[Ragman]

I've had various BM's from late 80's onwards including E39 523 (good car) E46 323i (reasonable car) and E46 330d (great car).

Currently have E91 320d.

Whilst it's OK I can't help wishing it wasn't mine.

It's antiseptic, cold boring etc etc etc.

There are too many aids on the damn things nowadays.

Just a thought.

I thought that maybe it's because it's got the workman's engine, but it's more than that - no temp gauge for engine, fashion copying start button, daft options like can't open boot on it's own, doors lock after driving away.
Too many aids - not enough substance.

Ultimate driving machine - NO.
Ultimate driven machine - probably.

[Steve A]

Did you see the car b4 you bought

btw Welcome to the forum

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Ragman

I've had various BM's from late 80's onwards including E39 523 (good car) E46 323i (reasonable car) and E46 330d (great car).

Currently have E91 320d.

Whilst it's OK I can't help wishing it wasn't mine.

It's antiseptic, cold boring etc etc etc.

There are too many aids on the damn things nowadays.

Just a thought.

I thought that maybe it's because it's got the workman's engine, but it's more than that - no temp gauge for engine, fashion copying start button, daft options like can't open boot on it's own, doors lock after driving away.
Too many aids - not enough substance.

Ultimate driving machine - NO.
Ultimate driven machine - probably.

I like the door locks - but you can turn em off.

I don't agree with your rationale, but the basic point is fair. I don't think BMW's are the focused drivers cars they were 10 years ago.

But that's true for ALL cars. We want more luxury these days.

I respect BMW though for sticking with 'expensive' rear wheel drive and torturing their engines to power levels beyond their peers.

At the end of the day - there isn't another car I would buy for the same money.

[Steve A]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

I don't agree with your rationale, but the basic point is fair. I don't think BMW's are the focused drivers cars they were 10 years ago.

But that's true for ALL cars. We want more luxury these days.

I respect BMW though for sticking with 'expensive' rear wheel drive and torturing their engines to power levels beyond their peers.

At the end of the day - there isn't another car I would buy for the same money.

the weight is more to do with safety etc, and more weight is less feel (in general)

i agree with all your points
(apart from C63amg which will be amazing.....i hope)

[uabimmer]

Originally Posted by Ragman

I thought that maybe it's because it's got the workman's engine, but it's more than that - no temp gauge for engine, fashion copying start button, daft options like can't open boot on it's own, doors lock after driving away.
Too many aids - not enough substance.

.

+1 I wanna see my engine Temp. ..... NOW!!!!

[rjs]

Originally Posted by uabimmer

+1 I wanna see my engine Temp. ..... NOW!!!!

i can see mine

[Micky Dee]

When you look at the alternatives....Mondeo, Vectra, Saab 9-3, Accord,A4, Avensis etc. I'd rather have the Beemer. Perhaps for driving thrills the Alfa 159 might be a giggle, but my previous experience of Alfa's (more time in the service bay than out on the road) tells me NO!

Try turning all the driver aids off and hang on to the revs (you won't do any harm cos diesels are governed) and you'll start to enjoy it. Also, next time buy petrol for a more thrilling driving experience.

[1stKnight]

I must be boring...I find the current Beemers excellent driving machines.

Of course, this could be precisely because I am not someone who has any ambition to track my car - or even race around everywhere I go.

I like the fact that the car has a bundle of safety gadgets to keep me from straying into a tree when I do feel like a blast.
Just yesterday I launched myself from a green light - something I rarely do - because I had a whim to do so and thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of the rear wheels biting into the road as I raced forward. But it was a wet road and my traction control indicator light thingywotsit was flashing and I was so pleased to see that the car was doing me a favour.
I buy BMW because they have a car in my budget range that thrills me when I want it to and delivers me in comfort to my destination. It feels sporty even when I am not moving rapidly - which to me, is very important and worth paying for.

I like toys; lots of technical toys, bits to play with are always welcome in my car - the more the merrier.

I'm probably representative of the vast majority of BMW's clientele and hence the focus for safety and toys in current cars whilst retaining as much of the true driver's car of yesteryear as possible.

So blame me

[thearchitect]

and me! i'll gladly share the blame

[silverbmwz3]

It must be about market demand. If you want a track car buy an Atom or whatever people fling round tracks, or if you want something more focussed get an M3. It is still the ultimate driving machine for the money... if you assume that ultimate means being all things to all people. Some people want a car that does that. The 335d is the best all rounder car I've had so far (perhaps proving your point), if I wanted a 'sports car' maybe I'd have bought an M3 (used or otherwise).

[dxb335d]

I LOVE the bmw, there great cars


it makes me feel 'my bollox are twice as large' when im driving around in it

no seriously, i love it, its stylish well built quick and very desirable


'All the young girlies' love it

i get many many looks..

[- Paul -]

Originally Posted by Ragman

I've had various BM's from late 80's onwards including E39 523 (good car) E46 323i (reasonable car) and E46 330d (great car).

Currently have E91 320d.

Whilst it's OK I can't help wishing it wasn't mine.

It's antiseptic, cold boring etc etc etc.

There are too many aids on the damn things nowadays.

Just a thought.

I thought that maybe it's because it's got the workman's engine, but it's more than that - no temp gauge for engine, fashion copying start button, daft options like can't open boot on it's own, doors lock after driving away.
Too many aids - not enough substance.

Ultimate driving machine - NO.
Ultimate driven machine - probably.

Turn the aids off, replace the tyres with non-runflats, chip the motor - leather it round a wet roundabout. Any soul now?

[silverbmwz3]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I LOVE the bmw, there great cars


it makes me feel 'my bollox are twice as large' when im driving around in it

no seriously, i love it, its stylish well built quick and very desirable


'All the young girlies' love it

i get many many looks..

That's cos you are feeling your bollox while driving around in it

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by 1stKnight

I must be boring...I find the current Beemers excellent driving machines.

Of course, this could be precisely because I am not someone who has any ambition to track my car - or even race around everywhere I go.

I like the fact that the car has a bundle of safety gadgets to keep me from straying into a tree when I do feel like a blast.
Just yesterday I launched myself from a green light - something I rarely do - because I had a whim to do so and thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of the rear wheels biting into the road as I raced forward. But it was a wet road and my traction control indicator light thingywotsit was flashing and I was so pleased to see that the car was doing me a favour.
I buy BMW because they have a car in my budget range that thrills me when I want it to and delivers me in comfort to my destination. It feels sporty even when I am not moving rapidly - which to me, is very important and worth paying for.

I like toys; lots of technical toys, bits to play with are always welcome in my car - the more the merrier.

I'm probably representative of the vast majority of BMW's clientele and hence the focus for safety and toys in current cars whilst retaining as much of the true driver's car of yesteryear as possible.

So blame me

1stKnight,that statement my friend is exactly how i feel about BMW,we have tried others Land Rover,Lexus and Mercedes all really nice cars(apart from the Disco 3 that was rubbish) but the BMers just seem to suit us we're not flash we work hard and like the set up of all things BMW if it changes then we will look elsewhere.Untill then - Happy days

[Ragman]

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

Did you see the car b4 you bought

btw Welcome to the forum

Steve,

I didn't see/drive this car (had to wait for build etc) but did drive basically the same car. I have to say I wasn't bowled over even then.

Having thought about it (and driven the car for some miles today) I think that I am comparing this car (unfairly) with my last one (E46 330d sport).

Major reason for the change - another child (3 of them now), encouraged to reduce tax bill etc, I thought that touring would be more 'useful' with 3 kids. Budget.

Maybe I should have ditched the leather etc and gone for the larger engine.

I don't have the option so I'll put up and shut up.

Love the build quality, rear drive (can't sideways in dry in this one , could the 330d) etc.

Chastened.

[Coder335i]

Originally Posted by 1stKnight

I must be boring...I find the current Beemers excellent driving machines.

Of course, this could be precisely because I am not someone who has any ambition to track my car - or even race around everywhere I go.

I like the fact that the car has a bundle of safety gadgets to keep me from straying into a tree when I do feel like a blast.
Just yesterday I launched myself from a green light - something I rarely do - because I had a whim to do so and thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of the rear wheels biting into the road as I raced forward. But it was a wet road and my traction control indicator light thingywotsit was flashing and I was so pleased to see that the car was doing me a favour.
I buy BMW because they have a car in my budget range that thrills me when I want it to and delivers me in comfort to my destination. It feels sporty even when I am not moving rapidly - which to me, is very important and worth paying for.

I like toys; lots of technical toys, bits to play with are always welcome in my car - the more the merrier.

I'm probably representative of the vast majority of BMW's clientele and hence the focus for safety and toys in current cars whilst retaining as much of the true driver's car of yesteryear as possible.

So blame me

It's "Bimmer" "Beemer" is usually reserved for motorcycles..

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by Coder335i

It's "Bimmer" "Beemer" is usually reserved for motorcycles..

WHAT???????? Where did that come from???

[Steve A]

Originally Posted by Ragman

(can't sideways in dry in this one , could the 330d) etc.

Chastened.

If you brake into the corner then floor the throttle you can get the back out.

Just make sure the road is empty incase you get it all wrong.

i ilke the touring a lot would of probbably suited my needs better.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

If you brake into the corner then floor the throttle you can get the back out.

Just make sure the road is empty incase you get it all wrong.

i ilke the touring a lot would of probbably suited my needs better.

and make sure there is a nice level field opposite with not one tree

[mgarvey]

Originally Posted by Coder335i

It's "Bimmer" "Beemer" is usually reserved for motorcycles..

Must be a US thing - I've not heard 'bimmer' being used much in the UK (sounds a little too much like 'bummer')

[RockIt]

Originally Posted by Coder335i

It's "Bimmer" "Beemer" is usually reserved for motorcycles..

God, I love it when Americans lecture us about the correct use of English!!

[silverbmwz3]

Originally Posted by RockIt

God, I love it when Americans lecture us about the correct use of English!!

Yes, perhaps we should introduce carl... I just flicked down the thread and wondered what the correct translation into American English of:

"it makes me feel 'my bollox are twice as large' when im driving around in it"

is.