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 2 of 4

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

Jun 08, 2012 (7:42 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jun 08, 2012 7:15 am)
They weren't the "ultimate driving machine" in the 50s.
 
7er is little more than a S/LS competitor now, that's true. 6er has remained true, still something mostly for women with large sunglasses, and trust funders. 5 has been softened bloated up and toned down since the E39 - an E class from Bavaria now. 3er offers debatable value unless in a sweetheart year end lease and the right options. 1er it is then, but we don't get the cool dorky 3 and 5 door models seen elsewhere.

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

Jun 08, 2012 (11:55 am)

Replying to: fintail (Jun 08, 2012 7:42 am)

 
Remember the "Baroque Angel?"

#10 of 31 Re: BMWs - Still The Ultimate Driving Machines? [steve_] by hpmctorque

Jun 08, 2012 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jun 08, 2012 7:15 am)
I'd give them a pass on SUVs and the Isettas. Insofar as SUVs are concerned, they're functional transportation modules, and I wouldn't expect those adorned with a propeller to be exceptionally fun to drive. I'd expect them to be competitive, which they probably are. As for the Isetta clones, well, that was a different time. Survival was a primary goal, and these cute runabouts served as place holders for what came next.
 
Although the porky BMW cruisers don't happen to appeal to me, I give the company lots of credit for offering what the marketplace wants. To me, though, they've forfeited the right to call themselves the ultimate driving machines. I mean, do they offer a more ultimate experience than, say, Ferrari. or, arguably, the Corvette?

#11 of 31 Re: BMWs - Still The Ultimate Driving Machines? [hpmctorque] by roadburner

Jun 08, 2012 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jun 08, 2012 1:16 pm)
The only BMWs that currently interest me are 1ers, 3ers, and M cars. We currently have an F10 528i service loaner and I absolutely despise the steering- devoid of feel, it belongs in a Buick or Lexus. It's also quite porky. My 1975 2002 and 1995 Club Sport 3 Series are exponentially more fun to drive than the bloated 5er. As for SUVs, my wife's 2004 X3 does a remarkably good impression of a 3 Series, and by doing so makes it a more involving drive than most any other non-M or non-SRT SUV.

#12 of 31 Re: BMWs - Still The Ultimate Driving Machines? [roadburner] by fezo

Jun 08, 2012 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Jun 08, 2012 4:59 pm)
I was waiting for you to pop in here.
 
Just what I expected to hear. It's a shame that they've dumb downed the 5.

#13 of 31 Re: BMWs - Still The Ultimate Driving Machines? [roadburner] by hpmctorque

Jun 08, 2012 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Jun 08, 2012 4:59 pm)
Good to know about the X3.

#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)

Messages Page 2 of 4

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement