3 Series is a common car!

CHG · 02-12-2011, 11:27 AM

Driving back up the M5 and M6 yesterday, I never realised how popular the E90 actually was! Must have seen about 20 or so!

At one point there were 4 in a row!

Had a bit of fun with a 320D in white if the driver is on here?

Jules59 · 02-12-2011, 11:52 AM

Tis true. They are everywhere - common as muck, unfortunately.

I used to get a perverse sense of pleasure driving my Octavia VRS past all the BMWs on the way to work.
However there are advantages in hiding amongst the masses at times Im sure.

m1bjr · 02-12-2011, 12:12 PM

I was passed by five 335i coupes last week, all on the M5 and within a half hour

toxicnerve · 02-12-2011, 12:14 PM

Doesn't the E90 outsell the Mondeo these days?

Dr G13 · 02-12-2011, 12:45 PM

This is actually one of the main reasons I bought my 335i.

Danny.B. · 02-12-2011, 01:17 PM

I see loads on my way to work each morning!

kdiz · 02-12-2011, 01:32 PM

i see lots of e90, not many e92 though and almost every single e92 i see is a diesel

i hardly ever see 335i in e92, probably why BMW have so few of them for sale.

beemerbird · 02-12-2011, 01:50 PM

Totally agree Danny they are very popular.

You can look at it a few ways imo, a victim of their own success with certain models and marketing so loses a bit of exclusivity or the scumbags get used to seeing them so often they're no longer targeted as a car to have a go at which is all good for the owners obviously!

As has been said, mainly 320d's but hey, good car and BMW's 'bread and butter' variant. I know a bloke who works for a company that has a fleet of around 50 company cars and they're using 320d's for the most part at the mo because BMW discount them so much the Fleet Manager cannot refuse the deals on offer, they're even offered with upgrades like leather at major discounts.

Looking at it from BMW's point of view who are they up against...........the VAG group who are massive by comparison, oh and the French to a degree in the fleet sector and Ford of course. Can't blame them for gunning for those volume sales.

See a lot of 1 Series around my way at the mo and a sudden raft of A5's.

MPTREE · 02-12-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1bjr

I was passed by five 335i coupes last week, all on the M5 and within a half hour

Could be me

Jeff123 · 02-12-2011, 02:56 PM

This is even sadder. Last week I had a 220 mile motorway drive and got bored. Don't know if this is representative, but I started to count the M-Sport vs SE 3 series cars. I stopped counting at:

27 SE - 3 M-Sport

rogerxp · 02-12-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1bjr

I was passed by five 335i coupes last week, all on the M5 and within a half hour

You're letting the side down letting people past you

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff123

This is even sadder. Last week I had a 220 mile motorway drive and got bored. Don't know if this is representative, but I started to count the M-Sport vs SE 3 series cars. I stopped counting at:

27 SE - 3 M-Sport

I'm seeing LOADS of the new Business Edition SE E90/E91's these days, not surprised though as they look great with the new alloys (285's) - on the hunt for one for the missus at the mo...

Falmouthboy · 02-14-2011, 02:50 AM

The popularity has to be put down to the fact that as a lease car it works out cheaper than anything 'run of the mill' in the same class, mainly because of the low depreciation.

Add to that the favourable 'benefit in kind' tax rate over the competition and I guess it's a 'no brainer'.

My only concern is that all this results in BMW losing the edge that they previously had with a reputation for making 'executive' cars. The other week my wife had a Mondeo hire car through her work. I have to say, it was very nice indeed. I suspect the reason the 3 Series remains on top is the factors above rather than the quality of the car itself. If they continue to offer massive fleet discounts and don't take care, the 'residuals' will reduce, and then the popularity amongst fleet managers.

Add in that on the whole the dealerships to remain good, or at least adequate, (an area where Ford, Vauxhall, Renault & Peugot fail badly) and you can see why the popularity continues.

It will only take someone like Skoda to get a nose further ahead with the Octavia and the 'balance' could tip quite quickly. After all, you no longer hear about 'Mondeo Man' do you.

toxicnerve · 02-14-2011, 03:27 AM

It depends what you're comparing.

Sure there are lots of BMWs out there but how many are 318/20 poverty spec models? Not that there's anything wrong with them but at that end of the market, the car is no better/worse than say a Mondeo.

However, move up the scale, get a 6-pot with leather and a bit of spec (pro-nav, USB, M-Sport, option wheels etc) and it's a completely different car.

Em135eye · 02-14-2011, 03:41 AM

Agreed - bottom end models are just nicely made RWD Mondeos/Insignias/whatever.

But move to the "top" end of the scale (330d, 330i and above) and you have a car with no real competition.

I love the fact that no one has come out with a remotely convincing 335d beater even though it 's been out for several years.

Some cars are similarish to the 335i but not a lot matches it's power/torque/efficiency "package."

M3s are obviously a league or two above and a different market again.

Jeff123 · 02-14-2011, 03:46 AM

A 3 series is still a very good and desirable car. The build quality is one of the main factors. Everything is well made, fits together and looks like a quality car. The diesel engines are said to be the best around and it is built like a tank. Just feels so solid.

The driver experience is said to be great, but it is ruined by the runflat concept. There is just no need for them.

Em135eye · 02-14-2011, 03:48 AM

Jeff - agreed but they are easy to swap over for "proper" tyres.

The only problem with the "solid" build quality is the "solid" weight of all BMWs.

Only Porsche seem to be able to build well made cars that are also relatively lightish.

AlanQS · 02-14-2011, 04:06 AM

What is not common in the other makes is to have a small engine but still have all the equipment and, apart from out and out performance, have a car that is every bit as good as the big engined cars.

It is beginning to change nowadays but in years gone by, if you wanted the quality version of a car, you had to buy the big engined one, even if you didn't want it.

I believe someone actually complained on here once that small engined cars could be made to look indistinguishable from the expensive big engine jobs - which is, I think, the point.

Em135eye · 02-14-2011, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanQS

I believe someone actually complained on here once that small engined cars could be made to look indistinguishable from the expensive big engine jobs - which is, I think, the point.

Absolutely. I spent ages looking for a "sleeper" SE on 17s. Not very popular choice on here but me and several mates love it

There's an E91 318d in the same colour and same rims just down the road from me - pretty hard to tell it apart from mine - mission accomplished!

Jeff123 · 02-14-2011, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335diesel

Jeff - agreed but they are easy to swap over for "proper" tyres.

It is easy to swap, as you say, but BMW don't help the matter at all. It's mainly forums like this (I guess) that inform people of the options and practicalities.

IMO, runflats should be an option on cars, not the main specification.

How many posts do we get on this forum where people have changed to a BMW and are completely let down by the RFT experience. They have been to the dealer, heard the BS; been to a tyre dealer, heard more BS, etc...

creepy coupe · 02-14-2011, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1bjr

I was passed by five 335i coupes last week, all on the M5 and within a half hour

You need to lay off the wacky backy mate

toxicnerve · 02-14-2011, 04:58 AM

Yeah but you can spot the unmodified bog standard ones a mile off if you know what you're looking for.

Plus, on the bigger engined ones there ARE differences, hydraulic PAS instead of electronic/servo being a BIG one IMO. I drove a servo assisted car and it was horrible, the weighting was all wrong and I didn't gel with it at all. Jumped into the 335d and immediately it felt better. The weighting is just right and the feedback is immeasurably better. The lower spec, cheaper end are just that, lower spec and cheaper.

I'm not saying they're not good cars but there are differences. The layperson on the street may not spot them or even care but to me these differences make up the package that is a higher end car.

Em135eye · 02-14-2011, 05:16 AM

TN - same here but most people are "laypeople" - I'm always looking out for the chrome grille and the twin pipes! And you can't see better steering!

Jeff - agree completely. RFTs are a big mistake. Weirdly I had non RFTs and no spare or jack in my mk4 Golf R32 (no room for one) and it was never a big issue. Tyre weld and an OE 12v compressor in the boot and I never worried about it.

02-12-2011, 11:27 AM	#1
CHG Lieutenant 22 Rep 530 Posts Drives: A Variety of 4 Wheeled Things Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Around the UK iTrader: (0)	3 Series is a common car! Driving back up the M5 and M6 yesterday, I never realised how popular the E90 actually was! Must have seen about 20 or so! At one point there were 4 in a row! Had a bit of fun with a 320D in white if the driver is on here?
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02-12-2011, 11:52 AM	#2
Jules59 Lieutenant 56 Rep 540 Posts Drives: Still searching ... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wilds of Warwickshire iTrader: (0)	Tis true. They are everywhere - common as muck, unfortunately. I used to get a perverse sense of pleasure driving my Octavia VRS past all the BMWs on the way to work. However there are advantages in hiding amongst the masses at times Im sure. __________________ Jules
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02-12-2011, 12:12 PM	#3
m1bjr LSD - No, you're not seeing things 72 Rep 3,302 Posts Drives: Baby F36 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Plymouth UK iTrader: (4)	I was passed by five 335i coupes last week, all on the M5 and within a half hour __________________
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02-12-2011, 12:14 PM	#4
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Doesn't the E90 outsell the Mondeo these days?
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02-12-2011, 12:45 PM	#5
Dr G13 Lieutenant 33 Rep 445 Posts Drives: 3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	This is actually one of the main reasons I bought my 335i.
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02-12-2011, 01:17 PM	#6
Danny.B. Lieutenant Colonel 94 Rep 1,581 Posts Drives: E90 330d M Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: England - Lincolnshire iTrader: (1)	I see loads on my way to work each morning!
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02-12-2011, 01:32 PM	#7
kdiz First Lieutenant 6 Rep 363 Posts Drives: BMW 335i SE Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Slough, London UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Suzuki GSXR-600 [0.00] 2006 335i SE [0.00]	i see lots of e90, not many e92 though and almost every single e92 i see is a diesel i hardly ever see 335i in e92, probably why BMW have so few of them for sale.
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02-12-2011, 01:50 PM	#8
beemerbird Major General 172 Rep 7,953 Posts Drives: Merc diesel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 TTRS [9.00] 2007 Audi S5 [0.00] May 2007 Porsche 99 ... [0.00] March 2007 Porsche ... [0.00] Sep. 2007 E92 335d SE [0.00] July 2006 E90 330i ... [0.00]	Totally agree Danny they are very popular. You can look at it a few ways imo, a victim of their own success with certain models and marketing so loses a bit of exclusivity or the scumbags get used to seeing them so often they're no longer targeted as a car to have a go at which is all good for the owners obviously! As has been said, mainly 320d's but hey, good car and BMW's 'bread and butter' variant. I know a bloke who works for a company that has a fleet of around 50 company cars and they're using 320d's for the most part at the mo because BMW discount them so much the Fleet Manager cannot refuse the deals on offer, they're even offered with upgrades like leather at major discounts. Looking at it from BMW's point of view who are they up against...........the VAG group who are massive by comparison, oh and the French to a degree in the fleet sector and Ford of course. Can't blame them for gunning for those volume sales. See a lot of 1 Series around my way at the mo and a sudden raft of A5's.
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02-12-2011, 02:56 PM	#10
Jeff123 Jeff 318 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport x-drive F30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	This is even sadder. Last week I had a 220 mile motorway drive and got bored. Don't know if this is representative, but I started to count the M-Sport vs SE 3 series cars. I stopped counting at: 27 SE - 3 M-Sport
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02-14-2011, 02:50 AM	#12
Falmouthboy Squadron Leader (Ret'd) 25 Rep 627 Posts Drives: E91 330d SE & Mini Coupe JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cornwall iTrader: (0)	The popularity has to be put down to the fact that as a lease car it works out cheaper than anything 'run of the mill' in the same class, mainly because of the low depreciation. Add to that the favourable 'benefit in kind' tax rate over the competition and I guess it's a 'no brainer'. My only concern is that all this results in BMW losing the edge that they previously had with a reputation for making 'executive' cars. The other week my wife had a Mondeo hire car through her work. I have to say, it was very nice indeed. I suspect the reason the 3 Series remains on top is the factors above rather than the quality of the car itself. If they continue to offer massive fleet discounts and don't take care, the 'residuals' will reduce, and then the popularity amongst fleet managers. Add in that on the whole the dealerships to remain good, or at least adequate, (an area where Ford, Vauxhall, Renault & Peugot fail badly) and you can see why the popularity continues. It will only take someone like Skoda to get a nose further ahead with the Octavia and the 'balance' could tip quite quickly. After all, you no longer hear about 'Mondeo Man' do you.
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02-14-2011, 03:27 AM	#13
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	It depends what you're comparing. Sure there are lots of BMWs out there but how many are 318/20 poverty spec models? Not that there's anything wrong with them but at that end of the market, the car is no better/worse than say a Mondeo. However, move up the scale, get a 6-pot with leather and a bit of spec (pro-nav, USB, M-Sport, option wheels etc) and it's a completely different car.
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02-14-2011, 03:41 AM	#14
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Agreed - bottom end models are just nicely made RWD Mondeos/Insignias/whatever. But move to the "top" end of the scale (330d, 330i and above) and you have a car with no real competition. I love the fact that no one has come out with a remotely convincing 335d beater even though it 's been out for several years. Some cars are similarish to the 335i but not a lot matches it's power/torque/efficiency "package." M3s are obviously a league or two above and a different market again.
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02-14-2011, 03:46 AM	#15
Jeff123 Jeff 318 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport x-drive F30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	A 3 series is still a very good and desirable car. The build quality is one of the main factors. Everything is well made, fits together and looks like a quality car. The diesel engines are said to be the best around and it is built like a tank. Just feels so solid. The driver experience is said to be great, but it is ruined by the runflat concept. There is just no need for them.
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02-14-2011, 03:48 AM	#16
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Jeff - agreed but they are easy to swap over for "proper" tyres. The only problem with the "solid" build quality is the "solid" weight of all BMWs. Only Porsche seem to be able to build well made cars that are also relatively lightish.
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02-14-2011, 04:06 AM	#17
AlanQS Colonel 243 Rep 2,811 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	What is not common in the other makes is to have a small engine but still have all the equipment and, apart from out and out performance, have a car that is every bit as good as the big engined cars. It is beginning to change nowadays but in years gone by, if you wanted the quality version of a car, you had to buy the big engined one, even if you didn't want it. I believe someone actually complained on here once that small engined cars could be made to look indistinguishable from the expensive big engine jobs - which is, I think, the point.
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02-14-2011, 04:58 AM	#21
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Yeah but you can spot the unmodified bog standard ones a mile off if you know what you're looking for. Plus, on the bigger engined ones there ARE differences, hydraulic PAS instead of electronic/servo being a BIG one IMO. I drove a servo assisted car and it was horrible, the weighting was all wrong and I didn't gel with it at all. Jumped into the 335d and immediately it felt better. The weighting is just right and the feedback is immeasurably better. The lower spec, cheaper end are just that, lower spec and cheaper. I'm not saying they're not good cars but there are differences. The layperson on the street may not spot them or even care but to me these differences make up the package that is a higher end car.
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02-14-2011, 05:16 AM	#22
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	TN - same here but most people are "laypeople" - I'm always looking out for the chrome grille and the twin pipes! And you can't see better steering! Jeff - agree completely. RFTs are a big mistake. Weirdly I had non RFTs and no spare or jack in my mk4 Golf R32 (no room for one) and it was never a big issue. Tyre weld and an OE 12v compressor in the boot and I never worried about it.
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