View Full Version : E90 First Drive Review (Jan. 18)
vehigal
01-17-2005, 05:36 PM
I haven't even read it yet. Here you go!
A review from http://cars.msn.co.uk/Carreviewshome/FDBMW3seriesJan05/
vehigal
01-17-2005, 06:11 PM
I wish they would say how the suspension compares with a SP or ZHP e46. At least they say it's stiffer, which can only be a good thing.
They could have compared the steering feel (road surface visualization) as well.
BlackChrome
01-17-2005, 06:39 PM
No more coolant gauge? :dunno:
http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87279373/NewBMW3Series83.jpg
No more coolant gauge? :dunno:
http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87279373/NewBMW3Series83.jpg
None of the new ones (E65/66/60/61/63) have one.
BlackChrome
01-17-2005, 06:45 PM
'Let's leave the useless MPG gauge there but delete somewhat more useful coolant gauge...' :rolleyes:
Why can't BMW just include a oil temp gauge???????? :mad:
SONET
01-17-2005, 06:46 PM
None of the new ones (E65/66/60/61/63) have one.
Form over function. That might be okay in designing living room furniture, but this is going to be marketed as a driver's car. :thumbdwn:
--SONET
So for those of us about to buy a E46, does that mean that the current 05's will go way down in price soon? :)
Form over function. That might be okay in designing living room furniture, but this is going to be marketed as a driver's car. :thumbdwn:
--SONET
Well, considering the current gauge is HEAVILY buffered, this isn't much of a change.
psychrunner
01-17-2005, 07:56 PM
Does anybody know how the prices mentioned in the review equate to U.S. dollars?
Does anybody know how the prices mentioned in the review equate to U.S. dollars?
They don't. UK cars are packaged differently, and pricing is nothing like what we get in the US.
bmw325
01-17-2005, 08:01 PM
Those are the best pictures I've seen of the e90 to date-- makes it look decent. I still don't understand why they did the interior the way they did-- it doesn't look sporty, elegant, or classy. It just look strange and vaguely American car. Its a small thing, but I also can't fathom why they haven't figured out how to incorporate an indash CD changer. I think BMW should put a hold on developing new technology until they can figure out the basics of in-car entratinment in 2004.
Those are the best pictures I've seen of the e90 to date-- makes it look decent. I still don't understand why they did the interior the way they did-- it doesn't look sporty, elegant, or classy. It just look strange and vaguely American car. Its a small thing, but I also can't fathom why they haven't figured out how to incorporate an indash CD changer. I think BMW should put a hold on developing new technology until they can figure out the basics of in-car entratinment in 2004.
Some of the earlier pictures in the "Official E90 thread" makes the center console look nearly Japanese.
blueguydotcom
01-17-2005, 10:23 PM
I haven't even read it yet. Here you go!
A review from http://cars.msn.co.uk/Carreviewshome/FDBMW3seriesJan05/
Wow, looks more like a buick than previous pics. yuck. bmw better bring the 1 here right quick.
HughH
01-18-2005, 11:51 AM
Wow, looks more like a buick than previous pics. yuck. bmw better bring the 1 here right quick.
Actually, I thought it looks more like some of the old Pontiac used to look like. At least from the front.
Desertnate
01-18-2005, 12:10 PM
I still truly dislike the tail lights. The front would look SO much better to me if they just integrated the grill into the hood like in the E46. Even if the ran the hood over the grill like they did in the E36 it would look better than what they have now.
The beige interior is NASTY. It looks a bit better in black, but still no where near what they were in the E36/46. That's a shame.
Jalli
01-18-2005, 12:16 PM
I still truly dislike the tail lights. The front would look SO much better to me if they just integrated the grill into the hood like in the E46. Even if the ran the hood over the grill like they did in the E36 it would look better than what they have now.
The beige interior is NASTY. It looks a bit better in black, but still no where near what they were in the E36/46. That's a shame.
I kind of agree with your point about the grill, but if they did that why change anything at all. As for indash CD changers, it is probably becasue they didn't have any room. ALso since the new CD player is MP3 compatible you shouldnt need one...
philippek
01-18-2005, 12:32 PM
No more coolant gauge? :dunno:
http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87279373/NewBMW3Series83.jpg
The newer BMWs do have an "advance warning stripe" in the tachometer, which serves the function of the coolant gauge (kinda).
On start-up, the stripe extends all the way to 4500 rpm, basically warning not to rev beyond that (although it will do it). As the engine warms, that stripe recedes until it stops at redline.
noflash
01-18-2005, 12:34 PM
No more coolant gauge? :dunno:
http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87279373/NewBMW3Series83.jpg
Looks like the RPM redline is variable. That a coolant gauge for you right there!
Desertnate
01-18-2005, 12:37 PM
I kind of agree with your point about the grill, but if they did that why change anything at all.
The changes are much more than the grill...Its shape has changed, the headlights are very different, the whole shape has changed. I don't think changing where the hoodline cuts through would change much. It would still fit nicely into the design of the car without making it look like the grill was an afterthought.
That read like a press release. It seemed to lack any objective appraisal of the car. When you have blurbs like "Six speed gearboxes are standard across the range, both manual and automatic, the latter with full manual override if you feel like taking control yourself.", there's no way that wasn't cut-and-pasted from BMW press materials. "Full manual override"?! On an automatic?! Surely they aren't referring to Steptronic.
Another- "It’s undoubtedly a classic engine in the making, this 3-litre, and it would take a hard nosed, heavily chipped Impreza driver to be anything less than impressed with the level of performance." Um, okay.
Many other quotes exhibited the same apparently lack of objectivity.
I look forward to reading a real review.
JPinTO
01-18-2005, 12:45 PM
That read like a press release.
Exactly... Thank you. It smelled like a real review, but I had to re-read it twice to confirm that indeed no real driving experiences were other than a comparison about active steering: " the 330i seemed more alive than the 320d driven with the regular steering"
A good rehash of the car's features and UK specs.
Mohegan29
01-18-2005, 12:58 PM
'Let's leave the useless MPG gauge there but delete somewhat more useful coolant gauge...' :rolleyes:
Why can't BMW just include a oil temp gauge???????? :mad:
Amen, BlackChrome. What a useless and distracting thing the MPG gauge is...of course the traditionists gave me crap about that notion...i guess they still want to roll down their windows with the hand cranks.
That review didn't make the E90 sound half bad. I will definitely miss the cockpit-like interior of the E46... And I will be pissed when all of the electronic gadgets break, but other than that, the E90 is looking pretty good to this bimmerfester.
LeucX3
01-18-2005, 01:49 PM
That review didn't make the E90 sound half bad.
I'm not sure BMW was going for that exactly. :p
I don't like these pictures at all. Ones that i saw before were better than these. I hope the car looks better in person. I'm just glad i'm not in the market for one.
Staszek
01-18-2005, 02:30 PM
The newer BMWs do have an "advance warning stripe" in the tachometer, which serves the function of the coolant gauge (kinda).
On start-up, the stripe extends all the way to 4500 rpm, basically warning not to rev beyond that (although it will do it). As the engine warms, that stripe recedes until it stops at redline.
Also if you do get I Drive you can get all that information out of it such as coolant temp and oil level.
Stuka
01-21-2005, 08:33 AM
'Let's leave the useless MPG gauge there but delete somewhat more useful coolant gauge...' :rolleyes:
Why can't BMW just include a oil temp gauge???????? :mad:
They do, on the M cars. :p :bigpimp:
mwagner1
01-21-2005, 09:24 AM
I don't like these pictures at all. Ones that i saw before were better than these. I hope the car looks better in person.
You hit the nail on the head!!! I for one have completely given up on judging ANY new Bimmer until I see one in person. That goes for color, interior, styling, etc.
I hated the images I saw of the new E60...that is, until I actually saw one on the road. Same goes for the new 7....
Judging colors looking at images on line?? FORGET IT!!! My monitor is color calibrated (for doing my digital photography) and even then, colors on screen are nothing like what you see for real.
I will wait until I actually see a new 3 Series before I make ANY judgments!!!
Cheers.
Mark in Austin
juansego
01-21-2005, 10:25 AM
You hit the nail on the head!!! I for one have completely given up on judging ANY new Bimmer until I see one in person. That goes for color, interior, styling, etc.
I hated the images I saw of the new E60...that is, until I actually saw one on the road. Same goes for the new 7....
Judging colors looking at images on line?? FORGET IT!!! My monitor is color calibrated (for doing my digital photography) and even then, colors on screen are nothing like what you see for real.
I will wait until I actually see a new 3 Series before I make ANY judgments!!!
Cheers.
Mark in Austin
Believe me, it looks great on the road. I saw one yesterday (near the place where I took the pictures here in Valencia) and it was stunning with the xenon ligths on ;)
Believe me, it looks great on the road. I saw one yesterday (near the place where I took the pictures here in Valencia) and it was stunning with the xenon ligths on ;)
I agree. I was not a big fan of the body style when pictures where first released, but I have now seen the car in person and it is absolutely incredible!! I had the privilege to sit in on an overview of the E90 presented by BMW Marketing. I was also able to sit in the car and look at every nook and cranny. This is the best 3 ever!! BMW has set the bar so freakin’ high on this car that no other manufacturer will be even able to come close.
I took a lot of pictures, but had to agree to NOT post them on the internet. I wanted to post them sooooo bad, but I must stick to my word. Don’t worry the E90 will be here shortly, should be in showrooms at the end of March.
Rob325_in_AZ
01-21-2005, 11:21 AM
I agree. I was not a big fan of the body style when pictures where first released, but I have now seen the car in person and it is absolutely incredible!! I had the privilege to sit in on an overview of the E90 presented by BMW Marketing. I was also able to sit in the car and look at every nook and cranny. This is the best 3 ever!! BMW has set the bar so freakin’ high on this car that no other manufacturer will be even able to come close.
I took a lot of pictures, but had to agree to NOT post them on the internet. I wanted to post them sooooo bad, but I must stick to my word. Don’t worry the E90 will be here shortly, should be in showrooms at the end of March.
I really, really, really want that to be true. Our next one may have to be a wagon though (my wife loves wagons, even though we have no kids).
When I look at pictures, sometimes I think it looks good, sometimes bloated, especially in the rear. Did you feel in person that it looked bloated?
Staszek
01-21-2005, 11:27 AM
I agree. I was not a big fan of the body style when pictures where first released, but I have now seen the car in person and it is absolutely incredible!! I had the privilege to sit in on an overview of the E90 presented by BMW Marketing. I was also able to sit in the car and look at every nook and cranny. This is the best 3 ever!! BMW has set the bar so freakin’ high on this car that no other manufacturer will be even able to come close.
I took a lot of pictures, but had to agree to NOT post them on the internet. I wanted to post them sooooo bad, but I must stick to my word. Don’t worry the E90 will be here shortly, should be in showrooms at the end of March.
I am really looking forward to seeing the coupe, I think it will be a great car.
Jalli
01-21-2005, 12:37 PM
I agree. I was not a big fan of the body style when pictures where first released, but I have now seen the car in person and it is absolutely incredible!! I had the privilege to sit in on an overview of the E90 presented by BMW Marketing. I was also able to sit in the car and look at every nook and cranny. This is the best 3 ever!! BMW has set the bar so freakin’ high on this car that no other manufacturer will be even able to come close.
I took a lot of pictures, but had to agree to NOT post them on the internet. I wanted to post them sooooo bad, but I must stick to my word. Don’t worry the E90 will be here shortly, should be in showrooms at the end of March.
Can you email these pictures ? Also, do you know anything about pricing?
I really, really, really want that to be true. Our next one may have to be a wagon though (my wife loves wagons, even though we have no kids).
There will be an E90 wagon and the XI model will incorporate the x-drive technology which will make the XI much sportier then the previous XI models.
When I look at pictures, sometimes I think it looks good, sometimes bloated, especially in the rear. Did you feel in person that it looked bloated?
No, absolutely not. It does look slightly larger, well, because it is, but the lines of the car flow really well. All I can say is that the car looks soooo much better in person, all the marketing pics I’ve seen of the car doesn’t even come close to doing it justice.
Can you email these pictures ? Also, do you know anything about pricing?
Sorry, I can't email the pics either. I had every intention on taking a crap load of pics and posting them on here, but when I asked if I could take the pictures, he said that would be fine as long as I didn't post them on the web... at least until the car hits the showrooms in March. I'd prefer to keep my word and not get into any legal trouble if you know what I mean. ;)
I asked the guy about pricing, and he told me that it would only be slighter higher then the previous model, but not by much. He didn't give me an exact figure. But let me tell you... the all new engineering in this car and all the extra bells and whistles will more... and I mean MORE then make up for the slightly additional cost.
Here are few more details I can remember from the presentation…
The 325 and the 330 will both have a 3.0 liter engine. The major difference between the engines of the two cars are the manifolds. The 325 will have a two stage intake manifold and the 330 will have a three stage intake manifold.
The car will not come with a spare tire. All of the cars will come with run flat tires.
The engine does not have a dip stick to check the oil level. It will come with a digital oil level gauge on the dash.
The side airbags are located in the seats.
… that’s all I can remember for now. :)
Jalli
01-21-2005, 03:43 PM
Sorry to hear that you can't distribute your pics, but from what I read I really should see the car. At this point it doesn't matter becasue I will have one in April.... Thanks for all the info though !!!
On a side note, how did you get to go to this Marketing thing? Also. do you know if they will be showing it around to different dealerships like they have done with previous new model introductions? How does it feel to actually sit in the driver's seat?
RSPDiver
01-21-2005, 04:07 PM
This is the best 3 ever!! BMW has set the bar so freakin’ high on this car that no other manufacturer will be even able to come close.
Andy, did they serve special Kool-Aid at this event? Sounds like you drank some, bro! ;)
Rob325_in_AZ
01-21-2005, 05:16 PM
Andy,
Thanks for the information. Sounds pretty encouraging!
BTW, how the heck did you manage to get into this preview?
Also, it sounds like it's pretty much confirmed then on the two 3.0L engines. I'm still not sure how I feel about that, but they should both perform better than the previous counterparts.
Rob
BTW, how the heck did you manage to get into this preview?
The car is still sitting in our lobby at work. Benefits of working at BMWFS, I guess. :)
How does it feel to actually sit in the driver's seat?
Yes, the seats look and feel really good. They have adjustable side bolsters like you get on the M3.
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