SO WHICH ONE HANDLES BETTER 330 or 550
05-18-2006, 03:26 PM
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My Ride: Collected Sept 2009 - BMW E90 M3, Silverstone II, Novillo Black leather, 19" M Double-Spoke alloys, High Beam Assist, Electronic Damper Control, Voice Control, PDC, USB, DAB, High Gloss Shadowline, Sliding armrest, Trim Finishing in aluminium grey.
I'd expect the 330 to have the edge.
05-18-2006, 03:26 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Probably the 330
05-18-2006, 03:45 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
I dunno... the 550 has dynamic drive... and what does the 330 weigh compare to the 550?
05-18-2006, 03:50 PM
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My Ride: 2006 550 SMG
Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='284423' date='May 18 2006, 07:45 PM
I dunno... the 550 has dynamic drive... and what does the 330 weigh compare to the 550?
The 330 is only 388 lbs lighter, the weight ditribution on both cars is pretty much the same.
05-18-2006, 04:05 PM
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I'm guessing that you are asking about the new 330 model, but our 2002 330xi is a blast to drive (without a sport package). My family keeps asking me why I take that car out almost as much on errands as I do the 550 - 'cause it's fun. 
The 330 engine power seems kind of whimpy compared to the outstanding 550, but it is more than enough to sprint around with. The handling of the 330 is fantastic.
It's been almost ten years since I've owned a 3 series and after driving 5ers and a 7 series, I forgot how much fun the 3 series is to toss around.
Driving the two cars around on the same roads in similar conditions at similar speeds shows two different personalities. The 3er is a ton of fun in the twisties, but you need to work the wheel hard and you need to hold on tight because you get tossed around with the car. The 550, on the other hand, handles the same stuff with effortless grace.
I'm not totally used to driving the 330 yet, so I don't know it's full limits, but I do get a bit nervous as I push it to the edge - I just don't have the confidence that I can take it to the limit. I don't have this problem in the 550 - the problem with the 550, frankly, is that the limit is so far out there I'm afraid to go there.
The grins you get in the 3er are from how much amusement park-like fun you can have. The grins from the 550 come from the sheer amazement that you can drive it like that and you know it's not even close to showing off yet. To me, this is what makes the 550 so special: that such a large vehicle can do the things it does with such poise and confidence.
Overall, the old 3er handles better than the 550 (but by a slim margin), and it's so fun to do so.
To make a basketball analogy: the 330 is Steve Nash; the 550 is Tim Duncan; I guess that makes LeBron James an M5.
The 330 engine power seems kind of whimpy compared to the outstanding 550, but it is more than enough to sprint around with. The handling of the 330 is fantastic.
It's been almost ten years since I've owned a 3 series and after driving 5ers and a 7 series, I forgot how much fun the 3 series is to toss around.Driving the two cars around on the same roads in similar conditions at similar speeds shows two different personalities. The 3er is a ton of fun in the twisties, but you need to work the wheel hard and you need to hold on tight because you get tossed around with the car. The 550, on the other hand, handles the same stuff with effortless grace.
I'm not totally used to driving the 330 yet, so I don't know it's full limits, but I do get a bit nervous as I push it to the edge - I just don't have the confidence that I can take it to the limit. I don't have this problem in the 550 - the problem with the 550, frankly, is that the limit is so far out there I'm afraid to go there.
The grins you get in the 3er are from how much amusement park-like fun you can have. The grins from the 550 come from the sheer amazement that you can drive it like that and you know it's not even close to showing off yet. To me, this is what makes the 550 so special: that such a large vehicle can do the things it does with such poise and confidence.
Overall, the old 3er handles better than the 550 (but by a slim margin), and it's so fun to do so.
To make a basketball analogy: the 330 is Steve Nash; the 550 is Tim Duncan; I guess that makes LeBron James an M5.
05-18-2006, 04:13 PM
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My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
i've driven an e90 330 sport HARD during an AutoX session. i think the 330 handles better than my 545 sport.
330 AS > 550 AS
330 RFT > 550 RFT
both areas give you more direct feel so give you more confidence and help you pinpoint your exact move.
330's shorter wheelbase and smaller size help it be/feel more nimble too.
330 AS > 550 AS
330 RFT > 550 RFT
both areas give you more direct feel so give you more confidence and help you pinpoint your exact move.
330's shorter wheelbase and smaller size help it be/feel more nimble too.
05-18-2006, 05:54 PM
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My Ride: 2005.5 545i, Silver Grey, Dakota Black, Anthracite, Premium, Cold, Sport, L7, Nav, Fold Down Seats, Sunshades, Sirius.
2006 330i, Silver, Black, Natural Poplar, Sport, 6 speed, Cold, Premium
2002 330xi Black, Black, Premium, Cold, Premium Sound. (Sold)
1997 540i (sold)
1985 635i Euro (sold to family)
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I have a 545 (steptronic) sport and wife has an e90 330 sport (manual). The 5 is a luxury car at heart, the 3 is a sports car at heart. I rather drive the 3 for the handling and pushing hard. The 5 is not tossable, just stable and fast and way less connected to the road. They are both very quiet on the highway with a slight edge to the 5in overall road isolation, but it is close. The seats are better in the 3 for me. Might be different with a manual in the 5, but if you are in between, take the 3 and pocket the 25K.
