2011 BMW E90 328i (Manual) vs 2013 BMW F30 328i (Manual) - Head to Head Review!

[@pricepolice834]

Dude. You are doing the reviews every normal car enthusiasts want. Who cares about rimacs vs bugatti. Analog e90 modern classic vs early digital f30 is a great fckin review

[@Rockit181]

nailed it

[@IS300Spartan]

I wanna see an E46 against both.

[@Rockit181]

@@IS300Spartan 330 ZHP or ZSP for comparison

[@e46m54nissansr20937]

Fact

[@alphonsemonthei8878]

E90 N52 for sure. Such an underrated platform. Manual with a final drive swap is the sweet spot. I’ve had my e92 328i for about 6 years and it’s not going anywhere. It’s down to

[@24GarrettFPS]

What final drive did you use, and from what platform? I've been looking to make mine a daily/track toy

[@alphonsemonthei8878]

@@24GarrettFPS Hi! I’m running a 3.91 from an xdrive automatic. If you swap the pinion flange it bolts up. I also installed a helical lsd when I swapped it. Definitely recommend a lsd if you are looking to track the car.

[@Unicornpirate]

How you got that horsepower and weight

[@alphonsemonthei8878]

@@Unicornpirate lots of mods… carbon roof, carbon hood, carbon trunk, recaro buckets, lithium battery, apex forged wheels, and on and on. I have a build thread on E90Post with a lot of tutorials and mod descriptions. If you Google “building the 328csl” you’ll find it.

[@24GarrettFPS]

@@Unicornpirate take the 330i manifold, install it and get a tune. +25-30 hp

[@WasiTechie]

Thanks for reviewing my car, was a blast! Will switch square setup with 255's. Definitely need to get that front crashing sound checked out, I believe I need different bump stops.

[@pkonyoutube]

Sounded from here like it might be lowered too much - maybe raise ride height some? I enjoyed the video - thanks for providing your car!

[@royroy4481]

F30 owner for 11 years and its been extremely reliable for me since day 1! Picked it up at the munich factory with 0 miles and still warms my heart every time i drive it. Lightly modded. Stage 1 bms tune, h&r coilovers, 235 front 265 rears, axle back exhaust. 1-2x a year oil change along with scheduled maintenance and you're golden. Cheers!

[@Mossskaterhans]

The one is a tiny turbo charged 4 cyl that is piping hot 5 minutes from startup.The other is a 6 cyl masterpiece that will run forever and takes forever to heat up. The laws of thermodynamics play a big part in lifespan of a BMW.

[@bobbykhan5787]

Enjoyed this comparison where it’s going to the more accessible models. I had an E90 330i for 7 years and loved it, agree with your assessment vs F30. I leased a 230i in 2017 and I had a pretty sterile and forgettable experience. Was still great balance and surprisingly linear turbo 4, but the loss of engagement was the main thing.

[@amateurhuman5850]

Enjoyed the review, thank you for posting. I own these 2 cars, e90 manual, F30 N20 auto trans. Added Dinan stage 1 tune to the F30 & in sport mode it accelerates sharply-recommend! Also F30 M performance exhaust-recommend! Bavsound speakers amp and woofers in both sound amazing-recommend! I live in Phoenix and highway drive a lot. The F30 gets better mileage, has better air conditioner (Phoenix!), and has better low-end torque-overall a better commuter. The e90 feels smaller, feels more connected and is more fun to drive; it fondly reminds me of the first car I drove, a 1983 633 csi manual. The e90 has 177K and I’ll keep it till death parts us (hopefully not mine). My son drives the F30, 110K and going strong. I’d recommend either car to someone who can do much of the maintenance work as upkeep gets costly.

[@kimchee411]

E90 328i with sport package was my first BMW. Loved the smoothness, looks, refinement, size, steering and suspension feel. Wanted more power and larger backseats for growing kids and went to the F30 335i, test driving a 6MT F30 328i in the process. Completely agree with your assessment. I miss the E90 more than the F30 though I did enjoy my time with the latter after lowering it. Steering is sooo much better as is suspension in E90. Stock F30 has a ton of body roll and interior feels cheaper, but not bad.

[@rightminddrive]

The 328i e9x's are incredibly underrated. Especially the Pre LCI cars. Had a manual wagon with 225k miles on it, sold it and bought one with 130k less miles for $7k trailered to my door.

[@Rockit181]

why pre-LCI, heavier steering?

[@rightminddrive]

@@Rockit181 They're usually a lot cheaper! They're also more reliable (no vanos sprocket bolt failures)

[@jackhalliwell5381]

@@rightminddriveplus the valve cover doesn’t warp. Meaning u have to replace that and the pcv systen everytime it goes. There’s a couple other reasons why the grey top is a lot more reliable. The black tops make a bit more power tho.

[@SplatterPUNKz]

Awesome comparison and review. I just bought my first BMW a couple months ago. It's a 2011 E90 328i xDrive with the 3L 6 and a 6 speed automatic. It's white with the tan interior. I didn't know exactly what I was buying at the time but the test drive sold me on the car. Since then I have learned a lot about the model and other BMWs that also interest me. My first surprise was the first trip to the dealership for state inspection and the service agent wanted to buy it from me. She mentioned she has been looking for that exact model year and color combination. It had 65K when I bought it and paid 10K US dollars. My wife was not happy, she wanted me to buy a bigger 5 series and a newer model but I really fell in love with this one. I've had to do a couple small repairs so I'm learning how to work on the car. The best part is driving it. The more I drive it the more I like it. The handling and braking is awesome but I am already hungry for a more powerful motor. I've been looking at the 335i and also the 640i coupe with the 8cyl. The 328i is a keeper and great for commuting around town or on the highway. The xDrive makes it extremely stable in rainy conditions or accelerating hard out of a turn. It loves to be driven and I really do enjoy driving this model. I thought I was going to be disappointed at first but it truly has been an awesome car to drive. Very comfortable and very sure footed.

[@mfujiii]

i love regular traffic reviews, my auto e90 is such a great smooth daily (when it doesnt misfire)

[@YKballer07]

I had a 2008 328i and currently have a 2017 320i. The E90 was such a beast. Sounded a lot better and felt a lot faster and heavier than my current car. Love both, personally enjoy the aesthetic of the F30 more but the quality was much better in the E90

[@bwdrives]

I have an E88 125i which unlike the 128i has the 3 stage intake manifold so easily gets to 270bhp with a tune Nice to see this platform getting the recognition it deserves! Not as fast or unreliable as the 135/335i but so much fun to drive! Sound beautiful too and exactly as you say they feel waaaay more expensive than they are because the N52 is just so refined

[@jairo321]

only the 330i has the 3 stage intake the 328 is 15 hp more than the 325i

[@bwdrives]

@@jairo321 in Europe the 125i had the exact same engine set up as the 130i E87 which included the 3 stage intake manifold

[@PennywiseM3]

E90 needs rear subframe whiteline bushing inserts to really bring the handling together.

[@dustycocane]

I have an e90 with the same platform aside from his mods. The engine is very smooth and makes plenty of low-end torque. It’s the best car I’ve ever daily driven and I’m not getting rid of it until it shits the bed.

[@16vPete]

Great video as usual - I have an E82 128i and absolutely love it

[@dg7438]

me to. I want to get a performance exhaust next

[@esteemedenergy]

267k miles on my 328i N51, all original. Did vanos bolts and basic maintenance. Super reliable, no turbo will outlast it.

[@JDtimesten]

I hear the N51 has the 3 stage manifold and only needs the tune to unlock that power. You might want to check it out if you haven't already.

[@youngace1229]

Really??​@@JDtimesten

[@ricolam4916]

I like he keeps the oem look on the e90. used to have an 06 e90 325i Manual. Fun and involving car. Good times

[@ros8886]

great review! going to buy e90 next summer as a first car

[@brandonsever2576]

There's absolutely something wrong with that suspension in the F30. Anyways, I'm a huge fan of the N52 engine. I was looking for a 128i but with prices going way up recently, I ended up in an E92 328i 6sp sport pack. It needs an exhaust, short shifter, and shorter ratio LSD upgrade to be perfect. Otherwise I'm in love with it

[@vanguard4288]

My first car was a 128I on coilovers and I loved it. I just totaled it 2 days ago because someone pulled out in front of me and I’m beyond upset.

[@dg7438]

Nice. I just bought a lowish mileage 128i M sport fully loaded a few weeks ago. Luckily the person selling underpriced it and I nabbed it asap

[@JDtimesten]

Yeah-I'm really looking forward to a 373 rear with an LSD.

[@cinnamontoastclutch6653]

great video as always, love seeing these sub 25k cars reviewed

[@DB0310]

Great review, the sound you hear is like what I had in my 2013 328 x drive, There is a steering rack repair kit that remedies excessive movement in the rack due to wear.

[@rightminddrive]

Just drove an F30 M sport 328i (6 speed) back to back with a 328i E90 (6 speed). The E90 felt better to drive to me as well.

[@Pogona2011]

I LOVE that you are reviewing obtainable cars for fun driving! I''m looking for a lower cost purely fun car! Looks like the F30 is a step backwards in terms of driving-with better tech! My car right now is the 23 Acura A Spec 6MT. Looking for better handling tires. Might you ID your driving road? It's near me if it'''s near Pleasanton. I drove Mines road-but I had active mudslides and I found a ROAD closed to through traffic on the other side.

[@Zygrene]

Mind sending me a quick email? [e-mail]

[@Pogona2011]

Done Thanks!

[@cale373]

Had both, either is great daily drivers. The F30 N55 was pretty fun to have though in my opinion. Probably helped adding the MPPK

[@Igor-nb6st]

E90 baby 🎉❤

[@e90baby]

i have a 2010 bmw 328 x drive sport pack with a stick. recently put some lightweight d force wheels on sticky tires. Absolutely love the car. I had a 325 e46 before and that car had great handling and with my e90 being an xdrive it’s a little worse in that department but with some coilovers and new bushings, the car is gonna be on rails. It already is, even in the rain. Can’t wait to throw some bilsteins on it and a little more power and have a fun street car

[@JRB41]

E90 FTW - Better quality, N/A Inline 6, and looks better.

[@Sideways_Singh]

The tires r gonna make a massive difference. Cus the f30 has 235 n 275 rear which is the wrong ratio, the fronts r too narrow compared to the rear which will resuly in understeer, the e90 has 255 all around so it will be incredibly balanced n more oversteery.

[@tractioncontroldelete]

How’s you say this E90 compares to a E36 M3?

[@evanfogarty4443]

Always love a video with a n20 in it 👍🏼 yes I’m a ba(i)sed owner

[@jrmenzies9060]

Shoutout on the 9burgring sticker! I have the same one

[@PigsyGames]

F30 is light years ahead, just so much better in every aspect. Probably the most well rounded 3 series generation.

[@cxt7181]

Definitely not

[@philliesclips7348]

Used to have an E90 ‘06 330i sport manual. Loved that car!

[@woodsoncircle]

Terrific insight and review ❤

[@Rmmlom]

Competition package, are a little different than the M- Sport package. Ours a 2010 328i E92 S.P. 3.0L hydraulic steering, with the factory 3 stage manifold. THIS car cooks. Road or track. On the track we have seen speeds of 155 MPH and sometimes a little higher. But man that car is pretty fast for a 328i. Anyway, great review and channel bud. BMW enthusiasts..!

[@pascutia]

E90 no contest. I made the switch from F30 328i to E90 330xi manual. Hydraulic steering, NA reliable I6, smaller size, better build quality, and still decent mpg (30 mpg at 80mph). Early F30 328i variants have timing chain guide issues with N20. They fixed it after 2014. I really didn’t like the EPS in the F30.

[@Stephen-re4oy]

They never fixed the N20. Garbage engine.

[@davidrichards5849]

I actually think the n52 is a solid little powerplant for a non-m bmw engine, just overshadowed by the n54 and even n55. I do prefer n52 powered 1 series for the weight savings though.

[@JRB41]

I prefer the N52 to the N54/N55. Better reliability, less weight, and that N/A sound!

[@JDtimesten]

My 325i with stock sport suspension handles better than my 335i with BC coilovers on good 265 and 275 19 inch wheels and tires. That lightweight front end is just the best.

[@squarrl]

How would a e90 328i compare to a e82 128i?

[@pascutia]

Ehh, I’ve always been team E90 just because they tend to be cheaper, more practical, drive nearly as agile, and they’re built better. But either option is great fun!

[@Zygrene]

128i is more nimble and lively but they feel very similar

[@DannyBoyGhost]

I own an “06 325I for about 2yrs coming up in July I love my car a lot and mean although she was slightly rough need some work a lot of it mainly cause I wanted the car to last me but I’ve already put so much in to it still have some more things on my list but all will definitely be worth it once complete an yes something about these e90 comparing to most other vehicles it just feel so much in tuned to the driver a lot of feedback from driving it especially on them sharp turns ☺️

[@jakegoldberg8941]

How did he get a non sunroof car? It was standard for all e9x cars in north america.

[@oyurcha1]

This car was special ordered with no sunroof by the original owner that I purchased the car from.

[@loginex9389]

My E90 doesn’t have a sunroof either.

[@scotthilly5653]

Great video man! Would be curious for you to drive a G20 330i and see how it compares. I found it’s extremely capable and the LSD is a welcome addition, but it doesn’t feel any more engaging than the F30.

[@emanuelrodriguez1682]

I done test drive 2016 2017s mercedes benz and 2013 328i nothing drives and handle better than my 2011 bmw 328i 😊

[@tjk6220]

I regret selling my 2006 E90 330i..... looking to get back into BMWs but what do I do, overpay for an E90 ? Or Spring for a B58 340I for 10k more.....? regrets regrets

[@Steven9999990]

For anybody looking to buy one of those, the e90 will be a more reliable car and it will prob cost less to mantain thats for sure, I just bought a 2013 328i f30 and it started to give me some issues already, now I don’t think the interior will be a downgrade, it looks better than the e90 interior but thats just my opinion also u got the option to install a backu camera and apple carplay, I do agree with the cracking sound tho. Now that f30 suspension sounds terrible, I was suffering everytime you hit a bump 😂😂 mine has the original suspension which I have to replace soon but doesn’t sound that bad.

[@BMWEiMSport]

E90 N52B30 over that F30 any day of the week.

[@johannesmendoza4078]

E90 > F30 for me easily

[@kc2213]

Sounds like that f30 was constantly bottoming out on the bump stops…

[@stranotech1]

Great video!

[@icrashalot2266]

Damn, that 2013 F30 sounds a lot like my 2001 Mustang when it hits pot holes and road cracks lol. Interior rattle galore.

[@vBunz]

That F30 suspension sounds so bad

[@i_read_bad_reviews]

E90 328i can start less than $5k in Houston.

[@antonycatulo7707]

So you’re doing a review of non stock cars??!!

[@bingoberra18]

Would be curious what you think about Honda TSX if you have driven one of those

[@JDtimesten]

OK. I'm keeping my E9x cars. My next car will be a K20 Civic Si or an E28 535is, since they're both so similar.

[@furkan44sahin]

F30 idrive not orginal screen !

[@teoshineent.9244]

e46 330i Vs. e90 328i please.

[@johnmitchell2269]

330 ZHP to be more specific 👍

[@artcruz5603]

🔥 🔥 🔥

[@OneTireFire]

I'm pretty sure that all E90 LCI models had electric not hydraulic power steering. Maybe that's why you felt it was lighter than you expected. I checked whether the 328i kept power steering even after the LCI, but apparently no, it also got an electric rack. Also, there seems to be noticeably more interior noise and rattles when you're in the F30 compared to the E90 - the F sounds like it crashes over bumps and the shockwave reverberates through the cabin much more than in the E. The difference in build quality and just general solidity is night and day between these two cars, as you pointed out.

[@nickray1694]

I drive a LCI e90 328i and it certainly has hydraulic power steering. I know because I replaced the fluid and reservoir to service it. Lol.

[@OneTireFire]

@@nickray1694 I did some more digging since I wrote the initial comment and I think this may be a Europe/US thing. Apparently some people have LCI cars with electric, others with hydraulic.

[@OneTireFire]

@@nickray1694 My 2010 320d has electric steering.

[@d.nakamura9579]

Why have BMWs always had rubbery feeling manual transmissions? I had an ‘87 328i - great car, but had that rubbery feel

[@Zygrene]

I'd love to know too. Seems like the rubberiness can and should be tuned out

[@1240enzo]

Ahm, just for the record, the 328 is not the base model of the E90 range, the 320 4cyl and or 320 D was. Having owned my 323i (though unfortunately an auto) for the past 7-8 yrs I am well familiar with the car’s qualities. Out here in Oz, there are relatively few manual versions of this 3 series. As much as I enjoy my E90, personally I would like a E46 330 ci coupe or convertible, and especially as a manual. However, most E46s out here again were autos.

[@MaxSip001]

"Base" in BMW speak just means no M options or not M3.

[@1240enzo]

Oh ok, that wasn’t my understanding of the term base. Base meant to me the lowest spec model, hence my comments. All cool 😁

[@stevemartegani]

That was the worst suspension sound I've ever heard in a car review... And I've watched a lot of car reviews!

[@rahatchoudhury175]

Ikr

[@Andres-cu1nh]

Whats is the fuel comsumption of f30??

[@memememine1]

Damn bro didnt smile once when driving the f30. What an absolute failure of a 3 series generation.

[@muhammad84Sang]

N52 is a great engine. Strong and quiet. N20 ahhh 😅

[@camoiiwilliams9503]

13:12 WTF WAS THAT 😳

[@e46m54nissansr20937]

E90 328i vs E46 330i

[@jonathancocky8061]

Question is the 2011 the same as a 2007 or 2008??? I'm thinking on getting one but is it the same or less power???

[@JDtimesten]

It's the same. In 2006 they had a 325i with about 220hp and a 330i with about 260hp. After that I think they've all been 328i with about 235hp. The difference in power is the tune and the intake manifold. The manifolds have electrically controlled doors (DISA flaps) that open and close at certain rpms and throttle positions. I have a 325i, but I plan to put on the 330i intake which has two DISA flaps, therefore making it a 3 stage intake. With a tune and exhaust header (expensive ~$1000) it should make around 270hp. The E9x cars are divided into LCI and pre-LCI cars. That was just a slight styling change midway through. The tail lights make it obvious. I prefer the pre-LCI. GET ONE. It's very fun and not bad to work on.

[@steadybreeze1443]

E90 6 speed manuals RWD original owner stored every winter.. 2008 F30 is garbage Not even worth comparing No need to remove Traction control it is not intrusive at all.. BMW has best stability control systems.. keep it on

[@JDtimesten]

I noticed the TC on my e90 has 2 stages. I keep it set so that it allows a little bit of slip angle and wheelspin. It can be turned all the way off (when it flashes in the instrument binnacle), turned on all the way where it allows no wheelspin at all, or just press the button once without holding it, and it lets me slide around a little. No more than I would want on public roads anyways.

[@cale373]

@@JDtimestenThat’s DSC for one tap and DTC when you hold the button. All BMWs have that

[@JDtimesten]

Not really. I have and have had E30s in which ABS was a new thing. My E46 was different as well. I know what the systems are called, Cale, but I described it in a simple way any normy could understand. The TC and SC systems are always evolving. I'd never drive with any nannies on in my 330i E46, but the TC in the E90 actually lets me play a little, so I keep it on. The open diff is good for nothing aside from drifting way more than I'm willing to do 99% of the time.

[@FrankiE90jl]

I wanna know the e90 owner's ig or youtube channel!

[@oyurcha1]

olegator_performance

[@thegamer4646]

E90 is better

[@tractioncontroldelete]

Loved this comparison. I just picked up an E90 330i and an E90 325i. Great cars. You’re right on the money with the weight. I just had my 330i on the scale: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGeydKZ7iNqcq5o

[@i_read_bad_reviews]

F30 owner clearly has no idea how to modify a proper car