General Car Conversation
#1711
Lexus Champion
Last weekend's car rental for me was a 330i XDrive. Had been wanting to check one out for a while, and wanted an AWD sedan for this trip.
#1712
Was I saying anything about loaners?
Good to know. Must be something good about them. I never knew anyone with a pair in their garage.
How was it? Was it similar to the GS?
It was fine. Steering was extremely vague, but overall it drove well enough. Dramatically more comfortable and easier to get in/out of than the Tacoma, which surprised me--I expected them to be more similar. There was something really weird about how Android Auto worked, but I don't remember what it was anymore.
#1713
Lexus Champion
To be honest, I was fairly disappointed. Low end grunt was non-existent, which I thought was supposed to be a benefit of that engine. Not sure if it was turbo lag or throttle response, but there was a noticeable pause in getting going. Took me some time to get used to.
It also had a lot more road noise than I had expected, but I am not sure what tires it had on it. I forgot to look.
I couldn't get CarPlay to work (it said I needed a BMW app?) so I just used the native navigation system, which was fine, but the graphics were certainly nothing to write home about. It did its job though. Interior material quality was so-so, but build quality was top notch.
The pluses? Fantastic gas mileage, comfortable front seats (didn't try out the rears), roomy trunk, and handled lots of snow and ice really well. In only one place did we almost slide off the road, but it was on solid ice so not the fault of the car. Weather conditions didn't really allow me to put the car through its handling paces, but I am sure it would do well.
If I was willing to go down a size, I'd probably consider one, but only the 340i. I remember back in 2011-ish I really wanted a 335i and went and test drove several. I remember being really "wowed" by that car. I just didn't have that same feeling this time, which could be the result of many factors, including ones that are not related to the car (my age, for example).
When we got back home, I was happy to hop back into my GS.
It also had a lot more road noise than I had expected, but I am not sure what tires it had on it. I forgot to look.
I couldn't get CarPlay to work (it said I needed a BMW app?) so I just used the native navigation system, which was fine, but the graphics were certainly nothing to write home about. It did its job though. Interior material quality was so-so, but build quality was top notch.
The pluses? Fantastic gas mileage, comfortable front seats (didn't try out the rears), roomy trunk, and handled lots of snow and ice really well. In only one place did we almost slide off the road, but it was on solid ice so not the fault of the car. Weather conditions didn't really allow me to put the car through its handling paces, but I am sure it would do well.
If I was willing to go down a size, I'd probably consider one, but only the 340i. I remember back in 2011-ish I really wanted a 335i and went and test drove several. I remember being really "wowed" by that car. I just didn't have that same feeling this time, which could be the result of many factors, including ones that are not related to the car (my age, for example).
When we got back home, I was happy to hop back into my GS.
#1714
Lexus Fanatic
we were doing some long distance driving in my new SUV. Finally driving in the states again. And to be honest, we really haven’t done my much highway or interstate driving since Covid.
Some observations
-hate radar based cruise
-auto high beams are a must
-LEDs. No question about them
-my new 4R is ultimate long distance cruiser. So much interior space. Especially front headroom
-349 mile range
-I’ve come to really admire Apple car play. But I still like the factory nav as well
Some observations
-hate radar based cruise
-auto high beams are a must
-LEDs. No question about them
-my new 4R is ultimate long distance cruiser. So much interior space. Especially front headroom
-349 mile range
-I’ve come to really admire Apple car play. But I still like the factory nav as well
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 11-11-22 at 09:31 AM.
#1715
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I bet that thing picks up a LOT of bugs with the big flat windshield!
#1719
To be honest, I was fairly disappointed. Low end grunt was non-existent, which I thought was supposed to be a benefit of that engine. Not sure if it was turbo lag or throttle response, but there was a noticeable pause in getting going. Took me some time to get used to.
It also had a lot more road noise than I had expected, but I am not sure what tires it had on it. I forgot to look.
I couldn't get CarPlay to work (it said I needed a BMW app?) so I just used the native navigation system, which was fine, but the graphics were certainly nothing to write home about. It did its job though. Interior material quality was so-so, but build quality was top notch.
The pluses? Fantastic gas mileage, comfortable front seats (didn't try out the rears), roomy trunk, and handled lots of snow and ice really well. In only one place did we almost slide off the road, but it was on solid ice so not the fault of the car. Weather conditions didn't really allow me to put the car through its handling paces, but I am sure it would do well.
If I was willing to go down a size, I'd probably consider one, but only the 340i. I remember back in 2011-ish I really wanted a 335i and went and test drove several. I remember being really "wowed" by that car. I just didn't have that same feeling this time, which could be the result of many factors, including ones that are not related to the car (my age, for example).
When we got back home, I was happy to hop back into my GS.
It also had a lot more road noise than I had expected, but I am not sure what tires it had on it. I forgot to look.
I couldn't get CarPlay to work (it said I needed a BMW app?) so I just used the native navigation system, which was fine, but the graphics were certainly nothing to write home about. It did its job though. Interior material quality was so-so, but build quality was top notch.
The pluses? Fantastic gas mileage, comfortable front seats (didn't try out the rears), roomy trunk, and handled lots of snow and ice really well. In only one place did we almost slide off the road, but it was on solid ice so not the fault of the car. Weather conditions didn't really allow me to put the car through its handling paces, but I am sure it would do well.
If I was willing to go down a size, I'd probably consider one, but only the 340i. I remember back in 2011-ish I really wanted a 335i and went and test drove several. I remember being really "wowed" by that car. I just didn't have that same feeling this time, which could be the result of many factors, including ones that are not related to the car (my age, for example).
When we got back home, I was happy to hop back into my GS.
#1720
Lexus Champion
Of course. My bad. I was under impression it had I6. Just looked it up. It's I4. So of course not as good as the fine GS. In order to use wireless carplay, you need to connect to the car's wifi, turn BT on. I'm not a carplay guy but it's the best carplay I've seen. And of course the M340i will be a much better car no doubt.
#1721
Lexus Champion
My opinion of these two features is the exact opposite of yours.
I love radar cruise and would never buy another car without it. But I strongly dislike the auto high beams. They don't work well in any of my cars. They are very slow to react, and by then, I've already either given up and dimmed them myself, or I'm too late and I've blinded the other driver.
I love radar cruise and would never buy another car without it. But I strongly dislike the auto high beams. They don't work well in any of my cars. They are very slow to react, and by then, I've already either given up and dimmed them myself, or I'm too late and I've blinded the other driver.
#1722
Lexus Fanatic
My opinion of these two features is the exact opposite of yours.
I love radar cruise and would never buy another car without it. But I strongly dislike the auto high beams. They don't work well in any of my cars. They are very slow to react, and by then, I've already either given up and dimmed them myself, or I'm too late and I've blinded the other driver.
I love radar cruise and would never buy another car without it. But I strongly dislike the auto high beams. They don't work well in any of my cars. They are very slow to react, and by then, I've already either given up and dimmed them myself, or I'm too late and I've blinded the other driver.
Is there a difference in the high beam calibration about your 3 vehicles? My 4Runner seems to be reserved in the calibration whereas I am also driving a TNGA product and the high beams are super overly aggressive.
As for radar. I just don't like how it slows down. I don't like the feeling of it. I appreciate the value of it, but I can't seem to be able to defeat it (if I wanted to)
#1723
Lexus Champion
So intersting. I am so opposite of you lol.
Is there a difference in the high beam calibration about your 3 vehicles? My 4Runner seems to be reserved in the calibration whereas I am also driving a TNGA product and the high beams are super overly aggressive.
As for radar. I just don't like how it slows down. I don't like the feeling of it. I appreciate the value of it, but I can't seem to be able to defeat it (if I wanted to)
Is there a difference in the high beam calibration about your 3 vehicles? My 4Runner seems to be reserved in the calibration whereas I am also driving a TNGA product and the high beams are super overly aggressive.
As for radar. I just don't like how it slows down. I don't like the feeling of it. I appreciate the value of it, but I can't seem to be able to defeat it (if I wanted to)
For the cruise, when you turn it on, if you just hold down the ON switch for about 3 seconds it disables the radar and turns into normal/traditional cruise control.