3 Series (E90) BMW 3 series Coupe and Cabrio Unmasked Thread Cont'd Part 4

[Deutsch]

The more you drive a 3 the more addicted you become, seriously. As for steering setups, I prefer the std. variable assist power setup. I took a 325i sport(the only 3 you'll ever really need, excluding the M3) @70mph on an offramp that turned into a slighly sharp corner that merged into it's own lane on the street. Not only did the car stick as expected, but I felt compeletely in control all the while, never nervous. The steering posses a trait of natural connectivity, so much so that yoou know exactly where the front wheels are at all times. I would never have done such in my car(would roll like a bitch). BMW + Porsches steering setups are phenominal and without equal.

 

[Osnabrueck]

That was my same thought when I drove the IS350 and the E90 back to back.

The 3er magically informs you of exactly what's going on underfoot, so you don't have to think about steering; you just point and shoot. There's zero learning curve, you just instanly know the car seconds after steering at speed.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

That was my same thought when I drove the IS350 and the E90 back to back.

The 3er magically informs you of exactly what's going on underfoot, so you don't have to think about steering; you just point and shoot. There's zero learning curve, you just instanly know the car seconds after steering at speed.

Wow.. sounds like the car has a telepathic receiver or something. Unfortunately, I still haven't had the priviledge of driving a BMW, let a new one...so all I can do is rely on you guys for info' such as this. But from the sounds if it, seems like the 3er is an incredible drive. BMW stay true to their word: The Ultimate Driving Machine ...and ofcourse... Sheer Driving Pleasure.

But honestly guys... does it really feel that 'magical'..is it really that precise and comforting from a driver's point of view ?

 

[klier]

But honestly guys... does it really feel that 'magical'..is it really that precise and comforting from a driver's point of view ?

Yes it is. Better than any other German car

 

[daani]

But honestly guys... does it really feel that 'magical'..is it really that precise and comforting from a driver's point of view ?

Yes I can confirm that, its almost beter than sex

 

[warot]

Wow.. sounds like the car has a telepathic receiver or something. Unfortunately, I still haven't had the priviledge of driving a BMW, let a new one...so all I can do is rely on you guys for info' such as this. But from the sounds if it, seems like the 3er is an incredible drive. BMW stay true to their word: The Ultimate Driving Machine ...and ofcourse... Sheer Driving Pleasure.

But honestly guys... does it really feel that 'magical'..is it really that precise and comforting from a driver's point of view ?

Let's put it this way... it's such an easy car to drive that when I first took it around a track and saw the video of that afterwards, I was shocked at how fast I was going. The car makes you a look better than you should.

 

[Matt]

But honestly guys... does it really feel that 'magical'..is it really that precise and comforting from a driver's point of view ?

YES!

 

[Deutsch]

But honestly guys... does it really feel that 'magical'..is it really that precise and comforting from a driver's point of view ?

Drive and you will believe, whatever car you drive(if it's not a 3) the 3 will turn you against your own car. At least that's the case w/ me.

 

[Deutsch]

That was my same thought when I drove the IS350 and the E90 back to back.

How was the IS350 Osna?

After driving it, I must say it's not quite like the 3 but it's close, the steering definately isn't the same, but the ride and handling(the former being much better than that of the 3's, but the 3's isn't all that bad to begin w/, but for the sake of an honest comparo) are very much on par. I also found the 350 to be of great value for "I want the most bang for the buck" mentaility, like myself. You get stellar performance, a ton of amenities, and enduring value and realiability. I just wish they could have made the design more sculpted, but it looks like they're still having issues in the design dept., thought it really isnt' all that bad, and seems to build upon some of the previous gen. IS's design traits. I love the car, and would gladly buy it if I wasn't so in love w/ the 3(and BMW), but then again I may reconsider. The IS350 is a truly great car.

 

[Osnabrueck]

How was the IS350 Osna?

I think it's a much better informed product that the prevous IS, but at the end of the day is a sporty luxury car instead of a luxurious sports car. It's doesn't pass as a complete all-rounder like the 3er because of interior and trunk space, and the DSC is so intrusive you can't even think about exploring the car's limits without the thing admonishing you.

There's plenty to love about the IS350 (especially with all that grunt under the hood), but the entire package definitely isn't enough to sway me from a 3er.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

BMW stay true to their word: The Ultimate Driving Machine ...and ofcourse... Sheer Driving Pleasure.

If they wouldn't they'd probably be just another dead company. For most of it's history the 3er acounted for more than 50% of BMW sales. The 3er was the company, so it couldn't win one time it had to win every time, or else there'd be no BMW.
Sadly the 3er has gone far from its predecesor, the 2002. The 2002 (Tii) was more agile than the 911, while the wicked 2002 Turbo( lag loving) could only be bested by a 911 Carrera RS.

 

[Osnabrueck]

If the 3er carried those aforementioned traits today, we could be damn sure that they wouldn't be selling in the numbers they do. Let's not kid ourselves. The 2002 didn't carry the burden of being one company's lifeblood. If it's small, nimble and affordable we're looking for then the US market 1/2er will be the one to fill those shoes.

EDIT - Scratch affordable. That's not part of the BMW lexicon.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

If the 3er carried those aforementioned traits today, we could be damn sure that they wouldn't be selling in the numbers they do. Let's not kid ourselves. The 2002 didn't carry the burden of being one company's lifeblood. If it's small, nimble and affordable we're looking for then the US market 1/2er will be the one to fill those shoes.

EDIT - Scratch affordable. That's not part of the BMW lexicon.

Well actually the 2002 was, like the 3er today the company's lifeblood. Production was (quite) higher than anticipated, so BMW was interesed of buying Volvo so as to get rid of production constraits. Also the DM strenghted so exports war (quite) more expensive than anticipated, witch made BMW to panic. But people bought it nevertheless, even considering that there were some sporty fun cars that would cost just 1/3 of the price of the BMW. Saftety regulations and emision standards were some important reasons why the bimmers becamed heavier and more expensive. And ofcourse the 3er was from the begining a bigger, more upscale car.

 

[daani]

I know that's annoying all those spy pics, but because there is no news
here some more (boring) 335i spy pics

 

[Deutsch]

Dude I was thiking I wanted the sedan at first for reasons of versatility, but this coupe is overwhelming my senses w/ it's proporstions and very intense sex appeal. O yea baby! The ladies will eat this up. But I dont' wanna chick who wants me for my car.

 

[Porsche Guy]

The car looks really poorly constructed in the last pic. The door panel isn't lined up right. On top of that it's dirty and coverd in awkward tape so I guess it somewhat intensifies the build flaws.

 

[Deutsch]

The car looks really poorly constructed in the last pic. The door panel isn't lined up right. On top of that it's dirty and coverd in awkward tape so I guess it somewhat intensifies the build flaws.

Dude it's a camo'd test car, relax.

 

[Deutsch]

That Bentley back there is FUGLY!!!

 

[Matt]

That Bentley back there is FUGLY!!!

I think thats a decent looking car, however the 3 coupe, im not so sure about...

 

[siko]

That Bentley back there is FUGLY!!!

Agreed... the lines of the sedan version fall short.