[Hazard]

Hi everybody!
I'm from Moscow, Russia, so I apologize for my English (of course, it is not perfect, by I'll try to be clear)
I have BMW E39 523iA and I like my car but it becames old
A month ago I was just about to order VW Passat with full sets of options (sunroof, Webasto, etc.) but passing by my nearest BMW dealer (I had had my E39 serviced for a couple of years there) I and my wife decided to take a look on E90. We were suggested a test-drive of 320iA (we don't have a big choice of test-drives cars in Moscow) and I was not impressed with it's performance.
So, 4 cylineders are not my choice , really... And it doesn't have many good things like leather, folded rear seats, etc.
I must notice that E90 for Russian market are made in Russia...except 330 and 320d (diesel) and x-drive versions. The cars made in Russia have fixed set of options, so you cannot have leather on 320, or sunroof on 325... You even cannot choose gear type - all 6 cylinders cars come with Steptronic.
I'm now thinking about E90 as my next family car. 330 is very expensive for me (55 k Euro - about 66 k USD).
So, I must make a choice between two packs of 325 (or return for Passat, or maybe used E60 ):
1) 325 Bussines: about 45 k USD (with discount) with clearance of 144 mm - that's pretty good, because winters in Moscow are very snowy :mad: and on ugly 16" wheels of 154 design.
2) 325 Dynamic: about 50 k USD (with discount), with clearance of 131 mm, for our conditions this is worse, but with nice 17" wheels, sport seats and CD-changer.
I've read this forum a lot, and now I dare to ask happy E90 owners some questions:
1) Does someone use usual (non-sport) seats? Do you feel comfortable, espesially in long trips?
2) Family men, who have children and wives who likes to put a lot of baggage even if you go just for weekend - is it enough room on rear seats for long trips for you kids who are about 9 - 12 years old? Do they feel good on the rear seats? For me (183 cm) they didn't seem very roomy and comfortable... Is there enough room in a trunk of E90 to put a baggage for a family?
I'm sure that BMW is Ultimate Driving Machine (all our car magazines enjoyed testing it) and I like that very much, but I cannot have many cars - only one, and I must care about members of my family - my wife and my daughter like the exterior and interiour of E90, too and I don' t want they will hate the car, because it is not comfortable for them and their baggage

[stressdoc]

Other options? Maybe a 525? Or 325xi? Our 3 boys fit fine for short trips around town, but my 11 year old is beginning to be a bit cramped in the backseat of our E46. The backseat in the E90 is bigger, so perhaps a business 325 would be good for you. Buy a new set of wheels if the 154s bother you, and have one set with snow tires and one with summer tires.

[JackMac]

Hazard, previet.

You probably do not want the sport suspension or wheels in Moscow due to road conditions and snow. x-drive would be my recommendation.

Rear seat room for two kids is fine.

[Hazard]

2 stressdoc:
Other option is FULLY LOADED VW Passat or 2 -3 y. o E60 or E39 (if I want to save money) .
If I buy 325 Business, I will have to add about 2 k USD to get the 17" I can live with. Mabe there is a reason to pay 5 k USD more and get also very comfortable sport seats and CD-changer and something else (I don't remember exactly), but in this case I automatically get lower clearance (which is probably good in California, but creates some problems after snowstorms)

2 JackMac
I don't mind 325iX at all, but my vallet do It is over my budget
But my experience on 523iA with rear wheels drive is: the rear wheels drive car is rather good even on icy roads if you have winter tires and ASC+T or it's next generation - DSC. The AWD cars can drive faster than others in winter, but they stop as other do, and this can be a big problem The low clearance can be a bigger problem...

[timoth31]

Not only CAN the E90 serve as a family car, that is its intended use. The four doors give its purpose away. You will also note the cubbyhole underneath the trunk floor designed to fit a diaper bag perfectly.

I measure 185cm tall, so the back seat is just tolerable for me. For kids 9 and 12, I can only imagine the rear seat room is fine. The trunk is far superior to that of my old Mazda Miata. Cargo for four will fit fine as long as you own soft-sided luggage. You may also want to look at the Estate/Touring/Station Wagon if cargo capacity is a high priority for you.

Best of luck with your decision!

[ABR]

Hazard, previet.

Don't sweat about 16" wheels, it will be better choice for Moscow roads.

As for rear room, it depends how tall are you. I'm tall and can't even seat my 6 year old behind me. Trunk room for luggage is pretty good.

Passat or any other mid-sized car will be definitely more comfortable for other family members. E90 is perfect for 2 people in my opinion.

The best for you is to take your family the dealership and make a test drive all together. The result will answer your question.

[Hazard]

I thank everybody for advices, but I have to ask my question about seats again: if someone use non-sports seats and satisfied with them?
By the way, I'm very glad with trunk of my E39 Touring (it is very convenient, I almost don't have to fold the rear seats), but having looked though the papers I have, I found that it has a volume of 410 dm3, whereas E90 limousine has 460 dm3!!!
I don't know who I must believe to: my eyes or the papers

[ABR]

I have non sport seats, they are fine for me.

[ben1364]

Except for a bit of front shoulder room and rear leg room the passenger compartment of the E 90 is fairly close in size to that of the E39. However, the luggage compartment is considerably smaller. Except for luggage space, I think you would find the E 90 acceptable for the driver and up to three passengers unless all are tall and wide. <smile>

[rickb]

I thank everybody for advices, but I have to ask my question about seats again: if someone use non-sports seats and satisfied with them?

I have the non-sport seats and they are just fine, though I have not yet taken any really long rides - longest in one stretch so far was maybe 75 miles.

I do have the premium package though, which means the inflatable bladders for lumbar support, and that adds to the comfort level of course.

[Oz]

I have non-sports seats and I have taken 5-6 hour trips to go back and forth to school. I always have been comfortable with them and nobody has complained. I took my family (4 people total) around NYC yesterday and I didn't hear any major complaints even though they are used to the X5

[DesiInCT]

Non-sports seats, wife and two kids. We actually prefer the bimmer over our Mercedes ML 320 for long rides.

[puck724]

i ahve non sport seats and they are quite comfortable for me i ahve the lumbar support though. i wasnt sure if your packages would come with that.the trunk space should suffice. i also agree with members saying that you should have your family sit in the car for the test drive, that will be the best way for you to gauge whether or not your family will be comfortable in it.

good luck!

[climkt]

In Singapore, a e60 523i costs as much as a e90 325i .If you have tall , large build family members, i would advise a e60 5 series. E90 Rear room for long rides can be very uncomfortable and claustrophobic. You sound like a guy who likes comfort for the family rather than a truly sporty drive for yourself. if a 523i price is comparable to a 325i, i would stick with the 5 series.

[David328M-Sport]

i have leather non sports seats.

very comfortable on long trips. car can be a bit small with wife, 2 children and lots of luggage when going on vacation but its is ok. you can shoehorn quite a bit of luggage in the boot/trunk, the small hand bags may have to ride on the floor of the back seat. no big deal, really.

all the best.

[Hazard]

Thanks to everybody who answered!!!
I've decided I'll be young until I drive BMW
So, my choice probably will be E90 325iA with non-sport seats and standart suspension and 16'' wheels (I'll use them for winter and buy 17" for summer).
As we are offered cars from stock it will take a couple of days to get it (if we agree with a dealer of trade-in of my old car).

[puck724]

dont ofrget pictures when you get it

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by Hazard

2) Family men, who have children and wives who likes to put a lot of baggage even if you go just for weekend - is it enough room on rear seats for long trips for you kids who are about 9 - 12 years old? Do they feel good on the rear seats? For me (183 cm) they didn't seem very roomy and comfortable... Is there enough room in a trunk of E90 to put a baggage for a family?
I'm sure that BMW is Ultimate Driving Machine (all our car magazines enjoyed testing it) and I like that very much, but I cannot have many cars - only one, and I must care about members of my family - my wife and my daughter like the exterior and interiour of E90, too and I don' t want they will hate the car, because it is not comfortable for them and their baggage

3-series has the worst reputation on back seats space , E90 , I heard it is 'improved' but when I got my car for 2 weeks now , I found:-
1. trunk depth - You can't put a golf bag vertically. need to shift it a bit to the side to fit in. ( I regret did not get the 'through loading option', you better do ). A full family's stuff can be VERY MARGINAL.
2. front seats - not sure for a 6'5"
3. back seats - only comfortable if not more than 2 passengers ; if 3 persons at the back, the middle person wlll find the rear aircond outlet a big obstacle to his legs , very uncomfort.
4. due to the back seats are shifted backwards, it is not too comfortable to get out from the car for adult, as you will feel you are being 'pushed back' to the car.

You have to educate your children about the balance of fun and comfort if they can understand what it means; or else, get a SUV and you wont have all the hassle. Good luck.

[Ed_330i]

ta-va-ish moskivch

E90 za-me-cha-te-ne machina. BMV, lu-che ne-tu.

Na-me pla-no mes-ta.

[DTM]

Originally Posted by Hazard

By the way, I'm very glad with trunk of my E39 Touring (it is very convenient, I almost don't have to fold the rear seats), but having looked though the papers I have, I found that it has a volume of 410 dm3, whereas E90 limousine has 460 dm3!!!
I don't know who I must believe to: my eyes or the papers

The E39 and E90 are actually rather similiar in size. Each generation cars get bigger, and E90 has grown to the size of the previous 5.

[DTM]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

get a SUV and you wont have all the hassle. Good luck.

Is that really practical option in Russia?

[Ed_330i]

Originally Posted by DTM

Is that really practical option in Russia?

haha, moscovites love suvs.