after seeing a few e90s in Indy ... a few thoughts

[330indy]

after seeing a few e90s in Indy ... a few thoughts:
I don't want to come off as harsh. These thoughts are not meant to 'bash' but more to reveal some of the raw feelings rather than carefully craft a 'case'.
I am more trusting of initial thoughts (of mine at least) so here goes....

I have given this a bit of time and I have really hoped it would grow on me, but I have to say.... this new car looks a bit, ummm, clumsy? Hard to find one word for it... the lines of the car look overdone, not as 'natural' as the e36 and e46. I have heard 'muscular' but if that is it then a body builder on 'roids, because it isn't naturally attractive. The car seems to borrow from other makes rather than having a distinctly Bimmer style, especially the tail. As the car comes at me, the lights tell that it is a Bangler with the most hints at the 5. But it is not so obvious from a distance that this is a BMW.

I first saw it on the road in Hamburg, and a black one looked horrible with smallish stock wheels. I could not believe how lame it looked. The wheels hurt the overall look of the car.
Here over the weekend I saw a red one coming right at me, and the color caught my eye more than it being a bimmer. Actually not until it passed did I say to my wife... "hey the new 3". She usually picks out cars well, but she did not even notice it.

I hope facelifts give it some help but no fiber in me aspires to own one. This was not the case with the e46. I thought it was smart looking very soon after it was released.
I am sure the e90 drives nice but that is not the only factor for me.
Even the 5 looks better to me. How sick is that? ;) But that front on the 5 needs a facelift first before I would consider.
Oh well, that's it for now.

[Cobra]

i agree with you, i have seen a plenty on the road already. i'm not so sure the e90 will grow on me, at all. the e46 didn't have to grow on me, it was love at first sight http://forum.e46fanatics.com/images/smilies/drool.gif

[Silverzhp]

after seeing a few e90s in Indy ... a few thoughts:
I don't want to come off as harsh. These thoughts are not meant to 'bash' but more to reveal some of the raw feelings rather than carefully craft a 'case'.
I am more trusting of initial thoughts (of mine at least) so here goes....


I first saw it on the road in Hamburg, and a black one looked horrible with smallish stock wheels. I could not believe how lame it looked. The wheels hurt the overall look of the car.
Here over the weekend I saw a red one coming right at me, and the color caught my eye more than it being a bimmer. Actually not until it passed did I say to my wife... "hey the new 3". She usually picks out cars well, but she did not even notice it.

I hope facelifts give it some help but no fiber in me aspires to own one. This was not the case with the e46. I thought it was smart looking very soon after it was released.
I am sure the e90 drives nice but that is not the only factor for me.
Even the 5 looks better to me. How sick is that? ;) But that front on the 5 needs a facelift first before I would consider.
Oh well, that's it for now.


Agree totally- the E90 is two things: color and wheel dependant- it looks better in some colors than others (darker to me) and needs at least 18" wheels to look "muscular" but I still hate the interior more- the E46 to me looked good from day one and looks even better now!

[OneTime]

Eventually we will all have to buy new cars...hopefully by then they will have made some major changes. I'm hoping for an M3 in my future. :)

[greenohawk69]

The E90 has grown on me a little. Saw a silver 325i that looked decent...except for, the rear, it needs to be cut off.

[stock330ci]

The new 3 is simply not what I would consider a "worthy successor" to e46. The front to me looks too much like a Pontiac and somewhat generic. The e90 might carry the design traits of previous generation 3-series, but the car does not look as good as they did. Perhaps I would be a lot less subjective if I did not own an e46.

Do any of you like the new advertisement campaign!? I find it rather dumb and pointless. One... two... meet the new BMW 3. It doesnt really say much about the car other than the fact that 'hey, we got a new 3'

I'm sure It'll grow on me more as time passes. And eventually, I'll probably buy the new 3. But it isnt going to be any time soon.

[BlueDragon]

:rolleyes:

[Qshio3000]

The new 3 is simply not what I would consider a "worthy successor" to e46. The front to me looks too much like a Pontiac and somewhat generic.

Some snippage has taken place

I'm sure It'll grow on me more as time passes. And eventually, I'll probably buy the new 3. But it isnt going to be any time soon.

It looks like a constipated duck (you may quote me --)). It doesn't even look like a good Pontiac.It doesn't make my intestines churn like the Bangled 5, 7, and esp the Z4 (which reminds me of the worms in Dune more than anything), but it's less than aesthetically pleasing after the E46, E36 and E30, all of which I think are striking designs. I've driven them all, plus a 2002ti or two,and owned the first two (46 and 36), but I'm at the end of the road.

If I had some spare cash, I'd think about the current M3 CP, but then a 997 isn't all that much more and looks better, IMHO. If I had to have four seats, a Benz CLS or an Audi SR6 wouldn't be two shabby, nor would a C55 or an S4.

I don't expect to look at a new Bimmer of any kind before about 2010, when the next cycle is in full swing. Even then, BMW's arrogance in foisting this sort of neoBauHaus styling bizarreness on the world will still put me off.

BTW, I love my ride except for a couple of minor gearbox/clutch issues, and I think it looks abfab in AW. Closing style vents, Cap'n.

[audiophilia]

I saw my first one on the road last week here in Toronto. Looks 'so-so', no more. The only consolation is that I did not like the 5 when it was debuted, now I lust after the thing...

[JRobUSC]

Do any of you like the new advertisement campaign!? I find it rather dumb and pointless. One... two... meet the new BMW 3. It doesnt really say much about the car other than the fact that 'hey, we got a new 3'

uh, I think that's the point. "We have a new 3", as in "everyone already knew about the 3-series and how great it was, now we have a new one".

[325 & 55]

Well, when I saw my first "E46" turn in to the driveway (while sipping on a cup of Starbucks brew), I jumped up and had to see what it was. Damnnnnn, that's awesome and soon I'll have to get one for myself. Several months later, my wish became a reality. :woot:

I don't have this same excitement after seeing the E90; when it passes it just reminds too much of what's available in other makes and models. :thumbdwn: No :str8pimpi facto IMO.

[Unveiled]

People hated the E46 in the beginning too. It's just the nature of transition. The E90 looks okay in some colors, and really nice in other colors. I do agree that wheels make the difference, but the same applies to the E46 IMHO. Some E46's look "blah" to me, while others are downright sharp. What applies to the E90 applies to the E46 IMHO.

[h_curtis]

People hated the E46 in the beginning too.

People keep saying this, but it is false. If you actually read peoples posts, you will see the e46 WAS well received, and the e90 does very little for most. I want to like the e90, but I really don't think it is as good looking as the e46. Just too plan and doesn't have a BMW look. Looks like a lot of cars on the road. Oh well. Maybe it will look better if they give it a face lift and do something with the rear.

I do get a kick out of people trying to tell everyone that people hated the e46 when it came out though, to try and tell everyone that the e90 is the same deal. I don't think so and if you read posts about this, I am not alone.

Curt

[bimmaman///]

the e46 looks like the e36 on the steriods or blown up to roundness. the e90 looks like it was bred with a toyota corolla...... :idea: damn mutt

[05ImolaZHP]

People keep saying this, but it is false. If you actually read peoples posts, you will see the e46 WAS well received, and the e90 does very little for most. I want to like the e90, but I really don't think it is as good looking as the e46. Just too plan and doesn't have a BMW look. Looks like a lot of cars on the road. Oh well. Maybe it will look better if they give it a face lift and do something with the rear.

I do get a kick out of people trying to tell everyone that people hated the e46 when it came out though, to try and tell everyone that the e90 is the same deal. I don't think so and if you read posts about this, I am not alone.

Curt
Yeah,
prior to purchasing my current 05 ZHP I also had the option of purchasing the new E90. I chose the E46. Just can't get past the plumped up look of the E90. Does not stir any emotion within me as the E46 does. Hopefully like others have previously mentioned, when it comes time to replace my current car, BMW will have made some design changes for the better on the E90. Till then, I'm staying with my (still) emotion stirring E46

[ArjunGFX]

I think that the E90 looks like a nice car... but it doesn't look like a BMW. For what it is, it looks nice.... but it looks different from what I want a BMW to look like.

All the Bangle cars seem to have this effect that it "will grow on you" and I admit that it can be true, some of the cars start hideous but eventually sink in as cool. But I don't like that... I want to see a car and fall in love, like I have with every 3 series until this car, and virtually every BMW until Bangle started designing.

The East Asians and Americans have somehow started to turn out beautiful designs... I never would have thought I would no longer want a German car... but all my mind focuses on these days are... WRX... 300C.... G35.... Tiburon... lol

[joe_323]

I am seeing the E90s now and they look like the front was vandalized by Lexus and the middle was designed by someone who never met with the designer of the rear. It looks worse, IMHO, than the E30, E36, or E46. I have to go drive one at the dealership and see what I think of the interior and engine.

[SST]

after seeing a few e90s in Indy ... a few thoughts:
I don't want to come off as harsh. These thoughts are not meant to 'bash' but more to reveal some of the raw feelings rather than carefully craft a 'case'.
I am more trusting of initial thoughts (of mine at least) so here goes....

I have given this a bit of time and I have really hoped it would grow on me, but I have to say.... this new car looks a bit, ummm, clumsy? Hard to find one word for it... the lines of the car look overdone, not as 'natural' as the e36 and e46. I have heard 'muscular' but if that is it then a body builder on 'roids, because it isn't naturally attractive. The car seems to borrow from other makes rather than having a distinctly Bimmer style, especially the tail. As the car comes at me, the lights tell that it is a Bangler with the most hints at the 5. But it is not so obvious from a distance that this is a BMW.

I first saw it on the road in Hamburg, and a black one looked horrible with smallish stock wheels. I could not believe how lame it looked. The wheels hurt the overall look of the car.
Here over the weekend I saw a red one coming right at me, and the color caught my eye more than it being a bimmer. Actually not until it passed did I say to my wife... "hey the new 3". She usually picks out cars well, but she did not even notice it.

I hope facelifts give it some help but no fiber in me aspires to own one. This was not the case with the e46. I thought it was smart looking very soon after it was released.
I am sure the e90 drives nice but that is not the only factor for me.
Even the 5 looks better to me. How sick is that? ;) But that front on the 5 needs a facelift first before I would consider.
Oh well, that's it for now.

This is one of the few reasonable commentarys explaining some negatives about the E90, rather than the "it just looks stupid and I'll never one" type comments.

I agree with you on the "clumsy" issue. I like the new E90.
In person many of the lines work, but yes, there are some aspects to the "flow" that don't seem to resolve very well. The line that runs along the top of the hood for example. It goes nowhere and relates to nothing.
The E46 works because it's more simple, elegant in it's lines. The theme opens and resolves front to back. The E90 lacks a harmony as you approach the rear. It's as if there is this nice piece of music played by Pink Floyd, it's a bit odd but cool, then all of a sudden someone started playing the
White Stripes along with it. Some of the external styling themes clash.

Overall though I find the E90 to be pretty nice, and a car I would own.
The driving dynamics are there and visceral aspects of the 3 series family are intact, while many areas of these aspects are amplified making the new
E90 a worthy succesor to the thorn. Physical appearance took a small hit as it lacks some cohesiveness. But, overall the car is saved by that which made the 3 series an automotive icon, it's driving dynamics and performance.

I tend to judge the driving attributes more than the physical appearance. I don't want to misguide, the way a car looks is very important to me as well as many others. But, I find the new 3 to be pleasant enough in appearance. It's not perfect. It has some quirks that didn't need to be there. Yet, taken as a whole this new 3 is an excellent new 3. If it were as ugly as a Taurus, then even a 400hp engine wouldn't make it appeal to me.
If it were as tame and boring of line as a Camry even a supercharged 500hp,
track suspensioned version wouldn't appeal to me.

I do think that certain odd aspects of the new styling are exaggerated by many E46 lovers. That's ok, we are all entitled to our likes and dislikes.
I just don't think that many assessments are realistic. This car is not that ugly. It's very modern, more so than the 5 in my view. It works better than the 5, especially in the rear, even though neither is perfect in that regard.
Also, the E90 is lacking in nice wheels which has always been a big part of the BMW styling recipe. The 330i sport wheels are the only wheels I would even accept as "nicely" styled. There is an optional set of 19" which are appealing as well. But, the rest of the OEM/standard wheels are dull, boring, un-BMW and it doesn't add to the E90 but takes something away.

Still, this IS the new 3 series. It is the evolution of the line. Under the skin this car is all BMW and in being "new" it gives even more of what we loved
in the E46. It seems the exterior has taken away realistic discourse about what truely makes a BMW a BMW. I too wish the changes were a bit more subtle but that didn't happen. Hopefully, some "facelifts" can fix a few of those things. But, everyone has judged this book by it's cover and in that regard they are missing something truely beautiful about this new 3 series.
Drive it. It rocks!

TT

[bimmaboy23]

This is one of the few reasonable commentarys explaining some negatives about the E90, rather than the "it just looks stupid and I'll never one" type comments.

I agree with you on the "clumsy" issue. I like the new E90.
In person many of the lines work, but yes, there are some aspects to the "flow" that don't seem to resolve very well. The line that runs along the top of the hood for example. It goes nowhere and relates to nothing.
The E46 works because it's more simple, elegant in it's lines. The theme opens and resolves front to back. The E90 lacks a harmony as you approach the rear. It's as if there is this nice piece of music played by Pink Floyd, it's a bit odd but cool, then all of a sudden someone started playing the
White Stripes along with it. Some of the external styling themes clash.

Overall though I find the E90 to be pretty nice, and a car I would own.
The driving dynamics are there and visceral aspects of the 3 series family are intact, while many areas of these aspects are amplified making the new
E90 a worthy succesor to the thorn. Physical appearance took a small hit as it lacks some cohesiveness. But, overall the car is saved by that which made the 3 series an automotive icon, it's driving dynamics and performance.

I tend to judge the driving attributes more than the physical appearance. I don't want to misguide, the way a car looks is very important to me as well as many others. But, I find the new 3 to be pleasant enough in appearance. It's not perfect. It has some quirks that didn't need to be there. Yet, taken as a whole this new 3 is an excellent new 3. If it were as ugly as a Taurus, then even a 400hp engine wouldn't make it appeal to me.
If it were as tame and boring of line as a Camry even a supercharged 500hp,
track suspensioned version wouldn't appeal to me.

I do think that certain odd aspects of the new styling are exaggerated by many E46 lovers. That's ok, we are all entitled to our likes and dislikes.
I just don't think that many assessments are realistic. This car is not that ugly. It's very modern, more so than the 5 in my view. It works better than the 5, especially in the rear, even though neither is perfect in that regard.
Also, the E90 is lacking in nice wheels which has always been a big part of the BMW styling recipe. The 330i sport wheels are the only wheels I would even accept as "nicely" styled. There is an optional set of 19" which are appealing as well. But, the rest of the OEM/standard wheels are dull, boring, un-BMW and it doesn't add to the E90 but takes something away.

Still, this IS the new 3 series. It is the evolution of the line. Under the skin this car is all BMW and in being "new" it gives even more of what we loved
in the E46. It seems the exterior has taken away realistic discourse about what truely makes a BMW a BMW. I too wish the changes were a bit more subtle but that didn't happen. Hopefully, some "facelifts" can fix a few of those things. But, everyone has judged this book by it's cover and in that regard they are missing something truely beautiful about this new 3 series.
Drive it. It rocks!

TT

I had an 03 IR ZHP that got totaled in an accident a month and a half ago...so i've been dying everyday since then, gradually....

in any case, i made my friend take me to the local stealership to check out this new "E90" in person a couple of weeks ago...when i first saw it, the front was not horrible...nothing like the e46 in my mind, but not a complete disaster...i think from the side (with nice wheels obviously as it is important on any car), the car looks sweet..it's the best angle i think...which is why bmw's advertisements seem to always focus on that look (in a sparkling graphite color that seems to look 10000 times better on tv and pictures than it does in person...i was not that impressed with the new color to be honest)...i won't even comment on the back of the car because it's just a complete disaster..

after gazing at the car for 10 mins or so, of course a rep has to come and tell me about the car blah blah...little did i know that he would insist i take a test drive (i told him i lost my baby recently so he wanted me to realize how much better this car was)...i complied

the first thing i will say about the e90 as in the previous post, is that the driving dynamics and bmw drive are all there....and MUCH better...when i first sat to drive it, i couldn't help but feel like it was similar to an e46 on steriords...bigger, heavier, stronger in body....it felt very rigid and stable....it was a six speed also, like my zhp, and the shifting was a pleasant surprise...much smoother to engage into gear and just soo nice to shift....clutch was very nice and smooth with ease engagement...the engine feels considerably more powerful, ready to rev, and there is definitely a lot more torque down low in the rpm range...we drove on a nice long road, so of course i dogged it out a lil to see what it could do...around the turns the car is just so solid...the new suspension design is most definitely noticeable, and the car feels much more stable and set to the ground than the e46 (i never thought i would say that, especially since i had a zhp)...i have not one complaint about the drive, engine, suspension, etc....the car is undeniably a 3 series at heart and without question has better speed, handling, and power than my e46....

now, aside from my disappointment with the the exterior looks, i will say that the underlying reason i might turn away from the e90 is the interior...although it is more comfortable in probably every way (more size, better seats, etc), there were things that i could not stand....the main console is very clean, straight-forward, and user-friendly with visible buttons...but, it looks SOO plain....i felt like i was in a ford or something...

one of the things i loved the most about my zhp was the interior...the dash sloping towards the driver was just so inviting and appealing to the eye...and i actually found myself a little confused with the more cluttered look of this e90 interior...less space between buttons, buttons on knobs? and they changed the window switches to the door....sure that is a personal preference, but, i kind of grew to love that on my bmw..and actually now, i think i almost prefer them around the shifter....just made it different from other cars....and the main console now doesn't have that upward direction of the e46's...it's like a flat panel in the e90 that just faces straight to the back...i really did not like it at all..

undeniably though, the e90 is an evolution of the e46's driving prowess and dynamic, but that's where it stops for me (the change in looks are more of a revolution from the e46)...even faced with having to get a new car, i've considered looking at SUVs because the new 3 is probably the only other ride i'd want (aside from an m3 which might be too $$), but i just dont know if i could get a car i wasn't sold on its looks......

as a person who's first car was a 1984 318i, i learned very early that bmws were the best cars because their performance, backed with slick and appealing style...now, i'd only give it one of those two votes...i've been struggling to decide if i could see myself in that car....and as much as i tell myself i would get an e90 for performance even if it's looks did not appease me, going from an e46 IR zhp to a e90 would be like going from jessica alba to katie holmes for me...exotic to generic...

damn i wish i still had my zhp :cry:

[SST]

as a person who's first car was a 1984 318i, i learned very early that bmws were the best cars because their performance, backed with slick and appealing style...now, i'd only give it one of those two votes...i've been struggling to decide if i could see myself in that car....and as much as i tell myself i would get an e90 for performance even if it's looks did not appease me, going from an e46 IR zhp to a e90 would be like going from jessica alba to katie holmes for me...exotic to generic...

damn i wish i still had my zhp :cry:

Hey, it's your choice. If you put more emphasis on looks than performance, that's acceptable. For me, it's the opposite. I've had nice looking cars that didn't perform very well and I sold them early.

BTW, I didn't car for BMW 3 series looks until the E46. I thought the 3 looked boxy back in the 80's, it also looked too light, thin. The
early-mid 90's 3's became a bit bigger but angular in a way that still didn't appeal to me.
The E46 brought it together. But, I liked it because it actually reminded me of the new mid 90's Audi A4. :) The A4's styling was an excellent looking sedan and may have influenced BMW in the creation of the E46.
Now I look at the E90 and the new A4 and I prefer the look of the A4. But, I know the performance will be better with the E90. Thus, I am swayed to the BMW. I will need to drive the new A4 with the 2.0 turbo though. I read that it also shares a new suspension with some S4 attributes. Interesting.

OH, and I just don't think the E90 is so hideous as to warrant looking at
an SUV. C'mon man! Please say it ain't so! :)

TT

[Alex]

Well, when I saw my first "E46" turn in to the driveway (while sipping on a cup of Starbucks brew), I jumped up and had to see what it was. Damnnnnn, that's awesome and soon I'll have to get one for myself. Several months later, my wish became a reality. :woot:

I don't have this same excitement after seeing the E90; when it passes it just reminds too much of what's available in other makes and models. :thumbdwn: No :str8pimpi facto IMO.
Screw it, I'm not gonna get technical and s<sp>hit, this is EXACTLY how I feel too. When I first saw an E46, I couldn't stop dreaming about the car and the same thing is definitely not happening here with the E90.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/images/smilies/plthumbsdown.gif

[mfstout]

One of the most intelligent expressions of the looks of the e90. Some great angles, some not so great. Well put!

sparky

[Silverzhp]

I saw my first one on the road last week here in Toronto. Looks 'so-so', no more. The only consolation is that I did not like the 5 when it was debuted, now I lust after the thing...


My upgrade from the E46 will be an E60- I hated it at first and now I think it is way cool- especially with 18" wheels- I reall like that car- the E90 will just look OK after a while- and it makes my ZHP look even better

[Silverzhp]

I saw my first one on the road last week here in Toronto. Looks 'so-so', no more. The only consolation is that I did not like the 5 when it was debuted, now I lust after the thing...


My upgrade from the E46 will be an E60- I hated it at first and now I think it is way cool- especially with 18" wheels- I reall like that car- the E90 will just look OK after a while- and it makes my ZHP look even better

[Qshio3000]

bimp

[Griptruk]

People hated the E46 in the beginning too.

I agree with h curtis.

i think yo are very incorrect. I never heard any negative comments about the e46 when it came out. If there were any, they were certainly the small minority.

the INSTANT i saw a picture of an E46 coupe I was completely smitten by it. It is an undeniably good looking, clean, well designed car. It took no time to get used to, and i didn't see it as a crime against the E36.

I still don't like the new 7, even with the small facelift, but the 5 has grown on me to the point that I really like the car a lot now. although the headlights are a bit out of control. If they did something with the taillights of the e90, ithink it would be fine, but that issue certainly needs to be addressed.


-Jer

[lig]

After seeing the E90 - I made a deal on an '04 S4.

The E46 never had to grow on me.

It was sweet from the beginning. :drool:

[audiophilia]

saw a sparkling graphite 330 at Starbux today...stared at it for quite a while from several different angles...just is not doing anything for me!!! argh...I want to like it, i'm praying for the coupe to be great....i'm worried...

I'll be getting a new car in 2007...just may have to be a 2006 M3.... :bawling: :)

[Beckham007]

E90 = ENasty!!! :thumbdwn:

[Noltonr]

:dunno: Does anybody know when the e90 coupe is comming out.

[SST]

After seeing the E90 - I made a deal on an '04 S4.

The E46 never had to grow on me.

It was sweet from the beginning. :drool:

'04 S4, SWEET!

I love that car. I actually think the A4 has the better looking exterior compared to the E46 and the inside of the A4 simply owns the E46 interior.
The S4 just takes everything up quite a few notches.
Nice choice!

BUT, the S4 is not really competition for an E46 or E90, especially in pricing.
The M3 is the S4's real competition.

TT

[SST]

For all the E90 haters,
I hope you find a "better looking" car to make you happy, because as far as real driving performance goes there really isn't anything that will beat the
E90 in it's price range.

I just don't understand those who would trade real driving performance for
looks. :hmm:
BMW is the "ultimate driving machine", note the "driving" part.
It's not the "ultimate beauty machine". The E46 isn't exactly the most beautiful car on the road. Actually, the E46 is quite sedate and simple in it's design. It's nice looking but many people think it's dull.
I was sold once I actually drove it.

TT

[101cm]

It will be very sexy when the release the M3/4 on that platform.
With a few upgrades (Bumper covers and rocker pannels) you/I will love it. Like it or not, it's here through 2010....

Think about that ..

[330indy]

...have to say, that I still don't like it. I am not drawn to it, like I was to the E46 after a year or two after its release.

[azzy989]

...have to say, that I still don't like it. I am not drawn to it, like I was to the E46 after a year or two after its release.

haha thread revival... i didn't like them at first but now i like them quite a bit...w/ the right mods they have a LOT of potential

[hosagod]

I totally agree with the you. The E90 is very unimpressive to me until it is modded. I have confused it on the road many times for other cars and vice versa. It has just lost it's "BMW-ness". There's just no pizzazz in it. I was never a full fan of BMWs until I saw my first E46...and it was love at first sight. Even the facelift coupe was just beautiful and blew me away.

It's hard to express my dissapoint with this design. It's honestly already looking dated to me. Even the E46 sedans still look attractive to me after so many years. Shouldn't a newer model (E90) "replace" it's predecessor in terms of looks? The E90 lasted 2 years at most in my eye.

Conclusion: Need a serious facelift or some sort of freshening up.

[hosagod]

I totally agree with the you. The E90 is very unimpressive to me until it is modded. I have confused it on the road many times for other cars and vice versa. It has just lost it's "BMW-ness". There's just no pizzazz in it. I was never a full fan of BMWs until I saw my first E46...and it was love at first sight. Even the facelift coupe was just beautiful and blew me away.

It's hard to express my dissapointment with this design. It's honestly already looking dated to me. Even the E46 sedans still look attractive to me after so many years. Shouldn't a newer model (E90) "replace" it's predecessor in terms of looks? The E90 lasted 2 years at most in my eye.

Conclusion: Needs a serious facelift or some sort of freshening up.