Wagon Ramblings

rumatt · 01-04-2017, 09:30 PM

I've been driving the E90 wagon almost exclusively for a few months now. And my overall consensus is....... "meh". I could drive it every day if I had to. But I don't want to.

The wagon is in good shape and is a pretty solid car. I'm thrilled to have it when it snows. But it's got a smaller engine, smaller brakes, softer suspension, quieter exhaust, is heavier, and right now has squirly 205 Michelin x-ice snow tires... I miss the E46

If the car ends up sitting except for snow storms and home depot runs I am wondering if I should just get something even more practical instead. The back of the wagon isn't really that big (the roof is pretty low) and the trunk is always clogged with a fucking spare tire

. I've even started looking at pickup trucks.

On the positive side, it's an amazing (and new to me!) experience to be able to apply more than 1/8 throttle when the roads are slightly damp without the stability control going nuts and one wheel spinning out.

blee · 01-04-2017, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

I've even started looking at pickup trucks.

Most versatile vehicle I've ever owned.

Unless you frequently park in small lots or on the street, in which case you don't want one.

3LOU5 · 01-04-2017, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blee

Most versatile vehicle I've ever owned.

Unless you frequently park in small lots or on the street, in which case you don't want one.

I'd have to agree, with my minivan a VERY close second.

I can't think of any other vehicle that can tow my boat, haul firewood (or any other huge items that can't fit in a car), has enough room on the bed to sleep comfortably in while camping and drive through DEEP snow ( > 15") without getting stuck, than my beater rig:

22 years old, 174k miles and still pulling like a banshee.

bren · 01-04-2017, 10:26 PM

Pretty sure I advised you to get a truck back in the beginning of this saga.

Nick M3 · 01-04-2017, 10:33 PM

The engine is the same size. If the 7hp delta really bothers you, do a 330 intake swap.

rumatt · 01-04-2017, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

Pretty sure I advised you to get a truck back in the beginning of this saga.

Did you?

FC · 01-05-2017, 09:38 AM

Considering all the projects I do, I could probably justify a pick-up with a full bed, but my SUV does most of the jobs. Instead I am looking for a good trailer that will fit a full sheet. That should take care of all my needs.

As for the wagon, I had the RWD M-Sport and yeah, it could use more power. Especially when it was loaded up and/or at highway speeds. There was also the super boring exhaust. Besides that I really liked it though. The interior was meh, but not bad.

wdc330i · 01-05-2017, 09:45 AM

Rumatt, I forget, do you have the 325xiT? Or 328? Not sure how much a difference the bump in power makes. But my 328iT feels pretty similar to my E46 330i. Probably a bit less torque and some more weight.

rumatt · 01-05-2017, 10:48 AM

I have the 325xiT

It's not painfully slow. It's reasonable actually. It's the combined affect of power, weight, brakes, suspension, exhaust.. it all adds up to a less engaging experience.

ff · 01-05-2017, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

I have the 325xiT

It's not painfully slow. It's reasonable actually. It's the combined affect of power, weight, brakes, suspension, exhaust.. it all adds up to a less engaging experience.

Though there's definitely some enjoyment to be had in effortlessly plowing through snow. It sure turns an otherwise frustrating drive into something more acceptable.

01-04-2017, 09:30 PM	#1
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Wagon Ramblings I've been driving the E90 wagon almost exclusively for a few months now. And my overall consensus is....... "meh". I could drive it every day if I had to. But I don't want to. The wagon is in good shape and is a pretty solid car. I'm thrilled to have it when it snows. But it's got a smaller engine, smaller brakes, softer suspension, quieter exhaust, is heavier, and right now has squirly 205 Michelin x-ice snow tires... I miss the E46 If the car ends up sitting except for snow storms and home depot runs I am wondering if I should just get something even more practical instead. The back of the wagon isn't really that big (the roof is pretty low) and the trunk is always clogged with a fucking spare tire . I've even started looking at pickup trucks. On the positive side, it's an amazing (and new to me!) experience to be able to apply more than 1/8 throttle when the roads are slightly damp without the stability control going nuts and one wheel spinning out.

01-04-2017, 10:33 PM	#5
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	The engine is the same size. If the 7hp delta really bothers you, do a 330 intake swap. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

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01-04-2017, 10:26 PM	#4
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	Pretty sure I advised you to get a truck back in the beginning of this saga.

01-05-2017, 09:38 AM	#7
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,260	Considering all the projects I do, I could probably justify a pick-up with a full bed, but my SUV does most of the jobs. Instead I am looking for a good trailer that will fit a full sheet. That should take care of all my needs. As for the wagon, I had the RWD M-Sport and yeah, it could use more power. Especially when it was loaded up and/or at highway speeds. There was also the super boring exhaust. Besides that I really liked it though. The interior was meh, but not bad.

01-05-2017, 09:45 AM	#8
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,294	Rumatt, I forget, do you have the 325xiT? Or 328? Not sure how much a difference the bump in power makes. But my 328iT feels pretty similar to my E46 330i. Probably a bit less torque and some more weight.

01-05-2017, 10:48 AM	#9
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	I have the 325xiT It's not painfully slow. It's reasonable actually. It's the combined affect of power, weight, brakes, suspension, exhaust.. it all adds up to a less engaging experience.