Driving 328i loaner while waiting on Dinan reflash

[MastaMind]

Dear Diary,

I’m now on my second day of driving my loaner 328i with an auto transmission. I can safely say that this loaner vehicle confirms I made the correct choice in purchasing a 6mt 135. This car just feels bigger and less driver oriented, even when looking past the reduction in power. The dash is hideous, and I’m constantly under the impression that I am, in fact, driving a new RWD Accord. I know it can’t be true though because a new Accord would not have such a stained interior. Even my daughter is not amused by our new transport, and she wants the 135 back as much as I do.

I am 100% sure the people driving behind me are plotting my death. It’s hard to narrow down the exact reasons, but I’m assuming it’s because I have to press the gas pedal down about half way to get any sort of forward momentum. It could also be because I’ve slammed on the brakes several times when I’ve attempted to stomp down on the non-existent clutch pedal.

I have found some solace in the fact that I can keep my wallet in my back pocket in the non-sport seats. I can’t, however, keep my body planted in the non-sports seats, so I’m not so sure the trade off is worth it.

These three to four days are infinitely longer that that time of the month where I’m cut off from grown up time with my wife. Please, 135, wherever you are, come home soon…

[EINSER M]

"I am 100% sure the people driving behind me are plotting my death"

LOL

[Monaco35Dream]

haha i hear ya. i had one for a loaner a few months ago and it was horrible. just as you described...

[dbtheo]

My car isnt that bad is it?

[ruffstik]

I had a MB C300 loaner once....thing was awfully slow.

[dbchun]

i too am driving a 328i loaner while my 135i gets a new $500+ run flat (i've had the car in my possession for 5 days)

your comments are hilarious because they are spot on to my thoughts, my girlfriend even said it reminded her of her accord. personally i wouldn't go THAT far but the steering felt very heavy/syrupy and the overall car felt huge, like a benz. tons of power tho, definitely not lacking in that department.

for reference tho, I don't feel this way at all towards the 330ci, but of course these are two different cars (but same engine i think right?) i just expected less of a difference between the 2-door and 4-door counterpart (not exactly apples to apples since the 330 is an e46 but you get my drift).

[MastaMind]

Originally Posted by dbtheo

My car isnt that bad is it?

Hold on a second, let me just pull my foot out of my mouth here....

Listen, it's not your car, it's me. I just.....I just don't think it'll work out. I mean, some guys like cars with big back seats.

[isitspringyet]

I will admit, I had an X3 for a loaner while getting a new HPFP, with M sport package? Had M door sills, M steering wheel (not at all like the 135i's), and an M automatic shifter knob. What a downer! It was all show, no go. Kind of reduced the impressiveness of having M anywhere on my car! But my car sure was great when I got back into it!

[dbtheo]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

Hold on a second, let me just pull my foot out of my mouth here....

Listen, it's not your car, it's me. I just.....I just don't think it'll work out. I mean, some guys like cars with big back seats.

I can't lie, I cheat on my 3, sometimes I sneak out front & grab a 1 for mid-day run affair

[kcobra]

They should have given you a 2008 M3!

[x97Melbourne]

you're lucky you got a 328i

i just had a X5 while my tire was changed......absolutely ridiculous.....i'd take that 328 anyday.

[cnd1er]

I really quite like my humble 325 iX when it snows and when my teenaged kids need to borrow a car (can you imagine my 17 yo boy having the 135 for the evening with his friends!). The 325 is a wagon and somewhat more practical.
I feel like we are comparing apples and oranges.

[1bonna]

If I may say this ....... the difference is clear..... "1 series all day"

[frimmelnojerz]

hmm

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by isitspringyet

I will admit, I had an X3 for a loaner while getting a new HPFP, with M sport package? Had M door sills, M steering wheel (not at all like the 135i's), and an M automatic shifter knob. What a downer! It was all show, no go. Kind of reduced the impressiveness of having M anywhere on my car! But my car sure was great when I got back into it!

LOL..never knew they went as far as puting M logos on the X3
pretty sad M now means nothing but marketing like you said all show no go. No loaners from local dealer they have stupid enterprise rental cars which are mostly Jeep Liberty's.
I dont really care about loaners once Audi gave me a Kia Spectra and an other time a Hyundai Tucson(actually not bad) i'd be happy with a 323I. As long as I dont have to pay Id take anything even an Aveo.
On a fun note you'll enjoy the 135 more once you get it back. If it was a couple years back we would be drooling at 328's and 128's since they're the equivalent of the old 330I-CI. We're power addicts I guess.

[BMW86]

Hey I orginally posted this comment in another thread but seeing as though the 325i has been brought up again I thought I'd share my 2 cents.

My 135i is on order and I can't wait for it to arrive some time next year. All my friends know about it and they never hear the end of it. It's my new obsession. Recently, I put my car in for a service and I was loaned a brand new 325i coupe (in M spec) for the day. The 325i is a great car and it's still a step up for me but in my opinion I feel that the 135i is a much better car. Here in Australia these 2 cars are similarly priced so for many it's a toss up between the 2.

My friend lives in my neighbourhood so he was able to check out the 325i coupe when I brought it home. After a lengthy discussion he told me that he would much rather a 325i coupe over a 135i coupe any day and that it is wayyy hotter and it wouldn't be a hard decision to make at all. He was very opinionated and has his mind set that a 325i was the better car than the 135i. I do not understand... Fair call maybe a 335i over a 135i - but a 325i coupe!!?? I've often thought that even in the circumstances that a 335i coupe was the same price as the 135i coupe I would still opt for the 135i coupe but even then the decision would be alot harder to make...

My mate now thinks that I have made a poor decision in selecting my next BMW and he said "it's a girls car". Should I disregard his opinion even though he shares an interest for cars but never actually owned a decent car? I'm starting to think he's hater. I told another one of my mates who is a big 135i fan and he thinks my mate has no idea what he is on about and he will be in for a rude shock when my car arrives.

Overall the 325i is a nice BMW, but the 135i gives you much more than you'd expect for the price. I'm very happy with my choice.

[Alext]

Lotus gave me a citroen hatchback girly thing when I had my car in for a service. I wasnt amused. That thing confused the hell out of me...bloody French cars.

[123D-M]

If you want to be confused try driving a Renault. None of the controls are where you expect them to be. I challenge you to set the cruise control without reading the manual.

[EspressoBoy]

MastaMind

I am patiently waiting for...
second day of your diary



EspressoBoy

[dbchun]

so i realized that the 328i loaner car is rev limited and probably a poor representation of normal functioning car

[gio]

I felt the same way about the 328xi loaner I last had, but I really loved the 335 loaner I had before it.

[stampchez]

I have a 328 loaner right now and I just can't get over the dash design. It would be hard to look at that every day.