Re: E46 328i coupe - delivery date?

[Evan Arnerich <arnerich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tamer Rashad wrote:

> Can anyone confirm the first delivery date for the E46 328i coupe in
the
> U.S.?

According to my dealer, May '99. While I'm here, I'll share some visual
and driving impressions of the '99 E46 328i sedan (with premium
package):

Handling: Stayed flat in moderate speed corners, but felt pretty soft
overall. I'd like to try out the sport package.

Steering: lighter and more numb than my '87 325, but still not bad.
Again, refer to sport package.

Engine: too quiet (but then I kept the rev's below 4500). Power didn't
seem great at low rev's, but once it's broken in, who'll use low rev's?
;^)

Brakes:  slightly grabby, and much more sensitive than my car's
admittedly smaller discs. While I'm on it, the space between the
transmission tunnel and the brake pedal (you know, where the gas pedal
is) seems smaller than on the E30. Lifting off the brake and going back
to the gas was non-smooth sometimes, as the edge of my my right foot
would occasionally catch on the edge of the brake pedal when going for
the gas. Maybe I just need narrower shoes (or feet), but I never had
that problem with my E30.

Shifter: slightly notchy (not broken in or BL/SS'd yet).

Looks: _Much_ better in person than in pictures. I parked next to a 528i
w/sport package (nice wheels), and I like the E46 better. YMMV. It's
deceivingly small (only a couple inches longer and wider than my E30,
even with 6-8 inches more wheelbase).

Interior: Reminds me of Honda with the low dash and hood that curves
downward out of sight at the front. The armrest was in the way of
shifting in both its up and down positions. Radio controls on the
steering wheel are neat, climate controls straightforward. Power seats
didn't provide much thigh support, but the power lumbar was nice.

Sound system: Who cares? Seriously, the RDS is OK, but the Weather Band
is mising. An in-dash single CD player (w/o cassette) is optional, or a
trunk-mounted CD changer plugs right in. All cars use the
in-the-rear-window diversity antenna, but also include a roof-mounted
antenna for phone, etc. even if the optional phone is not ordered.

Road noise: very low (non-sport suspension with wimpy all-season 205/15
tires).

Wind noise: more than I expected for a new car (may too new?).

Overall, pretty good, and like I said above, the sport package should
take care of most of those problems.

Evan

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