Bmw sucks - hard to accept, but true

[MexSiR]

Ive been a fan of BMW since long ago. My mother drives a 323 2001, My father used to have a 5 series, my unlce has a 525, and my older brother has a 525is.

I recently went to the Vancouver auto show and took a close look at the BMW 2006 models. I am so dissapointed. It looks like the High end Japanesse companies are going to soon be better than BMW.

Comparing the older versions to the new versions which do you think has improved and which had declined?

Old vs new 3 series (The new 3 series is bland more plasticy and the rear looks like a cheap jap car)

M3 E46 Vs New M3 v8 (Its hard to say how dissapointed i am in this, the old M3 being a masterpiece...)

7 series re-design pretty much sucks.

M5 looks like a tank and has lost personality and poise. I know about the technical marvels v10 and super fast shifting but ahhh...i prefer the older one.

X3 is a VERY ugly SUV in my opinion.

M6? Common are you kidding me?

So? Whats your opinion on the new and "improved" (they wish) models.

IT IS HARD TO ACCEPT IT, BUT BMW IS STARTING TO SUCK.

[gti1689]

wow, harsh post.

i have to say that i like the older bimmer's better too. Some of the new ones seems like they have lost focus, but some are growing on me. for example, i thought the new m5 looked hideous, but now it's starting to seem more attractive. the aggressive body kit is really doin it for me (same w/the m6). in comparision, the new 3-series is okay for a bangle car, but it's soo easy to just make a good looking bmw. the current e36 is classic, and the e39 5-series was awesome, so why this "new/fresh" design lanuage? i feel like i need to buy an e46 m3, so i can enjoy the last of the truly great bmw's.

god damn it, just stop this bs, and return to what we (minus those who actually like the new designs ) know as classic bmw style!

[CanucksRT]

I don't mind it, although I like boxier vehicles, so I do prefer the old Bimmers, but no makes boxy cars anymore, so whatever.

Anyways, offtopic, but Mex, where and when is the Van Auto Show, and if its still on, do you just buy a ticket there or what?

[kman10587]

I agree with you. The 5 Series is quite ugly, the 7 Series is an electronical mish-mashed nightmare, and the new 3 Series took a sizable hit in exterior and interior styling. The last thing the M3 needed was a V8; now its delicately balanced handling is going to be disrupted by the additional front weight and overflow of torque. The new M5 is a bad joke; it doesn't even offer a conventional manual transmission, it's far too heavy for a true sports sedan, and it's got way too much power. I'll take the old one any day.

[jmrev]

BMW is one of the best german cars out there... so you dont like how it looks but others might.

[mason_RsX]

No they don't...

The 5 and 7 series balanced sophisticated design, with a sporty look, and made it almost seamless...All they needed was to develop and add on to the look....what did they do, they went and completely overhalled the look with "it wont be understood by the simpletons of this generation" styling

Other than that they have made some remarkable technological achievements under the hood, and its worth the drop off in look to me, but not to some

[porscheguy9999]

Well, I like the 7, like the 5 except for the taillights, and the 3 except for the taillights. But I still would take the previous gen 5 and 3. And this iDrive crap. Who came up with this? Why does BMW think it is sufficient? I mean, you have to go thru 3 (or whatever) menus just to turn on the damn radio!

GET IT TOGETHER BMW!

[del]

i think bmw has tried too hard to create a unique design scheme and nobody really gets it. not that they have to either. i definately prefer the previous gen 3, 5 and 7 series over the new ones. the Z4 don't look all that great either. the 6 series is the only one i think looks decent. i've only ridden in a 7 series, haven't driven any new ones but i'm sure they still drive like bmw's on the other hand. i dont' think bmw sucks, but like porcheguy9999 said, they need to get it together in the style department.

[porscheguy9999]

Originally Posted by del

the 6 series is the only one i think looks decent.

Same. The 6 is actually the only BMW I don't have any complaints about. The rest have their flaws design-wise, but are decent in their own way.

[lamehonda]

I would take the new M5 over almost any other car. Who cares what it looks like when you jump on the gas and the v10 pins you back in the seat? I have heard that with a long enough straightaway that thing will do about 200 with the governor off of course. That is too fast to hate.

[kman10587]

I don't give a damn how fast it is, if you can't even get a regular manual transmission, it fails as a sports sedan.

[Ssom]

There is nothing wrong with BMW, they are still up there with Ferrari and Honda as my favourite company.


I think the 1, 5, 6 and 7 series all look fantastic (The 5 was initially ugly, but I've grown to like it, bar the tail-lights), the 3 series will definitely grow on, especially since they'll be all over the road soon (The 3 series is one of the most common vehicles on our roads), the Z4 and X5 still look as brilliant as ever and the X3 is passable, but definitely the least attractive of the new BMW line.

The new powerplants and chassis' are improvements on the powerplants and chassis of old (The new 3 series and the 1 series having easily the best FR chassis in the world at the moment) and lets face it, you buy BMW's to drive, not to look at. I also doubt the M3 will be affected by a V8, BMW are engineering geniuses, I imagine the V8'll be magnesium alloy, like the new 3.0 I6, so it'll be light and enable BMW to keep the near 50:50 weight distribution.

iDrive is excellent as well. Consider this: Take the iDrive away from an M5 or a 7 series, then put all the buttons replaced by the iDrive onto the dash, all of a sudden you have a distracting mess of buttons (Much like a Jaguar, then). It has it's glitches, but they can be remedied easily enough by software updates (BMW 745i v1.1 anyone? ), seriously though, I think once iDrive is perfected, then everyone will start to copy it, much like Audi already have.


As for sequentials: If it's good enough for the F1 cars, it's good enough for me, BMW, the VAG and Ferrari have shown us that a Sequential can be just as good as a manual.

[V8slayer]

The 7 has really grown on me. It looks mean and offers a real S-class alternative. The facelift has reduced it somewhat though.

The 6, yeah, nice, but what's the point. It's like the CL. I just can't think of a reason to buy a big coupe like that. I'll take a real sports coupe that small light and nimble, or I'll buy a luxury limo. Why have two uncomfortable seats?

Can't get used to the 5. It's just not a good looking car. Don't even like the M5's looks and that's saying a lot.

Haven't seen a new 3 yet. Only pics. And they don't tell the full story.

Then you get the the butt of all BM's. The 1-series. What an unmasked, unashamed attempt at boosting sales. I mean really, the 1-series is simply for selling to people who want beemers and can't afford them. I thought they reached a low with the 3-series compact, an ugly car if ever there was one, but this is really cheapening your brand. But I suppose it must make business sense.

The worst thing is they had an out. The Mini. A great little car that can be sold for a low price at high volumes and claim BMW engineering. Why then go further and make a one series?

[kman10587]

I don't see anything wrong with an affordable BMW (the 1 Series). The 3 Series was starting to turn into more of a high-end luxury car, with fully loaded prices topping 40K, so they needed a more 'entry-level' car. The car itself is excellent, particularly with the powerful turbodiesel motor. It could use a V6 option, though, to make use of that excellent chassis.

[mason_RsX]

The 3 series was getting to high class? what??? I don't know about where you guys live but they were offering a 320i for $320/month 36 month lease. Thats in alot of peoples price ranges. But then again we dont have the 1 series here

I actually like the 6 series look, and I would seriously consider one. the 5 series didnt grow on me, and neither did the Z4. But I would take the M5 in an instant and drive that thing right to 200mph!