330d LCI RWD v pre LCI x Drive

[FFS]

Looking to get a 330D saloon. I had been looking at an LCI RWD, but a nice option has come up on a pre LCI x Drive with Adaptive dampers. It's a bit of a trek to try it out, so wondered whether anyone could give any insight on how the two compare? I've read a few threads slagging of the non-adaptive version of xDrive, but none on adaptive xDrive v LCI RWD? Can anyone help?

[Fox-]

I would take the RWD one even if they were the same - but with the RWD one being an LCI its the obvious choice.

IMHO xDrive does not enhance the 3 Series.

[FFS]

Fox- said:

I would take the RWD one even if they were the same - but with the RWD one being an LCI its the obvious choice.

IMHO xDrive does not enhance the 3 Series.

Thanks, is the LCI also noticeably better than the pre-LCI RWD with ACS springs?

[Elliot2000]

Fox- said:

I would take the RWD one even if they were the same - but with the RWD one being an LCI its the obvious choice.

IMHO xDrive does not enhance the 3 Series.

I would agree with this, I know some people like xdrive, but i feel it affects the way the car drives too much, and adds unnecessary weight.

[Mr Whippy]

It’s a big diesel luxo barge without much steering feel and an auto gearbox.

Adding fancy dampers or xdrive doesn’t change things too much.

Just get the one you fancy, and doing that right means testing a bunch to get a feeling.

I can promise you they all feel much of a muchness.

[Fox-]

Mr Whippy said:

It’s a big diesel luxo barge

No, it's a 3 Series.

[FFS]

I understand it's not an M3 or even a GTI. One thing I notice looking for cars, alot of the 2015 pre LCI cars seem to have the same top mount setup as the LCI cars. Was the improved suspension brought it before the LCI verions? Check out some of the 2015 models here:

https://www.imperialcarsupermarkets.co.uk/find-a-c...

Here's a specific example:

https://s3.ics-assets.co.uk/resized/media/img/car_...

Edited by FFS on Sunday 3rd June 22:40

[Mr Whippy]

Fox- said:

No, it's a 3 Series.

Yes which is a big heavy luxury ish saloon.

I doubt most people could tell the difference to drive any of the 6 pot diesel examples on a normal use.

[Mr Whippy]

FFS said:

I understand it's not an M3 or even a GTI. One thing I notice looking for cars, alot of the 2015 pre LCI cars seem to have the same top mount setup as the LCI cars. Was the improved suspension brought it before the LCI verions? Check out some of the 2015 models here:

https://www.imperialcarsupermarkets.co.uk/find-a-c...

Here's a specific example:

https://s3.ics-assets.co.uk/resized/media/img/car_...

Edited by FFS on Sunday 3rd June 22:40

Best to check realoem part numbers, but it does look like the struts are updated in your example so you’d assume the springs/dampers were all LCI spec.

Also note that the EPS was updated too but again I’m not sure you may notice.

Best to test drive if you can.

I just went LCI because the perception is they’re better, so resale will be easier.

[FFS]

Mr Whippy said:

Best to check realoem part numbers, but it does look like the struts are updated in your example so you’d assume the springs/dampers were all LCI spec.

Also note that the EPS was updated too but again I’m not sure you may notice.

Best to test drive if you can.

I just went LCI because the perception is they’re better, so resale will be easier.

I had a quick look at Real OEM, it looks like the top mount changed in January, but the dampers/springs changed mid-year ...

[to3m]

Mr Whippy said:

Fox- said:

No, it's a 3 Series.

Yes which is a big heavy luxury ish saloon.

I doubt most people could tell the difference to drive any of the 6 pot diesel examples on a normal use.

My mum has an F30 320d x-drive, and hasn't been very impressed by the turning circle, which is apparently a lot larger than on the RWD cars.

(Her old car was an E46 320d, which she found more manoeuvreable.)

[Fox-]

Mr Whippy said:

Yes which is a big heavy luxury ish saloon.

I doubt most people could tell the difference to drive any of the 6 pot diesel examples on a normal use.

The difference in the way a 3 Series drives on M Sport suspension versus SE suspension is quite obvious. I'd imagine most people could tell.

[msej449]

My previous car was a 2013 330d xDrive SE Touring. As mentioned, this car is an excellent long-distance, motorway tourer. Basically, once you're moving and in 8th. it's remarkable how long it stays in top gear, even with hills. I didn't have Adaptive, but I do have it on my current car (M235i Convertible) and I'd say the 3 would have benefited. This is a hugely torquey engine and for me, the xDrive was great in putting that power down without a lot of fuss, especially on wet winter roads. It's a heavy car so I think these engines plus xDrive suit it perfectly: if you're after lightweight performance and handling, then the 3 isn't for you, in my view (the current 3 is actually longer and heavier than my 5 Series of 30 years ago), M3 excepted perhaps.

One tip: I went for the 17" wheels but I think it could have taken 18" and still been comfortable. Tied to xDrive and Adaptive, I would think 18" would work well.

Edited by msej449 on Monday 4th June 11:21

[Mr Whippy]

Fox- said:

The difference in the way a 3 Series drives on M Sport suspension versus SE suspension is quite obvious. I'd imagine most people could tell.

The point is they’re all 3 series, they’re all heavy, none are really communicative sports cars in any way shape or form.
Buying rwd doesn’t guarantee happiness if you were after a sports saloon, nor does xdrive guarantee a worse ‘feel’

Se vs msport suspension changes the firmness, but apart from that I’d say they’re both firm poor riding cars for the handling finesse they offer.

Your only way to really know what’s any good for you is to try them.
Assuming it must be good/right for you because of any forum talk or assumed superiority of one feature over another will leave you disappointed.

[Fox-]

Mr Whippy said:

The point is they’re all 3 series, they’re all heavy, none are really communicative sports cars in any way shape or form.
Buying rwd doesn’t guarantee happiness if you were after a sports saloon, nor does xdrive guarantee a worse ‘feel’

It's not a 'its better because its RWD' thing - it's purely because the XDrive deletes the M Sport suspension and increases the ride height as a result. This does, whether you believe it or not, result in a difference in the way each car drives. The M Sport is more planted, feels more stable and is firmer. The SE has noticeably more bodyroll, yet is more compliant on the Motorway. It depends what you are buying the car for - just because a car isn't a Porsche 911 doesn't mean that the way it handles isn't important to some people.

Presumably people buying a 3 Series are doing so because they want some degree of 'sportiness' to the way it drivers, otherwise frankly the C Class is a better car.

[smashy]

Fox- said:

Mr Whippy said:

The point is they’re all 3 series, they’re all heavy, none are really communicative sports cars in any way shape or form.
Buying rwd doesn’t guarantee happiness if you were after a sports saloon, nor does xdrive guarantee a worse ‘feel’

It's not a 'its better because its RWD' thing - it's purely because the XDrive deletes the M Sport suspension and increases the ride height as a result. This does, whether you believe it or not, result in a difference in the way each car drives. The M Sport is more planted, feels more stable and is firmer. The SE has noticeably more bodyroll, yet is more compliant on the Motorway. It depends what you are buying the car for - just because a car isn't a Porsche 911 doesn't mean that the way it handles isn't important to some people.

Presumably people buying a 3 Series are doing so because they want some degree of 'sportiness' to the way it drivers, otherwise frankly the C Class is a better car.

Hi ,thing is re comment its more compliant on motorways ,I would say the SE suspension is horrendous on a motorway.When I got my new 2014 330d Luxury (comes witn SE suspension) my often taken London to Gloucestor journey became so unenjoyable ,a lot of the time I kept in the middle lane of the M4 because it was like a sailing boat as though I had lost control ,you have to have experienced it to get it ,awful feeling. 3 weeks in I went up to Rossitors in Kings Lynn to get AC Scnitzer springs AND shocks.

Going up there we encountered a road in an odd named place called Prick Willow 5 miles of the car and us bouncing up and down like a lorry on Ice Road Truckers ,my partner and I were laughing out load at the absurdedness of it. Coming back on that same road I could have cried with happiness ,the car was totally planted ,amazing difference.That SE suspension is the worse I have experienced in 25 years of being usually in middle of the road new company cars. Add on the Xdrive and it must be even worse

[Mr Whippy]

I’d test drive both.

I’ve been in both and it’s not better/worse, just different.

The LCI SE xdrive, to me, is a better compromise on UK roads and the type of car it is, than a stiffer setup, imo.

Now if the car had better damping, some actual steering weight and feel, and a manual gearbox, it’s make it a better car, than worrying about how stiff or low it is.

Drive them and see, and bask in the lack of feedback from them which makes the concern about suspension kinda irrelevant.

My Golf R32 rides softer and smoother, and has more feedback and fun factor, despite being EPS and heavy and AWD.

I’m not sure how BMW did it but they made the F30 a bit bland to drive, and it’s not just the suspension that makes that the issue.

[creampuff]

I own a LCI 330d SE which is not the M-Sport suspension. I've also rented a fair few BMWs of all kinds, including X-Drives.

I don't think you need X-Drive. I'd take LCI over non-LCI. RWD gives you a more 'pure' driving experience if there is such a thing. X-Drive allows you to plant it and accelerate hard into a small gap, while turning, on a slippery road and let the car sort it out. On M-Sport vs non-M-Sport, M-Sport is a lot better than it used to be, which used to be way too firm for practical use on real roads which have bumps, potholes etc on them. It's really a choice if you want slightly firmer or slightly less firm now. A non-M-sport suspension will still go around corners very very fast.

Speaking of which.......
I have a 2010 330d LCI SE RWD in London which I want to sell this week for £4,500 if anybody is interested!

Edited by creampuff on Tuesday 5th June 13:14

[Pistonheader101]

When did the lci come out for the f30?

[Fox-]

Pistonheader101 said:

When did the lci come out for the f30?

Mid 2015.