What have BMW done?
Discussion
Due to a fault with the roof of our LP560, we recieved a courtesy car from Lamborghini assist (via Enterprise) yesterday. I was expecting a little runaround, however, the delivery drivers turned up with a shiny new BMW 530d M Sport. In view of the suprise, I decided it would be innapropriate for our fleet manager to have the use of the BMW, so I did the decent thing and took it home myself.
Without wishing to sound like an old fart, I seem to remember BMW being the "Ultimate Driving Machine", and certainly my own recollection of driving various BMW's over the years was very positive.
What an absolute let down this car was. The plus points where the engine, loads of torque, very smooth and picked up quickly and the build quality - very nice interior! The steering however was appalling - little feeling, vague around the straight ahead and odd weighting up in corners. The suspension was extremely firm and unforgiving on anything but the motorway but strangely, lacked control at speed and over crests / undulations.
I had read that the car needed the adaptive suspension option ticked, but surely a BMW should be better than this as standard?
Luckily the Lamborghini was fixed the next day so the BMW went back. No wonder they now advertise "Joy" instead of the "Ultimate Driving Machine". I am not sure what Joy their is to be had with this car - please BMW, go back to making great driving cars.
Rant over.
Without wishing to sound like an old fart, I seem to remember BMW being the "Ultimate Driving Machine", and certainly my own recollection of driving various BMW's over the years was very positive.
What an absolute let down this car was. The plus points where the engine, loads of torque, very smooth and picked up quickly and the build quality - very nice interior! The steering however was appalling - little feeling, vague around the straight ahead and odd weighting up in corners. The suspension was extremely firm and unforgiving on anything but the motorway but strangely, lacked control at speed and over crests / undulations.
I had read that the car needed the adaptive suspension option ticked, but surely a BMW should be better than this as standard?
Luckily the Lamborghini was fixed the next day so the BMW went back. No wonder they now advertise "Joy" instead of the "Ultimate Driving Machine". I am not sure what Joy their is to be had with this car - please BMW, go back to making great driving cars.
Rant over.
You're missing the point. People will still BELIEVE they are the ultimate driving machine and base all their perceptions on that car being a benchmark.
It's a bit like VW and Mercedes once resting on their "quality" laurels before being found out. An image is sometimes hard to lose if it's good enough and the contrary applies - to many, Skoda will always be a povery badge.
It's a bit like VW and Mercedes once resting on their "quality" laurels before being found out. An image is sometimes hard to lose if it's good enough and the contrary applies - to many, Skoda will always be a povery badge.
12gauge said:
Well obviously its not going to have the sense of occasion of a Lambo...
It simply needs be better than the substitutes/oppostion. Which it is.
Agreed however a Jaguar XF has lovely steering, compliant suspension with precise handling and a lovely engine - 3.0d or 5.0 S/C. It now even has a nice looking front end!It simply needs be better than the substitutes/oppostion. Which it is.
It's an increasing trend from BMW. Some call it progress, some call it evolution. Either way, the cars are becoming far too benign.
The early 90's is where they peaked in my opinion. The E34 5er, E36 3er and E38 7er were certainly premium products with a real agility that other manufacturers fell short of.
Still, the same can be said of most other premium marques.
The early 90's is where they peaked in my opinion. The E34 5er, E36 3er and E38 7er were certainly premium products with a real agility that other manufacturers fell short of.
Still, the same can be said of most other premium marques.
Devil2575 said:
Matt UK said:
I bailed from BMW at the e39 5 series.
IMHO the E39 5 series is one of the best all rounders there is.Lovely quiet cruiser, peachy 3.0 straight-six petrol engine and then fanastic poise for a barge when pushing on.
Peanuts to buy now, may consider one again...
Steering of large front-engined saloon compares badly with steering of focused mid-engined sports car - shock!
To be serious for a moment, it may have had the awful variable electric steering that M Division will not allow near their cars.
AS for hte marketing phrase, it's always been "Freude am Fahren" in Germany - "Joy from driving" and they're just translating it.
To be serious for a moment, it may have had the awful variable electric steering that M Division will not allow near their cars.
AS for hte marketing phrase, it's always been "Freude am Fahren" in Germany - "Joy from driving" and they're just translating it.
SWoll said:
And peoples obsession with ordering 19" wheels and M-Sport pack.
OP, if you think the 5 series was bad you need to drive and A6 S-Line...
I have got the new A6 S Line and it is light years ahead in comfort stakes compared to my previous E60 (with M Sport pack obviously OP, if you think the 5 series was bad you need to drive and A6 S-Line...
) However, I wasn't stupid enough to tick the box marked 'optional S Line suspension £0.00' and stuck with the Sport suspension it comes with as standard. Didn't change the wheels either
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