E90 325i Sports Edition

[Juan Powerblow]

Wow that's quite shocking to note, not like BMW's paint job is exemplary to begin with. The paint on ex-Germany E90s for e.g., have noticeable orange peel and is quite soft (vulnerable to chips and scratches). Btw orange peel is an effect of painting from high to low, wet sanding would reduce this but no manufacturer wet sands their new cars (maybe RR).

And BMW's cheap too, if you look in the engine bay, the paint is left unfinished.

So if CKD is worst than CBU paint then you're better off getting TiAg, as it'll hide the defects (and damages) better.

Fwiw, I think Lexus has great paint, check out the new LS460 and you'll see what I mean

It's shocking but true I'm afraid. I was hell bent on getting the SG, largely motivated by what I've seen on this thread. But the CKD version was way off. I had a chance to see the SG in broad daylight and it looked well,.... grey, that's it. Hence, I agree with E46F's view that there's just something wrong with the CKD's paintwork. The MB had a bit more sparkle. I'm expecting the blue tinge to be more pronounced in the day and for it to look black at night, well, it's like having 2 colours on one car. Ultimately, the MB looks more macho.

 

[3er]

My recollection of the E46 is that it feels more 'alive' at low to medium speeds, the E90 almost feels aloof at crawl speeds. I know its subjective, I am not sure how to communicate this further...although I think seating position, smaller footprint and steering feel plays a big part.

My E46 stutters and splutters a little after sitting 15mins in traffic jammed KL with some stop n go. My solution - clear it with a healthy dose of right foot and 4k rpm. But thats a story for another thread. I just hope the E90 doesnt suffer the same.

 

[3er]

I can't believe you found Sparkling Graphite dull On behalf of all the SG owners here, we are officially offended by your remark LOL It really boils down to lighting. Under direct light, the blue in MB comes out nicely but in day to day the black tone is dominant (esp at night). Its a nice color though. SG is more dynamic, not sure what light you saw the car under, but you might have picked up some purple or some creamy silver tones blended into the dominant 'grey'. You really need to see the car in different lights to appreciate the color.

You gotta pop the bonnet (hood for Americans) and check the paint job label there. Its "ICI paint" for our "buatan malaysia" cars. Of course if you wanted it to look better than factory, just send your car into a specialist and your car will come out sparkling (and your wallet lighter too) or at the very least somewhat better than CKD factory.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Schwepps: Age shouldn't dictate what you can or cannot do. I don't think you really want an all out cruiser, do you? You still sound like a true enthusiast . Besides, aren't you overdue for a mid-life crisis?

Hahahaha... That's quite true! Schwepps, now that I'm in my mid-30s I find it hard to justify the RM307K price tag for a car in favor of other considerations. But, I can't help thinking that the SP is a good chance to get a "dream" car with enhancements included into the car financing package. If I were to get the standard, I'm gonna kena racun big time by you guys for sure and some enhancements can't be done aftermarket or would be too costly eventually.

 

[3er]

Hahahaha... That's quite true! Schwepps, now that I'm in my mid-30s I find it hard to justify the RM307K price tag for a car in favor of other considerations. But, I can't help thinking that the SP is a good chance to get a "dream" car with enhancements included into the car financing package. If I were to get the standard, I'm gonna kena racun big time by you guys for sure and some enhancements can't be done aftermarket or would be too costly eventually.

It might be your last 3-series before you move on to the 5 or even the 3-pointed star marque (shock/horror). So make the most of this opportunity, dude. You aint getting any younger!

 

[KL2DC]

Interesting note on paint quality discrepancies. You'd think BMW has minimum standards to uphold. I'll check my labels to see what paint. I know BASF is a big time paint/finish supplier to BMW, not sure if they are concerned with the paint or the unique spray-on-melt off-bake-in environmentally friendly clearcoat BMW started using the last few years.

Yes, proper SG should have lots of pretty sparkles (hence the name... ). O course the sparkles really comes out when the car is spotless and under direct light. When SG is dirty, the color comes out dull and drabby.

 

[Schwepps]

It might be your last 3-series before you move on to the 5 or even the 3-pointed star marque (shock/horror). So make the most of this opportunity, dude. You aint getting any younger!

Don't worry 3er! I've gone through the whole lifecycle - small cars, E36, Volvos, E-Class, lux SUVs - and now I want a 3 again. Life is a circle.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

E46F / 3er, re KL2DC's latest pict, the SG looks quite different from the one we saw rite?

 

[3er]

E46F / 3er, re KL2DC's latest pict, the SG looks quite different from the one we saw rite?

Very much different, JPB. Perhaps i'll drop by AB again one day soon, take some pics and post it up for KL2DC (and other soon-to-be E90 owners) to compare. Needless to say digital pics are still digital pics (and is subject to CCD/CMOS, processing, etc) so the best is still your own eyes and decide yourselves.

Btw, when we saw it yesterday it was on an overcast day and the show cars were indoors (despite the building being glass-walled).

 

[Schwepps]

I think you have to see it outside on a sunny day to be sure the CKD SG is that bad. The E90 colours are more dynamic than most. The MB looks good in the pics, but...hmmm...blue for a 3-series? Blue is better for Volvos.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Ya the pics KL2DC posted is certainly the CBU quality SG we see here. In fact the CBU SG is my 2nd fav color after arktis. But for CKD colors, it'll have to be Black, then Monaco Blue then SG.

Basically, the beauty and elements of what makes SG really nice is lost with the CKD paint quality we get here. It blends to the tarmac and is rather dull if you ask me.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Sounds like everytime E46Fanatic 'tags along' to kepoh, he ends up buying...and changing his moniker. Welcome in advance E90Fanatic...

So far I think JPB is 100% committed. As much as I like the E90 325i Sports, its more than what I'd like to fork out for my next car. So I am still in the "sibuk only" stage now.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

So far I think JPB is 100% committed. As much as I like the E90 325i Sports, its more than what I'd like to fork out for my next car. So I am still in the "sibuk only" stage now.

Hehehe... I don't think affordability is an issue with E46F. He just needs some motivation lah. So, please tiong him when you see him on the road!, heh! I can betcha if we take the plunge, we'll hear that scream from behind, "I'm cooooming, wait lah!!!". For some things in life, the best time is NOW!

 

[Schwepps]

Be careful JPB! I think this E46/90Fanatic is a tricky fellow Before you know it, he already tiong us and is driving a Sports while you and I are still talking about it till the cows come home. Watch your mirrors!

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Well, some of us know of his off-road antics on the go-kart track just to gain position. Yup, he's a tricky fellow. But, the more of us, the merrier! Can compare notes like how we've doing.

Just to get his tongue wagging (and to avoid moderator ticking me off for being off-topic!), the E90 vs. E46 has more torque and bhp i.e. 26 more horses in fact on a lighter body with an extra gear, it's half a second faster to the century mark and it's an even better handling car. It certainly stands a better chance against walruslord's E46 330i. So, E46F, how???!

 

[Schwepps]

Agree JPB. I've driven each 3-series iteration from the tail-wagging E21 to a E90 test-drive during the launch. No question that the E90 is the best 3 in all departments so far.

(See? E46F gone quiet. Plotting.)

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Yeah, E46F, where's that part of you who used to burn tarmac on a 300Z Fairlady and SiR???

 

[3er]

The baby seat gets in the way of the accelerator....

 

[Schwepps]

The baby seat gets in the way of the accelerator....

Hehehehe! Very astute 3er. But there you go, the appearance of baby seats was when I switched to Volvos n such. Now my babies are all grown up and I have P stickers on my cars! So time to get my own car, no P stickers allowed! Back to the 3. Cycle of life, bro, cycle of life...

Back on topic, still no demo cars la! What's happening I wonder. This sure is a sputtering launch.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Heh, you guys are bad influence. I wouldn't mind picking one up if there was some deal i.e. pre-registration program to see another RM30-40k shaved off the price of the E90 325i sports. But I don't think it'll be anytime soon since the model just launched.

I'll just wait out in the sidelines and see the (buying) action from the side