[203E90]

Originally Posted by JJaber

I always get a F30 328 (or 330 now?) loaner and I don't like them that much. Feels very numb and "mass produced". I know they made a million+ E92s, but they had a very solid, vault-like quality to them. I don't get that feeling at all from the F30. The interior styling is more modern looking, but it also feels like they took two steps back as far as quality/materials go.

Exactly

[biz77]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeGeoff

Yeh. There's a reason they switched from F to G so fast.

???

E90: 2006 - 2011 = 6 years
F30: 2012 - 2018 = 7years

[9krpmrx8]

I have driven a few F30 cars and they are every bit as solid, you guys are nuts.

[srmast1]

I recently test drove a 440i Msport with the 8 speed auto and it felt really solid. The acceleration was great, it was smooth and responsive with little lag. The steering is numb, yeah, but other than that it felt just as solid and we'll balanced as my e90, I didn't take it to the track or anything but it was pretty good. If it wasn't for my wife, we might have bought that car but she and I both felt it was too similar to my current e90. I might get one here in a few years.

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I have driven a few F30 cars and they are every bit as solid, you guys are nuts.

Tell me how solid it is when the rod bearing fails

[Pinscher]

It really sounds like people don't like change. The e90 was the bench mark car it not?

The f30 styling is way nicer. I'm sure the handling difference is something you will get used to.

Just like when you go with new wheels and tires from stock to +2

[scanspeak]

The F30 is ugly, too big and too heavy. It will date very fast while the E9x models are future classics.

[PichaDis11]

OP you should give the later build F30 a chance. 2015 and up I believe. Steering feel has been improved a lot compared to Pre-LCI f30s. I only say this as the E90 reliability isn't the best to speak of.

[EB89]

Originally Posted by scanspeak

The F30 is ugly, too big and too heavy. It will date very fast while the E9x models are future classics.

E92 M3 and E92 M Sport are classics shapes.

The rest of the E9X platform are average looking, especially non sport models and pre LCI cars.

[203E90]

Hey guys. I really appreciate everyone's input. we ALL know how BMW generational love works. The new generation always sucks until a new one comes out.

The E46 lovers hated the E9X until the F3X hit the streets and then the E9Xs became belove classics. Now that the G2Xs are coming, I'm sure the F3Xs will get more love because we will all find something new to agree to hate about them lol.

I haven't driven an LCI F3X but I might check one out just for fun. It's odd though. You just like what you like. Im a techy to a certain extent so I appreciate the improvements in that area but E9Xs have a distinct solid feel that if you spent some time with either generation, you'd notice. The F3Xs are solid but not in the same way the E9X does. My E90 was almost uncomfortably solid.

[203E90]

Well with all that said, I pulled the trigger on a car. In my cash budget range, I found both E90s and F30s. I want very specific features. The car had to have sport package, premium package, cold weather package and I preferred iDrive and the Logic 7 audio or what ever came in the F30s.

I then realized (after I got my first few paychecks on the new job and balanced my books) I have a lot more money in my budget than expected. Screw it, I want a 335 now. While I may trade off some reliability but I've had turbo cars for the last 7 years (Mazdaspeed 3 GT3076R and the ecoturd Mustang) and I gotta have boost. Plus my friend gave me the perfect analogy.

"I treat my turbos like condoms. I rather have em and not need than need em and not have em"

LMAO Can you argue with that logic?

So yesterday I was doing all my market research for 2007-2014 335s. Again I had specific wants and wouldn't settle. This time they also include auto with paddles, 335i preferred over an XI model, Dakota leather, and never modded, single owner, no accident cars. In NYC HAHAHAHAHA impossible to find. Oddly enough I found exactly that in MD. 2007 335i, Premium Package, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Sparkling Graphite Metallic, immaculate interior, and the exterior is about a 8.5 out of 10. 90K miles. Talked the guy down to $7k out the door which was way under my budget. Has a lot of the service records(I didn't verify that its all of them but it appears to be) and he just took it to BMW for a PPI and replaced the valve cover gasket.

Seeing how this is a "daily" that I will only drive maybe once a week, I am pleased with that find even if it does require TLC which it absolutely doesnt appear to need. Will have a short warranty and the dealer gave me a few other reassurances. I take delivery on the 22nd when I can organize a lovely regional trip to MD. So yeah. I dont have to change my screen name. Got my E90.

[203E90]

Also forgot to mention, I found some resources for anyone looking for sales brochures of almost any BMW in PDF and VIN decoders that still work. I was able to get all my build info, options, and TSB/Recall info for free and save it as a PDF for my record. Use the brochure to see what, if anything this car didn't have.

[b92]

Originally Posted by 203E90

2007 335i, Premium Package, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Sparkling Graphite Metallic, immaculate interior, and the exterior is about a 8.5 out of 10. 90K miles. Talked the guy down to $7k out the door which was way under my budget. Has a lot of the service records(I didn't verify that its all of them but it appears to be) and he just took it to BMW for a PPI and replaced the valve cover gasket.

Sounds like a steal! Congrats on the new car.

[203E90]

Originally Posted by b92

Sounds like a steal! Congrats on the new car.

Originally Posted by b92

Sounds like a steal! Congrats on the new car.

I did some research on the dealer, the area, the car and everything (intense commercial research is what I do for a living) and he had the car for 4 weeks marked at 10.5. Dropped it a few times and I got him to agree to 7 out the door. He didn't have a lot of fees anyways. The area is North MD in a humble income area, he didn't splatter it all over the internet and he actually took the time to take it to BMW do a PPI and get things corrected. Sent it out for detailing and we just spoke and he said he's getting one more polish done before I pick it up.

I really think the location and lack of promo is what helped me because at 10.5 that would've been gone in days in the tristate. Super excited.

[203E90]

I may be bringing this thread back from the grave but its been almost a year with my 2nd E90. I think it was a better choice over the F30 for my personal taste.

It’s been a great year. Tuned on MHD stage 1 and XHP stage 3 for 30k miles, yes 30k in 11 months up and down the east coast. Only problems I had was replacing the water pump and thermostat at 120k miles on the clock. Car runs pretty damn smooth and problem free. It’s all good but I have the itch for something new again lol.

Recently out of town for work and I didn’t get a rental car. Decided to rent an F82 M4 for a couple of weeks. DAMNIT. It’s a great car. I’ve had F30 328s and 335s and they were fine. That M4 makes you feel different lol. Yeah its an M car and they tend to have a different dynamic to them but I’m going to pick up an F80 M3 soon.

Priced for low mile cars are looking good and as we get closer to the new M3 release, I’ll be watching the market and see if they keep dropping and pull the trigger at the right time.

Budget this time is 45k. Right now I am seeing low/no option models going for under 40 under 50k miles but cars with the executive, lighting, and driver assist packages going for 45-50 with under 30k miles.

If anyone cares, I’ll be shooting some video this week and doing a comparison video series. I’m no pro so dont expect greatness but I think its worth looking at the F80/82 from a E90 N54 owners perspective.

The reality of it is the N54 E9X generation was the terse mule for BMW to break in to the turbo performance market as they were/are forecasting the ever restricting emissions regulations. The S55 took all the good things from the N54 and fixed all the bad things. You look at the 335is with the DCT......I’d say that was BMW market testing the reaction to a performance I6 twin turbo model and its longevity.

Simply put, I experienced first hand what I want my E90 to be and why a non M car is not an M car. Absolutely nothing wrong with that but there’s more to an M car than power even if its just being part of the club. Got a teaser up. Again this is my take on coming from the old and experiencing the new and why I’m adding it to the garage. Not a shame on the potential legends that the N54 cars are. More of a nod to those cars leading the way.