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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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My 320d review 3 months in...
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03-23-2013, 03:09 PM | #1 |
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My 320d review 3 months in...
Hello, been on the forum for a while now, and after three months I thought I'd share my personal review of my 320d m sport lci auto...
I bought my car through the BMW network as I wanted a warranty from BMW and after months of looking for the exact spec, one came up last December and was delivered in January, only 30k in le mans blue with tan heated leather, nav and bluetooth. I should explain this is my 9th or 10th BMW and after a trio of e39 5 series and I'm not that impressed with the modern BMW fodder. The e90 (it's an lci on an 09) is nice looking, well made to a point, quiet, great on deisel and performs very well...it's just not an e39 and the ride is dreadful. I'm currently on my winter tyres (brand new) on 16 inch steel rims, but to be honest the ride is so poor I'm looking to get out of the car already. I once sold my e39 530 sport and went in to an. Almost new 118d as loved the share, worst car I've ever owned and sold it for a huge loss after two years. To me the e90 is no better than the 1 series (1st gen) every time I get in the 3 I clonk my heel on the high sill, it's cramped, the sports seats are narrow, the doors move in the frames and rubbers pop. The trunk is tiny, there are no boot straps, torch, the first aid kit has been on slim fast as has the tool kit. In fact there is so much evidence of cost cutting I find it a bit embarrassing to say I drive a BMW any more, my wifes Hyundai santa fe is a better car and does not pretend to be anything other than a budget 4x4 that happens to be very well built and priced. I shall be returning to an older BMW and it will be another e39. I regret the day I sold my x plate 523i, as I thought it was getting on a bit and needed updating, it didn't and Ive now learnt the number plate has nothing to do with the cars looks, feel and performance, I also do not care what people think. Modern cars are now so close in build quality (European ones anyway) that BMW cannot simple dine out on qulaity any longer, the ultimate driving machine may be true but this is slowly being brand replaced with efficient dynamics so naturally the cars have to be lighter, which means materials cannot be hewn from granite like on the e39. I don't care about mpg and will go for an older well cared for e39 3.0 petrol, to me and its a well shared opinion, the e39 will never be bettered. The e90 has been consistent since I took delivery, every time I drive it I hate it more. |
03-23-2013, 03:38 PM | #3 |
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03-23-2013, 03:54 PM | #5 |
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03-23-2013, 03:59 PM | #6 |
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It's an objective review based in my personal experience with my car.
My point was that the petrol would have not changed my observations and items that I feel have made ownership difficult to the point where I will sell my car. It's not a personal attack on you. But I do understand your loyalty and owenership experience may differ to mine. People are brand loyal, just look at Apple, they have manged to market average computer devices to the masses that at made in china. I'm n an iPad btw. Thanks for the feedback. |
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03-23-2013, 04:20 PM | #8 |
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This is so weird and pointless? Sims31, enjoy your e39
I look forward to your next review, almost as much as I look forward to eye surgery. Now i'm off to an Audi forum to tell them how crap the A3 was I used to own, hope I make as many friends as you have |
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03-23-2013, 04:22 PM | #9 |
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Interesting review, shame it isn't turning out better.
I understand where you are coming from, having had an E39 540i touring for over 4-years and then moving to an E91 330d touring. I had a difficult job deciding the specification of the E91 after a loaded 540i, and was in my mind to go for simple motoring, after the V8. Tried a 320d and just couldn't pull the trigger on one, however specced. Finally went for the 330d as the best package for us, and chose suspension and wheels to try and get the most comfortable ride from stock. Appeared fine for the summer months but when the weather cooled, the ride went to pieces. To cut a long story short, I changed to non run-flat tyres, changed the damping to get a more mature ride, something that started to feel to me like a proper BMW. But the car never had that same feeling as the E39, which had been my best BMW to date. I never went for the E61 as the examples I tried, including a 535d touring, were just no where near the 540i for comfort and ride. I had intended to move on to the new F31, as the F30 I tried did feel much more a rounded car than the E9x models. But the temptation was to go for an F10/11, 5-series cars are in a different league. My wife always viewed the E91 as an 'adolescent', and the 5-series as 'grown up'. She was keen to get back into a 5-series, if we could get one which was as good 'or better' than the E39. I'm pleased to say after being in an F11 535i for 6-months, it is the best BMW I've ever had. OK they are specification sensitive to make it a superb car, (but aren't all BMW models) it does feel very E39 like, but much better in many ways. Build quality is up there where it ought to be, solid and well built. BMW do still make brilliant cars, but we need to select very carefully to be totally satisfied. Only problem is the cost to buy what we really would like. I only got into my F11 because it was a genuine example of an ex BMW management car, specced correctly and at the right price. Otherwise I don't know what I'd be driving. An E39, if that is your sort of car, (as it was mine), is a very hard act to follow as it embodies everything a BMW should be IMO. HighlandPete |
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03-23-2013, 04:35 PM | #10 | |
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Thanks for you feedback. |
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03-23-2013, 04:45 PM | #11 |
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Great review it's good to hear from someone that doesn't think the sun shines out of the back end of an e90...the world would be a boring place if we all had the same views and opinions,
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03-23-2013, 04:46 PM | #12 | |
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I've been a BMW "supporter" since 1970, when my father bought his first New Class 2000 saloon. My first BMW was the first generation of the 5-series, an E12 528. BMW have made some serious errors over the years in giving customers 'less' than what they were/are used to. E9x cars although a march forward from the E46, (IMO), were also flawed, in ride quality and lacked fluent handling. Plus as I've already said, very specification sensitive to get more than a mediocre interior feel, and the best drive. Get a few options and right trims, interiors, etc., it can transform the feel of the cars. I know my E91 330d was a good place to be, a good motoring package, mine was well built, but lacked when you knew it could have been better to drive out of the box. As a long time loyal BMW user, I'll praise when possible, but lay it on the line where it falls short. To BMW UK as well, it's a bit of constructive criticism from long time users which helps steer the brand. HighlandPete |
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03-23-2013, 04:47 PM | #13 |
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Everyone has their own experiences, OP is not saying your car is a piece of shit neither do you have to take his word as gospel.
OP I kind of got where you're coming from about modern cars being built relatively well which makes it harder for BMW to separate itself etc. I would say only on a cosmetic level though because BM's are about handling for me |
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03-23-2013, 04:56 PM | #14 | |
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I looked at it this way... I had two options, trade at a loss and "what to get next?", or spend a bit of cash and get what I wanted from the car. In my case I opted "to spend, to save money" if you understand. The fact I kept the car for over 6-years, rather than trade prematurely at 1-year, or even the 3-year term, says something for the decision. But my modifications made it harder to move on, as nothing was matching my expectations... until the F10/11 and F30/(F31) were on the scene. HighlandPete |
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03-23-2013, 05:08 PM | #15 | |
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I tried a XF Jaguar to see how it faired against the E60 5-series. The Jaguar was a much more composed, fluent and predictable drive. Both ride and handling much better at coping with our poor UK roads, than the typical E60 setup. Those sort of experiences test the brand loyalty. HighlandPete |
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03-23-2013, 05:35 PM | #16 |
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When the e39 came out, it really did blow the competition away. In fact there are aspects of the 39 that some manufactures still haven't caught up on.
But as much as we wish it, the e90 will not match or surpass the e39. That's because they are very different cars. The entire 3 series range is a much more driver focus car, the biggest issue with the new generation of 3 series cars since the E46 is the Run Flats. The decision was clearly cost saving but the tires were not ready to be introduced and it's only now that Run flats are starting to match their non Run Flat equivalent. Though still not my preferred choice, there are now many owners that are happy with them. As for the other cost cutting aspects of the e90, such as the First Aid Kit and Tool box. I have not really needed them but I understand it's personal preference. Luckily they are cheap fixes. |
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03-23-2013, 05:48 PM | #17 |
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Whilst the e9x is far from perfect I would have to praise the glorious 6 cylinder diesel, great chassis, good brakes. I love the sports seats very supportive and comfortable (they are better in the 330 than in my 640). Build quality is pretty good, don't know what a trunk is but the boot is a pretty good sized. Are there signs of cost cutting yes, are RFT 's a mistake yes.
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03-23-2013, 06:17 PM | #18 |
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I love my E92 335D
But i agree with your point about ride and handling. The RFTs are one of the worst decisions BMW has made, serving the masses i feel. They should have made sure to perfect the whole suspension set up to match the RFTs first. That's why i will be investing in an LSD, upgrading to M3 arms, wishbones etc, ARBs and Öhlins coilovers. Then it should be a corker of a car So yes, i do agree that BMW should have made it a corker from stock, but like most things in life they are trying to make the masses happy to increase profits, and most of them just want a BMW because its a BMW. For me its only after living with this car for 3 months i have realised a suspension overhaul is needed. Then hopefully i will keep the car for a good while. |
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03-23-2013, 06:40 PM | #19 | |
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I objected to being a guinea pig for under developed technology, told BMW in no uncertain terms. Even got a Bridgestone Field Engineer up here to discuss and test drive my car. BMW had the same invitation but declined, although they did hold meetings concerning dissatisfied customers. I got to a meeting with an Area Technical Manager for another reason, and was able to discuss RFTs with him first hand. I agree the tyres have moved on and I'm now satisfied with running RFTs on my car, both in summer and winter configurations, both totally acceptable. OK, there may be the potential of an even better ride on conventional rubber, but I do buy into the safety features of a RFT. Always have done, but original fitments left a lot to be desired and had to be removed to get a decent BMW drive. HighlandPete |
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03-23-2013, 07:23 PM | #20 |
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you think this is bad? you should of have a look at the new 3-series. leather that feels like paper. piano trim that feels like plastic. metal trims felt like it was a vinyl wrap.
My dad bought the new e-class when it first came out and we also have the old version too. The suppose to be leather trim in the door are just rubber!!
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03-23-2013, 09:18 PM | #21 | |
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If you don't care about MPG why on earth would you buy a 320D? The only reason to buy a 4 pot diesel over a smooth 6 cylinder engine is economy. The sills are high? Compared to most cars the sills are low. The sport seats are narrow? I'm a big guy and even I wouldn't say that. How big are you? Of course a 3 series is lacking space compared to the 5 series. It is the smaller model. No offence OP but you seem to be the source of your own problems. I'm not pretending it is the greatest car in the world but if you go so far off the criteria you need in a car, you can't then complain the car is bad as it doesn't fit your own criteria. It's almost like buying a Ferrari 430 and then complaining it has no back seats. It was oblivious from the start. |
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03-24-2013, 03:37 AM | #22 | |
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There is no way you can capture how the car will be in true life ownership From a few hours test drive, I do 500 miles some weeks...no test drive will give me an exact representation of how the car will behave. My point is that by buying another BMW, in the segment down, I expected the build, ride, enjoyment and general envirmemt to be as per my last BMW...and it's simply not. Yes when I get in the car I am greeted by a familiar BMW dash setup and everything falls to hand nicely, except the bloody cruise control which has been added as and after thought (btw its back on the wheel for the f generation, mistake noted BMW) as for expected a Ferrari with back seats, youve missed the essence of what I'm saying, I bought the car based on my needs, budget and information from on here, you see I joined last December , reviews and lengthy chats with the dealer, who informed me that's run flats were vastly improved 07 onwards. The car, for me, does not meet my exacting standards, why is that's so hard for some people on here to understand and except. Believe me, BMW are not that loyaly to you guys, so perhaps stop being so quick to defend a brand, people do it with Apple products too. The true test of a good brand is how they treat you when it all goes wrong, and ready on here some of the tails of woe, I think you should reconsider just how much you advocate BMW. I had BMW's since I was 17, my book cabinet in my office is adorned with BMW stuff, I rave about BMW's to my friends, but you have to remain objective. And my OP is just that. Cheers and happy Sunday, |
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