[fredsf30]

I have a 2012 328i base. But it's not really that fun

I have many cars that I would consider more fun than this car, 1998 and 2000 M Roadsters, 2002 e46 M3, 2013 Mustang V6, Dodge Magnum R/T.

The problems:

It's too quiet!

What can make this car a bit louder? The M Sport exhaust doesn't really seem to sound very good. Would an intake work well? Can you retrofit the 2014 artificial sound into the cabin? I will take anything!

Steering feel!

Everyone knows about this one. Are there any easy fixes, like a reflash?

Suspension!

I have the base suspension. Everyone knows it's floaty. I assume the cheapest/easiest upgrade is Dinan springs.

Would love your thoughts, especially on making it sound better!

Fred

[carzaddict]

sell the car and get something else. unfortunately your car is as fun as its going to get.

You can not change the steering feel. the "sport" setting is as stiff as the steering is going to feel. I am hearing that there may be an update that makes it stiffer....but i can not verify.

there is no artificial sound in the car (as far as we know)....so there's nothing to retrofit.

the sport exhaust may work. granted 4 cyl engines dont make wonderful sounds. Suspension wont make the car any more "fun".

why dont you work on the cars physical appearance? make it more fun that way. Get the M-sport body kit....add some nice rims. do something like that

[Fanitron]

It's too quiet!

Get an intake, Downpipe (Catless or High-flow cat), and full cat-back exhaust. It'll be loud/obnoxious and the neighbours will hate you.

Steering feel!

Sport+ is the stiffest setting, I believe it can be coded in. I'm not an expert on the software side of Bimmers so I'll leave this for someone with more experience. I know the Sportline that I have came with "Sport Variable Steering" versus the regular "Variable Steering" in the base/luxury/modern lines w/o DHP.

Suspension!

Get some Bilstein B8 dampers and either H&R Sports or the Dinan springs. It'll stiffen things up. Also would be good to get some bigger anti-roll bars.

Some thoughts: The 328i is a nice I4 Turbo, but it's not gonna get much faster without serious money/mods so just take it for what it is. BMS Stage 1 or aFe Scorcher will give you a bit more of a kick, but without the suspension upgrade it'll just rock your boat. Better tires will help too, I'm pretty sure the base comes with 17" All-season tires, so step up to some real summer performance tires (Pilot Sports, etc.)

It'll never be an ///M car (your roadsters or your M3). It'll never sound like a V6 Mustang (those things are made to sound like you're going fast, even when you're not).

Good luck with your build.

[nicknaz]

Others suggest that updated software for the car (such as due to auto stop/start roughness fix) improves the steering feel. try to get that done

Also, i would hold off on suspension mods for now and get wider non run flat tires, and see if you want to make further changes

And... if you already have decided that cars are more fun.. sell and get those rather than mod?

[0715AW335XI]

Get a 335. Soo much fun!!!

[In AWD We Trust]

Hope my 435 GC is fun out of the box. 2 1/2 more weeks.

[bahasad]

I have driven a Magnum R/T and a V6 Mustang. Have no idea how you think this is any less fun than those cars. It is much better handling and lighter on it's feet (not to mention just as fast).
Steering feel - this has electric steering in contrast to the other cars. I have driven multiple cars with EPS including Audis and Acuras, and they all feel the same. No feel is the name of the game. The F30 is good in the sense that it has steering weight.

Suspension - definitely lower it. It will help with the handling.

I think if you invest money in a tune, intakes + exhaust, and springs, it should help bring the fun factor up

[ji99lypuff]

some inexpensive things you can do are to
1.code the SAT for faster shifts and sport+
2.get spoiler and a lip
3. used 335 exhaust or used M performance exhaust
4. 335 brakes or M performance brakes (used)

Thats what i plan on doing one by one

[munch520]

Originally Posted by carzaddict

sell the car and get something else. unfortunately your car is as fun as its going to get.

You can not change the steering feel. the "sport" setting is as stiff as the steering is going to feel. I am hearing that there may be an update that makes it stiffer....but i can not verify.

there is no artificial sound in the car (as far as we know)....so there's nothing to retrofit.

the sport exhaust may work. granted 4 cyl engines dont make wonderful sounds. Suspension wont make the car any more "fun".

why dont you work on the cars physical appearance? make it more fun that way. Get the M-sport body kit....add some nice rims. do something like that

How will changing the suspension not make the car more fun?!

[newoldbeemer]

Hey @fredsf30, I had the exact same feelings about my base 328i after purchasing it it. However one mod completely changed my felings towards my car: The M Performance Suspension. The car drives like its on rails now.

Its not going to improve any of the other things you mentioned, but the car handles GREAT (much better than an msport) and I love my car now. I suggest get MPS.

Getting a fatter steering wheel helps too. I did that, and also some bigger sized wheels. But then MPS is the best money I have spent on the car. Pricey but worth every penny.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by carzaddict

sell the car and get something else. unfortunately your car is as fun as its going to get.

You can not change the steering feel. the "sport" setting is as stiff as the steering is going to feel. I am hearing that there may be an update that makes it stiffer....but i can not verify.

there is no artificial sound in the car (as far as we know)....so there's nothing to retrofit.

the sport exhaust may work. granted 4 cyl engines dont make wonderful sounds. Suspension wont make the car any more "fun".

why dont you work on the cars physical appearance? make it more fun that way. Get the M-sport body kit....add some nice rims. do something like that

Suspension makes the car EXTREMELY fun.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

Hey @fredsf30, I had the exact same feelings about my base 328i after purchasing it it. However one mod completely changed my felings towards my car: The M Performance Suspension. The car drives like its on rails now.

Its not going to improve any of the other things you mentioned, but the car handles GREAT (much better than an msport) and I love my car now. I suggest get MPS.

Getting a fatter steering wheel helps too. I did that, and also some bigger sized wheels. But then MPS is the best money I have spent on the car. Pricey but worth every penny.

+ 1,000,000,000,000 on the MPS. It is the best mod that I added, hands down.

[Vector Pilot]

Compare the cost of mods versus buying a "EXTREMELY FUN" BMW.

[munch520]

Originally Posted by Vector Pilot

Compare the cost of mods versus buying a "EXTREMELY FUN" BMW.

I did just that...

The delta between a 328i M sport and a 335i M sport (loaded how I wanted) was $5-6k. And the dealer, for whatever reason, was more flexible with pricing on the 328i. All other costs aside, like increased annual fuel and insurance costs, I am still ahead with my 328. I bought the MPE used for $700 shipped and the MPS new for $1575. Installed the exhaust myself and paid $400 cash to have the suspension installed. My basic math skills tell me I spent $2,675 to get the car to how I wanted it (for now) performance wise. So I am $2,325-3,325 (add $700 to that once M Sport suspension sells) ahead, again not taking into account increased cost of ownership of the bigger motor. And notwithstanding other factors, like the fact that the 328 felt more nimble to me and was plenty fast for what I want it to do.

A buddy has a 800+whp GTR that I've been in quite a bit. Most (all) other cars will feel slow after getting out of that thing, and yet I still find my car 'fun'. Maybe it's because I don't get in my 4-door, 38mpg, daily driver and expect to be blowing the doors off of everyone I pass. If you're expectations are realistic, I doubt anything that says "BMW" on the hood will disappoint.

[fredsf30]

Thanks for all of the replies!

I think my best spend might be the BMS tuner at just $389.

But, damn I wish the car would just give me some sound! I would get the exhaust but it doesn't sound that great.

[newoldbeemer]

Originally Posted by fredsf30

Thanks for all of the replies!

I think my best spend might be the BMS tuner at just $389.

But, damn I wish the car would just give me some sound! I would get the exhaust but it doesn't sound that great.

Really, I don't think it will make much difference to the way it drives. If sound is what you are after, just sell and get a slightly used Dodge Challenger V8.

[fredsf30]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

Really, I don't think it will make much difference to the way it drives. If sound is what you are after, just sell and get a slightly used Dodge Challenger V8.

Hmm....okay.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by fredsf30

I have a 2012 328i base. But it's not really that fun

I have many cars that I would consider more fun than this car, 1998 and 2000 M Roadsters, 2002 e46 M3, 2013 Mustang V6, Dodge Magnum R/T.

The problems:

It's too quiet!

What can make this car a bit louder? The M Sport exhaust doesn't really seem to sound very good. Would an intake work well? Can you retrofit the 2014 artificial sound into the cabin? I will take anything!

Get Active Autowerke Exhaust and the car will sound a lot better (add DP and you are set)

You did not mention anything about power, but a tune will certainly make the car a lot funner to drive .

[paulbrenneman]

Just do an f10 m5 active sound swap

[fredsf30]

Originally Posted by paulbrenneman

Just do an f10 m5 active sound swap

I would love that! Is it possible or are you teasing?

[jrm1316]

Originally Posted by ji99lypuff

some inexpensive things you can do are to
1.code the SAT for faster shifts and sport+
2.get spoiler and a lip
3. used 335 exhaust or used M performance exhaust
4. 335 brakes or M performance brakes (used)

Thats what i plan on doing one by one

+1 on the SAT and sport+. Transformed my car for the cost of a $30 cable!

[fredsf30]

Originally Posted by jrm1316

+1 on the SAT and sport+. Transformed my car for the cost of a $30 cable!

Not sure I understand the $30 cable thing. I just need to buy a cable? I don't get it.