Well it's been a roller coaster of vehicle testing while my car's been undergoing minor surgery. I'm finally getting my car back tomorrow after 5 days now and I'm so ready to have my car back.

Since then I've been driving a loaner 2010 328i.

Here are my observations:

Dislikes:
Feels like I'm driving a V6 accord - VERY slow
Interior feels cheap - feels small and cramped. Not good for kids at all
iDrive/Navigation was more annoying than the pre-lci iDrive system.

Likes:
Better fuel economy
Doesn't feel as heavy while cornering
And.... that's it!

The 3 series does not feel like luxury to me. Once you go 5, you never go back!

Here's another observation...

Traded loaners with my brother for a little while as his CLS Benz was undergoing maintenance as well. His loaner as a 2010 GLK350.

Likes:
Good fuel economy
Feels roomy
Good for smaller children
Decent space in the boot

Dislikes:
SLOW
Feels like I'm driving a RAV4
Annoying entertainment system, yet not as bad as the newer iDrive system.
Does not feel like luxury. Feels like a RAV4 with a benz badge on it.

While my wifes Saturn Outlook was in for a tranny replacement, I also got to drive a 2010 Escalade with premium everything, and 22s. The car's excellent for families, and very luxurious. If you want a BIG SUV and don't mind getting 12-13MPG on average, this is the car for you!


After driving all of these cars for the last 5-7 days, I appreciate my E60 all the more and can't wait to get my car back tomorrow. We all seriously have a great car!!!!

 

Sounds about right...

Thought you're not allowed to swap loaners... With your wife you can but your brother? A few days? *shrugs*

arnt Escalades like $70k it better be better than the 328...

 

My last loaner, about 4 months ago, was a 135 w/sport. It was a real hoot to drive! If I were in the market for a smallish 2dr BMW the 135 is an alternative to the 335 2dr. BUT they both do feel tiny compared to a 5 series.

 

Man I dont know what your talking about slow, I had a 2011 328i loaner last week and that car was pretty frickin quick for a 6 cylinder. The seats were not comfortable and i felt cramped but the car was nothing like an accord.

 

At least your loner had an idrive. The 2011 328i I had for a day didn't! The car itself wasn't bad tho. Just reminds me of getting coilovers for my car. That's about it. Always enjoy driving my car much more than loner cars!

 

Sounds about right...I've had quite a few loaners from the dealership but the most enjoyable one was the 135i convertible gray/red...also there is no backseat even though for some reason they have seats/belts back there lol.

Also agreed, once you go 5 it's hard to go back but I also believe that once you go V8 its hard to go back to a i or V6 unless it has dual turbos or something haha.

2005 545i

 

ahh the 328... i had that loaner for a week... took it down to so cal.. and it was coo.. i didnt like it much just becasue it didnt have nav,idrive, and it was more like a base model.. but hey at least i put some miles on that than my car! lol
now i also got luck about 2 weeks ago when i had a 335d.. now that little diesel had some kik! too bad i only had it for about 2 days.. the kick from the engine felt good while it lasted!


but one thing like u said...
"The 3 series does not feel like luxury to me. Once you go 5, you never go back!"

 

Had an '11 335d loaner recently.
The new idrive OS with it's windows over windows is a bit much. didn't take too long to get familiar with it. Liked the fact that you can shut off the aux window and actually use that space.
The Diesel really gets the car moving with loads of low and midrange torque. Easy wheelspin with the 225 tires from the factory. driving moderately heavy on the throttle and I averaged 26mpg.
The 3 Series definetly feels cramped after getting used to the 5 series. Missed the auto opening boot!
One thing that really turned me off was the steering wheel. It felt like plastic, not leather. Very stiff with no cushioning in the grip.

 

Drive your brother's CLS and come back with a comparison. Almost bought the CLS.

 

The 328 was slow, compared to my 550. If you compare it to a Honda Civic, then it's fast.

I've driven my brother's CLS, and it isn't just a CLS550 - It's a CLS 63 AMG and it eats E60 M5s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The thing's a monster...

Anyway! I got my car back!! Woohoo! Just in time for my appointment downtown... even snapped a pic before going down stairs for lunch! Sure feels good to be behind the wheel of a 5 again.