Hi guys,
I just bought a new 320i E90 and i'm convinced that its the class leader by miles!!! There aren't any real challengers
Anyways, just thot of sharing a few of my thots after testdriving some of the other rivals before i settled on the bimmer. Please feel free to add on your own experiences/opinions!!
Audi A4
Main rival; just underwent a facelift but with some engine revamp also. The most impressive thing was the drive itself. The torque is tremendous for a 130hp car and if i dare say so, it was better than the bimmer's. Better fuel economy than bimmer too cos got 7 speed auto. But the interior cabin was way inferior. You get in and it just doesn't feel luxurious. When you get into the 3, whoa..... And control panel was too crowded. Cabin space also too small for a family. Looks very japanese like also with its new rear and overall shape. in fact by brother thot it looked like a honda civic!! Price was attractive at $123K tho. But the bimmer was only 12K more...And the audi is midway through its cycle. This must have been a last gasp attempt before it is totally blown away by the new 3.
Merc C180 compressor:
This is an old car that is due to be replaced in the next year or 2. The drive is refined but uninvolving and there was a lag in the kickdown. Not a lot of power but for a 1.8L engine,its commendable. Interior finish was excellent but the cabin again small. Price was atrocious $137K - $2k more than the 3... How to possibly compete???
Volvo S60 2.0T
Boy this car was really a good challenger when it first came out. But i think our swedish friends haven't learnt from their german counterparts about at least doing a facelift and engine tweaking midcycle man. The drive was really good nonetheless. 180hp and it was ready on the tap. But cabon space cramped. Loved the front seats tho. Very volvo and very nice. Priced at $123K. Would have gone for the A4 at this price.
Volvo V50 2.4
Boy this was the car that got me all hot and bothered. The price was the first thing. $108K. Well within my budget and it was a solid continental car! Drive was good with 170hp on tap. Good road feel and feedback. New design which i loved! But aesthetics are totally subjective here cos its a station wagon and my dad said that stn wagons belonged to a time long gone Cabin was way too cramped at the rear seats tho. But boot space impressive. I highly recommend this to anyone who can't part with an additional $30K for a bimmer.
There were other rivals i considered, but didn;t have the time to test drive them:
1) Saab 93/95
2) Lexus IS 200 (new 250 coming out soon)
Shall stop here before i sound like a car magazine reviewer. But i tell you, i just light up everytime i think of my bimmer!!
Take care everyone and cheers to all who've bought a new E90.
BYB
PS: My heart goes out to all the bros who've had a bad experience with their E90 lemons tho'. Hope your rides get sorted out quickly man...
I just bought a new 320i E90 and i'm convinced that its the class leader by miles!!! There aren't any real challengers
Anyways, just thot of sharing a few of my thots after testdriving some of the other rivals before i settled on the bimmer. Please feel free to add on your own experiences/opinions!!Audi A4
Main rival; just underwent a facelift but with some engine revamp also. The most impressive thing was the drive itself. The torque is tremendous for a 130hp car and if i dare say so, it was better than the bimmer's. Better fuel economy than bimmer too cos got 7 speed auto. But the interior cabin was way inferior. You get in and it just doesn't feel luxurious. When you get into the 3, whoa..... And control panel was too crowded. Cabin space also too small for a family. Looks very japanese like also with its new rear and overall shape. in fact by brother thot it looked like a honda civic!! Price was attractive at $123K tho. But the bimmer was only 12K more...And the audi is midway through its cycle. This must have been a last gasp attempt before it is totally blown away by the new 3.
Merc C180 compressor:
This is an old car that is due to be replaced in the next year or 2. The drive is refined but uninvolving and there was a lag in the kickdown. Not a lot of power but for a 1.8L engine,its commendable. Interior finish was excellent but the cabin again small. Price was atrocious $137K - $2k more than the 3... How to possibly compete???
Volvo S60 2.0T
Boy this car was really a good challenger when it first came out. But i think our swedish friends haven't learnt from their german counterparts about at least doing a facelift and engine tweaking midcycle man. The drive was really good nonetheless. 180hp and it was ready on the tap. But cabon space cramped. Loved the front seats tho. Very volvo and very nice. Priced at $123K. Would have gone for the A4 at this price.
Volvo V50 2.4
Boy this was the car that got me all hot and bothered. The price was the first thing. $108K. Well within my budget and it was a solid continental car! Drive was good with 170hp on tap. Good road feel and feedback. New design which i loved! But aesthetics are totally subjective here cos its a station wagon and my dad said that stn wagons belonged to a time long gone
Cabin was way too cramped at the rear seats tho. But boot space impressive. I highly recommend this to anyone who can't part with an additional $30K for a bimmer. There were other rivals i considered, but didn;t have the time to test drive them:
1) Saab 93/95
2) Lexus IS 200 (new 250 coming out soon)
Shall stop here before i sound like a car magazine reviewer. But i tell you, i just light up everytime i think of my bimmer!!
Take care everyone and cheers to all who've bought a new E90.
BYB
PS: My heart goes out to all the bros who've had a bad experience with their E90 lemons tho'. Hope your rides get sorted out quickly man...
