BMW no longer the ultimate driving machine?

[Charlie]

I remember when BMW barely advertised on TV, radio, or otherwise. Usually just an April Fools ad or 2. Now they have to. Its no longer, "Finally I can afford a BMW." Now its, "Why would I buy a BMW when I can have an Infinity, Lexus, AUDI, or Acura?"

It's been that way since about 1990-91.

Lexus is your big reason here, they came in and set the Euro "luxury" automakers on their ear in the early nineties and forced the big two of MB & BMW to have to redefine how they sell to the US market.

BMW's sales have risen significantly the past couple of years, and it's not like they're turning out junk, so who cares about the slogan?

I'll take a Z4 M Coupe, orientblau, thanks.

-Charlie

[Eliminator]

I drive, active steering, flat dashboards, lack of gauges, etc.. do NOT make for the Ultimate Driving Machine. More likely the Ultimate Passenger Machine.

[Charlie]

I drive, active steering, flat dashboards, lack of gauges, etc.. do NOT make for the Ultimate Driving Machine. More likely the Ultimate Passenger Machine.

Drive one. Seriously, the E46 & E90 are great to toss around, surprising when you look at their size. I love my Dad's current X3 daily driver. Does it drive like an e30? No, but frankly, a stock e30 doesn't drive like an e30.

Want a bare bones driver's car?, buy a Miata.

-Charlie

[DEV0 E30]

I'll take a Z4 M Coupe, orientblau, thanks.

Times 2.

Problem is I'm 18, I can't afford one, thus I haven't gotten to test drive one yet. What sales person would let an 18 year old test drive an expensive car though?

[clavinZERO]

Drive one. Seriously, the E46 & E90 are great to toss around, surprising when you look at their size. I love my Dad's current X3 daily driver. Does it drive like an e30? No, but frankly, a stock e30 doesn't drive like an e30.

Want a bare bones driver's car?, buy a Miata.

-Charlie

True Charlie, stock e30s ftl.

Yeah, Miata's are pretty much that.

---------------

I wonder if the BMW marketing people even know/care about forums like this. You would think they could cash in on building a model more like what people around here want: something like the older stuff. It sucks that we feel like we are being left out of the equation, but I guess this is what they need to do to make money. This is how share-holders get their profits and the company moves on. It's a business and they gotta make money and they can't do that AND please ALL of us, but it still seems they are way off track here. I guess focus groups and such tell them otherwise.

I mean, come on, switches in the door? wtf ;). Chics dig it when they are fumbling for the window switch on the door and you just swiftly move from the shifter to the switch on the center console and suprise them.

[Jand3rson]

It's been that way since about 1990-91.

Lexus is your big reason here, they came in and set the Euro "luxury" automakers on their ear in the early nineties and forced the big two of MB & BMW to have to redefine how they sell to the US market.

BMW's sales have risen significantly the past couple of years, and it's not like they're turning out junk, so who cares about the slogan?

I'll take a Z4 M Coupe, orientblau, thanks.

-Charlie

100% on point, Charlie. Who cares what they change the slogan to> They will always be "The Ultimate Driving Machine" to me, and that's all I care about. It's like when everyone in SF lost their minds when they changed the name of Candlestick Park to 3-Com Stadium. Everyone still called it "The 'Stick", and they still do. The only people that call it 3-Com are the announcers. It will be the same with this.

Carlie, as long as you're picking up Z4 M Coupes, I'll take one in Imola.

[Charlie]

I wonder if the BMW marketing people even know/care about forums like this. You would think they could cash in on building a model more like what people around here want: something like the older stuff. It sucks that we feel like we are being left out of the equation, but I guess this is what they need to do to make money. This is how share-holders get their profits and the company moves on. It's a business and they gotta make money and they can't do that AND please ALL of us, but it still seems they are way off track here. I guess focus groups and such tell them otherwise.

Know about? Sure. Care about? Nope.

To make a *new* car that most enthusiasts would get behind, it would have to be <20k. BMW isn't doing that. Well, they sort have with the Mini, although it's more along the lines of 24k. 20k is a budget buster for a company like BMW, and would put them up against companies like Honda & VW, who know how to build hot "enthusiast" compacts.



Here's your enthusiast car. 200 hp, 6 speed, high reving NA motor, great suspension, good brakes, 20k.

-Charlie

[e304me]

maybe its because BMW is no longer the ultimate driving machine?

but seriously, they are still pumping out some great cars for how heavy/big they are. and what abou that 2500lb 343hp concept?

[Ryan Stewart]

I want the euro hype-r.

Also, laides, you know that "The Ultimate Driving Machine" was unique to the US, dont ya?

Freude am Fahren. But I guess the joy of driving was taken.

[Eric Giles]

Most Z3 had Torsen diffs.

That I was not aware of, but it somewhat makes sense as the Z3 uses an E30 rear suspension setup-so these were easy for them to produce.

[Justin B]

100% on point, Charlie. Who cares what they change the slogan to> They will always be "The Ultimate Driving Machine" to me, and that's all I care about. It's like when everyone in SF lost their minds when they changed the name of Candlestick Park to 3-Com Stadium. Everyone still called it "The 'Stick", and they still do. The only people that call it 3-Com are the announcers. It will be the same with this.

Good call, its pretty close. I can think of one more that comes to mind immediately...Sears Point. Hell, I work here(at lunch right now), so I dont know really WHAT to call it to other people. Infineon or Sears Point? Infineon AT Sears Point works well but its a little too long. It will always be the point to me.

I guess this BMW thing is just the latest in several name/slogan changes that upsets a certain group of people, but then they'll(we'll) get over it.

BMW is just turning out some pretty decent cars, expensive as hell and probably not something I'd buy off the lot. Ever. I must say though, this is the first time I ever thought a Civic looks halfway decent. Though I also probably wouldnt buy one of those new unless I wanted... well a Honda. They do however seem to be a little more respectable now, but that's besides the point.

[chuckybob]

maybe its because BMW is no longer the ultimate driving machine?

but seriously, they are still pumping out some great cars for how heavy/big they are. and what abou that 2500lb 343hp concept?

the z29? it makes baby jesus cry

[Jordan325iC]

"A company of ideas". Note they don't specify whether the ideas are good or bad.

I can't really say I care, I'll never, ever own a car with iDrive.

[Digitalwave]

e30S ARE GODS GIFT TO TEENAGERS AND POOR FOLKS

[Ryan Stewart]

e30S ARE GODS GIFT TO TEENAGERS AND POOR FOLKS

Hey, I resent that remark. Dave is old and Im not poor!