MotorTrend runs the 1/4 mile in 14.2@97 in the new F30 328i powered by the N20 - Better than an E36 M3?

That is some good MPG's though. kicks ass with style

the 328i is the F30 to own if you ask me, such great value and efficiency. I can't wait to see what they make with a big turb and supporting mods (are the internals forged??).

It's good to see a base 3 series with the numbers of the (U.S spec) E36 M3 though. I ran 14.0@99.x in mine with 104k on the clock and Wanli crap tires in relatively high DA. It definitely had 13's in it but my rear shock broke off after my 3rd pass. As far as the skidpad goes, I don't really think that's fair because the E36 M3 they tested was on tires from 15+ years ago.

The more important point made by this article, is they like the 328i better than the 335i:

Don't tell BMW, but the 328i is better than the 335i. I lapped both at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during BMW's launch event. We brought both home to test (you'll be seeing the 335i First Test soon), and we all agree. Yes, the 335i is a lot faster thanks to that turbo-six, but the 328i is the better car to drive.

What's more, BMW's own driving instructors at the track confided that the lap times were nearly identical, with the 335i faster on the straights and the 328i faster through the corners.

The F30 328i will absolutely walk away from an E36 M3. My E90 328i (when I was stock) was even with two E36 M3s my friends had (all cars manual with drivers who can maximize the performance of their cars, one of them is at the track once a month in his E36). I've driven plenty of E36 M3s, I wanted one for a while so I test drove a ton of them and have driven the two that my friends own very often (and I used to own a 318is but...that isn't a real car) I test drove the new 328i this week and it is a much, much quicker car.

As far as cars for drivers go, of course the E36 M3 is on a completely different level from the F30 328i as expected.

Also, the EPS system in the F30 is surprisingly good. Certainly a huge leap forward from the very soft setup they used in the F10 (the level of 'feel' is controlled by software so BMW can dial in as much or as little as they want). My brother spent the most time behind the wheel of the F30 328i we test drove and he couldn't stop commenting on how impressed he was...and he drives an E90 M3. I'm not saying it feels as good as his M3 (or my 135i with M3 front control arms, hands down the best steering on any current generation BMW) but neither of us was disappointed considering it's a base model car.

Originally Posted by Remonster

Also, the EPS system in the F30 is surprisingly good. Certainly a huge leap forward from the very soft setup they used in the F10 (the level of 'feel' is controlled by software so BMW can dial in as much or as little as they want). My brother spent the most time behind the wheel of the F30 328i we test drove and he couldn't stop commenting on how impressed he was...and he drives an E90 M3. I'm not saying it feels as good as his M3 (or my 135i with M3 front control arms, hands down the best steering on any current generation BMW) but neither of us was disappointed considering it's a base model car.

I wish that you could dial in that feel by yourself, that would be perfect. It's not terrible but it's not great, I didn't like it at all. You say base model BMW but compare that to an E90 328i with sport package as only option, it is considerably better.

I thought the N20 came with 260 hp stock?

I feel like with more modern tires an e36 m3 would still hold the upper hand. Who knows.

Originally Posted by Remonster

The F30 328i will absolutely walk away from an E36 M3. My E90 328i (when I was stock) was even with two E36 M3s my friends had (all cars manual with drivers who can maximize the performance of their cars, one of them is at the track once a month in his E36). I've driven plenty of E36 M3s, I wanted one for a while so I test drove a ton of them and have driven the two that my friends own very often (and I used to own a 318is but...that isn't a real car) I test drove the new 328i this week and it is a much, much quicker car.

As far as cars for drivers go, of course the E36 M3 is on a completely different level from the F30 328i as expected.

The E90 328i should not be as fast as an E36 M3.

The only 328 or 330 that comes close is the ZHP E46 330i. Even then, still the edge to the M3.

Originally Posted by DBFIU

I thought the N20 came with 260 hp stock?

It's dyno'ing a bit more than that. It doesn't really give up all that much to a 335, like 30 whp. Make sense since it traps about 3 mph less stock...

not a bad spec actually, pretty nice...slap a twinscroll on it, call it a day

Originally Posted by Sticky

The E90 328i should not be as fast as an E36 M3.

The only 328 or 330 that comes close is the ZHP E46 330i. Even then, still the edge to the M3.

My 328i was stick and had exactly zero options, so it was significantly lighter than most of the optioned-up 328is you would run across. I didn't even have power seats, and I got rid of the heavy runflats which make a difference. I raced my friend's Mustang (1969 302) before and after and the lighter tires were worth about a half carlength in those races.

So maybe a regular 328i is a little slower, but I'm speaking from actual experience when I say the 328i is dead even with stock E36 M3s. Then again, my 328i had the quickest 1/8 mile of any 328i or even 330i on Dragtimes so maybe my car was a factory freak.

Originally Posted by Remonster

My 328i was stick and had exactly zero options, so it was significantly lighter than most of the optioned-up 328is you would run across. I didn't even have power seats, and I got rid of the heavy runflats which make a difference. I raced my friend's Mustang (1969 302) before and after and the lighter tires were worth about a half carlength in those races.

So maybe a regular 328i is a little slower, but I'm speaking from actual experience when I say the 328i is dead even with stock E36 M3s. Then again, my 328i had the quickest 1/8 mile of any 328i or even 330i on Dragtimes so maybe my car was a factory freak.

Maybe. My E46 330i was pretty much neck and neck with automatic E36 M3's but would get pulled 3 cars or so by a manual.

Originally Posted by Sorena

What's an Automatic E36 M3? You mean SMG?

No, in the United States there was no SMG and there was an automatic option.

I think we can both agree that there are too many variables in the real world, it's safe to say the E36 M3, E46 330i and E90 328i are all pretty close, but I feel pretty confident in saying the F30 328i with that incredible 8 speed auto is quicker than all of these in the real world.

Sticky's right about the E36 M3 coming with automatics, btw. When I was briefly in the market for one, it seemed like the majority of E36 M3s for sale in SoCal were automatic convertibles...

Originally Posted by Remonster

When I was briefly in the market for one, it seemed like the majority of E36 M3s for sale in SoCal were automatic convertibles...

It's SoCal.... everything is automatic. Probably 99.9%.

Originally Posted by Remonster

but I feel pretty confident in saying the F30 328i with that incredible 8 speed auto is quicker than all of these in the real world.

I would have to agree with you.

Originally Posted by Sticky

It's dyno'ing a bit more than that. It doesn't really give up all that much to a 335, like 30 whp. Make sense since it traps about 3 mph less stock...

I wouldn't get too excited comparing dynojet #s or using a single Motortrend sample for a benchmark. A Stock n54 335i runs about 13.3-13.4@103-105mph for real, which would indicate anywhere from 60-80HP crank HP difference between them, based on the MT time and old rules of thumb for dragstrip performance.

That's about in line with its published 240(245?)HP vs the N54/N55's 306HP.

YMMV

Originally Posted by BavarianBullet

I wouldn't get too excited comparing dynojet #s or using a single Motortrend sample for a benchmark. A Stock n54 335i runs about 13.3-13.4@103-105mph for real, which would indicate anywhere from 60-80HP crank HP difference between them, based on the MT time and old rules of thumb for dragstrip performance.

That's about in line with its published 240(245?)HP vs the N54/N55's 306HP.

YMMV

I'm using multiple examples at this point. We are consistently seeing performance at about the E36 m3 level out of this new 328i. The gap between it and the 328i is very narrow once again. Like the 330i and 325i used to be before one went turbo.

Let's say it's about a ~4 mph difference on average but can be as high as 6 and was low as 3 depending on conditions, transmission, etc.. They are closer than 335 owners probably would like. I think the 225-230 whp is realistic for this car stock and we see what, 270 whp from non "is" 335's? Pretty good I think, the 328 is back and better than ever.