My thoughts on a 2008 BMW 328i

[Raza]

ZF 5HP19HL

I do remember reading that it was a Mercedes 5 speed.  But it was from Car and Driver, so it was probably wrong.

[Raza]

Off the top of my head I can't think of a single Cadillac that has ever used a non-GM automatic, except the BLS. I don't know what the BLS uses, but I assume it's the same as the Saab 9-3, which uses an Aisin 5-speed.

Logic says it would use that Aisin, since it's just a rebody on the 9-3.  Changing the transmission is again, not cost effective.

[the Teuton]

And I think Aisin is partially owned by Toyota, is it not?

[CALL_911]

And I think Aisin is partially owned by Toyota, is it not?

It is.

[sportyaccordy]

Bah I was hoping this was for a 200 328i... still a good review though.

I think to fully enjoy a BMW you have to modify it a bit and take it to 10/10ths. Around town it's probably 10x more fun than a Camry, but a Camry is a Camry...

Stock for stock I think Bimmers are awesome. I need more seat time in them though. But I think once you start modifying cars the gap starts to close.

[Vinsanity]

I feel exactly the same way.  I drove a BMW 325 auto back when my friend was looking at one.  I wasn't blown away.  It was a nice enough car, but I didn't really feel any of the wonderful steering or the amazing ride and handling trade off.  It seemed pretty much on par with it's competitors.  My friend however (who incidently knows absolutely knows nothing about cars and drove a Camry) was totally smitten with it, saying now he understood what those magazines were raving about.

I definitely feel there is an Emperorer's new clothes situation with many people's impression of  BMW's. 

I felt the same way when I drove an E46 sedan (325 I think) back in 2002. It was much better than what I was driving at the time, but it didn't blow me away like I expected from hearing BMW fanbois, er, mag reviews

edit: OMG my 1000th post!
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[VTEC_Inside]

My friend however (who incidently knows absolutely knows nothing about cars and drove a Camry) was totally smitten with it, saying now he understood what those magazines were raving about.

Coincidently the friend of mine that had the car for a day fits that description to a "T" as well. Him and his gf are absolutely gaga over the thing.

[MX793]

Alas, while I found it to be a very NICE car, I didn't really walk away from it converted or anything. It would be tough to sell me a car like that for $50,000 especially since despite being catered to the enthusiast they delete the f'in dipstick. I quote the salesman "BMW owners don't check their oil", I would have walked away at that, but it was a friend of mine taking it for a day so...

BMW's decision to eliminate dipsticks does not sit well with me.  For a company that prides itself on its engineering prowess, I think it's a terrible engineering decision.  What are you supposed to do if your low oil light goes on?  Call BMW to tow the car to the dealer so they can determine how low the oil is and top it off?  Without knowing exactly how low the oil is, you can't safely top it off.  Overfilling can cause engine damage.  Unless you just add oil and keep checking to see when the light turns off.  Of course, that's the scenario for when the system is working correctly. There's the possibility that the light is triggered by a faulty sensor and you end up overfilling the crank case.  Dipsticks are simple, inexpensive and extremely effective.  The idiot light in the dash is not supposed to be the only means of monitoring oil levels.  It really should be the last line of defense for warnings against running the engine low on oil.  Now, had they replaced the dipstick with a readout that actually told you roughly how much oil was left in the crankcase like a fuel gauge, I'd find the elimination of the dipstick a little easier to swallow.

[CALL_911]

I agree, that is pretty ghey.

[VTEC_Inside]

BMW's decision to eliminate dipsticks does not sit well with me.  For a company that prides itself on its engineering prowess, I think it's a terrible engineering decision.  What are you supposed to do if your low oil light goes on?  Call BMW to tow the car to the dealer so they can determine how low the oil is and top it off?  Without knowing exactly how low the oil is, you can't safely top it off.  Overfilling can cause engine damage.  Unless you just add oil and keep checking to see when the light turns off.  Of course, that's the scenario for when the system is working correctly. There's the possibility that the light is triggered by a faulty sensor and you end up overfilling the crank case.  Dipsticks are simple, inexpensive and extremely effective.  The idiot light in the dash is not supposed to be the only means of monitoring oil levels.  It really should be the last line of defense for warnings against running the engine low on oil.  Now, had they replaced the dipstick with a readout that actually told you roughly how much oil was left in the crankcase like a fuel gauge, I'd find the elimination of the dipstick a little easier to swallow.

Couldn't agree more. I've heard that they actually have had trouble with the "low oil" sensors and people were overfilling their cars.

FYI, the "M" cars still get dipsticks.

Even the BMW techs don't know how much oil is in there unless they drain it and measure. You would think that they would leave it there if only for the technicians sake.

To make matters worse, the change intervals are apparently like 24,000kms. Sorry, I suppose I could get over leaving the oil in there that long, but I'd like to keep an eye on it.

[ChrisV]

yeah, you should see how the BMW Club magazine and it's readers are trashing BMW over the dipstick issue.

You don't just check level by looking at the dipstick, you check condition of the oil. It's simply silly not to have a dipstick.