I've never owned a BMW I am missing out out on something?
Discussion
For some reason or another I've never owned a BMW, I don't know why as they make the very cars I like, six cylinder rear wheel drive.
A mate of mine doesn't drive anything else and he's had quite a few, coupes mostly his current one is a very nice 420d, I've been in it a few times and it seems a very capable car...but it doesn't want to make me go and get one.
I mean a M2 should be right up my street but something is holding me back..???
Weird..!!!
A mate of mine doesn't drive anything else and he's had quite a few, coupes mostly his current one is a very nice 420d, I've been in it a few times and it seems a very capable car...but it doesn't want to make me go and get one.
I mean a M2 should be right up my street but something is holding me back..???
Weird..!!!
My family has had them since the 90's. To answer your question, no you're not missing anything.
Maybe back in the mid-90's and early 2000's they were ahead of the other German rivals but as I look at anything currently, they're just another car and I think behind their two main rivals.
If I wanted something in that segment I'd be more tempted by an XE V6, an S4, or Merc Coupe (C or E).
If it's a higher budget you'd get a nice Carrera, or if two seats is enough you've got the Cayman, 370Z, or F-type in the mix.
Just a suggestion.
Maybe back in the mid-90's and early 2000's they were ahead of the other German rivals but as I look at anything currently, they're just another car and I think behind their two main rivals.
If I wanted something in that segment I'd be more tempted by an XE V6, an S4, or Merc Coupe (C or E).
If it's a higher budget you'd get a nice Carrera, or if two seats is enough you've got the Cayman, 370Z, or F-type in the mix.
Just a suggestion.
InitialDave said:
The main thing for me is they make pretty decent do-everything cars with straight sixes, often with a bit of poke available.
I don't think a 4-pot diesel is ever what you should take as an example to judge a brand's range on.
Definitely agree with this as well. I've had 9 BMW's since 2006, and the only 1 I didn't really like was the E61 520d, although I wasn't all that fond of my Z4M Roadster either in fairness(the gearbox/suspension/ride was awful in my view). But in general, I do think they're great things to drive though, and we currently have 2 of them(the 2018 M4 and the 2024 X5 40d). I don't think a 4-pot diesel is ever what you should take as an example to judge a brand's range on.
They're our go to brand now really .
We have had oodles of BMWs of all shapes and sizes, along with lots of other things. Mrs BigM likes them because there is a real consistency of useability that runs right through them, her current beater is an early 120i convertible and when she got it she was immediately at home. You can hop into any BMW of the last 40 years and everything will fall to hand. We have had quite a few full fat M cars and a few X SUV things and they are just the same. It’s like a comfy old jumper. It’s not a performance thing it’s just an ergonomic thing. I think it’s a great strength of the brand, the styling might look dreadful but they just work very well in daily use. I Drive for me over the years has been one of the best driver interfaces out there.
They might be slightly more driver-oriented than most, but ultimately 95% of BMWs are just bland white-goods cars; and not even particularly well-built/engineered ones these days. M-division cars are certainly (much) better set up, but then so are the cars they are competing with.
So no, I don't think you're missing out on anything for having never owned a BMW. BMW do typically produce the best drivers' cars in some market segments but that doesn't mean they will necessarily ever produce the best car for you at any given time.
IMO buy the car not the brand. Sometimes that will lead you to something like a BMW, sometimes it might dump you in a Ford or a Kia; or even whatever the newest brand out of China is today.
So no, I don't think you're missing out on anything for having never owned a BMW. BMW do typically produce the best drivers' cars in some market segments but that doesn't mean they will necessarily ever produce the best car for you at any given time.
IMO buy the car not the brand. Sometimes that will lead you to something like a BMW, sometimes it might dump you in a Ford or a Kia; or even whatever the newest brand out of China is today.
I only ever had 1, when I was young and impressionable. Really believed all the car magazines. Long story short, I disliked car, and learned to read all motoring reviews with a massive pinch of salt.
My daily journey’s don’t involve the best roads in the UK, nor is my sole focus on driving. Rather, I’m usually doing some sort of chore, running to the supermarket etc.
Discovered through trial and error, I like comfort biased cars, packaged offer a decent footprint / interior space ratio. Loved the Volvo XC40 for instance.
Because of the packaging issue, I’d never buy a longitudinal engined RWD car as a daily driver. BMW’s are also generally toughtly sprung, and not comfort biased, so a double whammy.
My daily journey’s don’t involve the best roads in the UK, nor is my sole focus on driving. Rather, I’m usually doing some sort of chore, running to the supermarket etc.
Discovered through trial and error, I like comfort biased cars, packaged offer a decent footprint / interior space ratio. Loved the Volvo XC40 for instance.
Because of the packaging issue, I’d never buy a longitudinal engined RWD car as a daily driver. BMW’s are also generally toughtly sprung, and not comfort biased, so a double whammy.
Edited by wyson on Friday 8th May 17:35
Pater had 3 series diesel.
The engine was a hideous nail and swathes of the leather interior went sticky and stayed that way.
Went to the south of France in a M3 Evolution. It was fine, but the only memorable thing about it was having to absolutely wring its neck to make progress.
A relative has an i3. No vehicle's interior has ever injured me as many times as that. Kinda cool, though.
No experience inspired me to aspire to one.
The engine was a hideous nail and swathes of the leather interior went sticky and stayed that way.
Went to the south of France in a M3 Evolution. It was fine, but the only memorable thing about it was having to absolutely wring its neck to make progress.
A relative has an i3. No vehicle's interior has ever injured me as many times as that. Kinda cool, though.
No experience inspired me to aspire to one.
rossub said:
Only ever had 1
A 94 325i it felt very well built, but too heavy for me at the time.
Always been an issue for me since, none of them have ever been light cars.
I do think you make a great point regarding weight there, and that is something that I've had to adjust my expectations with them as well, especially after owning both the 200SX and Cerbera, because they were both around 1200kg for example. A 94 325i it felt very well built, but too heavy for me at the time.
Always been an issue for me since, none of them have ever been light cars.
Andy665 said:
InitialDave said:
I don't think a 4-pot diesel is ever what you should take as an example to judge a brand's range on.
It is when thats what they sell most ofBut when car enthusiasts say they like BMWs, they aren't talking about those.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff