I just got back from a trip to North Charleston, SPAWAR. I left yesterday afternoon and got back a couple of hours ago. I ended up taking my wife's '99 E46 328i 5-Speed manual with sport suspension because it is a four-door and I might have multiple passengers. But mainly I hate making a road trip in a car with less than 1k on it and not the first oil change, speaking of my new '03 6-Speed.

I have hardly driven my wife's car since I traded in the '01 CL-S so the difference weren't as obvious which are about to be explained.

First off the seating position is much lower in the BMW. In this case I can't say either is preferred. They are different in that you feel like you sit lower in the BMW but both have about the same view of the surrounding area.

But once in gear the drastic changes became apparent; the clutch take-up is completely different. Now keep in mind I was use to driving this 3-Seris around hard but when it came time to move from the CL-S I felt like I was lifting forever before it engaged. I did not mind the clutch engagement in the Bimmer until now that I have the 6-Speed CL-S. Score for the CL.

The next part I felt was acceleration. Both are stock (the CL-S only for a few more days…) but the acceleration advantage in the CL-S was obvious. From 2500 revs it would be about even from a rolling pull in similar gears. But from 4500 on the CL-S doesn't let up in comparison to the Bimmer. Score 2 for the CL.

So I'm driving on and hit the I-75 on ramp which is not a sweeper, just a right turn; this is when I feel a serious difference. The Bimmers steering is more weighted but more connected. It takes more effort but you feel it better. This continued through the 700 mile trip. The Bimmers response to steering input was just as quick but more precise and when in the turn it allowed for better control. Hands down the Bimmers handling was well beyond the CL in transitional control. In the words of my wife who drove the CL-S the last couple of days which does sum it up (BTW, she could beat most of you in an autocross) "the CL floated too much, it seemed to bounce quite a bit. Your old CL felt better turning..." Score 2 for the 328i (it was too much of a margin.)

Now to be fair, the Bimmer does have the sport suspension with 225/45/17 tires. I haven't put my sway bar back on yet and there is no reason to discuss the tires. But even with the sways and equal tires the feel will never compare.

However, the addition of the 6-Speed has changed my bias and will have to reserve overall thrilling driving experience until the sways and better tires are on. Also, the limited slip with these additions might make feel completely differently I will have to wait until tires are purchased.

 

keep in mind this is a 328 we are comparing and not a 330.

 

interesting .... did your wife feel like the CL-S was jittery? Did she feel that it was unstable?

As far as driving ... that certain "x" factor that makes everyone love Bimmers... did you feel that or does the CL-S have that "fun" factor? Do you think putting your sways, springs(?) exhaust etc will make you like the CL a hell of a lot more?

 

Very true, I was disappointed when we bought her car and just over a year later there was an increase in displacement. Although peak torque value did not increase very much between the 2.8 and the 3.0 engine, the torque curve was broadened significantly.

In other words it doesn't fall flat as soon.

 

Not unstable, just not as firm as she would prefer.

The CL-S has a different fun factor and just takes more getting use to it. When pushed to the limit the CL-S would come close to the Bimmer but the Bimmer feels much more secure in doing so. Exhaust is not needed, I love it just the same. But when the sway bars and tires go on it (negating some of the understeer) it will be much more fun and putting it above in the fun-to-drive comparison.

But right now there is no comparison in the engines, the CL-S wins hands down.

 

All four? I know the sports suspension has had 245/40/17 on the rear for years now.

Is it different for a 4 door Bimmer?

 

Nope, all five, forgot about the full sized spare. They were all 225/45/17 Dunlops from the factory.

It may be a something with the 4 door, I dunno...

 

I also forgot to mention that the '99 E46 328i was lighter than the current 330i by about 150 lbs...

 

Yes, and for this reason most show room stock racers prefer the 328 vs the 330. The racers claim the power differential is not worth the extra 150 lbs!

 

They also changed the steering, & suspension a little. The 328's handle better then the 330's.

I drove a friends 98 328 for a week. I don't know if it had a "sport package" The steering was way better, the 5 speed was nice(I have the auto) but the little performance gain even less if you get the 6 speed CL-S, is not worth the extra $6-10K. I think BMW is played out. The only one I would ever get is the M5.

 

This would be even a greater difference in weigth, the '98 328 was the E36 chassis. Whereas the '99 328 is the newer E46 chassis. The E36 328 was little more lighter than the E46 328.

Which handles better between the E36 and E46 is debateable. They gave the E46 a better ride without sacrificing handling prowness.

 

Where do you get your information??

What did they change in the suspension?

And as for the steering, well, the only thing changed was the amount of power assist. That will only change the "feel". BMW offered to change it back for free to people that didn't like the extra assist.

If you drove a friends 98 328 for a week and didn't know if it had the sports package or not, I wouldn't think you know too much about Bimmers. You can tell a sports packaged 3 series with just a quick glance. No need to even drive it.

 

Your right there. I don't drive them. Too expensive for what you get.