E90 325i Sports Edition

[beemers3]

I have the same diffuser as the one on HZE 892... but the one on IEZ 6583 isw it a AC Schnitzer!!!! I jus respray the diffuser to Matt black today cos my friend say it should look different cos it meant to be different tone as the car colour!!!! any opinion on that???

 

[KL2DC]

KL2DC,
is the the blackline actually meant for the US market rather than an accesseory

Negative, they are, and remain strictly OEM accessory items. Actually, they come in 1 spec only for world market (i.e. complies with US DOT and others singularly). They are very popular here though due to costs. For some reason, this part comes out cheaper in the US vs even european markets.

I think these lights were issued so that E90 owners can tie their car (visually) to the E90 race car. Blackline sare available for the E91 wagons too.

 

[KL2DC]

I have the same diffuser as the one on HZE 892... but the one on IEZ 6583 isw it a AC Schnitzer!!!! I jus respray the diffuser to Matt black today cos my friend say it should look different cos it meant to be different tone as the car colour!!!! any opinion on that???

The one on IEZ6583 i.e. the monaco blue m-sport shows an AC Schnitzer rear diffuser for the M-tech rear. I think they're the only european tuner to have parts specific for the m-tech body. If you look at the front you can also see the specific AC Schnitzer front lip that goes on the M-Tech front. It subtly different from the regular ACS kit but different nonetheless. Its harder to see on a dark colored car, I guess.

Yes, I believe the rear diffuser should look different. The 2 tone helps make the rear end sportier/lighter-looking. If you color match, it looks heavier and you hide the lines of the m-tech rear bumper, especially on light colored cars.


EDIT: LOL shoot, I made a mistake!! You are right!! That is the standard ACS kit!! They look so similar though. The 193Ms threw me off ... lol

If you look at this pic, you can see what I was TRYING to spell out....

 

[KL2DC]

beemers3:

Ok, you can see the ACS lips for M-tech body more clearly in these pics.

 

[Schwepps]

Guys, the reason for the delay in offering test drives for the 325i Sports is because they will all be 2007-build CKDs, so they're just not ready yet. Even demo cars aren't ready and each showroom has 1 unit for show only. Apparently there are some logistics issues involved in getting in and fitting in all those extras.

Existing 2006 CKD 325i units have all been pre-registered, so although the sticker price is RM288k, you can get them for RM268k. My feeling (although they won't confirm it) is that the standard 325i will be dropped from the line-up once they finish the 2006 stock and that indeed they'll offer a 323i 190bhp 2.5L in the 268k region. BMW are really going all out to pre-empt competition from the new Merc C and Lexus this year.

Sorry Beemers3, I feel your irritation, but it's never a good idea to buy a car in the last quarter of the year, especially in a hotly contested segment. But then again you did get a good deal on a CBU right?

 

[wglee]

My feeling (although they won't confirm it) is that the standard 325i will be dropped from the line-up once they finish the 2006 stock and that indeed they'll offer a 323i 190bhp 2.5L in the 268k region.

Maybe they'll bring in the 328i (3 litre 231bhp)?

 

[danc]

Replacing the std 325i with a 323i, hmm sounds like a bad idea i.e. you still have the pay the roadtax of a 2.5 but getting the performance of a 2.3. (but thats what they did to the 523i)

I guess it's BMW's way of trying to price the mid level 3 series to compete with the new C Class and IS250 which should be coming soon.

 

[Schwepps]

Replacing the std 325i with a 323i, hmm sounds like a bad idea i.e. you still have the pay the roadtax of a 2.5 but getting the performance of a 2.3. (but thats what they did to the 523i)

I guess it's BMW's way of trying to price the mid level 3 series to compete with the new C Class and IS250 which should be coming soon.

Precisely, Danc. And they're doing it early to capture market share before the C Class and IS250 arrive. A 328i? Maybe, but doubtful. The 325i sports, 330i, E92 323i and 335i will be enough models in the >RM300 slot. How many people are there willing to pay more than 300k for a 3 series? Too close to a E60, E Class and such in price.

 

[danc]

Schwepps,

Agree RM 300K is in the price range of the EClass and you know what they say here in MSia right? Maximum bang for minimum bucks.

I really doubt they will bring in the 328 as it is still below 3000cc and therefore don't enjoy the new tax structure (i.e. the LS460 has just revised they pricing from RM 800K down to RM 777K while the GS300 has no change). Secondly again paying for 3000cc roadtax but only getting 2.8 power not a good move even more so in Msia as the road tax jumps a lot after 2.5 lit. Was driving a 3 lit car before this and I must say it wasn't easy selling off a 3 year old 3 lit car.

 

[beemers3]

I wasn't too keen in getting the car so quickly actually.... jus b cos of a stupid B***H who say that she can get a really good deal... so i agree lor!!! mana tahu!!!! kena so manny problem with the first car... at least now i can drive preregistered car with my old plate....

 

[bmwjunkie]

I hope it's just speculation that BMW will end the 325 standard edition here, it's really a very nice car and i won't pay more than RM300K for a Sports edition. I hope they keep selling it cause it's a damn nice car!

 

[danc]

Heard that the 335i stock all has been bought up wow!

 

[Schwepps]

I hope it's just speculation that BMW will end the 325 standard edition here, it's really a very nice car and i won't pay more than RM300K for a Sports edition. I hope they keep selling it cause it's a damn nice car!

It's speculation by the AB salesguy bmwjunkie. As he says, who will buy the standard at 288k when the Sports is 306k fitted with goodies worth much more than 18K?

The possibilty of a 323i is also from him but he can't confirm anything. What is confirmed is that the 2006 stock of 325i is all pre-reg already and will go for RM268k.

 

[Schwepps]

Heard that the 335i stock all has been bought up wow!

When you have that kind of money to burn, you don't waste time with test drives.

 

[KL2DC]

KL2DC's Supposition for range change:

Speaking of market positioning, I am not feeling that the 323i will be introduced to replace the stock 325i. I think they will stick with their 320i Base, 320i SE, 325i SE and 325i M-Sports for the CKD lineup. It looks good the way it is and makes economic sense (only 2 engine variants spawning 4 trim levels). If anything I might expect a slight downward price revision on the 325i to leave ample spacing between the models. Adding a 323i will only obfuscate the range.

The CBU positioning of the 323i E92 and 335i E92 seems alright for niche/halo models for the entire 3er range. There is plenty of variety. I'd expect the E93 to make an appearance soon, rounding things up. These are good times, if you have the means.

I think the engines for the CKD E90 range will stay where they are for now. I don't think they will introduce the N52B30 variant in this range for obvious reasons.

The N53 line of engines (essentially an improvement on the N52 range with DI) is making a debut in the MY07 E60. THAT might make an appearance in the CKD E90 range in the next 2 years. The engine has improved torque but same HP figures. This engine is also making an appearance in the E93.

I don't expect the 335i E90 to be introduced as well. They will leave the N54B30 engine solely for their halo model, the E92 and E93 335i.

 

[wglee]

I beg to differ. BMW may not consider it economically viable to continue producing the "old" family of engines (as used in eg. the present 218bhp E90 325i) side-by-side with the new family of engines (as used in eg. the 190bhp E90 323i). Much as I too would like the present 218bhp 325i to remain, I don't think the choice is ours to make when BMW phases out the old family of engines.

 

[KL2DC]

I beg to differ. BMW may not consider it economically viable to continue producing the "old" family of engines (as used in eg. the present 218bhp E90 325i) side-by-side with the new family of engines (as used in eg. the 190bhp E90 323i). Much as I too would like the present 218bhp 325i to remain, I don't think the choice is ours to make when BMW phases out the old family of engines.

I don't think they will do away with their versatile N52 engine range that quickly. I would hardly call it old, the N52 engines debuted in 2004. It's the world's lightest production 6 cylinder engine and one of Ward's 10 best engines. I see the N52 not going anywhere soon, its firmly committed in all of BMW's critically important ranges. I hardly think they will throw away all that R&D for 3-4 years of service.

FYI the N53 is an improvement of the N52 but its still very much an N52 with the exception of tuning and the DI. They can afford to be selective of the markets in which to offer the N53s.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

It's time to take a dive for the 325i SP then cos 28 bhp and 20 Nm of torque is quite noticeable!

 

[wglee]

It's time to take a dive for the 325i SP then cos 28 bhp and 20 Nm of torque is quite noticeable!

I concur. But I hope KL2DC is right.

 

[KL2DC]

It's time to take a dive for the 325i SP then cos 28 bhp and 20 Nm of torque is quite noticeable!

Its time to cross over to the dark side....

Couple of things to look for in your test drive, coming out of an E46

1) The E90 is decidedly more refined in its tactility which can be a good or bad thing. The steering and low-speed response, though very good, is a touch more isolated than the E46.

2) The low-speed ride can be jarring especially with sport suspension and big RFTs. BUT, that doesn't mean the ride is always going to be harsh. The car soaks up medium to high-speed bumps very well, maintaining its stability/composure at all times.

3) The E90 truly shines in medium to high speed sweeping corners. Once you've dedicated a line, play around with the step to keep you in ideal rev range and just follow through. No white knuckles here.

4) The E46 will feel more cozy and intimate (some say, feels sportier)

5) You might find the E46's cockpit layout more traditional and appealing.

6) Interior material grade may appear better in the E46. But build quality is there, mind you.

7) If you hit the upper RPM's the N52 comes alive. Depending on how green the engine is or how adapted the step is, low-speed acceleration may appear dull, but this engine loosens up well over time. My engine feels much better at 10k miles than it was new.

8) You'd love the Sport seats and steering wheel!

9) I-drive has a learning curve so don't be discouraged at first. It will remain slow though.

10) The E90's side view mirror is too small, I'd make ample adjustments to avoid blind spots.