What's wrong with us?
Discussion
Over 35 or so? Like cars? Yeah me too, and I've noticed dozens of threads along a similar line with mojo's lost and a general not knowing what to buy.
I'm a fair bit over 35, and I think the fact that the young one's are driving themselves around and I can buy literally any form factor, there's too much to choose from. (stock photo but same spec)
(stock photo but same spec)
In Feb or so I bought a 428i M sport with the adjustable suspension and crazy gearbox etc. When you have it set up for sporty driving it's a real joy imo, and putting it in comfort mode is very agreeable on the bumpier roads. Not a fan of the piped engine noise but I understand why they did it.
Whilst I love the gearbox for the most part, going into overdrive can be a bit painful, the car seems happy to go as low as possible in the gears, even if there's only 500 or so revs to be had before a change is needed. Might sound weird but I think there are way too much decisions to be made in terms of steering, suspensions, gear change to be had, and I think you (or I at least) end up in constant flux thinking what settings to mess with. In sports it rocks, in comfort it's comfy and in eco-pro mode it's a piece of ****. All is as is should be but it feels like it keeps me busy when I don't wanna be.
That probably reads like I love the car, but it just hasn't got under my skin like it should, or other cars have.
(stock photo but same spec)
Leads me onto an E91 325d tourer which I haven't got round to selling yet. Super simple motoring, and in the 3 years I've owned it we've been best of buds. Lots of nice 6-cyl deisely torque and a proper get in and go attitude. Worth noting that both cars are reporting average 30mpg under my stewarship, so no change in economy unless I stop leaning on the torque.
So here's the weird bit - why am I considering selling the 428 which should by reasonable measure be the better car (and I don't deny it's got great personalities in amongst the choices) and revitalising the 325? And if I don't do that, I'll likely sell them both and buy a 6 monther, (with a 6 monther being something a bit short term stupid to give me time to think, previous examples would be Jag XJR8, MX5, Clio 192)?
Or even re-investigate a E350d which I decided in Feb that I didn't really like the look of?
Glad I'm not the only one with this problem even if it doesn't offer any practical help.
Please help, or I'll be in a Red VXR like SiT by the weekend.
I'm a fair bit over 35, and I think the fact that the young one's are driving themselves around and I can buy literally any form factor, there's too much to choose from. (stock photo but same spec)
(stock photo but same spec)
In Feb or so I bought a 428i M sport with the adjustable suspension and crazy gearbox etc. When you have it set up for sporty driving it's a real joy imo, and putting it in comfort mode is very agreeable on the bumpier roads. Not a fan of the piped engine noise but I understand why they did it.
Whilst I love the gearbox for the most part, going into overdrive can be a bit painful, the car seems happy to go as low as possible in the gears, even if there's only 500 or so revs to be had before a change is needed. Might sound weird but I think there are way too much decisions to be made in terms of steering, suspensions, gear change to be had, and I think you (or I at least) end up in constant flux thinking what settings to mess with. In sports it rocks, in comfort it's comfy and in eco-pro mode it's a piece of ****. All is as is should be but it feels like it keeps me busy when I don't wanna be.
That probably reads like I love the car, but it just hasn't got under my skin like it should, or other cars have.
(stock photo but same spec)
Leads me onto an E91 325d tourer which I haven't got round to selling yet. Super simple motoring, and in the 3 years I've owned it we've been best of buds. Lots of nice 6-cyl deisely torque and a proper get in and go attitude. Worth noting that both cars are reporting average 30mpg under my stewarship, so no change in economy unless I stop leaning on the torque.
So here's the weird bit - why am I considering selling the 428 which should by reasonable measure be the better car (and I don't deny it's got great personalities in amongst the choices) and revitalising the 325? And if I don't do that, I'll likely sell them both and buy a 6 monther, (with a 6 monther being something a bit short term stupid to give me time to think, previous examples would be Jag XJR8, MX5, Clio 192)?
Or even re-investigate a E350d which I decided in Feb that I didn't really like the look of?Glad I'm not the only one with this problem even if it doesn't offer any practical help.
Please help, or I'll be in a Red VXR like SiT by the weekend.
I think a lot of modern BMWs dont have much personality. On paper they tick the boxes and have a certain "showroom appeal" but that doesnt translate well out on the roads.
We've just bought an M140i and whilst its a great car (particularly for the money) i dont think i'll ever really bond with it.
We had a MINI Cooper S 2.0i Turbo until a couple of months ago and it was a real hoot to drive. Far more fun than the M140i even though it was considerably slower.
I've had various Clio's too 200 Cup, 197 and 172 Cup. Those cars feel fun too.
I also think as you get older it takes more both to impress and to raise any sort of bond with.
We've just bought an M140i and whilst its a great car (particularly for the money) i dont think i'll ever really bond with it.
We had a MINI Cooper S 2.0i Turbo until a couple of months ago and it was a real hoot to drive. Far more fun than the M140i even though it was considerably slower.
I've had various Clio's too 200 Cup, 197 and 172 Cup. Those cars feel fun too.
I also think as you get older it takes more both to impress and to raise any sort of bond with.
Deep Thought said:
I think a lot of modern BMWs dont have much personality. On paper they tick the boxes and have a certain "showroom appeal" but that doesnt translate well out on the roads.
I would agree with the above and I don't think it is just BMW, there is nothing modern that really interests me at the moment, not that I'm in the market, but whenever someone at work gets a new X at 20k I'm straight to the classifieds to see what I would get with the same 20k, they are invariable much older, have large engines and hopefully a bit of character and soul which I think is missing now.I've been there I bought an F80 M3 to replace my 63 with & ended up keeping the 63 I just enjoyed the it more than the M3 in every way that's why it went, sometimes the simpler car is the one you enjoy, having a 1000 different configurations can just lead to not getting the right feeling from the car.
Whereas my OH's D3 just works out of the box whereas the M3 never did.
Whereas my OH's D3 just works out of the box whereas the M3 never did.
I think you have summed it up yourself in the original post, I feel a lot of modern cars have become needlessly complicated, it used to be cars may have a comfort mode or sports option at the most where as now they offer far more customisation which I guess sounds good in theory but in reality 99% of owners will never touch, I'm not sure how manufacturers got to this point but once one manufacturer does it then all the others have to copy it or they aren't seen as competitive.
Manufacturers are designing for the game boy, snowflake, millennial generation. Just look at the buttons on modern steering wheels and glass screens everywhere. Most of the new inventions are meaningless to me. Who needs an internet connected car?Cannot ever remember changing lanes by surprise, dozing off at the wheel or ramming someone up the arse in traffic. ABS and ASC are helpful, but that is the limit of my active safety tolerance.
I am much more analogue and prefer to drive: spending my time observing outside rather than programming screens inside. So most of the modern stuff leaves me cold.
What's wrong with us? Previous generation darlings!
I am much more analogue and prefer to drive: spending my time observing outside rather than programming screens inside. So most of the modern stuff leaves me cold.
What's wrong with us? Previous generation darlings!
bmwmike said:
In a wierd way I think easy finance killed it for me. Or at least killed the aspirational element of car ownership. I really can't explain beyond that but feel the same way - meh.
The current trends of finance has helped breed different attitudes. It just feels like too many cars are owned as £400 per month disposable items. There is no sense of ownership or real care.
As people aren't going to own the car they are doing everything to the bare minimum. They are backed with a warranty and just rag the car without a care.
I'm still surprised to see so many people running the risk with their warranty and finance deal by tuning their car.
Interesting thought, but apropos of nothing:
A few years ago people were complaining the e36 was the sweet spot of proper driving BMWs with creature comforts without being too modern and losing the "feel". Then the e46 was the last simple, back to basics, feelsome BMW. You're saying the same about the e90 though (which to me is a bit too modern and overcomplicated). Do we just move on with the tech? I remember in the early 90s people getting upset about electronic ECUs and saying cars would be uneconomical to repair, etc.
Having said that I am having difficulty looking at more modern BMWs (e90 3er / e60 5er / e63 6er)
No criticism, I just think it's interesting.
A few years ago people were complaining the e36 was the sweet spot of proper driving BMWs with creature comforts without being too modern and losing the "feel". Then the e46 was the last simple, back to basics, feelsome BMW. You're saying the same about the e90 though (which to me is a bit too modern and overcomplicated). Do we just move on with the tech? I remember in the early 90s people getting upset about electronic ECUs and saying cars would be uneconomical to repair, etc.
Having said that I am having difficulty looking at more modern BMWs (e90 3er / e60 5er / e63 6er)
No criticism, I just think it's interesting.
Well I joined the party a bit late, only starting with an E46 320td in 2005.
But since I stopped doing business miles I'm on number 4 and 5 N/A straight 6 petrol engines with manual gearboxes and RWD, and I really don't want anything else!
I would have added gratuitous photos, but the "upload an image" feature seems to be fooked!
But since I stopped doing business miles I'm on number 4 and 5 N/A straight 6 petrol engines with manual gearboxes and RWD, and I really don't want anything else!
I would have added gratuitous photos, but the "upload an image" feature seems to be fooked!
Edited by Mr Tidy on Tuesday 28th May 04:15
For me the technology isn't the issue it's more to do with the suspension you used to buy a car with a certain suspension setup, for example Mercedes used to be:
Elegance = Softest biggest side wall
Avantgarde = A little lower & stiffer but veering on the side of comfort
Sport = Stiffer/Sportier ride less sidewall
AMG = Enough said
Now I'm not saying they were the sharpest but you got in & knew what you were dealing with, new cars (not all new cars) with Multi configuration never seem to be just right out of the box (for me Alfa & Jaguar are exceptions) & I seem to struggle to get them right.
Now I get in my CLK63 (admittedly with Penske coilovers fitted) & it's just right, it felt good when I first bought it (but I'd noted the damping wasn't right for me) even with the new set up it's always felt tied down.
Elegance = Softest biggest side wall
Avantgarde = A little lower & stiffer but veering on the side of comfort
Sport = Stiffer/Sportier ride less sidewall
AMG = Enough said
Now I'm not saying they were the sharpest but you got in & knew what you were dealing with, new cars (not all new cars) with Multi configuration never seem to be just right out of the box (for me Alfa & Jaguar are exceptions) & I seem to struggle to get them right.
Now I get in my CLK63 (admittedly with Penske coilovers fitted) & it's just right, it felt good when I first bought it (but I'd noted the damping wasn't right for me) even with the new set up it's always felt tied down.
bmwmike said:
In a wierd way I think easy finance killed it for me. Or at least killed the aspirational element of car ownership. I really can't explain beyond that but feel the same way - meh.
Think this is part of it and not just vehicles, majority of folk don’t seem to own anything now, so need for sympathetic use, just get a new one when you get fed up with it or break itNiceCupOfTea said:
Interesting thought, but apropos of nothing:
A few years ago people were complaining the e36 was the sweet spot of proper driving BMWs with creature comforts without being too modern and losing the "feel". Then the e46 was the last simple, back to basics, feelsome BMW. You're saying the same about the e90 though (which to me is a bit too modern and overcomplicated). Do we just move on with the tech? I remember in the early 90s people getting upset about electronic ECUs and saying cars would be uneconomical to repair, etc.
Having said that I am having difficulty looking at more modern BMWs (e90 3er / e60 5er / e63 6er)
No criticism, I just think it's interesting.
I remember being shocked at hearing someone had 'chipped' their car. CARS HAVE CHIPS??? A few years ago people were complaining the e36 was the sweet spot of proper driving BMWs with creature comforts without being too modern and losing the "feel". Then the e46 was the last simple, back to basics, feelsome BMW. You're saying the same about the e90 though (which to me is a bit too modern and overcomplicated). Do we just move on with the tech? I remember in the early 90s people getting upset about electronic ECUs and saying cars would be uneconomical to repair, etc.
Having said that I am having difficulty looking at more modern BMWs (e90 3er / e60 5er / e63 6er)
No criticism, I just think it's interesting.
fattiereturns said:
So I test drove an RCZ yesterday, and bonded more with that in 15 minutes than I have with the 428 in 3 months or so. Lots to like about it.
The R version is a good car to drive. I agree it's a good looking car as well. Not the most practical, but better to drive than any modern BMW outside the full M cars.
Strong chance of being a future classic given the small numbers.
Edited by Driver101 on Wednesday 29th May 14:46
Having just swapped my 2017 suv for a 2005 hot hatch I can totally relate.
The jeep never put a foot wrong, was loaded with kit and a nice place to be, but it was boring, very boring.
I like driving and I think alot of new cars have engineered out the need to really drive them.
The main reason for my change was to save money (this whole car cost 5 monthly payments on the jeep) but I'm actually looking forward to getting in the car now, there's less kit, the clutch and gearbox aren't as smooth, it takes longer to warm up the ride is way more harsh but I actually own this one, it's mine and I have to drive it, it's imperfect in many ways and that's really appealing
The jeep never put a foot wrong, was loaded with kit and a nice place to be, but it was boring, very boring.
I like driving and I think alot of new cars have engineered out the need to really drive them.
The main reason for my change was to save money (this whole car cost 5 monthly payments on the jeep) but I'm actually looking forward to getting in the car now, there's less kit, the clutch and gearbox aren't as smooth, it takes longer to warm up the ride is way more harsh but I actually own this one, it's mine and I have to drive it, it's imperfect in many ways and that's really appealing
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff