BMW's just keep getting fatter....

In reply to Cone_Junky:

Buy new ones from BMW......otherwise wait to find someone that does it. Same difference with our SHO's when they'd lunch ccrm modules. For the longest time there wasn't another option. Now there are several.

A good friend who owns a BMW shop calls the newest 7 series " $800 cars". That's because regardless of what is wrong with them, it takes so long to diagnose, that the bills are usually $800 or more.

I agree that for desirable cars, there will always be someone willing to learn how to fix them. However for the run of the mill 5 and 7 series cars.....they will be disposable. Just take a look at 750iL values, or Merc 600 values. Once the cars get old enough, fixing them just isn't worth the cost, or hassle.

Like computers and many other things today........just throw it away when it's obsolete, and buy another. That is.....unless you really want to preserve that first--gen I-Drive system.

In reply to yamaha:

One module for one car is a lot different than the 40-120 modules on all modern Bimmers. Every time one module is replaced, all others have to be updated. This usually takes 3.5 to 7.5 hours to update these modules with the risk of any one of those modules crashing during programming (that's very common).

Your "idiotic" comment was quite douchey BTW

In reply to Cone_Junky:

You're most very welcome. I share the sentiment of "Quit complaining about new things and deal with it" So take that as you will.

On a largely unrelated note, there is a 5-series (E39, I think) parked by the side of the road near here with $400. written on the windshield along with a phone number. This after it sat for several weeks with $1000. on it. It has four wheels with tires, but in three different styles. I wonder if there's anything wrong with it?

In reply to 1988RedT2: probably head gasket related.

yamaha wrote: In reply to Cone_Junky: You're most very welcome. I share the sentiment of "Quit complaining about new things and deal with it" So take that as you will.

I'm not complaining about new things. I actually spend a lot of my time learning about new things and charging customers for my knowledge. It can be quite profitable.

I'll just take it as you are an ignorant shiny happy person

I can be a real jerk in a heated argument. I come to GRM because that never happens here.

The comment that was called "idiotic" IMO just wasn't. But calling it idiotic... wasn't necessary

Back to the topic, as long as BMW keeps its signature grille and stays a drivers' car I will (probably) always be a fan. That being said, as the sheer number of sensors, safety equipment and high tech gadgets infiltrate new cars, it's only logical that more can and will go wrong and the less likely that when I can afford one, it'll be worth buying.

BMW is trying to be Mercedes and Mercedes is trying to be BMW, the result is complete E36 M3.

If the Germans want to still be making cars 20 ears from now, they need to build what put them where they are. Well engineered cars built to last, the BMW being more driver oriented.

In reply to ebonyandivory: Some of us have never gotten along, that's fine. Its just the same arguments get old, and thus when repeated garner less respect from me each time. Unlike some people, I won't edit or delete comments.

Back on topic, they still are drivers cars....even weighing what they do and being excessively complicated. They are still quite connected to their roots, even if they seem to be following MB.

yamaha wrote: Back on topic, they still are drivers cars....even weighing what they do and being excessively complicated.

Have you actually driven the newest ones? I have, and I disagree.

Javelin wrote:

yamaha wrote: Back on topic, they still are drivers cars....even weighing what they do and being excessively complicated.

Have you actually *driven* the newest ones? I have, and I disagree.

I have and I disagree with you.

What's your point?

z31maniac wrote:

Javelin wrote:

yamaha wrote: Back on topic, they still are drivers cars....even weighing what they do and being excessively complicated.

Have you actually *driven* the newest ones? I have, and I disagree.

I have and I disagree with you. What's your point?

The point I got from it was that they have become more of a bloated luxo-barge than a "driver's" car. I totally agree. I still love mashing the pedal of a twin turbo inline six though

Cone_Junky wrote:

z31maniac wrote:

Javelin wrote:

yamaha wrote: Back on topic, they still are drivers cars....even weighing what they do and being excessively complicated.

Have you actually *driven* the newest ones? I have, and I disagree.

I have and I disagree with you. What's your point?

The point I got from it was that they have become more of a bloated luxo-barge than a "driver's" car. I totally agree. I still love mashing the pedal of a twin turbo inline six though

Cone_Junky's got it.

"The 4-Series coupe will be launched in the U.S. with a range of four- and six-cylinder inline engines, including a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine with 242 hp in the 428i and a turbocharged 3.0-liter six with 302 hp in the 435i.

Both engines will come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and optional eight-speed automatic with wheel-mounted shift paddles. In BMW tradition, rear-wheel drive will be standard, though the 428i and 435i will offer optional all-wheel drive. "

Sounds like they're doing it right to me!

yamaha wrote: In reply to ebonyandivory: Unlike some people, I won't edit or delete comments.

I do it all the time, especially when I re-read my comments and realize what I said didnt belong in a civilized conversation.

That being said, there's no law against being abrasive. God knows I can be.

Edit: apologies to the OP for polluting this thread with my comments

of course now that BMW is more marketing driven.. a 4 serious should not surprise me any more than abandoning the "e" chassis codes when they got to 100.

Javelin wrote: Have you actually *driven* the newest ones? I have, and I disagree.

Newest I have personally driven was a 135M, felt pretty good and connected to be honest. Had the same sentiment from the e92 M sedan as well. I know they aren't the newest models out, but alas, my friends who buy them keep them for almost a decade at a time. I am liking the rumors about the 2 series though.

what really amazes me about all the new bmw models is that there might actually be a market for all of them simultaneously. i just have a hard time wrapping my head around that.

about the newest generations, i just put 15" stoptech brakes on an F10 550i M Sport and while it did everything technically quite well i couldnt help but feel, well, nothing. it's really really fast for big car, had awesome stock brakes (14" factory rotors now!), its quiet to the point of too quiet especially for an M Sport, and has the least connected feeling steering system i've ever felt in a bmw if you blindfolded me i couldnt tell you wether it was a bmw, lexus, mb, or audi which is a shame.

the e90/2 M3 was absolutely terrific though.

this looks like a woman's car to me.

What? It's not a diesel powered lotus 7 clone? Must be crap.

Actually, I had the pleasure of going to the first showing of this car. The NJBMWCCA had a meeting that night (the day of the "leak) at headquarters and at the end, the BMW employees put it on display. Surprisingly, the exhaust is very throaty, much more so than a normal 335i. Rear seat legroom was decent but headroom was nearly non-existent. The project manager said it would start and $40,595 (for the 328i) if he had his way but it will come with a number of features that were previously optional.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: What? It's not a diesel powered lotus 7 clone? Must be crap.

Well to me it's a car that seems like something my mom would buy with her retirement severance.