Why do BMWs handle better than the other European competitors?

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by ZJP

I really don't see whats so great about Audi's interiors.

And to say that BMW has the worst interior is an overstatement, IMO.

I've never liked Audi's interiors... I think Porsche had the best interior last generation, but the new interiors are ugly imho...

That being said, I would put Audi at the bottom of the list in terms of interior looks...

[Sam12345]

bmw doesnt handle that well....

drive a porsche

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by Sam12345

bmw doesnt handle that well....

drive a porsche

Yep, my previous 550 edition Boxster S (had upgraded suspension from the factory compared to the regular S) makes the 1er feel like a dog around corners...

[jayely1]

Makes me wanna drive a Porsche! hmmm Wonder how the new Cayman S drives???

[Z4MCJJ]

Originally Posted by Turkishexpress

Honestly, I'm very disappointed with the handling and the lack of lsd on these over weight 3 series

Yes the 335i's handling is horrible....that's why I got rid of mine and got a Z4M Coupe...the thing is pure genius on the track!!!

[youngbuck18]

Because it is BIMMER and BIMMER is fly.

[jayely1]

Yes the 335i's handling is horrible....that's why I got rid of mine and got a Z4M Coupe...the thing is pure genius on the track!!!

haha horrible...That might be a little far.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by jayely1

Makes me wanna drive a Porsche! hmmm Wonder how the new Cayman S drives???

Go for a test drive in a demo if available. Spend 30 minutes in it and you will be sitting at the sales persons desk when you get back.


The latest reviews of the new Boxster S are raving too. I think I read "The steering is from God" or something like that. With PDK/launch control they recorded a 4.1 0-60 time.

I built a Boxster S on their site.....$70,470.00 Sport seats/PDK/PASM

My only whine about the 3ers interior is the leather. Looks and feels like a work boot.

[SkyLord]

Originally Posted by silversprint

BMW does a good job of adding some sporty feel to all their street cars but doesn't make anything as sporty as the Mid-engine AWD Audi R8.

I think an R8 will probably out perform any street car BMW sells today.

lol even the M3 beats it on a rolling start, next to that you gotta compare the mid-engine vs the front positioned engine etc etc yada yada. They don't make a car that's really comparable in that aspect, that's true. Bottom line they are both awesome cars, but the R8 never really was a supercar ... atleast now with the V10 it can start being one ... maybe.

Lol just checked some youtube races out, it's so funny how all those reactions from bmw vs audifans go Usually the audifans bring up quattro, and then start explaining how they kind of actually know everything about every part in it and that it is superior. Then the other guys knock em down with common sense lol can read those comments for days

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by jayely1

Makes me wanna drive a Porsche! hmmm Wonder how the new Cayman S drives???

the current gen Cayman S handles like a dream....


it was a tough choice for me between the cayman and the z4m

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by jayely1

haha horrible...That might be a little far.

it is porky

[Master Deep]

All Porsches get pretty good discounts off sticker. Don't just think gd $75k for boxster s. You can bring that down quite a bit. The difference between their invoice and MSRP is huge.

And Audi's interior's are amazing IMO. Just look at the design and feel of the seats in the new A4/A5/S5 line. Audi even puts 1-piece Recaro seats in some of their S and RS models. They leave the plain looking bmw seats in the dirt. BMW's interior traditionally is more business like. It's not made to look fancy or nice for the most part. Just functional but with good materials. Even the new 7er interior looks boring to me when u compare it to a S550.

The lack of LSD really bugs me. Especially when the G37 has a LSD in the sport package. Even Porsche for 2009 has offered the option of a LSD for all their cars. Hopefully BMW starts offering it as an option at least in the next gen 3-series.

But based on what BMW's been releasing lateley, I find myself not being as much of a fan of the brand as before. The 3-series still rocks if you need a nice sporty car that can carry people and stuff too, but all the other models are eh to me. Actually Audi has been catching my eye more now...

[Master Deep]

Oh and I'm predicting Audi to overtake MB and BMW eventually in US Sales. Maybe within 10 years. They have really upped their game with the R8 and designing some hot cars (A5/S5 ), plus they have those trick LED DRL's. Those stand out MUCH MUCH better and can be seen from a greater distance when compared to BMW's Angel Eyes. I used to think the Angel Eyes were cool back when only the E39 had it, since it was far rarer to see them. Now that every bmw has it, I see like 2 pairs of angel eyes at every light. So much so that I don't even pay attention to them anymore. Obviously Audi's LED's will end up this way too, but at least they are the new thing right now.

[SkyLord]

Originally Posted by Master Deep

Oh and I'm predicting Audi to overtake MB and BMW eventually in US Sales. Maybe within 10 years. They have really upped their game with the R8 and designing some hot cars (A5/S5 ), plus they have those trick LED DRL's. Those stand out MUCH MUCH better and can be seen from a greater distance when compared to BMW's Angel Eyes. I used to think the Angel Eyes were cool back when only the E39 had it, since it was far rarer to see them. Now that every bmw has it, I see like 2 pairs of angel eyes at every light. So much so that I don't even pay attention to them anymore. Obviously Audi's LED's will end up this way too, but at least they are the new thing right now.

Leds have far surpassed themselves already imo. Have to admit they improved over the very first christmaslight ones but really only look good on the R8 & S5

[gonzo]

I know the P's have some huge profit margins but, believe it or not, the best store here in Dallas is selling the poop out of their stock. They sold 40 in May. New and pre-owned.

I don't know about the rest of the country but that is a lot of P's in this economy. Point being, I don't think they would discount much on a new version Cayman/Boxster.

[jayely1]

Go for a test drive in a demo if available. Spend 30 minutes in it and you will be sitting at the sales persons desk when you get back.


The latest reviews of the new Boxster S are raving too. I think I read "The steering is from God" or something like that. With PDK/launch control they recorded a 4.1 0-60 time.

I built a Boxster S on their site.....$70,470.00 Sport seats/PDK/PASM

My only whine about the 3ers interior is the leather. Looks and feels like a work boo

Little to pricey!! I can't find anything on 0-60 or quarter mile times for the new Cayman S. The previous ones were not quite as fast as I would of liked for that much $$. But I hear the new ones could be in the 12's. But like I said, I can't find a real review.

the current gen Cayman S handles like a dream....


it was a tough choice for me between the cayman and the z4m

Why did you chose the Z or the cayman? Cayman S?

[200Duece]

Originally Posted by Master Deep

Oh and I'm predicting Audi to overtake MB and BMW eventually in US Sales. Maybe within 10 years. They have really upped their game with the R8 and designing some hot cars (A5/S5 ), plus they have those trick LED DRL's. Those stand out MUCH MUCH better and can be seen from a greater distance when compared to BMW's Angel Eyes. I used to think the Angel Eyes were cool back when only the E39 had it, since it was far rarer to see them. Now that every bmw has it, I see like 2 pairs of angel eyes at every light. So much so that I don't even pay attention to them anymore. Obviously Audi's LED's will end up this way too, but at least they are the new thing right now.

BMW sells more CPO cars than Audi sells new.

And I remember when the boxster S came out. Some guy had one at Big Willow. Not impressed. I was in his trunk all day. He finially waved be by going into 8. To be fair I haven't driven a new one recently. Not that big a fan of the Cayman either. Let's talk about some GT3 Rs

[Master Deep]

The current cayman s and boxster s are considered the best handling cars ever...and that's by more than one source. If Porsche didn't purposefully handicap it so its slower than the 911, it would be a giant killer. But the skill of the driver is still more important than the car...

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by gonzo

BMW's have that "feel".

Porsche has that "feel".

An old VW bug has that "feel".

My MCS has that "feel".



Each, IMO, have characteristics that make them unique.

My old 320i had a "feel" that I have not felt in a BMW since. This is my personal preference however. More raw and simple. My 528e would squat down on the highway and just purr like a kitten. Best road trip car I have ever had.

40 years ago, my employer provided me with a car...a 320i. My boss decided to permit to upgrade my car, so I got a 528i which I drove for several years. I came to the conclusion that 'my car' was NOT the 5 Series, but the 3 Series, as I found the larger car to be less nimble/tossable, even though the larger displacement 6 cylinder engine made it more fun. Yes, the ride was smoother, too. But I wanted 'tossable fun' more than 'comfortable + faster'. I find my 2021 228i today to be closer to my 1987 320i; the 2001 and 2011 328i both remind me of the 1981 528i, somewhat less 'tossable', all three closer in size and weight!

[OC40]

Originally Posted by Wilt

40 years ago, my employer provided me with a car...a 320i. My boss decided to permit to upgrade my car, so I got a 528i which I drove for several years. I came to the conclusion that 'my car' was NOT the 5 Series, but the 3 Series, as I found the larger car to be less nimble/tossable, even though the larger displacement 6 cylinder engine made it more fun. Yes, the ride was smoother, too. But I wanted 'tossable fun' more than 'comfortable + faster'. I find my 2021 228i today to be closer to my 1987 320i; the 2001 and 2011 328i both remind me of the 1981 528i, somewhat less 'tossable', all three closer in size and weight!

This necro is so old, I met my now wife the week before the prior post.

[Elderado82]

Wow, this is one old post. 2009? Hard to believe. Things have changed a lot since then, hydraulic steering racks are gone, turbos are everywhere, and hybrids are starting to creep into performance cars. Even with all that, the same question still hangs around: why do BMWs feel different, and better, to drive?

The reason hasn’t really changed. BMW builds their cars around balance and driver feel. That 50/50 weight split and rear‑wheel drive setup make them feel planted, and the steering, even with electric assist now, still gives you a good sense of what the tires are doing. The M3 CS proves it: 7:20 at the Nürburgring, edging out the 911 Carrera S at 7:25. Back in the E90 days, people said BMW was “close to Porsche pace.” Now they’re matching it in a four‑door sedan.

Audi’s formula hasn’t changed either. Quattro makes their cars super stable, especially when the weather gets rough. But that stability comes at the cost of feel. RS5 Coupe runs about 7:36, quick, but still doesn’t give you the same sharp connection through the wheel. Safe and fast, but not as engaging.

Porsche is still the benchmark for steering feel. Nobody does feedback better. But the price gap has gotten big. A Carrera S is well over $150K now, and it’s only a little quicker (or slower) than an M3 CS. That precision comes at a premium.

AMG? Still the muscle car with a luxury badge. Tons of torque, wild acceleration, plenty of drama but heavier and less agile. The C63 S clocks about 7:44. Fun and loud, but not as balanced.

The big surprise is reliability. Back in 2009, owning a BMW was a running joke VANOS issues, electrical problems, constant shop visits. Now the i4, X5, and 3 Series are ranking among the most reliable in their classes. That’s a huge turnaround.

Sixteen years later and the tech’s totally different, but BMW’s DNA hasn’t budged. They’re still giving you Porsche‑level pace, sharper feel than Audi, more balance than AMG and now they’ve actually got reliability on their side. Gotta say, I love when old debates like this pop back up.

[Janjohn]

Originally Posted by MontegoblueE92

Weight distribution has a lot to do with it. It completely changes the way a car feels on the road depending on where a large portion of it is. The 50-50 gives it minimal understeer while not making it as spin happy as a 997. It is just an easy car to get in to and drive hard even if you're an amateur.

In my mind, you nailed it. The other side of that coin means you have to be careful when buying a used BMW. This is especially true for the M3s and M5s that are driven like they were stolen. But holy smokes, they’re a blast to drive fast.

My other choice for a car or SUV would be a Porsche.