CKD E90 differences

[Rubik]

i went for silver !

 

[Spaceman]

Silver? too plain for me...IMO

 

[safri]

will stay plain if you don't do anything to it...for a start change the rims....

 

[KL2DC]

Which rims is nicer ? You decide . Btw, regarding the CBU's, i was told they have more than 100 320's and about 50 325's. Top pic is CBU, bottom is CKD

Wow, I didn't know they were equipping the first batch of CKD 325s with Type 159 wheels...this star spoke design is awesome and classy and goes great with dark colors. Its standard on the US-spec 330i (non ZSP). I have actually been looking for a set of these to replace my sorry-looking 156s.

If you want to look at wheels to complain about, you have to be looking at the 16" 156s (on 205/55/16s) which are standard US-spec 325i wheels LOL

The 161s staggered (as on the CBUs) are optional (grouped together with ZSP) on the US-spec 325i's, they're sportier looking.

So, I wouldn't say one wheel is worst than the other its more like luxury-look (159s) vs sporty-look (161s). So if you want to be cheeky about it, owners of the CKD 325is can rebadge their cars as 330i's, you guys already have the chrome trims standard LOL

Of course the 18" Ellipsoid 162s (US-spec 330i ZSP) takes the cake for most beautiful non-M e90 wheel.

 

[David Yong]

Personally I feel the 159 looks better than 161.
But the first batch of CKD comes with 225 size for rear tyres. It is small la....
The CBU comes with 255 size for rear tyres.

 

[KL2DC]

Personally I feel the 159 looks better than 161.
But the first batch of CKD comes with 225 size for rear tyres. It is small la....
The CBU comes with 255 size for rear tyres.

Glad you agreed the 159s look better, though I was the only one in this crowd

Well the advantage with the 159 wheel setup on 255/50/17s all round is that its easier for you to rotate your tires (I know BMW does not recommend rotation but I think this is a BS rule) as they are all the same size. And I believe the tire size is easier to find just incase you experience an RFT failure. Also, staggered setup actually induces a touch of understeer.

What would improve the looks is a slight drop (recommend retrofitting OEM sport spring for a 0.6-0.8 inch drop or H&R Sport springs for a 1.2-1.4 inch drop) and maybe rear spacers round back (12mm-15mm, make sure you have the proper extended wheel bolts to go with them).

 

[David Yong]

What would improve the looks is a slight drop (recommend retrofitting OEM sport spring for a 0.6-0.8 inch drop or H&R Sport springs for a 1.2-1.4 inch drop) and maybe rear spacers round back (12mm-15mm, make sure you have the proper extended wheel bolts to go with them).

Wow... then it will look so nice..... yum yum.....

 

[KL2DC]

David, check out the Rogue Engineering Spacers...they are quality pieces and they are the only one out there to supply their spacers with the correct wheel bolts (important!). They are also specific fit for the e90 and are hubcentric correct. Don't compromise with spacers, for your safety. Also as they come with silver/metal colored bolts, I recommend sourcing Saab black wheel bolts caps to match your front black bolts, saabs and bimmers have the same diameter bolts (17mm I think). If you want part numbers just PM me...

 

[David Yong]

Sure KL2DC..... Let me check it out..... Thanks

 

[Schwepps]

Hey all, I just signed in as a member after reading your posts as a guest for a while. I haven't owned a Beemer for 9 years and am thinking of getting back into the fold with an E90. I've learned a lot about the CBU vs CKD issues from your posts, so my thanks to all of you!

The thing is when the CBU was launched, I thought the pricing was too high for the product and waited a whole year for the CKD. Now the price and product mix seems to be disappointing again. What is AB doing??? With the market so depressed and with the new C Class due out next year, you'd think they'd want to get the marketing mix right and rope in this segment now. As it is, there are hardly any E90s out there (not many joining your list either, KL2DC) AB should know that those of us in this segment of the market are connoiseurs and are not fooled by marketing smoke and mirrors. Also we buy out of want rather than need, and so can wait and wait for something better.

Posts on the E90 seem to have dried up. Keep it going guys and gals! I need the benefit of your knowledge and experience. Do I look into the CKD 325 or do I wait for the new C Class?

 

[David Yong]

A no-no for C Class..... go for CKD E90 325i.... you will never regret..

 

[KL2DC]

I think the relatively slow roll out of the e90 could be attributed to a few reasons (from what I observed): 1) Initial CBU models were expensive, 2) there was that issue with the incoming CBU inventory being held at port of entry, 3) when faced with a choice over a brand new e90 and a late model pre-owned e60 which are plantiful, most folks would rather go with the used e60, 4) Right until the very recent CKD e90 launch, AB didn't seem too hot with the marketing/promotion of the e90'
, 5) not much of a difference between the high-rung e90 and the bottom model e60, 6) A lot of folks still blindly perceive the W203 as the more substantial aspirational car

Actually the specs for the CKD e90 is pretty attractive (esp 20i SE and 325i models), I don't have a problem with that.

The W-204 is scheduled to be a MY2008 model so you have some time to wait. Personally, I would never buy a first year mercedes-benz, too many bugs. I have more confidence in BMW quality/reliability over a comparable MB. Initial spy pics (http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=157549) of the W204 looks good but interior looks cheap. MB seem to prefer to skimp on quality materials in its lower offerings.

I hear the W204 is slated to be a better drive than the outgoing W203 but should have some ways to go in matching or toppling the BMW's supremacy in the sports sedan market. Others have tried but no one can match the 3er's combination of sports and luxury (remains a benchmark).

If you're comparing the W230 and the e90 then it should be almost no contest. Granted the W203 looks generally prettier but the e90 is a more quality piece. The e90's interior feels bigger esp in width and the handling and steering feel of the e90 can't be beat. The N52 I-6 engine provides smooth power delivery with a nice engine note. The 6sp step shifts smooth and is a good match especially in DS mode. The level of technology is higher in the e90.

 

[Bimmer27]

Hi there,

Do you think it's a good buy for the E90 CBU 325i?The price already reduced to 268k but the buyer have to pay for the roadtax and rm300 transfer fee...?

According to this forums,it seems that the car was manufactured on year 2005 and unsold for almost a year...but still have 3 years free service + repair...

How you guys reckon??

cheers

 

[KL2DC]

Well I think any concern on the MY has been addressed by the price adjustment. So with the price adjustment in your pocket, you are getting a brand new, unregistered, delivery miles fully imported BMW with full factory warranty. I say go for it....

 

[Bimmer27]

thanks for your reply KL2DC,

At the moment,i'm driving my 4 pot E46 for almost 5 years now,i been looking forward to get 6 pot bimmer for quite sometimes...How do you think about this E90 325i if compare to the new Audi A4 Quattro?

Cheers

 

[KL2DC]

I drove the A4 with the 2.0 FSI turbo 4-cyl engine and quite liked the power delivery and characteristic of the engine. The A4 is a very well built car with high-quality materials and constructions. I like the grip that quattro provides esp in low-grip conditions. In comparison, I favored the meaty and communicative steering feel and overall handling balance of the e90. I also leaned towards the 6cyl engine as well. The BMW just feels more special to drive, there is this unquantifiable quality. The Audi feels more distant.

I would pick the Audi over the W203, though. The problem with Audi in Malaysia is the support network. Also there is the issue of residual value and reliability.

Before settling in on the e90, I test drove many cars including the 2.5 V6 W203 with the 7sp G-tronic automatic, the Audi A4 (2.0T), the 270hp Acura TL, the Infiniti G35 sedan/coupe (Skyline GT350) and the latest Lexus IS250. Somehow I always found my way back to the e90 eventhough it wasn't the fastest or the most powerful or the prettiest or the flashiest or the most well equipped or the cheapest. The e90 just felt right so I went with that. Hope that is testament enough ...

 

[Bimmer27]

BMW always be your Ultimate driving machine ae...

Btw,you must be stayin at overseas,for most of the model you mentioned above were still not available in malaysia...anyway thanks for sharing your info...i do appreciated that...

 

[David Yong]

Two main reasons that I dun support buying a CBU unit:

1) The CBU units are now being re-paint because the paintwork has been ruined by acid rain when stranded in the port for few months.

2) They will not be released as brand new. They will be registered to Tractor Malaysia and sold off as second hand cars. It means that the minute you drive the car out, you will be losing a lot of $$$, mainly due to it being a 2005 car and also you are the 2nd owner.

I dun see any problem with my CKD unit.

 

[KL2DC]

David Yong: I don't have a problem with CKD as well, I see that they are being well equipped, BMW maintains some standards in remote production/assembly...its just that some folks still put a lot of value in CBU over CKD, traslating into the used car market in the years to come. In this case, the CBU price had been somewhat adjusted to reflect the MY issue/registered issue.

Wrt paint, the new car warranty should cover quality and defects down the road? I think its normal SOP for the VDC at each port of entry to do various degree of bodywork and touch up to address in-transit damage. Here in the US, the VDC/VPC in CA, NJ and SC can handle anything from a full engine swap to a full body respray to fix in-transit damages.

 

[safri]

between 2005 CBU at RM268K and 2006 CKD at RM288K, i would get the CBU PROVIDED that BMW did a great job in restoring the car...i've heard unpleasant things about those CBU units.