2017 BMW 330i x-Drive // A DoubleClutch.ca Review with T.H.

I take the 2017 BMW 330i X-drive for a week for DoubleClutch.ca magazine. I found myself thoroughly impressed by this vehicle. Totally worthy of the 330 badge.
Don't forget to read my review on Doubleclutch.ca
Here: doubleclutch.ca/2017-bmw-330i-...
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[@dsinghr]

First time I drove this 330i after driving civic non turbo model for years, it blew my socks off. The torque is immense with slight tap on the paddle. It’s addictive and this car makes you feel so much more confident and makes you feel like a really good driver haha

[@BurgoYT]

That’s how I felt driving my dads 2013 328i, now I’m getting myself an F30 330i which is almost identical

[@jjc2619]

@@BurgoYTwhat year?

[@BurgoYT]

@@jjc2619 2018

[@Tapper1246]

I just bought this and it’s my first BMW! I’m loving getting to know it and I appreciate your review and knowledge 😀

[@Tarmac76]

Hope you've good luck with it. Enjoy!

[@anotheran]

This is the perfect video for a f30 owner. Just praises all around like an A+ interior.

[@TheColnago]

Love this guy. Smart, to the point and refreshingly honest. 👍 Like

[@LuckyOctober]

I own this car and still come check out this review. You did a great job. I love this car.

[@andykensley]

How do you find the torque? I have a 330i and it is crazy quick but it feels as if there is no torque

[@euro83]

​@@andykensley so it has a high topspeed but it take ages to reach it?

[@elicash315]

I just bought this exact car and my wife an d I absolutely LOVE IT. Great Video I didn't know it pipes in the engine sound that is crazy it sounds legit!

[@kevinpraditra]

Great video! Earned a sub 👍🏻 I drive an F30 328i (which is basically a pre LCI 330i) and I couldn’t agree more with everything you’ve mentioned. Such a comfortable yet powerful everyday saloon indeed.

[@cahuldj]

Finally, a real review! (comparing to other motorsport journalists)

[@avalanx]

I have a BMW 230i in manual and your interpretation of the feeling of this 330i is pretty much the same. Really fun car to drive aggressively without being overwhelming.

[@zaydsamodien_m3]

This video is the first proper video of the F30 330i 👌

[@ryu411]

You have a phenomenal channel, my dude! Genuinely my favorite simply because of the E46 love. I sincerely hope you can get more traction with subscribers and views. Keep up the spectacular content!

[@Richard-tv5cb]

Nice review! Just got myself a 330i in Australia and what a car!!

[@Wicked_RotF30]

Over 1million subscribers now...God is Great! I hope to meet the TH crew one for some fun at the track!

[@freedomlifemake2579]

Great job man! I watch your videos since your first e46 upload (e46=bae) and your evolution is just amazing! You deserve way more subscribers, or a job at motor trend! Keep up the great work!

[@ThrottleHouse]

+freedomlifemake 25 I've been reading your comments since the beginning. Thanks for sticking around! The e46 is here to stay so lots more content coming there too!

[@ginagao1197]

This is a very passionate n informative video, thank you!

[@mrjsprenger1285]

Great Review!! Loves this channel! Best in the business!

[@user-re8xu2pj5q]

Love the video. Appreciate your honesty.

[@willbobig7536]

I probably have watched this video about 7 times over the years, and I can say it sold me on the car - recent F30 owner.

[@vickiewalker5413]

I have this car being driving it for 4 days...i like it

[@stockg35x]

did it last? any issues?

[@terrencesoltz8943]

Recently bought a 2018 430i Gran Coupe, for a lot of the reasons you mention, plus hatch! I really don’t need anything more sporty, as I don’t track or drag. I almost never had much opportunity to wind out my previous car (2006 Audi A3 2.0T). The setup is softer, so I’m still adjusting to the increased body roll, but also appreciate not feeling every crack in the road. I’m not convinced the cornering is significantly worse, with the AWD and better balance making up for the body roll.

[@MM-qv5lf]

Excellent review, non nonsense.

[@SPEDSLAYER101]

This video is the reason I bought this car, so happy with it

[@tulllguy]

best review so far.

[@XMG3]

Watching this few years later at work still makes me appreciate my 430i. It really is that good and for putting around town, this is all I need. By the way, high gloss shadow line is the trim around the window, instead of chrome, it's shiny black, mine has it lol.

[@andykensley]

How do you find the torque? I have a 330i and it is crazy quick but it feels as if there is no torque

[@teemeaux3830]

@@andykensley plenty torque to me. Not enough top end. Down pipes and tune or exhaust or both.

[@larsjansen1830]

Great video! Awesome car!

[@jessececil7418]

Thomas, I'm gonna need you guys to go back and review/compare a 330i Sport Wagon against your new Audi Allroad as a TH Extra. Please and thank you!

[@PRNTestDrive]

Great video, I think that BMW is on the right track with their naming convention finally, a little simpler to distinguish the trims even if their irrelevant to the displacement anymore.

[@jean-michelgirard4156]

I'd blame your tires for the steering wheel reaction. I have a MPack F31 2018 with the 19" and it's fantastic. Absolutely fantastic car. Plus it is a touring, so much better and practical than a sedan. Perfect car to me. And so reliable.

[@xpsscorpion]

Just got the light blue metallic m sport 330xi 2017 Definitely a nice car growing on me more and more. Was upset that I couldn’t get a 335 for the engine but this is pretty nice

[@andykensley]

How do you find the torque? I have a 330i and it is crazy quick but it feels as if there is no torque

[@guner4]

I have both and you are right about the feeling that M2 seats being higher than the 3 series. It is one of the few things that I dislike about the M2. Also agree with your comment about the steering feel on the 3 series. Dead point at the center and too artificial in sport mode. That is my only complaint about the 3 series at the moment. Great review. Thanks for pointing important subjective facts like these. Hate those reviews when it just sounds like listening to a press release.

[@StarAZ]

Great review! Two questions: where are you driving in the video? I'm having a hard time finding any good road around Toronto. Do you think the price gap between this and the 2 series is justifiable?

[@hansyali_]

I really hope this is comparable to the 2018 because I can’t find a review for that but I just bought it and waiting for it to arrive on Thursday. If it’s anything like you love this car I’ll be totally psyched and I also hope I have the heads up display I never check for that

[@TheRpkennedy]

To answer his not knowing what Shadowline is, it is the trim around the windows. It's an ostentatious chrome on cars without the M Sport package, but it's a nice black *with* the M Sport package and looks a whole lot better in my humble opinion.

[@henryatkinson1479]

The ZF 8HP is incredibly impressive, but I'm still just a little mad that we couldn't have the F31 Touring with a 6-speed in North America. I need the space that the touring has, but the engagement just isn't there from the automatic.

[@timothycoyne5874]

Nice review. I’m considering a CPO 3-Series for my next car. I only wish BMW was still offering a manual in the 330i and 340i. As it is, I hope to find a nice low-mileage example in another year or two.

[@palaghatkolungodevishwnata2027]

they offered it in the f30 340i but as unfortunately evident by the lack of availability on the used market with those, not many bought them.

[@SamuelDrives]

The recent nomenclature on Audi is even more chaotic :-D

[@alexw3272]

Thank you so much, it's really useful

[@giorgostzolis4245]

Very nice video, i am looking also for the 530 f10, with the 3 liter petrol with the 8 speed automatic, which is better the 330i or the 530 ? Could you please advise?

[@los7650]

Yeah you just sold me lol. Thanks for the review great video.

[@EnricoS1981]

The problem is that there are three possible steering systems on this car: the basic one, the servotronic steering and the variable sport steering, and I rarely know which one the car being tested is

[@jrallday]

Your talking speed is A1 👍🏾

[@sanpatrik]

Hi I wanted to ask, you said that the car feels planted “on rails” in corners. Did you had adaptive suspension on the model that you reviewed? Because xdrive did not come with sport suspension even with sportline. You could Only get adaptive. So i wanted to ask if it feels sporty and stable in corners even with standard suspension?? ThankQ for answer, Love ur vids

[@micahpbt9638]

There seems to be a lot of hate going around this vehicle. I test drove it recently and I must say I am impressed by it's overall package. Sure it's not the ultimate sports vehicle, but it's not trying to be. Could the suspension be stiffer? Yes. Could it use more communication in the steering department? Of course! But does it still drive like a BMW? Absolutely! And I'd say that's more important than whether or not this checks all the imaginary boxes that a sports sedan should have. It's a sporty daily driver, and it does it's job really well!

[@clubracer6]

You would pick this transmission over a manual??

[@peterslater7791]

thanks for this review. i'm a long-time E46 guy but needing a newer car, and unfortunately, an automatic - and the F31 330xi M Sport is the car i'm looking for, or a Golf Alltrack. admittedly i also own a MK7 Golf and have driven the Alltrack, and they are fun cars - not fast, but lively and still comfortable. this review seems to concur that this car will be exactly what i am looking for in a daily driver family car that won't bore me to sleep while i'm driving it, but also something docile enough for my wife to drive. thanks, this review was super helpful and arguably the way all car reviews should be.

[@palaghatkolungodevishwnata2027]

What did you end up getting

[@peterslater7791]

@@palaghatkolungodevishwnata2027 i ended up test driving a 2017 330xiT M Sport (F31) and it was surprisingly awful. the engine and transmission were nice, but the chassis was sloppy, and the car felt so so heavy... strangely though, the ultimate deal-breaker for me was the head rests. silly, yes, but i have back and neck issues (rear-ended about 14 years ago), and while the sport seats were nice, after 20 minutes my neck was in agony. i ended up buying a 2017 VW Golf R and it is night and day a better built, driving, and more competent car than the 330xiT M Sport. and i really wanted the F31.

[@buzaglo07]

How did you get the 330i with these rims? My dealership told me that I can't get the 330i with m package with these rims for 2017.

[@thef30guy98]

How did you get the analog clock face to show up on you idrive display without the split screen option??? Check it at 0:58 seconds into the video.

[@tariqhaque4677]

I test drove current generation A4 and C300 before buying a 328i xDrive. I agree with the reviewer that this generation 3 Series is a better overall driver's car. A4 too buttoned down, C300 too floaty.

[@buldhana]

Dude I am from Mumbai, India, I own a 2015 BMW 320d (F-30) RWD, (pre LCI model) its also an M-sport version, the thing is its got a decent amount of power (135 kw) and a 380 nm (which is more than the 330i you drive) of torque and obviously an efficiency of a diesel car! Now I am also thinking of buying the 330i (RWD version obviously) which is from what i gather in your video is a pretty dam good car to buy. But will it be good enough to a person who is already owning and driving a BMW F-30 for almost 3 years now? Cheers!

[@DS-pk4eh]

This is a better buy than the new m235i. Just tune this engine and you will have rear-wheel based xdrive (so proper BMW) with 300hp and great comfort.

[@relaxingafmusic3051]

Big fan of Throttle House and have been following your channel for years. Got a question for you - would you recommend buying a 2nd hand 2017/2018 330i if reliability/maintenance is a concern?

[@KookoCraft]

I own one, jump on it. It's great and the transmission is one of the best and most reliable I've owned (Steptronic ZF 8spd). It doesn't really eat that much oil either.

[@omardenarzi8226]

Great car and greater host

[@dinosoarmotorsports]

Okay, when are we gonna see a G42 230i review??

[@arturmukhamed-aliev9141]

Does anyone know how to set the analog clock to the screen, as shown 3:53 min?

[@jesperek6402]

You have aaaaabsolutely persuaded me 😃💥👌

[@irespectfullyrefuse]

Coming back to this now its funny how you look like Misha Charoudin

[@shelbyr4805]

how reliable is this vehicle? how many repairs do owners usually need to make on these?

[@juanzamora434]

Tbh I’ve had my 330i xdrive for about a year and a half and haven’t had any issue with it so far. And I love it to went from a 18 charger v6 to 18 f30 and I fell in love with this car and way faster then the charger to 🤦‍♂️

[@BurgoYT]

My dad had an F30 328i, got it all the way to 95000kms with absolutely zero issues whatsoever, not even a minor one, they are a very good car

[@jrallday]

I have a 2018 330i 💪🏾

[@waclosh]

Id love to have such a capable car, great in winter, good mileage, fun to drive, modern looking, with all the gimmicks and creature comforts... but this has a god damn 4cyl. And dares to call itself 330xi. This is a matter of honour, selfesteem, class, tradition. You don't chop 2 cylinders, slap a turbo on it and call it the same name. You just don't.

[@AnthonnyAndria]

Still prefer the e46 330i, it may be sounds like a L6, perfs like a L6, but its not a L6

[@lastminutesolutions]

merc and bmw should go back to using numbers that match displacement

[@topgeartim]

Hmm. This guy has potential 😉

[@gabhanchalmers7516]

Another Guelph review!

[@shanprakash4128]

I undeniable agree with this review, i'm have a 2017 330i xdrive & it's really realllly good as he described. I drove both Audi A4 & BMW 330i, even though Audi A4 has multiple screens & latest interior technology, i felt that this BMW 3 series felt more pleasing with not too fancy thing going around inside & some small elements like interior lightning's & the way navigation screen and controllers were placed are more pleasing and easy to use when you are on the road. Overall i love this car & his review about this car is on-point. Glad i got this car. Only thing i would wish to have part of Driver's assistance package is both Parking sensor & Blind spot monitor. Most of the cars in the dealership has one or the other and if a car has both then the color of the car is not satisfying.

[@rohitsproduction8556]

Wait until you get Xhp and a stage 2 fbo tune 😂 with burbbles

[@SoloQueueShortz]

i just bought a black one of these today with 14k miles :)

[@andykensley]

How do you find the torque? I have a 330i and it is crazy quick but it feels as if there is no torque

[@user-jk7pf3uu7r]

@@andykensley there might be something wrong with it cause mine does that every once and a while but it’s usually a lot faster

[@SoloQueueShortz]

@@andykensley literally just saw this lol id say driving it for 18 months or so now...with a muffler delete and intake in...even with the extra mods..the torque feels almost awesome. You feel the tiniest bit of kick once you hit 3rd and 4th gear..atleast thats how mine is. its not torquey at all in 1st gear...it def takes a bit for it to kick in..but when it does..you feel it. i feel like the only way to get that TRUE pushed back in your seat feeling..is with a stage 1 tune. im planning on getting it this year or next. I figure with a stage 1 tune + 4-5 mods...you could prolly hit around 350 horse...prolly an extra 50-75 lbs torque..and then it should feel realllllly nice.

[@SoloQueueShortz]

@@andykensley also...resetting the throttle body adaption might help a little too

[@bbogdanmircea]

BMW model name is crazy nowadays, how about the weight ?

[@ThrottleHouse]

+bbogdanmircea the car feels surprisingly light in its toes. It's well over 3000 pounds though.

[@gto4134]

Are these decently reliable? I'm thinking about getting it as my second car

[@johnmolina4677]

yes very

[@dair7947]

Added 40k kms to mine in the last year and a bit, no issues whatsoever

[@BurgoYT]

Yes very

[@spruceguitar]

Did you guys ever review the 2016 model with the older steering?

[@Progamer8012]

The 2016 has the updated steering, 2015 and below are the older steering ones

[@BurgoYT]

@@Progamer8012what’s the change like? I loved the steering on my dad’s 2013 328i and looking to get a 2016/2017 for my first car

[@ScrapZero]

Excellent and Insightful Reviews man! I love the enthusiasm and passion you put in your vids!! I just leased a 2017 330i with the Sport Transmission (Or whatever the hell... I can't figure out which of the 3 trans I have) I searched for about 4 months and compared the C300, A4, and the Is250 to this before choosing BMW. Albeit, the price was a factor. I was able to pry this service loaner unit from the dealers hands at 34% off MSRP LOL. The car is very fun to drive and has a great balance of Fuel efficiency and adequate power. Sport+ mode is fun to drive in! 1 complaint so far: the ride is a little to stiff when commuting. I think it may be the Run Flat tires causing this. What do you think?

[@vampbl7291]

yup. The run-flat tires make the ride stiffer. Most people recommend to change them, however no spare tire....

[@jamestyy88]

vamp bl what do they change it to?

[@alexanderarnett2885]

This car is actually reported to go 0-60 in 5.5 seconds both by motor trend as well as car and driver.

[@rcast3763]

How's the reliability? Specifically this LCI B48 cars? Thanks

[@KookoCraft]

Excellent! I own a 2017 330i, RWD, w/ M-sport package. Not a single issue here with reliablity and I'm up to about 70K on the odometer

[@rcast3763]

@@KookoCraft 70k kms or miles? Thanks

[@Powerjackrepair]

How tall are you?

[@darvillebo]

so you would take this over a comparably equipped 340i?

[@ThrottleHouse]

+bo darville if you are interested in better fuel economy but still an acceptable amount of performance than yes probably. But in reality if it was me, id pay the extra like 4K and get the m2. But I drive on the track..

[@OlwethuDube]

Wow

[@sj1893]

THATS MY CAR AHHH

[@boybetterknow1983]

is this the n20 motor ?

[@davidzvezda]

car guy b48

[@MaxSpeedMike]

E46 m3>>>

[@targetlejekeje4707]

MaxSpeed now that’s alegend!! SMG

[@hino2]

OMG This is not Thomas I know

[@yuemre30]

Sorry BMW sorry world but i drive My e46 m3

[@ThrottleHouse]

+Sadri Badaboom ...so would I

[@SKULLTHEWIZARD]

Wait I saw that car in 2012

[@samisvideo]

Sounds kind of funny being a 4 cyl :) (instead of 6)

[@jonnyspeed]

Sorry man... Numb steering, turbo lag, fake engine noise, high price tag, doesn't handle as well as the old chassis... I'm in the market but I can't bring myself to spend the coin for THIS version of the 3.

[@tariqhaque4677]

Test drive before you make up your mind. it is better than current A4, C300 and E90. I have driven all these cars before buying the F30.

[@shuo6667]

cant agree more, but still is one of the best in the class, The other one is... alfa romeo..but Im worried about Alfa's reliability even worse than BMW... so...

[@Arctice36]

when i test drove a 340i there was no turbo lag

[@micahpbt9638]

Test drove it yesterday, didn't notice turbo lag, unlike in an Audi

[@yahtadi5152]

Do we live in different universe? This exact 3 series currently the best for budget in the class

[@bartandaelus359]

People can complain all they like about the 4cyl but they all have the same stupid look on their face when they look up it's specs in comparison to previous I6 engines that have been used.

[@dair7947]

Love the engine in this car, performs a lot better than I anticipated

[@a-lo1567]

Audi is the worst out of the three. Just to point that out there 😊

[@viktor4860]

4 cyl is rubbish and a deal breaker. Audi is way ahead

[@uscp2]

Audi is top dog when it comes to downsizing. so your comment is kind of... Off. it is ok to think audi is way ahead, but it is not a valid argument to say that is because of the 4cyl. from a driving point of view, all audi's (A6 3.2 quattro, A5 3.0 TDI, A5 2.0 TFSI) I have driven lately feel artificial which isn't bad, but not my cup of tea. I never feel i am controlling the car, it feels like i am giving the input and the computers make it happen. the flaws i see for BMW right now are the same i see for every brand, the shitload of different variant, strange model names.. but i guess, if that is the prize to pay so we can still see the RS's, M's and AMG's.. it isn't that bad. the only premium brand that makes me go: ooh, I want one!! is Mercedes. and i am a huge BMW fanboy.

[@viktor4860]

uscp - I get your point and mostly agree. I did not mean that Audi is not downsizing as well, just that in direct model comparisons Audi seems to have a grip on the identity of the car and the performance is much more balanced than the BMWs which are either under engined / over engined with bad handling/or they just look like a hotrod - it´s always something. Not sure about Mercedes though, ok apart from the AMG models. So all in all in my opinion Audi still has the overall edge in terms of their portfolio. I had an A4 - loved it. I had an A6 - loved it. My company forced a 535 on me and now an M3 and they just irritate the shit out of me with their "so so" quality....cheers

[@uscp2]

yeah, it is all up to personal preference I guess. Some of my friends and family members swear to Audi, mostly because of the quality feel of the interior and i have to agree, they do an awesome job on that. I am just more "driving experience" orientated. I haven't owned anything newer than a 2003 5-series, my opinions are based on driving with these cars for a day or two;) Enjoy the M3 though! that is something I can only dream of for now.

[@uscp2]

BTW, that Volvo wagon thumbnail, is that yours?

[@viktor4860]

uscp - unfortunately no :-) saw the old girl on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, just don´t make em like the old days anymore.

[@mikeoze]

Technology has to evolve sorry for that . Power steering is outdated

[@argonovak3444]

Didn’t realise the sound was synthetic, you ruined the car for me :(