...is that by June most people on this forum will want an E90. I think the car will look much better in person, and with a few aftermarket styling tweaks it will look very sleek and aggressive. I have already seen some photos of one with a blacked-out grille and headlights and it definitely showed potential. IMO, the newer BMW designs are just not photogenic. You know how some people just don't look good in photos but then you meet them and you are like "damn, she/he is hawt!" I think that this will be true with the E90 as it was for many people (myself included) with the E60.

Also, the base motor in the 325 seems like a huge improvement over the outgoing one. You will be getting almost as much power as the E46 330, and it would seem with minor mods one will be able to get close to the new 330 motor. I think the 325 with a standard 6-spd manual and no i-drive or active steering will be a huge hit with enthusiasts on a "budget".

Now throw in the better base equipment (though xenons should be std.) and cool new features and I think this car will be a huge hit. Besides, if you want to talk about ugly, lets talk about the IS350 :confused

When I first saw the E60 in photos, I didn't really care for it but didn't hate it either. When I saw it in person for the first time I felt exactly the same.

With the new E90, I really like it (I've only seen the photos). I think it stands a little tall, and the taillights aren't my favorite, but all around it is a great looking car. I can't wait for the coupe and some new color choices.

My demographic:
30yo
professional
3rd time BMW owner

I agree with you about the taillights, they are the one element of the styling that I'm not sure I like.

...is that by June most people on this forum will want an E90. I think the car will look much better in person, and with a few aftermarket styling tweaks it will look very sleek and aggressive. I have already seen some photos of one with a blacked-out grille and headlights and it definitely showed potential. IMO, the newer BMW designs are just not photogenic. You know how some people just don't look good in photos but then you meet them and you are like "damn, she/he is hawt!" I think that this will be true with the E90 as it was for many people (myself included) with the E60.

Also, the base motor in the 325 seems like a huge improvement over the outgoing one. You will be getting almost as much power as the E46 330, and it would seem with minor mods one will be able to get close to the new 330 motor. I think the 325 with a standard 6-spd manual and no i-drive or active steering will be a huge hit with enthusiasts on a "budget".

Now throw in the better base equipment (though xenons should be std.) and cool new features and I think this car will be a huge hit. Besides, if you want to talk about ugly, lets talk about the IS350 :confused

I disgree but time will tell.

Up until about a week ago I was also feeling not so hot about the E90, and was considering picking up a used E46. However, after doing a little more research I think that the E90 will be fantastic. Of course, as you said, only time (and a test drive) will tell.

Dude, totally agree about the statement that it's not photogenic. I don't think cars in general are. I signed-up for an e90 test-drive in San Francisco on April 29 during BMW's e90 U.S. tour. Can't wait to drive it.

yeah i think that everytime bmw comes out with a newer style than the latter, lots of enthusiasts do not like the style until they have enough companies making mods for the newer cars. at first. i didnt like the E46's but when they came out with the 330ci, I started to like them, and I still do since the 2004-2005 E46 coupes look better than when they first came out.