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Luxury Performance Sedans

10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan

Messages Page 1026 of 1035

#10243 of 10338 Why BMW, why? by freddybb

Aug 30, 2011 (10:10 am)

Dear BMW,
 
I love my AWD 2006 530xi with a manual tranny. I bought it in August 2005, as soon as you released a 5 series with AWD (I live in New England). In spite of lots of problems in the first year (I will never buy first year models ever again), and having had to replace the water pump recently ($1300), I still drive it with joy after 86,000 miles. We like BMW so much that we have had two X5's since then (a 2007 that we replaced recently with a 2012).
 
Why do I love my 2006 530xi?
     Manual tranny
     AWD
     Nimble and agile feel
     Great steering
     Great gas mileage (I can do 33 mpg on the highway in 6th)
     Great styling (to me, and lots of my friends and family)
 
With great excitement I drove a 2011 535i today, and I am depressed. Why have you abandoned us BMW -- your faithful core customers who keep coming back to you?
 
I could never buy the 535i because you took away the manual transmission (forcing me to buy the 550i is not the right answer), gave it lifeless steering, gave it a heavy-feeling and floaty ride (unless, I assume, I spring for fancy sport-inducing electronics), and made it look like a 7 series (if I wanted to drive a huge car I would drive the 7).
 
What do I do now? Can't go down to the 3 although I would like to because I have three kids.
 
Why BMW, why?
 
Sincerely,
 
A loyal, but disappointed, BMW fan

#10244 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [freddybb] by ghstudio

Aug 30, 2011 (8:56 pm)

Replying to: freddybb (Aug 30, 2011 10:10 am)
The new double clutch automatic transmissions are actually better than manuals....e.g. the pdk porsche is faster 0-x mph than the equivalent car with a manual transmission...and offers manual steering wheel hand shifting. I would not buy a manual if a PDK car was available.
 
That doesn't help your immediate problem though....The only family sized car I think has a double clutch transmission is the 2012 Passat, but I don't think it has 4wd. BMW does offer that transmission, but only on some limited high priced cars.

#10245 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [ghstudio] by kyfdx HOST

Aug 31, 2011 (4:23 am)

Replying to: ghstudio (Aug 30, 2011 8:56 pm)
Faster isnt always better...
 
If you like to row your own, PDK or DCT just isn't the same..

#10246 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [kyfdx] by ghstudio

Aug 31, 2011 (7:29 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Aug 31, 2011 4:23 am)
Once you get used to shifting with your hands, PDK/DCT cars are almost as good as a manual shift car in spirited driving...and in traffic/cities, much more convenient. I've driven manual sports cars for years and I found the porsche PDK to be just shockingly good even though I am not at all familiar/confortable with shifting with my fingers (you do have to get the right steering wheel on a PDK porsche though to get the paddles..the stock wheel has very awkward shifting buttons.

#10247 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [ghstudio] by qbrozen

Aug 31, 2011 (9:17 am)

Replying to: ghstudio (Aug 31, 2011 7:29 am)
I've driven the PDK and love it, too. But it is DAMNED expensive to get the right one. Starting with just a Boxster, you have to add $3420! for the PDK and another $1480! for the sport chrono pack (the only way to get a PDK that doesn't automatically shift at redline). So a whopping $4900 for that transmission option. I love it, but I don't think I love it THAT much.

#10248 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [qbrozen] by kyfdx HOST

Aug 31, 2011 (2:19 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Aug 31, 2011 9:17 am)
The only way to get PDK is used... they sell for less than the manual version..

#10249 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [kyfdx] by ghstudio

Aug 31, 2011 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Aug 31, 2011 2:19 pm)
Sportmatic cars sell for less than manual...but not true of PDK cars, at least in our area. PDK is much more in demand.

#10250 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [kyfdx] by qbrozen

Aug 31, 2011 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Aug 31, 2011 2:19 pm)
PDK is so new, are you sure that's the transmission you are seeing on these used vehicles?

#10251 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [qbrozen] by kyfdx HOST

Aug 31, 2011 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Aug 31, 2011 6:56 pm)
No.. not sure...
 
Try looking at ads and determining transmission type, without looking at the pictures... shewwwww.. it's tough

#10252 of 10338 Re: Why BMW, why? [kyfdx] by qbrozen

Sep 01, 2011 (6:54 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Aug 31, 2011 7:54 pm)
I typically see the older ones stating Tiptronic, which is very different of course. According to wiki, the PDK could be had in the 2009 Panamera, and, believe it or not, there is another generation of PDK even after that. I don't believe you'd find it too common until the 2010 models.

Messages Page 1026 of 1035

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