E46 to 1er Coupe...Don't Settle!

[dna550]

Before the E90 came out, I was sure that I would replace my E46 with the new 3 Series. But after a test drive that left me uninspired, I decided to keep to the E46 to see what might come next.

For me, the Cayman S came next. The Cayman delivered the Sports Car fantasy, but, I could not bring myself to part with the E46. The E46 was still good and I needed the practicality of a sedan. I decided to keep the E46, telling myself it would be the utility vehicle.

Nevertheless, the E46 continued to deliver a practical and sporty drive, just like a 3 series is supposed to do. I kept racking up the miles.

And so when the 135i was announced I was sure that this would be the replacement for the E46 and I still believe that. But while my E46 was having yet another expensive "oil change" - those fancy liquid-filled suspension-arm bushings that make the BMW driving experience pure magic are expensive to replace, I drove yet another E90 loaner car.

Driving the E90 for a couple of days reminds why I kept the E46.

The E90 does not inspire. Is it the weight? the Run-flats? The bigger size? It is probably a combination of all of these things. But when I got back in my E46 last night it drove like a brand new car, with its new suspension bushings, spark plugs and 4-wheel alignment.

I had been mulling over in my mind if I was crazy to spend this kind of money on a car I had planned to turn over for a new 135i. Then I started driving the car and it was love all over again..this car has a communication with the road that I have only experienced in a Porsche.

You know this car had it's suspension tuned on the Nurburgring, just like the Porsche.

As I thought about the drive in the E90, I wondered; was the E90 suspension sorted out on the Nurburgring?

It sure didn't feel like it.

It reminded me of a drive I had once in a Volvo S60 that I had once on loan from a different dealership. I felt that Volvo was actually a re-badged Ford - a front wheel drive Ford at that.

So, I have this meticulously and recently expensively, maintained E46 that, knock on wood, should be in good shape for a while. I have doubts about the driving experience in the E90 and I read this morning that the E82 has the identical front suspension as the E90. I look forward to the acceleration of the 135i and know that I could modify the suspension and replace the rubber with real tires and probably get the setup I am looking for. But I would really like BMW to sort this out, can you say tii coupe?, and deliver a more driver focused car.

I really look forward to driving the 135i and really hope that it delivers the Sports Sedan driving experience that made BMW the company it is today.

I guess I have bought some time. Time for BMW to deliver a 1 Coupe that has been tuned to run on high performance, non run-flat tires.

Now I know that before I leave my E46 behind that BMW will have to make a car for me that communicates like the E46 they built to my specifications.

[peppebmw]

I hope years down the road that the One will create the same feelings for me that you have for your E46. This will be my first BMW so I will only have A4's and GTI's to compare it to. Shouldn't be too much of a comparison. Good luck in your decision!

[pwong888]

Did you have sport package on your E46? I used to own a E46 with sport package, then i change to C32 AMG, not compare with the speed, E46 gave me the best feeling of driving.
I think the loaner E90 don't have sport package thats why you don't like it.

[dna550]

Originally Posted by pwong888

Did you have sport package on your E46? I used to own a E46 with sport package, then i change to C32 AMG, not compare with the speed, E46 gave me the best feeling of driving.
I think the loaner E90 don't have sport package thats why you don't like it.

You are correct, I have the Sport Package.

I have auto-crossed the 335i with the Sport Package, but it was during a day when I drove M5s, M6s .and the M Coupe. All of the M cars have stiff suspensions and No Run-Flats.

My experience in the 335i tells me that the Sport Package in the 335i may not match the sport package in the E46, but this could be due to the Run-Flats.

In a discussion with Mercedes-Benz engineers, they said that they do not used liquid-filled suspension bushings because they are too expensive. I have an M-B with Sports suspension and I can confirm that it just does not have the subtle combination of road feel and road handling that the E46 has.

With the Dollar-Euro exchange rate, my fear is that BMW has also now abandoned the liquid filled suspension bushings which do provide a great ride and also great handling and road feel. My guess would be that the M cars are using stiff rubber bushings which are great on the track but might also be somewhat tiring on the street. Given the choice in the 1er Coupe, I would take the stiffer suspension of the M Cars.

Looking forward to driving the 135i.

[Twisted]

Some nice pics there...

I do believe that the e46 was a great model and i still like the feel that the e46 M3 and 330i give. I must admit though that while the m-sport pack versions of the 330i e90 are quite appealing... It is a big car.

I realise this isn't comparing apples with apples here but try look at the e92. In my opinion, its still pretty big but its a lot sexier and feels better than the e90 (maybe its a mind thing)

Unfortunately i still have mixed feelings over the 1er coupe hence i'm taking my time in ordering my next vehicle so as i'm sure what i want and i'll be 100% happy with it, not having to change due to a hastily made decision.

[kobezklutch]

im kinda in the same boat... well like i said, kind of. i realized i cant really afford a 1 series until after college so i'm looking to get back into an e46. nothing ive ever driven, besides a carrera and a boxter, compares to how planted you feel in the e46(ESPECIALLY the M). its like the perfect balance between and e36 and e90 generations. hopefully i'll have a nice zhp soon enough and that'll keep me occupied long enough for bmw to recapture the magic(i think the 1 will accomplish this).

[TrojanBMW]

Originally Posted by pwong888

Did you have sport package on your E46? I used to own a E46 with sport package, then i change to C32 AMG, not compare with the speed, E46 gave me the best feeling of driving.
I think the loaner E90 don't have sport package thats why you don't like it.

The sport package makes a world of difference. The last time I had my e90 in for service, I couldn't wait to get back to my own car.

[1er Trojan]

Nice screen name haha

[Cal]

Originally Posted by pwong888

Did you have sport package on your E46? I used to own a E46 with sport package, then i change to C32 AMG, not compare with the speed, E46 gave me the best feeling of driving.
I think the loaner E90 don't have sport package thats why you don't like it.

+1. Loaner e90s are usually stripper cars without ZSP. An apples to apples comparison would be an e90 and e46, both with sport packages. The e90 is an extremely capable car despite of what people may say about "feel". It has a much better front and rear suspension, while the e46 has practically the same rear suspension as the e36, and slightly tweaked e36 front suspension. Swapping the RFT out of the e90 and putting real max performance summer tires (like the e46 has) and it will have a much better road "feel" experience.

[GreenMonster]

Originally Posted by dna550

I guess I have bought some time. Time for BMW to deliver a 1 Coupe that has been tuned to run on high performance, non run-flat tires.

Now I know that before I leave my E46 behind that BMW will have to make a car for me that communicates like the E46 they built to my specifications.

Yeah, it sucks that the 1-series is going to come with run-flat tires... It's too bad that BMW puts "regular" performance tires on only the M cars... Even BMW knows that runflats shouldn't be on a "performance" vehicle :biggrin:

Some people will sell the runflats and put some decent tires on their 1-series when they are still new, but then there is the issue of not having anywhere to put a spare tire (unless you want to lose more trunk *******.

[e34m5]

I have an E46 with lots of mods. And yes it's a great car. But the advancments in the 1 series are worth while.

No way you can compare 10 year old technology to today's state of the art.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

Some people will sell the runflats and put some decent tires on their 1-series when they are still new, but then there is the issue of not having anywhere to put a spare tire (unless you want to lose more trunk *******.

Wouldn't say it's an issue - just get the same BMW mobility kit that the M's come with. That's what I did w/ the MINI and what a world of difference the tires made
:thumbup:

[bigmoneygrip]

I have to disagree with thread starter, I have both a e46 w/ sport as well as a e90 and to me the e90 is a much better all around ride. Its stiff, hangs corners just as well as my old e46 and it rides better on regular roads. i feel overall its more responsive and i love the all around feel of the drive better than my e46. Just my .02

[SlickShift]

OP - I know how you feel about your E46. It's just so pure, yet sophisticated at the same time. I'm just afraid that if I get a new Bimmer next year it'll never live up to my expectations. I've driven 5,000+ miles in a 530i and it doesn't even feel like a BMW. I even had the opportunity to drive an M5 and other than the insane power I was disappointed. New BMWs just seem to lack character.

[dna550]

Didn't I just read that there are weights behind the rear bumper cover to give the 1'er a 50/50 weight distribution?

So, like the E46 ;-) why not get rid of these weights inside the bumper cover, move the battery over and install a spare tire under the trunk floor?

Then, when you ditch the run flats and install a spare tire you get the 50/50 weight distribution and have a spare?

Or, make sure you have a can of tire repair goop, an air pump and good roadside assistance and a working satellite telephone.

BTW, I do like the e90 and think it is a great car. :respekt:

I know my experience with the e46 is probably a typical. I have never had a car where I replaced all of the suspension bushings. Doing so creates this déjà vu experience. It dramatically changes the drive and makes the car feel brand new.

Honestly, I can't believe I bothered approving this work except I felt like I owed it to the car because it had treated me so well.

The return, however, is mind blowing. The handling sparkles and puts a smile on my face.

[stefan]

You might consider me a purist.. I have put my heart and soul into my E36 (much more money than your current repairs) to keep it running in top condition. Engine has been rebuilt, FK suspension, etc. The list goes on. The point I'm trying to make is that I relate to you.. completely. The E90 doesn't do it for me. It's not visceral, evocative. I'm a big fan of the Msport 330Ci as well... very similar, raw sort of feeling.

I have high hopes for the 1 with Msport suspension. But it's all going to come down to how it makes me feel.. It's why my deal was signed off as "Subject to test drive". I'll get back to you on my opinions.. and believe me my expectations and standards are high.

EDIT: Totally agree with your runflat comment.. they might be a significant factor.