E90 launch at Longcross

[peppernick]

Busy weekend for 3-series enthusiasts....the E90 launch across London. Instead of the rather bland Hendon ceremony, I chose to attend this rather 'bling' event organized by Park Lane BMW at the Longcross test track ;)

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Cocktail and bites, and a very smart Titanium Silver 325i :cool:

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But the main attraction of the event was the 'trash test'....a variety of BMWs from entry level to the all singing and dancing E60 535D Sport, X5 4.4i and 645ci.

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They had a selection of E90s there but unfortunately, all with rather bland engines. 320D, 320i and a 325i steptronic. Where's the 330i 6-speed? :)

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After spending 3 years behind the dash of an E46, the E90 offered a fresh start from the driver's seat. First impression was although lots of plastic, everything is pretty well built. No squeak or rattle ;) Steering wheel is bulky but nice to grip. E46 Sport steering wheel still the best. I-Drive, although fiddly, is state of art. Love those graphic displays. The model I drove was an SE. Ride as expected is very supple but body roll at 90MPH on a sweeper is stomach churning. Drives very much like the E46 (honest!) but the so called revised 2.5L 215BHP power unit is lame with a capital 'L' mated with the steptronic box :( . Didn't even bother going out of sport mode. Kickdown was accurate but no big deal. Didn't bother with the 320i or 320D. To sum it all up, a smooth, refined excecutive saloon that does the job.

Now, onto some 'proper' engines :D Just looking at the Silver Grey 535D Sport sends a chill down my spine. It's so ferocious looking!

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This thing hauls ass. The thrust between 1500 and 3000 RPM is very impressive, tyre chirping torque. Give you the sensation that you're driving nothing short of a rocketship......until the rev needle swings past 3500 RPM. What happened to all the pull??....it's like Coke without the fizzle. I realised I was in steptronic mode and still in 2nd. This car you really have to let the long gearings do their trick. Change gear at 3000RPM and you see the speedo race towards the 100MPH mark with little fuss. It's quiet for a diesel, ride is very good with excellent body roll control. Steering is sharp and precise for such a big car. I really can't see the fuss about sport suspension trashing the ride quality. This 535D was fitted with standard tyres and it's handling is as good as I've experience. However, the fun lies between a very narrow rev band. If you're happy with lazy cruising and the occasional impromptu overtaking, the 535D is very good. If you want more flexibility from an engine.....have a go at what I drove next ;)

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645ci... [cool pulls just as hard as the 535D but feels a lot more urgent. This time you can redline the engine in each gear and it's fun ALL the way; when the gearbox is ready to select another gear, the fun starts all over again. Sounds a lot more purposeful than the diesel too. The car is unquestionably ugly, rear seats a complete joke and doesn't drive as well as the E60 Sport. Too lardy.

Then came the offroad experience :D :D

'Would you like to try the X3 sir?'......stuff the X3 I want that X5 4.4 :cool:

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A brand new Estoril Blue X5 4.4iS with Individual Champange interior. 200 miles on the clock.....nicely run in ;) Slammed it through puddles, pot holes, swamps, branches and twigs brushing against the sides of that shiny paintwork....that's the way to drive a 4X4, not doing school runs :rolleyes: I can't bring myself to take a pic of the X5 after I got out of the driver's seat, the 'lesser' X3 2.5i in front of us gives you an idea :o ....X5 was worse :eek:

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It was a great day out. The Longcross track is really sweet but at the end of the day, I have the widest smile on my face when I walk towards this machine knowing that I'll have a better drive home, even after testing some of BMW's finest machines ;)

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Thanks to Durgesh for the invitation [cool [cool

[Ali]

A great write up Nick... What a great day at Longcross, I had a great time too...

Its a shame, I've now realised that my e46 is completely out of date... the e90 is a cracking car, and to be honest a very worthy improvement over the current e46. I'm sure it will do great, and that it's slightly controversial looks will soon be adopted by many.

The day at Longcross was meant to sell the e90. But to be honest, the event only confirmed something for me. The Z4 3.0 is the next car for me but I think that i'll be waiting until the end of the year for the newer 3.0 valvetronic to be added to the "facelifted" range...

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Afif]

wow sweet write up :D I dont usually read long post and rather skim through them but the pictures were perfectly placed :p. I would have loved to go to one of these but dont see them letting me drive one of their machines. Think i need to start blagging my way into the right circles ;).

As for the vid man i sent you a pm :D. Need to get this up and hosted ;).

[Mits]

Im still not convinced by the E90 :(
Some body and wheel modification may improve the looks from the exterior but that dash is [thumbsdow
Wheres the traditional wrap-around dash.

Hope the E90 M3 is a big improvement or i'll be keeping my car longer or just be getting another E46.

I went to a dealer yesterday and there were three people there and only one looking at the new 3, what does that say [hmm

[Stock323iSaloon]

Nice pics Nick:)
I'd like to see some pics of a E90 coupe if anyone has any? I'm not feelin' the pointy rear tail lights but I really like the aggressive front bumper [cool After my current saloon, I've always promised myself I'd buy a coupe so fingers crossed that the E90 coupe will be much better looking that the e46:)

[Shuriken]

Nice write up nick, I have to say, out of all the new designs I actually quite like the new 3 front, although I'm not sure about the rear lights. As for the new 5, however much I try to like it I just can't got on with the headlights and the "wing" bit which curls round the side, I think it looks awful. Anyway, looks like a had a cracking time. :)

Shuriken.

[444bhp Ray]

Nice pics Nick,dont think i'll be liking the inside of the new M3 when it comes out,i dont like the inside of the standard new 3 E90. :(. But i do like the 6series :)

[CA Automotive UK]

its like someone took a nice E46 shape and shoved it thro a kids kaleidoscope .....butt ugly from all angles IMO ....I have a feeling Audi and Merc are going to see some increased sales figs next year.....