[Jason-Herts]

I’ve had my 2 series coupe for a couple of years now and love it.
It recently went in for warranty work and the loan car was a 320. I was surprised that the 3 series felt livelier (in terms of handling rather than performance) It seemed to have quicker steering and had the edge in terms of body control.

I was surprised as you’d imagine it would be the other way around.

Has anyone else found this?

[Mech Spec]

When was the last time you aligned your 2er? Tires can make a massive difference also.

[koopa]

I had an M340i and went to an M240i. My experience was the two cars are very close with the 2 feeling livelier due to the shorter wheelbase.

[Jason-Herts]

The loan car had run flats and mine has non-run flat Michelin Pilots.

IÂ’ve had my tracking checked recently and that was fine.

My car hasnÂ’t changed, I just felt that the 3 series felt sharper. I think it was a combination of faster steering and sharper initial turn in. It felt lighter on its feet basically. We are talking fractions, but, out of the two, the 3 series felt sportier.

The only real downside of the 3 was that (imo) it doesnÂ’t look as good 🤓 Maybe next time though IÂ’ll consider one.

[b46driver]

m sport package?

[blueeyesshined13]

lol I went from an m340i to an 840i coupe to an m850i gran coupe and now to my m240i. I have to say that the m240i might be my favorite. I miss the v8 alot and the gunshot burbles and the 523hp but it was a very long and heavy car

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Jason-Herts

I’ve had my 2 series coupe for a couple of years now and love it.
It recently went in for warranty work and the loan car was a 320. I was surprised that the 3 series felt livelier (in terms of handling rather than performance) It seemed to have quicker steering and had the edge in terms of body control.

I was surprised as you’d imagine it would be the other way around.

Has anyone else found this?

Are you comparing to your 220D (that's what it shows in your profile)?

[Jason-Herts]

Yes, so basically I have a 220d m sport and the loan car was a 320 m sport (petrol)

I preferred the petrol engine but the biggest surprise for me was that the steering / handling felt slightly better than on mine, without any degradation of ride quality, despite the run-flat tyres.

[emcee1011]

Only easy thing to rule out would be steering settings on both cars being the same (comfort vs sport)

[bucketfoot]

Run-flat tires tend to be stiffer, so that could account for easier turn-in.

Another one is that a diesel vehicle is going to weigh more than a comparable gas/petrol one, and all of that extra weight is going to be towards the front.

Just a couple of thoughts.