The E90 beats the W203 by far, no comparison. That generation of MBs is over the hill by today's standards, but the latest cars are quite good. My wife has a 2004 W211 and it's a pretty good drive. The W204 promises to be a sportier car c/w power-humped bonnet and a completely new engine. The lights design will apparently be a hybrid of the S-class and CLS look.
Having said all that, I'm a bit tired of MBs and the E90 is the long awaited one for me
I'm just frustrated with the AB approach in Malaysia though. For RM288k the 325i package is just not commensurate. You can't compare with the US spec because the car is much cheaper there. Eg, the dainty 159 wheels and non-sports suspension are fine for the reasonably-priced 'family' 320i, but why put them on the 325i which is the enthusiast's car?
My choice David? Sigh....I just don't know. This would be an elective buy for me and elective buys must satisfy your every fibre. The present 325i package available here, both CKD and CBU just don't feel 100% right. There's no wow factor for me and buying a BMW should always be a wow event as opposed to buying an MB or Audi, etc. If not for that lack of 100% feeling, I would be waiting for delivery of a 325i right now
Thanks very much KL2DC, for the education in the various build locations! You've comfirmed that the E90 CBUs in Malaysia are built in South Africa. A lot of people here think that CBU means that the car is built in the home plant whereas this is almost never the case anymore with globalization, except for very small marques.
It's only in Malaysia that you have this "CBU is superior to CKD" mentality. I'm sure Rosslyn is very good, but I maintain that Malaysia's car assembly is right up there. Sorry but internal quality audits don't do anything for me. They only mean all the documented processes are complied with by the plant. And I prefer higher production automation, not lower. It only means lots of cheap labour is employed. No disrespect meant, but SAfrica is where Malaysia was 20 years ago.
Interesting that you know so much about BMs KL2DC, even wiring issues, and are based in the US. You're not connected in some way to BMW are you?