E90 325 Sports - 4 years of ownership experience
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kimi yap
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kevin1982my
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Bro.
May i ask, in this 4 years +, how was the reliability of the car?
May i ask, in this 4 years +, how was the reliability of the car?
E46Fanatic
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echoesian;674744 said:
Having owned both E90 under 4 years and E46 just over 5 yrs, the E90 is the more reliable car year for year in my experience. Mine was a CBU AB batch E90 tho.
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Spaceman;674860 said:
Agreed. Same goes to E60 compare to E39. However if u've got a good condition car and really take care of the car it would serve you well. General I would say is less reliable than Japs. But its provide the ultimate driving feel that is priceless. As for me I always do preventive maintenance.
Vroom325
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Germans are good in manufacturing. They just have different philosophy with the Japs. I know Japs mentality well and have stay long enough with them during my college, work and private. Naturally I have been Japanese car all the time.
When I switch to a German car, been to German, experience the Autobahn, dealing with my German colleagues on work, I understand why their car is build that way. The car reflect their philosophy of manufacturing. At this class, performance, I think it's ok. If you tear a Jap car down and calculate the item of components used inside, if you consider the technology behind, I think it's acceptable.
My E46 which is 7yrs old now, definitely technology of more then 10yrs old by now, still rock solid, generate a healthy 192hp, pure NA. Just love it.
When I switch to a German car, been to German, experience the Autobahn, dealing with my German colleagues on work, I understand why their car is build that way. The car reflect their philosophy of manufacturing. At this class, performance, I think it's ok. If you tear a Jap car down and calculate the item of components used inside, if you consider the technology behind, I think it's acceptable.
My E46 which is 7yrs old now, definitely technology of more then 10yrs old by now, still rock solid, generate a healthy 192hp, pure NA. Just love it.
Vroom325
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It may not the be fastest, but I just love the character of the car. The handling, the NA roar, the I6, the brakes, the RWD + 50:50 chasssis, yet certain level of comfort. It fits my preference the best among all different brand of cars that I've ride.
kevin1982my
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Vroom325;675042 said:
Mind to elaborate further?
Vroom325
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Each any every produce represents the design, manufacturing philosophy of a team of desginers, engineers and the company direction. As a result, everyone has different belief and we are so different, so can a car be. They are NOT the same.
Generally speaking, when you compare Merz and BMW, you can tell the difference and you know why they are built differently, because the objective is different. If you compare the way they make cars, you can tell BMW is making in an expensive way.
Take the metal stamping part for example, look at the fender of E90, it's not easy to stamp it that "deep" somemore with such contour. Look at other brands which is at the same generation. The are shallow and flat, it easier hence cheaper to make, but BMW still wants it. Hence, they gotta pay for it.
Magnesium alloy technology is only getting more attention only this 2-3yrs in Japan. Some Guess what, when E90 was launch in 2005, it's already using an magnesium alloy engine, and the industrial magazine specifically mention it. FYI, that magazine is a 2011 magazine, which focus on industry material trend and so on. Knowing automotive industry, to launch a car at 2005, you development start years back. Some more it's your power plant!
Therefore, I appreciate that spirit behind BMW. As a result, when you embrace the latest technology, meaning it's more precise(knowing the Germans. They are know for precision machinery = precision part), more electronics, more sensors, means more components in the car.
Having such a lot of parts and mechanism to ensure the car's performance, they have to maintain the weight. When you pop up the bornet, you will see engineering plastics has been use intensively to replace metal for weight reduction.(Cost down effect is also there) Look at the weight of the car. An E90 weight is not too much different from an Japs 2.4 or 2.5litre car.(With more gear ratios, more complex suspension system, long shaft(RWD) and so on!)
Further look at the engine, how deep a 6 cylinder is stucked into the dashboard to ensure you get 50:50 wegith distribution. It's not an effective way of manufacturing, or else all other makes would have done it.
A lot of ppl complain BMW is not spacious. When you look at the 3 series side way from far and if you know how deep the engine or how close the engine is with the dashboard, obviously there isn't much space left for the cabin. If one understand the story behind, it explains. Or else, how do we get that kind of handling, because the signature 50:50 and RWD is the first priority, or else BMW will lose it's character.
Know what you need from the car, then search for it. Just like when you want to keep a dog, you need to know what breed and the character of the breed, so that we can tell if it fits our life style. You can't buy a working dog like husky but you hate to go outdoor. Same goes with car.
What am I trying to say is, BMW love new stuff and that's how they do it. Some of the stuff they use are ahead of other makes(I am talking about mass production cars) and pretty new material. Car is more complicated but with the performance(balanced) that Japanese car can't match, so there's a little price you have to pay on maintenance. You take good care of them, they will reward you and keep you smiling when you drive. Driving, is no longer a boring thing.
When you have a car which is more simple, of course chances of breaking down is much lower. Of course I am not saying Japs make lousy cars. If without them, I would need to take bus for long long time until I can afford my BMW. I believe every car out there is meant for some purpose, some one. It's market segmentation also, part of the game.
Gotta go. Lastly, just only my personal opinion!
Generally speaking, when you compare Merz and BMW, you can tell the difference and you know why they are built differently, because the objective is different. If you compare the way they make cars, you can tell BMW is making in an expensive way.
Take the metal stamping part for example, look at the fender of E90, it's not easy to stamp it that "deep" somemore with such contour. Look at other brands which is at the same generation. The are shallow and flat, it easier hence cheaper to make, but BMW still wants it. Hence, they gotta pay for it.
Magnesium alloy technology is only getting more attention only this 2-3yrs in Japan. Some Guess what, when E90 was launch in 2005, it's already using an magnesium alloy engine, and the industrial magazine specifically mention it. FYI, that magazine is a 2011 magazine, which focus on industry material trend and so on. Knowing automotive industry, to launch a car at 2005, you development start years back. Some more it's your power plant!
Therefore, I appreciate that spirit behind BMW. As a result, when you embrace the latest technology, meaning it's more precise(knowing the Germans. They are know for precision machinery = precision part), more electronics, more sensors, means more components in the car.
Having such a lot of parts and mechanism to ensure the car's performance, they have to maintain the weight. When you pop up the bornet, you will see engineering plastics has been use intensively to replace metal for weight reduction.(Cost down effect is also there) Look at the weight of the car. An E90 weight is not too much different from an Japs 2.4 or 2.5litre car.(With more gear ratios, more complex suspension system, long shaft(RWD) and so on!)
Further look at the engine, how deep a 6 cylinder is stucked into the dashboard to ensure you get 50:50 wegith distribution. It's not an effective way of manufacturing, or else all other makes would have done it.
A lot of ppl complain BMW is not spacious. When you look at the 3 series side way from far and if you know how deep the engine or how close the engine is with the dashboard, obviously there isn't much space left for the cabin. If one understand the story behind, it explains. Or else, how do we get that kind of handling, because the signature 50:50 and RWD is the first priority, or else BMW will lose it's character.
Know what you need from the car, then search for it. Just like when you want to keep a dog, you need to know what breed and the character of the breed, so that we can tell if it fits our life style. You can't buy a working dog like husky but you hate to go outdoor. Same goes with car.
What am I trying to say is, BMW love new stuff and that's how they do it. Some of the stuff they use are ahead of other makes(I am talking about mass production cars) and pretty new material. Car is more complicated but with the performance(balanced) that Japanese car can't match, so there's a little price you have to pay on maintenance. You take good care of them, they will reward you and keep you smiling when you drive. Driving, is no longer a boring thing.
When you have a car which is more simple, of course chances of breaking down is much lower. Of course I am not saying Japs make lousy cars. If without them, I would need to take bus for long long time until I can afford my BMW. I believe every car out there is meant for some purpose, some one. It's market segmentation also, part of the game.
Gotta go. Lastly, just only my personal opinion!
kevin1982my
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Thats a great write up.
How has your 325 held up so far?
How has your 325 held up so far?
Vroom325
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I just realized that's lot of type error, may be I was still not fully awake this morning.:wink:
My 7yrs old 325? I always pay attention to the maintenance of the car. Can't be better, loving it everyday! Just changed to a set of M sport spring and the cornering is sweet. Slight bumpy but manageable and I am willing to trade that much of comfort for that. Driving, is fun!:rock:
When I used to own other makes, I always feel the car test driven is better when I drive back my own car and have the urge to change. With this car now, it really push up the bar. There's always better car outside, but not enough to make me to jump the gun yet. Have test drove all german makes at the same range, but I am not convinced yet.
Yes, my 7yrs old car is not as powerful as those turbo new comer, not as comfortable as the 125yrs old brand, but I am ok with my car. The steering feel, the chassis feedback, the instant and precise pedal feel, the 50:50 + RWD fun, the I6 smoothness, the engine grunt at low rpm and roar at high rpm, the total package this car is offering fit my preference perfectly. It just stir my emotion everytime I fire it up. After all the test drives and drive back my own car, I recognize other cars are better is someway, but no one is offering all these together in a package, so I have no probem with my 325 now. It's either E90 335 or F30 328, I guess.
I'm no engineer, but if we know the engineering work done for the car, you will love them more and lots of the complains that you usually hear will be answered. "BM always break down lah, bla bla bla..." Germans are famous with high precision and fine machinery. Go ask some of the printing companies who makes the best and durable offset sheet fed printing machine, they will tell you it's Heidelberg.
Germans are equally serious about manufacturing good stuff and they have a long history and foundation in this, so you can be sure of it. It's just too many components, sensors, bushes are there, so you always feel like you have to replace something, giving you crap feeling. However, if you understand the background, you know it's natural and you have to know it before you own one.
Like one of our forumer said, the driving pleasure the car give me is priceless!
Think carefully, research enough, jump you gun and enjoy it.
My 7yrs old 325? I always pay attention to the maintenance of the car. Can't be better, loving it everyday! Just changed to a set of M sport spring and the cornering is sweet. Slight bumpy but manageable and I am willing to trade that much of comfort for that. Driving, is fun!:rock:
When I used to own other makes, I always feel the car test driven is better when I drive back my own car and have the urge to change. With this car now, it really push up the bar. There's always better car outside, but not enough to make me to jump the gun yet. Have test drove all german makes at the same range, but I am not convinced yet.
Yes, my 7yrs old car is not as powerful as those turbo new comer, not as comfortable as the 125yrs old brand, but I am ok with my car. The steering feel, the chassis feedback, the instant and precise pedal feel, the 50:50 + RWD fun, the I6 smoothness, the engine grunt at low rpm and roar at high rpm, the total package this car is offering fit my preference perfectly. It just stir my emotion everytime I fire it up. After all the test drives and drive back my own car, I recognize other cars are better is someway, but no one is offering all these together in a package, so I have no probem with my 325 now. It's either E90 335 or F30 328, I guess.
I'm no engineer, but if we know the engineering work done for the car, you will love them more and lots of the complains that you usually hear will be answered. "BM always break down lah, bla bla bla..." Germans are famous with high precision and fine machinery. Go ask some of the printing companies who makes the best and durable offset sheet fed printing machine, they will tell you it's Heidelberg.
Germans are equally serious about manufacturing good stuff and they have a long history and foundation in this, so you can be sure of it. It's just too many components, sensors, bushes are there, so you always feel like you have to replace something, giving you crap feeling. However, if you understand the background, you know it's natural and you have to know it before you own one.
Like one of our forumer said, the driving pleasure the car give me is priceless!
Think carefully, research enough, jump you gun and enjoy it.
kevin1982my
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Yeah, German engineering has been great. The Downhole motor that we use to drill offshore wells are made in Germany and they perform so much better compared to other makes.
So has your E90 325 been giving u much problems in your 7 years of ownership?
I know BMW maintainence is higher than other cars due to reasons stated by you and im prepared for it, but would like to know how much higher.
So has your E90 325 been giving u much problems in your 7 years of ownership?
I know BMW maintainence is higher than other cars due to reasons stated by you and im prepared for it, but would like to know how much higher.
Vroom325
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::wink: bro, mine is an E46.
If u maintain d car well, it's ok. Some engine oil leak is unavoidable, others r wear n tear. Replaced d ABS sensor b4. Quite a list bbut may not b a direct reference 4 u. U can take a look @ E46 maintenance in dis forum. It will give u a good Idea
Oso how much higher is oso quite subjective. Suggest u 2 check more in d forum. R u comparing with japs? Some japs car part r not cheap too. :rock:
If u maintain d car well, it's ok. Some engine oil leak is unavoidable, others r wear n tear. Replaced d ABS sensor b4. Quite a list bbut may not b a direct reference 4 u. U can take a look @ E46 maintenance in dis forum. It will give u a good Idea
Oso how much higher is oso quite subjective. Suggest u 2 check more in d forum. R u comparing with japs? Some japs car part r not cheap too. :rock:
kevin1982my
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Not comparing with japs. My last car was rx8 and brabus tuned smart roadster.
They are both pain in the a** to maintain.
They are both pain in the a** to maintain.
EL118
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Vroom325;675128 said:
I like the dog example. me too feel that BMW is like rare breed of fine dogs that need constant attention and care ( periodic vaccination, balance diet etc) against "stray dogs" which can survive on rotten food found in rubbish bin.
Vroom325
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kevin1982my;675375 said:
Then it shud't b a problem. They r wide range of parts 4 u 2 choose. Lot's of workshop. Btw, Mazda makes good car, I use to owned d 1st gen Mazda6, nice car, great handling, very close 2 bmw's direction, but d 2nd gen has mellow down. Not as raw as b4.
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