Dad's New Ride... Impressions.

[TheIntrepid]

So my dad's company is doing a deal with some vendors of pharmaceutical products, and they're obviously wanting the account, so the executives are being bribed with a bunch of new stuff. New cell phones, Blackberrys, Palm pilots, laptops, and the like. One vendor, however, gave us something even better,

a 2007 BMW 323i.

Basically, we have the car until my dad and his colleagues decide whether or not to give this company their account.

It's not a brand new car; it has about 5800mi (9400km) on it. I've been driving it around today, and it's a wonderful car. It feels a bit slow, but at 140km/h, it is serene quiet, and a very smooth car to drive. The brakes are really touchy; Farris have you noticed this? I found the steering to be really heavy too, but it's really a dream to drive.

It doesn't have the automatic climate control, or power seats, but the auto up/down feature on all the windows is nice to have. The BMW leatherette is nice quality, and I do like the convenient location of the cupholders. The back seat is a little tight, but the driving dynamics are so good, we can live with it. It also has heated seats.

It's an automatic, sorry guys. The manumatic is a little annoying, but it's a nice thing to have. I only drove it in auto mode today because I was playing around with everything else.

I was disappointed with the car's straight-line acceleration. I did enjoy taking freeway onramps at 100km/h, which I've never done before. Body roll is minimal.

Stereo = crap. I like the BMW diagnostic or whatever it is where you can change all the trip computer things through the stereo though, but the sound quality is nothing to write home about.

The A/C sucks. I drove it for about 50km today and it NEVER cooled up. I had to keep the A/C blowing on full power. I had the temperature knob all the way in the blue, and the fan on high. Yes, I also had the A/C button pressed.


















Overall, 9/10 machine.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Wow, what a POS. AC is broke and it idles at 5100rpm.  :P
So you likey a car that handles not bad? You can't seriously be disappointed with its acceleration, though. It's only a 2.5L with 174hp, what do you expect? It's not like it has a H.O. Intrepid motor. 

[TheIntrepid]

I was revving it. It clearly doesn't idle at 5100rpm. The funniest thing was that I couldn't find the starter button because I was so excited. The wiper stalk blocked my view

[sandertheshark]

Sweet.

[SVT_Power]

isn't this the only bimmer raza wanted. trep you better watch out for brown guys with shovels

[Eye of the Tiger]

if it had a 6spd MANual, I would totally rock that car

[SVT_Power]

but wtf is this?

[SaltyDog]

So you have a temporary car on your hands that belongs to some company you don't know or care about?  You know what that means: drive the piss out of it

[Colonel Cadillac]

You get to skip the break-in too! Nice ride trep.

[TheIntrepid]

So you have a temporary car on your hands that belongs to some company you don't know or care about?  You know what that means: drive the piss out of it

DUH



And Eddie...it's for haters or anyone doubting that I have the car.

[IrishGuy]

DUH



And Eddie...it's for haters or anyone doubting that my dad has the car.

[TheIntrepid]

Like him.

[IrishGuy]

Like him.

C'mon, you know I have to give you a hard time.

[TheIntrepid]

C'mon, you know I have to give you a hard time.

[TheIntrepid]

You guys are going to kick my ass when I tell you who the previous owner was, and how the firm got it to give to executives so cheap.

[IrishGuy]

You guys are going to kick my ass when I tell you who the previous owner was, and how the firm got it to give to executives so cheap.

I'm pretty sure it's nobody too exciting or not the truth seeing it's a 323.

[TheIntrepid]

I'm pretty sure it's nobody too exciting or not the truth seeing it's a 323.

Enterprise. 

[850CSi]

Looks like a low-end version.

Touchy brakes? What exactly do you mean? Worst thing about the brakes is the ridiculous amount of brake dust that BMW's pads leave on the rims. 


Heavy steering? You've obviously never driven an E39 or E46.  It's something you get used to, I don't like light steering.

[TheIntrepid]

Looks like a low-end version.

Touchy brakes? What exactly do you mean? Worst thing about the brakes is the ridiculous amount of brake dust that BMW's pads leave on the rims. 


Heavy steering? You've obviously never driven an E39 or E46.  It's something you get used to, I don't like light steering.

It's the bottom-end version. It has cruise control, though!!!

Touchy brakes as in they're VERY VERY VERY sensitive.

[850CSi]

It's the bottom-end version. It has cruise control, though!!!

Touchy brakes as in they're VERY VERY VERY sensitive.

Hmm... I like the X3's brake feel a little more than my car's (I like the X3's a lot), but it's not like what you're describing. My pads are nearly worn out, though.

Best cruise control ever.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Yeah, I've driven a 530xiT, and it had really touchy brakes. They were fantastic, though. Now if my mom would give up her desire for a damn hybrid so we could get a 535xiT, I would be able to get used to the touchy brakes!

[ro51092]

TREP. My respect for you just went up a whole lot. Congratulations. You now own of the best cars on CarSPIN.

[TheIntrepid]

TREP. My respect for you just went up a whole lot. Congratulations. You now own of the best cars on CarSPIN.

I doubt the last part, and I don't own it, but thanks!

I'm driving it around for now anyway. Poor Treppy probably feels so inferior.

[ro51092]

I doubt the last part, and I don't own it, but thanks!

I'm driving it around for now anyway. Poor Treppy probably feels so inferior.

Okay, tell me who's better.

I can think of:
1. Raza
2. Lebowski
3. Farris

[TheIntrepid]

Okay, tell me who's better.

I can think of:
1. Raza
2. Lebowski
3. Farris

Wimmer's E320... NomisR's Elise.

Dazzle's 530i, your A4, Ron's A4

[Colonel Cadillac]

Okay, tell me who's better.

I can think of:
1.Raza NomisR
2. Lebowski etypejohn
3. Farris Raza

[ro51092]

Oooh, I forgot about the Elise. Okay, that gets 1st place. I'd take the 987 over the E-Type (no offense). I also think I'd take a C6 over it too.

[Submariner]

but wtf is this?

In case no one believed that it was his car.

But I can't imagine why anyone would do that...

[Raza]

isn't this the only bimmer raza wanted. trep you better watch out for brown guys with shovels

It's an automatic.  He can keep it.

[Raza]

It's the bottom-end version. It has cruise control, though!!!

Touchy brakes as in they're VERY VERY VERY sensitive.

That seems to be the new norm for luxury cars.  God forbid pedals give you some feedback and some natural progression.