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      12-20-2012, 10:17 AM   #1
Munit
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The 3 is truly the 5 series of yesterday

Another thread made me think of how many folks, including myself simply could not get used to the absolutely barge-like feel of the new 5 series. I had an e60, loved it and loved the size. I loved that it was its own platform, it was virtually no heavier than the 3 series with equivelent engines and it simply had a bigger interior. It handled like a 3 series for the most part.

The killer was when bmw chose the 7 series chassis to make the 5 series! That is just a killer right there and I always questioned this and was up in arms myself until I realized I was simply thinking about things all wrong.

The 5 series now is simply a 7 series to all of us who have been with bmw for generations. Its simply a change in nomenclature.

With the advent of the 1 series now, the 3 series is now the 5 series to all of us and the 1 series is now the entry-lvel 3 series.

Part of the problem, like it or not, many people hesitate to buy a 3 series because its the "entry" level car, however that is no longer true and the 1 series has replaced that segment as the entry level, with the 3 really becoming a premium product, especially the m3.

So aside from some who have trouble driving a "lowly" 3 series, most of the drivers simply need to shift their thinking and accept that the 3 series is now what bmw envisioned the 5 series to be in the past.

The new 5 has an entirely different purpose but if you look at the modern 3-it fits the purpose of the past 5 series perfectly. A comfortable cruising car that is more sporty than luxury.
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      12-20-2012, 10:26 AM   #2
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Wrong forum? The M3 has always been considered a premium product and despite the 3-series being entry level at one time, I've never met anyone who's looked down upon a 328i or 335i as being an entry level product. Likewise, I've yet to meet someone who's looked down upon a C-class or A4.
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      12-20-2012, 10:28 AM   #3
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Ok?

on another note, I've heard the F30 is the same size as the original 7
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      12-20-2012, 10:30 AM   #4
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I assume it has to do with sales. Meet the demand.
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      12-20-2012, 10:37 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eisenb11 View Post
Wrong forum? The M3 has always been considered a premium product and despite the 3-series being entry level at one time, I've never met anyone who's looked down upon a 328i or 335i as being an entry level product. Likewise, I've yet to meet someone who's looked down upon a C-class or A4.
Wrong forum? You drive a 3 series
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      12-20-2012, 10:40 AM   #6
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The E90 M3 is very similar in many respects to the E39 M5.

I toyed with the idea of getting the M5, but the thought of picking up a 10 year old European super sedan scared me off. I'm hoping my 5 year old super sedan lasts me at least 5 years, if not a lot longer!

As far as size and weight goes, honestly, I hope to never own a car heavier than this M3. It's enough of a porker.
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      12-20-2012, 10:52 AM   #7
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The current M3 e92 is 181 inches long. The old e39 is 188 inches long.
So, to say the current M3 is the same size as the old 5 series is not correct, at least when they are compared on the basis of length.
You may have a better case when you compare the 5 series to the 7 series.
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      12-20-2012, 10:54 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Munit View Post
Wrong forum? You drive a 3 series
There is a whole forum dedicated to the 3-series. This forum is M3 specific.

Your post is about the 3-series. Hence the question, "wrong forum?"

Your behavior is borderline trollish and your response seems overly hostile. There's no need for this.

Anyway, back on topic- your post seems to display insecurity about people considering the 3-series lowly because it was "entry level".

Yes, there is a 1-series now, but it doesn't change the fact that the 3-series is still considered entry level by many people. And, realistically, who cares? It's still a nice car and no one will refute that.

It's just human nature and something that can't be "won". My GF's coworker just bought a 7-series and the people at her work were poking at it because it's not a Li version.

The moral of the story: no matter what you buy, it's "entry level" to someone.
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      12-20-2012, 11:10 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eisenb11 View Post
There is a whole forum dedicated to the 3-series. This forum is M3 specific.

Your post is about the 3-series. Hence the question, "wrong forum?"

Your behavior is borderline trollish and your response seems overly hostile. There's no need for this.

Anyway, back on topic- your post seems to display insecurity about people considering the 3-series lowly because it was "entry level".

Yes, there is a 1-series now, but it doesn't change the fact that the 3-series is still considered entry level by many people. And, realistically, who cares? It's still a nice car and no one will refute that.

It's just human nature and something that can't be "won". My GF's coworker just bought a 7-series and the people at her work were poking at it because it's not a Li version.

The moral of the story: no matter what you buy, it's "entry level" to someone.
Were they Chinese?

This fread is entry level...
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      12-20-2012, 11:21 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M3THOD View Post
Were they Chinese?

This fread is entry level...
Haha, I forgot about the 3XXLi in China.

Nope, not this time. White banker dudes in this case.
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      12-20-2012, 12:03 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fuddman View Post
The current M3 e92 is 181 inches long. The old e39 is 188 inches long.
So, to say the current M3 is the same size as the old 5 series is not correct, at least when they are compared on the basis of length.
You may have a better case when you compare the 5 series to the 7 series.
Wheelbase is just 2.7 inches shorter, FWIW.
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      12-20-2012, 12:06 PM   #12
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This thread is stupid... miscategorized at best
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      12-20-2012, 02:43 PM   #13
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I look down on ALL cars unless they are super exotics.
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      12-20-2012, 03:50 PM   #14
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i had an e60 and swapped into an f10 550 with dinan S2 and suspension. it was fast as sht but definitely did not have the razor sharp feel of the e60, which was far and away the best sedan in its class. it's not as clear what platform is best in class in that category now.

when i got the M3 i thought that the f10 was like listening to a symphony with cotton stuffed in my ears. the M3 removed that cotton. and so i switched to the e70 X5. the last of the Es are in my garage now.

and yes, i am very nervous about the f82 m4. very nervous.
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      12-20-2012, 07:20 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by nbennettksu View Post
Ok?

on another note, I've heard the F30 is the same size as the original 7
Whenever I pull up behind an older 5 or 7, I almost marvel at the fact that my 3 series is the same size. Cars from all manufacturers have suffered from expansion over the years. If Datsun was still around making the 510, I suspect that it would be close to a Hummer H1 by now.
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      12-20-2012, 07:23 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Red_Baron View Post
I look down on ALL cars unless they are super exotics.
The correct term is "hypercar".
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      12-20-2012, 07:25 PM   #17
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I've yet to meet someone who's looked down upon a C-class or A4.
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      12-20-2012, 08:09 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TVMA Doc View Post
Whenever I pull up behind an older 5 or 7, I almost marvel at the fact that my 3 series is the same size. Cars from all manufacturers have suffered from expansion over the years. If Datsun was still around making the 510, I suspect that it would be close to a Hummer H1 by now.
Your eyes are playing tricks on you. That old 5 series is 7 inches longer than you.
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      12-20-2012, 08:25 PM   #19
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Wrong forum? You drive a 3 series
No we dont..we drive M3s
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      12-20-2012, 08:45 PM   #20
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um...the fuck?
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      12-21-2012, 12:01 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smmmurf View Post
This thread is stupid... miscategorized at best
Good thread. Wrong header group -> F30.

FWIW, agree w/ poster. new 3er seems to be about my old e39 in size (which I loved). If you liked the e46's size, then the new 1er. My boss used to want a 7er - he bought a F12 5er. 'Nuff said.
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      12-22-2012, 09:36 PM   #22
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That would make the current 7 series the 9 series. I do get his point though, cars are just getting heavier. I just got the F10 M5 so now My E90 M3 feels really light. When I want an even lighter car I get in my 1m. I am hoping to get the Alpina B7 to make my M5 feel light.
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