MCM, WTF is going on with your employer

[MexicoCityM3]

I test drove a 2-series while car shopping. I liked the FWD-based S3 better after drive them back to back. Admittedly both were auto. Of course I ended up buying the manuel version of the S3 in the end. Maybe driving a manuel 2-series would have changed my mind but the dealership only had auto's on the lot (2-series and 3-series).

If you like understeer that's that.

[SJ_GTI]

That's it right there. Most manual-loving enthusiasts want a USED Jalopnik special manual BMW. Difficult to see how BMW would care about that.

Its a bit chicken and the egg.

BMW dealership near me didn't carry manual transmission cars, so a person buying a new car and preferring a manual had no choice (unless I was willing to buy it without a test drive, which I am not). All that being said, see previous post: Apples to Apples (auto to auto) I preferred the S3 anyway (and essentially ended up with a manual version of that car after test driving it).

[SJ_GTI]

If you like understeer that's that.

Right, cause BMW's don't understeer. 

[MexicoCityM3]

Its a bit chicken and the egg.

BMW dealership near me didn't carry manual transmission cars, so a person buying a new car and preferring a manual had no choice (unless I was willing to buy it without a test drive, which I am not). All that being said, see previous post: Apples to Apples (auto to auto) I preferred the S3 anyway (and essentially ended up with a manual version of that car after test driving it).

¿Was it a 235i or a 228i?

[MexicoCityM3]

Right, cause BMW's don't understeer. 

Steady state of course they do. But unlike the veedubs most of the time that can be fixed with a stab of the throttle.

[SJ_GTI]

Steady state of course they do. But unlike the veedubs most of the time that can be fixed with a stab of the throttle.

I could do that in my S4 and can also do it in my Golf R to a lesser extent.

[SJ_GTI]

¿Was it a 235i or a 228i?

I discussed it in detail in my purchase thread.

[2o6]

Then you get into leasing, pricing, etc. I'm shocked BMW offered this model as long as they did.

Steady state of course they do. But unlike the veedubs most of the time that can be fixed with a stab of the throttle.

These cars are gonna be grocery getters. The average person who will buy one won't actually really drive it hard on a track.

[Raza]

Honestly, most new cars handle/perform just as good as old sports cars. So why sacrifice the practicality?

They don't feel like old sports cars though.

[Raza]

Right, cause BMW's don't understeer. 

At least they're not widowmakers like Infiniti Gs are....unsafe in any turn!

[MexicoCityM3]

At least they're not widowmakers like Infiniti Gs are....unsafe in any turn!

Thank god for that.

[GoCougs]

Secondly the gap between mainstream cars and luxury cars has closed considerably. I don't know anyone who would and can afford dropping 45-50k for a car. Especially since a 20k Honda Civic is a lot nicer than it used to be.

Good point, to which I'd that lines between ALL vehicles - classes and types - has muddied considerably; performance SUVs, $40k Camaro SS > M4, upcoming Camry XSE V6, etc.

For the last ~15 years 90%+ buying of BMW (in the US at least) has been about the badge, and as stated, those folks don't care about the transmission or performance (or even luxury - put BMW badges on a loaded Accord V6 and most BMW buyers wouldn't notice - well, other than the infinitely improved reliability of course ).

[Payman]

That's it right there. Most manual-loving enthusiasts want a USED Jalopnik special manual BMW. Difficult to see how BMW would care about that.

I'm not a good example, because I'm not buying anything brand new anymore.

[MexicoCityM3]

To the point here:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1402528

BMW Worldwide Sales Up 5% So far This Year (+17% in Mexico, -4% US). So no, fantasizing about buying a manual used BMW on the cheap in a few years and bitching about it on the Internet probably won't affect my employer's product plans.

[r0tor]

Read there is a pretty good chance the manual is getting dropped in the 3 series... So yea, there goes my plans of getting a new 3er if it didn't suck or reverting back to a 2 series as a backup plan

[r0tor]

So the next 3er is apparently getting larger, if the 5er is any indication it could be getting softer, and it looks to be losing a manual... at this rate you might as well drop it and just sell the X3

[12,000 RPM]

To the point here:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1402528

BMW Worldwide Sales Up 5% So far This Year (+17% in Mexico, -4% US). So no, fantasizing about buying a manual used BMW on the cheap in a few years and bitching about it on the Internet probably won't affect my employer's product plans.

When your employer put thousands of dollars on the hood of every car they sold and turned "The Ultimate Driving Machines" into "The Ultimate Toyotas In Drag" increased sales are a foregone conclusion. Is that the right strategy for business, sure. Company philosophy? That's up to the individual I guess. But you've stated many times that you're not a fan of what BMW was and are downright shippy:Trump WRT to what its become so........