e90 330i sport - WOW - Page 2

JST · 01-24-2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

You seem to have two main grumbles.

1) Harshness over broken pavement: fixed by replacing tires
2) Rear seat head room: this one is definitely ridiculous. The car is taller, but has less rear head room.

Is there a cargo area under the rear seat or something?

I definitely liked the handling, clutch, and shifter feel of the E90 325 SP I drove. I'd have to spend more time in a 330 before making a real decision, but based on my one drive (and good amount of riding while it was being thrashed) I'd seriously consider an E90 330.

Would I pay out the ass to swap cars if I currently had a perfectly functional E46? Nope.

That's about where I am. The E90 remains one of the best cars in its class, but I just don't see it as much of a step forward from the E46 (esp. the ZHP). Unlike the E36-E46 jump, there hasn't been a quantum leap in refinement or materials quality. It's a car that I'd consider if I were in the market, but with an '05 ZHP in the driveway, there's no compelling reason to switch.

Put a 300 hp engine in it, and that's maybe a different story.

lemming · 01-24-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

That's about where I am. The E90 remains one of the best cars in its class, but I just don't see it as much of a step forward from the E46 (esp. the ZHP). Unlike the E36-E46 jump, there hasn't been a quantum leap in refinement or materials quality. It's a car that I'd consider if I were in the market, but with an '05 ZHP in the driveway, there's no compelling reason to switch.

Put a 300 hp engine in it, and that's maybe a different story.

great point. i agree with you. if the deal was sweet enough, i'd migrate to the e90 but it's what is in the driveway that erodes a lot of the car wanderlust right now.

lupinsea · 01-24-2006, 12:24 PM

Considering the inherent car wanderlust issues we all have I think it says something about how good your current cars are that you feel no great calling to trade up.

As I am starting to understand the fact that the E90 is not knocking your socks off isn't necessarily a big deal, no? Aren't BMW's more of a gradual refinement approach, sort of similar to Porsche. Also with their 3 series their bread and butter car I wouldn't imagine they'd mess with the formula much one way or the other. I doubt they come out with a hard core enthusiast centric car and risk alienating their other customers. Likewise, I don't think they'd completely disregard the enthusiast base as that is a big draw for many people . . . they want a performance sedan like the 3 series.

It sounds like the E90 SP is a subtle but good step up if it is being compared (largely equally) with the ZHP package. I wonder if they are going to do a performance package for the new E90 330 and what they would be like?

dan · 01-24-2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

Put a 300 hp engine in it, and that's maybe a different story.

looks like that's gonna happen in 8 months or so.

dan · 01-24-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lupinsea

I wonder if they are going to do a performance package for the new E90 330 and what they would be like?

supposedly the 325 and 330 are going to be replaced by a 328 and 335

lemming · 01-24-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonoboy

supposedly the 325 and 330 are going to be replaced by a 328 and 335

why won't they just call 'em what they are? 330 and 335?

they didn't really care about screwing the people who bought the first e60 525s and 530s that shipped with the old engines.

dan · 01-24-2006, 12:46 PM

well, it would be odd for the 330 one year to have 255HP, and the 330 the next year to have LESS HP.

lemming · 01-24-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonoboy

well, it would be odd for the 330 one year to have 255HP, and the 330 the next year to have LESS HP.

yes. you're right. there are people's sensibilities to worry about.

i just thought it would be more important to Germans to have the correct model badging on their new cars (even though they misnamed cars in the past).

dan · 01-24-2006, 01:14 PM

they're correct in Germany though, right?

(I can't really remember)

wdc330i · 01-24-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemming

why won't they just call 'em what they are? 330 and 335?

they didn't really care about screwing the people who bought the first e60 525s and 530s that shipped with the old engines.

It will also mean the third hp change for the poor old e60, by the time the bumps make it through the snake.

01-24-2006, 12:46 PM	#17
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	well, it would be odd for the 330 one year to have 255HP, and the 330 the next year to have LESS HP. __________________ "There's a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas." -Willie

01-24-2006, 01:14 PM	#19
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	they're correct in Germany though, right? (I can't really remember) __________________ "There's a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas." -Willie

01-24-2006, 12:24 PM	#13
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	Considering the inherent car wanderlust issues we all have I think it says something about how good your current cars are that you feel no great calling to trade up. As I am starting to understand the fact that the E90 is not knocking your socks off isn't necessarily a big deal, no? Aren't BMW's more of a gradual refinement approach, sort of similar to Porsche. Also with their 3 series their bread and butter car I wouldn't imagine they'd mess with the formula much one way or the other. I doubt they come out with a hard core enthusiast centric car and risk alienating their other customers. Likewise, I don't think they'd completely disregard the enthusiast base as that is a big draw for many people . . . they want a performance sedan like the 3 series. It sounds like the E90 SP is a subtle but good step up if it is being compared (largely equally) with the ZHP package. I wonder if they are going to do a performance package for the new E90 330 and what they would be like?