F44 loaner. Wow

Climate Changer · 07-27-2020, 09:16 AM

What was BMW thinking when they designed this thing. Drives like my old 2000 Honda Accord has more buttons than a 1985 Lincoln Continental overall ugly.

khoa@x-ph.com · 07-27-2020, 02:54 PM

I barely see the new F44 on the road. Is it really that bad? Did BMW give you 228i F44?

BrettKA7 · 07-27-2020, 03:00 PM

I had an F44 loaner as well. It was a 228i and the only option was jet black paint.

It was quite ugly from the rear IMO. I think it looks better in blue M Sport config.

It is pretty shocking going from the F22 to F44. The turning radius is wide like all FWD cars seem to be. It overall feels like a worse Mini Clubman with a better interior.

The interior is surprisingly high quality. Nothing creaks or cracks when I press against it. All of the things the driver touches are pretty much shared across each model. There is some hard plastic of course. The worst part about the interior was half the dash was soft squishy silicone. It wasn't vinyl or plastic... just silicone.

It's a small price difference for a similarly optioned 3-series so I personally don't see any reason to get the F44 unless you really want smaller size and four doors.

khoa@x-ph.com · 07-27-2020, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

It's a small price difference for a similarly optioned 3-series so I personally don't see any reason to get the F44 unless you really want smaller size and four doors.

Does the F44 interior space feel like a Honda Civic's?

stein_325i · 07-28-2020, 09:48 AM

Agree ugly car, I was at my dealer for the launch and many were not impressed. As much as I despise the Mercedes CLA-class cars, they at least look expensive and fit in with the rest of the lineup. The 2er has all the worst design details from BMW, like the X6 rear end, the mouse like FWD proportions of the 1er hatch, and the grills are okay (not BMW's worst) but all my dealers have the front plates overlap them which makes it look like rat's teeth. The interior isn't terrible, but a Mazda3 looks much better and luxurious, the interior is actually verging on luxury and just looks and feels more special. Honestly, I would 100% buy a Mazda3 Turbo AWD sedan/hatch before any "entry-level FWD luxury car," none of them are really worth it in my opinion.

My nickname for the 2GC is the 2-Series Gran Corolla.

Climate Changer · 07-28-2020, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khoa@x-ph.com

I barely see the new F44 on the road. Is it really that bad? Did BMW give you 228i F44?

yup. 228i.

Climate Changer · 07-28-2020, 11:33 AM

I didn't even beat on the loaner. That's how bad it felt driving. Put about 30 miles in total from the service center to home and back.

I parked the "Grand Corolla" in the street. too embarrassed to have it in my driveway.

Thankfully it was around 5 hours till my F23 was back.

stein_325i · 07-28-2020, 12:01 PM

2GC also reminds me a lot of the Focus sedan, its just a really bad design. The new CLA is much prettier, the old S3 is still cleaner and fresh looking, and even the $21k Mazda 3 looks more like a luxury sedan.

Sportstick · 07-28-2020, 12:11 PM

But the S3 is still an Audi. Remember, beauty is only skin deep. I would rather have a great homely car than a beautiful Audi....been there...done that...never again.

Mazda is looking quite good!

khoa@x-ph.com · 07-28-2020, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstein55

My nickname for the 2GC is the 2-Series Gran Corolla.

stein_325i · 07-28-2020, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Mazda is looking quite good!

They're the one mainstream automaker I'm rooting for. Sadly they're overlooked by many but I have a feeling the next 6 which is rumored to be RWD and have an I6 will be awesome. I would actually buy one if it happens. My son and daughter-in-law have a 6, CX-9 and NB Miata and love them.

BEM-S4 · 07-28-2020, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

But the S3 is still an Audi. Remember, beauty is only skin deep. I would rather have a great homely car than a beautiful Audi....been there...done that...never again.

Mazda is looking quite good!

Does anyone still make a smaller sport sedan with either RWD or RWD-biased AWD system? I cannot think of anything until you get bigger into A4 or S4 / C Class / 3 or 4 GC. Even the RS3 is a gussied up FWD Haldex car. Everything else seems to be straight FWD.

I don't really need a small sedan since I am firmly in multiple car land, but if I had to go down to just one vehicle again I'd have a hard time picking something. I really liked the size of my B5 S4 and also the E46 sedan (although I've got the convertible).

veenut28 · 07-28-2020, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstein55

2GC also reminds me a lot of the Focus sedan, its just a really bad design. The new CLA is much prettier, the old S3 is still cleaner and fresh looking, and even the $21k Mazda 3 looks more like a luxury sedan.

The Mazda is the looker of that lot. I think the S3/RS3 look decent in person

stein_325i · 07-28-2020, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

But the S3 is still an Audi. Remember, beauty is only skin deep. I would rather have a great homely car than a beautiful Audi....been there...done that...never again.

Mazda is looking quite good!

Does anyone still make a smaller sport sedan with either RWD or RWD-biased AWD system? I cannot think of anything until you get bigger into A4 or S4 / C Class / 3 or 4 GC. Even the RS3 is a gussied up FWD Haldex car. Everything else seems to be straight FWD.

I don't really need a small sedan since I am firmly in multiple car land, but if I had to go down to just one vehicle again I'd have a hard time picking something. I really liked the size of my B5 S4 and also the E46 sedan (although I've got the convertible).

Annoyingly no. A 2er with 4 doors was the dream and then the 2GC crushed that. I think the smallest RWD sports sedan is the Giulia.

aerobod · 07-28-2020, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstein55

They're the one mainstream automaker I'm rooting for. Sadly they're overlooked by many but I have a feeling the next 6 which is rumored to be RWD and have an I6 will be awesome. I would actually buy one if it happens. My son and daughter-in-law have a 6, CX-9 and NB Miata and love them.

Mazda isn’t really a mainstream manufacturer when measured by production volume. The Mazda brand sold 1.56 million vehicles worldwide in 2019, somewhat less than the 2.17 million vehicles from the BMW brand or 2.52 million from the BMW Group.

mb67 · 07-29-2020, 12:00 AM

Somebody here at work has an F44 and I don't think it looks that bad in person. I'd rather have the F44 than a new 4-Series, but as my Drill Instructors used to tell us: "Opinions are like @$$holes - Everybody's got one and they all smell like $h!t!"

veenut28 · 07-29-2020, 05:57 AM

Not to continue the Mazda thread hijack but I think they have some of the best design across their lineup. My wife has a CX5 and I had a Mazda 3 before upgrading to a 328i a few years ago. I saw that the new 6 might gave an inline 6 and rwd, and my first thought was that Mazda was doing a better BMW impression than BMW is these days.

stein_325i · 07-29-2020, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerobod

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstein55

They're the one mainstream automaker I'm rooting for. Sadly they're overlooked by many but I have a feeling the next 6 which is rumored to be RWD and have an I6 will be awesome. I would actually buy one if it happens. My son and daughter-in-law have a 6, CX-9 and NB Miata and love them.

Mazda isn't really a mainstream manufacturer when measured by production volume. The Mazda brand sold 1.56 million vehicles worldwide in 2019, somewhat less than the 2.17 million vehicles from the BMW brand or 2.52 million from the BMW Group.

When I say mainstream I mean everyday affordable vehicles not really referring to sales, I know that they are a small company.

Kothar · 07-30-2020, 10:25 AM

Why do you people need to continually crap on this platform and even in some cases go over to the f44 board and denigrate owners there? Its really not that bad as being said on here...i just don't get it???

BEM-S4 · 07-30-2020, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kothar

Why do you people need to continually crap on this platform and even in some cases go over to the f44 board and denigrate owners there? Its really not that bad as being said on here...i just don't get it???

It actually is that bad. Drive a coupe and compare the two. It's fine for a gussied up Mini, but it's not in the same league as the F2x platform - it's just not.

Tony88 · 07-30-2020, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kothar

Why do you people need to continually crap on this platform and even in some cases go over to the f44 board and denigrate owners there? Its really not that bad as being said on here...i just don't get it???

After reading this I had to go look at the F44 board

Makes me sad my car shares the same name with that turd

Kothar · 07-30-2020, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

It actually is that bad. Drive a coupe and compare the two. It's fine for a gussied up Mini, but it's not in the same league as the F2x platform - it's just not.

I've owned a 14 228i manual for 3 yrs and a 17 m2 for 3 yrs...its not as bad as you let it known.

07-27-2020, 09:16 AM	#1
Climate Changer Second Lieutenant 109 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2018 230i xdrive convertible Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 230i xdrive co ... [0.00] 2019 x3 [0.00]	F44 loaner. Wow What was BMW thinking when they designed this thing. Drives like my old 2000 Honda Accord has more buttons than a 1985 Lincoln Continental overall ugly.
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07-27-2020, 02:54 PM	#2
khoa@x-ph.com Major 662 Rep 1,276 Posts Drives: F83 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	I barely see the new F44 on the road. Is it really that bad? Did BMW give you 228i F44? __________________ * TAX SALE * Get Cashback When You Order This Month! ** Check Out Our Sale Section! Phone 725-221-5267 \|\| website www.x-ph.com
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07-27-2020, 03:00 PM	#3
BrettKA7 Captain 567 Rep 776 Posts Drives: F22 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Huntington Beach iTrader: (0)	I had an F44 loaner as well. It was a 228i and the only option was jet black paint. It was quite ugly from the rear IMO. I think it looks better in blue M Sport config. It is pretty shocking going from the F22 to F44. The turning radius is wide like all FWD cars seem to be. It overall feels like a worse Mini Clubman with a better interior. The interior is surprisingly high quality. Nothing creaks or cracks when I press against it. All of the things the driver touches are pretty much shared across each model. There is some hard plastic of course. The worst part about the interior was half the dash was soft squishy silicone. It wasn't vinyl or plastic... just silicone. It's a small price difference for a similarly optioned 3-series so I personally don't see any reason to get the F44 unless you really want smaller size and four doors. __________________ M240i \| Mineral White \| Coral Red
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07-28-2020, 09:48 AM	#5
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25083 Rep 8,762 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	Agree ugly car, I was at my dealer for the launch and many were not impressed. As much as I despise the Mercedes CLA-class cars, they at least look expensive and fit in with the rest of the lineup. The 2er has all the worst design details from BMW, like the X6 rear end, the mouse like FWD proportions of the 1er hatch, and the grills are okay (not BMW's worst) but all my dealers have the front plates overlap them which makes it look like rat's teeth. The interior isn't terrible, but a Mazda3 looks much better and luxurious, the interior is actually verging on luxury and just looks and feels more special. Honestly, I would 100% buy a Mazda3 Turbo AWD sedan/hatch before any "entry-level FWD luxury car," none of them are really worth it in my opinion. My nickname for the 2GC is the 2-Series Gran Corolla. __________________ Current Garage: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 / 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T / 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 350 / 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retired: '95 E36 325i 5MT / '04 E46 330i 6MT / '05 E83 X3 3.0i / '11 E90 335xi / '17 G30 540i / '19 F87 M2C 6MT / '19 MB CLS 53 / '20 MB GLC 300
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07-28-2020, 11:33 AM	#7
Climate Changer Second Lieutenant 109 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2018 230i xdrive convertible Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 230i xdrive co ... [0.00] 2019 x3 [0.00]	I didn't even beat on the loaner. That's how bad it felt driving. Put about 30 miles in total from the service center to home and back. I parked the "Grand Corolla" in the street. too embarrassed to have it in my driveway. Thankfully it was around 5 hours till my F23 was back.
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07-28-2020, 12:01 PM	#8
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25083 Rep 8,762 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	2GC also reminds me a lot of the Focus sedan, its just a really bad design. The new CLA is much prettier, the old S3 is still cleaner and fresh looking, and even the $21k Mazda 3 looks more like a luxury sedan. Attached Images __________________ Current Garage: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 / 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T / 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 350 / 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retired: '95 E36 325i 5MT / '04 E46 330i 6MT / '05 E83 X3 3.0i / '11 E90 335xi / '17 G30 540i / '19 F87 M2C 6MT / '19 MB CLS 53 / '20 MB GLC 300
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07-28-2020, 12:11 PM	#9
Sportstick Major General 4653 Rep 6,028 Posts Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Southwest USA iTrader: (0)	But the S3 is still an Audi. Remember, beauty is only skin deep. I would rather have a great homely car than a beautiful Audi....been there...done that...never again. Mazda is looking quite good! __________________ 2015 228i 6MT/Track Handling/Tech/Cold/Premium/Lighting/Driver Assistance/KCDesign Strut Brace/M2 LCAs/Rogue SSK/BBS SR/PS4S/ER Chargepipe/AA Intercooler/Dinan Shockware/MPerformance Spoiler/Black Grilles/Xpel Ultimate PPF & Prime XR+ Tint/Adam's Ceramic/no CDV 2024 X3 sDrive30i/MSport/Premium/Dynamic Handling/Shadowline/Parking/Xpel Prime XR Plus/Weathertech Cargo Liner
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07-29-2020, 12:00 AM	#16
mb67 In search of the perfect cup of coffee 152 Rep 213 Posts Drives: 2015 228i Conv Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Somebody here at work has an F44 and I don't think it looks that bad in person. I'd rather have the F44 than a new 4-Series, but as my Drill Instructors used to tell us: "Opinions are like @$$holes - Everybody's got one and they all smell like $h!t!"
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07-29-2020, 05:57 AM	#17
veenut28 First Lieutenant 657 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 2020 M2, 6MT Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Roanoke, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 Competi ... [10.00] [0.00]	Not to continue the Mazda thread hijack but I think they have some of the best design across their lineup. My wife has a CX5 and I had a Mazda 3 before upgrading to a 328i a few years ago. I saw that the new 6 might gave an inline 6 and rwd, and my first thought was that Mazda was doing a better BMW impression than BMW is these days.
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07-30-2020, 10:25 AM	#19
Kothar Second Lieutenant 175 Rep 231 Posts Drives: 20 m235i gran coupe Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: 519 iTrader: (0)	Why do you people need to continually crap on this platform and even in some cases go over to the f44 board and denigrate owners there? Its really not that bad as being said on here...i just don't get it???
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