Show Me Your BMW!!!!!!!!!
Discussion
Benny Pavier said:
ATM said:
I switched my F30 M sport from the same 19 inch wheels with Bridgestone run flats to 17 inch with go flat winter tyres and the difference was unbelievable.
Hmm interesting, something I may consider some time..... Ben
AB said:
It'd pull the skin off it quicker than your 520i...
Seriously, give it a rest, it's boring.
There's obviously a few of us who have slightly different requirements in cars than you.
I wouldn't want to do my daily driving in any of your cars or any of mine other than the comfortable diesel.
The 520i has more power, is good for 140mph (yes, I have verified this...), is a good-looking machine (unlike the F31), and it has a lovely straight six which howls when caned and settles down to a completely inaudible, silent purr in the cruise. Well, it would do if the clutch hadn't blown up yesterday (at least, I hope that's all it is)...RoverP6B said:
RWD, N/A, 'the ultimate driving machine', supple-riding, sweet-handling cars which skipped bangerdom and headed straight from newish to youngtimer classic.
You have the first two on your list.Seriously, give it a rest, it's boring.
There's obviously a few of us who have slightly different requirements in cars than you.
I wouldn't want to do my daily driving in any of your cars or any of mine other than the comfortable diesel.
The 535i sounds like a NASCAR racer at full chat (well, OK, it's not THAT loud...), is nearly as refined as the 520i and has quite sufficient power and torque to surprise notionally faster machinery. Other than the bootlid badge, there's nothing visible to tell you it's not a 520i. It's also ridiculously understressed - thinking of some old-fashioned tweaks to the engine's breathing to unleash some more power.
The E39 as a whole is now on the cusp between modernity and young-timer. When the F10's replacement arrives, that'll be when the E39 really starts to get the recognition it deserves as the best production car BMW has ever made.
JaymzDead said:
Can it not stand for more than one thing? Yes they will always make the exciting RWD M cars, but these days to financially enable them to do this they need to sell at the popular end of the market, they're only really doing what Porsche do with SUVs and the Panamera. Also their 2 largest competitors make equivalent cars, so they would massively miss out on market share if they didn't do likewise. Yes my car is a 'carcinogen-spewing tractor' but (as most others do) my car policy at work dictates that. Of course I'd love a 340i but it's just not practical in this day and age. I'd just rather have a 'carcinogen-spewing tractor' that is good to drive and is a nice place to while away 35K a year. TBH BMW started selling diesels in the '80s this isn't exactly a new thing. I for one am glad BMW, Audi and Merc produce a 2.0d car it means that people in jobs like mine don't have to drive a Ford or a Vauxhall anymore if we choose. To be honest your 'jumpers for goalposts' mentality is a very romanticised notion of what BMW ever was, they have always produced cars such as the 525e which were squarely aimed more at the business market.
Thae thing is that pretty much ALL BMWs used to be enjoyable cars to drive. Even the 525e, which still had a lovely N/A petrol straight six. Yeah, there were diesels in the 80s and 90s, but nobody bought them! Only in the early 2000s did they start to become dominant. The market needs to lead governments by just not making diesels any more, standing up to the NEDC nonsense and making cars that steer nicely and have engines you'd enjoy extending to their redlines. Those who go along with company car schemes don't help, either - there are better alternatives. The 340i is also an abomination, with its electric steering, turbocharged direct-injection engine, compulsory autobox and disastrous styling. And no, your F31 isn't 'good to drive'. Nothing with electric steering is - not even a 991 GT3RS. If you can't feel anything through the helm (and you really can't with any electric setup), you may as well take the bus. In your position, twenty years ago, you'd probably have got a Ford Scorpio or Vauxhall Omega - rear-wheel-drive, well-equipped, naturally-aspirated 3-litre V6 engines, genuinely nice cars (even if the external styling was a tad questionable). But, alas, badge snobbery killed such cars stone dead. The thrusting yuppie these days would rather have a poverty spec Audi A3 than a non-prestige-badged, top-spec barge. It's sad - and it's ruining what the great luxury/sports-car brands used to stand for. That ///M badge used to mean something - it signified greatness. Now you can have a 318d that's festooned with more of them than an E46 M3 has! The AMG badge used to mean something too - now you can have it on a 2-litre turbo FWD-based Haldex A-class or GLA mini-SUV - albeit boosted to hell so the engine grenades after a much shorter time than is reasonable. At least they aren't sticking it on base-model diesels yet.RoverP6B said:
Thae thing is that pretty much ALL BMWs used to be enjoyable cars to drive. Even the 525e, which still had a lovely N/A petrol straight six. Yeah, there were diesels in the 80s and 90s, but nobody bought them! Only in the early 2000s did they start to become dominant. The market needs to lead governments by just not making diesels any more, standing up to the NEDC nonsense and making cars that steer nicely and have engines you'd enjoy extending to their redlines. Those who go along with company car schemes don't help, either - there are better alternatives. The 340i is also an abomination, with its electric steering, turbocharged direct-injection engine, compulsory autobox and disastrous styling. And no, your F31 isn't 'good to drive'. Nothing with electric steering is - not even a 991 GT3RS. If you can't feel anything through the helm (and you really can't with any electric setup), you may as well take the bus. In your position, twenty years ago, you'd probably have got a Ford Scorpio or Vauxhall Omega - rear-wheel-drive, well-equipped, naturally-aspirated 3-litre V6 engines, genuinely nice cars (even if the external styling was a tad questionable). But, alas, badge snobbery killed such cars stone dead. The thrusting yuppie these days would rather have a poverty spec Audi A3 than a non-prestige-badged, top-spec barge. It's sad - and it's ruining what the great luxury/sports-car brands used to stand for. That ///M badge used to mean something - it signified greatness. Now you can have a 318d that's festooned with more of them than an E46 M3 has! The AMG badge used to mean something too - now you can have it on a 2-litre turbo FWD-based Haldex A-class or GLA mini-SUV - albeit boosted to hell so the engine grenades after a much shorter time than is reasonable. At least they aren't sticking it on base-model diesels yet.
Hold on a minute, did you just tell me my car ISN'T good to drive??!!! 
I beg to differ, it's great on the motorway and pretty accomplished on a decent B road in sport mode. My F31 is a 320D ED Plus anyway so doesn't have run-flats and is RWD, yes it's not the last word in 'set your hair on fire' excitement but then I don't want my 35K mile hack to be like that. I just wanted a car that (to me anyway) looks nice, has plenty of toys and won't cripple me when it comes to taxation. It IS IMHO every bit as good (with the exception of the engine, granted) as my Father's friend's E28 528i which got me hooked on BMWs all those years ago. Incidentally that car had M badges on it, put there by BMW no less! By the way, the reason that BMW uses the M badge on other cars other than the pure M models is that because of the greatness of the pure M cars, shock, horror, it sells cars! I do agree however that there are too many M badged cars that are nothing of the sort these days.
I'm not a yuppy but I'm pretty sure they never drove an Omega or a Scorpio back in the day either! My father's business partner (not a yuppy by any stretch of the imagination) had an Omega and it was in the garage for most of his ownership, culminating with the engine blowing up on the A34, and he vowed never to buy one again so I think people were actually looking for better alternatives and all BMW, Audi et al did was to make cars that worked, were comfortable and better to drive than their non-prestige brethren. I don't buy the badge snobbery at all, I think people just appreciated German engineering and voted with their feet.
Also can you explain to me how people shouldn't go along with a company car scheme that dictates a diesel? That makes no sense, unless you are an MD, a car policy is a car policy and it's not worth rocking the boat over. If we came across to our superiors as you have on here, we'd get sacked or our commitment to the job would be called in to question at the very least. I consider myself very fortunate to have been offered a BMW, I'm the first member of the sales force at my company that has been and that was down to my hard work. What was I supposed to say? 'nah, I'll stick with the Insignia'?!
Edited by JaymzDead on Monday 18th January 20:16
Edited by JaymzDead on Monday 18th January 20:17
RoverP6B said:
And no, your F31 isn't 'good to drive'. Nothing with electric steering is - not even a 991 GT3RS.
Taken from recent Evo feature -''The electric power assisted steering has taken another leap on too, giving much more textural feedback to your hands. This is a 991-generation 911 with real steering feel.''
Whatever, the problem isn't what you say, it's the way you say it. I'm not really into modern, diesel tourings either, but nor would I want an old E39! I just don't feel the need to tell someone who's obviously proud of their car and why would I? It's a knobish thing to do. We all know BMW put M badges on lesser models nowadays, but M sport isn't an M car is it? It's not trying to pretend to be something it isn't.
Can i just add - if you haven't driven the 991 yet, don't just regurgitate what you've read... the electric steering on the 991 is different to previous 911's, but if you give it a chance it's still great. A little lighter, but i don't think it's lost significant feedback. Still a wonderful thing to steer.
jayemm89 said:
Beautiful car Ash... Imola Red? And K-Sport brakes are they?
Thanks mate. Yeah imola. Yeah the new K Sport forged monoblock 8 pots with pagid RS29s. They've been absolutely faultless so far.
Running KW V3s with Tom Schirmers spring setup too. And fully poly/solid bushed. Lots done and a great car but still a long way to go as always!
Evo is talking crap. EPAS cannot have feel, by definition. It completely removes that possibility. Now, if you had an electrically-powered hydraulic pump, that might well have feel, but that's not how these systems work. Without steering feel, a car isn't just numb - it's like trying to drive blindfolded, one of your crucial senses has been shut down...
As for mechanical reliability, all four of my BMWs have required some remedial action. The E30 was the most reliable, but died of electrical failure. My E46 had a persistent oil and coolant leak which I was never able to eliminate. The 520i has had a replacement engine (first one had a number of head problems) and expired yesterday evening with what I think is a blown-up clutch. The 535i eats wishbones and tyres, broke a window regulator and blew off a radiator hose. 'My' F11 520d ended up going back to the hire company with a blown turbo seal that meant it was losing power badly - with under 2000 miles on the clock. The E90 320d I then had for a week went back with a blown-up torque converter. Three of my neighbours have had Audis: two of them have also had Mercedes-Benzes, and one of them also a Porsche. All of these cars have had major mechanical problems. You do not buy German cars for the utmost reliability - that's what Japan is for. So, don't sneer at the Ford Duratec V6-engined Scorpio, for example - it's probably more reliable than any comparable German car.
As for mechanical reliability, all four of my BMWs have required some remedial action. The E30 was the most reliable, but died of electrical failure. My E46 had a persistent oil and coolant leak which I was never able to eliminate. The 520i has had a replacement engine (first one had a number of head problems) and expired yesterday evening with what I think is a blown-up clutch. The 535i eats wishbones and tyres, broke a window regulator and blew off a radiator hose. 'My' F11 520d ended up going back to the hire company with a blown turbo seal that meant it was losing power badly - with under 2000 miles on the clock. The E90 320d I then had for a week went back with a blown-up torque converter. Three of my neighbours have had Audis: two of them have also had Mercedes-Benzes, and one of them also a Porsche. All of these cars have had major mechanical problems. You do not buy German cars for the utmost reliability - that's what Japan is for. So, don't sneer at the Ford Duratec V6-engined Scorpio, for example - it's probably more reliable than any comparable German car.
RoverP6B said:
Evo is talking crap. EPAS cannot have feel, by definition. It completely removes that possibility. Now, if you had an electrically-powered hydraulic pump, that might well have feel, but that's not how these systems work. Without steering feel, a car isn't just numb - it's like trying to drive blindfolded, one of your crucial senses has been shut down...
As for mechanical reliability, all four of my BMWs have required some remedial action. The E30 was the most reliable, but died of electrical failure. My E46 had a persistent oil and coolant leak which I was never able to eliminate. The 520i has had a replacement engine (first one had a number of head problems) and expired yesterday evening with what I think is a blown-up clutch. The 535i eats wishbones and tyres, broke a window regulator and blew off a radiator hose. 'My' F11 520d ended up going back to the hire company with a blown turbo seal that meant it was losing power badly - with under 2000 miles on the clock. The E90 320d I then had for a week went back with a blown-up torque converter. Three of my neighbours have had Audis: two of them have also had Mercedes-Benzes, and one of them also a Porsche. All of these cars have had major mechanical problems. You do not buy German cars for the utmost reliability - that's what Japan is for. So, don't sneer at the Ford Duratec V6-engined Scorpio, for example - it's probably more reliable than any comparable German car.
Bore off! As for mechanical reliability, all four of my BMWs have required some remedial action. The E30 was the most reliable, but died of electrical failure. My E46 had a persistent oil and coolant leak which I was never able to eliminate. The 520i has had a replacement engine (first one had a number of head problems) and expired yesterday evening with what I think is a blown-up clutch. The 535i eats wishbones and tyres, broke a window regulator and blew off a radiator hose. 'My' F11 520d ended up going back to the hire company with a blown turbo seal that meant it was losing power badly - with under 2000 miles on the clock. The E90 320d I then had for a week went back with a blown-up torque converter. Three of my neighbours have had Audis: two of them have also had Mercedes-Benzes, and one of them also a Porsche. All of these cars have had major mechanical problems. You do not buy German cars for the utmost reliability - that's what Japan is for. So, don't sneer at the Ford Duratec V6-engined Scorpio, for example - it's probably more reliable than any comparable German car.
RoverP6B said:
Evo is talking crap. EPAS cannot have feel, by definition. It completely removes that possibility. Now, if you had an electrically-powered hydraulic pump, that might well have feel, but that's not how these systems work. Without steering feel, a car isn't just numb - it's like trying to drive blindfolded, one of your crucial senses has been shut down...
As for mechanical reliability, all four of my BMWs have required some remedial action. The E30 was the most reliable, but died of electrical failure. My E46 had a persistent oil and coolant leak which I was never able to eliminate. The 520i has had a replacement engine (first one had a number of head problems) and expired yesterday evening with what I think is a blown-up clutch. The 535i eats wishbones and tyres, broke a window regulator and blew off a radiator hose. 'My' F11 520d ended up going back to the hire company with a blown turbo seal that meant it was losing power badly - with under 2000 miles on the clock. The E90 320d I then had for a week went back with a blown-up torque converter. Three of my neighbours have had Audis: two of them have also had Mercedes-Benzes, and one of them also a Porsche. All of these cars have had major mechanical problems. You do not buy German cars for the utmost reliability - that's what Japan is for. So, don't sneer at the Ford Duratec V6-engined Scorpio, for example - it's probably more reliable than any comparable German car.
Seriously dude, get over yourself. Evo bang on about steering feel all the time, they even gave Porsche a bad time when the original 991 911 Carrera came out, and they use the strap line 'the thrill of driving' I really don't think they were talking crap. Anyway I'm done with this I love my 3 series, I have dreamt of owning one since the age of 5 and I love it and really that's all that matters, if you have nothing better to do than sit and deride other people's pride and joys from behind a keyboard it must really suck to be you...As for mechanical reliability, all four of my BMWs have required some remedial action. The E30 was the most reliable, but died of electrical failure. My E46 had a persistent oil and coolant leak which I was never able to eliminate. The 520i has had a replacement engine (first one had a number of head problems) and expired yesterday evening with what I think is a blown-up clutch. The 535i eats wishbones and tyres, broke a window regulator and blew off a radiator hose. 'My' F11 520d ended up going back to the hire company with a blown turbo seal that meant it was losing power badly - with under 2000 miles on the clock. The E90 320d I then had for a week went back with a blown-up torque converter. Three of my neighbours have had Audis: two of them have also had Mercedes-Benzes, and one of them also a Porsche. All of these cars have had major mechanical problems. You do not buy German cars for the utmost reliability - that's what Japan is for. So, don't sneer at the Ford Duratec V6-engined Scorpio, for example - it's probably more reliable than any comparable German car.
RoverP6B said:
Evo is talking crap. EPAS cannot have feel, by definition. It completely removes that possibility. Now, if you had an electrically-powered hydraulic pump, that might well have feel, but that's not how these systems work. Without steering feel, a car isn't just numb - it's like trying to drive blindfolded, one of your crucial senses has been shut down...
As for mechanical reliability, all four of my BMWs have required some remedial action. The E30 was the most reliable, but died of electrical failure. My E46 had a persistent oil and coolant leak which I was never able to eliminate. The 520i has had a replacement engine (first one had a number of head problems) and expired yesterday evening with what I think is a blown-up clutch. The 535i eats wishbones and tyres, broke a window regulator and blew off a radiator hose. 'My' F11 520d ended up going back to the hire company with a blown turbo seal that meant it was losing power badly - with under 2000 miles on the clock. The E90 320d I then had for a week went back with a blown-up torque converter. Three of my neighbours have had Audis: two of them have also had Mercedes-Benzes, and one of them also a Porsche. All of these cars have had major mechanical problems. You do not buy German cars for the utmost reliability - that's what Japan is for. So, don't sneer at the Ford Duratec V6-engined Scorpio, for example - it's probably more reliable than any comparable German car.
My E46 330Ci clubsport was bought with 117K on the clock, and sold with 163K on the clock having been to such places as Wales, Scotland, Austria, Germany, France and Spain. It cost me all of £400 in "unexpected" maintenance.As for mechanical reliability, all four of my BMWs have required some remedial action. The E30 was the most reliable, but died of electrical failure. My E46 had a persistent oil and coolant leak which I was never able to eliminate. The 520i has had a replacement engine (first one had a number of head problems) and expired yesterday evening with what I think is a blown-up clutch. The 535i eats wishbones and tyres, broke a window regulator and blew off a radiator hose. 'My' F11 520d ended up going back to the hire company with a blown turbo seal that meant it was losing power badly - with under 2000 miles on the clock. The E90 320d I then had for a week went back with a blown-up torque converter. Three of my neighbours have had Audis: two of them have also had Mercedes-Benzes, and one of them also a Porsche. All of these cars have had major mechanical problems. You do not buy German cars for the utmost reliability - that's what Japan is for. So, don't sneer at the Ford Duratec V6-engined Scorpio, for example - it's probably more reliable than any comparable German car.
My 645Ci was bought with 107K on the clock and sold 15,000 miles later having cost me the grand sum total of one bulb in addition to the usual tyres and fuel.
My 996 911 totally failed to fall to pieces the moment it was purchased with 72K on the clock, or when sold with 80K on the clock.
Perhaps you've just been unlucky? But otherwise it sounds like maybe BMW is not the brand for you - not quite sure why you keep coming back if you're having such unpleasant experiences.
I keep coming back because, on a good day, they're wonderful. I still have clear memories of individual drives in each of those cars. I'm thinking in particular of a family trip round the Isle of Wight in the 520i Touring - nothing, not an M3, not a Ferrari or anything, would have put more of a grin on my face on a particular newly-surfaced B-road that day. A particular bend just out of a village, in a dip. Drop to second gear, floor it through the compression, straight six howling past 6500rpm, rear end sliding out gently, the clichéd 'dab of oppo' and away, the car gathering speed at an impressive rate for 102bhp/ton. Or the drive from South Devon to Surrey, in the dark, in filthy weather, in my newly-acquired 535i, without using any motorway (except the M5 river crossing at Exeter), with my elder son. The way it went, steered, stopped, gripped and slid, even on crap tyres in Biblical rain, V8 bellowing whenever I revved it past 2000rpm (turned out the cats were knackered, doing nothing to quieten the exhaust!), while cosseting us in luxurious comfort... I won't forget that drive as long as I live. They mean a lot to me emotionally. I've spent far more money on them than is remotely sensible - but my E39s are family. I haven't yet found anything that has really stirred my soul like them since. I'm currently looking at acquiring an L322 Range Rover with the BMW M62B44 V8, though... the X5 just doesn't do it for me, and I'm finding as I get older that low-slung saloons and estates are harder to live with.
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