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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 597 of 1609

#5961 of 16087 Re: It's not about tracking... [kernick] by kdshapiro

Sep 10, 2006 (8:59 am)

Replying to: kernick (Sep 10, 2006 8:03 am)
"me: Years ago I had my eye on the Dodge Stealth. I believ in 1994 they were getting 320hp and good torque from a 3L twin-turbo. I'm not trying to bust on BMW, but is this some sort of tech. progress I should be impressed with? I believe the near Nissan GT-R with twin-turbo (of their VQ??) is going to be 450-500hp."
 
Those engines today, built as is years ago, could not be sold. They wouldn't meet federal air pollution requirements.
 
BMW or any other manufacturer, especially Subaru, could easily make a GT-R type turbo car. Subaru gets 300hp and 430 lbs torque out of their 2.5 liter STI engine. For BMW to do the same thing, it would cannabilize sales of the M5 or M3. In the meantime - let the other manufacturers come up with an entry level lux turbo sedan at the same price point.
 
The GT-R is rumored to be an $80K car, so it's not in this market segment. We might as well talk about Bugatti and say we're not impressed with anything from any manufacturer.

#5962 of 16087 Drove the 335i yesterday by designman

Sep 10, 2006 (9:11 am)

The tester had automatic and 18 inch wheels. They didn’t have one with stick available. And don't forget, the coupe now comes with standard sport suspension.
 
Handles great and very sensitive to road input but I was not impressed with the engine performance. It hesitated off the line and I don’t care what anyone says, you can feel the turbo lag. I prefer the more linear characteristics of the naturally aspirated BMW engines. It also didn't seem as powerful as I expected and the car feels heavy. Also the brakes are very sensitive.
 
I drove it for only about 15 minutes and would like to put it through the paces for an extended amount of time before I form a final opinion. I really need to observe that engine more and drive the 328. Also, I’m pretty sure 17 inch wheels would suit me better.
 
The backseat legroom situation seems similar to the sedan, it works. However, as expected, headroom in the back severely compromised. No matter, the 3-coupe is a sexy vehicle IMO and I could probably find a way to configure it to my liking, even if I had to make compromises.

#5963 of 16087 BMW 335i Coupe by ilijabmw

Sep 10, 2006 (10:32 am)

the backseats look extremely uncomfortable to me...
 
I don't really like sitting low and the seats look like as if they are extremly low.

#5964 of 16087 Re: It's not about tracking... [blueguydotcom] by habitat1

Sep 10, 2006 (11:26 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Sep 09, 2006 11:45 pm)
"My girl is trying to talk me into holding onto my 330i until 2008 and then getting a 335i, while VW's 2.0T/DSG equipped GTI is calling my name right now."
 
Boy you must REALLY be disappointed in the 330i to be considering a FWD, 4 cylinder VW.
 
I was impressed by how well you articulated the differences in your previous generation 3 series to the new one you now own, but based upon your obvious "enthusiast" tendencies, I would never have expected to see you leaning to a FWD anything. Unfortunately there aren't too many RWD alternatives in that price range, but I've seen a few older low mileage M3's that I would have thought might catch your fancy.
 
So the 330i is that bad, huh?

#5965 of 16087 Re: Drove the 335i yesterday [designman] by dewey

Sep 10, 2006 (12:04 pm)

Replying to: designman (Sep 10, 2006 9:11 am)
Good post.
 
Does sound somewhat disappointing.
 
Which reminds me of the 335i test drive appointment I have not made yet. I am in no rush since I am still waiting for the sedan.
 
Checked with my dealer and he says a 335i sedan will unlikely be introduced soon.

#5966 of 16087 Re: It's not about tracking... [kernick] by blueguydotcom

Sep 10, 2006 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: kernick (Sep 10, 2006 8:03 am)
The stealth/mistu 3000gt's TT V6 and even Nissan 3.0 TTs could not make federal standards and neither made much power low. Also those were 18/24 mpg cars with 6 speed manuals. Never met a person who saw north of 20 mpgs from those engines.
 
As for VW quality, yeah it sucks, but so does BMW quality. i have no choice as no Japanese companies make a fun, efficient, powerful car. Mazda's Mazdapseed3 may but it's now end of october/start of november.

#5967 of 16087 Re: It's not about tracking... [habitat1] by blueguydotcom

Sep 10, 2006 (12:55 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Sep 10, 2006 11:26 am)
It's not a bad car. It's just not a car that appeals to me. Ditto the M3. Don't like the 2 door coupes at all, the stigma, the poor efficiency or the idea of owning a BMW outside warranty (bad luck with BMWs thus far).
 
If a small (sub 170 inch) 30 mpg highway RWD sedan/hatch were out, i'd go for it. No such beast exists right now.

#5968 of 16087 Re: Drove the 335i yesterday [dewey] by blueguydotcom

Sep 10, 2006 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 10, 2006 12:04 pm)
Checked with my dealer and he says a 335i sedan will unlikely be introduced soon.
 
You can pre-order 335i sedans right now. The pricing is available too. What's your dealer trying to pull?

#5969 of 16087 335 by dhamilton

Sep 10, 2006 (2:09 pm)

my local guy says that the sedan will be available in november. I have really wanted an S4 for so long but this seems like a less expensive alternative. Can't wait to drive it 2 weeks from now at the BMW event in Houston.

Messages Page 597 of 1609

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