[harperb]

Hi All,

I recently returned from a trip to Berlin, where I rented a '06 320d (e90) sedan for a few days of my vacation. It was realtively basic, with cloth seats, a smaller iDrive screen, and 16" wheels. However, it drove far better than the new 330i that I test drove yesterday. The 330i I test drove did not have the active steering on it, but it felt far less precise and was far easier to steer than the one I had in germany. Also, the steering wheel of the 320d felt much thicker and alot nicer than did the 330i (with sport package and steering wheel) that I drove. Also, the 320d didn't have that ugly red bulb attached to the bottom of the rear view mirror. And finally, the 320d did now have the UGLY, awful cupholders on the passenger side like the American 330i did. Am I dreaming, or are those actual differences between the two cars? Is there some way to get the stiffer steering, thicker steering wheel, and red bulbless rear view mirror, and no-cupholder version in the US? I'd take the base model 320d I drove over the 330i anyday, in terms of driving dymanics and pure driving pleasure. Also, the 320d has fabulous power, and got around 50 miles per gallon average between city and autobahn driving! Amazing!

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Ben

[Nikki]

Can you explain how the 320d drove better than the 330i?

Due to the luxury market BMW has in the US there aren't any lower options such as cloth here.
Also, you have to get packages here (premium, sport etc) but in Europe, you can get options separate, i.e. just the sport steering wheel.
The red bulb you didn't like on the rear view mirror of the 330i is for the alarm.
The exterior difference, is that the front headlights in Europe are clear, whereas the ones here have amber blinkers.

[Nikki]

Here is the difference in the headlights:

European:


US:

[harperb]

Sure....the precision of the steering, especially around highway on/offramps on the 320d was far better than the 330 I drove - perhaps because the steering the 320d felt/was much tighter than the non active steering-equipped 330i I drove. I know around 2002 or so, they lightened up the steering for US versions, and changed it back after a year or so.....the 330i felt like the steering was much lighter....perhaps they did the same thing?

Also, years ago I used to own a '01 a6 4.2, which had a special (although removeable) device that added boost to the steering for US models. I removed it per the instructions on an audiworld.com forum, and the steering was substantially stiffer and more precise, which brought it up to the european version. I wonder if indeed the steering is lightened for the US version, if there's a similar thing that can be done to have it back to euro standards.

By the way, is there an easy way to buy/get installed the european-spec clear headlights to fit on the e90 here in the US? I noticed that difference, but I know there's no way they'd import them here with the clear version.

[harperb]

Ooh, one more thing...that looking at that photo reminded me.....the european e90 I rented also had front park distance control, and the salesperson in San Francisco told me that they didn't offer that on the US version. Is that true, and if so, why?

I loved the button I could push near the heated seat buttons where it would display a front/rear diagram of the car with parking indication display information. It was very helpful for parking!

[Nikki]

I have never driven a car equipped with active steering, so I really don't know, but I have driven cars that have very loose steering at low speeds (like the Audi A4 i test drove) and I really hated it, so I know what you mean.

[E90Fleet]

The USA 330i and the Euro 320d share the exact same steering gear.
Maybe your tires were a bit flat in germany ??

The steering wheel you had was probably the "normal" cheap non-sport non-leather one the USA doesnt get

Cupholders are optional in europe

There are a couple differences between USA and Euro cars under the skin, but not smething you would feel

[harperb]

I was going to mention this, but it's so subjective. The e320d I had had a really nice bit of leather on the steering wheel, and had the aluminum steering wheel, which was beautiful. Apparently you can get that in the US, at least! :-) Perhaps I just need another test drive....i'm looking forward to ordering a new 3 series sedan or perhaps the coupe, but that's not going to be out for another year, which really sucks.

[E90Fleet]

Forgot, the 6 Cylinder cars have a more powerfull power steering pump than the 4 Cylinder cars

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by harperb

I was going to mention this, but it's so subjective. The e320d I had had a really nice bit of leather on the steering wheel, and had the aluminum steering wheel, which was beautiful. Apparently you can get that in the US, at least! :-) Perhaps I just need another test drive....i'm looking forward to ordering a new 3 series sedan or perhaps the coupe, but that's not going to be out for another year, which really sucks.

Then you had the sport steering wheel on the 320d and the matt titanium trim ( which is plastic and not available in the USA )

USA sports steering wheel is 100% the saame, but you cannot get the plastic matt titanium piece

[harperb]

Is there a real aluminum aluminum steering wheel that's available in the US, then, or did the dealer I talked to just not know what he was talking about?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by harperb

Is there a real aluminum aluminum steering wheel that's available in the US, then, or did the dealer I talked to just not know what he was talking about?

Only black or wood

[harperb]

Blast! Okay...that's it. I'm just going to look into importing a 320d from Europe. Is that remotely possible, and if so how much does it cost to do so?

[Jay_328]

Originally Posted by harperb

the european e90 I rented also had front park distance control, and the salesperson in San Francisco told me that they didn't offer that on the US version. Is that true, and if so, why?

In the US PDC sensors are in the rear bumper only. As for a reason why there's no FPDC, well it's just not an option here.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by harperb

Blast! Okay...that's it. I'm just going to look into importing a 320d from Europe. Is that remotely possible, and if so how much does it cost to do so?

No

1) Dealers dont have software for it
2) Dont think USA diese conforms to its standards yet
3) You will need to get its engine certified in USA that will cost possibly in the millions of $
4) USA uses different aibag sensors

[stressdoc]

Many of us agree that it would really be great if BMW NA would import the diesels. No word on that happening anytime soon. Bummer. Why they mess around with the silly hybrid instead of getting us the diesels is beyond me.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Many of us agree that it would really be great if BMW NA would import the diesels. No word on that happening anytime soon. Bummer. Why they mess around with the silly hybrid instead of getting us the diesels is beyond me.

Ive heard the USA diesel regulations are changing in 2007, and then BMW USA will consider diesels

[SilverE90Sport]

Originally Posted by harperb

Hi All,

I recently returned from a trip to Berlin, where I rented a '06 320d (e90) sedan for a few days of my vacation. It was realtively basic, with cloth seats, a smaller iDrive screen, and 16" wheels. However, it drove far better than the new 330i that I test drove yesterday. The 330i I test drove did not have the active steering on it, but it felt far less precise and was far easier to steer than the one I had in germany. Also, the steering wheel of the 320d felt much thicker and alot nicer than did the 330i (with sport package and steering wheel) that I drove. Also, the 320d didn't have that ugly red bulb attached to the bottom of the rear view mirror. And finally, the 320d did now have the UGLY, awful cupholders on the passenger side like the American 330i did. Am I dreaming, or are those actual differences between the two cars? Is there some way to get the stiffer steering, thicker steering wheel, and red bulbless rear view mirror, and no-cupholder version in the US? I'd take the base model 320d I drove over the 330i anyday, in terms of driving dymanics and pure driving pleasure. Also, the 320d has fabulous power, and got around 50 miles per gallon average between city and autobahn driving! Amazing!

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Ben

Maybe you should just move to Germany .

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Ive heard the USA diesel regulations are changing in 2007, and then BMW USA will consider diesels

the australian government recently legislated for better quality (low sulphur) diesel fuel, such that bmw australia can finally offer diesel powered cars now, like the 530d and x5d. no word on 320d but we have 320i anyway.

never bothered MB as they have brought in diesel cars here for years.

[harperb]

Beat me to it! I had a great time there...

[JBOO]

With the European spec E60, you have the option for servotronic (steering assist) but in the US E60, it is standard. However, I'm not sure if that is an option for the E90.

It could also be due to the difference in wheel size, although I would expect the car with smaller wheels to turn easier.

[KillDork]

Servotronic? Thats a Mercedes term... You sure mean adaptive steering? Available on E90 as well.