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      12-11-2013, 09:07 AM   #1
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Question Is E90 LCI (facelift) prettier than F30 - yes or no?

It depends on my time of day
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      12-11-2013, 09:43 AM   #2
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I think most new shapes in cars, these days, tend to make the previous models look somewhat dated and I think that the F30 is no exception..

Before the F30 came along the E90 still seemed pretty fresh and modern, to me, the facelifts generally helping along the way… But as soon as the F30 came along, the E90 suddenly looked a little old hat (to me) and, well, I guess it's age suddenly started to show…

The current Porsche Boxster was a really good example of this…
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      12-11-2013, 10:51 AM   #3
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I personally preferred the look and stance of my old E91 LCI compared to my current F31.

Both are 330d M Sport and the old one just looked that bit more fluid and purposeful. I still haven't warmed to the F31's nose, in comparison to the E91 LCI it just looks a bit weedy and thin to me.

More of a sardine than a shark

Still, much prefer how the new one rides, not missing the jittery backend of the E91 one bit!
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      12-11-2013, 10:55 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveA View Post
I think most new shapes in cars, these days, tend to make the previous models look somewhat dated and I think that the F30 is no exception..

Before the F30 came along the E90 still seemed pretty fresh and modern, to me, the facelifts generally helping along the way… But as soon as the F30 came along, the E90 suddenly looked a little old hat (to me) and, well, I guess it's age suddenly started to show…

The current Porsche Boxster was a really good example of this…
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      12-11-2013, 11:22 AM   #5
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The e92 is one of my favourite car shapes for a long time, 3 kids and an awd preference for the family car ruled one out
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      12-11-2013, 12:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveA View Post
I think most new shapes in cars, these days, tend to make the previous models look somewhat dated and I think that the F30 is no exception..

Before the F30 came along the E90 still seemed pretty fresh and modern, to me, the facelifts generally helping along the way… But as soon as the F30 came along, the E90 suddenly looked a little old hat (to me) and, well, I guess it's age suddenly started to show…

The current Porsche Boxster was a really good example of this…
Agreed, I've had E90 pre Lci and Lci (as below) and now F30 and thought each was an improvement. I still quite like the shape of the E90 and don't feel it old enough to look too outdated. But I think the E90 interior is starting to look quite dated however.

The F30 does look a nice car now both inside and out. Having said that, I've not been a fan of the F30 headlights and how they touch the grille. But it's not enough to put me off buying one.
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      12-11-2013, 12:52 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by dopper99 View Post
I still quite like the shape of the E90 and don't feel it old enough to look too outdated. But I think the E90 interior is starting to look quite dated however.
Aye, for me, it's not that the E90 is outdated per se, but that the 'newness' of the F30 makes it feel so, a little..

The F30 has a crispness about it that you would't have though the E90 lacked, until you saw the F30, that is.. Especially, as you point out, inside..

Funnily enough, I even thought that the F30 3-series made the F10 5-series look a little outdated.. at least until it got the recent facelift..
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      12-11-2013, 01:00 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by DaveA View Post
Funnily enough, I even thought that the F30 3-series made the F10 5-series look a little outdated.. at least until it got the recent facelift..
My thoughts exactly ! The F30 really grew on me. At first I hated it, now I'm driving one... lol
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      12-11-2013, 01:06 PM   #9
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F30 hands down. The 'F' generation cars are leaps ahead of the 'E's IMO
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      12-11-2013, 02:07 PM   #10
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i don't have the F30 yet but based on the test drives i would say the E92 i have is better than the F30 i have on order, in terms of build quality and premium feel. oh and the handling is miles better. (but i needed a new car and only got another BMW as the 330d engine is good, or at least i hope they have not done loads of cost saving on this as well)

The F30 for me is a step backwards, the manual seats are much cheaper and crappier than the E90/E92 and there is more cheap plastic every where couple this with the increased cabin noise and it is oblivious BMW are more interest in making money from the 3 series than building the ultimate driving machine.

The F30 seems as if they have taken a E90 and spent 7 years designing cost savings out of it so they make even more margin on the car, but that is just my opinion from the sort time i had test driving a few medium spec cars (all m sport). I am sure i will be happy with the car ( i hope) if not it will be the last BMW i will be getting.

IMO i don't even like the look of the new 4 series i actual think the E92 i currently have is a much better looking car. The E92 facelift i have now is the best car i have ever owned and the new F30 currently on order will have a lot to live up to.

Last edited by Xplosiv166; 12-11-2013 at 05:58 PM..
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      12-11-2013, 02:33 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xplosiv166 View Post
i don't have the F30 yet but based on the test drives i would say the E92 i have is better than the F30 i have on order, in terms of build quality and premium feel. oh and the handling is miles better. (but i needed a new car and only got another BMW as the 330d engine is good, or at least i hope they have not done loads of cost saving on this as well)

The F30 for me is a step backwards, the manual seats are much cheaper and crappier than the E90/E92 and there is more cheap plastic every where couple this with the increased cabin noise and it is oblivious BMW are more interest in making money from the 3 series than building the ultimate driving machine.

The F30 seems as if they have taken a E90 and spent 7 years designing cost savings out of it so they make even more margin on the car, but that is just my opinion from the sort time i had test driving a few medium spec cars (all m sport). I am sure i will be happy with the car ( i hope) if not it will be the last BMW i will be getting.

IMO i don't even like the look of the new 4 series i actual think the E92 i currently have is a much better looking car. The E92 facelift i have now is the best car i have ever owned and the new F30 currently on order will have a lot to live up to.
Interesting view and one that is shared by a few of our American cousins it would seem.
I respect what you are saying...... However I for one would not go back to my old E90. Ok my 335d is quicker and more fun to drive, but I cannot think of a single thing/area where the E90 is better. Im very glad I moved on.
My first E90 was built well and had no rattles but my Lci had rattles/squeaks etc..virtually from day one of it being new. It was in and out of the dealers trying to fix these and they never got to the bottom of many of them. I did not like that car quite as much as I should have done as I don't think it was as well built as the first one.

I hope you like your f30 when you get it.
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      12-11-2013, 02:42 PM   #12
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I generally prefer the F30 and agree it looks much fresher over the E90. The one exception is I prefer the ride height of the E90 M Sport. We have lots of discussion of the ride height of the X Drive but for me, the S Drive M Sport sits too high.
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      12-11-2013, 02:48 PM   #13
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I generally prefer the F30 and agree it looks much fresher over the E90. The one exception is I prefer the ride height of the E90 M Sport. We have lots of discussion of the ride height of the X Drive but for me, the S Drive M Sport sits too high.
Arrrr yes good point! That IS the one thing where the E90 is better.... The ride height is nice and low on the E90 M Sport!
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      12-11-2013, 04:37 PM   #14
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Never really liked the e90 - especially from the rear which looked like a Nissan primera or mitsibushi carisma until the facelift arrived (and I owned one). To me the e46 was a much nicer design. F30 is a big improvement in my opinion although I initially found the front lights too low.

E92 much better than the e90 although I think the f32 is sharper. Again, although dated now, e46 coupe still looks excellent. I also think the interior of the e46 was excellent - much better than the e90 especially with no nav. F30 a big improvement style wise but I agree the quality doesn't seem as good.

Still love the car, however!
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      12-11-2013, 04:49 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ewanmac View Post
Never really liked the e90 - especially from the rear which looked like a Nissan primera or mitsibushi carisma until the facelift arrived (and I owned one). To me the e46 was a much nicer design. F30 is a big improvement in my opinion although I initially found the front lights too low.

E92 much better than the e90 although I think the f32 is sharper. Again, although dated now, e46 coupe still looks excellent. I also think the interior of the e46 was excellent - much better than the e90 especially with no nav. F30 a big improvement style wise but I agree the quality doesn't seem as good.

Still love the car, however!
I was never a fan of the E90 shape or the front even when it was new. The E92 though had it spot on. I've grown to love the F30 but I wasn't sure at first even after getting it.
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      12-11-2013, 05:42 PM   #16
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I also hope i like the F30, i never really liked BMW's and never thought i would be the type of person to drive one (we all know what most people think of BMW drivers - not that i really care).

But when swapping my Peugeot (yes i have had many Peugeot's a 309 and a few 406's and the last a 408) i dropped in too a BMW garage and test drove a pre facelift E92 (black with coral red seats, not a high spec no nav etc. but it had M Sport) after the test drive i understood what all the fuss was about as i simply loved the car and ended up buying it.

From there i moved onto a to high spec E92 facelift 330d which to date is the best car i have ever driven / owned.

so i for one will be very pissed off if they have made the car worse, when i get my car i plan on writing a comparison (which will be interesting)

Last edited by Xplosiv166; 12-11-2013 at 07:33 PM..
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      12-11-2013, 10:33 PM   #17
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Even though I've owned 3 E93's, (hardcore bmw fan, no choice) i've never really fallen for them.. There was always a gap between the front grill/ bumper and the bonnet.. Had bmw adjust the bonnet, they lowered it, then the bonnet looked lower than the side wings (as if it was involved on an accident.. They all suffer from this issue..

The ride was always very firm on 19's, cracking wheels, harsh run flats.. Anyway sadly would never recommend an e90 to anyone i know..

the f30 on the other hand, love at 1st sight... and once you drive a 335d, forget it, no alternative would feel better...
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      12-12-2013, 12:48 AM   #18
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My previous car was E90 lci:



And the current is F31:



Love them both.
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      12-12-2013, 04:10 AM   #19
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i don't have the F30 yet but based on the test drives i would say the E92 i have is better than the F30 i have on order, in terms of build quality and premium feel. oh and the handling is miles better.


Whatever you're drinking I'll have a large one. An E92 wouldn't see which way a new F30 went down a twisty road.

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      12-12-2013, 12:22 PM   #20
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We have both models and I prefer the interior of the E90. Personally I think the F30 interior looks a bit of a mess compared to say the 5 series F10. The iDrive screen on top of the dash just looks a bit cheap!
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      12-12-2013, 12:41 PM   #21
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I had an E92 330d with the LCI engine and swapped it for an F30 330d.

I have to say whilst I am sure the f30 is technically the better car and in measurable tests beats the e92, for feel, handling and fun factor the e92 wins by a country mile.

I think the old dash was tidier, had no stupid cup hole cover that gets in the way and felt less plasticky. The older car felt more planted and less skittish on damp roads.

Having said that fuel economy is miles better in newer car and it is very quick. Gearbox is a massive step forwards too.

Having been driving an f10 for last 3 months I think it feels closer to e92 than f30. Looks wise I think the e92 still looks a bit better even if some of the details on the f30 look more modern.
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      12-12-2013, 01:23 PM   #22
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Whatever you're drinking I'll have a large one. An E92 wouldn't see which way a new F30 went down a twisty road.

+1000

The F30 M Sport handles way better than my previous E92 M sport
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