I've got a RWD 328i Sport Line for just over 6 months now and I'm still loving it. I'm averaging close to 30 MPG and its just a lot of fun to drive. My friends who drove it didn't even realize it was a 4 cyl till I told them.
I test drove a 2018 accord 2.0t touring then one of these back to back from the same lot. The accords interior feels more luxurious and is more torquer and I was severely disappointed about the 3 series (2014 low options) until the car started movin.... incredible machines. The bmw is smaller but rode smoother and the steering was incredible compared to the accord.
Kevin I agree with what you said at the 12:20 mark. The car is so refined that during casual driving you have no idea of the true capabilities of the car. On several occasions I really pushed the car through a corner at speed and was amazed at the composure and confidence it gave me while doing that maneuver.
You're right. With this generation of BMW'S they tried to be less sporty and more luxury, which explains the lack of steering feel. The 2016 model year added standard sport seats that are quite nice though.
I have one and I must say I have mixed feelings about it. It looks great, inside and outside, but when it comes to interior and exterior quality of materials and overall fit and finish, I think Audi is definitely better. I hate the sound of the N20 engine, it sounds like a diesel or Kia Spectra running low on oil, even when it's revved up. Gas mileage is about 28 mpg on average, and the power is nothing to write home about. Even though BMW claims 245hp out of 2.0L four, just go back to 1992 and you'll see that Audi's 5 cylinders turbos with 2.2l displacement were producing 235hp and that's with 25 years old technology? In addition to that, they were bullet proof and super reliable. I would like to see the next generation of 3 series offer better sounding engine, more manual transmission choices on cheaper AWD models and hopefully a ride that is not as harsh as the current model. It's really an ideal car for smooth curvy backcountry roads because that's where it shines. Once you out in Sport mode, the car really transforms from a luxury uneventful sedan to a much more raw driving experience. It's still fun to drive.
The numb stering is terrible. I agree with your thoughts on the veener like feel. The electronics get in the way. Even the cruise control reduces. I like cars that are direct and great to drive. I prefer the older Infiniti G37 to this. I had a base 328i for two weeks
After driving a 228i 2016, with all the features i love it. I currently own a 328i 2008 its very nice, i just would prefer a 4cyl for better mpg, and the xdrive would be a lot better in the winter. Just another goal to achieve owning a 2013+ 328i xdrive... ONE DAY!
Nice review. Thanks!. But you are wrong about recording your audio without a lavaliere microphone with the hopes that the on-camera mic will better represent what the car's interior sounds like. What you are getting is audio that is a bit hard to understand and somewhat uneven, because your voice is slightly buried underneath the noise or din of the environment. To achieve the best result, use the lav mic for direct sound on your voice, then mix in another mic that records the sound of the interior. That way you can calibrate the two levels and achieve a natural balanced recording. In addition, both mics can be independently equalized, balanced, and limited. No single mic is going to hear the true natural balance between voice and road noise, because mics are directional and they do not hear the same way a human hears. That has to be done in the mix, and that is the way the pros do it for pro sound mixing. Try the two mic technique and I am sure you will be happier with the results. In any case, I love your reviews!
I would think that the auto start/stop tech in some of the newer vehicles would cause the starter to go bad quickly - which is a pricey/difficult part to replace. I wonder if the auto manufacturers realize this or maybe they will soon after having to replace too many starters. Also hearing engine sound isn't a bad thing IMO, but I understand buyers of this car like things quiet.
The starters that are incorporated into vehicles equipped with the start/stop system have improved and excessive durability are about 4 times as strong as a normal starter, so no worries about that.
what would you say is the most expensive part bout maintain these cars?i mean i know how to repair and replace alot of parts.would i still need to take it to the bmw service shop for electrical problems?
I have a question to all you guys who have bmw f30. I bought 2014 bmw 328i xdrive few weeks ago. And I realized that there is no Bluetooth audio and there is no sport + mode. Is it something wrong? Or is it kind option that choose when buy new? I need true answer from true owner. Or is it upgradable?
Jaden Park As a owner, I bought a sport package which came with Bluetooth, sport and Eco mode. It all depends on the package you get. In your case you have a base model BMW, if you added a few options the sport and Bluetooth would come with it. Hope that helps
It's crazy the gas mileage you can get in these things, I have been getting 37 miles per gallon not hard on it but not trying and that is 50/50 City Highway
In theory its an okay idea but in reality its a stupid idea and one more thing to go wrong. The gas savings is minute compared to the cost of maintaining the unreliable feature. Plus it is annoying.
FYI, I confirmed this a few weeks ago with my rep at Lauderdale BMW, dealer can "disable" that auto stop start function if you schedule it to be done with them.
A manual trans would be nice (less issues). I prefer my e92 much more. I do like the 4 series, but i'm sick of turbo engines and all the Tech they cram into new cars. Simple has always been better and more reliable.
Very harsh engine sound, l think you were very right on that compered to the mercedes 250 cgi this sounds rough and no way refined. Power yes but no refinement..... Also same compared to audi engine.
Nice review. Seems they copied Audi and added 4 bangers to their entry lux offering and are charging 10% or so more for similar configurations. Good car but I will stick with my A4
BMW located in a wrong place S&S button to turn on/off this handy feature. This is a risky idea to do this when driving, isn't it? In my car I have this button in center console, very well placed in ergonomical position. BMW did this the wrong way. What if you press "engine off" by a mistake when driving? Of course another stupidness is the very first thing you need to do after engine start up . Turn off ! this S$S function. Couldn't be off as a default mode? The same story with my Merc. Annoying habit.
This car is amazing. Except too pricey compared to its competitors-the upgrades are too expensive and some of them should be standard for the base price. And what a boring color to slap on it!
yea. fuel economy isn't just about saving cash or environmental awareness. Plus, if you travel a lot, having to goto the pump more often can be annoying.
Tesla is over $60K and takes no gas; plenty of people like me will buy a 5-series or Cadillac CTS and still want every day practicality. It's a valid concern.
Nice review..I have a 2013 Sportline 328 XDrive...pretty disappointed with it; noisy harsh engine that isn't THAT great on gas except on the highway, tons of tire noise from the runflats and soggy floaty suspension from the standard shocks. I would not buy another 4 cylinder BMW that sounds like a diesel unless it WAS a diesel. The car is quick, but that N20 engine is seriously thrashy and the handling and refinement of the car pails in comparison with the 6 cylinder 2010 E92 I had before. Interior is ok....but cheaper materials are evident everywhere. Before I bought this car I read and watched many many reviews....too many of them give BMW a pass on this F30 328 which is just nowhere NEAR as good as it's predecessor.
Matt Smith i agree. I wanted to buy one until I test drove it. The sound insulation is horrible in this car. Made me feel like the car was made out of plastic
Hate your mic, please turn it off, it tells me nothing about the actual noise, actually its MUCH more amplified make the car seem like a noisy car. And I CAN NOT HEAR YOU. So please turn it off. Start stop is VERY annoying, it jolts and shakes the car, it will make zero difference in actual MPG improvement. I own the car, that's my opinion. The car itself is quite amazing, driving is a pleasure.
Nice review but did you realize that when you entered the freeway at the 6 minute mark and you said you were driving 72 in a 65 that you were driving with just one hand on the wheel and that several times you took that one hand OFF of the wheel? So you were driving a $50,000 car at 72 MPH in moderate to heavy traffic with no hands on the wheel on several occasions after the 6 minute mark. I know it's a BMW and it probably tracks as straight as an arrow but that's still a big no-no in my book. You're in charge of a 4,000 piece of metal, rubber, and plastic there so I'd suggest at least one hand on the wheel at all times but, preferably, two. Just sayin. :)
I almost never have both hands on the steering wheel, and most people in Europe drive with one hand too. With a manual transmission you don't have much option.
that brown leather is gorgeous
One of the best, most thorough reviews I have seen on this car. Well done.
I've got a RWD 328i Sport Line for just over 6 months now and I'm still loving it. I'm averaging close to 30 MPG and its just a lot of fun to drive. My friends who drove it didn't even realize it was a 4 cyl till I told them.
I test drove a 2018 accord 2.0t touring then one of these back to back from the same lot. The accords interior feels more luxurious and is more torquer and I was severely disappointed about the 3 series (2014 low options) until the car started movin.... incredible machines.
The bmw is smaller but rode smoother and the steering was incredible compared to the accord.
Is the headroom good in these cars even with the sun roof? I'm 6'2 with a slightly longer torso.
Kevin I agree with what you said at the 12:20 mark. The car is so refined that during casual driving you have no idea of the true capabilities of the car. On several occasions I really pushed the car through a corner at speed and was amazed at the composure and confidence it gave me while doing that maneuver.
I have a 2014 3 series and my theory on the flat seat bottoms is to accommodate large stature people. I wish they had a bit more bolstering.
You're right. With this generation of BMW'S they tried to be less sporty and more luxury, which explains the lack of steering feel. The 2016 model year added standard sport seats that are quite nice though.
Favorite review of the F30 by far, excellent feedback and commentary. Bravo.
I have one and I must say I have mixed feelings about it. It looks great, inside and outside, but when it comes to interior and exterior quality of materials and overall fit and finish, I think Audi is definitely better. I hate the sound of the N20 engine, it sounds like a diesel or Kia Spectra running low on oil, even when it's revved up. Gas mileage is about 28 mpg on average, and the power is nothing to write home about. Even though BMW claims 245hp out of 2.0L four, just go back to 1992 and you'll see that Audi's 5 cylinders turbos with 2.2l displacement were producing 235hp and that's with 25 years old technology? In addition to that, they were bullet proof and super reliable. I would like to see the next generation of 3 series offer better sounding engine, more manual transmission choices on cheaper AWD models and hopefully a ride that is not as harsh as the current model. It's really an ideal car for smooth curvy backcountry roads because that's where it shines. Once you out in Sport mode, the car really transforms from a luxury uneventful sedan to a much more raw driving experience. It's still fun to drive.
The numb stering is terrible. I agree with your thoughts on the veener like feel. The electronics get in the way. Even the cruise control reduces. I like cars that are direct and great to drive. I prefer the older Infiniti G37 to this. I had a base 328i for two weeks
After driving a 228i 2016, with all the features i love it. I currently own a 328i 2008 its very nice, i just would prefer a 4cyl for better mpg, and the xdrive would be a lot better in the winter. Just another goal to achieve owning a 2013+ 328i xdrive... ONE DAY!
Nice review, but I wish you would have commented on the steering feel which has drawn a lot of criticism.
Nice review. Thanks!. But you are wrong about recording your audio without a lavaliere microphone with the hopes that the on-camera mic will better represent what the car's interior sounds like. What you are getting is audio that is a bit hard to understand and somewhat uneven, because your voice is slightly buried underneath the noise or din of the environment. To achieve the best result, use the lav mic for direct sound on your voice, then mix in another mic that records the sound of the interior. That way you can calibrate the two levels and achieve a natural balanced recording. In addition, both mics can be independently equalized, balanced, and limited. No single mic is going to hear the true natural balance between voice and road noise, because mics are directional and they do not hear the same way a human hears. That has to be done in the mix, and that is the way the pros do it for pro sound mixing. Try the two mic technique and I am sure you will be happier with the results. In any case, I love your reviews!
Good review. .I will always love BMW no matter what. .
hello Kevin, so between 2014 BMW 2014 328i Xdrive and 2014 Audi A4 QUATTRO, which one will you chose?
I would think that the auto start/stop tech in some of the newer vehicles would cause the starter to go bad quickly - which is a pricey/difficult part to replace. I wonder if the auto manufacturers realize this or maybe they will soon after having to replace too many starters. Also hearing engine sound isn't a bad thing IMO, but I understand buyers of this car like things quiet.
The starters that are incorporated into vehicles equipped with the start/stop system have improved and excessive durability are about 4 times as strong as a normal starter, so no worries about that.
Engine does not use starter. One of the pistons is compressed ready to fire. No starter needed.
Every gasoline engine uses a starter.....
Buying this car tomorrow so excited
You should do it , I own 2 of them one 328i and the other 328ix
what would you say is the most expensive part bout maintain these cars?i mean i know how to repair and replace alot of parts.would i still need to take it to the bmw service shop for electrical problems?
I wish all car reviews were like this.
I have a question to all you guys who have bmw f30. I bought 2014 bmw 328i xdrive few weeks ago. And I realized that there is no Bluetooth audio and there is no sport + mode.
Is it something wrong? Or is it kind option that choose when buy new? I need true answer from true owner. Or is it upgradable?
Jaden Park As a owner, I bought a sport package which came with Bluetooth, sport and Eco mode. It all depends on the package you get. In your case you have a base model BMW, if you added a few options the sport and Bluetooth would come with it.
Hope that helps
I belive that "sport +" mode only comes with the "M-Sport" package or trim, but I could be wrong.
Amol GIll i have Bluetooth(telephone) but no audio. I have eco and comfort and sport but no sport +
kev cruzer is it? I am not M sport package but some people told me All F30 come with sport +.
@@five1088 nah that's not true
I see one in NY for 16k and it has 33k miles. Is it something worth buying in March 2023?
It’s 10 years old at this point.
If its in good packace with low milleage its absolutely worth buying
It's crazy the gas mileage you can get in these things, I have been getting 37 miles per gallon not hard on it but not trying and that is 50/50 City Highway
camera pans are a bit jerky, may want to work on that.
Everyone knocks the stop/start, but I think in a traffic jam it would be very efficient.
In theory its an okay idea but in reality its a stupid idea and one more thing to go wrong. The gas savings is minute compared to the cost of maintaining the unreliable feature. Plus it is annoying.
Excellent professional review.
Top notch review. Thanks man.
Where is that place at 1:30min?
I'm surprised you got another BMW to review after the 7-series beating. :)
Drive this everyday and I love it:)
Same
Is it better than 328i
FYI, I confirmed this a few weeks ago with my rep at Lauderdale BMW, dealer can "disable" that auto stop start function if you schedule it to be done with them.
theres a button above the start/stop engine that switches it off if desired
I got one and whoooaaa its awesome!!!
One year in - any issues?
K Badsha thermostat replaced under warranty but that's all and I drive the crap out of it.
Rick Tobin would you recommend it ?
Me too! ☺️
What about now?
I love mine wish i had gotten reverse cameras and a different interior, but overall I love it.
shaky voice- "the suspension is alright..."
timing chain break yet ?
Wonder what that guy thought as you flew by him?
Great review! Lots of valuable information
A manual trans would be nice (less issues). I prefer my e92 much more. I do like the 4 series, but i'm sick of turbo engines and all the Tech they cram into new cars. Simple has always been better and more reliable.
ABSOLUTELY AWESOME REVIEW!!!
Very harsh engine sound, l think you were very right on that compered to the mercedes 250 cgi this sounds rough and no way refined. Power yes but no refinement..... Also same compared to audi engine.
Wish I could have this when I turn 16😂😂
Great review.
The option that come with BMW. Are stander in many cars. The cheap cheap car. Honda civic comes with rear camera with no extra cost.
Just on hiatus. We have a pile of content lined up for the remaining part of the year.
Nice review. Seems they copied Audi and added 4 bangers to their entry lux offering and are charging 10% or so more for similar configurations. Good car but I will stick with my A4
the only part of this video that didn't aged well is the argument against touch devices.
BMW located in a wrong place S&S button to turn on/off this handy feature. This is a risky idea to do this when driving, isn't it? In my car I have this button in center console, very well placed in ergonomical position. BMW did this the wrong way. What if you press "engine off" by a mistake when driving? Of course another stupidness is the very first thing you need to do after engine start up . Turn off ! this S$S function. Couldn't be off as a default mode? The same story with my Merc. Annoying habit.
If you are driving and press the engine off button, nothing happens. The car knows you're driving and won't turn off the engine.
Audi buttons make a cheap clicky noise
Plus it is also too popular unlike my mercedes s class and bmw 7 series
I was sold on this car until I drove a Chrysler 300 s...I bought the 300. Head and shoulders above this.
Thanks.
I was afraid for that guys life @11:42.
The BMW has a very demeaning look, my only problem is the front I will stick with my Mercedes S class and BMW 7 series .
He has a garage remote on his sun shade yet the car has Homelink on the rear view mirror.....smh
The Homelink range is terrible.
BMW is good at medium to small, while Mercedes is good at medium to large sedans.
That BMW 328xi an inline 4 for close to 50k? Pass
well.....long time no see lol
This car is amazing. Except too pricey compared to its competitors-the upgrades are too expensive and some of them should be standard for the base price. And what a boring color to slap on it!
Over 50k for a car and you're talking about fuel economy? hmmmm
yea. fuel economy isn't just about saving cash or environmental awareness. Plus, if you travel a lot, having to goto the pump more often can be annoying.
Tesla is over $60K and takes no gas; plenty of people like me will buy a 5-series or Cadillac CTS and still want every day practicality. It's a valid concern.
I hate that iDrive screen. It looks like an aftermarket accessory.
Nice review..I have a 2013 Sportline 328 XDrive...pretty disappointed with it; noisy harsh engine that isn't THAT great on gas except on the highway, tons of tire noise from the runflats and soggy floaty suspension from the standard shocks. I would not buy another 4 cylinder BMW that sounds like a diesel unless it WAS a diesel. The car is quick, but that N20 engine is seriously thrashy and the handling and refinement of the car pails in comparison with the 6 cylinder 2010 E92 I had before. Interior is ok....but cheaper materials are evident everywhere. Before I bought this car I read and watched many many reviews....too many of them give BMW a pass on this F30 328 which is just nowhere NEAR as good as it's predecessor.
Don't like the interior. The dash is cheap looking. Too small.
Have you sat in it? It doesn't look or feel cheap at all.
Kev50027 Yes and I wasn't impressed. At least bump it up to the 5 Series. I like more car on the road.
Thought this channel was dead
This car has a very noisy engine and poor cabin sound proofing.
Matt Smith i agree. I wanted to buy one until I test drove it. The sound insulation is horrible in this car. Made me feel like the car was made out of plastic
to much advice , show technical stuff
Hate your mic, please turn it off, it tells me nothing about the actual noise, actually its MUCH more amplified make the car seem like a noisy car. And I CAN NOT HEAR YOU. So please turn it off. Start stop is VERY annoying, it jolts and shakes the car, it will make zero difference in actual MPG improvement. I own the car, that's my opinion. The car itself is quite amazing, driving is a pleasure.
Nice review but did you realize that when you entered the freeway at the 6 minute mark and you said you were driving 72 in a 65 that you were driving with just one hand on the wheel and that several times you took that one hand OFF of the wheel? So you were driving a $50,000 car at 72 MPH in moderate to heavy traffic with no hands on the wheel on several occasions after the 6 minute mark. I know it's a BMW and it probably tracks as straight as an arrow but that's still a big no-no in my book. You're in charge of a 4,000 piece of metal, rubber, and plastic there so I'd suggest at least one hand on the wheel at all times but, preferably, two. Just sayin. :)
I almost never have both hands on the steering wheel, and most people in Europe drive with one hand too. With a manual transmission you don't have much option.
LEXUS LS430 IS BETTER
Don't like the interior - ugly. And a hard ride.
Audi A4 is so much better interior wise.
Great review