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Is BMW really that good of a automobile manufacturer?

Specop 007

Specop 007

Diamond Member
I've always wondered about that. I've never owned, nor have I driven, a BMW. Its seems that BMW is always the bar by which all others are measured at least where BMW has a product line.

Are they really that good of a car? Or is it more of the name that gets them the respect and status that they have?

garaged
- vi
 
It's the way they drive. Performance is the top goal and you can feel it as soon as you drive one. Same with Mercedes Benz.
 
I like some of them, but I don't ever see myself owning one...never really been a fan. I'm not sure why. Maybe the elitist attitude that goes with the car?
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
It's the way they drive. Performance is the top goal and you can feel it as soon as you drive one. Same with Mercedes Benz.
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This, except not the same with MB (except for a few select cars...ie anything AMG)
 
Yes they are good cars. Even the base model with a 4cyl engine that I drove in Europe was awesome!
 
Originally posted by: Ns1
Originally posted by: spidey07
It's the way they drive. Performance is the top goal and you can feel it as soon as you drive one. Same with Mercedes Benz.
Click to expand...

This, except not the same with MB (except for a few select cars...ie anything AMG)
Click to expand...

Yep. My roommate has a MB station wagon. My MR2 will destroy it. 😛
 
Do they have the best interiors...no. Do they have the most beautiful designs...not really. Do they have the fastest engines...no.

What BMW is phenomenal is choosing quality parts where the parts really count and making them work together so well.

As an example, BMW chooses to use inline 6 engines instead of V6 engines. This engine design limits them somewhat on power output and makes for a more difficult packaging...but is silky smooth. That combined with the fantastic manual transmissions used in every BMW result in a driveline experience that is rarely matched in the industry. The same priorities go into their suspension choices and other areas of interest. The summed up parts and engineering result in cars that are a blast to drive.

So they may not win on a lot of fronts...but a BMW always drives like a dream.
 
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Do they have the best interiors...no. Do they have the most beautiful designs...not really. Do they have the fastest engines...no.

What BMW is phenomenal is choosing quality parts where the parts really count and making them work together so well.

As an example, BMW chooses to use inline 6 engines instead of V6 engines. This engine design limits them somewhat on power output and makes for a more difficult packaging...but is silky smooth. That combined with the fantastic manual transmissions used in every BMW result in a driveline experience that is rarely matched in the industry. The same priorities go into their suspension choices and other areas of interest. The summed up parts and engineering result in cars that are a blast to drive.

So they may not win on a lot of fronts...but a BMW always drives like a dream.
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People always say it's about the driving experience when talking about BMW but here in Socal the majority of the drivers will never drive to it's full potential to really feel the difference. If we can drive blind and blindfolded these drivers and put them in a corolla they'll say both cars drive the same. Pretty much they drive a BMW because it's a BMW.
 
They use top quality parts, they sport high performance tuning, and usually have the latest in driving technology packed iin them. OF COURSE they're going to be looked at with respect.
 
Originally posted by: jtvang125

People always say it's about the driving experience when talking about BMW but here in Socal the majority of the drivers will never drive to it's full potential to really feel the difference. If we can drive blind and blindfolded these drivers and put them in a corolla they'll say both cars drive the same. Pretty much they drive a BMW because it's a BMW.
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That may be true...but it doesn't take away from the fact that BMW creates great cars. Just because a lot of asshats buy certain products because of the social stigma behind that product doesn't mean that the product does not deserve the respect it is given.
 
I was a bit skeptical after hearing how great they were all these years, I finally took a test drive last month in a bare bones 328i, and I will admit, even without the sport package or many options, it felt GREAT to drive. The engine and transmission felt/sounded great, handling was superb.

I am now considering buying one but I'm still not sure they're worth spending $35-$40K on one. They are a BIT heavy, I'd prefer something a bit lighter/smaller so I'm also looking at the Mazdaspeed3 which is $10K less but also FWD and definitely doesn't have the buttery smoothness of the BMW, though it would probably be 90% as fun to drive.
 
Originally posted by: m0mentary
Originally posted by: JLee
Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
They are pretty sweet. Price/Performance/Luxury belongs to Infiniti though.
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I hear good things about Lexus too.
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not in the performance area, but I prefer them for comfort
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The newest infis are awesome inside (finally). Lexus has gone soft on design imo. Even the GSs. The SC is an abortion that lived, and the ISf is overpriced and underpowered. The whole Toyota lineup for the past few years has been less than stellar.
 
I took my BMW out of storage for the first time in months over the weekend and fell in love all over again. The driving experience is unrivaled, IMHO.
 
People who go on and on about how their BMW is the ultimate driving machine and handles like a dream are almost always full of shit.

That being said, almost all of those people do nothing with their BMW to extract the most of its handling abilities other than go around the turn on their off ramp 10 mph above the recommended speed limit on their daily commute to work.
 
Not all BMW's are created equal. To really judge BMW's capabilities, you must drive an //M in a spirited fashion sometime.

Also, BMW in Europe doesn't carry the same prestige that it does here. Over there, it's not unusual to see 4-cyl and low-output diesel BMW's competing for sales with higher-equipped Ford and Chevy (Vauxhall) products.

But yeah, pretty much anything wearing the Bavarian propeller is guaranteed to at least be a very good vehicle. BMW is never the 'best' at any one thing usually, but is almost invariably solidly above average as a total package.
 
I've owned two and driven many others over the years.

None were anything spectacular IMO. Honestly, I don't know why the automotive press gushes over them. I guess compared to a Camry though practically anything made in Germany would look like a diamond.
 
I agree with PricklyPete.

Design of late is meh. Many other brands are more attractive (Audi). Interior fit and finish is high but quality and layout does not rival Audi. They are expensive to own and maintain and are not worry free in terms of maintenance. That said, when you sit in one, turn the ignition key, get comfy, and go for a drive, there is a magic behind the wheel that I have never experienced with any other luxury brand that I have driven, including Mercedes, Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti. (I have yet to drive an Audi.)

The only thing that has come close to driving like a BMW is the Mazda Miata. But of course in the case of the Miata, that "solid" BMW feel and interior amenities are not there.
 
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