is it wrong i prefer an e90 318d to my e36 323i coupe?

[wildman0609]

my 323 is in the body shop getting its door replaced and they lent me 2000mile old e90 318d msport.

having never driven a diesel before i was skeptical, but the engine was good (not as good as the 6cyl in my 323) but the chassis was amazing on the country lanes, the car felt much more planted than the e36. with the traction control off you could feel the back end starting to lose traction, it didn't snap it was very progressive.

and on motor ways i was getting amazing mpg figures (compared to the e36).

i now want an e90 diesel. because it's an msport does that improve the handling or is msport just an interior spec with nice wheels? do all e90's feel as good or does having a heavier 6cyl ruin it?

[gizlaroc]

My favourite non M E90 is the 4 pot 320si that they did, nice and light, good mpg and so much fun.

Try and find a 320d, same engine and MPG but can be tuned to around 215bhp. ===

[wildman0609]

i like the idea of the 320si, i believe it was for homologation, so i assume they hold there value like all homologation cars

i'm only 21 i dont think i should convert to diesel just yet. i may just spend my money and build a race 6 cyl for the e36. i kinda think at my age and being an engineer i should build something totally impractical for road use.

[dibbly_dobbler]

Just as well they didn't loan you a 330i e90 - they really are good

[obscene]

The only thing E90's have going for them are the engines in my opinion. Absolutely sublime. Outstanding performance from them, especially the lowest models and get great MPG. It's a good thing they don't look good, otherwise I'd want one

[wildman0609]

i don't agree. i think the e90's are much better looking than the e46's, and i reckon the coupe is a properly good looking car i think the current 3 series is the best looking BMW at the moment a part from maybe the 1 series coupe. i found the chassis was one which encouraged me to push harder which i enjoyed a lot.

i dont have a huge amount to compare this with as i haven't driven much variety of cars but i do race and i can tell a well set up car from a bad one.

[richterswil]

[quote=wildman0609]i don't agree. i think the e90's are much better looking than the e46's, /quote]

Easy now - you really think that? Looks are obviously completely subjective but for my money my old E46 looked a lot better than our current E90.

Agree on the powerplant though - our 320d is fantastic - good performance with great economy and it handles really well. Top car which could have been great if it looked a bit better.

[Dino D]

How is the suspension on you old e36? Maybe it is because it (the e36) is old and tired that the the e90 feels so much better?

[wildman0609]

i agree suspension could be nackered. it has new dampers all round but maybe the bushes need looking at. the previous owner has put lowering springs on it which probably also make it not quite as good as a standard e36. so maybe a set of standard springs wouldn't go a miss either.