E46 vs. E90 interior design....????

[deutsch100]

Hey everyone!!

Really enjoying my new 330i. The engine is so amazingly smooth, strong, the new 6 speed Steptronic is awesome, the Logic 7 Sound is so incredible, what a difference from the "premium HK sound", and on a side note...the sport Pkg. wheels are probably the easiest wheels I have ever cleaned...effortless . I was cleaning up some of my BMW pictures, and came across one of my 2004 330. I was beginning to think the E90 interior was actually great, and fresh....but after seeing the picture of my 2004 E46, maybe the E46 looks better If the two interiors were side by side, and someone who knows Nothing!! abouts BMWs were to be asked which is the new model (judging from the interior only)...I think the E46 would win. What do you think? I know this is a pointless post (so don't blast me Eric)....just for fun.

 

[William330]

The E46 is just about the perfect vehicle inside and out.

As for your pics here, I prefer the 'old' gauge cluster, steering wheel,
dash, and shift knob.

I love my 2003 330ci, but I don't think my next car will be a BMW.

 

[PhatBimmer]

I agree old is better than new but I'm sure if I was in the new 3-series I'd like it over time.

 

[tazza0712]

I thought about the whole interior thing as well. I have to say that I think the e46 wins for quality and driver appeal. The way that the dash faces the driver and is unashamedly FOR the driver. I think it is true BMW. The new one is fresh as you say, but I don't think it really encapsulates the meaning of the car and driver being one, which I thought and do still believe is a BMW philosophy through and through. Interesting debate though.

 

[deutsch100]

I thought about the whole interior thing as well. I have to say that I think the e46 wins for quality and driver appeal. The way that the dash faces the driver and is unashamedly FOR the driver. I think it is true BMW. The new one is fresh as you say, but I don't think it really encapsulates the meaning of the car and driver being one, which I thought and do still believe is a BMW philosophy through and through. Interesting debate though.

Hey there Adrian! Enjoying your new 320i Sport ?

I was one of the main "I hate the E90" people a few months ago. I do agree with the driver appeal aspect of the E46 interior, but after now having the E90, and spending a week with it daily...there is no quality issue at all. I don't know to what extent the quality exceeds the E46 interior, but it is not at all below the E46. All materials have a thick, padded and very high quality feel to them, and look fantastic. I do think the E90 would have looked awesome, if BMW would have kept the swooping dash, and driver cocked dash....but now with the new 5er, 7er, 6er, and Z4, the driver cocked dash does look mildly dated. I too think this is an interesting debate, especially having spent so much time with 4 E46s, and now having an E90. Love them both

 

[MrElussive]

I do not think I can examine it piece-by-piece. For example, the E90 steering wheel suits the E90 interior better, and the E46 steering wheel suits the E46 interior better. I like the way to the E46's dash on the passenger side curves inwards for more of a "cockpit" feel to it, but the E90's interior looks much smoother and more luxurious.
I always felt the E90 interior lacked a sporty feel, but I think the E90 steering wheel is more sporty than the E46 steering wheel. It looks smaller and seems easier to hold, very important under hard cornering and such. The E90's gauges look better, as well. What I am saying is that the E90 overall has a less sporty feel to it, but it beats the E46 when it comes to the real parts of the drive (steering wheel, shift knob, gauges, and pedals).

I think the E90 Coupes will have the sportier interior that the E90 Sedans are lacking.

 

[tazza0712]

Hey there Adrian! Enjoying your new 320i Sport ?

I was one of the main "I hate the E90" people a few months ago. I do agree with the driver appeal aspect of the E46 interior, but after now having the E90, and spending a week with it daily...there is no quality issue at all. I don't know to what extent the quality exceeds the E46 interior, but it is not at all below the E46. All materials have a thick, padded and very high quality feel to them, and look fantastic. I do think the E90 would have looked awesome, if BMW would have kept the swooping dash, and driver cocked dash....but now with the new 5er, 7er, 6er, and Z4, the driver cocked dash does look mildly dated. I too think this is an interesting debate, especially having spent so much time with 4 E46s, and now having an E90. Love them both

Loving it! It's the best car!! I'm biased of course lol I bet you're enjoying your new car!

I don't think I am a "hater" of the e90's, but I'm not a big fan. I know that I would come around to it as well if I was driving one. I agree that the steering wheel is really nice, I like the thicker ones as I think you can have better control over the car which is why I love my 'M' wheel *druels*. The layout of the dash is clean and smooth, as for the quality thing, I only said that because I've read it elsewhere perhaps I should inspect the car before saying that again lol

Personally, I still love the classic lines of the e46, but I do know that one day I will be an e90 convert!

 

[Chesty Bonds]

This is an interesting discussion.

Personally, I love the interior of the E46. Lots of you guys have referred to the "cockpit" feel of having the driver-swept dash which I think is spot on. It really does make the car feel as though it's wrapped around you, that it's there primarily to be driven, which I think is very important in a BMW.

I have to say that I positively HATE the new instrument cluster on the E90 though!!! I think it looks really plain for some reason. I've been driving our E46 325i a lot recently (the folks are away) and it's just a superb car. I really like the steering wheel too. I must be honest though, I've never driven an E90 so I can't really say whether or not I prefer it to the E46 and vice-versa. If you told me that the E90 did away with the ridiculous CDV then I might seriously consider test-driving one....

 

[deutsch100]

This is an interesting discussion.

Personally, I love the interior of the E46. Lots of you guys have referred to the "cockpit" feel of having the driver-swept dash which I think is spot on. It really does make the car feel as though it's wrapped around you, that it's there primarily to be driven, which I think is very important in a BMW.

I have to say that I positively HATE the new instrument cluster on the E90 though!!! I think it looks really plain for some reason. I've been driving our E46 325i a lot recently (the folks are away) and it's just a superb car. I really like the steering wheel too. I must be honest though, I've never driven an E90 so I can't really say whether or not I prefer it to the E46 and vice-versa. If you told me that the E90 did away with the ridiculous CDV then I might seriously consider test-driving one....

Hey there Petey!! Glad to see you have joined the discussion!! I agree that the E46 has a much, much "sportier" feel on the inside than my E90. I actually do like the instrument cluster though on the new 3er. It is logical, simple, easy to see, use and understand...not that the E46 wasn't though. The radio and climate controls are simplified, and I appreciate the door locks and hazard button up higher. The steering wheel on the E90 is as nice as an E46 M3, it is smaller, thick and padded and feels so good to the hands. The door designs on the E90 are great too, and the handles/pulls are spot on perfect. All in all I think the E90 is a slight step up from the E46, but not that much, and one can argue (as can I), that there are several things that are better in the E46 than the E90. Once you drive an E90 though....it will be love. Trust me, especially coming from an M3....this 330i drives amazing.

I ordered European smoked/clear taillights from a BMW dealer in Berlin. I will get my amber blinkers that I think all German cars should have, and it will make the rear end look hot with the smoked turn signals and reverse lights.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Hey there Petey!! Glad to see you have joined the discussion!! I agree that the E46 has a much, much "sportier" feel on the inside than my E90. I actually do like the instrument cluster though on the new 3er. It is logical, simple, easy to see, use and understand...not that the E46 wasn't though. The radio and climate controls are simplified, and I appreciate the door locks and hazard button up higher. The steering wheel on the E90 is as nice as an E46 M3, it is smaller, thick and padded and feels so good to the hands. The door designs on the E90 are great too, and the handles/pulls are spot on perfect. All in all I think the E90 is a slight step up from the E46, but not that much, and one can argue (as can I), that there are several things that are better in the E46 than the E90. Once you drive an E90 though....it will be love. Trust me, especially coming from an M3....this 330i drives amazing.

I ordered European smoked/clear taillights from a BMW dealer in Berlin. I will get my amber blinkers that I think all German cars should have, and it will make the rear end look hot with the smoked turn signals and reverse lights.

Damn the E90 must be good if you're raving about it even after driving an M3! I have read that the new 3.0 six is spookily smooth at high revs which is amazing. Usually inline sixes don't like revving really high but BMW just do such an amazing job. The M54 in my mum's E46 is jaw-droppingly good, so I can only imagine how on earth BMW improve on that.

I'm glad you're happy with your new car though. It really must've been tough losing the M3...

But do tell me, does the E90 do away with the CDV???

 

[deutsch100]

Damn the E90 must be good if you're raving about it even after driving an M3! I have read that the new 3.0 six is spookily smooth at high revs which is amazing. Usually inline sixes don't like revving really high but BMW just do such an amazing job. The M54 in my mum's E46 is jaw-droppingly good, so I can only imagine how on earth BMW improve on that.

I'm glad you're happy with your new car though. It really must've been tough losing the M3...

But do tell me, does the E90 do away with the CDV???

From what I can tell Pete, the E90 has a modified "better" CDV. Honestly, don't know much about the CDV, but the 2006 6spd manual has it as far as I know.

Yeah, this inline six is spookily smooth, and it revs, pulls and purrs like none other I have driven. Losing the M3 was tough...honestly though I miss the Interlagos Blue almost more than the car. You should drive the E90, especially the 330i. I have eaten all my bad words about it. Honestly, I think it is awesome!!

 

[jrt67ss350]

Pete, I am not sure if the E90 has a CDV or not, but I can tell you from personal experience that it doesn't feel like it has a CDV. The clutch in the E90 330i I drove was silky smooth. I had no problem coming from my E30 to the E90. The clutch in the E90 was worlds better than the one in my E30.

So, it may have a CDV, but if it does, it certainly isn't intrusive to the proper operation of the clutch like the one on the E46 tends to be.

Oh, and I can vouch for the insane smoothness of the engine all the way to 7000 rpm. Plus, the sound at those revs is simply intoxicating!

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Wow thanks for the info guys. I have to say the the CDV setup in our E46 is just a joke. It is really infuriating to drive at times, especially in traffic when it chunters and stutters like you wouldn't believe. It makes people look like complete idiots when they drive it. A very hard car to master.

I'm very intrigued by the magnesium-block E90 sixes though (I'm not sure of the internal code for this engine). I will definitely have to go for a test drive...[headbang]

 

[tazza0712]

I ordered European smoked/clear taillights from a BMW dealer in Berlin. I will get my amber blinkers that I think all German cars should have, and it will make the rear end look hot with the smoked turn signals and reverse lights.

Make sure you post pics when you get them installed. I'm sure the rear end will look mad with the new tail lights.

 

[moonjunction]

I am a grandpa’s car

Today I have a 04, 330Ci, with premium, cold and sport package.
I always wanted to buy a 5 series; but when I took the test drive in 530i, the ride was great; but when I looked at the dashboard and the interior. It just talked to me back “ I am a grandpa’s car” it lacked the sporty look which I saw in the 3 series, the dash is almost looking at you while you are sitting in the driver’s seat. What I have seen recently in 3series which almost look like the same dashboard and interior of a 5 series. It just lacks the beauty of the 2004 E46. There is no doubt the E90 is a good car.
I personally love the 2004 E46.

 

[330i and like it]

the new design is very nice but what was BMW thinking with the cup hold? I know the car is meant to be a drivers car, but remember we need somewhere for the coffee to go.

 

[///M SPEED]

E46 all they way baby. The E90's is to formal and not sporty enough for me. Also, the window switches need to be located on the center console just as every 3-series produced before it has been. It just isn't the same with them on the door panel.

With that said, I do like the look of the e90's interior a lot. I just like the E46's better....

 

[MrElussive]

the new design is very nice but what was BMW thinking with the cup hold? I know the car is meant to be a drivers car, but remember we need somewhere for the coffee to go.

I know what you mean, but it's not really that bad. Good cupholders only encourage the driver and passengers to bring liquids into the car, and that is just a big no-no.

 

[deutsch100]

I know what you mean, but it's not really that bad. Good cupholders only encourage the driver and passengers to bring liquids into the car, and that is just a big no-no.

Exactly Emile. Right on

They are patheic cupholders though. They are so narrow and flimsy, that even a small bottle of water wobbles around, and don't even think of taking a sharp turn with anything in the cupholders....lid or not....it's going flying.

Scott, I know what you mean about the window switches now being on the door. All BMWs had them on the center console...but those days are gone. Look at Mercedes, Audi, and Porsche too. I think they finally caved into the ignorant complaints of stupid Americans. Oh well! The new window switches do work well though, and feel ergonomically correct.

 

[MrElussive]

If you guys checkout lots of different German cars with different cupholder designs, you'll see that they all pretty much suck. I think the Germans do it on purpose so you focus on driving? Either way, it is unacceptable, I'm just glad it doesn't bother me much.

As for the window switches, I know it is weird not to have them in the center anymore, but I think it is far better on the door panel. As Adam said, it is much more ergonomically correct, especially if you want to make quick adjustments to all four windows (or the two windows if it's a coupe).