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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1291 of 1609

#12898 of 16087 Re: mark & fedlawman [nyccarguy] by markcincinnati

Jan 03, 2012 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Jan 03, 2012 1:18 pm)
I have been to three Audi (in Seefeld Austria) driving schools and one BMW driving school (here in the US in South Carolina). Both schools teach you how to brake, steer and generally gain a pretty high level of control over your car at speeds faster than you are probably able to imagine yourself going "comfortably."
 
I drive my 305HP TL so slowly on Interstate 71S on the way to downtown Cincinnati, I rarely have any chance to exercise my abilities.
 
We had our first slick road conditions here yesterday -- the local news interviewed our State Highway Patrolman du jour about how to drive defensively (which is, after all, what they teach in the Audi and BMW driving schools even if they never use that term). The first 25 seconds of the response from the highway patrol was to describe what to do if your vehicle is NOT equipped with ABS (or stability control) -- just as he started to explain the differences in braking with ABS vs non-ABS, the interview was cut short.
 
As I watched this interview unfold, I grew angry since the response from the cop was to NOT press hard on the brakes without ABS and I knew he was about to say something like, "unless you have ABS . . . (wherein he was cut off) in which case you should apply your brakes with maximum pressure on the brake pedal."
 
If anyone was about 75% paying attention, I would think they would press on their ABS equipped car's brake pedal until the tell-tale vibration started and then quickly reduce pressure on the pedal. Of course this is just the opposite of what should take place to ensure the shortest, straightest stop (with steering capability, to boot)!
 
What is the % of ABS equipped cars? I've had it in all my cars since 2000 for pity's sake -- 11+ years.
 
Why not talk about getting out and cranking the engine with the hand crank?
 
Oh crap, I'm way off topic.
 
Hmmm, let's see -- OK, I've got it.
 
All ELLPS and LPS (and most other cars on the market today) have BOTH ABS and Electronic Stability Control, we should be taught how to use them for optimum effect!
 
Whew, hopefully I saved it. Sorry for going off track. I panicked.
 
Burma.
 
 

#12899 of 16087 Re: mark & fedlawman [markcincinnati] by busiris

Jan 03, 2012 (4:35 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jan 03, 2012 2:36 pm)
I live less than 10 miles from the BMW Performance Center and have been on their track many times.
 
I agree with your comments about confusing the drivers about braking practices.
 
Its one of the 1st things you're taught by the Performance Center trainers when you pick up your new BMW car there, and I would guess well over 75% start out the day not knowing the proper procedure for braking in wet/icy conditions.
 
BTW, I never tire of spinning out on the skid-pad at the Performance Center track....

#12900 of 16087 Re: mark & fedlawman [busiris] by markcincinnati

Jan 04, 2012 (7:50 am)

Replying to: busiris (Jan 03, 2012 4:35 pm)
Ahh the smell of burning brake pads in the morning!

#12901 of 16087 Re: A little OT [fedlawman] by flightnurse

Jan 04, 2012 (9:53 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Jan 03, 2012 9:59 am)
Talk about old school, 300ZX TT and Hurricane 600. So how does one contact you off this forum? The 300zx TT is a monster when it comes to maintenance.
 
First time to Europe I hired a Hurricane 600 in the UK, second time to Europe hired a 520i.

#12902 of 16087 Re: Frustrating [markcincinnati] by rayainsw

Jan 04, 2012 (9:58 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jan 03, 2012 8:24 am)
Long post – fair warning . . .
 
I do recognize that even a quarter mile blast [ to well over 100 MPH from a standing start, in my current BMW 3 ] is something I am unlikely to do anytime soon – or anywhere but a race track. However, I use [ and I appreciate ] the ability to gain speed when I want or need to. The deep well of Torque available at most any RPM, in any gear, allows acceleration with a degree of ease, an effortless surge that I find quite satisfying.
 
Though I relish those occasions when I can apply WOT for more than a few seconds, I also appreciate the times where much less than full throttle accomplishes the task at hand [ passing, merging, etc. ] with no flash or drama. There is [ to me ] a strong feeling that this car [ in some ways like the Corvette I drove for over 2 years ] will do anything asked – all day long – and accomplish the assigned tasks without breaking a sweat.
 
This applies to the handling, as well. Though I never purposely approach 10/10 in my [ street ] driving, the feeling of precision and my sense that there is capacity well beyond what I will intentionally use results in a level of security that I value. Within the performance envelope I use, this feeling that I am always well inside the car’s limits is of value – to me.
 
So – in addition to the quantifiable performance aspects [ acceleration rate, cornering Gs, etc. ], for me, that feeling or sense of capacity beyond what I can comfortably tap in my typical driving is one reason that I am willing to pay the price for something like the BMW 3.
 
I use the aspects of the performance that I think I prudently can, when and where I can – and this other ‘sense - touchy, feely’ stuff sustains me from one such occasion to the next. And helps keep my frustration in check.
 
- Ray
Happy BMW customer . . .

#12903 of 16087 Re: Frustrating [markcincinnati] by flightnurse

Jan 04, 2012 (9:58 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jan 03, 2012 8:24 am)
Mark for me its not how fast I can drive my cars, but the pleasure it brings. For me, the BMW 3 series is a complete car, the seating position, the shifter, the feel of the car when driving. Can't get that with the G or the M (I currently have a M37X as a rental), Audi comes close, MB does have it. There are a couple of off amps and on ramps that really brings a smile to my face in Phoenix.

#12904 of 16087 Re: mark & fedlawman [nyccarguy] by flightnurse

Jan 04, 2012 (10:02 am)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Jan 03, 2012 1:18 pm)
NyCarguy BMW CPO is truly the best way to get your BMW, it comes with an extended warranty and you should be able to get the BMW with more equipment then you want for the same price.

#12905 of 16087 Re: Frustrating [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Jan 04, 2012 (11:17 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jan 04, 2012 9:58 am)
Off and on ramps are straights - best left to cars that get up and go. The g and the M do have that.

#12906 of 16087 Re: mark & fedlawman [flightnurse] by nyccarguy

Jan 04, 2012 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jan 04, 2012 10:02 am)
I plan on waiting until my TSX is paid off and beyond anyway, but will definitely entertain the idea of a CPO F30 328i w/ XDrive when the time comes.
 
I too love pretty much everything about the current E90 3, including all the little details you listed. It is just too small for my needs. With 3 young children, in addition to wonderful driving dynamics & rapid acceleration, I need a decent sized trunk & a spacious interior. A stroller would take up 90% of the trunk space in an E90. A child safety seat attached forward facing in the rear of the car literally touches the ceiling. A rear facing infant seat would render the front passenger seat useless.
 
We had an '07 X3. It had tons of rear seat room for child safety seats (forward or rear facing) without impeding on the comfort of the front passenger. Reliability wise, the car was perfect. Only went to the dealer for scheduled service visits & 1 other time. With 42,000 miles (3,000 shy of lease allotment), my wife swerved to avoid some debris in the road and whacked a center median high curb. She took out 2 tires and a wheel. She also needed an alignment to go with it. The service advisor told me that the 2 remaining tires wouldn't pass BMW lease end inspection and that I should replace them. I also callled him at 11:30 am, arrived with the X3 on a flatbed by 12:45 pm, and there was a loaner warmed up & ready to roll for me.
 
I should have bought the X3 at its lease end with it's brand new tires and stellar reliabiliy record. Plus I LOVED driving it. I had the TSX which was just a year old with 17,000 miles for it that I didn't want to get killed as far as depreciation goes, then take out a loan on a 3 year old BMW with 46,000 miles. I had just taken a bath selling my apartment and had bought a house so I figured keeping the Acura was a safe bet. Plus I wasn't thrilled with the X3's cargo room. The Acura actually has a longer & wider trunk.
 
Like I've said before, I like the TSX. A lot. It just isn't a car I picked out to be my daily driver. I inherited it from my wife after we found out we were expecting our 3rd child and bought her a Pilot. When the time comes to replace the TSX, I'm most certainly going to replace it with a BMW.

#12907 of 16087 Re: A little OT [flightnurse] by fedlawman

Jan 04, 2012 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jan 04, 2012 9:53 am)
"Talk about old school, 300ZX TT and Hurricane 600. So how does one contact you off this forum?"
 
Check my profile. I'll leave my e-mail up for a little while...
 
Are you on facebook?

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