discussion Articles: E90 vs F30 - BMW lost its way?

[MR_Y]

An interesting read.

I honestly can't recall driving an E90. It was probably back in 2010. I don't have a basis for an honest comparison. Will be keen to hear other's thoughts.

Dec 2022 article from BMW Blog:

This Old 'E90 vs F30' Comparison Reveals When Modern BMWs Began to Change

An old comparison test between the E90 3 Series and F30 3 Series shows exactly when BMW started making worse driver's cars.

www.bmwblog.com

The 2013 article that is referenced above:

BMW 328i vs. BMW 328i

Senior Editor Jason Cammisa weighs in on the new BMW 3-series by comparing it with the most apt competition, the outgoing BMW 3-series. Spoiler alert: He liked the 3-series.

www.roadandtrack.com

In summary:
The F30 is the delineation line, where BMW went from a beloved brand to a mocked one. BMW decided to trade in the heavy, meaty steering of the E90 for soft, light, vague steering in the F30. It traded the firm but nuanced ride of the E90 to the soft and sloppy ride of the F30. And it turned what was once the MVP of the segment it created into a backup player.

BMW’s tone-setter is the 3 Series. It’s the car that BMW built its reputation on. So when the 3 Series goes soft, the rest of BMW goes soft too and the F30 seems to be the point when it all changed for BMW, when it began chasing mainstream success and widespread consumer popularity. There’s no question, the F30 had a broader customer appeal than the E90 and it probably made BMW more money. But the E90 was a better BMW and there hasn’t been a better 3 Series since.

 

[GravityLee]

I did own an E92, E90 and an F32 and thought that the F32 was an inferior car.

The G20 returned the 3 series to the throne though.

 

[MR_Y]

I did own an E92, E90 and an F32 and thought that the F32 was an inferior car.

The G20 returned the 3 series to the throne though.

I wonder if the 2 series coupe G42 is the more spiritual successor (minus 2 doors) to the E90? I guess they are similar in size?

 

[m0lt3n]

drove E36, E46, E90 and F30 and loved all. Do not get/understand the hate the F30 got.

Maybe the I grew up with the cars

 

[Nick]

The same can be said about the e46/e39 VS the E90 , boils down to cost of materials and supplier at the time of manufacture i suppose.
The e90 just felt a little more insulated than the f30 from what i can recall.

 

[Phat01]

I have a F30 320d LCI and I still prefer the shape of the e90. Mate of mine has a e90 330d msport facelift and that car just does it for me. Love the drive and the overall feel and look of it.

 

[Ashie]

I still have my 2006 e90 and I have an f30. The build quality on the f30 is much cheaper compared to the e90. Still get the genuine leather smell in the e90, whereas the f30 does not have genuine leather. The panels in the engine bay on the f30 are really cheap plastic and so are the door panels. I have replaced the centre arm rest before and two years later I need to replace it again due to the fake leather peeling. The problem with timing chain guides is also an issue with the f30 n20 motors. It seems as if bmw is putting profits above quality.

 

[SylisM]

I still have my 2006 e90 and I have an f30. The build quality on the f30 is much cheaper compared to the e90. Still get the genuine leather smell in the e90, whereas the f30 does not have genuine leather. The panels in the engine bay on the f30 are really cheap plastic and so are the door panels. I have replaced the centre arm rest before and two years later I need to replace it again due to the fake leather peeling. The problem with timing chain guides is also an issue with the f30 n20 motors. It seems as if bmw is putting profits above quality.

I can agree on that. When I drove my colleagues E90 325i (pre LCI), I still got that genuine leather smell we all know and love, but not so much in the F30. I do love the F30 no doubt about it, but still think the E90 is a special car inside and out. I occasionally admire my neighbours 320d LCI every morning as she drives out (still has the original coloured angel eyes [love those to bits]).

 

[SanM]

Owned an E90 330d Lci and F30 330d, back to back. Preferred the F30 (gearbox, suspension set up, better refinement, better tech and to me, better looking).