[dimammx]

I got 2015 335i m-sport a while ago, but since I mostly commute to work I did not have a chance to put a lot of miles on it yet (about 1500). However even after about 1.5k miles I still feel disconnected from the car whenever I drive it. My first car was Honda Prelude that simply felt like driving a racing kart I loved it so much. After that I had a Lexus hybrid which surprisingly had very communicative and heavy steering (given it is electric assisted). Both previous cars just felt like extension of me. At times it even felt like the car itself knows where to go I can’t get the same feel with my f30, I don’t know what the issue is.
Have any of you had similar experience? Maybe i just need to spend more time with it? Is it run flats, or just light steering?

[wheen]

The car is probably too big... test drive the 4-GC and see if you feel more disconnect. Virtually same car but even bigger.

[chiefneil]

I'm not sure what kind of Lexus you had before, but I suspect that for you the 335i is a little too big, a little too soft, and the steering is a little too numb. Some people call those things comfort and luxury, so different strokes....

[dimammx]

Lexus was HS250h I think they about the same size. Also probably worth mentioning 335i has VSS option.

[Portadown95]

Have you driven a two series? If you don't need four doors or don't have an M sized budget, it is the best driver's car Bmw makes.

[Rollap]

Originally Posted by wheen

The car is probably too big... test drive the 4-GC and see if you feel more disconnect. Virtually same car but even bigger.

Hi,
If bigger, does this change anything?

[Spacegrau]

I was supremely disappointed in the f30 340i I drove back to back with the g30 540i. The G30 is on another level and felt way more satisfying to drive to my surprise.

[mbanks21]

Runflats do disconnect you from the road. I'd suggest getting some nice sticky tires and trying again. Nothing you can do about the steering though, maybe try a smaller/lighter 2 series

[Buzzo]

I had a similar experience coming from a mkv GTI. Took me a couple of months to get used to. Switching from RFT's to MPSS' did help quite a bit, but on the whole the steering still sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the bliss of the B58 and 6-speed transmission.
Bought another car that feels much more like 'an extension' of myself and handed-down the 340 for my wife to daily. She has no complaints.

[InControl]

I like the design and want to get an f30 so tried a couple different versions including 335i and recently a 340i msport, but cannot get used to the steering. I just don't click with it like I do with my e92. Tried m235i but same steering issue. I liked alfa's giulia steering better but the car felt like an econo box inside. Will try the new S4. If none of the nice cars can please me in that price range I'll just get a mazda 3 stick or gti and redline the heck out of it.

[jmg]

Ditching the RFTs and aftermarket suspension help a lot.

[moff]

VSS kills a car, it' horrendous.

[x97Melbourne]

I never phrased it like you have, but I kind of felt the same way -- I just got rid of my 2014 335i. It was my first experience with the 8-speed automatic trans and I finally realized that component was my largest complaint. It's geared towards fuel economy, not driving feel and connecting the driver to the car. Driving around town I never really felt the car.
I got rid of it ---
Just swapted it for a very similar car -- but with the 6-speed manual. I don't regret the decision at all.

And side note -- the dealer couldn't sell my trade in! (2014 335i fully loaded; 23,000 miles) They had to take it to auction!! I think I lot of people feel like you and me.

[dimammx]

Wow it’s nice to know I’m not the only one, thought I was going crazy for a while.
It’s just so sad, as i like everything else about the car. Switching to different car now is financially infeasible so trying to make it work.
I was cross shopping:
Lexus GS350 (really liked GS-F but it’s a way outside of my price range)
Cadillac CTS V-sport

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by dimammx

Wow it’s nice to know I’m not the only one, thought I was going crazy for a while.
It’s just so sad, as i like everything else about the car. Switching to different car now is financially infeasible so trying to make it work.
I was cross shopping:
Lexus GS350 (really liked GS-F but it’s a way outside of my price range)
Cadillac CTS V-sport

Both nice cars...but neither is in the same car class. Maybe a compact sports sedan is NOT what you're looking for?
Go test drive a Jetta GLI 6-speed. Yes...a VW Or an Audi A3 2.0 6-speed. I guarantee you'll "feel" the car for than any of the cars you listed.

[dimammx]

Originally Posted by x97Melbourne

Both nice cars...but neither is in the same car class. Maybe a compact sports sedan is NOT what you're looking for?
Go test drive a Jetta GLI 6-speed. Yes...a VW Or an Audi A3 2.0 6-speed. I guarantee you'll "feel" the car for than any of the cars you listed.

Probably but like i said at this point it is not feasible to switch ,
so don't want to tempt myself with good driving cars.
Ideally i would like to have sport coupe but i cant have it as primary car , but i dont think it mainly the size of the car, i drove friend's Porsche Macan and i felt more connected then 335i.

Maybe in a year or two, maybe new 3 series will be better.

[NorcalMike]

I had a 2014 X1 before I got my 335i. It took a couple months before I got used to the steering And the different driving experience. But now I love it



http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...&highlight=Vss

[WillSkill]

I for one really love the way my F30 handles at the moment. I've got after market coilovers and MPSS's and it helps a lot.

I've also driven the 2 series as a loaner and I really liked the way it handles! unfortunately I always have to drive around 3 passengers so I'm staying with the f30

[dimammx]

I know it's highly subjective, but how much improvement ditching RFTs brings? 10,20,30%?

[eluded]

Originally Posted by moff

VSS kills a car, it' horrendous.

Huh? It allows me to turn the wheels more than I normally could without having to reshuffle my hands.

The numbs steering is present in both VSS and non vss vehicles.

[oarnura]

Originally Posted by dimammx

I got 2015 335i m-sport a while ago, but since I mostly commute to work I did not have a chance to put a lot of miles on it yet (about 1500). However even after about 1.5k miles I still feel disconnected from the car whenever I drive it. My first car was Honda Prelude that simply felt like driving a racing kart I loved it so much. After that I had a Lexus hybrid which surprisingly had very communicative and heavy steering (given it is electric assisted). Both previous cars just felt like extension of me. At times it even felt like the car itself knows where to go I can’t get the same feel with my f30, I don’t know what the issue is.
Have any of you had similar experience? Maybe i just need to spend more time with it? Is it run flats, or just light steering?

What mode do you drive it in sport or comfort? Sport mode will
Make the steering heavier. You can change sport mode to change only chasis and not drive train if you don't want a more aggressive throttle response.

[dimammx]

Usually in comfort, Sport does make thing a bit better but drive train is a bit aggressive.
I was thinking about changing that option to only affect suspension but is there a quick way to get more aggressive drive train when you need it?