Thinking of getting a BMW

[Ed Rooney]

Here's a nice pic of mine:

[Idle Swede]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Here's a nice pic of mine:

Congrats, you now have a "official" picture of your car.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Here's a nice pic of mine:

Ouch - we're practically brothers!

This is mine. Don't let the Photoshopping fool you, it's the same color as your car.






A macro I did of the "5" on my shift knob. Inverted to look kind of x-ray.




Can anyone ID this piece?

[TheDude]

[QUOTE=Idle Swede;1496669]

Originally Posted by TheDude

If you're going to pull that relic out, you should really include this one also.

It is the -TRUE- "only one" BMW. Quote.



Now why would that be the "TRUE- only one" BMW?

Check out the "Real History" BMW made only in 252 ex. + 2 prototypes.

Elvis Presley bought one for $3,500 (a small fortune back then) and gave it to Ursula Andress as a present.
She kept it for 20 years and sold it for $350,000 which is considered a bargain at todays prices.

Sure, BMW has a rich automotive history and there are many other cars to consider.

I guess we're all prisoners to where we're plopped down on a timeline. For my generation, that is the most significant BMW (much more so than the Z1) but I won't dispute that earlier models hold this designation for other folks. We are talking about opinions, things that can't be argued about and "won".

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Ouch - we're practically brothers!

This is mine. Don't let the Photoshopping fool you, it's the same color as your car.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. No turbo trash for us!!

The arctic silver is in interesting color. It takes on a completely different hue with variations in lighting. On a dark day it looks like silver. On a bright day it looks gray-blue.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Yeah, that's pretty much it. No turbo trash for us!!

The arctic silver is in interesting color. It takes on a completely different hue with variations in lighting. On a dark day it looks like silver. On a bright day it looks gray-blue.

Oh, you're arctic silver? It looks silver-gray in the DC pics. Mine is silver-gray.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by TheDude

If you're going to pull that relic out, you should really include this one also.

It is the -TRUE- "only one" BMW.


The M1.












"The BMW M1 is a supercar produced by the German automaker BMW from 1978 to 1981. It was the first and only mid-engined BMW. It employed a twin-cam M88/1 3.5 L 6-cylinder gasoline engine"

I love that car.

[gettocard]

[QUOTE=Idle Swede;1496669]

Originally Posted by TheDude

If you're going to pull that relic out, you should really include this one also.

It is the -TRUE- "only one" BMW. Quote.



Now why would that be the "TRUE- only one" BMW?

Check out the "Real History" BMW made only in 252 ex. + 2 prototypes.

Elvis Presley bought one for $3,500 (a small fortune back then) and gave it to Ursula Andress as a present.
She kept it for 20 years and sold it for $350,000 which is considered a bargain at todays prices.

:lv :

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Oh, you're arctic silver? It looks silver-gray in the DC pics. Mine is silver-gray.

Yeah, I think they call it arctic metallic.

[TSts]

Originally Posted by TSts

For better or worse, BMW's are just a different kind of car. I have a Lexus for a DD but the 335cic is the toy.

Arctic metallic here, color changes due to sun angle

[vh_bu98]

The coolest color would be carbon black metallic. It looks blue!

[gettocard]

M1 is to die for aswell !!

Look,I was 13,living in Tuscany,my dad used to drive this baby. I still remember the chuncky dash,the excellent upholstery,the smooth and comfy buttons and dials. But it was a nightmare on wet...

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by gettocard

But it was a nightmare on wet...

That has changed in significant ways.

[chenx15]

so are the 3 series good enough or to rephrase the question will the 3 series give me that BMW feel?

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by chenx15

so are the 3 series good enough or to rephrase the question will the 3 series give me that BMW feel?

It depends. On what you like and on what the "feel" of a BMW is in your opinion. I love my 3 series, and I would not trade it for a larger model. But then again, I've always loved 2 door coupes, and I really wanted a convertible. So for me, it's perfect. It goes faster than I need it to and imo handles like a dream.

Would I trade it for a real race car like an M3? Yes, but not at the price hike I would have to pay. You're looking to buy new, so as an example a 3 series convertible coupe new is lowest MSRP at $50.7k and a M3 is lowest at $66.5k.

[chenx15]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis

It depends. On what you like and on what the "feel" of a BMW is in your opinion. I love my 3 series, and I would not trade it for a larger model. But then again, I've always loved 2 door coupes, and I really wanted a convertible. So for me, it's perfect. It goes faster than I need it to and imo handles like a dream.

Would I trade it for a real race car like an M3? Yes, but not at the price hike I would have to pay. You're looking to buy new, so as an example a 3 series convertible coupe new is lowest MSRP at $50.7k and a M3 is lowest at $66.5k.

That's all i need to hear. i just want to feel a different drive from a honda. i think to be clear. will the 3 series give me that different feel from the accord?

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by chenx15

so are the 3 series good enough or to rephrase the question will the 3 series give me that BMW feel?

The 3 series is what defines the BMW feel. The other exception may be the 1 series since that is going back to what the 3 series used to be.

The 5 series is more about comfort where you won't feel the road like you do in a 3.

My advice is go to the dealership and just test drive them and you will know what I mean.

[drtooth73]

Originally Posted by chenx15

so are the 3 series good enough or to rephrase the question will the 3 series give me that BMW feel?

Yes.
But if you want something as roomy as your Accord, you'll need a 5 series.

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by drtooth73

Yes.
But if you want something as roomy as your Accord, you'll need a 5 series.

I drove them both and own a 5. I think the Accord is waaaay roomier inside.

[chenx15]

Thanks guys! I'll sacrifice roomy for now. the jump from 3 to 5 is just too much at this moment compared from an accord to a 3.

[chenx15]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

I drove them both and own a 5. I think the Accord is waaaay roomier inside.

accords are known to be very roomy. but i want to start thinking of me rather than my passengers this time.

[Buschy]

yes the 3 will give you a way way different drive then the accord. or any honda for that matter. BMW's have a different feel then most other cars.
They are a DRIVERS CAR.
if you want a tight fun to drive car get one. if you want plush then dont

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Buschy

yes the 3 will give you a way way different drive then the accord. or any honda for that matter. BMW's have a different feel then most other cars.
They are a DRIVERS CAR.
if you want a tight fun to drive car get one. if you want plush then dont

The only caveat is the base 3 series. They're awfully close to a very utilitarian Honda or VW. Every time I get a base 325i auto for a service loaner, I imagine it's pretty close to what a basic Jetta or Accord is these days.

[S/SOnly]

The 1, and the 3 series in particular, embody what makes a BMW a BMW, plain and simple. For the price difference, the 3 is worth the upgrade from a 1.

I've driven, shopped, and almost bought 5's, 6's, and 7's, and love them all honestly. The 3 just offers so much for the money, and I really don't need more than the size of a 3.

No matter what BMW you do look at and decide on, enjoy it!

[TheDude]

[QUOTE=vh_bu98;1497488]The 5 series is more about comfort where you won't feel the road like you do in a 3.QUOTE]


Not exactly. The current 5 is not much heavier than the 3 (only 100 or 150 pounds). The 5 series with the 6 cylinder is actually lighter than the diesel 3.


Also, the 5 can be ordered with some suspension technology that the 3 doesn't have. Mine has the ARS (active roll stabilization) that makes it a marvel in terms of handling - .90g lateral acceleration. It's super tight, super flat, and responsive.

Unless you're talking M3, I don't think the 3 has much over the 5 in terms of feel or handling, if anything.

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Not exactly. The current 5 is not much heavier than the 3 (only 100 or 150 pounds). The 5 series with the 6 cylinder is actually lighter than the diesel 3.

Also, the 5 can be ordered with some suspension technology that the 3 doesn't have. Mine has the ARS (active roll stabilization) that makes it a marvel in terms of handling - .90g lateral acceleration. It's super tight, super flat, and responsive.

Unless you're talking M3, I don't think the 3 has much over the 5 in terms of feel or handling, if anything.

I am generalizing when I'm comparing a e90 and a e60 and more directing towards the base models.

We all know that the 328i and the 528i share the same engine and that goes for the same as the 335i and the 535i.

3362 lbs - 328i
3571 lbs - 528l

That's almost a 200 lb difference which is a lot when you're trying to extract every ounce of power.

I am sure that you have driven both and you know what I mean when I say they have a different feel to them.

[chenx15]

how about the 323? so i should get the 325 to actually get the feel?

[S/SOnly]

Originally Posted by chenx15

how about the 323? so i should get the 325 to actually get the feel?

There is a big difference between a 328 and a 335 in power and throttle response, and I mean big. The overall feel of the cars is still quite similar in character until you start looking at sport packages on them.

With regards to 323 vs. 325, the throttle response difference is probably negligible, as these two engines are similar in output to the previous 3's engine choices.

You should really spend some time at a dealer, and get some good wheel time in. Maybe see if there is a local 3 series club also, see if you can chat some owners up and take a spin.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by vh_bu98

I am generalizing when I'm comparing a e90 and a e60 and more directing towards the base models.

We all know that the 328i and the 528i share the same engine and that goes for the same as the 335i and the 535i.

3362 lbs - 328i
3571 lbs - 528l

That's almost a 200 lb difference which is a lot when you're trying to extract every ounce of power.

I am sure that you have driven both and you know what I mean when I say they have a different feel to them.

The 328i is stripped. Compare the 5 to a version that's not uber base and the numbers are quite a bit closer.


3593 lbs 335i sedan with manual transmission
3660 lbs 535i sedan with manual transmission

67 lbs difference


My 2006 530i manual is even lighter.

I will also say that it is very hard to find a dealer who has a 5 series with the sport suspension. They generally only order these when clients special order cars. For that reason, a lot of people who say they've driven a 5 have never driven one with the proper suspension bits. I actually ordered mine without ever having driven one with the sports suspension.

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by chenx15

how about the 323? so i should get the 325 to actually get the feel?

Can I guess that you live in Canada?

In the US, there is only the 328 and the 335. In Canada, there is the 323, 328 and 335 for 2010. These are the numbers from BMW Canada.

323 = 200 HP/180 Torque
328 = 230 HP/200 Torque
335d = 265 HP/425 Torque
335 = 300 HP/330 Torque
M3 = 414 HP/295 Torque

You will get the general feel with the 323/328, but if you can afford the 335d/335 then I highly recommend that. I've driven the 335 as a loaner car on many occasions and I highly enjoy it. The turbo in the 335 makes a big difference. And if you really have some extra cash laying around, get the M3 which is a totally different beast.