e90 Driving Impressions

[Juanted]

So, after two days with the e90, here are my preliminary impressions.

First, for the obvious: The car handles like a dream, is very quick, and it stops on a dime.

Pros:
- Quiet, luxurious, comfortable, very tight fit and finish, overall a GREAT ride.
- LOVE the adaptive headlights; again, an "useless gadget" that you actually start appreciating and makes you say, "wow... not only is it cool, but hey, it DOES illuminate the corners better." Oh yeah, somehow it knows when you're making a complete turn (which makes the lights turn) and a slight curve (during which the lights remain stationary).
- Other cars see a fast-approaching red bimmer, and they actually move over to the right! Had I known this, I would have bought the car last year!
- It's a head-turner. I catch people doing a double-take. Very cool.

Cons:
- Don't wear sunglasses and try to read the stero/phone/bc display (I don't have iDrive). You see nothing!! What baffles me is that I did not have this problem with the X5 with the same red on black color scheme.
- Rain-sensing wiper still need some "tweaking." (Had the same issue with the X.)
- Cupholders. Once again, an afterthought.

That's really all for now... Just thought I'd share. I'm sure I'll have more to say in the coming weeks/months.

Kevin and Barry, did I miss anything?

Juan

[asawadude]

Did Barry get a 330i also? Did I miss that?

Are you wearing polarized sunglasses? They have a tendency to filter out certain types of light. Obviously it filters reflected light, but it also has an effect on refracted light.

Nice write up. I'm jones-ing big time to buy a 3 series.

[SANguru]

Congrats Juan! break it in in good health so you can race the hemi!!

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by Kaefer

So, after two days with the e90, here are my preliminary impressions.

First, for the obvious: The car handles like a dream, is very quick, and it stops on a dime.

Pros:
- Quiet, luxurious, comfortable, very tight fit and finish, overall a GREAT ride.
- LOVE the adaptive headlights; again, an "useless gadget" that you actually start appreciating and makes you say, "wow... not only is it cool, but hey, it DOES illuminate the corners better." Oh yeah, somehow it knows when you're making a complete turn (which makes the lights turn) and a slight curve (during which the lights remain stationary).
- Other cars see a fast-approaching red bimmer, and they actually move over to the right! Had I known this, I would have bought the car last year!
- It's a head-turner. I catch people doing a double-take. Very cool.

Cons:
- Don't wear sunglasses and try to read the stero/phone/bc display (I don't have iDrive). You see nothing!! What baffles me is that I did not have this problem with the X5 with the same red on black color scheme.
- Rain-sensing wiper still need some "tweaking." (Had the same issue with the X.)
- Cupholders. Once again, an afterthought.

That's really all for now... Just thought I'd share. I'm sure I'll have more to say in the coming weeks/months.

Kevin and Barry, did I miss anything?

Juan

I'm glad you're enjoying the ride. You pretty much hit it on the head. It only gets better too. I was thinking about you tonight when I took my 330 out for the first time this week. I was wondering how you were enjoying it. I also thought to myself that BMW is pure genius in how they managed to create a super comfortable yet super responsive chassis and suspension. I went over some decent sized road imperfections and the car soaked them up. It corners flat and the steering is almost telepathic. (I do not have Active Steering, thankfully.) It's that magic blend that only BMW can create and other marques can only pursue.

It's interesting that you have problems with your sunglasses and the displays. I know it can be a problem but I was wearing polarized sunglasses the last time I drove the car in the daytime and I could still see the iDrive display. I could see all of those blotches in everyone's windows though. I agree that the cupholders are crappy. Just wait 'til a passenger whacks his or her knee on the driver's side cupholder.

I could add that I love the seats. They are excellent. The Logic 7 stereo is also very good. 13 speakers including 2 subs. I'm not an audiophile but it rocks. A silly little thing is the LED puddle lights on the underside of each door handle. They're bright and look so cool.

So I guess Juan is happy with the compromise?

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by asawadude

Did Barry get a 330i also? Did I miss that?

Nope we got a 530i but drove the 330 in the ground making the decision

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by Kaefer

So, after two days with the e90, here are my preliminary impressions.

First, for the obvious: The car handles like a dream, is very quick, and it stops on a dime.

Pros:
- Quiet, luxurious, comfortable, very tight fit and finish, overall a GREAT ride.
- LOVE the adaptive headlights; again, an "useless gadget" that you actually start appreciating and makes you say, "wow... not only is it cool, but hey, it DOES illuminate the corners better." Oh yeah, somehow it knows when you're making a complete turn (which makes the lights turn) and a slight curve (during which the lights remain stationary).
- Other cars see a fast-approaching red bimmer, and they actually move over to the right! Had I known this, I would have bought the car last year!
- It's a head-turner. I catch people doing a double-take. Very cool.

Cons:
- Don't wear sunglasses and try to read the stero/phone/bc display (I don't have iDrive). You see nothing!! What baffles me is that I did not have this problem with the X5 with the same red on black color scheme.
- Rain-sensing wiper still need some "tweaking." (Had the same issue with the X.)
- Cupholders. Once again, an afterthought.

That's really all for now... Just thought I'd share. I'm sure I'll have more to say in the coming weeks/months.

Kevin and Barry, did I miss anything?

Juan

I tried to get the CEO to get red but no go so we didn't have that exerience. I can just imagine people looking though cause it's a different color for sure. The sunglasses thing we didn't experience either but that may be a personal thing based on your glasses. Of course I know you will try another pair of shades and see if it persist. Honestly we never wore sunglasses on any test drive. The rest of your impressions are on the mark. Adaptive headlights, fit and finish, handling, and i cant wait till you take one of those freeway exits at 70MPH. I'll hear the WHOO HOO all the way to the west coast. Enjoy my brother.

[Juanted]

Yes, the seats! Love the seats!

About the sunglasses. Mine are polarized also, and I've had them for a while now... used them with the X5. I did not have this problem with the X. My guess is the angle in which one views the display? My sunglasses are prescription, so I can't keep trying new shades until I find one that works. I'll have to live with it.

Other than that, though, the car is a dream. You're right Kevin: it's truly incredible how BMW keeps raising the bar.

[pseto]

Wow, I'm getting exciting hearing all this waiting for my e92 coupe. So the Logic 7 system isn't bad? I guess I'm just used to all the below-par stereos in my past BMWs, so I never think much of them. Hopefully it is better this time around.

What are your impressions on the RFTs? Since I'll probably take delivery sometime in Nov, the first thing I need to do is get snow shoes. Are there snow RFTs available?

How are the LED puddle lights different than the ones currently on the X5?

[Juanted]

Originally Posted by pseto

What are your impressions on the RFTs? Since I'll probably take delivery sometime in Nov, the first thing I need to do is get snow shoes. Are there snow RFTs available?

How are the LED puddle lights different than the ones currently on the X5?

The run flats have gotten the rap that they are nosey. If they are, I have not yet heard them. Then again, when you're doing 90 on the highway with music playing, I don't know that you'd hear anything!!

I don't know if there are snow RFTs. I live in SC. Snow is not an issue for me.

The puddle lights are a lot brighter than those in the X5. I like 'em!

Juan

[R8DX5]

Forget RunFlats. Just slap on these babies and you're good to go.

Originally Posted by Kaefer

The run flats have gotten the rap that they are nosey. If they are, I have not yet heard them. Then again, when you're doing 90 on the highway with music playing, I don't know that you'd hear anything!!

I don't know if there are snow RFTs. I live in SC. Snow is not an issue for me.

The puddle lights are a lot brighter than those in the X5. I like 'em!

Juan