The M3 Coupe Is Officially Dead

[BlackbirdM3]

You don't like any car produced after 1974, lol.

But I disgress, I don't care for anything BMW is making these days.

Hahaha, you do have a point. There are a handful of exceptions, most are German and made in the '80s.

As for building customized cars, they aren't very customized since I can't order a 1 series with manual windows, no sunroof, and non-power seats, no tech package ect. Perhaps they won't sell a bunch, but at least give me the option of specing a bare bones, hard core sports sedan where I can pick and choose what parts I want on the car of the already optioned parts. I guess the good news is that they still offer a real manual transmission. If they say "build your own" I want to build my own, not pick already selected packages that have one thing I want and the rest I don't want. I want a driver's car, not a luxury boat with a bunch of junk that is both distracting and something I'll never use.

Will

[cale]

I could not agree more with this statement. BMW lost its way, it was once a driver's car, now its just a bunch of over priced luxury car with more gimmicks then you would know what to do with.

What do you think the e30 was when it was current, it was marketed towards upper class yuppies with a dose of "adrenaline". Just like bmw's current crop of non-m cars like the 328i, 335i, 550, 650. If you don't think 400+hp vehicles are "drivers cars" then you have your head up your ass. Time's have changed, those gimmicks you speak of make the cars perform that much better, and the types who purchase a vehicle that expensive expect a reasonable level of luxuriousness. If that technology had existed when the e30 was around, it too would have all the same bells and whistles. If by drivers car you mean something that stinks of fuel, clunks when you go over bumps and sucks to do long trips then good riddance to that title.

Whatever number they slap on the back of the next gen replacement for the m3, it's still going to be an awesome machine and likely going to be a choice pick for a platform for road racing teams just like m3's of the past.

Ahhh, more kids complaining about cars they have never driven.

Great thread!

This x1000

[LEANE30]

I recently drove a new 528, and I must say, for everything bmw is doing wrong on the body design andcluttered gizmos, they are doing an equal amount right on the motors. The z4 I recently test drove was detached and intrusive into the driving experience. I want to be able to plug my phone into the car's speakers and that's it, that is all I need from an "I drive" screen. The computer can tell me my range or mpg, but I don't need it to schedule me a table at the local restaurant. Bmw needs to focus on making the experience of transport engaging, not a mere parlance between locations. In their defense, there are fewer and fewer who want a manual, who want to go out and drive for solely the sake of the drive.

[z31maniac]

Time will tell, but I don't see an F30 being a "classic" BMW. The way things are going, the M4 will be a RWD Audi.

The Ms are little more than an ego stroke for owners to personalize with vestigial carbon fiber doodads and $7500 BBS wheels. They won't see a heat cycle on their tires.

To be fair, even most "fuhraze" cars never see the track either.

It hurts the ego to bad when guys figure out they really aren't fast.

[Fusion]

If that technology had existed when the e30 was around, it too would have all the same bells and whistles.

Like car stereo enhanced engine sound?

[cale]

Like car stereo enhanced engine sound?

Wouldn't surprise me. Last I checked, super awesome near track ready drivers cars like people think the e30 is shouldn't come with a centre console that has a built in cassette holder.

[LEANE30]

So last night I had an opportunity to drive a brand new 335xi. Seats were surprisingly comfortable and held you well despite not being sport seats. Seats lowered pretty Damn far, good for tall peeps like me. The headlights are still tacky and they seem to slowly be bleeding off the bangle influence in the exterior design. I was quite happy that the car was equip with the higher level luxury interior but no nav screen or trendy idrive opulence. Traction control off button top center of the dash. Sadly was an automatic, but with the non-linear rate of power delivery, I'm not sure if the top gear would have been tall enough anyway to compensate and make it more drivable. The engine seemed more than spunky enough, I think it has a single turbo now, not the duels. Did not check honestly, but power delivery was so peaky it is my assumption. Friend who was driving it was complaining about how harsh the ride was, so I had to ask for a turn behind the wheel, in my book it was actually darn good, a sway bar upgrade will do wonders for one of these. Tc off and you could tell it would be willing to dance when on a track. Unfortunately however, the power delivery is either lag mild mind you, or full steam. There is no part throttle. That would suck for everyday driving, or result in many tickets. Nice slight bursts from the blow off that you could hear in the cabin which I was surprised about. The 528 was silent, but it also had more usable rate of power delivery.
In short, decent motor, to bee expected from a turbo, bells and whistles where limited to folding mirrors, etc. The body design is still it's greatest draw back, no where near golden proportions, but getting better. The chassis was a surprise, felt more connected than the z4i test drove. With some bars it might be promising, the steering wheel seemed nicely weighed, most interior buttons, at least the ones I pushed were typically bmw, but the key brick you insert into the dash, it worked well enough, just was not pleasant as it popped in, almost like it wants to suck the key in out of your hand but still makes you push it in, dead fish. And probably just one more thing that will commonly break before the car turns 25.
Only time will tell, but with some aftermarket headlights, front bumper. Rear bumper. Simpler hood with more graceful lines, the bangle effect could be mitigated. Not a good daily driver with it's peaky power, but fun enough to get you selected for mandatory donations to your local government.

[LEANE30]

I guess as a disclaimer, not only am I am e30 guy, but I'm a euro trim guy, no bells or whistles, please. There seems to be so much pointless shit on these new cars which eventually will break. Steering headlights, folding mirrors, etc. ...my e30 is a slick top, no power steering, no power windows or locks, no sound dampening insulation from the factory, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon until my hands are dead and cold.

[LJ851]

I must live on a different planet. i think my e30 is full of bells and whistles.

[Massimo]

Well if all coupe's will now be even numbers how the fuck do you explain the 6 series grand coupe. That an't no coupe, is a bullshit 4 door sedan.

[blackhawkimpact]

BMW's after the e46 I can care less for

[einhander]

my e30 is a slick top, no power steering, no power windows or locks, no sound dampening insulation from the factory, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon until my hands are dead and cold.

Sounds awful.

[Thizzelle]

come to think, whos idea was this to make BMW the way they are today? the CEO? the R&D Team?

marketing

[einhander]

marketing

It was the buyer, not the marketing department.

[nando]

BMW officially sucks. stop kidding yourselves. Kia makes nicer looking cars and that's no joke.

oh yeah, usually when you see a new BMW, it looks better in person than it does in pictures. the new 3 series is fucking ugly as hell in person. It's also a land yacht.