I became a fan of Red after seeing The Persuaders' Dino. That's why there are auction top-selling cars as models on the shelves. And that's why there's a Japanrot e90 330i in the garage. Partly also because that's pretty much the best bang-for-buck in Finland - the taxes and car prices are sad and high.
Poor Man's Ferrari
So it's a poor man's Ferrari, the Red Baron and a daily-drivers'-food-chain-topping cruiser. Yup, I honestly think the 2005 e90 330i is the best car a man can own. Every daily start makes you shiver from excitement and the driving makes you feel like piloting a fighter plane.
Plus, the old school gut feel driving response you get makes it a bliss to drive day in, day out. We've got 250+ in the power statement, space and sleek looks for an ageing car. Prices are next to nothing - don't overprice your jewels, boys - and running costs are also very friendly.
So Why, Oh Why Is It Underrated?
First, even with the slight power increase with the facelift model, there's a killer within the breed: the 335i apparently got a few prizes and titles to over-shadow the little brother. Second - and this is a big one, so bear with me - the appreciation of a car is based on the predecessing and following models. So let's have a bit of schooling for your entertainment. Well, schooling or an itching trip to the memory lane.
First Time
E21 as a RWD old-timer has the aura of a successful king. A proud carrier of it's two lamps. The last Mohican. The E30 was, is and will always be pure gold. It's straight sixes and feather-tail brought the yuppies and later teenagers to the brink of motorsport. Thanks to my dad, I was raised with snowy drifts in a white 2-door version. So that's why I shall frame and post this picture here.'
Straight Six To The People
The best looks/engine-ratio has got to be with the E36. This generation offers almost for free some of the best straight six engines and fun gearboxes. Also auto's for newbies. And it has the best angular styling of all time - thanks to the designer hero who used subtly all his 90 degree quota.
If you're Sir Richard Sideways, you will know how to have fun also on a wet, curvy highway exit. In addition the E36 really is the ultimate sledge with zero grip on snow. So skip your Christmas holiday in a hotel and travel to Santa and drive one.
E46
Well. They'll live forever just because of the sheer number of straight six engines. But let's not count them here. There were also many equipments available: luxury, audio, sport packages and more. And they're not having the retail tag anymore. Let's also acknowledge the slightly arrogant yet muscular looks of the E46 - they will still have an impact 15 years from now (start counting).
I know, all self-respecting enhtousiasts name the E46 M3 as their all time top daily sports car. But their SMG was scary Scheiße in the cold and they're too common these days. So, I beg to differ slightly by saying that the pearls of the E46 breed are in the wide convertible range. All the fun is just doubled with the top off, ain't it?
The Future Embarrassments
The F-generation youth is, well youth. They're loaded with tech, screaming style, experimental power supply and they're fat. Tailors will note the grown measurements in chest and botty. To such an extent that the original 5-series is almost Mickey Mouse category next to these. Alright, you have to give them credit for the fun-oriented "small engine and turbo" thinking. That's today. Plus what's wrong with cheap and RWD? Nuthin'!
The E90mpire Strikes Back
There you go: this scientific review proves that all the models before and after the e90 have a reputation of being better in some way. Especially the e90 330i is a drop-off, sliding in the shadow of the oumphing 335i and, yes, the diesel models.
So let's make a case for the 330i
The manual ZF in the 330i has 6 speeds - 3rd and 4th are bliss-gears for hooning and wrooming, 5th and 6th for cruising. For the dull statisticians: you'll get easily 700km with the 60 litre tank - even if you bliss a bit with 3rd and 4th gears. And there is a jolly peak in power after 4000rpm. Go there and you'll find glory.
The back seats fold and there's plenty of space for a mountain bike, and the front seat will fit a hefty hockey player. Fortunately, you don't necessarily have to suffer with the iDrive - many people did wisely at the time by not ticking it when new. It will break and good luck justifying the money going for repairs.
Take my advice: do proper oil changes at least annually or every 10,000 km and the tappets won't knock you out. And do go to the bliss over 4000 RPM occasionally, the tappets kinda like the lubrication too. Also, who Dummkopf thought that an electric water pump, that gives no sign of wearing before dying, is better than the normal belt-driven? You need to change it every 120,000 kms or so. Put it this way: you want to avoid being stranded on the highway in -20 Celsius winter weather like I did. It was a horror Top Gear adventure with some steam...
About Those Bliss-Gears
So I was raised to love the straight six. Therefore, there's nothing better than building speed from zero to speed limit with the bliss-gears. On a misty and early morning, the highway definitely is your racetrack! In the corners, the 330i just has it's own mind selecting the best line, and with 258 donkeys you can to hoon to horror. On the other hand, cruising at 140 km/h in the Austrian video-gamesque highways, the car is planted and peaceful.
And it's pretty, take a look.
Join In
Comments (0)