Ask the Car People.SM


BMWs - Still The Ultimate Driving Machines? - READ ONLY

31 messages,  Last post on Dec 22, 2012 at 3:47 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views-Archives Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW

Messages Page 3 of 4

#14 of 31 Re: BMWs - Still The Ultimate Driving Machines? [lemko] by fintail

Jun 08, 2012 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: lemko (Jun 08, 2012 11:55 am)
Those probably were less than sporty...but at the same time, they were used as police cars, so maybe they are fast and pretty.
 
Speaking of police cars, not long ago there were many BMW police cars in the UK, which kind of put the final nail in the Germanification of British industry, along with Morgan using BMW engines. I guess BMW engines are still pretty nice, but some of the cars mated to them aren't what the brand once represented.

#15 of 31 This is not just BMW by dino001

Jun 10, 2012 (2:06 pm)

All cars get bigger, heavier and more bloated with each new generation. It is true across the board. It is mostly comfort features that require power and add weight. Also raging regulators requiring more and more stuff, from multiple airbags, to stability control systems, to tire pressure monitors. All those things are nice to have, but you need both space to fit them and engine power to carry them around.
It seems the only true ultimate driving machines left are Lotus and couple of other exotics, which often don't even have a radio. Their approach is not what you want, but what you can do without. The rest is just marketing to make us believe we are better drivers than we really are. I'm not buying Lotus either

#16 of 31 cross-posted, but the M3 is safe...for now by steve_ HOST

Jun 21, 2012 (7:20 pm)

"Stick shift-loving M owners should prepare for bad news, because BMW will only engineer the next M5 or M6 with double-clutch transmissions.
 
M's head of engineering, Albert Biermann, admitted this week that there were no plans to fit three pedals in the next-generation M6 and M5 because the order rate was too low to justify the added work."
 
BMW Official Says No Manual Transmission for Next M5 (Inside Line)

#18 of 31 Re: cross-posted, but the M3 is safe...for now [steve_] by hpmctorque

Jun 28, 2012 (6:17 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jun 21, 2012 7:20 pm)
Oh, well, I wasn't going to buy an M5 anyway.

#19 of 31 Re: cross-posted, but the M3 is safe...for now [steve_] by corvette

Jul 03, 2012 (7:38 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jun 21, 2012 7:20 pm)
The E60 M5 was never supposed to have a manual, and if memory serves, BMW relented and retrofitted one after the buff books in the US pitched a hissy fit. Shockingly, they knew what they were doing to begin with, and the retrofitted manual was panned by the same buff books as being a mistake.
 
Very sad about the F10 5-series. I had gone to their website and configured one with similar options as my 540 as a "if I won the lottery" car, but it sounds like I'd do just as well to dream about a Lexus GS.

#20 of 31 another internet car buying experiment by steve_ HOST

Jul 29, 2012 (7:04 pm)

"The online sales option is aimed at a generation of drivers used to making daily purchases over the Internet, and will be an extension of the car configuration that most automakers offer customers to view models with desired options such as interior colors, seat materials and roof styles."
 
BMW to sell luxury cars for less online (Detroit News)

#21 of 31 Let's clear up some things... by andys120

Jul 30, 2012 (7:24 pm)

-It's true that BMW plans to introduce a FWD 1 Series. Like most of you I think it's a bad idea but according to my reading the cars we know as Oners will be renamed the Two-Series and will retain rear drive.
 
-I seriously doubt that any enthusiast ever bought a Bimmer actually thinking it was the "Ultimate Driving Machine." That's just one of those meaningless B.S. ad slogans like "Chevy runs deep" . Probably everyone has their own idea of what the ultimate driver would be.
 
-I own two BMWs from the very early '00s (an E39 and an E46 Cabrio) or, as I like to call it, the Pischetsreider/Reitzle Era, when driving characteristics seemingly had higher priorities. I have noted the increases in weight and complication of BMW cars but this has happened to nearly every make.
 
It so happens I've received an invite from BMWNA to test drive a new F30. It's ironic that my cars have a number of features lacking in the current designs, among them are: hydraulic steering, a spare tire, a temp gauge, an oil dipstick and tires that don't cost twice as much to replace.
 
The trade off would be increased safety and performance but I'm not sure it's worth what we're losing. In any case, if I have the opportunity I'll drive the wee out of the new one (I assume a 328i or 328xi) and give you my impressions.

#22 of 31 Re: Let's clear up some things... [andys120] by roadburner

Jul 30, 2012 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Jul 30, 2012 7:24 pm)
My wife just picked up a CPO 2009 328i. As I wrote in another thread:
 
My wife loves it; handling, power, ride, interior- everything. She has noted that the Crimson Red paint and "facelifted" styling has many of her friends think that it is much sportier than it actually is.
Me? I could see having one for a daily driver if it had a stick and the Sport Package. That said, the 17" wheels and summer performance Conti tires give it a decent amount of grip and it is a very pleasant car to drive. In any event, I certainly prefer it to the new 528i loaner we had a while back. I do wish it had Xenons, but I have a set of Philips X-Treme Power bulbs to upgrade the OEM bulbs- so we'll see if that improves the adequate stock lighting.
 
Comparing the E90 to my F10 528i loaner it was no contest; I much prefer the naturally aspirated inline six and the hydraulic steering assist. I also like the 3ers relatively compact dimensions and sub-3500 pound curb weight. The RFT Contis will be pitched for conventional tires as soon as they wear out. Aside from that, I only pine for a dipstick and an oil or water temperature gauge(the F30 does have an oil temperature gauge).

#23 of 31 Re: Let's clear up some things... [roadburner] by andys120

Jul 31, 2012 (5:15 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Jul 30, 2012 7:49 pm)
(the F30 does have an oil temperature gauge).
 
A gauge for oil temp but not for water temp? That's very odd IMO. It seems to me a water temp gauge would give quicker warning of potential problems.
 
Having the water temp readout has saved me on more than one occasion over the years.

Messages Page 3 of 4

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement