[Mastakko]

Unfortunately my Z4 sdrive30i was making some strange sounds after a recent service so I had to bring it back in. It sounding like an unbalanced roller or something, rocking or rubbing. Latest feedback is that motor is being slightly torn down to understand where noise is coming from, I'm a little concerned to be honest as it was only an oil change I was in for.

Despite that, I have a 230i for a loaner, I'm thinking 2022 or 2021 model as it has idrive 7.

Interior-wise it's not nearly as nice as the z4, harder door cards and more hard plastic in general on the dash. The seats are plenty comfortable though and seem broader. The interior amenities seem to be about the same without the adaptive drive mode, but it does have the driving camera thingy (I don't know what use it would be). It also isn't equipped with a HUD like my Z4 has.

My impressions driving it is that it's quite a fun car to drive. I have used it solely in sport modes so far because...why not? In basic sport mode and individual with only transmission in sport-plus. I will say at cold start the car sounds more aggressive than my Z4 and while driving the turbo seems to make a lot more spooling and wastegate noise than my Z4. I'm not sure if it's a different tune because of the increased weight or just different set up altogether. Maybe my car has more problems than I realize () The car seems willing to jump forward with each push of accelerator and has very good throttle response. I can't remark too much on the steering so far as I've pretty much only driven it in the straight lines on freeways and local roads. It does have a different power steering motor though.

Overall if I had to 'add' two seats for some reason this wouldn't be a bad option, but it still doesn't look nearly as good as the Z4 .

[DavesZupra4]

I've had the same loaner and also a 430i convertible. For some reason the 430i has a larger digital dash but smaller infotainment system.

Also, wow the 430 is a boat and looks like a boat.

Guess which car is better out of these two? The z4 of course 👍🏻

[Mastakko]

Originally Posted by DavesZupra4

I've had the same loaner and also a 430i convertible. For some reason the 430i has a larger digital dash but smaller infotainment system.

Also, wow the 430 is a boat and looks like a boat.

Guess which car is better out of these two? The z4 of course 👍🏻

Ive had a 330, 540, and now this 230. Z4 trump's them all by far

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Mastakko

I can't remark too much on the steering so far as I've pretty much only driven it in the straight lines on freeways and local roads. It does have a different power steering motor though.

If you remember it at a later time, I'd be interested in the comparison. I suspect others would as well.

[DavesZupra4]

Originally Posted by Mastakko

Ive had a 330, 540, and now this 230. Z4 trump's them all by far

Damn it I want a 540. The loaner person pressured me to get the 430 convertible I would have preferred a 2023 3 series with idrive 8.

I now realize the 230 is different I thought you meant 228 lol

[Mastakko]

Originally Posted by DavesZupra4

Damn it I want a 540. The loaner person pressured me to get the 430 convertible I would have preferred a 2023 3 series with idrive 8.

I now realize the 230 is different I thought you meant 228 lol

Haha, No the rear wheel drive 230, not the 4 door 228 atrocity.

[DavesZupra4]

Originally Posted by Mastakko

Haha, No the rear wheel drive 230, not the 4 door 228 atrocity.

That's funny cuz my first loaner with my white g29 was a red 228. Ugh so terrible.

How was the 540? What year was it? I wish they had the new 7 series as loaners

[Mastakko]

Originally Posted by DavesZupra4

That's funny cuz my first loaner with my white g29 was a red 228. Ugh so terrible.

How was the 540? What year was it? I wish they had the new 7 series as loaners

The 540 was pretty cool, didn't seem much larger or heavier than the 3 series to be honest. The drivetrain didn't seem that peppy though despite it being the B58, but it was extremely luxurious and would be excellent for a cruise to Las Vegas on the highway, it is my second favorite still to the Z4.

It was fully loaded with everything (autopilot, massaging seat, etc) and I would suspect it was a 22 with idrive 7. My sister has an X1 with idrive8 and I'm not a fan of all the missing physical buttons, but I figure you get used to it.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Mastakko

My sister has an X1 with idrive8 and I'm not a fan of all the missing physical buttons, but I figure you get used to it.

That hasn't been my experience with our '20 Subaru Outback. Three years in, it still irritates me that I have to fumble with the touch screen to change climate controls, a MUCH more distracting endeavor than dedicated buttons. I pray manufacturers will wise up and find a compromise.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Mastakko

The 540 was pretty cool, didn't seem much larger or heavier than the 3 series to be honest. The drivetrain didn't seem that peppy though despite it being the B58, but it was extremely luxurious and would be excellent for a cruise to Las Vegas on the highway, it is my second favorite still to the Z4.

It was fully loaded with everything (autopilot, massaging seat, etc) and I would suspect it was a 22 with idrive 7. My sister has an X1 with idrive8 and I'm not a fan of all the missing physical buttons, but I figure you get used to it.

My wife’s lease in her X1 is up in a month. We went and looked at the new one for her back in December. She decided to order an X3, primarily because she didn’t care for the all touch controls of idrive 8.

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

That hasn't been my experience with our '20 Subaru Outback. Three years in, it still irritates me that I have to fumble with the touch screen to change climate controls, a MUCH more distracting endeavor than dedicated buttons. I pray manufacturers will wise up and find a compromise.

This seems to be a common theme. Is there anyone out there that would actually say ‘oh yes, I much prefer every control to be on the touch screen’?

At best, I have heard ‘you get used to it’.

[jvilla107]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

This seems to be a common theme. Is there anyone out there that would actually say ‘oh yes, I much prefer every control to be on the touch screen’?

At best, I have heard ‘you get used to it’.

“Getting used to it” is kinda like having them eliminate the cup holders.
It’s a pain in the a$$, but you get used to it.

I’ve got a Tesla 3P and after a year of ownership I too am “used to it”.

PS. It sucks.
Trying to adjust the temp while driving is a task and a half.

Radios not a big deal from the steering wheel controls and voice commands.

Opening the glovebox requires multiple strokes of the screen.