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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions G20 330i Msport Test Drive Review (former F30 328 MSport / Track Package owner)

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      04-06-2019, 06:21 PM   #1
dst211
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G20 330i Msport Test Drive Review (former F30 328 MSport / Track Package owner)

I wanted to throw this out there because I havent yet seen a review of the G20 that hit the points I was looking for. For some background, I drive a 2016 328i RWD Msport w/ track package. I truly believe that the LCI w/ track package and non-RFT cures 80 to 90 percent of the F30 flaws. In terms of the G20, see below.

Driving Dynamics
  • I was very happily surprised with how the car felt behind the wheel. I was expecting it to be a let down considering it was an xDrive with RFTs. The steering feel has indeed improved from the F30 by some amount. It's certainly not what I wish it were, but considering where we've been the last few years, its definitely an improvement. The engine and transmission feel familiar and I have no complaints. In fact, I would say it is decidedly an upgrade over the F30. I'm sure its even better with the track package transmission and real tires.
  • The Active Sound feature feels like its been turned up to 11 on this car. It's actually a huge negative now. I dont mind it in my F30, but in sport mode, the G20 sounds absurd. I'd be embarrassed with a passenger in the car. Its that bad.
Exterior
  • Overall styling and shape is above average to good. Very much looks like a BMW 3 series in my opinion. Tail lights are perfectly fine in my opinion. Door handles are a non issue. Grill is a bit large and I dont like the look closed but this isnt a big deal in person.
  • Headlights and DRL are below average. Very nondescript and will not stand out compared to other brands. the LED DRLs are awful and boring. Laser light DRLs are better but still below average in terms of standing out on the road.
Interior
  • I can see why everyone says the materials and build quality are an improvement. Especially compared to pre-LCI F30. That being said, I cant say I love the design enough to make me want this car. Idrive is a great improvement but really just a small improvement over prior versions. Feels comparable to major iOS revisions. No significant feature improvement over prior versions, but everything looks and works a bit nicer.
  • The live gauge clusters or whatever they call them are really not for me. This is one of the biggest drawbacks of the car. This is a personal preference but I was really hoping I would be wowed by the product after seeing it in person. This was not the case.
  • The gear shifter is complete disaster and is one of the major reasons i would not want this car. Its tiny compared to anything Ive seen in a car before and does not look or feel comfortable. I love kicking the car from D to S to get a quick downshift and this feels very unsatisfying. This entire area of the car is really poorly executed.
  • The Msport steering wheel is not good. Barely any different from the sport line. As soon as I got back into my F30 I realized how different and boring the G20 wheel was.
  • The vernasca leather is a big improvement over the dakota leather. The soft touch plastic on the lower portion of the door is a non issue.

I can see why a lot of people will like this car. All of the negatives for me come down to aesthetics and certain design choices BMW has made outside of the driving dynamics. A lot of this is just personal preference on my part. You may have no issues with things that I see as dealbreakers. My lease is up this summer and I am going to buy my car off the lease. I'd rather pay $30k+ for a low mileage 2016 F30 that I love than get a first year G20 that will be a gamble.

Plus they dont offer the car in silver. Seems like a strange decision for a German brand. The F30 was greatly improved over its lifecycle. I think I will wait a few years on this one.

Last edited by dst211; 04-06-2019 at 06:33 PM..
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      04-06-2019, 07:38 PM   #2
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Thanks for the little write up and comparison between the F30 and G20. Hope you enjoy the many years ahead of you with your current F30.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dst211 View Post
The Active Sound feature feels like its been turned up to 11 on this car. It's actually a huge negative now. I dont mind it in my F30, but in sport mode, the G20 sounds absurd. I'd be embarrassed with a passenger in the car. Its that bad
This is one area where BMW should actually take a page out of Hyundai/Genesis. In the G70 in the settings, they have multiple different levels of sound for the ASC and also an off setting, in the M cars this would be greatly appreciated, the synthetic soundtrack in most BMWs really is awful, especially on the I4s and V8s
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      04-06-2019, 08:29 PM   #3
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Good review mate, but couldn't disagree with you more. Especially the new M sport steering wheel, it's probably my favorite aspect of the G20. Feels perfect in my hands, beefier and grips alot better than the current one. Dare I say, I like it more than my current M4's . But, to each their own I guess.
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      04-06-2019, 08:41 PM   #4
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thinking more about the wheel. i think its more of a visual thing. i liked the feel, but dont you think it looks pretty standard? most of my complants are aesthetics and personal preferance.
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      04-06-2019, 08:50 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dst211 View Post
thinking more about the wheel. i think its more of a visual thing. i liked the feel, but dont you think it looks pretty standard? most of my complants are aesthetics and personal preferance.
I kind of see what your getting at, I do like the F-Series steering wheel more in design, especially how the horn/airbag cover looks like its held by the lower spoke. I think the new one may look somewhat standard in your opinion as the "luxury" steering wheel finally actually looks good and the two are more similar in shape and design than previous generations. It took them a long time, but the luxury steering wheel finally doesn't look cheap or ugly, I mean just look at the standard E90, this was just really awful, makes the m-sport package worth the price for the steering wheel alone.

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