Had a 335i loaner
 

It was a 2007 with sport package and step. Very nice power with pretty smooth deilvery and surprising little turbo lag. Definitely pushes back in the seat a bit.

The car handles with agility. But those run flats are sloppy/jerky over road imperfections.

It's funny, though. I was thrilled with the car for most of my commute from far-flung Silver Spring into town. But by the time I got to the office, I was a little tired of it. And after the schlep back out to outer SS to pick up my 330i, I was ready to give the car back to the dealer. Maybe it was the step effect? Also, each new iteration of BMW I drive seems just a bit tinnier.

Getting back into my nice solid car, I was struck anew by how responsive, immediate, and tossable she feels. Also, dipping into that engine (even with only 225 hp) is still just like butter.

It was the step. I had a step loaner and felt the same way. I've had my manual 335i for 16k miles now and I still look forward to driving it.

As for the run flats, they just suck, period. As for things getting 'tinnier', I agree, I think BMW is skimping on their interior materials a bit. I know this may sound ridiculous to some but I really long for the old e36 m3 interior.

All mfg's are doing that these days. I was looking at the new 2007 Lexus ES that was displayed in a local mall several months ago. The quality of the interior materials is nowhere close to that of our 2006 ES. The leather, which took the biggest quality hit, was like something you'd expect in an Accord or Camry. And sticker price was $7K more than we paid for ours. Go figure.

imo, the e46 interior was worlds better than the e36 interior. But it could be a grass is always greener scenario for me since I have an e36 now and miss the e46 enough that I might get another one.

I'm ambivalent on the E36 vs. E46 interiors. While there are elements of the E36 interior that just flat out seem chintzy, BMW did seem to spend more money on things that you can't see.

Also, doing a little bit of a speaker upgrade is making it a lot more pleasant, too. (Will post a review when I get the whole package installed.)

Yeah. Right now I'm thinking the e46 is the one to keep/buy to go the long haul. Except for the whole balky clutch thing.

I don't keep cars for the long haul but if I did, I'd have to agree. The e36/e46 seem better put together than the e92/90.

That scares me since I have both an e36 and E46 and want a new 1ner.

I do agree though. Had an E90 325 loaner for almost two weeks while the E46 was in the shop. Closing the doors were no where near as solid as my other two cars. =(

It's even worse that the weight keeps going UP and the feeling of solidity and substance keeps going DOWN.

There is something wrong with that equation.

So does the V-dub. I am forced to be a reluctant gentlemen when my wife gets in, because I'm afraid of the havoc she could wreak to other vehicles opening it........(particularly our own).