Bang for the big bucks

We drove it in Spain and we got to drive it again two weeks ago in Clark, Pampanga: BMW’s class-leading 3-Series sports sedan, now in its "E90" generation. Once again, we were duly impressed with its dynamic handling and refined powertrains, especially with the 258-horsepower 330i and its Active Steering component. Through a system of sensors and steering shaft gears, in extreme situations, the car senses the need for more (or less) steering angle relative to the actual position of the steering wheel.

As we wrote about before, Active Steering made us look like expert drivers on the simulated ice course of the Albacete Race Circuit. Whereas we’d have had to do at least 1.5 turns of opposite lock with the steering wheel to correct for a slide with the old 3-Series, Active Steering reduced the number of turns by about 50 percent, enabling us to drift the car from corner to slippery corner with relative ease. In Clark, a series of chicanes and a soaped-up section of linoleum proved once again how slick the technology is.

With a non-Active Steering 320i, an Active Steering-equipped 330i, and an E46 325i Sport for comparison, tackling the tight set of cones with the 330i was just so much easier with Active Steering. While the 320i and 325i had us twisting the wheel almost one complete turn left-and-right to negotiate the cones, the 330i just had us gliding along, flicking the car with almost go-kart like steering quickness. Yet on the short drive an hour earlier where we got the cars up to more than 140kph — as well as 230kph in Spain earlier this year — steering effort magically increased for a more stable feel without sacrificing that all-important road feel.

On another course in Clark with that 30-foot strip of slippery linoleum, we were asked to accelerate flat-out then slam on the brakes with one side of the car on the linoleum. Normally, such a stunt would cause a terrifying spin as the uneven traction throws the car into the direction where there’s more traction. But with the Active Steering working in concert with Dynamic Stability Control to keep the wheels straight while bringing the car to an ABS-assisted stop, we could even keep the car going straight with our fingertips literally just resting on the steering wheel rim.

About the only detail that flustered us a bit in Clark was that E46. Honestly, there hasn’t been a single misstep in the 3-Series’ history. BMW has had its share of not-so-successful models like the 8-series E31 coupe, and even the über-techno 7-Series has had to undergo a midcycle facelift because the original look was just too, ahh, ahead of its time, but the 3 Series has always looked desirable. In pictures, the E46 and E90 have the same distinctive styling cues such as the kidney-grille, the powerdome on the hood, the "Hofmeisterknick" on the C-pillar, and those taut fenders stretched over low-profile wheels. But looking at the E46 325i and the E90 330i in the flesh, it’s hard to choose which one I’d prefer . The E46 looks muscular and compact, the E90 is dynamic, has more presence on the road by dint of its larger dimensions, but more mature in aura.

Inside, the E46 is cozy, the cockpit like a fighter plane’s in the layout of all controls, buttons, and switches clearly biased toward the driver. In contrast, the E90 is more "equal opportunity"-oriented, the angles of controls not so extreme in order to involve the passengers more. And there’s noticeably more space: tall adults will have enough legroom and headroom this time. But looking at the specs and driving the cars back to back, and remembering how each car responds to real world driving conditions where the chassis needs to be "as fast as the engine", the E90 is undoubtedly the better car. At the E90’s higher limits of handling and acceleration, there’s just that extra margin of electronic intervention and mechanical refinement to keep you from falling over the edge. That the E46 already set the benchmark for sports sedans here and around the world just tells you how much engineering know-how was put into the new car to make it faster, bigger, and better. And the price creep is not as dramatic as we initially thought it would be.

Several months ago, an E46 318i Executive would have set you back P2.550M. The comparable model now is the 320i Executive at P2.595M, but it has run-flat tires, more power, a 6-speed automatic, and an innovative "dry braking" function that periodically rubs the callipers against the disks when it rains to lessen brake fade in the wet. For the 325i, an E46 Executive went up as high as 3.500M. An E90 Executive is now P3.610, but that adds those run-flat tires, the dry braking, the 6-speed automatic, and more power: 218 horsepower versus the E46’s 192. For the very wealthy enthusiasts that want the whole caboodle, the 258-horsepower 330i Sport with its Active Steering and 17-inch wheels is P4.195M. For that kind of money, you can already drive home a 520i Limousine (P3.990M), BMW’s entry-level executive saloon. It has most of the P4.990M 530i’s high tech features and plush-yet-athletic handling, but makes do with a 170-horsepower inline-six.

Perhaps recognizing that pricing and maintenance concerns might sway buyers over to other European brands, BMW has shrewdly thrown a big carrot called "BMW Service and Repair Inclusive". For the first three years or 60,000 kilometers, every labor charge and consumable you could think of to maintain a 3 is absolutely free, including oil, oil filters, brake pads, and wiper blades, not to mention anything else under warranty. The only items not covered are tires and gasoline. For those in the 3’s premium niche, the new car simply offers more bang for the buck than ever before.

Once again, a number of backseat drivers had to have their say last week. Here are some of their text-in comments.

Few Filipinos actually care about the importance of time. When you travel at the North Luzon Expressway, you actually save time. — 09277932192

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br>There are more private vehicles but only a small number of them are smoke belchers, unlike majority of the buses, jeepneys and trikes which belt foul black smog. — 09178459239

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Our traffic enforcers are ignorant of traffic laws. They should undergo seminars before they are allowed to man the traffic. — 09178531454

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Part of our traffic woes lies with the LTO. Why doesn’t it come out with an illustrated basic manual of traffic rules and regulations? — 09179837429

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Car repair shops are occupying nearly two lanes of Mindanao Avenue near Quirino high way. Help! — 09274874578

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It is imperative to ban stereos on Public Utility Jeeps (PUJs). Several PUJ drivers are too busy changing dials most of the time. — 09166578432

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Things are really heating up! Toyota and Hyundai have go the ball rolling at last! The other manufacturers better get their act together fast. — 09178810718

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Speak out, be heard and keep those text messages coming in. To say your piece and become a "Backseat Driver", text PHILSTAR<space>FB<space>MOTORING<space>YOUR MESSAGE and send to 2333 if you’re a Globe or Touch Mobile subscriber or 334 if you’re a Smart or Talk ’n Text subscriber.