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by handling feel do you really mean steering wheel feedback? because that seems to be what previous f30 autorag complaints focused on, and what they seem to praise vehicles like the mazda6 and fiesta st for. is handling feel the pinnacle for driving enthusiasts? more than, say, the actual handling? i guess it would be nice to have both, but if i had to choose, i would prefer to drive a car with numb steering that can make nearly a 90 degree turn at 30 mph under control than i would a car with excellent steering feedback that keeps telling me the front end is pushing hard across opposing lanes of traffic and into the corner drugstore
I think the issue is that the competitors already have both capability and handling feel. Handling feel can make or break a cars characteristics. The extreme example would be the Q50 DAS system. It was widely panned even though the car had high limits and was capable. But no one really wanted to drive the thing. Conversely, the G70 has similar figures compared to a lot of its competition but is widely praised because of how it handles and how the handling feel is class leading.
It's interesting to me that the most consistent criticism I read on the F30 is the steering feel yet Fröhlich doesn't mention it here. He discusses center of gravity, new dampers, structural rigidity, etc. I really haven't been reading of complaints in those areas on the F30. Perhaps I'm just not informed enough, but I'd like to hear about what they are doing to bring back the precise steering, as I assume they are tweaking the EPS.
I hadn't read the C&D prior. It lists out a bunch of cars that have better EPS than the new 3 series--that's disappointing. I'm not kidding around, from all the rental cars I've driven over the last 14 or so years, for some odd reason, Chevrolet has always seemed to have above average EPS. C&D confirms that in the article on the 3.
Skidpad is a metric for grip. Handling is better measured using a figure 8 or slalom. Put on some better tires on the 3 series and it will do better on the skidpad...no big deal.
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
could be more to do with tires than suspension.
According to the article, the 3-series had the M-sport package, and came with Summer-only tires (Bridgestone Turanza T005), while the Altima was on all-seasons (Hankook Kinergy GT). Better tires would likely show improvements on both cars, but as it stands, a well-balanced RWD "driver's car" with a sport suspension and summer-only tires should have more dry cornering grip than a family sedan running all-seasons, period. If they just put P4S on the G20 and re-did the test, maybe it would get closer to the Altima's numbers. But I would bet that if both cars were on the same tire, the Altima would still be ahead, perhaps even more than it was in this test.
According to the article, the 3-series had the M-sport package, and came with Summer-only tires (Bridgestone Turanza T005), while the Altima was on all-seasons (Hankook Kinergy GT). Better tires would likely show improvements on both cars, but as it stands, a well-balanced RWD "driver's car" with a sport suspension and summer-only tires should have more dry cornering grip than a family sedan running all-seasons, period. If they just put P4S on the G20 and re-did the test, maybe it would get closer to the Altima's numbers. But I would bet that if both cars were on the same tire, the Altima would still be ahead, perhaps even more than it was in this test.
Just to put things into perspective, having owned a 1998 Maxima SE for 21 years, it had good skidpad numbers for 1995 standards, yet the handling and steering, I would rate as poor. Look, I was young, and I took her up to an indicated 141 mph--it didn't have the chassis to handle it. I could be way way off, but I doubt a new Altima handles better than a new BMW 3. If it does? I would suggest that folks run, not walk, and buy it.
Conversely, the G70 has similar figures compared to a lot of its competition but is widely praised because of how it handles and how the handling feel is class leading.
yeah, see, except it doesn't compare. it's shorter wheelbase makes it feel more tossable, but when pushed to the limits it pushes wide and understeers, likely due in part to its weight but also it's cheaper to make macpherson struts. it doesn't get the double wishbone suspension that even it's older brother G80 gets. reviews of both the stinger & the G70 mention the understeer and also speak of random tail waggle in corners (i.e. loss of driver confidence). it certainly can't be attributed to the tires they put on the G70. although it's sales have been in steady decline for the last several years, more buyers are still choosing the IS over the G70.
yeah, see, except it doesn't compare. it's shorter wheelbase makes it feel more tossable, but when pushed to the limits it pushes wide and understeers, likely due in part to its weight but also it's cheaper to make macpherson struts. it doesn't get the double wishbone suspension that even it's older brother G80 gets. reviews of both the stinger & the G70 mention the understeer and also speak of random tail waggle in corners (i.e. loss of driver confidence). it certainly can't be attributed to the tires they put on the G70. although it's sales have been in steady decline for the last several years, more buyers are still choosing the IS over the G70.
Let's not discuss sales number with how each car performs. Most 3 series and IS sales are of the less performance oriented models as the brand image is really the big selling point. The G70 has no brand equity hence its lower selling numbers. I wouldn't be surprised if the 3.3L sells as well as the 2L on the G70 vs the 90:10 split of a 330 / 340 3 series.
I have no doubt the 340 will outperform the G70 but the G70 is almost as good at 70% of the price.
I have no doubt the 340 will outperform the G70 but the G70 is almost as good at 70% of the price.
We sat in the new 3 today at BMW. The new 3 is the better luxury car. It’s worth paying for over all others. The G70 is good, but seems like it was built for designs that were 10 years ago. There is something special about BMW. Genesis, I don’t think so.
We sat in the new 3 today at BMW. The new 3 is the better luxury car. It’s worth paying for over all others. The G70 is good, but seems like it was built for designs that were 10 years ago. There is something special about BMW. Genesis, I don’t think so.
Depends on if you value the additional luxury. I can get a loaded G70 for about $47k while the BMW I want is $65k. Not sure $18k is worth it.
Depends on if you value the additional luxury. I can get a loaded G70 for about $47k while the BMW I want is $65k. Not sure $18k is worth it.
Car and Driver slammed this new 3's interior pretty badly, though. Saying the materials are just okay, some cheap, and that Mazda does a better job with its interiors.
Seeing the pictures of the interior didn't exactly whet my appetite, either.
Car and Driver slammed this new 3's interior pretty badly, though. Saying the materials are just okay, some cheap, and that Mazda does a better job with its interiors.
Seeing the pictures of the interior didn't exactly whet my appetite, either.
For me, I value handling feel over straight line performance. Seems the BMW still has issues in this department. I'll have to test drive it to see if I like it. I hated the F30. I'm also not a fan of the BMW interior and gauges. I think Audi and Mercedes do a much better job. I'll see if the next gen IS has the turbo V6. If not, I'm going elsewhere for sure.
For me, I value handling feel over straight line performance. Seems the BMW still has issues in this department. I'll have to test drive it to see if I like it. I hated the F30. I'm also not a fan of the BMW interior and gauges. I think Audi and Mercedes do a much better job. I'll see if the next gen IS has the turbo V6. If not, I'm going elsewhere for sure.
I don't think I could ever get used to the reverse swinging tach, and I feel it would be hard to glance at quickly with so much other crap going on in that cluster.
Car and Driver slammed this new 3's interior pretty badly, though. Saying the materials are just okay, some cheap, and that Mazda does a better job with its interiors.
Seeing the pictures of the interior didn't exactly whet my appetite, either.
This is from Car & Driver: "Inside, the 3 has a modernized design complete with excellent materials and impressive build quality. BMW claims the sedan has improved outward visibility and the interior is even quieter than its predecessor. The 3-series has a bigger trunk that can be opened or closed hands-free. The infotainment system has intuitive controls with an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. Other extra-cost content includes a detailed head-up display, fully digital gauge cluster, customizable ambient interior lighting, and advanced driver-assistance technologies. The high-tech options include sophisticated LED headlights that adapt to the road ahead and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology."