[unseen orko]

Background
I drive an Audi Q5. Since 2014. Before that, I had a 330i that I dearly loved and still regret trading it in for the boring Audi. Don’t get me wrong, the Q5 is lovely thing and does everything I ask of it but does so with very little emotion. I have no complaints with car but it is just not what I was hoping for.
Why did I drive a 340i?
Since I got the Audi Q5, the thing I hate about it is the body roll. Sure, it’s not going to drive like a sedan but I think it has more body roll than my minivan. So, I am considering giving it to my wife and getting myself something I like or just trade it for something I like. Though I am not sure about giving up the Q5, because it is extremely practical and is so good in rain & snow.
Why not an Audi A4 or something, why looking at 3 again?
Well, before we decide on Q5, I tried the F30 328i and A4. I think A4 was actually better than 328i. 328i in 2014 was very soft in my opinion but had decent acceleration. A4 felt more complete to me and honestly, the 328i felt very much like my E92 in terms of interior with E92 interior bits being slightly better. So in summary, I was done with 3 series and got myself the Q5.
What’s it like to drive?
Well, once a BMW fan, you always are. You don’t know how much you miss the thing until you miss it. I miss my 330i so much that I spend time this in this forum to see if 340i got any better and today, I had to go see it myself and my impressions are as follows. I drove a 340i Xdrive, M sport. No adaptive suspension. The standard 19inch M sport wheels.
Size:
Contrary to others, I think the new 3 series is just right. I don’t find it too big. It’s big from outside but when you sit inside, it hugs you and everything is at the right place.
Driving
Well, I don’t want to separate out the steering, chassis, suspension and all that. I’ll just summarize my impression. The car had amazing power and acceleration. There was a point when I hit it hard on ramp to freeway, it was so fast getting to 70, I felt like I might lose traction but I didn’t, the car was solid. The car sounded lovely, both at startup, at 35 and at 60. Very pleasant grunt at high speed. The cabin is so quiet that you don’t hear very much road noise, just the sweet engine sound. The car is much quieter than my Q5 (surprising). As far as soaking up the bumps, regardless of what mode I was in, it did a fabulous job. My E90 was a bit harsh at times, but this car is smooth. I didn’t hate the steering but I didn’t love it either. It was better than an Audi steering but it wasn’t as sweet or naturally guided as my E90 steering. I know that was hydraulic but I am just saying what I felt. The new 340i went to where you point it but I felt like it was almost accurate but not quite. I felt like the car was a split second slower in rotating itself from the moment I turned the wheel. So I guess you could say it was precise but not very fast. Compared to E90 (which was instantaneous). Another important point about the car, which is what I wanted to test drive mainly for – body roll. There is virtually no body roll. I should I didn’t feel any roll, it corners pretty flat and compared to the 2014 model I drove, this thing drives pretty flat and I love that. I don’t think I felt the turn in. A lovely turn in and the light feeling at front wheels while your rear stays planted is what is fun, but this car somehow felt like it did a fantastic job turning but the excitement was missing. Maybe if I drive the 340i rear drive, it would be more exciting. I don’t know. All in all, it felt like a great car, handled really well, very assured, nimble for sure but the one thing that was missing is that “connected” feeling. It’s not just the steering… the whole car as such felt a little distant to me as far as drive feel. Last time I drove the 328i, I questioned the handling. It didn’t even corner as flat as an A4 nor was it exciting. Now, I think they made it powerful, solid and handles great, no complains about steering but the overall feel was missing.
Modes: I tried Comfort, Sport, Sport+. Comfort was fine. No complaints. Sport felt like things tightened a bit overall and it was my favorite mode. Sport+ just felt like transmission was working too much, ride was a little jerky. Sport is my fav mode.
Conclusion: I think I should drive a RWD car just to be sure if that’s missing the feel too. Maybe I should just go drive an F80 M3 and see how that feels. The thing is, I don’t like going to dealers that much. Maybe I should see if any of my friends have an F80 that I can try…

[VividRacingII]

I really dislike the f3x.1's stock suspension, Too much body roll. Glad to see improvement on the suspension.

[unseen orko]

I almost feel like I should skip the 340i and save up for F80. The ZCP looks damn good. Is there that much difference from an F30 335i/340i compared to the F80? Does it bring that feel I am missing in F30?

[cmplaya]

my 340 x drive base suspension on 18s rolls like crazy compared to my honda accord coupe with upgraded acura TL sway bars that I had for 12 years.

im still waiting for my new 340 with track handling to come in to see the difference....

[sandwi54]

Originally Posted by unseen orko

I almost feel like I should skip the 340i and save up for F80. The ZCP looks damn good. Is there that much difference from an F30 335i/340i compared to the F80? Does it bring that feel I am missing in F30?

HUGE difference. I own a F80 and my wife owns a F36. There's no comparison between the two from the performance standpoint. F3x is a nice car and I love driving it, but F80 is better on every level. Do NOT test drive the F80 if you don't plan to buy it.

If you can afford a F80, I'd definitely recommend getting that. It's well worth it.

[scostu]

Unseen orko,

Which version of Q5 do you have? My wife has the 3.0T Premium+ with S-line (20" wheels and non-RFTs) and with ADS in dynamic we enjoy the suspension. It doesn't handle like her previous E90... but that is apples vs oranges.

[SLOWER]

Originally Posted by unseen orko

I drove a 340i Xdrive, M sport. No adaptive suspension.

Sport felt like things tightened a bit overall and it was my favorite mode. Sport+ just felt like transmission was working too much, ride was a little jerky. Sport is my fav mode.

No adaptive suspension = no tightening of anything.

Sport was only changing the transmission, and Sport + is just Sport with traction control turned off.

[BMW335iOn18s]

Xdrive suspension is xdrive suspension. It also has xdrive steering rack. The rwd car has many differences beyond being powered by only the rear wheels.

[paul e]

Originally Posted by SLOWER

No adaptive suspension = no tightening of anything.

Sport was only changing the transmission, and Sport + is just Sport with traction control turned off.

The steering feel also changes but no suspension changes whatsoever.

[SLOWER]

Originally Posted by paul e

The steering feel also changes but no suspension changes whatsoever.

Steering feel only changes in a car with the Dynamic Handling Package.

[unseen orko]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

my 340 x drive base suspension on 18s rolls like crazy compared to my honda accord coupe with upgraded acura TL sway bars that I had for 12 years.

im still waiting for my new 340 with track handling to come in to see the difference....

Would love to hear from you about any differences you find with TP. When are you expecting your Track pack 340?

[unseen orko]

Originally Posted by paul e

The steering feel also changes but no suspension changes whatsoever.

thanks for clarifying.

[unseen orko]

Originally Posted by SLOWER

Steering feel only changes in a car with the Dynamic Handling Package.

So literally for a 340i X, the only thing that's changing is transmission. No change to steering or suspension? I thought the steering got tighter a tiny bit but i can't be sure. I think you might be right here, just transmission shifts.. anyway, thanks. as always, glad you guys in the forum are full on good info.

[unseen orko]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

Xdrive suspension is xdrive suspension. It also has xdrive steering rack. The rwd car has many differences beyond being powered by only the rear wheels.

I did hear about suspension being different for X and non-X but steering rack too? that pretty much means i better go drive a 340i with M sport & Track pack on it to get the full experience (without going all the way to F80)

[unseen orko]

Originally Posted by sandwi54

HUGE difference. I own a F80 and my wife owns a F36. There's no comparison between the two from the performance standpoint. F3x is a nice car and I love driving it, but F80 is better on every level. Do NOT test drive the F80 if you don't plan to buy it.

If you can afford a F80, I'd definitely recommend getting that. It's well worth it.

Wow. This is what I had to hear, from an owner who has access to both these cars and their perspective. thanks for sharing. I know exactly what you mean by don't drive if you don't plan to buy it Man, I hear but the fact that I'm a diehard BMW fan and everyone raves about this F80 M3, especially 2016 is so tempting. One of the main reasons I have not tested the F80 is because I worry that I'll drive it and end up liking it a good problem to have (except for a dent of 80k in the account). I am glad to hear your perspective.

[unseen orko]

Originally Posted by scostu

Unseen orko,

Which version of Q5 do you have? My wife has the 3.0T Premium+ with S-line (20" wheels and non-RFTs) and with ADS in dynamic we enjoy the suspension. It doesn't handle like her previous E90... but that is apples vs oranges.

I have the 2015, Q5, 2.0T. with 19th wheel option. I am kinda bummed actually, because I do hear from few friends that the 3.0 is pretty peppy. I have not tried it. So you are saying you don't really feel that much body roll then? I actually am ok with 2.0T power and acceleration but the body roll is so annoying coming from a sedan. If I may ask, what tires do you have on them?

[eluded]

Why are we talking about the F80 in the F30 forum? Please stop, it makes me want to lose a few hundred pounds and gain a hundred horses.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by SLOWER

Steering feel only changes in a car with the Dynamic Handling Package.

That is incorrect. Steering weight changes with modes on all F3x models. DHP adds adaptive dampers (suspension) and VSS (inclusion of a mechanical, variable ratio steering rack).

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by unseen orko

So literally for a 340i X, the only thing that's changing is transmission. No change to steering or suspension? I thought the steering got tighter a tiny bit but i can't be sure. I think you might be right here, just transmission shifts.. anyway, thanks. as always, glad you guys in the forum are full on good info.

His statement is incorrect. See my post above.

[scostu]

Originally Posted by unseen orko

I have the 2015, Q5, 2.0T. with 19th wheel option. I am kinda bummed actually, because I do hear from few friends that the 3.0 is pretty peppy. I have not tried it. So you are saying you don't really feel that much body roll then? I actually am ok with 2.0T power and acceleration but the body roll is so annoying coming from a sedan. If I may ask, what tires do you have on them?

The 3.0T is peppy.....but we notice a slight turbo lag when you first lay into the accelerator.

Tires are 20" Continental DWS 06 (the lastest version)....square set up.

Body roll.....YES. Q5 is a Cuv...or is it a Suv?...or a jacked up A4?.....it's there when comparing it to a sedan...or my wagon. But compared to my previous Jeep Grand Cherokee........the Q5 is much better.

The S Line adds adaptive dampers (Audi's version of BMW's M adaptive suspension) and the ability to change via the MMI the steering/chassis/throttle responses.

We've been happy with a trouble free Q5 for 50k miles.

[unseen orko]

Originally Posted by scostu

The 3.0T is peppy.....but we notice a slight turbo lag when you first lay into the accelerator.

Tires are 20" Continental DWS 06 (the lastest version)....square set up.

Body roll.....YES. Q5 is a Cuv...or is it a Suv?...or a jacked up A4?.....it's there when comparing it to a sedan...or my wagon. But compared to my previous Jeep Grand Cherokee........the Q5 is much better.

The S Line adds adaptive dampers (Audi's version of BMW's M adaptive suspension) and the ability to change via the MMI the steering/chassis/throttle responses.

We've been happy with a trouble free Q5 for 50k miles.

Thank you. Good to know.

[cmplaya]

Originally Posted by unseen orko

Would love to hear from you about any differences you find with TP. When are you expecting your Track pack 340?

will still be a few more months probably....im waiting for my dealer to place order as soon as he gets a munich production slot because he only has south africa right now