E90 325i Sports Edition

[Juan Powerblow]

KL2DC, trust me, I don't need any more racuning. You should work more on E46F and the picts help cos he's quite hiaw!

 

[bmwjunkie]

Anyone got any new feedback on any promo on the 325? Still itching to get one but looking out for a good deal from AB or Sapura Auto

 

[Schwepps]

Guys, just got word from my AB guy that a demo car is now available. Unfortunately, I'll be travelling next week. Maybe you guys can test drive and report?

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Ohhh... I'm surprised E46F hasn't brought this up! We were at AB Glenmarie last Friday when lo and behold, AB's first 325i SP test car rolled in and we were the first to test drive it with barely 30 kms on the clock! Yup, E46F and I registered 30 km to 46 kms on that silver arrow that day.

We found the engine very very tight but that's understandable since the car was still very much an infant. The I-Drive worked seamlessly and we even got to play with the SatNav which I thought was a tad slow in registering direction changes. The map was quite elaborate though. All in all, the novelty was certainly there and the 7" LCD sure makes the dash a lot better.

I bet y'all dying to know how the car handled the more "challenging" stretches fronting Glenmarie Golf Club. Well, y'all would be pleased to know that we found the 18" run-flat set-up more than acceptable in absorbing road imperfections! There were the occasional thuds but these were only noticeable as sounds rather than physical jarring. In fact, the latter was hardly noticeable. As a point of reference, Funj found it comparable and no worse off than his 18" M-Tech set-up in his E46.

The biggest improvement though was in the steering response. The quicker and shorter locks plus fat M-Tech steering made this car thoroughly enjoyable on sweeps and turns with undoubted poise. If you like the way your E46 handles, you're gonna love the E90 in Sports Package.

My conclusion... I want, I want it badly!

That day itself, I got AB to evaluate the value of my E46 for a possible trade-in. They're gonna revert end of this week. If the indicative value is within expectation, I'm quite likely to place a booking real soon.

 

[Schwepps]

Sounds good! E46F has probably booked one already. I'll go looky when I get back from my trip.

 

[E46Fanatic]

The E90 Sports package was more comfy that I expected it to be (with M sport susp and 18" run flats).

Other few things to add, the steering is noticably heavier first thing you'd notice when driving it. Steering is much more direct and less muted than my E46 325i on M sports susp and 18's, and steering wheel is nice and fat. Although the sales lady told us the steering is leather wrap, it felt more like foam to me .

The Sat Nav and iDrive made the car feel more like a RM300k car inside and its quite nice as when you drive it, the GPS and location is the default screen and tracks you through the roads on screen. When parking, the pdc works nicely showing a "radar" view of obstacles and colored distance. Nice la.

While I enjoyed driving it, it wouldn't say that I can't sleep after driving it . Its a nice car, but I still feel its not that far off from a E46 325i. If we had a go in the 335i then maybe I would have had sleepless nights since hehe.

 

[KL2DC]

Guys, great reviews. As chief E90 racuner' I am extremely pleased

JP, the engine does loosen up noticeably over time. Were you in DS mode? or manual mode?

I found your observations on the M-sport suspension being comfortable, interesting. The M-sport's calibrations is harder than the Sport calibrations and some folks (in europe) have complained of the ride harshness. I personally haven't driven an M-sport model so I can't say much. But , hey if it works for you all the better....

E46F, I always thought the E46's steering feel was sharper and the E90's a little more muted. Must be the difference in setups...

You guys didn't take any pictures??

 

[E46Fanatic]

The E90 steering is noticably sharper and more direct. One of the things I noticed is that you can actually feel the groove/grains of the tyre to the road esp in slower sharper turns. The E46 pre-facelift no such feeling and it feels more "rubbery" compared to the E90 M sport steering.

I think both myself and JPB expected our teeth to drop off due to the feedback that run flats, 18"s and Sports susp on the E90 is quite rough. But we were surprised that it was quite acceptable. Its certainly not a comfy cruiser (e.g camry), but not a bone shaker as well. More sporty than comfy if you ask me. Folks who prefer luxury comfort rides will likely complain about the comfort, but I am used to it . The prefacelift E46 sports suspension and 18" wheel tyre combo is softer and rolls more, and hence a bit more cushy and comfy.

 

[E28driver]

The 325i Sport is a nice car and all that but I think only if you place more of a premium on show at the expense of go. Sure it drives nice and has the latest toys, but come on let's face it, for >RM300k you've a right to expect a little more than the puny and not particularly torquey 2.5L engine under the hood.

Can you imagine the embarassment when you struggle to take the Satria GTi (or WORSE - an Alfa 156 2.0L Sillyspeed - god forbid! ) exiting in the toll booth next to you? then you'd just have to admit defeat, hang back do the elegant silence thing and comfort yourself that you have satnav and he doesn't...

Sorry but for 300k that just doesnt cut it for me.

 

[E46Fanatic]

I doubt the E90 325i sport is really for the boy racer who wants to race at toll booths and stop lights. You are right bang for buck for performance is low if that is the main buying criteria.

However, note that the Satria GTi and 156 Selespeed guys have to deal with guys driving Proton Iswaras with 2.0 mitsu turbo engine transplants who dont understand why these GTi and Alfa guys spend so "much" on their cars when they can get something faster, cheaper

 

[E28driver]

Your point is well taken.

However, even Mr Mature Driver may have an ocassional urge to blast it every once in awhile. Just imagine when he mashes pedal to the metal and all he gets is a (slightly) engine pitch, higher engine RPM, but he's still not moving much quicker than before....Back to Elegant Silence.

325i SP buyers had better really enjoy the satnav and electric seats.

 

[Schwepps]

You're both right: An E90 is not a boy-racer car, and +300k is too much to pay for this class of car. A bit of a dilemma!

Glad E46F finds the Sports' ride is not too jarring though...I was afraid it would be.

 

[mhkamil1]

I will buy once used e90 325i SE car is available as price will drop like hell.

 

[holiday]

Sweet beamer!

 

[safri]

E46F,

Did you have a chance to sit at the back seat?. i wonder whether its comfort level for rear passengers is also comparable to our e46 M-Sport stock suspension...

The E90 Sports package was more comfy that I expected it to be (with M sport susp and 18" run flats).

Other few things to add, the steering is noticably heavier first thing you'd notice when driving it. Steering is much more direct and less muted than my E46 325i on M sports susp and 18's, and steering wheel is nice and fat. Although the sales lady told us the steering is leather wrap, it felt more like foam to me .

The Sat Nav and iDrive made the car feel more like a RM300k car inside and its quite nice as when you drive it, the GPS and location is the default screen and tracks you through the roads on screen. When parking, the pdc works nicely showing a "radar" view of obstacles and colored distance. Nice la.

While I enjoyed driving it, it wouldn't say that I can't sleep after driving it . Its a nice car, but I still feel its not that far off from a E46 325i. If we had a go in the 335i then maybe I would have had sleepless nights since hehe.

 

[KL2DC]

The 325i Sport is a nice car and all that but I think only if you place more of a premium on show at the expense of go. Sure it drives nice and has the latest toys, but come on let's face it, for >RM300k you've a right to expect a little more than the puny and not particularly torquey 2.5L engine under the hood.

Can you imagine the embarassment when you struggle to take the Satria GTi (or WORSE - an Alfa 156 2.0L Sillyspeed - god forbid! ) exiting in the toll booth next to you? then you'd just have to admit defeat, hang back do the elegant silence thing and comfort yourself that you have satnav and he doesn't...

And you are basing all this on what, may I ask?

The N52B25 puts out 215hp and 184lb ft of torque. I have the 3.0 litre version of the engine with the same outputs and I must say the car's got decent pull. I am speaking from my own daily experience as an E90 owner.

I've gone to my share of meets and I can say the 325i does not embarass itself in the company of M3s, S4s, E39 M5s, S550s out on the highway. The car also keeps up well out in the twisties. Do a search, I posted an account and some pics of a g2g I went to last summer.

If you're talking on paper, any UDM owner will tell you that bavarian horses seem stronger than comparable horses.

Ask anyone here, I'm on the level. I don't have time slips or track data but I've driven a boat load of different cars including the 335i.

If you're talking about straight line, there are many factors. A bmw is not a pumped out rice rocket with a coffee can exhaust. We bought it for the entire package. If you judge everything by how fast you pull out of the toll booth, a POS kancil strapped with an S85B50 motor in it will move mountains at a cheaper price, but what's the point?? Also, how will your fwd Alfa or fwd Satria do in the twisties??

So before you go out and dismiss the 325i sports as an overglorified german Accord, I'd do some research and really spend sometime with the car, which from the sound of it you haven't....



edit: adding links for reference

Performance date

"Damn impressive also. This is not too far off what an E46 330i will do. I seriously like the 325 now."

http://www.v6p.net/forums/showthread.php?t=65874

Numbers game....

I'd hardly think I'd have "to admit defeat, hang back do the elegant silence thing and comfort yourself that you have satnav and he doesn't..."

BMW 325i vs Proton Satria GTi vs Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 selespeed

0-60mph: 7.0 seconds vs. 6.3 seconds vs. 8.2 seconds
Top Speed: 153mph vs. 120 mph vs. 137 mph

reference:
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/bmw-325i-se-1004887.html
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z742/Proton_Satria GTi/default.aspx
http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/1988584573/

 

[KL2DC]

E46F,

Did you have a chance to sit at the back seat?. i wonder whether its comfort level for rear passengers is also comparable to our e46 M-Sport stock suspension...

Well, wrt rear space, the E90's back seat legroom is better than the E46. There's definitely more space back there than the Lexus IS but is comparable to the W203 (Iirc). Its actually quite comfortable back there with good width. The seats are quite flat adding to the feeling of ample width. If you have sat in the E60, you'd note the side fender intrusion into the rear seats. This is not as apparent in the E90.

I've had 3 adults in there for 3 hour drives with not much of an issue.

 

[KL2DC]

You're both right: An E90 is not a boy-racer car, and +300k is too much to pay for this class of car. A bit of a dilemma!

Glad E46F finds the Sports' ride is not too jarring though...I was afraid it would be.

I dunno....cars are only gonna get more expensive. You got to pay to play I think the 325i Sport is reasonable value at 300k if you're in the new car market. Very often, folks here compare to used or recond cars which is not a fair comparison.

 

[KL2DC]

Your point is well taken.

However, even Mr Mature Driver may have an ocassional urge to blast it every once in awhile. Just imagine when he mashes pedal to the metal and all he gets is a (slightly) engine pitch, higher engine RPM, but he's still not moving much quicker than before....Back to Elegant Silence.

325i SP buyers had better really enjoy the satnav and electric seats.

Car & Driver

Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Price as tested: $33,190 (base price: $30,995)
Engine type: DOHC 24-valve inline-6, magnesium-and-aluminum block and aluminum head, port fuel injection
Displacement: 183 cu in, 2996cc
Power (SAE net): 215 bhp @ 6250 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 185 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm



Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 108.7 in
Length/width/height: 178.2/71.5/55.9 in
Curb weight: 3348 lb



Zero to 60 mph: 6.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 16.8 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 33.2 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 6.8 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 14.7 sec @ 94 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 147 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 161 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g
EPA fuel economy, city driving: 20 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy: 25 mpg

Also Car & Driver magazine's 10Best
http://www.caranddriver.com/tenfivebest/

"Escalating the sports-sedan standard"

More magazine reviews here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75

 

[Schwepps]

I dunno....cars are only gonna get more expensive. You got to pay to play I think the 325i Sport is reasonable value at 300k if you're in the new car market. Very often, folks here compare to used or recond cars which is not a fair comparison.

Whoa! A slew of indignant responses from da Man!

I agree that the 325i Sport is reasonable value at RM307k, but topping the 300 mark is not what I would expect to pay for a compact, albeit a range-topping compact. Eg, what would you say if I asked you to pay US$88k for a 2.5l with goodies? Still a bit over the top isn't it?