The Ultimate Driving is Fading Away

[i001947]

Like all of the BMW cars, they've gotten bigger, lighter and turbo charged to the gills. Ok, not a fan but, BMW is still one of few interesting cars to drive for the money when you compare the other makes and brands like Porsche, Audi and Mercedes.

But, I find myself wondering whether BMW really knows what they're doing with this strategy of bigger, lighter and turbo chargers. I welcome the M4, M2 and any other version that BMW can come up with. And I'm not going to get into a rant about prices, options and BMW’s greed for M badgging (at least not now). At the end of the day, whatever BMW you drive the question that remains is; does the "Ultimate Driving Machine" that you own excites you?

The 4 previous BMWs that I had the pure pleasure and GOD Blessings to own (320i, 325i, 525i and 740i sport) all dam near killed me with pure driving excitement. And when I was looking for my 5th BMW, I was looking for another car that would give me the goose bumps and the occasional wet pants. Unfortunatedly, I discovered the "Ultimate Driving Machine" was fading away and BMW was the cause.

I test drove every one of the 3, 5, 6 series (except the 650i and all M's) and was totally disappointed. Nice cars for long trips but no goose bumps or monster under the hood. When I finally got to the M's, I disovered that the M5 was the best large car, monster under the hood, plus great long trip choice of them all. But at $100K plus, it wasn't what I was looking for. And when I finally got to chance to test drive a 2013 M3, th rest was history. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar it represented the best buy for the money, excitement factor, drivability etc. The only cars that did better were the Porsche Boxter S and 911 S but for a lot more money.

So, what's the point? I just purchased a 2013 M3. This is the last year the M3 with the current specs will be produced. And in my opinion represents the last "Ultimate Driving Machine" in BMW line up under $100K. My next "Ultimate Driving Machine" may just be a Porsche if BMW srews this up.

[nbennettksu]

Sorry that you feel that way?

[Uiop]

After the new F80 won't almost every car be turbocharged in their lineup?

[M3 Esq]

Here we go.

[LucWerkz]

Munit is that you?

[VMcV3y]

Let's summarize: you just purchased a brand new car, it's exactly what you wanted, and you're on a negative spin about how the next M3 (which none of us have actually seen or driven or have definitive specs about) might not meet your needs, and you're trashing the entire line of BMW vehicles.

Your glass of optimism does not runneth over...

[THE TECH]

I think the other thing that people are forgetting is that it's not about power or heritage or things like that. Manufacturers have to find ways to meet the stringent emission laws around the world where their cars will be sold. Smaller motors, diesels, turbos, lightweight materials, etc. all go into the process of making this happen.

[i001947]

Originally Posted by VMcV3y

Let's summarize: you just purchased a brand new car, it's exactly what you wanted, and you're on a negative spin about how the next M3 (which none of us have actually seen or driven or have definitive specs about) might not meet your needs, and you're trashing the entire line of BMW vehicles.

Your glass of optimism does not runneth over...

Not quite the point I was making. It's not about the car, it's about BMW directions / strategy that I'm questioning. Why risk destroying the Ultimate Driving Machine in every line? I don't get the logic.

[i001947]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I think the other thing that people are forgetting is that it's not about power or heritage or things like that. Manufacturers have to find ways to meet the stringent emission laws around the world where their cars will be sold. Smaller motors, diesels, turbos, lightweight materials, etc. all go into the process of making this happen.

Good point!

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by i001947

Not quite the point I was making. It's not about the car, it's about BMW directions / strategy that I'm questioning. Why risk destroying the Ultimate Driving Machine in every line? I don't get the logic.

The logic is... it is a business. BMW is in the business of selling cars. If you look at global sales of the entire BMW line-up, sales are setting records. What does that tell us? That BMW are building the cars that the market wants. That may not jive with what you or I want but there's not much we can do about other than voting with our wallets. And based on sales figures, we are being out voted!

Combine that with what The Tech highlighted and we have our answer.

[Transfer]

Congrats on the new M. Simple solution that many of us plan to follow... Keep it it for years and years. Now go drive somewhere. You have 1200 miles to scrub away.

[sycd]

Sad but true. On the other hand I really like what is happening with the FR-S, I hope that car is highly successful and starts a new trend toward more fun compact RWD cars. Funny that while BMW is talking about FWD cars, puts turbos everywhere, generates fake engine noise, makes their cars more disconnected and bigger, etc, Toyota releases a lightweight fun RWD "back to the basics" drivers car.

[Superfly_M3]

I agree that BMW is pulling the excitement out of their line ups. Look at the comparisson between the E60 and its successor. Before i bought my M the sales guy tried to push a 550 to me. After a very short drive, I knew that the car was not for me. Too numb, to heavy, and squeeked under cornering loads inside. The power was there (4.4TT) but it didn't excite. I'm glad I got my M, and will likely keep it for longer than other cars. This car has the best of all worlds IMO

[burakkose]

[visvim_m3]

Turbo is the way to go for high power and low fuel consumption, high profit margins on volume cars and lots of servicing money. We should boycott turbo Ms and hopefully BMW will notice and use the money made from regular series cars to produce NA engines again to attract the M customer.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by i001947

Not quite the point I was making. It's not about the car, it's about BMW directions / strategy that I'm questioning. Why risk destroying the Ultimate Driving Machine in every line? I don't get the logic.

BMW is not the only MFG will move to this direction but MB & Audi as well, in order to reduce the emision got to bring down engine size to meet the spec.The only complain I had was electric steering Porsche had it right and BMW still has a long way to improve.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by zamboni

BMW is not the only MFG will move to this direction but MB & Audi as well, in order to reduce the emision got to bring down engine size to meet the spec.The only complain I had was electric steering Porsche had it right and BMW still has a long way to improve.

Yes, the Porsche electric steering still has a lot of feedback. BMW's electric steering is pretty dead feeling.

I also feel like the new BMWs are lacking some excitement. They are just everyday cars and don't really offer anything special.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by visvim_m3

Turbo is the way to go for high power and low fuel consumption, high profit margins on volume cars and lots of servicing money. We should boycott turbo Ms and hopefully BMW will notice and use the money made from regular series cars to produce NA engines again to attract the M customer.

really? i'm assuming this is sarcasim lol. i don't get the whole boycotting thing, especially from the enthusiast crowd who make up very little of the overall BMW market

BMW like any other corporation will chase what the market demands. i've heard so many enthusiasts throughout the years say 'I won't buy another BMW because....' and guess what, they still didn't build what you want because there's nothing to support the demand. BMW will eventually offer zero manual transmissions in cars b/c not many people buy them (and there's plenty of data to prove this).

[rennis]

Originally Posted by i001947

Like all of the BMW cars, they've gotten bigger, lighter and turbo charged to the gills. Ok, not a fan but, BMW is still one of few interesting cars to drive for the money when you compare the other makes and brands like Porsche, Audi and Mercedes.

I know what you're trying to say here, but saying that a modern Porsche isn't a driver's car is pretty silly. If you ask me, the 911 is one of the last pure drivers cars. At it's heart, it's the same car it always has been, just better.

:shrug:

[Kasé Zomé]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I think the other thing that people are forgetting is that it's not about power or heritage or things like that.

Speaking of heritage, weren't the older ///M based race cars using turbocharged versions of the road going motors? I'm no BMW historian but I thought I read that somewhere. BMW could easily make that connection on the marketing front if what I'm thinking is true.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Kasé Zomé

Speaking of heritage, weren't the older ///M based race cars using turbocharged versions of the road going motors? I'm no BMW historian but I thought I read that somewhere. BMW could easily make that connection on the marketing front if what I'm thinking is true.

That has zero to do with the issues the company faces at present. A turbo can be added to any motor, especially when it comes to racing. This is no way would translate to a production vehicle. Just the fact that it has a turbo doesn't mean it could be used as a road going vehicle just because the newest production vehicles have turbos.

[Kasé Zomé]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

That has zero to do with the issues the company faces at present. A turbo can be added to any motor, especially when it comes to racing. This is no way would translate to a production vehicle. Just the fact that it has a turbo doesn't mean it could be used as a road going vehicle just because the newest production vehicles have turbos.

I agree and am not arguing with you. I'm merely looking at it from a marketing stand point. It's the old race on Sunday, sell on Monday strategy is all I'm saying. Maybe with an ad like this, the masses might more readily accept turbocharging and quit saying it goes against the grain of an ///M car. You know, coming around a full circle and all that good stuff...