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BMWs - Still The Ultimate Driving Machines? - READ ONLY

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

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Messages Page 4 of 4

#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.

#24 of 31 Cruisers by hpmctorque

Aug 11, 2012 (7:11 pm)

While the the 3-Series and the (ugy) 1-Series are regarded as great drivers cars, the new 5ers and 7ers have been called cruisers. The Avalon (or the TL or M) are, arguably, also cruisers, but cost much less than the larger Bimmers. Are the 5 and 7 better cruisers than their Japanese counterparts? If so, are they worth the extra money?

#26 of 31 Re: Cruisers [hpmctorque] by corvette

Aug 11, 2012 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Aug 11, 2012 7:11 pm)
I haven't driven the current models of any of those, but I'm sure that even the current "numb" 5-series will feel more connected to the road than an Avalon--they're very different animals.
 
Having owned both an E90 3-series and (presently) an E39 5-series, the old E39 feels heavier and less precise, and although the steering doesn't inspire as much confidence, it seems to have a similar level of grip in the corners (both vehicles had/have the sport package).

#27 of 31 Re: Cruisers [corvette] by hpmctorque

Aug 12, 2012 (12:11 am)

Replying to: corvette (Aug 11, 2012 7:21 pm)
Thanks for your response. What seems to happen is that the difference in driving experience, from a driver's car perspective, diminishes between BMW and more ordinary counterparts as size and weight increase.
 
I wouldn't expect the Avalon to have the same level of grip as a 5-Series with sport package, but I haven't read a comparison test that suggests that the latest generation 5er has more grip than the SH-AWD equipped Acura TL or Infiniti M.

#28 of 31 Re: Cruisers [hpmctorque] by roadburner

Aug 12, 2012 (7:31 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Aug 12, 2012 12:11 am)
Well, it's not just a question of grip. What I particularly like about BMWs is their ability to let the driver know exactly what is going on at the contact patches. My experience behind the wheel of the F10 5er(non-Sport 528i and 535i) reveals that this ability is severely muted in the latest iteration of the 5er. The primary offender is the numb power steering. Still, if forced to buy a big sedan(a choice I hope I never have to make) I'd probably give the nod to the F10, if only for the fact that it is RWD.

#29 of 31 headwind's blowing by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Nov 06, 2012 (1:01 pm)

Rumors of good leasing deals in the US have been floating around (partly to try to keep ahead of Mercedes sales numbers).
 
Luxury carmaker BMW starts to feel industry pain (Reuters)

#30 of 31 best run and best positioned by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Nov 25, 2012 (7:40 am)

"2012 profit targets look secure, but next year looks questionable.
 
 Europe, now officially in recession after a second quarter in a row of negative growth, will make it more difficult to make money. China and the U.S. will not be enough to keep overall profits improving.
 
 Still, BMW, and upmarket compatriots like Mercedes and VW’s Audi, are doing better than most of Europe’s mass car manufacturers, which are losing huge amounts of money with no end in sight."
 
U.S., and China, will buttress BMW in 2012, while Europe sputters (Detroit News)

#31 of 31 The race is still on by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Dec 22, 2012 (3:47 pm)

"Brisk sales this year also come from a rebound in the luxury auto market as well-heeled buyers who were nervous about the economy pull the trigger on car purchases delayed for several years.
 
Adding to the frenzy is the heavy advertising and attractive year-end specials offered by BMW and Mercedes-Benz as they duke it out for bragging rights as the nation's top luxury brand."
 
Luxury car sales on track to have best month in years (LA Times)

Messages Page 4 of 4

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