[Mark]

I agree with many of the above posts, I dont think its envy at all.. but it is definatly a cycle that has repeated so many times. E30 people bashed the E36 for being soft and loosing its way. The E36 people bashed the E46 even more for being too big/heavy, soft and ugly. The E46 people will be bashing the E90 for being bigger with too much technology interfereing with driving dynamics.

Its not jealously, but just human nature I guess. We all get used to one thing and have trouble changing once we are comfortable. I saw this happen a few times and every time people eventually get warmed up to the new car and it will become the standard, I guarantee you that. And like ZenDriver said, we are all going to rip the E202928292 (next gen 3 series) to all hell when it comes out I

ts just the way of the beast, no worries, if you are happy with your car, thats all that counts, and fear not the E90 is a dynamically amazing car and within 1-2 years it will be considered the standard.

[HRC]

If your a fan of BMW, I mean a true fan, how could you(anybody) HATE any model that BMW produces? I know some may not be thrilled with the new model(as is the case for most makes of cars), but to be sooo adamantly against it seems strange(hence the idea of envy). If the owners of the e46 and previous don't like the new car, don't buy it, but is that the same as hating it??

I'm a fan of Hondas, drove them for many years. Although I don't agree with the whole model lineup of Honda(the Element), I still appreciate the purpose behind the design. Maybe I'm really different, but I just don't see how any current BMW owner can spit on the new model.

I admit that I wish this *hate* didn't occur and we could all be a BMW family, but we don't live in a perfect world.

Danny

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by Socom

It's hardly envy...Many E90 owners are 1st BMW owners so their experience with the brand is minimial at best.

Isn't the original point of the 3 Series to be the entry to the Brand experience?? I know the 1 Series has taken that over, but tranditionally, the 3 is meant to be bought by first timers...

Anyway just because someone hasn't actually owned a BMW before how can you make a judgement as to what type of style or taste or automotive philosophies they have or what "experiece" they have had? I have always admired the brand, but haven't been able to purchase one until now - given the nearly $AU100K entry price for a serious one. Yes in Oz you can get a 3 for $AU49,990 (which is a comparative bargain) but a 2.0 four is hardly the essence of the BMW brand!

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by David325Australia

In the middle of winter the mornings and evenings/nights are very cold, not like most parts of the US. Canada, Europe during your winters, but nevertheless cold enough to certainly warrant seat heaters. Add some wind into the equation and YES I couldn't be without them!

Take it from me etherbored, Melbourne is f**ing freezing! No offence David, Melbourne is wonderful otherwise

[DDTAN]

Subjectivity - that which is based on ones personal opinion, and feelings.
Objectivity - that which is based on quantifiable data.
Not sure if it is possible to objectively compare the different designs. What criteria do you pick? Style? Horsepower? Skidpad? Seat of the pants? 0-60?
For me, I think that what E46 (or E36) owners mean when they talk down the E90. Is that for one reason or another, the new model has not caused them to love their own cars less. (or desire the new one more)
When the E46 came along I looked for reasons that I could still love my E36, and found them. Same thing has happened now that the E90 has come out, although this time I think that the E90 might be winning.

[TheEvilandCharismaticMr.X]

I'm in the minority - but i love all of the bangle designs!!
im that typical demographic - my CA even said so - gerneral admiration for cars, mid 20's, first bmw
I don't have enough drive time behind the wheel of the previous models to comment on all of the subtle intangibles - but i can conclude that the E46 is an excellent car
however, for me personally - bmw never really caught my eye in terms of exterior styling till the new designs

ego and envy aside, i do support the argument of the e90 being more luxury and less sport

[Ed_330i]

hell yea!, i think the bangle designs are much better than before.

[JamieA]

I have always loved the Bangle designs too, which is what has drawn me to the Brand. The Z4 I think is the ultimate expression of the design philosophy. I remember seeing Bangle's concept presented at some motor show that was the Z4 but with two different surfacing treatments, one per side. Back then there was a big to-do about it, but I thought - what a great idea, two concept cars in one, and ultimately a preview of the gorgeous Z4... can't remember whether they picked the left or the right side though

[cntlaw]

Don't worry a thing about what they said. Just got rid of my 3 yr old Z3 two months back. I am driving a 12 month old C55 AMG, and now I am getting a E90 325/330 in two months time; and my deposit check for a 2006/7 410hp M3 E90 is ready (to replace the C55). The sales result and E90 technology & performance and the young ladies after your new E90 will prove it all. I won't stop anyone to love their E46s, W203s; but they are history or soon be, good for the classic cars museums but not on the highways anymore.

Please accept my sense of humour.
Have a nice day.
cnt

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by JamieA

Isn't the original point of the 3 Series to be the entry to the Brand experience?? I know the 1 Series has taken that over, but tranditionally, the 3 is meant to be bought by first timers...

Anyway just because someone hasn't actually owned a BMW before how can you make a judgement as to what type of style or taste or automotive philosophies they have or what "experiece" they have had? I have always admired the brand, but haven't been able to purchase one until now - given the nearly $AU100K entry price for a serious one. Yes in Oz you can get a 3 for $AU49,990 (which is a comparative bargain) but a 2.0 four is hardly the essence of the BMW brand!

True the 3 series WAS meant to be bought by 1st timers, but imho the 1 series is taking over that role especially with the E90 gaining in size.

If you're a first time BMW owner you haven't had to experience: Multiple window regulator failures (E46), weather stripping/trim pieces falling off, sqeaky sports seats, sunshade clips that break when u breath on them, premature control arm failures (early E46's), erratic idling ('03/'04), Steptronic transmissions that would not go into gear (MY '04 & BMW replaced those that experienced the problem), Rear Sub-Frame failures (E36 / E46), Stage One Final Resistor Failures, Water pump impellers(sp?) that disentergrated (they were plastic just as what's in the E90), Siemens aux cooling fan switches which would overheat and catch fire, Engine Coils going bad.

Granted..the majority of E46/E36 owner's didn't experience ALL of these or maybe any of them, but there are those that did have these issues.

I'm not trying to say the E36/E46 is a POS, but the owners of these cars believe BMW never really tried to fix the little gremlins in the E46/E36, so they're naturally skeptical that BMW took care of it with the E90. Like I said previously, current BMW owners where hoping the E90 was going to be soo much better than the previous 3'ers. We're waiting to see if it's true.

If u do some research on the I-Drive you'll see E60 owners had to go in for multiple "software fixes" to correct problems. Having to revisit the dealer 5x within the first 6 mo's you've owned a $50k automobile isn't my idea of fun.

My $.02

[F32Fleet]

I always honk my horn and give the E90 er's a thumbs up.

[blackE90]

wait til the new m3 comes out...you'll never hear the end of it from the diehard e46 m3 coupe people

[inline6]

Originally Posted by Xens

I always thought TT was fugly and girly, they look okay to me now but still just okay. Different tastes in style is all I can say.

Girly yes, but if you ever date a hot chick who drives a black TT I guarantee you will change your mind. That thing is HOT as hell in the right hands.

[Xens]

Originally Posted by inline6

Girly yes, but if you ever date a hot chick who drives a black TT I guarantee you will change your mind. That thing is HOT as hell in the right hands.

Of course it'd be hot with a hot girl, and I've driven it it's pretty fun to drive as well. But that doesn't change my opinion of the car, and why bring up the issue of dating when you have no idea who I am? That doesn't have anything to do with cars. I stand by my opinion: I'll never buy the car myself.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by Socom

I always honk my horn and give the E90 er's a thumbs up.

hell yeah, thats how it should be.

and thats what I would do when I get mine delievered soon.

[davinet78]

the e46 for me was an excellent car and when the e90 came out i had mixed feelings of it. I thought that the e46 was still modern looking and that the interior was better looking than the e90, but now that i see more and more e90s on the road they really grow in you and begin to like the looks more and more. This is to the extent that the e46 for me are now looking out of date compared to the more modern and better looking e90.
People have to get used to the new model.

[ward]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

hell yeah, thats how it should be.

and thats what I would do when I get mine delievered soon.

there aren't yet, but there will be WAY too many E90's for this to be OK,

plus most 3 series drivers are A holes, and they may pull a gun on you since they think you're calling them out by honking at them

way too much honking, at way too angry people

[BMW786]

Originally Posted by etherbored

bangle design... does this refer to the z-coupe series?
-e-
ps: an M3 followed me all the way to work and behaved as another poster observed (all coy with no eye contact yet spying me in his side and rear view mirror).

LOL, that is so true. You wouldn't believe how much feigned indifference I get from fellow BMW owners. The other night I was on the freeway and this M3 convertible comes out from nowhere and cuts me off, no signal or anything. I'm glad he did that so he could see my Xenons/Angel Eyes put his to shame. seriously though, anytime another BMW is behind me, or next to me, they'll pretend not to pay attention but I see them looking at my car, sizing it up in their rearview mirrors. You would think fellow BMW owners would appreciate the new addition to the line. Just like the BMW website says though, "The wind passes over it with ease, the eyes with envy..."

[modeno]

points well taken. simply a matter of opinion. And likewise, I'd love to have the new M5, but I don't have the cash to drop 90g's on one right now, and I'd never be inclined to go talk smack bout 'em just because so.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by Socom

True the 3 series WAS meant to be bought by 1st timers, but imho the 1 series is taking over that role especially with the E90 gaining in size.

If you're a first time BMW owner you haven't had to experience: Multiple window regulator failures (E46), weather stripping/trim pieces falling off, sqeaky sports seats, sunshade clips that break when u breath on them, premature control arm failures (early E46's), erratic idling ('03/'04), Steptronic transmissions that would not go into gear (MY '04 & BMW replaced those that experienced the problem), Rear Sub-Frame failures (E36 / E46), Stage One Final Resistor Failures, Water pump impellers(sp?) that disentergrated (they were plastic just as what's in the E90), Siemens aux cooling fan switches which would overheat and catch fire, Engine Coils going bad.

Granted..the majority of E46/E36 owner's didn't experience ALL of these or maybe any of them, but there are those that did have these issues.

I'm not trying to say the E36/E46 is a POS, but the owners of these cars believe BMW never really tried to fix the little gremlins in the E46/E36, so they're naturally skeptical that BMW took care of it with the E90. Like I said previously, current BMW owners where hoping the E90 was going to be soo much better than the previous 3'ers. We're waiting to see if it's true.

If u do some research on the I-Drive you'll see E60 owners had to go in for multiple "software fixes" to correct problems. Having to revisit the dealer 5x within the first 6 mo's you've owned a $50k automobile isn't my idea of fun.

My $.02

fair 'nuf all valid points.

[ben1364]

ZenDriver wrote in part, "
It must also be stated that each incarnation of the 3 series has been a continued step in the direction of the dulling of BMW's automotive knife. The E36 lost some edge to the E30. <snip> Old crotchety bastards like me will make posts like this where we shall wax poetically about the E30, and none of the young whippersnappers will know WTF we are talking about."

To which I respond, Amen! I do like the newer engines but loathe all the gizmos that BMW has added in an effort to Toyotaize the cars.