[aem]

I'd buy it for it's name, class and comfort. Nothing else.

[Nikki]

I bought it because it is the best balance of performance and luxury. Fast enough to exhilerate me and luxury enough for me to feel comfortable when I'm taking those tight corners. Let's not forget that BMWs are always going to be better in the turns compared to cars like mustangs and camaros, and IMO they will always be more fun to drive.

[DLJJ3399]

The only time you attack something is if you feel you need to defend something. But in actuallity you're attacking yourself.

The 3er is defenseless and needs no defending by any means.

What's heel, toe?

[timzerofive]

Originally Posted by Nikki

I bought it because it is the best balance of performance and luxury. Fast enough to exhilerate me and luxury enough for me to feel comfortable when I'm taking those tight corners. Let's not forget that BMWs are always going to be better in the turns compared to cars like mustangs and camaros, and IMO they will always be more fun to drive.

Actually, Cobras are tuned pretty well for the twisties also.

[Squawks]

Also, 'vettes are over 400 lbs lighter than the 3 series.

[Snowman811]

Anybody know what a Star-Diagram is? For those that don't, imagine a multi-pronged star (with anywhere from 3 to 10 'fingers'). Each finger radiates from a central point out along a graduated line. Along this line are tick marks for measurement, like "0" being the center and "10" being the very tip of each finger.

Now each finger can be used to quantify measurements for different catagories, like 0-60 Acceleration, 60-0 braking distance, lateral skidpad, etc. Even more subjective or opinionated things like 'overall feel' or 'fun to drive' can be given a numeric value and placed on the chart/diagram when surveyed over many people (eg: 'what's your favorite car color' posts, where each color gets a measured percentage of the vote).

Once you decide each star-finger value and incorporate the different measurments on the chart/diagram, if you draw to 'connect the dots' around the circumference (point-to-point), you'll get a total area wrapped up inside this area. This total area can then be calculated to give a relative overall value to your selection criteria.

Typically used when doing side-by-side comparison tests on windsurf boards, cars, etc.

The Ultimate Driving Machine typically scores higher than comparable auto's within the same price range. SO! This is now a long winded post to say what's already been said, "I bought my 330i because it represents a total package."

Cheers

[donger274]

supercharger for 1500 i wish

[DLJJ3399]

Originally Posted by Snowman811

Anybody know what a Star-Diagram is? For those that don't, imagine a multi-pronged star (with anywhere from 3 to 10 'fingers'). Each finger radiates from a central point out along a graduated line. Along this line are tick marks for measurement, like "0" being the center and "10" being the very tip of each finger.

Now each finger can be used to quantify measurements for different catagories, like 0-60 Acceleration, 60-0 braking distance, lateral skidpad, etc. Even more subjective or opinionated things like 'overall feel' or 'fun to drive' can be given a numeric value and placed on the chart/diagram when surveyed over many people (eg: 'what's your favorite car color' posts, where each color gets a measured percentage of the vote).

Once you decide each star-finger value and incorporate the different measurments on the chart/diagram, if you draw to 'connect the dots' around the circumference (point-to-point), you'll get a total area wrapped up inside this area. This total area can then be calculated to give a relative overall value to your selection criteria.

Typically used when doing side-by-side comparison tests on windsurf boards, cars, etc.

The Ultimate Driving Machine typically scores higher than comparable auto's within the same price range. SO! This is now a long winded post to say what's already been said, "I bought my 330i because it represents a total package."

Cheers

Well said Snowman!

Now that you've educated us on the Star diagram is...

What's heel / toe????

[bavarian19]

My reasons:

1 - The handling is amazing. If GM built a halfway decent handling car, I would have bought it.

2 - A few luxury items. Heated seats, xenons, bluetooth...

3 - Availability of a manual transmission.

4 - Decent pickup. Certailny not the fastest on the road, but certainly good enough for me. It helps that I drove a slow pig of an SUV previously...

[timzerofive]

Heel/toe is a technique used to maintain a high level or RPM and also a smoother transition when deccelerating. People have different ways of incorporating it, but the basics of it is this...
You are traveling at a high rate of speed, you are approaching a turn and needs to slow down. You step on the brakes, and also depresses the clutch to downshift to a lower gear. With your toes you hold down the brake to continue your decceleration, while pivoting your heel back to the throttle to "blip" it. You give the throttle enough of a bleep so the RPM stays up high, which allows you to engage to a lower gear more smoothly, and also keep the rpm high without bogging down your engine.

When driving, smoothness is the key, and speed is a by-product of smooth driving. So knowing how to drive smoothly (in this case, make a smooth turn/downshift) will eventually enable you to go faster. --- I found this image and link with very good detail info.
Link Link Link

[shimshimhada]

Duh, it's not purely for the power. OMG, bella had an epiphany!

[BMW0]

330i is the most powerful car I’ve ever owned and it conveniently comes with a legendary moniker (BMW). The 316i had beautiful handling and I was so impressed with the overall feel that I knew I had to buy the upcoming 3 in its most powerful form(330i).

The only cars that come close in power were my '94 300ZX with 222HP and '93 Pulsar GTi-R with 230HP a red one and a black one and '03 C230 Kompressor with 189HP; and these cars lack the Handling, Structure, and Weight Distribution of a BMW 3 series.

So when I test drove the 325i I was in for a treat for legendary BMW handling and performance. I knew I would be most impressed and happy with the 330i.

So to conclude this, I feel that the 330i is faster than any other car i've ever owned.

[E90-4life]

BMW's are a study in agility and the best packaging possible from an engineering stand point. There is something for everyone but far from being cars that are for "everyone". I know of many people who really don't like the amount of intamacy one encounters from behind the wheel of a BMW, they say it's too "rough". Just the same, that's what BMW's are all about, giving the greatest sensation and the most raw and efficent performance form the engine and all other parts of the car coming to work together to form one very cohesive unit. I have never looked at BMW's as "luxury cars" but more so "sporting" cars. Luxury is just a small trivial matter in the big picture, IMO. If you want luxury go buy a Benz, leather is just apart of the package w/ a BMW. BMW is about a passion for engineering excellence and being at the forefront in design concepts and a unique driving experience.

[DLJJ3399]

Originally Posted by timzerofive

Heel/toe is a technique used to maintain a high level or RPM and also a smoother transition when deccelerating. People have different ways of incorporating it, but the basics of it is this...
You are traveling at a high rate of speed, you are approaching a turn and needs to slow down. You step on the brakes, and also depresses the clutch to downshift to a lower gear. With your toes you hold down the brake to continue your decceleration, while pivoting your heel back to the throttle to "blip" it. You give the throttle enough of a bleep so the RPM stays up high, which allows you to engage to a lower gear more smoothly, and also keep the rpm high without bogging down your engine.

When driving, smoothness is the key, and speed is a by-product of smooth driving. So knowing how to drive smoothly (in this case, make a smooth turn/downshift) will eventually enable you to go faster. --- I found this image and link with very good detail info.
Link Link Link

WOW, thanks for the 411 timzerofive. That's great to know. In the past I would break, clutch rev and then shift. I'll have to try this in the future. Sounds fun.

Is it very hard to learn? Thanks again for the info.

[NaTuReB0Y]

I should've bought a Chrysler 300C SRT-8........now that's power!

[BMW0]

Originally Posted by E90-4life

BMW's are a study in agility and the best packaging possible from an engineering stand point. There is something for everyone but far from being cars that are for "everyone". I know of many people who really don't like the amount of intamacy one encounters from behind the wheel of a BMW, they say it's too "rough". Just the same, that's what BMW's are all about, giving the greatest sensation and the most raw and efficent performance form the engine and all other parts of the car coming to work together to form one very cohesive unit. I have never looked at BMW's as "luxury cars" but more so "sporting" cars. Luxury is just a small trivial matter in the big picture, IMO. If you want luxury go buy a Benz, leather is just apart of the package w/ a BMW. BMW is about a passion for engineering excellence and being at the forefront in design concepts and a unique driving experience.

I couldn't of said it better, I have to agree with E90-4 life.

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by Squawks

Also, 'vettes are over 400 lbs lighter than the 3 series.

should be much less considering it's only got 2 seats let alone it's not a sedan. a bmw has practical performance and i think they are more fun to drive than any other sedan i've ever driven and more luxurious also.

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by DLJJ3399

WOW, thanks for the 411 timzerofive. That's great to know. In the past I would break, clutch rev and then shift. I'll have to try this in the future. Sounds fun.

Is it very hard to learn? Thanks again for the info.

It's not hard, if you're fearless. I still overrev sometimes when I heel-toe, but atleast I don't underrev and bog the engine.

[ksfrogman]

Back to the point, it's fun to mod a car you like, even if it isn't the fastest
straight line car on the street.

Many other "cheaper" cars are quicker and faster, but yours will be the first out when you ask the valet for your car. As its owner, you know the e90 will put a smile on your face faster too.

[Snowman811]

BMW - its not "The best car money can buy". its not "A really good car most people like to drive". its not "The highest performance sports car on the market". Its not "The Ultimate driving Car".

It IS the Ultimate Driving Machine. Period.

Next question?

[timzerofive]

One thing I noticed on the E90, when you over-rev during heel/toe, the engine's strong enough that it actually lurches you forward a lot. Perhaps all the cars I've had before were under-powered, but this is new to me.

[geeslice]

I got mine for a variety of reasons.

1.) I have an Audi and call me a snob or whatever you want but there is no back tracking to Honda Accord or whatever...
2.) I love the look of it.
3.) It came in colors I liked (as opposited to the drab colors of Lex/Acura)
4.) The Maintinence is covered.
5.) Above average saftey
6.) Got a great deal/Price

Do I second guess myself? Of course. But ultimatley I feel like I made the best most sensible choice for what I wanted.