Not Getting On With My M135i As Well As I Thought I would...
Discussion
Flat6 said:
Thanks, good to hear those comments as people only ever seem to talk about the "fantastic" auto, but for me it was missing something.. Maybe I wasn't clear, but both test drives were actually autos. I ordered manual after the first test drive (not having driven a manual) but then had a moment of "have I done the right thing", hence arranging another drive which confirmed I had!
How did the manual work out for you?I've ordered a manual, having only test driven the auto. However, I absolutely know that only the manual will do for me since it gives me options that an auto can't such as when and how hard I bring the clutch up. That affects so many driving and even cornering situations that I just couldn't go for an auto.
When you buy the top of the range car you would expect it to wow you. However I wonder if the fundamental issue is that most new cars on the market are now so competent that the manufacturese have started to design "drama" "fun" "occasion" out of the cars in their relentless drive for safety, computer controlled everything and that extra 0.1 seconds of the ring time? This isnt anything to do with FWD/RWD or manual/auto.
In addition, with increasing legislation and trying to appeal to the masses the things that somebody on P/H might look for is now at odds with revenue generation and marketing for car makers.
I see this happening all over, take the new M3/M4 as an example. Clearly very good at what it is, but I would contend that in no way does it feel special, in fact feels like a slightly more upmarket 335i or similar, where as something like the e30 M3 which was a world apart from its lessor bretheren.
I dont blame the manufacturers, they have to make money to sustain themselves and trying to build a really focussed car can be the road to ruin (Lotus anybody?). Clearly there are exceptions to this, but most of these fall outside the reach of the man in the street.
S
In addition, with increasing legislation and trying to appeal to the masses the things that somebody on P/H might look for is now at odds with revenue generation and marketing for car makers.
I see this happening all over, take the new M3/M4 as an example. Clearly very good at what it is, but I would contend that in no way does it feel special, in fact feels like a slightly more upmarket 335i or similar, where as something like the e30 M3 which was a world apart from its lessor bretheren.
I dont blame the manufacturers, they have to make money to sustain themselves and trying to build a really focussed car can be the road to ruin (Lotus anybody?). Clearly there are exceptions to this, but most of these fall outside the reach of the man in the street.
S
skeeterm5 said:
When you buy the top of the range car you would expect it to wow you. However I wonder if the fundamental issue is that most new cars on the market are now so competent that the manufacturese have started to design "drama" "fun" "occasion" out of the cars in their relentless drive for safety, computer controlled everything and that extra 0.1 seconds of the ring time? This isnt anything to do with FWD/RWD or manual/auto.
In addition, with increasing legislation and trying to appeal to the masses the things that somebody on P/H might look for is now at odds with revenue generation and marketing for car makers.
I see this happening all over, take the new M3/M4 as an example. Clearly very good at what it is, but I would contend that in no way does it feel special, in fact feels like a slightly more upmarket 335i or similar, where as something like the e30 M3 which was a world apart from its lessor bretheren.
I dont blame the manufacturers, they have to make money to sustain themselves and trying to build a really focussed car can be the road to ruin (Lotus anybody?). Clearly there are exceptions to this, but most of these fall outside the reach of the man in the street.
S
Good post, the AMG C63 was a lot different to anything lower, now the smaller engine, but I guess at least it is a V8 still. In addition, with increasing legislation and trying to appeal to the masses the things that somebody on P/H might look for is now at odds with revenue generation and marketing for car makers.
I see this happening all over, take the new M3/M4 as an example. Clearly very good at what it is, but I would contend that in no way does it feel special, in fact feels like a slightly more upmarket 335i or similar, where as something like the e30 M3 which was a world apart from its lessor bretheren.
I dont blame the manufacturers, they have to make money to sustain themselves and trying to build a really focussed car can be the road to ruin (Lotus anybody?). Clearly there are exceptions to this, but most of these fall outside the reach of the man in the street.
S
Wait till they are all hybrids and the M3 is different because the battery gives more amps quicker....
I think with the auto it's even more of a split personality car...
In auto it feels lazy.
Put it in manual sport + and give it 10/10ths over a north Wales b road and it feels like a rally weapon. The performance it offers is amazing for the price and for what to most other people appears to be a 120d...
That sort of goes back to the op's post and what others have said about it being different to a fwd car....
In auto it feels lazy.
Put it in manual sport + and give it 10/10ths over a north Wales b road and it feels like a rally weapon. The performance it offers is amazing for the price and for what to most other people appears to be a 120d...
That sort of goes back to the op's post and what others have said about it being different to a fwd car....
bennyboysvuk said:
How did the manual work out for you?
I've ordered a manual, having only test driven the auto. However, I absolutely know that only the manual will do for me since it gives me options that an auto can't such as when and how hard I bring the clutch up. That affects so many driving and even cornering situations that I just couldn't go for an auto.
Manual worked out fine. It's a lovely lovely gearbox to use I've ordered a manual, having only test driven the auto. However, I absolutely know that only the manual will do for me since it gives me options that an auto can't such as when and how hard I bring the clutch up. That affects so many driving and even cornering situations that I just couldn't go for an auto.
Only area where the auto wins for me is the more frequent access to the top of the rev range (aural delights!), and the power being a bit more accessible due to the shorter gearing (although let's face it, it's not lacking in this area). The manual (having 2 less gears) is quite leggy in comparison, with 3rd gear easily hitting 100. I'd still take the manual though if I ordered again. You won't be disappointed
Flat6 said:
Manual worked out fine. It's a lovely lovely gearbox to use Only area where the auto wins for me is the more frequent access to the top of the rev range (aural delights!), and the power being a bit more accessible due to the shorter gearing (although let's face it, it's not lacking in this area). The manual (having 2 less gears) is quite leggy in comparison, with 3rd gear easily hitting 100.
I'd still take the manual though if I ordered again. You won't be disappointed
Ahh, that sounds fantastic. I keep looking at pictures of the paddles on the auto and wondering if I've done the right thing, but every time I imagine it without the third pedal it just seems wrong. For me, the auto means faster gearchanges and less need to think about the changes. But I always thinking why would I want those in a road car over involvement. Only area where the auto wins for me is the more frequent access to the top of the rev range (aural delights!), and the power being a bit more accessible due to the shorter gearing (although let's face it, it's not lacking in this area). The manual (having 2 less gears) is quite leggy in comparison, with 3rd gear easily hitting 100. I'd still take the manual though if I ordered again. You won't be disappointed
I'm thinking about biting the bullet and getting the birds Quaife LSD and B1 suspension package (Stiffer ARB's)
I would hope this tightens her up a little without too much detriment to the ride, and I'll get better or at least more consistent traction.
£2700 INC VAT fitted though! http://www.birdsauto.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/...
I would hope this tightens her up a little without too much detriment to the ride, and I'll get better or at least more consistent traction.
£2700 INC VAT fitted though! http://www.birdsauto.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/...
Martin_M said:
Anybody else get other BMW drivers tailgating? I've had a couple of 3 and 5 series drivers fly up behind me but with the weather the way it is, I have yet to take the bait!
Yes. Today i have already had a M135i on the M56 trying to give it some welly this morning, a 320d an inch off my bumper on the M62 trying to force a race.This doesn't include the Audi A3 S-line as well.
FFS guys - it was bucketing it down with rain, and huge puddles in L3.
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