E90 impressions (by E46 zhp driver)

I’m sure there have been some good reviews on the E90 on this board, but I wanted to share my experience. I got to spend a week driving an E90 330i dealer loaner when I took my 2004 330i in to have the DISA valve replaced and the DME sent to New Jersey for reprogramming (the 4,000 rpm dip is now cured). The E90 loaner was equipped with the sport package, steptronic, leather and sunroof. To cut to the chase, it was a much more satisfying driving experience than I thought it would be.

The E90 is no joke. Even with an automatic, it is bolt-of-lightening fast! The torque is smooth and comes on strong and low in the rev range. The engine pulls progressively harder as the revs climb to the redline and there are no readily discernable flat spots. The sound of the E90 engine was nothing short of intoxicating. It wails like a precision fighting machine. The throttle modulation and transmission mapping are sublime in their response and coordination.

My E46 with the performance package (ZHP) doesn't feel quite as torquey at low RPM but still screams to the redline with the same frenetic rush. And I prefer the sound of the ZHP equipped E46 - partly because the exhaust system is a more open design with a deeper resonance and better tone.

The E90 handles really well. The run-flat tires were much better than I thought they'd be. The ride was more compliant than I expected, yet tightly controlled. Body motion was simply in check. But I could tell that the run-flats were different. For example, when I traversed a washboard road surface, they would sort of patter in a manner that I would not describe as characteristic of BMW.

Replacing run-flats is an expensive proposition and they are currently not considered repairable. Also, run-flats are heavy, contributing to un-sprung weight. So, I maintain a preference for ordinary tires with a spare, in spite of BMW's commendable job of integrating run-flat technology into the suspension. Other than that, I have no quibbles with the E90’s footwork and I doubt that the 330's target market will share my concerns about run flats.

Once I got back in my car, I realized that my car is firmer, sharper edged, and more "right now." That's not a criticism of the E90, just that with the M-tuned suspension, the ZHP ride/handling compromise leans a little more toward performance and less toward comfort, which yields a car a little more purposeful in character.

Overall, the vehicle dynamics of the E90 leave little to be desired. I don't think I've ever driven a car with an automatic transmission that I enjoyed as much. The manual 6-speed would have been just that much better.

As for the looks of the E90, I am no fan of Chris Bangle, but this car does not sport a design element that offends me the way the rump of the E63 seven series does or the way the "Dame Edna" front end of the E60 five series does. I'm not sold on Bangle's flame surfacing design trend, but, in this iteration, I am mellowing in my opposition. In fact, the front fascia, the headlight treatment in particular, is downright beguiling -- perhaps because this is the angle at which flame surfacing is least apparent.

The interior of the E90 is nice but not immediately identifiable as a BMW. The driver orientation of the dash is just gone and I miss it. The gauges look like timepieces -- they have a remote resemblance to BMW gauges, but they have yielded to trendy fashion influence (a la Breitling as interpreted by the Lexus IS300). Plus (or should I say "minus"), there is no water temp gauge! I like gauges. What's wrong with gauges? And no dipstick? C'mon!

The width-adjustable sport seats are the best seats I've ever sat in. The bolsters are a little less aggressive than in the E46, so cell phones and belt accessories are not as easily snagged by the side bolsters. Nevertheless, the seats are secure and comfortable.

The steering column seems to pivot from a higher point on the dashboard, bringing the top of the steering wheel closer to the driver than in earlier BMWs. The position of the steering wheel as it faces the driver seems more vertical. The benefit is that driving with the top half of the steering wheel doesn't force the driver to choose between an arms out or too vertical driving position.

Then there are some ergonomic "features" worth mentioning. Chief among them is the new key that inserts in the dash below the start button. Yeah, it's cool. But what was wrong with the old key? Now the car requires a choreography of motions (or keystrokes, so to speak) to get up and running, whereas a single fluid motion used to get the job done. Let's see, insert key, depress brake (and clutch if equipped with manual), then press button. Turning it off is even more fun. Shift to park, press the start button (to turn the car off?), then press the key, then pull the key. Soon, we'll be able to read insipid start/stop techniques on forums in addition to the more common clutch and shift tips.

Also, You have to reach for the window switches on the armrest -- they do not fall readily to hand. The radio is not as easy to operate as it used to be and yields no meaningful additional benefit to justify its new personality. I like to lock and unlock the doors without letting bystanders see what I'm doing. But now the door lock button is high on the dash, and passersby will easily notice me reaching for the button. In short, the interior is where you see the triumph of marketing and sales over heritage, function and purpose.

Thus, while the car's capabilities are improved over its predecessor, the driver interface is compromised for some ancillary functions, and the net experience is not as great of an improvement as it might have been. Still, make no mistake, it's an improvement on what is already the benchmark sport sedan.

For me, the E90 is a mixed bag. The driveline and chassis dynamics are hard to fault. Probably nothing currently in production at this price point can bring the same level of driving satisfaction in a 4 door vehicle. The design is definitely BMW for the new millennium; it has presence and will command a certain respect. But the purposeful focus of BMW is being diminished incrementally in deference to sales and marketing ambitions. So, I'll keep my E46 for a while, but I won't sneer at E90 drivers or pick a fight unless I am ready to get as good as I give.