Update on my new ride

[Catman]

I will not except a BMW.  It is a 911.  If it's a Cayman or Boxster I can live with it I suppose. :P

[BMWDave]

If it's an R8, he's not getting it this January.

Well, I know that they will begin selling them the 'first half of 2007."  So if he pre-ordered his, it's conceivable that he could get his mid january, I suppose.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Nah, he originally was going to get it late December, but they moved it back IIRC.

[gasoline]

A small chance, but I think most here are pulling for it.

It will be a six-series. I am still predicting that.

[ifcar]

Same.

[cawimmer430]

Catman, what's that car in your signature? Looks hot.

[ifcar]

Catman, what's that car in your signature? Looks hot.

Ford Interceptor concept.

http://www.carspin.net/forums/the-mainstream-room/ford-interceptor-concept.0.html

[dazzleman]

Car Zeus has already professed his preference for BMWs, so it could be that.

I could also see him driving a Porsche.

[SVT666]

M5 is my guess.

[TheIntrepid]

M5 is my guess.

He said sports coupe IIRC.

[850CSi]

I think it's a 650i.

[SVT666]

He said sports coupe IIRC.

Oops, my bad.  M6 then.

[TheIntrepid]

I was the first to say 6-series IIRC and I got my ass flamed for it. I still think 650i or M6.

[SVT666]

I was the first to say 6-series IIRC and I got my ass flamed for it. I still think 650i or M6.

I didn't flame you for it.

[Raza]

Oops, my bad.  M6 then.

He said sports coupe. 

[SVT666]

He said sports coupe.?

It is.

[TheIntrepid]

Raza has extremist views against BMW.

[Raza]

Raza has extremist views against BMW.

Only the fat modern ones. 

[850CSi]

Only the fat modern ones.?

Conveniently ignoring, of course, that they really haven't gained much weight, and most of it is attributed to larger engines - And that his beloved Audis and MBs are substantially heavier on the average.


But don't tell him that.

[Submariner]

Conveniently ignoring, of course, that they really haven't gained much weight, and most of it is attributed to larger engines - And that his beloved Audis and MBs are substantially heavier on the average.


But don't tell him that.

It's the electronics.

I mean...I shouldn't be one to talk.  I own the BMW luxo-boat laden with all weight adding-performance sucking features available. 

But that dosen't mean I dont agree with him.  BMW's design has fell into the toilet (save for the 3 and 6) and I believe they are more focused on gizmos for driving, than the driver for driving.

[TheIntrepid]

It's the electronics.

I mean...I shouldn't be one to talk.  I own the BMW luxo-boat laden with all weight adding-performance sucking features available. 

But that dosen't mean I dont agree with him.  BMW's design has fell into the toilet (save for the 3 and 6) and I believe they are more focused on gizmos for driving, than the driver for driving.

I do agree. The E90 3-sedan and the 6 are the most attractive current BMWs out there. I even like the 5, but that's it. The 7, the X3, X5, the E92 Coupe all look like complete ass.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Of the current BMW's, I only like the 3-series. The rest just don't do it for me. That said, I really like the 3-series though.

[850CSi]

It's the electronics.

I mean...I shouldn't be one to talk.? I own the BMW luxo-boat laden with all weight adding-performance sucking features available.?

But that dosen't mean I dont agree with him.? BMW's design has fell into the toilet (save for the 3 and 6) and I believe they are more focused on gizmos for driving, than the driver for driving.

Electronics? I know a lot of people hate I-Drive, but there are also a lot of technophobes who love it. And what about MMI and COMAND? BMW isn't the only company addicted to the gizmo craze - but somehow they've become the scapegoat.

Design is completely subjective. Personally, I still like the older models more, but I think a lot of the newer models are still great looking cars. [I still don't like the 7-Series very much, and the 6-Series is very unattractive from some angles]

And there's nothing to suggest that "they are more focused on gizmos for driving, than the driver for driving." The E90 is faster and handles better than the E46; the 5-Series has not gained a pound in over a decade; the 6-Series is lighter and handles MUCH better than any 8-Series ever did (except for MAYBE the CSi); the Z4 is a better car than the Z3; and the new M5 is lighter than the E39 and boasts an extra 2 cylinders and 100hp. The only car that has grown a lot and gained substantial weight is the 7-Series, and that's partially due to larger engines and a lot more interior room - by most accounts, it handles as well as its predecessor.

The one complaint that makes sense is that they've taken a price hike over previous years, and this is true. But that's economics and the laws of supply and demand at work - in addition to the fact that the standard equipment lists have grown pretty quickly .



I have absolutely no problem with people saying they liked the old ones more - I know I did - but all the anti-modern-BMW sentiment is built on a slightly loose foundation IMO. You can take issue with the fact that most of them are Autos, and most people that drive them aren't enthusiasts, yadda yadda yadda, but when it comes down to it, BMW still makes cars that are consistently at the top of their classes in powerplants, balance, and handling, and that's what matters IMO.

[SJ_GTI]

Electronics? I know a lot of people hate I-Drive, but there are also a lot of technophobes who love it. And what about MMI and COMAND? BMW isn't the only company addicted to the gizmo craze - but somehow they've become the scapegoat.

Design is completely subjective. Personally, I still like the older models more, but I think a lot of the newer models are still great looking cars. [I still don't like the 7-Series very much, and the 6-Series is very unattractive from some angles]

And there's nothing to suggest that "they are more focused on gizmos for driving, than the driver for driving." The E90 is faster and handles better than the E46; the 5-Series has not gained a pound in over a decade; the 6-Series is lighter and handles MUCH better than any 8-Series ever did (except for MAYBE the CSi); the Z4 is a better car than the Z3; and the new M5 is lighter than the E39 and boasts an extra 2 cylinders and 100hp. The only car that has grown a lot and gained substantial weight is the 7-Series, and that's partially due to larger engines and a lot more interior room - by most accounts, it handles as well as its predecessor.

The one complaint that makes sense is that they've taken a price hike over previous years, and this is true. But that's economics and the laws of supply and demand at work - in addition to the fact that the standard equipment lists have grown pretty quickly .



I have absolutely no problem with people saying they liked the old ones more - I know I did - but all the anti-modern-BMW sentiment is built on a slightly loose foundation IMO. You can take issue with the fact that most of them are Autos, and most people that drive them aren't enthusiasts, yadda yadda yadda, but when it comes down to it, BMW still makes cars that are consistently at the top of their classes in powerplants, balance, and handling, and that's what matters IMO.

I couldn't agree more with that post. 

[Tave]

 Yeah, that was well thought out and well written. Nice post.

I've come to appreciate the styling of the new BMW more and more as time goes on. In fact, one model I enjoy that everyone else seems to dislike is the 7-series. I think its presence is very commanding and authoritative. I also dig the design of the 6, and to a lesser extent the 5 and 3. If I was in the position to buy one, I would take the 3-series over any of its competitors (price be damned). And I would really love to own the new 335 coupe.

[SVT666]

I really like the 3 series and the 5 series but that's it.  As for the electronics like iDrive; I hate them all.  Anything that makes you take your attention away from driving just to change the climate control system of stereo is bad.  What ever happened to simple knobs?  I have the stereo controls on the back of my steering wheel right where my hands are and I don't need to take my eyes off the road to check if I am on the right menu.

[ChrisV]

Very nice, Farris. 

[Tave]

I really like the 3 series and the 5 series but that's it.? As for the electronics like iDrive; I hate them all.? Anything that makes you take your attention away from driving just to change the climate control system of stereo is bad.? What ever happened to simple knobs?? I have the stereo controls on the back of my steering wheel right where my hands are and I don't need to take my eyes off the road to check if I am on the right menu.

Once the driver is accustomed to working IDrive, I hardly see how it would be any more of a distraction than conventional, dash-mounted cabin controls or newer devices such as navigation units.

As familiar as I am with my car, I still have to glance at my stereo/climate controls occasionaly, and if I'm in a position where the road demands my total attention, I just wait (and that rarely happens).

[ChrisV]

I really like the 3 series and the 5 series but that's it.  As for the electronics like iDrive; I hate them all.  Anything that makes you take your attention away from driving just to change the climate control system of stereo is bad.  What ever happened to simple knobs?  I have the stereo controls on the back of my steering wheel right where my hands are and I don't need to take my eyes off the road to check if I am on the right menu.

Stereos and climate controls (or even just heater sliders) have almost ALWAYS required you to take your attention off the road momentarily, all the way back to the first installations of them in passenger cars. That's just a silly complaint. After you get used to a particular car during your ownership, it's easy to deal with. yeah, it's often hard in a test drive to figure it all out, but even after a day of ownership, it's much easier, and after a week, it's second nature.

Judging how hard it is to use by a half hour test drive is not an accurate reflection of ease of use during ownership.

[SVT666]

These electronics are not in the cars to make anything easier, they are there to make the price justifiable.  THey are there to make the guy spending $100K on his BMW feel like there is something special in his car that a $30K car doesn't have.  Personally I prefer knobs and buttons on the back of the steering wheel.  My hands rarely leave the wheel and my eyes don't leave the road.