[AP]

For me I moved away from my once only foray into diesel and back to petrol. A big chunk of my decision was based upon the low emission zone that was to be implemented in London which would have meant paying to drive into London even at the weekend as my car was eu5 rather than eu6.

So moving back to petrol I noticed a big improvement in refinement, a lot quieter than the f10. ( how much of the improvement is down to the engine and how much is down to the rest of the car I don't know)

Suspension was better , and when I say better I mean smoother , but I wasn't comparing apples with apples. F10 was 19" on passive compared to g30 20" on vdc.
So not a fair comparison but I certainly prefer that set up although the sport set up for suspension can be harsh on bad roads.

Quality wise it feels a bit better but if you look carefully you may find the odd bit that could perhaps be a bit better ) ie small draw under the light switch.

Steering wise is a bit better although some artificial feel to it that I find difficult to describe and certainly nowhere as good as the hallowed E39!

The difference between sport and comfort steering weight is I think more pronounced in the g30 at lower speeds. I prefer the sport mode in that respect , comfort steering is far too light for me.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by AP

For me I moved away from my once only foray into diesel and back to petrol. A big chunk of my decision was based upon the low emission zone that was to be implemented in London which would have meant paying to drive into London even at the weekend as my car was eu5 rather than eu6.

So moving back to petrol I noticed a big improvement in refinement, a lot quieter than the f10. ( how much of the improvement is down to the engine and how much is down to the rest of the car I don't know)

Suspension was better , and when I say better I mean smoother , but I wasn't comparing apples with apples. F10 was 19" on passive compared to g30 20" on vdc.
So not a fair comparison but I certainly prefer that set up although the sport set up for suspension can be harsh on bad roads.

Quality wise it feels a bit better but if you look carefully you may find the odd bit that could perhaps be a bit better ) ie small draw under the light switch.

Steering wise is a bit better although some artificial feel to it that I find difficult to describe and certainly nowhere as good as the hallowed E39!

The difference between sport and comfort steering weight is I think more pronounced in the g30 at lower speeds. I prefer the sport mode in that respect , comfort steering is far too light for me.

I believe a part of the opinion on whether the G30 is a march forward on the F10, or an incremental improvement, is whether we are really comparing "apples with apples".

I tested the F10 530d and 535i back to back, there was a big difference in refinement between the two engines. I also tested the 520d against a 530d and again, a massive difference in the two vehicles.

I got out of my F11 535i and into a demo G30 530d. Wheels, suspensions and engines completely change the feel. I thought the passive M-sport suspension on the G30 was pretty good, but as road quality deteriorated, it was clear, not my setup at all. Would have to be Adaptive Drive, as my F11 with AD out performed it, with its comfort, refinement and good handling, all available at the same time.

I'm not down playing the G30, its a superb car, (but like the F10), specification is still critical to getting the right setup.

[wheresmy5]

Overall a massive step up from F10 to G30. And I really liked the F10.

The only step down is the base seat. The base seat is pretty good in the F10. Not too aggressively bolstered but very comfortable. In contrast, the base ("Sport") seats in the G30 are atrocious. Probably the worst seat on the market, in any car. Painful. Read threads, several years ago folks were willing to take a hit trading the car back in after several thousand miles just to get out of those seats. The car must be purchased with multicontour seats, or don't bother.

[wheresmy5]

Originally Posted by Douggie

The problem that I have is that the F10 and G30 looks pretty much the same from the outside. Plus there's no big improvement in the handling department, which was a big disappointment in the F10 (unlike the new G20 3 series).

Huh? Look very different, and handling much improved in G30. The fact that you now can get 704 suspension with xdrive (starting with the G30) is a vast improvement.

[Douggie]

Originally Posted by wheresmy5

Huh? Look very different, and handling much improved in G30. The fact that you now can get 704 suspension with xdrive (starting with the G30) is a vast improvement.

I guess looks are subjective and I felt it's more like a facelift than a new generation model. Just my opinion anyway.

[reesch]

Came out of a 2016 F10 535ix into a 2019 G30 540ix. The difference in engine performance and acceleration is stunning. Almost thinking something was wrong with the F10, tho like others mentioned, it was never in the shop, never any issues. The G30 suspension is much tighter and assured in hard corners with the 704. The cockpit is more modern, and I went with the matte trim since the F10's gloss trim always seemed to catch the sun right into my eye. I do miss the auto-wiper button on the tip of the stalk tho!

[scoale]

Originally Posted by MOBF10

Anyone here go from an F10 to a G30? I'm looking for feedback on this. I had a 540i as a loaner when I took my 535i in for servicing and was in love. The interior is far superior in the G30 than in my F10. I wanted to see what everyone else thinks. It made me want to trade my car in and to be honest... I'm still thinking about it.

Test drove both extensively. Original plan was to purchase F10 but ended up springing for the G30. In my experience, the F10 was a very good car, but the G30 was absolutely a step up. Car just felt lighter on its feet and the powertrain is absolutely delicious. No contest.

Having driven G30 for ~ a year, I think it is an outstanding car.

[MOBF10]

I appreciate all your inputs. Definitely seems like mixed review but for the most part in favor of the G30, maybe not so much the 2017 model though assuming they've worked out some issues on the newer years.

[naylon]

Originally Posted by Douggie

The problem that I have is that the F10 and G30 looks pretty much the same from the outside. Plus there's no big improvement in the handling department, which was a big disappointment in the F10 (unlike the new G20 3 series).

Are you serious?

There is a big difference in handling.

Looks: absoulutely different.

[COBodom]

Had two F10s. The G30 is an exponential improvement in every way (including handling), except for the exterior which i find to be a step down from F10. G30 has no road presence, its a boring looking sedan.

To this day I turn my head around when I see alpine white F10 msport.

[AddyDaddy]

I went from F10 535 with M sport package to a F10 M5 to new 2019 M550i xdrive maybe a month ago.
HK stereo is nice but lacking compared to the Bangin olufson stereo but better than the standard stereo in my 535 F10.

Technology is far superior to both my F10's. Instrument cluster, just everything.

I agree with others the doors seem of less caliber than the f10 with door handle pockets and just seem thinner. I mean the car is what it is, it's almost as fast as F10 M5's to about 70mph but it's missing that power, feels more torquey though. In comparison to my 535 it's a monster in sound, speed just everything.

I only wish the grill was taller, and I misss the rawness of the M5, BUT I certainly feel very confident if red light racing from a stop. The M5 would be useless under 40mph due to traction issues. I would assume the F90 M5 is about as perfect as you could get in a sedan for sure.
Bottom line I love the new car, very respectable power and I feel aside from the doors everything is a certain upgrade from F10's

[Douggie]

Originally Posted by naylon

Are you serious?

There is a big difference in handling.

Looks: absoulutely different.

The steering in the E class is better. Sorry, maybe I'm expecting too much from BMW.

[dlf750]

Love my G30 540. Just got it. Last car was a 750. As for the seats mentioned above, I think I have multi contour, no idea. They have the leg extension, which is a MUST, and heated and air cooled. And they’re quilted like the new 750

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Douggie

The steering in the E class is better. Sorry, maybe I'm expecting too much from BMW.

I have to agree, I've driven and compared some models and found MB's electric steering to be better than BMW in the C & E class in my opinion. It isn't Porsche amazing, but it is a bit better in feel/turn-in/weighting than most BMWs EPS, I've even driven two Mazda's (3 & 6) which in my opinion have better steering. I'm awaiting to see what improvements BMW makes on their steering racks as I haven't fully tested/driven the new 3 or 8 series yet which have been praised for steering improvements.

[wheresmy5]

Originally Posted by dlf750

Love my G30 540. Just got it. Last car was a 750. As for the seats mentioned above, I think I have multi contour, no idea. They have the leg extension, which is a MUST, and heated and air cooled. And they’re quilted like the new 750

All seats in the 540 have the leg extension. You'll know when you have the multicontour if you don't need a chiro after getting out.

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by wheresmy5

All seats in the 540 have the leg extension. You'll know when you have the multicontour if you don't need a chiro after getting out.

Multi contour leg extension is electronically controlled vs by hand in the regular sport seat

[wheresmy5]

Originally Posted by clee1982

Multi contour leg extension is electronically controlled vs by hand in the regular sport seat

Correct

[TK - 421]

Jumped out of my g30 into my old mans F10 to take it for MOT, and instantly noticed many differences between the 2. The F10 without doubt now feels dated next to the G30 (I’d never noticed it before and have ridden in the F10 many times). The G30 has moved things on, as expected, considerably. The F10 in its day sat at the top of the tree, it just had to make way for the natural progression and arrival of the G30 which has replaced the F10 at the top of the tree. Both great cars in there own right but the G30 is simply better, which it has to be for the 5 to move forward.

In this day and age, I’m finding it almost impossible to open the G30 up as there is so much more traffic on the road, BMW have acknowledged this I think in the G30, with or without VDC, as the improvement in ride quality is far better than the F10.
Yes the steering is lighter, but why is that a bad thing, when as mentioned you’re not on a track or driving at light speed, it certainly provides enough feedback at legal speeds and let’s not forget not the G30 is ladened with so much driver safety tech. by the time you’ve noticed slip, understeer! Oversteer etc etc it’s already reacted to it, corrected it and saved you from going backwards through a hedge, hence the lighter steering which merely adds to the comfort side of what the G30 is all about.
It is still without doubt a very capable car and I would guess would in fact be quicker around a track than a comparable F10.

[Douggie]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

I have to agree, I've driven and compared some models and found MB's electric steering to be better than BMW in the C & E class in my opinion. It isn't Porsche amazing, but it is a bit better in feel/turn-in/weighting than most BMWs EPS, I've even driven two Mazda's (3 & 6) which in my opinion have better steering. I'm awaiting to see what improvements BMW makes on their steering racks as I haven't fully tested/driven the new 3 or 8 series yet which have been praised for steering improvements.

Seems that the steering in the new 3 series is still not as quick as hoped.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2019/05/30/comparison-test-2019-bmw-330i-xdrive-vs-2018-alfa-romeo-giulia-ti-q4/

I can accept that the steering may not be as nice as a Porsche, but worse than Mercedes, Alfa and Mazda? That's sad.

Good to see that BMW did the passive suspension right this time though.

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by AP

I think the key to the g30 is speccing it up the way you want it as there are many choices that can have an effect on the whole experience.

Indeed.

The jump from a pre-LCI 20d F10 with business media to a loaded G30 540i xDrive is a big jump.

On the other hand, the move from an LCI 535d with comfort seats, Pro Media, VDC, heated steering wheel, sunroof and 360 degree cameras to a base G30 520d could feel like a downgrade.

Although newer models are better, options and engine have a more defining affect on the ownership experience.

[AP]

I think that is the key to the g30 in that you need to spec the way YOU like it as the options can have a big effect whether that be handling/comfort or aesthetics.

[JDMSteven]

I agree, I love the F10 styling, its a bit more understated and restrained, but with the M-Sport package it has a nice balance and flow to it. I think the 2016 535i M-Sport with all the interior goodies is one of the best all around non-M BMW's imo.