BMW product timeline with key changes

I spent all last week driving the IS350 back to back with the new 330i.

Not that any of you guys really care but here's my opinion.

The new 3 is utterly fantastic but it has some major downsides to it.

I am a current E46 330i M-package driver and I wouldnt trade my car for the new one just yet.

I hate to agree with 001 but some points he makes are true.

1) The interior looks nice, but dont touch anything. The roof lining is laughably cheap. It feels like you could punch a hole through it. Feel an E46 headliner....Smooth and Solid.

2) The center console, armrest, cupholders, seat belts, dash vents, rear console, climate controls, sun visors are all much cheaper than the E46. Nitpicking yes, but we touch these items all the time.

3)The sports seats are a little too small for me. I'm not a big guy in any way, but they fit a little too snug for my taste. Even with Lumbar/Air bladders totally depressed. The butt cushion is really freakin small. Is this a nod to the ladies?

4)Why did BMW send this car over here with Amber blinker lights. I miss the clear lights like my E46.

5)BMW needs to get better/more materials. Why no carbon fiber/black wood/graphite aluminum. Boths woods are ugly and the whole Aluminum trim is getting a little sour.

6)Love the exterior look but HATE the chrome lipstick grille. GAUDY. Make it like the 5 series.

Now the perks.

1)Drives like a CHAMP. Handles like its on rails. SMOOTH, FAST, AGILE, SOLID. The best driving car. Period. Nothing comes close.

2)The stereo rocks, the steering wheels feels great, everything falls into your hands with ease.

3)The Terra leather with Aluminum looks pretty damn good.

4)More spacious, More Options, More Money.

The BMW I wanted to buy was $49,450. Everything except Active Cruise Control. The I-drive is simple if you take the time to master its system. I figured it out in seconds and it never bothered me in the slighest.

Basically, buy this car to drive like crazy. Its that good.

If Luxury is your thing, go buy an IS350.

This car is really nice. VERY QUIET, VERY QUICK, VERY SMOOTH.

But not fun to drive in the slightest.

I was bored after my second test drive.

All the Nav/Audio/Camera equipment is cool, but not mind blowing. Stills feels like a Toyota. Sorry but It does.

The handling is too soft, the steering sucks, and the brakes GRAB. You can push this car, but only in a straight line.

The Fit and Finish eats the BMW for lunch. However the leather trim will look bad very quickly as its not as high grade as the BMW's. And typical Toyota, the seat cushion is way way too short.

So in my opinion, the BMW is still the benchmark. It needs some things fixed to remain on top as long as the E46 did.

The upcoming M-package on the 330i will have a Black Alcantara roof like my current one. That should fix the roof. But BMW needs to rethink their whole interior design. A small step backwards in my opinion. DRIVING DYNAMICS are a HUGE step forward. This car feels VERY VERY good out on the roads. You really wear this car.

As this model progresses, hopefully they will address some of these flaws. I'm still WAY TOO IN LOVE with my current E46 to trade just yet. But I'd take the 330i over an IS350 anyday.

Sorry for blabbing, I just wanted to share my thoughts on the two.

Yall mustve typed it in Word first.

My BMW salesman told me the current M3 engine will spread across most BMW models.

The engine has been BMWs best to date in my opinion.

The 3-series coupe will be released by spring.

The coupe is reportedly moving upmarket to be a junior 6 series.

The engine is rumored to be dropped into that car before the sedan.

First the Z, then 3, 5, and the new X5.

He says there have been multiple complaints on the weak outputs of both of the new engines.

However. the new 3 liter inline six offers great performance.

BMW horses always feel much stronger than their specs suggest.

But offering a higher output inline six will boost their performance big time.

If they end up throwing the M3 engine around the line, their sales will go through the roof.

I put off buying a new one just yet because I was told BMW is definetly adding a higher output inline six. Cant Wait !!!

"Too Little too late,"
"A couple of their launches were botched and now BMW new product line has lost some air..."
"Bad news for BMW"

You don't know what you are talking about.

The sales figures are great - BMW will beat MB in total sales this year to become the top premium brand in the world (for the first time in many years).

And the number of introductions planned for the next 2-3 years is actually very high. 3 series coupe and convertible, M3 (w/ V8 engine), all-new X5 and later a coupe-like X6, 1-series 3-door, 4-door sedan, coupe and convertible (some of them coming to the US), V5 (R-class competitor), possible V3 and/or X4, re-birth of Z8, etc. Then the cycle starts again with a new 7.

The new engine will slot ABOVE the current 330i, meaning it will be more expensive than the $36,000 255hp 3 series.

The E90 coupe is set for release in the late spring to early summer. I suppose that it might be Europe only at first.

My salesman (who is definetly not an idiot) gave me the info kit that was released to the dealer.

It SAID....

"The new E90 3-series coupe is set to begin production in May of 2006"

Lots of car companies shorten the model year when a new one is introduced.

For example...the new Mercedes S-class hits our shores in Jan-Feb of 2006 as a 2007 model.

And there is currently a 2006 S-class on sale.

Of course I really dont know for sure... But I hope its that soon.

And regarding the M engine. I also dont know for sure. But my salesguy (who knows more than you and I) said its very likely. Obviously it will be tuned totally different than the current high-reving M3 version. And it seems more likely than BMW producing a turbo.

The 3-series is definetly getting an uprated engine option soon.

z4 is terrible. a $40,000 car with blank plastic holes in it's bumper if you don't buy fog lights. the next 3-5 years VW/Audi group will have a multitude of product launches.

When is the last time lexus won a race...on any circuit? Lexus is not a performance car company, it is a luxury car maker. They are trying to be something they are not. Any car can be fast in a straight line! Lexus is a paper champion, along with infiniti.

I love that term.

Can I use it?