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Message: <blockquote data-quote="mushaini" data-source="post: 676662" data-attributes="member: 33090">Hi GeorgeHew. Good question. I must start by saying that my views here are based purely on my personal experiences and in no way endorsing or representing anybody else. I bought the E46 in 2001 for RM209k.  Fast forward to 2013 and two generations later, the F30 320i is priced at RM238,800      After a 5% fleet discount, ignoring inflation, I think I paid decent money for it, dollar for dollar. (Of course, if not for our tax structure, it should have a lower real-world price.)  The F30 is a newer and bigger car with a lot more space inside and modern distinctive styling inside and out. The angel eyes will usually turn heads. Overall, I would say that the new design is an improvement. (I don’t have much experience with the E90, but I think that generation looks ‘heavy’.)My E46 was a very ‘basic’ car, radio with cassette  deck, no reverse sensor, no cruise control, 4 cylinder and only 109bhp (not too sure about this), manually adjusted seats etc etc.   Nevertheless, driving the E46 is still a JOY. Like many said, the drive and handling will always bring a smile, legendary even by BMW standards. Whether it is a twisty road on Route 68, or flat out on the MEX, you can really push the car and have a lot of fun whizzing past almost any other car on the road.  I have no doubt that there are some Japanese or continental cars out there that can do the same, but the E46 has a ’feel’ that other car owners probably won’t understand.(BTW, we still have the car even after buying the F30. Had to sell a 5 year old CRV and convince the wife though.)The F30 is a step forward in terms of satisfying BMW’s aim at producing an entry level premium sports car. After all, the company is in the business of selling as many cars as possible and the 3 series is their most important bread and butter. If they want to achieve volume, then they have to appeal to the masses. Modern luxuries like the I-Drive, electric sport seats, ASS, LED lights at the door handle, no oil dipstick, tpms, good fuel economy will appeal to some bimmer fans, as not everyone wants to rempit all the time.As such, BMW had to come up with a car that will satisfy the diehard fans who wants to redline the car every time, but at the same time, be good enough for the dude who wants to drive it to work every morning. After all, how often are you on the Sungai Koyan road to Cameron Highlands? (To me, if you want to drive like you are on the track every day, might as well invest in a M3, any model.)And here is where the F30 has done well. You can put it in Comfort or Eco-Pro mode while you are stuck in that traffic jam going to work in the morning, but when you get some empty roads, change to Sport mode by pressing a button and the revs jump up a few thousand rpm. Go to Sport+ if you dare.Sure, I think some would argue that the 4 cylinder is not as refined as the in-line 6 cylinder, but the twin scroll turbo makes up for it somehow. In this age of global warming and declining oil reserves, the improved fuel economy is a plus point. The electric power steering (and unfortunate reduced steering feel) is a compromise to achieve this, but I would say it is an acceptable compromise.Some purists have therefore argued that this new model has softened the edge of what the old BMW used to be or stand for. For them, I would say, change with the times. If you want a ‘pure’ sports car, then get a F80 or maybe a Lotus or Lamborghini. Just be prepared to fork out a whole lot of money. My final point is, to each his own. You buy what you want as it is your money.  Being man-made, don’t expect the car to be perfect. Then again, not every Ferrari or Audi model is.</blockquote>

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