"Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy" (zipppyart)
06/11/2014 at 19:30 • Filed to: None
2
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"Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy" (zipppyart)
06/11/2014 at 19:30 • Filed to: None | 2
| 15 |
The BMW 3 series is a compact executive class car, a status icon, with a bit of motorsport history, and also is a vehicle often being considered one a selfish driver would drive.
Full Disclaimer: (Since my father begged me so hard to drive this car every couple days to prevent rust on the brakes while he was away, I decided to do a review, NOTE, THIS WAS MEANT TO BE POSTED IN MARCH)
Exterior: 7/10
The exterior of the vehicle, while not having the prettiest design, a subtle one captures BMW's image. The brand has never been about being radical, and they keep a conservative look on the vehicle, while still making a statement. The design has aged well over 8 years of production.
The "halo" running lights on the vehicle make for an elegant look, while the self-adjusting sealed HID beams light up the street ahead, especially around corners.
Acceleration: 7/10
Under the hood, there is a naturally aspirated 3.0 litre straight six, packing 254 HP and 220 lb/ft of torque. Decent acceleration from the high revving straight six allows the car to reach 0-100 KM/H (62 MPH) in less than 7 seconds. All wheel drive minimizes wheelspin, therefore can improve launch times in adverse conditions.
Braking: 8/10
My father and I changed the brake pads, rotors, and bled brake fluid. Before the replacement, it was vibrating the car a lot under braking. Afterwards, it had among the most substantial braking I've ever experienced on the road. Way to go daddy and me.
Ride: 8/10
The car has firm suspension, so the ride amplifies every bump over the smallest crack, and hitting a pothole feels like you just ran over some volatile explosive. Despite this, it is fairly comfortable on long trips, as the seats soak up the impact that the suspension cannot. Bumps are quite a bit harsher on the xi compared to the regular 330, as the xi has a front differential and all of its connecting parts. Despite the ride being rough on bumpy roads, it's excellent.
Handling: 8/10
Despite minimal understeer, notably in snowy conditions, the all wheel drive system works a treat, and flooring it on a curved onramp is the most satisfying thing you can do on dry pavement, without breaking the law. The steering is firm, yet very smooth, and is pretty much useless when the engine is off.
Gearbox: 6/10
The 6 speed automatic transmission fitted in the vehicle is slushy and civilized in "normal" mode. This is great for a cruise, but not for someone used to driving a manual car, who prefers quick response over sluggishness.
For that main reason, BMW has included a "Sport mode" on this transmission, which can be shifted through a StepTronic system.
In regular mode, the car starts in 2nd gear, and slowly works its way to 6th. Sport mode allows the car to start in 1st, and will change gears quicker and harsher as a result. I've always been bothered by the StepTronic's delay while changing gears, it sometimes doesn't change at all, unless the throttle is lifted off.
Audio: 8/10
The stereo is very good, which is to be expected for a car of this class. The exhaust note is very civilized, as it has an active exhaust system.
The exhaust is the loudest of its stablemates at home, and it catches the attention within the house.
Toys: 7/10
The dashboard computer shows everything from the current fuel mileage, to current speed, and everything else in between, the computer can easily be accessed to reset any maintenance alarms, without needing an external tool. There is an auxiliary jack in the centre console (big plus there), as well as a cupholder with a heating system inside, I haven't seen a use for this, since the current owner does not drink or eat in the car. The car has a push to start ignition which requires the fob to be inserted into a port in the dashboard.
Interior: 8/10
Despite the interior toys being a bit dated, it looks very good. It has aluminum trimming with padded leather and high quality plastic, while that looks great, the aluminum does not hold up very well to regular wear and tear. The driver's side door panel was replaced under warranty years ago, due to the previous owner doing the same thing since new, and the replacement got damaged just about as badly within the 4 years my father has owned the car.
Value: 7/10
The car was purchased for about $30,000 second hand, in 2010, which is 4 years ago. So far the car hasn't had major issues, according to the KBB, the car can be sold just shy of $10000. For $30,000, it was a decent buy, despite maintenance being expensive and annoyingly tedious.
Final Score: 74/100
Engine:
3.0L I6
Power:
254 HP / 220 LB-FT
Transmission:
6 Speed
automatic w/StepTronic
0-60 Time:
>7 seconds
Drivetrain:
All-Wheel Drive
Seating:
5
people
Photos: Arthur "Zipppy" Lima
Jonathan Harper
> Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
06/11/2014 at 11:29 |
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I actually like the steptronic system in the E90s, it does a nice blip on downshifts.
Active exhaust? What do you mean by that?
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Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> Jonathan Harper
06/11/2014 at 11:31 |
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It sounds like it does have an active exhaust for some reason, it seems to cut out one of the pipes in lower RPMs.
thebigbossyboss
> Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
06/11/2014 at 11:33 |
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Good review. I can certainly relate to feeling every little bump in the road. Potholes usually get me to hang on tight in the crap can racecar. I am surprised that aluminum trim holds up so terribly. That's kind of annoying at that price point. I mean it's not like priced like a daewoo.
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Jonathan Harper
> Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
06/11/2014 at 11:38 |
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Going off what you think is happening? Or what you've read somewhere?
The car will idle slightly higher when you start it on a cold morning for a minute or so, but there is no active exhaust element as far as I know in any E9x BMWs.
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Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> Jonathan Harper
06/11/2014 at 11:43 |
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This is what my father told me, he told me the car will activate a valve in the muffler at a certain RPM, and change the exhaust tone slightly.
Jon-o
> thebigbossyboss
06/11/2014 at 11:43 |
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Its because its very very thin and not actually aluminium it's plastic, People who aren't careful about taking off the seatbelt get nasty dents in it. Metal Vs fake metal, it is my favourite trim offered but it is delicate
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Jon-o
> Jonathan Harper
06/11/2014 at 11:46 |
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On the 335i's the right exhaust there is a flapper that closes one pipe until it warms up. On a snowy day you notice it sitting there quietly then a deeper rumble will come on when the flap opens. Do the 328, 330is have that too?
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Jonathan Harper
> Jon-o
06/11/2014 at 11:51 |
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I don't think 328s have it, and I know my parent's previous '06 325i didn't. Given that this car is a 2006 330i (only built for one year) with I'm pretty sure an identical albeit up-tuned N52 motor to the 325i, I doubt it does.
E92M3
> Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
06/11/2014 at 14:03 |
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"Executive Class Car"
No, supervisor class maybe. The 5 series is middle management, the 7 is executive class.
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Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> E92M3
06/11/2014 at 14:17 |
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According to explicit definition, the BMW 3 series is a compact executive car. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_e…
Party-vi
> Jonathan Harper
06/11/2014 at 16:27 |
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The E90 with the N52 engine has a flappy-valve in the right exhaust tip. At idle and cruising on the highway the valve is closed, routing half the exhaust exiting the system back into the muffler and out the other exhaust tip. This decreases idle noise and noise on the highway. On acceleration, the valve opens to increase exhaust noise. My E46 has the same system, but the valve had unfortunately seized shut so I removed it. Now I have a deep burble on idle, and a bit more exhaust noise on the highway.
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Jonathan Harper
> Party-vi
06/11/2014 at 16:54 |
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Really?!? I found a bunch of forums talking about the valve on E36s, and then more talking about N54/5s but none about the N52 having it.
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Party-vi
> Jonathan Harper
06/11/2014 at 17:06 |
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The N52 was only offered in the 3.0L displacement for 2006, so I can imagine the boards aren't lighting up with talk about them. Other than that it was in the other 325i/328i cars, and I'm not sure if they got the flappy valve.
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E92M3
> Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
06/11/2014 at 18:23 |
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Well lets not get caught up on labels. Can we all just agree that we are selfish assholes?
Saracen
> Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
06/11/2014 at 19:54 |
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The 330i does indeed have a flapper on the right exhaust outlet.