The new 3er, thank F*** they've......
Discussion
kambites said:
Ares said:
Again. I just said choice.
Yes but (unless I misunderstood) you said the poor choice leaves them in the hands of older people, which makes little sense when most young 3-series buyers are opting for a two litre diesel. If anything I'd expect elderly buyers who be more likely to opt for the larger engines. WJNB said:
No worries the tasteless yob brigade will love it, thus taking the brand even further down market.
So where does one go for a classy premium saloon or sports car these days that is not as common as muck, without stigma or the social baggage that will not label you as a flash rich berk?
Alfa Romeo.So where does one go for a classy premium saloon or sports car these days that is not as common as muck, without stigma or the social baggage that will not label you as a flash rich berk?
Ares said:
How many sub-60 year olds do you see driving an XE compared to a 3-series?
I haven't a clue because I don't pay attention to the age of people driving anonymous compact execs... but I think you miss my point. I wasn't saying that the BMW doesn't have a more youthful audience, I'm sure it does, I was saying that I don't believe it's anything to do available engine choices. I think most likely it doesn't have anything to do with the physical merits of the respective cars at all.
kambites said:
Does such a regulation exist? Audi seem to manage to run the bonnet right to the grille on the A5 as do lots of other manufacturers.
Yes, but if you look closely you will see Audi grilles curve out in two planes (top to bottom and side to side) to make them stick out a lot, which you can disguise to a degree if the grill is big. BMW 'kidneys' were relatively small by comparison, but they've had to enlarge them to a bit and 'fold' them top and bottom to avoid the 'big nose' syndrome of the previous model. Also, there is a consideration of whether the front edge of the bonnet is flat (bad) or curves down (better) and Audi's generally do.Merc's solution is just to make the grille wide and thick from front-to-back.
Others mount the headlamps higher and recessed to distract from the deep nose effect (Citroen in particular).
Manufacturers are not obliged to follow the regulations, but they can kiss goodbye to any chances of a decent NCAP pedestrian rating if they don't.
Edited by Evercross on Thursday 25th April 15:56
Touring442 said:
WJNB said:
No worries the tasteless yob brigade will love it, thus taking the brand even further down market.
So where does one go for a classy premium saloon or sports car these days that is not as common as muck, without stigma or the social baggage that will not label you as a flash rich berk?
Alfa Romeo.So where does one go for a classy premium saloon or sports car these days that is not as common as muck, without stigma or the social baggage that will not label you as a flash rich berk?
Choice of the discerning gentleman. Especially in 510hp flavour
kambites said:
Ares said:
How many sub-60 year olds do you see driving an XE compared to a 3-series?
I haven't a clue because I don't pay attention to the age of people driving anonymous compact execs... but I think you miss my point. I wasn't saying that the BMW doesn't have a more youthful audience, I'm sure it does, I was saying that I don't believe it's anything to do available engine choices. I think most likely it doesn't have anything to do with the physical merits of the respective cars at all.
There was a time when lots of black plastic, shiny or otherwise & usually in the form of spotlight blanks & pseudo intakes shouted 'budget basic model'.
Even earlier if you were unable to afford the 'De-Luxe model you had a painted silver rather than chrome bumper, & a shortened truncated version of a proper grille. And of course no chrome window surrounds just plain black rubber, substitute black rubber for shiny plastic & bingo you have a BMW with 'chrome deleted'.
Even earlier if you were unable to afford the 'De-Luxe model you had a painted silver rather than chrome bumper, & a shortened truncated version of a proper grille. And of course no chrome window surrounds just plain black rubber, substitute black rubber for shiny plastic & bingo you have a BMW with 'chrome deleted'.
Ares said:
So what is it then...? If you think it looks better and drives better??
I don't know but I'd guess advertising, brand history and perception, perceived reliability, perceived quality, availability of cheap personal finance and/or company car leases,.. those sorts of things.ETA I'm not saying those things are bad reasons to pick a car, by the way.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 25th April 17:40
Timbergiant said:
The design of new BMWs was looking up but its drastically gone off the rails with the huge grilles and the dodgy side emblems, thankfully the dealer network had already done enough to put make me look else where.
That’s why I keep going back. Always had good experiences with them. Very odd. For all those complaining, what’s the other option to the 320d for those that need decent economy and a new car, 4 seats, decent boot, sub£40K
Audi, awful to drive, just no
Mercedes, better than Audi but still a bit bland
Ford, Mondeo is fwd
Alfa, er?
Passat, dull as dishwater
Renault, no
Citroen, no
Seat, no
Jaguar, old mans car, no, but prolly the only sane competition
This is why they sell.
Model: BMW 320d Sport Auto
Price: £36,700
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel
Power/torque: 187bhp/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
0-62mph: 6.8 seconds
Top speed: 149mph
Economy/CO2: 65.7mpg/112g
For a diesel bus it’s pretty good going. And on the road the auto gives it good pace cross country, whilst rushing to those important sales meetings (thought I’d chuck one in to appease the nurds)
Audi, awful to drive, just no
Mercedes, better than Audi but still a bit bland
Ford, Mondeo is fwd
Alfa, er?
Passat, dull as dishwater
Renault, no
Citroen, no
Seat, no
Jaguar, old mans car, no, but prolly the only sane competition
This is why they sell.
Model: BMW 320d Sport Auto
Price: £36,700
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel
Power/torque: 187bhp/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
0-62mph: 6.8 seconds
Top speed: 149mph
Economy/CO2: 65.7mpg/112g
For a diesel bus it’s pretty good going. And on the road the auto gives it good pace cross country, whilst rushing to those important sales meetings (thought I’d chuck one in to appease the nurds)
LuS1fer said:
Ah yes, RWD for all those driving gods, sliding with a dab of oppo round every bend.
I wonder if they will sell any less when they turn FWD or whether they will finally have to conceded that no-one will really notice.
I don't think the 3-series will ever go FWD. I suspect it'll be RWD for the next generation after this one then electric after that which means the packaging disadvantages of RWD largely disappear. I wonder if they will sell any less when they turn FWD or whether they will finally have to conceded that no-one will really notice.
LuS1fer said:
Ah yes, RWD for all those driving gods, sliding with a dab of oppo round every bend.
I wonder if they will sell any less when they turn FWD or whether they will finally have to conceded that no-one will really notice.
No, those that don’t want scrabbling understeer and wheel spin. Like an Audi. I wonder if they will sell any less when they turn FWD or whether they will finally have to conceded that no-one will really notice.
I’m sure some won’t care but I do, and I’m no driving god, just someone who enjoys driving.
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