For those that bitch about newer Bimmers being disconnected

[lukasbmw]

Stop whining. The more experience I get in the car industry the stronger my love grows for BMW. There is absolutely nothing that comes close to matching the new Bimmers in the sport luxury category. Even Audi and Mercedes cannot compare. Everything not wearing a roundel feels like a boat. The Bimmers almost feel like an extension of you.

A lot of you guys love to rag on the E46, but the more I drive them (even stock 328i sedans) the more I think these are the perfect compromise.

If you want a bad ass all out sports car, you need to look at Lotus, Porsche, or go Italian. If you want the sportiest affordable car that you must drive on a daily basis, the only choice is BMW. Everything else is a disconnected boat.

-E

[1985bmw325e]

can i get an amen...

[lukasbmw]

It actually pisses me off as I would love to diversify. I LOVE the exterior of Benz and the interior or Lexus and Audi. However, I just cannot bring myself to buy a car I don't thoroughly enjoy driving.

As I said, I feel so at home driving a Bimmer. It's almost like driving an extension of myself.

That said, I MAY perfer the new Benz S class to the new 7 series. I need more time in the S class...

There is no runner up to the 3, 5, X5, or Z. Not even close.

-E

[cheades]

I drove a 323i and it was about as exciting as a Ford Taurus. The M3 would be a great daily but the regular ones (330i with sport package would also be good probably). About all the cars now a days are disconnected for feeling unless you get more of a track oriented car.

[bimmerphile]

word, eric. word.

[Digitalwave]

I even think that the styling of the new cars is incredible. The hardtop 6's get me hard, and the new 5ers are just beautiful (especially in topaz blue).

[Rob]

new bmws sucks, heavy cars are for fat people.

[bmwannabe]

I think everything has gone to shit. Everything is a boat. Face it, the times are changing. The sedans are complete luxo-barges, and the "sports cars" are pretty hefty too. Too much emphasis has been placed on padding these things down and making them comfy. Save for the Z4, ( and even it too is bulky), everything in the way of BMW cars has become oversized.

[Mystikal]

Compared to new non-sports cars, yes. But compared to each of their previous generations, they feel very soft. An E30 feels better than an E36, and an E36 feels better than an E46. I've driven many, many models of all 3 generations, and it is very much true. Weight is the enemy, in addition to aging demographics.

Now, compared to new cars in the same class, they are still the benchmark of driving pleasure. But next to an older model, they are disconnected.

[ColdAccord]

lol i've never heard of new bmw's referred to as "affordable."

[StereoInstaller1]

LucasBMW, have you yet had a chance to drive a CTS-V or GTO? I have virtually no miles in any bimmer newer than '95, (nor the CTS-V or GTO) and would like to hear your experience. I have a big install coming soon on a GTO, but I usually don't drive them.
Luke
Me driving them in and out of the shop doesn't count....

[Rob]

anyone know where I can get stolen BMWs?

[Charlie]

anyone know where I can get stolen BMWs?

Right next to the stolen plasma TV aisle.

-Charlie

[Charlie]

Of the "luxury" cars out there, BMW is about the most connected vehicle you can buy today. Benzes & Lexuses (Lexi?), save for the Altezza are just incredibly floaty. The new 5's, even with all that servotronic steering garbage actually still feel pretty well hooked up.

If you guys want real road feel in a new car, you need to go out and drive a Z06, leaf springs up your ass and 18 inch wheels on rock hard goodyears will insure that you feel everything on the road just fine.

-Charlie

[James Crivellone]

in the 530i I drove I felt like I was being attacked by random electronic gizmos that I don't want. I am sure some people like these things, but there are still things I don't want.



Traction Control, let me turn the damn thing off once and for all, I get annoyed with having to press the damn buttom.
electronic gas pedal, no thanks, let me control the butterfly myself.
ABS, I like being able to simply turn it off on my e30 (pull the relay or swith it)
electronic steering on the new 5's, not a fan, at least from a technology standpoint (have yet to drive a new 5'er)


I do agree, that they are more connected then other cars in the same arena, but I still feel way to disconnected driving any new bmw.

Hell I drove my friends dad's 2000 328ci about 300 feet and could not stand how everything came together, its pretty bad when I hate a car after driving it that small amount of time.

Plus I like working on my cars, not fighting safety features ;)