.
Thank you. I do think the Engine Red really suits it. If this one hadn't been right, a red one was next on my viewing list, but would have meant a trek down to Truro. I have joined the FB owners group and have been really impressed with both the level of activity and how friendly and welcoming everyone has been. Compared to the M140i group on FB, it really is refreshingly bellend free. Loads of good discussion, tips, and respectful banter on there, and a good sense of community.
I'm not planning any mods at the moment. The long warranty is a big plus for my peace of mind, and I'm not saying I'll last 5 years before playing with it, but I'm going to wait a while. The only change I want to make is to fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's when the time comes.
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