[ABR]

Just want to share with you my constant confusion with my 330i. It was discussed already, that e90 feels slow from the start. Well…

But how come every time I’m looking into the mirror everybody is way behind me? I feel that car starts without a kick, but I’m ahead of all others. That is weird stuff.

Anybody else?

[CnoteMD]

I think the problem isn't that the E90 has a sluggish start, but that most other cars are set up to have a very abrupt throttle response.

I spend a lot of time in traffic and the thing that I notice frequently is that other cars seem to lurch away from a stop even when they aren't trying to accelerate hard. Since most of these people have automatics, I can see the car jumping forward just by releasing the brake.

I remember driving a Toyota Camry a few months back (rental car) and it felt VERY fast for the first second or so. But, after that the acceleration was only average. When I am in traffic, I notice that I am the only person that can inch forward without the car rocking backwards from hard acceleration. But, like you mentioned, very soon I notice most other cars in the rear view mirror.

[Ghunger]

Part of it could be the smoothness of the acceleration and the quiet ride? I really noticed it in my test drives going from my pickup to the 330. I had to watch the speedometer because I thought I was going much slower than I actually was.

[r3amir]

I agree with the smoothness and quietness. It might feel slow but it isn't

[AW330i]

Its crazy how fast you can be going without knowing it... I find myself going 15-20mph over what I was thinking I was going all the time the car is too damn smooth lol

[findtom]

You don't "feel" the acceleration like most cars but keep your eye on the needle. Even my 325 breaks 100km/hr in 2nd. You also get used to it, I drove a Honda Accord for a few days over xmas and my bimmer felt like a goddamn rocketship when got back into it again. It's very very smooth power, I noticed this the first time I drove it after an A3 which would lurch forward and press you in your seat but had pretty much the exact same performance.

[voltron1011]

My dad's crappy Maxima does this off the line. I barely touch the gas pedal and it lurches and squeals the tires. I don't think it's the engine as much as the torque-converter. A lot of companies give the impression of faster acceleration by making that initial spool up very fast.

[HRC]

Originally Posted by voltron1011

...I don't think it's the engine as much as the torque-converter. A lot of companies give the impression of faster acceleration by making that initial spool up very fast.

Agreed! My mom's corolla and my wife's tsx both feel *quick* of the line, but go past 20mph, and things start to slow down. Both are auto btw.

What I really love is if your cruising in your e90, no matter what spped and gear, when you step on the gas, it goes. Do the same in my wife's tsx and you feel...nothing. For me, that makes up for the spooled up torque converter.

Danny

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

I think the problem isn't that the E90 has a sluggish start, but that most other cars are set up to have a very abrupt throttle response.

I spend a lot of time in traffic and the thing that I notice frequently is that other cars seem to lurch away from a stop even when they aren't trying to accelerate hard. Since most of these people have automatics, I can see the car jumping forward just by releasing the brake.

I remember driving a Toyota Camry a few months back (rental car) and it felt VERY fast for the first second or so. But, after that the acceleration was only average. When I am in traffic, I notice that I am the only person that can inch forward without the car rocking backwards from hard acceleration. But, like you mentioned, very soon I notice most other cars in the rear view mirror.

You are spot on. Our Subaru Outback had an ultra-sensitive accelerator pedal and it took my wife a bit of time to get used to the E91. Whenever I drove the Subaru I would jerk and lurch all over the place when starting out. VWs are also similar to BMW, but Mercedes is more sensitive.

[David328M-Sport]

my car is not sluggish at all. my old e46 323 fekt very heavy and needed pushing.

i can jump off the line and go. very responsive and fast accelerating when needed, especially in DS mode.

no problems at all.

[carl_d]

Originally Posted by ABR

Just want to share with you my constant confusion with my 330i. It was discussed already, that e90 feels slow from the start. Well…

But how come every time I’m looking into the mirror everybody is way behind me? I feel that car starts without a kick, but I’m ahead of all others. That is weird stuff.

Anybody else?

How many miles have you done?

Try another gas station/brand.

Try a higher octain gas but only buy from a very very busy gas station as higher octain goes off within weeks.

[ABR]

Originally Posted by carl_d

How many miles have you done?

Try another gas station/brand.

Try a higher octain gas but only buy from a very very busy gas station as higher octain goes off within weeks.

I have about 3k now. I think the gas is allright (busy station).

I agree with others. The car is quite smooth to start, which perhaps gives a feeling of slowness. Plus, it starts from 2nd gear.... In DS/M mode from the 1st gear it starts faster.

Anyway the most important it accelerates really fast from a highway speeds (effortlessly).

"Woo-hoo! See you in back mirror."

Can't get enough of this car.

[carlosng]

I jsut postd a thread with the same experience as you
and I did a search and found the topic already posted !

[carlosng]

well
I missed thje jerk off start ! otherwise the car is perfect!

[vivekk]

Originally Posted by findtom

You don't "feel" the acceleration like most cars but keep your eye on the needle. Even my 325 breaks 100km/hr in 2nd. You also get used to it, I drove a Honda Accord for a few days over xmas and my bimmer felt like a goddamn rocketship when got back into it again. It's very very smooth power, I noticed this the first time I drove it after an A3 which would lurch forward and press you in your seat but had pretty much the exact same performance.

I agree totally. The first day I drove my 330, it felt like a rocket, compared to my old 318is. Three months later, it just feels 'normal'- not like a 'rocket' anymore.
It still leaves cars behind like it did on the first day I got it, bit I think I'm just used to it now.
The power delivery it just so smooth, it just doesn't feel like you are getting the initial 'force you into the back of the seat' feeling.

One way of checking is to drive another car for a few days & see if the feeling comes back when you get back into your e90.
I still love it though.

[voltron1011]

I just read a review comparing the M5 and the M6. Both cars were clocked at about 4.4 (+/- .2) 0 to 60mph. The reviewers noted that neither of the cars felt very fast because of the smooth power delivery of the BMW engine. Unlike turbo-charged motors or Honda VTEC motors that have a distinctive POWERBAND that kicks you in the pants (but are slouches any other time), the Bimmer motor is so well engineered that there is no decernable powerchange or spike through the rev range. Just one constant wall of power all the way to 7800 rpm.

[AussieMarkF]

I must confess that I am finding my 325i 6sp man quite sluggish off the mark in first gear, so much so that I have taken it back to the dealer and complained. They have offered to update the software with the latest version from Germany, remap the computer etc. They admitted a number of other 325i drivers had complained.

This is a really disappointing experience from such an expensive car. I have been beaten away from the lights by old Hyundais and Toyota Corollas. My previous E46 325i 5sp man was far more exciting off the mark. The e90 is fine once I get rolling. Hopefully this software upgrade will fix matters. I will update you all once the new software version is loaded.

Fingers crossed!!