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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

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

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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 1492 of 1610

#14906 of 16087 Re: You know what? [andys120] by cdnpinhead

Sep 17, 2012 (9:48 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Sep 17, 2012 12:48 pm)
This topic is getting boring. All we ever seem to talk about is Acuras, what's up with that? The real ELLPCs don't get much discussion.
 
This board was deader than Elvis for months, if not years, until a couple of people made it their own personal playground. A few worthy posts slip in from time to time (like yours), so I continue to follow it. I found the F30 review interesting, but since I don't own one or have any plans to buy or drive one, didn't respond.

#14907 of 16087 Re: You know what? [cdnpinhead] by flightnurse

Sep 17, 2012 (10:53 pm)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Sep 17, 2012 9:48 pm)
Forums have a way of changing over time, and with the crop of new cars coming into the ELLPS maybe the that are talked about here should be expanded. This board has a wide range of likes and dislikes and a very wide idea on what a ELLPS is, what I don't like are the personal attacks and how people continue to beat a dead horse and can't move forward. But humans do come in all shapes, sizes and personalities.
 
When it comes to driving the new F30 cars, the 328i w/ the 8 spd auto is a good combo. Was at the BMW dealer on Friday, my niece wanted to buy a used 328i, and a local dealer had a cream puff, 2009 329i, Jet Black, Oyster Leather (great combo, no wear marks on the seats) Premium, Sport and Cold Weather package, Xenon head lights, power rear shade, Sat radio, Comfort Access, iPod/USB port. 46K miles, CPO and the dealer was asking $25,777. We couldn't get the numbers to work, and left, but I figured the dealer would call her, and they did, so on Sat we went back, she was about to get the car for $24,100 + tax and fee's.
 
I drove a 2012 X3, i28, have to say was impressed, much larger then the last X3 I drove (2009) and the turbo 4 and 8 spd auto is a good combo, the transmission always seemed to be in the right gear when driving around town and one would be hard pressed to know it was a turbo...
 
The X1 is a joke, about the same size as a CRV and Rogue for 39K, I assumed the X1 has the same 8 spd auto as the X3 and 328's have but they do not, they have a 6 spd... wonder why, cost ??
 
While the finance department was getting my nieces paperwork together, I was talking with the sales manager and asked him how many BMW's does the dealership order with the M sport package? (this was a different dealer than where I bought my 328 from) and the number was surprising.... He told me 1 in 800. The people who are buying BMW today aren't really the sport people and they are looking for the luxury of the car not the sportiness of the car. I was basically told, if I wanted a 3 or 5 series with the M sport package, I would have to order the car, since he wouldn't order one for the dealership. In fact over the last 5 years the amount of BMW with the sport package has decreased, people don't like the sport seats.... Basically BMW is going soft because the market demands it.... Pretty sad....
 
So my niece is very happy with her new BMW, she got a great car and it still has some of the factory 4yr/50K Maintenance warranty left and she got the 6yr 100K mile warranty... Knowing my niece she will drive it pretty close to the 100K mark in that amount of time.

#14908 of 16087 BMW Transmissions - Best Choice?? by habitat1

Sep 18, 2012 (5:13 am)

There seems to be a theme here that more gears is better. I disagree. Ranking the transmission options in a 335i, I'd put it at:
 
#1: 6-speed manual
#2: 7-speed dual clutch automatic ("auto-manual")
#3: 8-speed Steptronic (torque converter "slush box")
 
Even the suggestion that an 8-speed Steptronic is better than a 6-speed is a little questionable. I recall when BMW responded to Lexus introduction of 8-speed autos with the counter that BMW engine torque bands were wide enough that they didn't want to add more gears to have the car fishing for the right one at a particular speed. Is the current 8-speed Steptronic a response to the EPA in trying to eek an extra mpg out of the engine? Just like the not so popular start stop feature. The 6-speed auto in our X5d has no trouble producing 30 mpg on the highway and accelerating like a (big) V8 from 50 to 80. I can see where the lower torque 3.5i might benefit with 2 extra gears, but the X5d doesn't need them.
 
What's next, a 10-speed auto that has to shift 9 times to get you to a highway cruise? Or worse, a CVT transmission with an "infinite" number of equivalent gear ratios? At least when Porsche made their EPA concession, it was by adding a 7th gear to their manual that was a pure overdrive. They left the first 6 ratios untouched. The engine redlines in 6th gear at 188 mph (top speed) and the ratios are perfectly matched to get every ounce of performance out of the engine. That's what's important. And should be to BMW. Not playing a who's got more game with Lexus.

#14909 of 16087 Re: It finally happened [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Sep 18, 2012 (5:22 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Sep 17, 2012 8:34 pm)
Agree- could a cvt head into the g and M? Or will he engine change to MB in the next refresh- something has to break

#14910 of 16087 Re: You know what? [flightnurse] by m6user

Sep 18, 2012 (5:35 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Sep 17, 2012 10:53 pm)
The X1 gets an 8 speed auto on the turbo four and a 6 speed auto on the i35 6 cyl model.

#14911 of 16087 Re: You know what? [cdnpinhead] by graphicguy

Sep 18, 2012 (6:23 am)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Sep 17, 2012 9:48 pm)
Be happy to talk about BMW 335i and Audi S4 if you want.....

#14912 of 16087 #2 Re: BMW Transmissions - Best Choice?? [habitat1] by rayainsw

Sep 18, 2012 (7:07 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Sep 18, 2012 5:13 am)
The ‘Best Choice’ for me [ YMMV ] is #2 - the 7-speed DCT in the BMW 335iS I currently drive.
 
I have driven several BMW 6-speed Steptronics and one new 8-speed Step [ in a 2012 535i ] and except in very slow & stop traffic [ 0 – 20 mph ] this transmission is a paragon of quick & precise gearchanges [ up & down ] with very well managed driveline shock.
 
- Ray
No manual trans. for me anymore . . .

#14913 of 16087 Re: #2 Re: BMW Transmissions - Best Choice?? [rayainsw] by habitat1

Sep 18, 2012 (7:58 am)

Replying to: rayainsw (Sep 18, 2012 7:07 am)
this transmission is a paragon of quick & precise gearchanges [ up & down ] with very well managed driveline shock.
 
Fortunately, I can still say the same thing about my right hand and left foot. But that's a debate for another forum.

#14914 of 16087 Re: BMW Transmissions - Best Choice?? [habitat1] by flightnurse

Sep 18, 2012 (8:06 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Sep 18, 2012 5:13 am)
I'm sure it has to do with the EPA more than anything else, but the benefits of the 8 spd steptronic are three fold. One it helps with the EPA figure and two it keeps the engine in the torque band and three more people buy BMW with Auto's then manuals. With that being said, the 8 spd works will with the turbo 4, I haven't driven the turbo 6 with the 8 spd, but I would assume it would be a nice fit too.
 
In regards to the 7 spd manual in the 911, I'm sure BMW will be moving to this soon to get their manual cars into line with the EPA too.
 
I like the newer DCT a lot, very quick shifting up and down, and no lag when shifted

#14915 of 16087 Re: It finally happened [sweendogy] by flightnurse

Sep 18, 2012 (8:12 am)

Replying to: sweendogy (Sep 18, 2012 5:22 am)
Sweeny the issue Infiniti has, it is trying to one up BMW, and to do that it is doing it with more HP, and this comes at a cost. Infiniti for some reason just can not get the FM platform to handle as well as the 3 series, it has all the right box's checked to be a better car... Infiniti will have to do something to get in line with the EPA...
 
I have a question some of you experts, does Infiniti fall under Nissan when it comes to the EPA? I would suspect if it does, then Infiniti will not worry about the MPG of the G or M for a while.

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