E90 Decision

[KL2DC]

i read somewhere that the e90 is meant to cater a wider range of prospective owners.. hence the bigger size, higher comfort level, better equiptments, and more subtle styling..

All 3 series are meant to cater to a wide range of owners...its BMW's bread and butter. Having said that, it is inevitable that cars nowadays are getting bigger and heavier. The human race is getting taller and wider. The standards and expectations of safety technology and crash test performance dictates a heavier car. Expectations of convenience items and luxury also adds to the weight and softness of the car.

There is a natural progression as the car evolves. Your observations on the e90 being softer (some say more refined) and heavier than the e46 holds merit. Having driven both extensively, I agree that the e46 is rawer, feels sportier all around, feels more snug and intimate and is more lively. However, the same can be said of the E36 over the E46 and of course the E30 over the E36 and the E21 over the E30 and so on and so on. Its the natural evolution of the car. BMW is not the only one whose car is getting heavier, look at the Honda Civic line. Look at the Lexus IS series etc.

Having said all that, I still believe BMW engineers have done a great job with the e90. They have fiercely maintained all the BMWness in this car, note the extensive use of aluminum in the subframes, suspension and some body parts to maintain the trademark 50:50 distribution. The steering feel is the best in class and the car still feels more fluid than its competitors. The e90 is still the best new compact luxury sports sedan in the market, hands down. I know this for a fact, I spent a whole darn year researching and test driving (a loooong list of competitors) before ordering my car.

I also do agree that the steptronic in the e90, however good it is, really dulls the shine/potential of this car. Having driven an e90 330i with the 6sp manual transmission and sports suspension...I must say this is a very sorted car. You should drive this model before passing final judgements on the car as a whole. Better yet, wait for he e90 335i 6MT

My $0.02...

 

[safri]

All 3 series are meant to cater to a wide range of owners...its BMW's bread and butter. Having said that, it is inevitable that cars nowadays are getting bigger and heavier. The human race is getting taller and wider. The standards and expectations of safety technology and crash test performance dictates a heavier car. Expectations of convenience items and luxury also adds to the weight and softness of the car.

There is a natural progression as the car evolves. Your observations on the e90 being softer (some say more refined) and heavier than the e46 holds merit. Having driven both extensively, I agree that the e46 is rawer, feels sportier all around, feels more snug and intimate and is more lively. However, the same can be said of the E36 over the E46 and of course the E30 over the E36 and the E21 over the E30 and so on and so on. Its the natural evolution of the car. BMW is not the only one whose car is getting heavier, look at the Honda Civic line. Look at the Lexus IS series etc.

Having said all that, I still believe BMW engineers have done a great job with the e90. They have fiercely maintained all the BMWness in this car, note the extensive use of aluminum in the subframes, suspension and some body parts to maintain the trademark 50:50 distribution. The steering feel is the best in class and the car still feels more fluid than its competitors. The e90 is still the best new compact luxury sports sedan in the market, hands down. I know this for a fact, I spent a whole darn year researching and test driving (a loooong list of competitors) before ordering my car.

I also do agree that the steptronic in the e90, however good it is, really dulls the shine/potential of this car. Having driven an e90 330i with the 6sp manual transmission and sports suspension...I must say this is a very sorted car. You should drive this model before passing final judgements on the car as a whole. Better yet, wait for he e90 335i 6MT

My $0.02...

i tested drive e90 325 extensively (for hours) before ending up with e46 330 late last year. i agree with you 100% that the e90 325 is more refined with superior chassis etc but the e46 330 makes you look younger (hehehe...) and its steering grip feels so much better. In short, if my objective (at that time) was to look for a car that combines sporty and matured looks, i would have ended up with the e90 325. The fact that the e46 330 is the last batch of the e46 also boosted my decision - not much mod works required.