E90 325i Sports Edition

[E46Fanatic]

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...

Ya JPB and myself took turns riding on the back seat as our saleslady was seated in the front passenger seat. The ride was acceptable to me by my standards . Not much different from an E46 with Sports Susp and 18's. Slightly stiffer on the E90 only.

 

[KL2DC]

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?

LOL a bit OTT I think. But nobody disses the E90 without a fight, on my watch

At RM300k and concentrating on the new car market, how many cars closely matches the 325i Sport's combination of performance, features, looks, handling etc.

Don't hate because I paid RM125k OTD for my E90

 

[E46Fanatic]

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?

I would agree that the RM300k pricing does have a psychological barrier to purchase. Also since mine and JPBs cars were valued on that day at only RM105k trade-in, the new E90 325i sports is umm almost 3 times the price of our outgoing car. Makes it hard for one to commit with these numbers.

I would look forward to some promotions such as pre-reg 325i sports which will not come anytime soon unless the new N54 direct injection engines comes to replace the current lineup and AB needs to clear stock of the N54 valvetronics. (waiting list for a new E90 sports is till april as of last week) Also if there was a 0% financing package offered by BMW's new financing arm - Sime Credit, then its easier to commit.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Don't hate because I paid RM125k OTD for my E90

And thats also with USD based salaries you guys get. Us here have to earn developing world wages to fork out USD80+k for a E90 325i.

Malaysia Boleh!

 

[KL2DC]

E46F....the DI engines will be the N53 series. The N54 are the bi-turbo engines.

Yeah, for some weird reason the US gets their BMWs cheaper than the rest of the world, europe included and this is based on pre-tax prices. And yet people still complain....

 

[E46Fanatic]

E46F....the DI engines will be the N53 series. The N54 are the bi-turbo engines.

Yeah, for some weird reason the US gets their BMWs cheaper than the rest of the world, europe included and this is based on pre-tax prices. And yet people still complain....

Any news when these N53 engines will make their rounds to replace the current N52 valvys in worldwide markets?

 

[KL2DC]

Well the N53s are just refinements of the N52 at best with gasoline direct injection but no valvetronic. Its debuting on the E93 as we speak, followed by MY08 E60s. The engine is concentrates more on torque and fuel economy, hp figures will remain the same. I have no clue how BMW is rolling this engine out on the E90s and the Malaysian market.

 

[Schwepps]

Don't hate because I paid RM125k OTD for my E90

You finally caught on! You earn 3x more, pound for pound, and pay 3x less, pound for pound! Yes we hate you like mad!

I can afford the price to play, but as E46F said, it's a psychological barrier. A thin one though!

 

[E46Fanatic]

Based on the high sulfur fuel content we get here, the N53 DI engine lineup may have to wait for the fuel standard changes to take effect. Then again we already have the N54 335i coupe brought in by BMW Malaysia which is also DI based. I understand that the high sulfur fuel is not compatible with the catalyst used in DI engines.

 

[KL2DC]

Based on the high sulfur fuel content we get here, the N53 DI engine lineup may have to wait for the fuel standard changes to take effect. Then again we already have the N54 335i coupe brought in by BMW Malaysia which is also DI based. I understand that the high sulfur fuel is not compatible with the catalyst used in DI engines.

I forgot the technical reason but the N53 is more exacting than the N54 wrt sulfur fuel. As you know, the US is behind on fuel and diesel standards as well. There was a critical difference why the N54 can operate here and not the N53, not quite sure. I'll let you know when I find out.

But you hit the nail on the spot, the N53's roll ou is also dependent on sulfur contents.

 

[E28driver]

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/

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

KL

Bravo I applaud your passion for all things E90! And for taking the time to post those links!

Glad to know that the 325i will leave a Sillyspeed for dead, cos thats the best way to view Alfas (in your rear view mirror)!

Enjoy your E90

 

[KL2DC]

Bravo I applaud your passion for all things E90! And for taking the time to post those links!

Glad to know that the 325i will leave a Sillyspeed for dead, cos thats the best way to view Alfas (in your rear view mirror)!

Enjoy your E90

LOL we're cool Nothing personal...

I quite enjoyed it, thanks for the debate!

 

[Schwepps]

E28driver, we've all learnt at some stage that this E90 policeman bites!

 

[KL2DC]

E28driver, we've all learnt at some stage that this E90 policeman bites!

Now that the word is creeping out, I'd probably need a deputy, sometime soon LOL

 

[David Yong]

Don't play play with KL2DC when come into anything about e90....

 

[nerraw]

Hey guys, I've been following this thread for some time now but just purely lurking

I'm fortunate enough to be in the position to consider the 325i Sports at a tax-free price of RM203k, and I test drove it at AB Glenmarie last week, probably just after you guys did!

Must say I'm very close to signing the dotted line, but there's also an option of the E60 525i Sports at RM277k, which is "just" RM74k more.

I realise I'm posting this in a thread full of E90 fanatics (tell me if I should post this elsewhere!), but I'd like an honest evaluation of this vs the 525i, specifically in the performance area.

For me so far, the 325i Sports wins because:

1. Newer model, the E60 is already due for its mid-life facelift and the current one will be outdated in a few months, and not to mention completely replaced in 2010.

2. More compact interior, as the rear seats will frequently be empty and the interior in front IMHO is more snug and driver-friendly than the E60.

3. Better resale value over the E60 because of its pricing structure right now, and lower total cost of ownership over the years.

However the 5 of course has so much more road presence, looks like a M5 and IMHO looks a lot more aggressive than the muted and understated E90 even with its M sports kit. And you get a few more toys like active steering, and much nicer 18" wheels (don't particularly like their choice of rims, give me the E46 M3 ones anytime!).

And it's "only" RM74k more...

 

[E46Fanatic]

At RM203k for the new E90 325i sports, its a steal!

How can one buy it at Tax Free prices?

 

[OSFlanker]

At RM203k for the new E90 325i sports, its a steal!

How can one buy it at Tax Free prices?

I think if you work/reside in Langkawi or Labuan you can buy tax free. Or you have a Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa...........else you are a royalty!

 

[Juan Powerblow]

I think if you work/reside in Langkawi or Labuan you can buy tax free. Or you have a Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa...........else you are a royalty!

Whatever it is, does the privilege extend to someone's who related to you? Can I be related to you? Pleeeeease....

 

[OSFlanker]

Whatever it is, does the privilege extend to someone's who related to you? Can I be related to you? Pleeeeease....

Bro, I don't have the privilege lah. You should ask Nerraw, see if he wants a godson, god-daughter or something