E90 325i sluggish start?

[E46Fanatic]

The only thing about newer generation BMWs (and Mercs for that matter) is that they are not built to be as tough and robust as the previous E30's, 34's and 36's. Even in the first 3 years of the new car so many things fail from iDrive modules to DSC controllers, to active steering which are all a few grands each time to replace. Can't imagine the cost of upkeep when the car is 6-7 yrs old.

 

[peanut]

It is probably over-simplified to say that modern car is not as reliable as cars of the past. To a certain extent, new cars have extra functions (rain sensors, traction control, navigation, etc) and auto-this-auto-that. Of course when you have more things, then they are more likely to fail. The question of whether we need all of them is debatable and personally I don't care for some of them.

Put it this way, if you car doesn't have an air-cond, then it should be more reliable than the one without one, ceteris paribus. :burnout:

 

[Schwepps]

You have a point peanut, but I would agree with E46F. He's said they're not as tough and robust, and things fail and cost a few grand each time to replace. Yes, it's mostly the electronics that are very sensitive, but if they can't be robust by their very nature, then they shouldn't be included in the cars until they are. If they are included, then the manufacturers should acknowledge that they are not robust yet and should charge replacement costs without R&D component, ie, they should charge very little. The actual component cost of electronics is very small. A large percentage is development cost, and a large part of profits is from sale of proprietary spare parts.

We also cannot deny that car bodies are not what they used to be. Even Merc doors crumple in if you lean on them, let alone BMWs. All signs of the times...lighter cars, higher fuel efficiency, larger economic scale, bigger profits. It's just too bad. We can't have everything.

 

[David Yong]

You have a point peanut, but I would agree with E46F. He's said they're not as tough and robust, and things fail and cost a few grand each time to replace. Yes, it's mostly the electronics that are very sensitive, but if they can't be robust by their very nature, then they shouldn't be included in the cars until they are. If they are included, then the manufacturers should acknowledge that they are not robust yet and should charge replacement costs without R&D component, ie, they should charge very little. The actual component cost of electronics is very small. A large percentage is development cost, and a large part of profits is from sale of proprietary spare parts.

We also cannot deny that car bodies are not what they used to be. Even Merc doors crumple in if you lean on them, let alone BMWs. All signs of the times...lighter cars, higher fuel efficiency, larger economic scale, bigger profits. It's just too bad. We can't have everything.

Agree 100%. It's just too bad that we can't have everything.

 

[simonkhw]

Try sprint booster! It'll solve the problem! I've installed it and you'll not regret it!

 

[anxious]

The only thing about newer generation BMWs (and Mercs for that matter) is that they are not built to be as tough and robust as the previous E30's, 34's and 36's. Even in the first 3 years of the new car so many things fail from iDrive modules to DSC controllers, to active steering which are all a few grands each time to replace. Can't imagine the cost of upkeep when the car is 6-7 yrs old.

That is quite a concern esp when you spend close to RM300k on ur car only to see expensive electronic parts need replacing after 3 years of ownership.

Anyway I shall be keeping a close eye on the E90 maintainance thread.

 

[E46Fanatic]

That is quite a concern esp when you spend close to RM300k on ur car only to see expensive electronic parts need replacing after 3 years of ownership.

Anyway I shall be keeping a close eye on the E90 maintainance thread.

Its the depreciation that kills, not the maintenance hehe. Each year about 10-15% of the cost of the car. Quite depressing actually a few years down the line to see how much of your hard earned moolah dissapeared into thin air when you wanna sell the car. Worse for the new 5's, 7's and X5's compared to the 3.

 

[anxious]

In Uk a new car depreciates by about 50% within the first 3 years.(see What Car depreciatiomn index)

In Malaysia it takes about 5 years to lose half the value of your car?

Thats why I cant imagine buying new even if I had the moolah ( unless it was a company car).

My concern over maintance is that chances are that like me many forumers here aspire to buy the E90/E60 second hand in the near future.

It worries me if a say 5 year old E60/E90 starts having problems with its sensors and other electronic parts which may cost thosands to replace. Then buying second hand would be very feasible anymore.

Anyway I am sure we can discuss this elsewher. The topic of this thread is that the E90 325i that I test drove felt a bit sluggish off the mark. Is this caused by the drive by wire technology?

 

[alalio]

325i e90... sluggishness in starting acceleration...

Hi guys, i am like this close to buying a 2006 325i e90 from auto bavaria. however, there was one issue that struck me most when i test drove the car (earlier today). And it is exactly like what anxious said in his first post. there really really is a lag at the point of "starting acceleration", for lack of a better word. I have no idea if this is the usual, as my current 2001 e46 has no such issues. it just goes from the get go. with this e90 325i, its definitely not the same response, and definitely not what i expected. it is true that once it goes, it really goes well, but why the lag issue? it rather puts me off, and i might just totally switch over and buy an X3 instead. i've read through this forum, but found nothing to seriously substantiate why it is the way it is. If i can learn a bit about this issue from here, it would be much appreciated. Cheerios!

 

[astroboy]

Someone has mentioned this before, my E90 320i when on "D", its actually rolling off from stationary on 2nd gear, obviously for fuel efficiency la. Otherwise how to claim 38.2mpg or 6.2l/100km..or 12sen/km

Maybe that's the problem.. I have not tried taking off on "DS", or "M1".. maybe those who complain sluggishness should try that..

and also some had mentioned turning off the "DTC". Have u all tried that?

 

[ken]

Hi guys, i am like this close to buying a 2006 325i e90 from auto bavaria. however, there was one issue that struck me most when i test drove the car (earlier today). And it is exactly like what anxious said in his first post. there really really is a lag at the point of "starting acceleration", for lack of a better word. I have no idea if this is the usual, as my current 2001 e46 has no such issues. it just goes from the get go. with this e90 325i, its definitely not the same response, and definitely not what i expected. it is true that once it goes, it really goes well, but why the lag issue? it rather puts me off, and i might just totally switch over and buy an X3 instead. i've read through this forum, but found nothing to seriously substantiate why it is the way it is. If i can learn a bit about this issue from here, it would be much appreciated. Cheerios!

Hi alalio,
I don't own an 325 e90 but i've driven both e90 & e46 325. must say that the power on the e90 has definitely improved compared to e46. the e90 engine is double vanos & valtronic so the power delivery is slightly different. In the e46, the torque may peak at lower rpm hence may give the car a better acceleration feel but it runs out of breath at 6k rpm. with e90 n52, the engine is very free revving and get the surge may come in above 4.5k rpm and pulls happily till 7k rpm (with a wonderful sounding pitch), trust me, u'll be finding excuses to rev the car all the time... heh . if u put both car side by side, the e46 may feel faster but on actual fact, the e90 will be faster to 100km/h. another 2 factor to add on is that the e90 is heavier compared to e46 and e90 is running on RFT. if u test drove the standard 325 which comes in 17" rims, the pick up is even better compared to sports which is on 18". finally is to have the e90 tested on 'S' mode which is much more responsive compared to 'D'. i also can assure u, if u would to add sprint booster on the e90 325, the car will jump like a kangaroo (simon khw can vow on it).. hehe..
just my opinion
Go for the e90 325, u won't regret it!

 

[anxious]

A few of my freinds have confirmed my complaint. Even Motoring & Torque which had put up the same review stated this as I have related earlier.

I am quite suprised that this issue hasnt got more attention. I cant imagine it being a standard feature in a RM300k sporty sedan.

Anyway the facelift is due later this year and may solve this issue.

However I feel that if this feature is common to E90 325i then we should come out in the open and discuss it so BMW can fix it.

 

[David Yong]

Hi alalio,
I don't own an 325 e90 but i've driven both e90 & e46 325. must say that the power on the e90 has definitely improved compared to e46. the e90 engine is double vanos & valtronic so the power delivery is slightly different. In the e46, the torque may peak at lower rpm hence may give the car a better acceleration feel but it runs out of breath at 6k rpm. with e90 n52, the engine is very free revving and get the surge may come in above 4.5k rpm and pulls happily till 7k rpm (with a wonderful sounding pitch), trust me, u'll be finding excuses to rev the car all the time... heh . if u put both car side by side, the e46 may feel faster but on actual fact, the e90 will be faster to 100km/h. another 2 factor to add on is that the e90 is heavier compared to e46 and e90 is running on RFT. if u test drove the standard 325 which comes in 17" rims, the pick up is even better compared to sports which is on 18". finally is to have the e90 tested on 'S' mode which is much more responsive compared to 'D'. i also can assure u, if u would to add sprint booster on the e90 325, the car will jump like a kangaroo (simon khw can vow on it).. hehe..
just my opinion
Go for the e90 325, u won't regret it!

You are absolutely right Ken!

 

[danc]

A few of my freinds have confirmed my complaint. Even Motoring & Torque which had put up the same review stated this as I have related earlier.

I am quite suprised that this issue hasnt got more attention. I cant imagine it being a standard feature in a RM300k sporty sedan.

Anyway the facelift is due later this year and may solve this issue.

A lot of people who have bought the E90 may not want to admit that something may not be quite right in their RM300k new car.

However I feel that if this feature is common to E90 325i then we should come out in the open and discuss it so BMW can fix it.

How to come out and say when I don't feel the 'sluggishness' and I am not hiding behind the fact that we paid good $ for our car. If I felt that I would be the first to jump in and 'complain'.

 

[astroboy]

I see the answers and I wonder why they don't ?? farnee..

It may be a sport sedan but it ain't track car. So when u stationary, the ECU won't know if u want to sprint or just want roll off economically on the fuel.

Bear in mind that this is not an Alfa.. its more towards luxury than race spirited.. and to top that off..

1. E90 is a little heavier..

2. When u have double VANOS, the CAMS will have a wider range of timing to play with, so of course it will start with the economical end when car is stationary and move towards competitive timing set up when both RPM and engine load builds up.. no? Go on "DS" mode la, I believe a lot more different when timing is concerned..

3. RFT is heavy..

4. When in "D", the E90 is rolling off on 2nd gear..

I was told that Jeremy Clarkson lately just commented E90 as worst car of choice for the year or something in the latest edition of TopGear but I have yet to read or see the full story... I don't quite believe it actually.. I don't subscribe to BBC at home.. Anyone has the story?

 

[Juan Powerblow]

How to come out and say when I don't feel the 'sluggishness' and I am not hiding behind the fact that we paid good $ for our car. If I felt that I would be the first to jump in and 'complain'.

Yeah, same here! I had the use of an E90 325i for almost 2 months, covered 1,200 kms with it immediately after I sold my E46 325i which I had for 5 years. My finding is exactly like Ken's. There's no sluggishness, lag or whatever else one might call it. Instead, it just goes from stump and go and on. We have so many E90 325i owners in this forum, particularly those who upgraded from the E46 325i. Surely, if this is a prevalent issue, it would have been brought up.

 

[alalio]

thanks for the replies guys. i will go over for a final test drive again and try the few things suggested. If the car does roll off on 2nd gear when in "D", then that might be a plausible explanation. Also, i test drove 2 e90s, both 325i, and both had the same issue. i'll see how it goes. once again, thanks to all the sifus here. cheerios!

 

[Schwepps]

A lot of people who have bought the E90 may not want to admit that something may not be quite right in their RM300k new car.

However I feel that if this feature is common to E90 325i then we should come out in the open and discuss it so BMW can fix it.

As danc and JPB and a host of others have said, we don't find that the E90 has this problem. Who should know better than people who own and drive the car?

So many reasons have already been explained, including the adaptive gearbox which learns your driving style, and as astroboy rightly says, is for maximizing economy. As an owner, let me state here that the E90 does not have a start off problem.

But someone keeps bumping this and other old threads up everytime they die off. I wonder why...

 

[anxious]

I do apologise if I have offended the E90 crowd. My sincere apologies.

However I must put right any insinuation that I am in any way responsible for bumping up THIS thread. You would note that that I normally only post here after I read comments from others after I read them.

My interest in E90s are bcos I am considering getting it in a few years time.

I have no intention to run down the model or anyone who owns them. Thats why I have decided to apologise after rereading my earlier post.

 

[Schwepps]

No problem bro. But if discerning E90 owners say there is no problem with the starting torque, to keep harping on it and to say that "a lot of people who have bought the E90 may not want to admit that something may not be quite right in their RM300k new car" is not a nice way to participate in a member's forum. My apologies for sounding harsh, it's not meant to be anything other than friendly advice.