[malc410326]

If you had to choose between F30 & F10 with the following options with the quoted price, which would you choose (or have chosen):

Jet Black 528i ($48,894.00)




Mineral Grey 328i ($49,820.00)




Assuming you could negotiate the same discount off both vehicles, which would be a 'better buy'? I was just a bit taken by surprise when I actually saw an F10 (528i) being priced below an F30 (328i), but then again, the 328i is pretty much loaded besides the Harman Kardon (Premium Sound) Package. And if I'm not mistaken, most Bimmer enthusiasts believe that the N20 engine is more suitable for the F30 than the F10. Anyways, just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this. I will be posting this on both the F30 & F10 threads for a more non-biased opinion.

[yxc145]

I would spend a little extra and get 535. but if I had to pick between the 2 you mentioned, I would still pick F10

[malc410326]

Originally Posted by yxc145

I would spend a little extra and get 535. but if I had to pick between the 2 you mentioned, I would still pick F10

Just for conversation sake .... Why would you go with the F10? Space, interior, driving experience, etc? Just curious since the 528i that was quoted was quite 'bare-bones' in features while on the other hand the 328i was practically 'fully-loaded'. But then again, going up in series can also be perceived as getting a more quality vehicle because one would be going up the 'food chain'. Let me be sure to emphasize that I'm not trying to be 'devil's advocate' or start a 'flame war' between the F30 and F10 owners, I just wanted to see how fellow Bimmer enthusiasts would compare such configured vehicles.

[Russkey]

Originally Posted by yxc145

I would spend a little extra and get 535. but if I had to pick between the 2 you mentioned, I would still pick F10

+1

[CamelRyda]

I'd take the "bare bone" f10 any day. I drove the 3 series as a loaner for few days and it was so much fun to drive, maybe because I don't drive my f10 hard or maybe because it is fun to drive but that's about it. I'd hate to be stuck in it for 3 to 5 years it just feels cheap.

[bimmer man]

I have run the F30 and it can not be compared with f10, F 10 is much better when it comes to space, comfort, equipment and options. F30 is very good and great appearance. But f10 is much better car, F10 for my and F30 for my wife.

[malc410326]

Originally Posted by CamelRyda

I'd take the "bare bone" f10 any day. I drove the 3 series as a loaner for few days and it was so much fun to drive, maybe because I don't drive my f10 hard or maybe because it is fun to drive but that's about it. I'd hate to be stuck in it for 3 to 5 years it just feels cheap.

In regards to it feeling cheap....What gives it that 'cheap' feeling to you?

[malc410326]

Originally Posted by bimmer man

I have run the F30 and it can not be compared with f10, F 10 is much better when it comes to space, comfort, equipment and options. F30 is very good and great appearance. But f10 is much better car, F10 for my and F30 for my wife.

Space...Definite yes.
Comfort...Depending on one's needs. But yes, if more space equates to comfort.
Equipment....They share the same N20 engine (528i and 328i)
Options....The 528i presented in the configuration above is 'bare-bones' compared to the 328i.

I do believe it is comparing apples to oranges, but since the price of both were in the same vicinity, I thought it would be an interesting debate.

[Alan l.]

Depends what is more important to you.

Performance/Handling or comfort/space/refinement

If you don't need the space and you want a fun handling car then the F30 is the better choice. For everything else I'd say the F10 for sure.

Alan

[Alan l.]

And yes after stepping out of a loaded F10 and into a loaded f30 it did look and feel cheap to me as well.

Alan

[malc410326]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

And yes after stepping out of a loaded F10 and into a loaded f30 it did look and feel cheap to me as well.

Alan

As mentioned, it really does come down to one's needs.

I'm sure the loaded F10 was more luxurious than the loaded F30. The comparison was between a 'bare-bones' F10 and a loaded F30 configured above.

[bimmer man]

Originally Posted by malc410326

Space...Definite yes.
Comfort...Depending on one's needs. But yes, if more space equates to comfort.
Equipment....They share the same N20 engine (528i and 328i)
Options....The 528i presented in the configuration above is 'bare-bones' compared to the 328i.

I do believe it is comparing apples to oranges, but since the price of both were in the same vicinity, I thought it would be an interesting debate.

F30 is a very good car, but to me it seemed a lot cheaper built, F10 is very good quality and comfort seats, the 328i is a fun car to drive but you can get tired of driving sporty. it is what it is built to be sporty. 528i is both sporty and comfortable, a real autobahn Cruse. but you have to try both of the cars you'll find this out. I hope my English is ok.

[wessew10]

They do not drive or feel the same. The F10 is luxury sport while the F30 is sporty with a touch of luxury. We own an F10 and we test drove an F30 and both my wife and I felt the F30 seats were less comfortable, the ride was more choppy, the steering was lighter, and the cabin was more cramped and noisier. We could not see ourselves in the F30, but it might be ideal for some.

[MikeRR]

I think the 28i works very well on the F30 but on the F10 i would chose the 35i. If you can't afford the 35i stay with the loaded F30 328i.
I have driven both and the F10 has better built quality, comfort (oh how much I love the comfort seats) and space - the F30 is more agile, smaller (wich can be better in some situation), lighter, better fuel consumption and will probably lose less value.

[LiveLarger]

It's two very different cars. They have different purpose as far as I see it. I would never pick a F30 over a F10, but that is just because I like a luxurious car that has a decent amount of space.

[CamelRyda]

Originally Posted by malc410326

In regards to it feeling cheap....What gives it that 'cheap' feeling to you?

I traded my 2008 CLS and got the 2012 f10 and still felt like I was stepping into a cheaper and less comfort/luxury car but I was overwhelmed with the technology so I got over it.. So I guess it also depends on which car you're coming from because I had the same feeling when i went from an f10 to the 3 series for few days 10 times worse though. When I saw the f30 in pictures I kind of got mad a little because I've just bought my f10 and they look a like, a month later went to the dealership and sat in one and it just felt like the 3 series I had as a loaner. In couple of years you will see f30's all over the place, fully loaded or not they're all gonna look the same.

[Seattle135is]

I would go for a lesser equipped F30 335 over both those 2 options...

[malc410326]

Originally Posted by MikeRR

I think the 28i works very well on the F30 but on the F10 i would chose the 35i. If you can't afford the 35i stay with the loaded F30 328i.
I have driven both and the F10 has better built quality, comfort (oh how much I love the comfort seats) and space - the F30 is more agile, smaller (wich can be better in some situation), lighter, better fuel consumption and will probably lose less value.

I totally agree with this statement and really explains my decision to go with the 328i (although the 528i still lurks in the back of my mind ) After purchasing our 2012 Benz SLK 350, I had a particular budget for our next purchase. I knew that I wanted to get a Bimmer and narrowed it down to either an F30 or F10. I wanted a Bimmer that had great fuel economy, but also gave me a 'sporty-feel' for driving when a situation arose. So I felt the N20 in the F30 would offer that. I just feel that the N20 engine in the F10 is pushing it a bit far with the size and weight of the F10. Although, space also was brought up as a factor, I thought that the F30 offered an ample amount of space since we are just a family of 3. And of course, the fuel economy. Although the EPA adjusted the stats, as a DD, this F30 fits the bill for our family's needs. Our DD before was a 2000 Toyota Landcruiser (yes, truly a gas-eater!), but I knew that going in, but wanted the a luxury SUV nonetheless. And it still going strong. But doesn't get too much driving time since the F30 arrived. Then after seeing all the tech options and the different packages that I would have included on our F30, I decided that I wanted the F30 loaded, rather than a 'bare-bones' F10.

But I must admit, I still have that F10 lurking in the back of my mind. AND believe me, some nights when I'm 'checking on' our F30 and SLK 350 in the garage, I take a glance at the Landcruiser and wonder if my wife will let me trade it in for the F10!

But in all honesty, it really comes down to preference. Bimmer truly does bring the "Ultimate Driving Experience" into reality, no matter which Series is being discussed! And that's the bottomline!

[malc410326]

Originally Posted by LiveLarger

It's two very different cars. They have different purpose as far as I see it. I would never pick a F30 over a F10, but that is just because I like a luxurious car that has a decent amount of space.

And this is where personal preference becomes the key....You desire luxury and space in the F10. Others will desire the sportiness, handle, and feel (with a touch of luxury) along with fuel economy found in the F30 (in addition to all the packages included in the configuration above).

It all comes down to how one prioritizes particular needs in a vehicle purchase.

[malc410326]

Originally Posted by CamelRyda

I traded my 2008 CLS and got the 2012 f10 and still felt like I was stepping into a cheaper and less comfort/luxury car but I was overwhelmed with the technology so I got over it.. So I guess it also depends on which car you're coming from because I had the same feeling when i went from an f10 to the 3 series for few days 10 times worse though. When I saw the f30 in pictures I kind of got mad a little because I've just bought my f10 and they look a like, a month later went to the dealership and sat in one and it just felt like the 3 series I had as a loaner. In couple of years you will see f30's all over the place, fully loaded or not they're all gonna look the same.

But you have to admit. The N20 in your 528i cannot be as efficient as the N20 in the 328i. Now on the other hand, the 535 engine is perfect for the 5 series body! That's a fact. I think that alot of responses here are based on the comparison of the generalized 3 series to the 5 series, not the particular line (328i vs. 528i).

And by the time the F30 saturates the roads, many F30 users may be moving on to the F10, the 535i or 550i (count me in as a possible 'upgrader' in the future!)....Somtimes the 3 series can serve as a launching point for buyers to keep moving up the BMW 'food chain'. For my own personal preferences, I just didn't feel that the N20 engine in the 528i was a good match. I wanted my Bimmer to be optioned out, but within a particular budget since we had just purchased a 2012 Benz SLK 350 a few months before....So the F30 suited my needs. I have yet to see one F30 in our city, but I'm sure there will be more in the near future.

BUT now...if we move up in class to the 535 or 550, now that's where the comparison of a 328i to the 535 and 550 is not even feasible....If they offered to me a 535 or 550, 'bare-boned', at the same price as the above configured 528i, then this discussion can be wrapped up without even starting...535 or 550 will win out. But that is beyond reality.

[malc410326]

Originally Posted by Seattle335

I would go for a lesser equipped F30 335 over both those 2 options...

Very good suggestion actually....N20 engine with the additional Sport+ mode....Autobahn driving heaven right there!

[Pimpsy]

I recently got a 328i loaner car while my F10 was in the shop overnight. I was really surprised at how cramped it was, and it seemed really cheap looking as others have said. On the same level as my wife's Civic really. Also, the controls were not layed out well at all. Poor in fact.

The handling on the F30 was fun though, very spry and nimble as everyone knows, but I felt really great about getting back into my F10. Overall the F10 has a far better grasp on the blend of performance versus comfort that I really want for a daily driver.