herr bmw said:
325iSmk2 said:
herr bmw said:
325iSmk2 said:
tyronzn said:
325iSmk2 said:
E90 is probably the worst 3 series ever. If you must, get the M3, but do budget some money to do the bearings.
How so? My 320d is an '06 and no major problems out of the ordinary to date
Didn't say unreliable, I said the worst. Build quality, too heavy, lackluster drive, terrible interior... I tried two different variants, 330i and 335i, and both were disappointing.
i had a 323i and a 330d and not a days problem,nothing wrong with build quality,interiior is the best ,would buy another e90 before an f30 any day
Which F30 did you have?
I haven't had a F30 as the thing does not appeal to me,test drove them and was even at the launch and I just haven't liked them,with me a car has to stir something up inside me and not one of the newer BMW's does it for me,friends have them and they all prefer the e90 that they trade in for it.
personally if I cannot get another e90 then I doubt I will ever drive a BMW again
I personally have to agree with 325iSmk2 on most points.
After 6 e46's and 7 e36's, I find e90 ownership abit on the disappointing side (e90 330d). Make no mistake, its still a great car and can be blidingly fast with the right engine, and it is still sportier than most cars in its class. But when placed against past 3 series, it falls short in terms of ultimate driver involvement and feel. If I could some it up, I would say that it was designed to have more universal appeal than was the case previously.
Little things like the non driver centric console and the loss of that wrap around feeling help contribute to the feeling that that is less driver focused than previous 3's. I feel that build quality is excellent though. Unfortunately the interior finishes are not the hardiest but it is a solid, if not sporty drive. It is really comfortable, and insulates you well from what goes on outside. But all of these comfort orientated characteristics and the inevitable weight gain that you always feel makes the car abit numbed. It still is a fine automobile, and will appeal to most, as the design intended. But it might get under the skin of the purist, especially when coupled to an automatic gearbox.
The f30 is somewhat of a revelation from a driver engagement point of view. Given the pressure that a manufacturer like BMW must be under to satisfy the need for luxury and tech while still trying to balance this with a car that offers some fun and driver involvement (of which lightness is key), they have to be given credit. Granted, I have extensive experience with a f30 320i pre-lci manual, which is probably one of the lighter models.
The f30 feels agile and eager to corner, and offers outstanding steering and suspension response, and generally feels less "cumbersome". It seems to be more focused around the driver and driving than with the e90, even if the non sport models have a slightly floaty ride, the response is there when pressing on. Even the interior has a distinctly sportier flavour, with the driver centric console and the lower seat position some of that BMW-ness has returned to the interior. The brakes also deserve mention, as the f30 stops on a dime...
Unfortunately this is at the expense of build quality. Some of the quality of the interior materials used, their sub-standard feel and even the way they are attached leaves a lot to be desired. Some of those plastics would be expected on a much lower price point. I do however feel that because of these simpler finishes, the interior might wear better than the e90, even if it feels flimsier overall. The exterior is much of the same compared to the e90, with seemingly thinner, lighter and therefore less solid panels and less solid overall exterior build quality when compared to the e90. I can vouch that the car is strong where it needs to be, as a tazz rear ended it, and had to be towed away, while the f30 had a few minor scratches and the rear bumper had lost slight alignment, that was it.
When scratching below the surface, the e90 and f30 are decidedly different in character. Its hard to say one is definitively better than the other, as each holds its own appeal to different drivers who value different things.
But for me, I would rather be in the f30 than the e90 when hooning it. Especially when the corners are involved....
