Update on my new ride

[TheIntrepid]

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.

QFT.

[The Pirate]

Electronics don't do much for me either, it's just more stuff to break and cost money down the road.

[850CSi]

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.

i-Drive is really more of an entertainment system than anything else. Climate control settings are still independent of i-Drive and are controlled by buttons and knobs below it:



As for the stereo, I believe a multifunction steering wheel is standard on every BMW.

[TheIntrepid]

Is that your interior? Looks great.... I didn't know you had iDrive

[TBR]

He doesn't, that is another car. He also has a manual transmission .

[TheIntrepid]

He doesn't, that is another car. He also has a manual transmission .

Oh true..

[850CSi]

Is that your interior? Looks great.... I didn't know you had iDrive

No, this is mine:



I wish I had iDrive (if it was free, I'd take it - I love gadgets), but on the plus side, the E90s interior looks nicer without it IMO. I still like the E46s interior more, though, as far as layout. But the E90s feels bigger (and it is, even though the car itself is about the same size) and it's also better as far as materials, fit, and finish.

[TheIntrepid]

Yours looks nice.

[SJ_GTI]

I actually like the new 3er interior better than the old one. The old one was perfectly functional and is put together well, but isn't much to look at IMHO. The new one actually has some design cohesion to it. Kind of reminds me of the A4 actually.

[Raza]

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.

Faster isn't better.

[Tave]

Faster isn't better.

?

He never said it was.

[SJ_GTI]

?

He never said it was.

Don't mind Raza. He decided not to like BMW's after his parents made him drive a Passat for 2 years. 

[Raza]

?

He never said it was.

He mentioned that the new 3er was both "faster" and a better handler than the outgoing model, which, to me, means nothing.  And I'm not even sure that it handles better, I just think it has higher limits because it has more grip.  I'd be interested to see how both cars perform subjectively with the same set of tires and same size wheels. 

[Raza]

Don't mind Raza. He decided not to like BMW's after his parents made him drive a Passat for 2 years. 

VWs are awesome, hippie!

[850CSi]

He mentioned that the new 3er was both "faster" and a better handler than the outgoing model, which, to me, means nothing.? And I'm not even sure that it handles better, I just think it has higher limits because it has more grip.

Ah yes, because the stock run-flats on the E90 are much, much better tires than the standard ones of the E46.?

Do you have ANY proof that a stock E46 325i will outrun an E90 325i?

[Raghavan]

I think he bought a VW Eos actually...

[VetteZ06]

[Raghavan]

Well, he's gone now...

[1 BAD 7]

Well said


I have both the more classic E39 5 series and more modern E65 BMW 7 series. I think they both look good in their own ways. I have a soft spot for both newer generation and older generation cars. But if you ask me which ones I perfer more I would say without a doubt the new ones.


I have had a chance to drive multiple 2006/2007 BMW 5 series sedan loaners back to with my E39 5 series and I think without a doubt the new ones are more refined and smoother cars not to mention more roomy. I love the I-drive setup and would give up my E39 series full of buttons every where anyday for such setup. As far as acceleration and handling goes the 2007 5 series to me felt better and more composed. I didnot care for the run flat tires when it comes to more fluid handling. However, I do realize they have certain very valid safety advantages over non-run flats.

My only gripe of 2007 E60 5 series vs my old E39 5 series is that certain materials on middle dash feel a bit less higher in quality then those found in E39 5 series. Other then that overall their is no doubt that new  E60 5 series is better in every regard.

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.

[VetteZ06]

Well, he's gone now...

Indeed. I mistook another member for Car Zeus, so forget that I asked.

[thewizard16]

Well, he's gone now...

Where did he go?

[Raza]

Yeah, I'm confused.  How far did he go?

[mazda6er]

Yeah, I'm confused.  How far did he go?

Whatever the distance is between the computer lab and his 7th grade classroom?

[TheIntrepid]

I thought he's proven that he has nice cars?

[mazda6er]

I'm kidding. I honestly don't care one way or the other. How's the Camry running?   

[TheIntrepid]

It's all right. The all-seasons it came with are SHIT in the snow though. I want to get X-Ice tires like I put on my Intrepid ... but that'll wait till next winter.

[nickdrinkwater]

I'm kidding. I honestly don't care one way or the other. How's the Camry running?   

What Camry?

[Raghavan]

What Camry?

[mazda6er]

What Camry?

[SVT_Power]

QFT.

What's with your new little "QFT" thing?