lol BMW

[wannaBMthree]

The worst cars we drove this year

2015 M4 Convertible

Under the skin the latest BMW M3/M4 is just as special as previous versions. Too bad you can't tell by driving it. Granted, my time this year was in the classic poseur-mobile of the M lineup. I don't begrudge the convertible model's existence, but undoing all the weight savings and structural rigidity that goes into making the M4 what it is dulls the charm.

BMW's M cars, even the plushier recent models, used to give you goosebumps just pulling out of the driveway. With its unique engine, suspension, and lightweight bodywork, the current M4 convertible just feels like a 335i in a gaudy bodykit. The steering and shifter are video-game numb. The synthesized engine noise sounds like something from a 1980s-era Yamaha keyboard. And cars are not the Whopper. I don't want it my way through endless custom settings, I want it the way the engineers decided was the best way.

Any Autoblog staffer will testify that I hate the "old car was better" chorus that plagues automotive journalism. Technology, regulations, and consumer demands proceed like time and tide. Comparing different automotive epochs is as pointless as arguing if the 1992 Chicago Bulls are better than the current Sacramento Kings. So it's not that the M4 Convertible isn't as good as the car that came before it. It's simply not good

2015 BMW X4

You know BMW’s tagline, "The Ultimate Driving Machine?" Well, this isn’t it. This isn’t the ultimate anything machine. Maybe the ultimate stupidity machine. Maybe.

BMW is so focused on chasing niche segments these days that it’s moving farther and farther away from actually making good drivers’ cars. The X4 is a perfect example. It looks bad, drives like crap, has very little interior space, and is less functional than cheaper offerings like the 3 Series Sport Wagon or X3. There is literally no reason to buy the X4 over any other BMW, or anything else in the class.

Perhaps worst of all, the creation of the X4 means other automakers are going to follow suit. There’s a Mercedes GLC Coupe on the way. I’m sure Audi will come up with something, too. And every single one will be dumb. The end.

[stonea]

I've all but lost hope in BMW. They keep producing crappy cars, but yet people keep buying them.

[eur04lif3]

I've all but lost hope in BMW. They keep producing crappy cars, but yet people keep buying them.

I hear ya, same here. I am however interested in the M2, maybe, just maybe it will have some of the original DNA it it.

Never drove the M1, but sounded like it didn't have it either.

[mbonder]

That's because for 95% of people buying a BMW new from the dealer, it's not about handling/suspension/brakes/engine performance or any other measurement that an enthusiast would employ. Buying a BMW has become only about it having a Roundel on the front and the back as well as some nonsensical nomenclature on the fenders or trunk not entirely related to the drivetrain.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I've all but lost hope in BMW. They keep producing crappy cars, but yet people keep buying them.

sit tight my friend, things are-a-changin'

These same words you type are what many said about the big three back in the 70's and 80's. Look where that got them in the 80's thru 00's...that's right, suckin the hind tit hoping for handouts from the government in hopes to stay afloat.

[ELVA164]

That "cars are not the Whopper" thing is dumb. Having an option list doesn't dilute a car's ability to be fun; it just allows your car to be more fun for you.

[Bahn360Photo]

M4 vert is meant for cruising and some comments the author wrote are just plain dumb.

i own an f80 m3 and can tell you that its way more fun and i can drive laps around "pure" cars that some of you guys are mentioning. i agree on steering feel vs e92 m3 but e30 m3 is cool to cruise but track time wont give you an adrenaline rush.

i have e30 vert and i love it, but not for a lot of things above mentioned but for what it is. classic look and feel. i wouldnt dare to compare to current 435 vert or m235 vert (same class cars in current era vs e30 era).

some are saying that bmw is diluting lineup and making crappy cars but realize that bmw is a business and not your personal performance shop. life goes on, does technology and competition. people want more gadgets, more power etc... and truth is that 99% of people dont track their cars so why build a pure track car when no one uses it for that purpose? a track car is not comfortable and annoying to drive on the street.

take a second to think in you were given 80k to buy a car, would u buy e30 m3 or f80? (and you cant pocket the difference)

again, i own both generations and love them both.

[nando]

sure, BMW is a business - it's a business built on selling a specific type of car. When they start selling FWD minivans and 5 different crossovers and 4,000lb "M" cars, they've lost the fucking plot. The fake engine noises pretty much illustrates exactly where BMW is these days.

as somebody in another forum stated, if BMW made BMW branded rocks, people would buy them and say they were awesome. But that doesn't mean they are good.

Honestly though, I've never understood the point of an M3 convertible - from any generation. That the M4 convertible is even that much more numb and pointless doesn't help anything.

BMW is riding on momentum from their past cars that people remember driving. They can't keep churning out cars that drive worse than a Camry, cost twice as much, and are as reliable as a 1990's Jaguar forever. We can deal with high costs and poor reliability if the things actually drive well. But they don't - you can get better handling & steering feel from a Lexus or a Mustang.

[McGyver]

Honestly though, I've never understood the point of an M3 convertible - from any generation. That the M4 convertible is even that much more numb and pointless doesn't help anything.

You know, I'm tempted to agree with you, but I really do like the idea of an M3 convertible. It has the ability to do fun top down cruising but also has the bigger engine and brakes, as well as the styling of the flashy fast car. Obviously it'll never be a killer on the track, but it's still a good toy.

That being said, I REALLY don't understand the difference between the 3 and 4 series now, or the 5 and 6 series. The 3 series is a 4 door car, a 4 series is a 2 door car unless you get the gran coupe? The 6 is a 2 door car unless you get a gran coupe and now its a strange 5/7 series? The 3 comes as both a wagon and an fugly hatch? WTF are they doing?!? It's the same as Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler all building the same minivan with different trim levels in each badge and all competing with each other. It's just fucking insane.

[varg]

Finally, an automotive "journalist" who feels like I do about the crossover takeover. They are dumb as hell.

That's because for 95% of people buying a BMW new from the dealer, it's not about handling/suspension/brakes/engine performance or any other measurement that an enthusiast would employ. Buying a BMW has become only about it having a Roundel on the front and the back as well as some nonsensical nomenclature on the fenders or trunk not entirely related to the drivetrain.

Quoted for truth. Like so much else in the world, BMWs are an upscale product bought primarily to show others that you are able to buy upscale products. When it comes to business, money trumps principals every time, so BMW gave up on "driver's cars" and started making moneymakers ages ago.

sure, BMW is a business - it's a business built on selling a specific type of car. When they start selling FWD minivans and 5 different crossovers and 4,000lb "M" cars, they've lost the fucking plot. The fake engine noises pretty much illustrates exactly where BMW is these days.

as somebody in another forum stated, if BMW made BMW branded rocks, people would buy them and say they were awesome. But that doesn't mean they are good.

Honestly though, I've never understood the point of an M3 convertible - from any generation. That the M4 convertible is even that much more numb and pointless doesn't help anything.

BMW is riding on momentum from their past cars that people remember driving. They can't keep churning out cars that drive worse than a Camry, cost twice as much, and are as reliable as a 1990's Jaguar forever. We can deal with high costs and poor reliability if the things actually drive well. But they don't - you can get better handling & steering feel from a Lexus or a Mustang.

I agree with everything you said here, except for the last but. BMW is doing a great job of making what the average "luxury" buyer wants. They're big, gaudy, comfortable cars that scream "Get out of my way, I can afford a BMW." The enthusiast market is small, nobody really cares about it, people who want a badge that means success to them to bolster their egos, and BMW is delivering. I seriously doubt they will do anything but gain market share and break their sales records.

"M" barely means a thing now. People see "M" and think "expensive and fast." They want a BMW, but not just a regular BMW like that retail manager down the street, no - I'm a corporate consultant, I need an "M." It's not Motorsport it's Marketing. Of course a convertible M car definitely doesn't make any sense at all if you look at it from the perspective of the beginning of "M." It's stupid! It's heavier, sloppier, louder, than a fixed roof car... You do a bunch of stuff to it to make it fast and then un-do half of it by making it limp and hundreds of pounds heavier. But it makes perfect sense from the Marketing perspective. What's a better way to flaunt your wealth than to buy the most expensive version of a car they make? Everyone knows M is more expensive, everyone knows convertibles are more expensive - wow that person has a lot of money!

Crossovers though... ugh *shudders*
Oh how I hate crossovers.

[McGyver]

Of course a convertible M car definitely doesn't make any sense at all if you look at it from the perspective of the beginning of "M."

...but Europe had a convertible e30 m3?

[nando]

Convertible E30 M3 is only cool because of the rarity. It's still stupid as an M3.

as far as BMW not having to care about "enthusiasts" - you missed my point. BMW got the reputation it has today by making cars that were practical and sporty to drive - you could have a sedan that was faster than most supercars (M5) and still take your kids to school in it. Then you could rip on it at the track if you'd like to. Road feel, responsiveness, handling were just part of the engineering that made the cars great.

It has nothing to do with "enthusiasts". There was probably never a time when they were the primary market factor for BMW - it's always been people who can afford to pay for the cars. E30s were the playground of yuppies from the 80's, they didn't care about the performance either - but as it turned out, the cars were actually quite good too!

[varg]

...but Europe had a convertible e30 m3?

Still stupid if you think of it as a "Motorsport" derived version of the car. Just because it's an E30 doesn't mean I will harbor any love for it and change my view.

[e30onBBSs]

I think BMW has definitely strayed away from the quality/reliability of the 80's (m20) but to say they suck is wrong IMO.

Getting into my friends 535xi I was astonished at how comfortable and quiet the car is. The suspension keeps the car smooth as can be, and when he got his foot in it wow! The suspension is for cruising but damn as an all around car that was amazing and so solid. That's what BMW wants to make. A car that feels great and smooth and you want to take for long drives, but is also fun as fuck when you want it to be, safe, smooth, quiet etc.

Maybe we are all jaded because we want to go faster and louder and strip the doors and ABS sucks more turbos and skid plates all that shit. We are not the people who bmw is really marketing to at all, and never did. I like the e30 because of how it feels, and how it was made. One case like the e30 chassis could be a reason to expect the same feel forever, but that's an unrealistic expectation. New BMW's are still awesome cars with all the electronic wizardry, and the ///m cars would put a massive grin on most of our faces I'm sure.

But comparing a BMW crossover to the whole brand is wrong. No shit we we aren't going to like that thing! When I think BMW I think rwd i6 2 doors not high off the ground etc (e30) (e92) what have you. This car is for moms and the dad who doesn't want to buy a minivan and has the $ to get a sweet car compared to a mini van. So really it's all a perspective of the people buying NEW bmw's and what they want. Bmw kills it because they give people whay they want, whether or not r3v or carthrottle thinks it's good.

They still make cars with the e30 mentality but so much has changed that they would be stupid not to implement the new technology and increase the weight etc. At the end of the day it's a capatilist business and making lightweight airbag less cars with minimal tech is not going to sell sadly

[stonea]

BMW is riding on momentum from their past cars that people remember driving. They can't keep churning out cars that drive worse than a Camry, cost twice as much, and are as reliable as a 1990's Jaguar forever. We can deal with high costs and poor reliability if the things actually drive well. But they don't - you can get better handling & steering feel from a Lexus or a Mustang.

I completely agree with this. Didn't BMW try and basically say the new 2 series is the 2002 reincarnated in one of their TV ads? Also I don't think its coincidence that every time a new M3 comes out BMW does a photoshoot with the e30 M3. And don't get me started on their CSL homage. That wasn't a homage that was publicity stunt.

I think the biggest problem with BMW (and most modern cars) is the unnecessary crap. I got to drive my friends e90 for a day and it had a lot of extra crap I didn't want, need, or even use, but people think the gadgets and gizmos are cool so it sells. It was so big, heavy, and sterile it was a shame. At least my friends Lexus is fun to drive, the BMW felt like they were designing a self driving car, but didn't finish it.

I'm not saying they need to sell a 1980s car, but look at the BRZ and MX5. Its a light weight fun sports car with modern day safety and technology. Its just missing all of the BS that adds weight.