40 years of the 3 series

[Sockethead]

Saw this on MSN and had to share:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/autos-midsize/40-years-of-the-bmw-3-series/ar-AAeVzE9?li=AAa0dzB#image=AAeVf6t|1

[cakM3]

Nice! :thumbsup

[Johnmadd]

Nice read, e30 and e46 are the best :biggrin

[Hermes]

I beg to differ... 800whp

21840

[NYRhockey]

Look forward to the next 40 of the 3-series. It will be interesting to see which way they go when they launch the new 3-series in the next couple of years.

[az3579]

Look forward to the next 40 of the 3-series. It will be interesting to see which way they go when they launch the new 3-series in the next couple of years.

I can see it now:
More people "complaining" (I used the NICE word for it) about how BMW is getting more and more "out of touch" with enthusiasts, while the small minority of people (such as myself) would say it's friggin' awesome.

[1 M Mike]

I can see it now:
More people "complaining" (I used the NICE word for it) about how BMW is getting more and more "out of touch" with enthusiasts, while the small majority of people (such as myself) would say it's friggin' awesome.
By that time BP you will be in the vast majority and those "complaining' people like me will either be croaked or in the marginalized minority.

[az3579]

By that time BP you will be in the vast majority and those "complaining' people like me will either be croaked or in the marginalized minority.

Minority is what I meant to type...

[1 M Mike]

Minority is what I meant to type...
Yeah, I reckoned that's what you meant. :)

I recently had a F30 as a loaner for 3 days while the E91 was in for warranty work, and it was the biggest piece of crap with a roundel affixed to it that I've ever driven. It was an utter embarrassment on the road as it rolled and pitched about, was numb and devoid of any feel in the steering rack, and played dead in the corners.

Over the course of 25 years now we've been admittedly blessed to have some variant of a 3 series in the stable; from E30's, E36's, E46's to E90's. Always looked forward to service visits during those times to see what loaner I was going to get so I could get excited about planning to add the next generation to our legacy. Over the course of those years these loaners have run the gamut from RWD to AWD; with SP and sans it; max performance rubber to all season; run flat to go flat...............and they all without exception still drove and handled like you'd expect the UDM to do.

But the F30 was a cold slap to the face. It was nothing but the Ultimate Parking Machine.....to put it in Biblical terms....an abomination to the beloved Roundel.

It might still be the benchmark within its segment, and sales numbers are off the hook, but when you turn the wheel and begin to compare it to its progenitors of yore.....doesn't take long to see how far the legend has really fallen.........

at least to this Jurassic enthusiast. :hi

[az3579]

Yeah, I reckoned that's what you meant. :)

I recently had a F30 as a loaner for 3 days while the E91 was in for warranty work, and it was the biggest piece of crap with a roundel affixed to it that I've ever driven. It was an utter embarrassment on the road as it rolled and pitched about, was numb and devoid of any feel in the steering rack, and played dead in the corners.

Over the course of 25 years now we've been admittedly blessed to have some variant of a 3 series in the stable; from E30's, E36's, E46's to E90's. Always looked forward to service visits during those times to see what loaner I was going to get so I could get excited about planning to add the next generation to our legacy. Over the course of those years these loaners have run the gamut from RWD to AWD; with SP and sans it; max performance rubber to all season; run flat to go flat...............and they all without exception still drove and handled like you'd expect the UDM to do.

But the F30 was a cold slap to the face. It was nothing but the Ultimate Parking Machine.....to put it in Biblical terms....an abomination to the beloved Roundel.

It might still be the benchmark within its segment, and sales numbers are off the hook, but when you turn the wheel and begin to compare it to its progenitors of yore.....doesn't take long to see how far the legend has really fallen.........

at least to this Jurassic enthusiast. :hi


You see, I totally disagree with you on almost everything you said. I was quite surprised at how well the F30 and F34 loaners I had handled (both X-Drive models). I chucked them at my favorite 270-degree turn and they not only handled the turn like a boss with regards to grip, but they did it without any drama, just a little body roll (expected of a stock non-sport suspension). Okay, you don't feel as much through the wheel, but ultimately that really doesn't matter as long as you are paying attention and know what the car is doing. I found steering response and ratio was quite excellent, and I actually did feel some of the road. While not a whole lot, it's not fair to say there is zero feel, because that is totally untrue, even if the feel you do get is from what you feel through the suspension bushings.

I was pleased with how well they ride, but then again, anything is a pleasure compared to my stiff-as-hell ZHP. Yeah, they're not as sharp as my ZHP, but they also aren't two inches from the ground with a ride that breaks your back either, so that is expected. Drive an M-Sport model to make a more direct comparison to a stock ZHP and see how you feel then. It's not fair to compare apples to oranges.


Oh yeah, BTW - A 328i loaner is faster than my ZHP, especially with the sport auto programming.


So, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

[Sockethead]

Yea but the N26 engine and the 8 speed auto is a very impressive combination. 13.9 seconds in the 1/4 mile... Our 2015 X1 with the N55, 6 speed auto the M Sport package ran the exact same ET within a tenth consistently.

I agree that the chassis is mediocre at best. With the butter soft suspension and numb steering, it reminds me more of our old 2001 Taurus than a 3 series BMW..
Kris and both drove that F30 for two years and we were glad to see it go... One boring car..,

EDIT: just saw your post BP. I'm surprised to hear you say that about the steering. Kris and I found it down right scary at times, having to guess where to put the wheel through turns. Sport mode tightens up the steering ratio but does nothing for road feedback. Also try turning around in the middle of the street... The steering radius is huge. The X5 was better...

[1 M Mike]

Fair enough BP. Not a salvation decision, so no eternal consequences. Just differing expectations bro. :)

No way I'm plunking down $50K for something that waddles and floats like my grandfather's Buick.

Just place it in the "Once bitten, twice shy" category for me as it reminded me of the overboosted, numb steering, Buick handling like '01 330Cic I had for a couple of years that I just never got used to.

Sold it a couple years later and used the proceeds on an IR/NB '04 ZHP.

Instant :danehappy and :happyspidey again.

[az3579]

There's a reason why before the latest generation of Buicks, the only people that drove them were geriatrics... they were so floaty you could drive through a meteor-induced crater (ie our roads) and not feel a thing. Short of a 7 series, I don't think I've ever been in a BMW that was like that, so I couldn't imagine what you are talking about. lol


Are our roads really that bad? Damn!

[KevinC]

The 2016 top 3-series model will become the 340i, and allegedly BMW has taken steps to address the steering complaints. I get it that electric PS is simpler, less expensive, and (perhaps most importantly to manufacturers) saves a wee bit in fuel economy. But while improvements have been made over the years, it's still positively numb compared to a proper hydraulic setup, like the E46, or my Z4MC had. The original Z4 had really crappy electric steering, and when the M division decided to do a Z4M for 2006, they said NYET to that as well as run-flats. Ah, the good old days.

[1 M Mike]

The 2016 top 3-series model will become the 340i, and allegedly BMW has taken steps to address the steering complaints. I get it that electric PS is simpler, less expensive, and (perhaps most importantly to manufacturers) saves a wee bit in fuel economy. But while improvements have been made over the years, it's still positively numb compared to a proper hydraulic setup, like the E46, or my Z4MC had. The original Z4 had really crappy electric steering, and when the M division decided to do a Z4M for 2006, they said NYET to that as well as run-flats. Ah, the good old days.
The steering was so awful I had to chase a loose-tight condition driving straight.

Good news though, as I've already figured out a work around and will drag one of these along with me the next time. All I need is to throw a Roundel decal on it and I'm good to go.

https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/MOkOoQwbQZXucjNGDMtG1Q--/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9NzEyO3E9OTU7dz05NTA-/http://www.handcraftedmodelships.com/pictures/enlarged/dark-blue-ship-wheel-with-sailboat-18-inch.jpg

Hey bp, if I ever wind up owning an F30 that steers like my loaner do you think you code this thing to tighten it up if it's still too loose? If so I have a civilian friend that works at the sub base at New London. He can probably get you clearance to access the base (or maybe Dane has an old uniform lying around that will fit you), as well as for me to dock it in one of the subpens. I'll make sure to have a whistle so I can do everything proper and pipe you aboard.

J/K! Just winding you up dude!!

;)

[Johnmadd]

The steering was so awful I had to chase a loose-tight condition driving straight.

Good news though, as I've already figured out a work around and will drag one of these along with me the next time. All I need is to throw a Roundel decal on it and I'm good to go.

https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/MOkOoQwbQZXucjNGDMtG1Q--/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9NzEyO3E9OTU7dz05NTA-/http://www.handcraftedmodelships.com/pictures/enlarged/dark-blue-ship-wheel-with-sailboat-18-inch.jpg

Hey bp, if I ever wind up owning an F30 that steers like my loaner do you think you code this thing to tighten it up if it's still too loose? If so I have a civilian friend that works at the sub base at New London. He can probably get you clearance to access the base (or maybe Dane has an old uniform lying around that will fit you), as well as for me to dock it in one of the subpens. I'll make sure to have a whistle so I can do everything proper and pipe you aboard.

J/K! Just winding you up dude!!

;)

Dane's suit would be a little short imo. :shifty