[BlkGS]

X5 in to get a check chassis control message looked into. Gave me a brand new 330i as a loaner. Quick thoughts on it so far.

I don't like the new iDrive version as much. The screen is responsive, but Sonia my older one. Part of the screen is obscured by the steering wheel from my seating position, not a lot, but more than the none in my car. The screens do look just tacked on and not weel integrated into the interior design. The small amount of buttons below is just taunting you, they didn't go fully button less but also don't give you buttons for a lot of things you'd want. Screen quality doesn't seem any better than my X5, maybe a little worse because it gets washed out by the sun more than my X5's screen (possibly due to the way it isn't really integrated into the design). I also don't love that it pretends to be one piece but there's a very clear separation of the two screens. It comes off as cheap when you have other manufacturers doing gigantic one piece screens.

Interior is ok, kinda smaller than I expected, I've only got about an inch of headroom at 6'2. The moonroof is a nice size though, and the interior (khaki) doesn't feel claustrophobic for being fairly small. It DEFINITELY doesn't feel nearly as premium as my X5. The non-glass controls look, feel, and are cheap, absolutely get the glass controls or exec package because the standard controls are not befitting of a luxury car, you'll find equal switchgear in a Chevy.

Ride isn't that good. Kinda rough even. You'd think it's because it's sporty, but no, it actually rolls in turns way more than my M50i. Much more body roll, though admittedly I have DHP.

Fake engine noises (iconic sounds or whatever) are super obviously fake, but sound pleasant. You can really tell it's coming from the speakers though. Actual engine noise is basically non existent. The engine has decent power/acceleration when pushed at WOT, but feels kinda lackluster and a bit anemic if you don't push it.

Overall, it's a fine little car, probably will make a nice inexpensive used car in a few years assuming they hold up. That said, assuming it's a totally base car, it would be $45 grand!? You'd have to be a complete idiot to pay that much money for this car. It feels like a $35k car AT MOST. I really hope the high trim like the M340i dress it up a bit inside, or those would be just incredibly overpriced vehicles.

[rmorin1249]

Interesting. I am considering an M340i as it is one of the few current models without a hideous beaver teeth front end. I need to take a long test drive in one.

[jayfeinst]

Good write up. A couple points- it definitely won't feel as premium as your X5. If it did, that would be a problem...compared to pricing on other cars, I don't feel the MSRP is that out of line. Having said that, sedans don't hold their value these days so 2 year old 3's and 5's are really good deals.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

Interesting. I am considering an M340i as it is one of the few current models without a hideous beaver teeth front end. I need to take a long test drive in one.

I was looking into them a little after I got my X5, before that I had no idea they didn't get the ugly front end, only all the 4s and the M3.

I dunno if they jazz up the interior in the M340. I'd be kinda pissed if I spent $60k on an M340 and the interior quality was the way that this 330i. I'd be even more pissed if I spent $100k on an M3 and it had this interior.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by jayfeinst

Good write up. A couple points- it definitely won't feel as premium as your X5. If it did, that would be a problem...compared to pricing on other cars, I don't feel the MSRP is that out of line. Having said that, sedans don't hold their value these days so 2 year old 3's and 5's are really good deals.

Yeah, I guess it makes sense the X5 should feel nicer, but I would think that the 3 would feel nicer than it does. It doesn't feel premium or luxury, it feels like a VW, or like a Hyundai with heavy doors.

I guess if you want a small rwd sedan you don't really have much in the way of choice that isn't a "luxury" make. G70 and IS300 are a couple grand cheaper. A3 isn't RWD based. Kia stinger was cheaper by a good bit and also larger and felt nicer inside, but it's dead for next year.

Everyone is moving to crossovers I suppose.

[LuckyBrand]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I was looking into them a little after I got my X5, before that I had no idea they didn't get the ugly front end, only all the 4s and the M3.

I dunno if they jazz up the interior in the M340. I'd be kinda pissed if I spent $60k on an M340 and the interior quality was the way that this 330i. I'd be even more pissed if I spent $100k on an M3 and it had this interior.

Unfortunately, the interiors aren't that much different between the two. That's one of the issues with car companies these days making everything the same on all models. Basically cut and paste. Maybe add a few tidbits here and there but mostly identical.

[beattiecj]

Had a similar loaner and agree, it also convinced me the m340i is the way to go mainly based on performance desire. I still thought overall the new 330i was a nice everyday car compared to other companies and would grow to like the new idrive.

If only we got those as a wagon model here in the US.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

Interesting. I am considering an M340i as it is one of the few current models without a hideous beaver teeth front end. I need to take a long test drive in one.

Sorry, I read your post and couldn't resist.. ..

[Kgerry59]

i took my 23 X5 in a week or so ago for it's first service an they gave me a 24 X5 to drive. It only confirmed my original decision that i was glad i ordered one of the last 23's when I did. i just don't like the wide screen or the little toggle instead of a faux shifter lever and i didnt really care for the layout of the dash. i know many people love theirs, but it made me glad I was able to squeeze in an order for a late 23 model.

[poison]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Sorry, I read your post and couldn't resist.. ..

y'all a bunch of haters, lol. First time I saw it I knew exactly what it represented: classic BMW.





I love it (the grill, not the xm bs), and would buy a 3 series with it vs without, based on looks.

[13 NF]

Hi BlkGS

I think you covered loads of good points comparing the 3 to the X5, they are very different cars at different price points.

I just wanted to give my opinion on the new I drive 8.5, I loved i drive 7 and that mated to my quad diesel 50d it’s seamed bonkers to replace it.

My new 50e arrived and I really question BMW choice and ‘improvements’?

It’s had software issues, it’s/I had frustrations with it. BUT please be assured it’s very good, it needs to teacher its owners the new way and it does, the up grades OTA have been good, helped by several hard reboots ( good on/off 70seconds reboot at least two or three screens going on and off) but it very very good, I also have a 22 30d( my lovely wife’s car) that’s got I drive 7 and it’s great but now I done 11k miles in my car I am getting frustrated with the older system.

So I agree going from X5 to 3 series M lite has its difficulties, but when I had these loaners and it obvious that they do different things, and to be honest I have a 340i as a daily every dingle day, and leave my lovely wife in the X5!

So great review, but don’t dismiss what you have not have a chance to use.

[bandersen]

Just got a brand new X1 - with the Idrive. The Idrive is not as bad as I feared - there is still much to learn, but I cannot tell if it is 8 or 8.5. With time I’m sure I can get used to it. Horrible interoperability with Apple CarPlay- consistently drops in 20 mile trips once or twice (I’ve rebooted/have updated iPhone software). The HK Audio is good - much better than my X5 base hifi which I had to put $$ into. Seats are decent. Steering wheel is decently thick and comfortable- unlike the 20 year old non-M steering wheels. The iDrive screen warning when you first turn on DOES NOT go away after 10 seconds like previous - you must acknowledge’OK’. F’ing lawyers. Speed signs are off - shows at time 35mph on the highway. I do not have a profile set with my phone - so it seems that it is occasionally defaulting to standard settings. It seems that every time I get in the car, I have to turn off the Nanny type driving features. It has DAP - which I honestly do not like. I am glad I have my pre-LCI, but the looks of the new LCI when driving are not as bad as I feared. The most frustrating thing is dropping Apple CarPlay every 30 minutes or so, but it does reconnect after a minute.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Just got a brand new X1 - with the Idrive. The Idrive is not as bad as I feared - there is still much to learn, but I cannot tell if it is 8 or 8.5.

Neither, it should be iDrive 9.

[BlkGS]

So, fun update. The update of software on the suspension worked for a few days, but today it came back. So I've got another appointment in a couple weeks with another loaner. Hopefully they get it sorted out this time.

[gsquare]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

So, fun update. The update of software on the suspension worked for a few days, but today it came back. So I've got another appointment in a couple weeks with another loaner. Hopefully they get it sorted out this time.

Frustrating (I’ve been there), but a good dealer and loaner makes all the difference.

[Gladiator1972]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Sorry, I read your post and couldn't resist.. ..

I saw a black with black wheels XM in the showroom today. That thing looks menacing in person

[Windshieldfarmer]

Originally Posted by Gladiator1972

I saw a black with black wheels XM in the showroom today. That thing looks menacing in person

Menacing to your pocketbook…way expensive for what it trys to be.

[Condorll]

Originally Posted by Kgerry59

i took my 23 X5 in a week or so ago for it's first service an they gave me a 24 X5 to drive. It only confirmed my original decision that i was glad i ordered one of the last 23's when I did. i just don't like the wide screen or the little toggle instead of a faux shifter lever and i didnt really care for the layout of the dash. i know many people love theirs, but it made me glad I was able to squeeze in an order for a late 23 model.

I ordered my custom built 2023 X5 Mid January 2023 after I saw what they were doing to the 2024's, got it 3 weeks later, early February. 14,000 miles on it now, no problems or regrets.

[Gladiator1972]

Originally Posted by Windshieldfarmer

Menacing to your pocketbook…way expensive for what it trys to be.

Yea I looked it up online once I got home (I was there to test drive an X5) and saw it starts at $159K wow!!!

[tooloud10]

Good little review!

Originally Posted by BlkGS

X5 in to get a check chassis control message looked into. Gave me a brand new 330i as a loaner. Quick thoughts on it so far.

I don't like the new iDrive version as much. The screen is responsive, but Sonia my older one. Part of the screen is obscured by the steering wheel from my seating position, not a lot, but more than the none in my car. The screens do look just tacked on and not weel integrated into the interior design. The small amount of buttons below is just taunting you, they didn't go fully button less but also don't give you buttons for a lot of things you'd want. Screen quality doesn't seem any better than my X5, maybe a little worse because it gets washed out by the sun more than my X5's screen (possibly due to the way it isn't really integrated into the design). I also don't love that it pretends to be one piece but there's a very clear separation of the two screens. It comes off as cheap when you have other manufacturers doing gigantic one piece screens.

I feel the same way about the screen(s) in the new BMWs. So many people talk about "the big screen" that is basically the same as the old screens with a hidden seam. It's not any more functional, it's just eye candy that looks fancier, except for the part that in the process of making the change it looks like it was designed for a completely different vehicle.

Does the new 3-series distract the driver from this with a bunch of silly light up arrows on the dash?!?

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

Interesting. I am considering an M340i as it is one of the few current models without a hideous beaver teeth front end. I need to take a long test drive in one.

These three series depreciate unbelievably quick beware been there done that

[BlkGS]

Another update. Car went in for service, they gave me the same loaner car, so no new review. Only thing I really noticed, the seats are pretty comfortable. Nicely shaped and supportive, better than you'd expect in a base vehicle. Might be bolstered a bit more than the seats in my M50i.

On the plus side, they think they solved my issues with DSC and chassis control. Apparently my auxiliary battery went bad. I suppose that would explain why it felt like my shocks and active sway bars weren't doing their magic, that battery wasnt powering them so they couldn't.