320i vs Civic 2.0

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Orion

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Joined
Mar 24, 2012
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Hi People.I have been driving around with the E90 for a week now. Clocked 770kms. So far so good, no problems. And given that my previous ride was a Civic 2.0, I can't help but compare :1. Steering - the UDM is stiffer and I have to really turn it, especially when doing a U turn. The Civic's steering is more "loose".2. NVH - the UDM is definately much better. My UDM is the M Sport model with 17 in RFTs. Even with that it is much more quiet than the Civic 2.0. I added on the door insulations for the old Civic plus changed to Goodyear F1 Asym 2 (17 in rims, 205/45 tyres) then only the noise became more tolerable. But the UDM is still better. So I am happy with the ride so far. And one more thing, when it rains, I can't hear the drops on the car top anymore. For Civic 2.0 - it feels as if you are sitting in a shed with zinc roof under torrential rain. 3. Responsiveness - Civic is much better is this area. When I floor in accelrator, I can really feel the kick, instantly. The UDM is a heavier car by almost 200kgs, so the response will be a tad slower. But then again, I am holding back until my new car hits 2,000 kms for the running in .... can't wait. 4. Windows - the Civic comes with hydrophilic side mirrors and windscreen. So when it rains, water beads and flows off easliy. Not the UDM tho, rain water splatters and immediately blurs the vision, kind of disappointed with that. Had to do RainX myself. So far it is OK, it does not make the wipers jerk. What I like most is the stereo set in the UDM, excellent sound quality! But you know what's the best part of driving a UDM?Nobody tailgates me anymore !!!!! Muahahahahahha!
 
thanks for review.

For city driving, the 320i is more than enough poke. But if you wish to outrun any GTIs. you need a D...
Maintainece for the 320i is pretty straight forward, servicing plus normal wear and tear.

Enjoy bro
 
congrats on your new ride.

1. tight nicer than loose i suppose. better feel when you're working it

2. you're happy so all is good

3. perhaps when you no longer hold back, 320i will be more responsive too

4. for those minor not so nice bits as u mentioned just buy a product and apply

i guess making the right sound important too but a little surprised you find 320i excellent in that aspect.

nobody tailgates u anymore. i don't like that too. muahahaha.
 
No one tail gates you? Wow that's great man. I keep getting tail gated by Pugs and VWs
 
Orion,
You should also notice by now that the Civic comes with a hard plasticky dashboard and door trims.

All bmws (and almost all contis) come with padded soft dash which helps to dampen most of the NVH especially the N-Noise.

And if I am not mistaken the civic doesn't have the on-board trip computer which is a gross rip-off for a car of that price tag. Even the accord doesn't have one too and what's more shocking the accord also comes with all hard plasticky interior.

That shows how greedy Honda is.

cheers.
 
Orion ... Civic still for the masses and it's almost half the price of a320i. The 320 has much more refinement than a Civic for sure. Wait till you get into a 325 ... Then you will be smiling from ear to ear!
 
if you want to have fun, you have bought a wrong car! 320d M-sport with Datuk/Vector Tunned or powerkit....One word...Siok
 
jwah;732863 said:
if you want to have fun, you have bought a wrong car! 320d M-sport with Datuk/Vector Tunned or powerkit....One word...Siok

Dr Wah :cool:.... Don't lah say like that :)

Every Beemer owner makes a good choice based on their perception of needs and wants... All in all... Welcome to the owner's club :rock:
 
Wah! Barely one week here already and people here are encouraging me to "upgrade" already!

To be honest, the Civic 2.0 has served me well. Other than the initial problems with "spontaneously braking by itself", it worked well for 4 years. I did like blusih dashboard with a big digital speedometer display and being a techie, I was all for it.

But that was then .... now this UDM is something different altogether and yes, it can be addictive ... not quite sure whether it is the car itself or the result of me reading all the forum postings here! Maybe a bit of both ....

If I do upgrade in future, it will likely be a 5 but I still cannot get used to the diesel engine sound.

For now let's see how this little 320i goes.
 
for me when iam still young back time yes iam prefer with the civic... more fun in sounds n damm fasst n more atraction for the young chicks...even my saturday night fever more fun..but than after 'terjebak' with this udm world since my age 24 until now than i realise apepasal dari dulu tk bli ini kereta hehehe
 
Plasticky is the norm for Japanese or Proton cars.

My old Civic dashboard was getting noisy already, I clocked 139,000 kms already, so age is really catching up.

As for the on board computer, it is a very basic trip meter for Trip A and Trip B, thermometer for outside temparature. Nothing close to iDrive. So they are miles apart in terms of features but so is the price tag.

The Civic does have more interior room and compartments though, there are pockets at the 2 rear doors for water bottles. The arm rest at the center has got lots of space.
 
Dont think you have made a wrong choice, u have bought an awesome machine..just bring it to the twisty roads and with your M set ups you will know the meaning of handling...Theres always some cars faster then yours on the road..
 
Thanks VKS. Yes, there is always something faster out there.

But I am the type who enjoys driving, not so much the speed but the journey itself.

"Getting there is half the fun", right?

The UDM just make it much more fun getting anywhere! :burnout:
 
With my UDM its the 'journey' and not the 'destination' haha... My fav twisty stretches are Cameron Highlands & Cangkat Jering - Havnt brought my baby up Genting yet - then u'll know wht its all about ;)
 
I had a Civic 2.0L also so i can relate to all that you mentioned.

The "hydrophillic" stuff is just a gimmick (it wears off after a few months - i had a Civic and Accord...). Honda just applies some wax or RainX stuff which you can easily do yourself. No big deal.
 
Orion;732884 said:
Plasticky is the norm for Japanese or Proton cars.

My old Civic dashboard was getting noisy already, I clocked 139,000 kms already, so age is really catching up.

As for the on board computer, it is a very basic trip meter for Trip A and Trip B, thermometer for outside temparature. Nothing close to iDrive. So they are miles apart in terms of features but so is the price tag.

The Civic does have more interior room and compartments though, there are pockets at the 2 rear doors for water bottles. The arm rest at the center has got lots of space.

not a norm then, back in the 90s many still came with soft foamed plastic dash. The proton wira,waja and perdana all came with soft dash,even the saga,iswara pre-2002.

Even civic EG and EK came with soft dash and trims.

Cost cutting and greed was the cause. Not a norm.
 
Sorry Orion, but for sure you will upgrade someday, do come to official drive or any drive with us...have fun.
The Diesel engine is very loud, even an uncle advise me to go and check the engine. Many people also show a ? mark on their face with this UDM machine. However, with the 420Nm of torque...I don't care:rock:
 
Orion;732814 said:
1. Steering - the UDM is stiffer and I have to really turn it, especially when doing a U turn. The Civic's steering is more "loose".

Hey bro, I also feel same way. Steering is a bit heavy. My E60 530 is so much lighter by comparison. Look on bright side, at least we exercise our biceps when we drive the car :D
 
I suspected they listen too much to race car drivers who are used to heavy steering feel.. after driven this E90 320i, even the F30 felt like a Merc. The steering of E90 with active steering is lighter.

My wife drives the E90 320i daily. One day she got a chance to drive a Civic 2.0 back from JB.. she hated the Civic steering feel.. her comment is "Totally undriveable! Terrible car!" :4:
 
hmmm lots of civic drivers here... I am one too! i am on my fourth civic now, i think i will always have a civic in the house... never breaks down, low maintenance, sporty looks and good second hand value. Drove a friends 320i and bmw hands down better in all aspect except maybe fuel economy.
 
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