Seven Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 I don't find iDrive hard to use but rather useless to have. Like you were confirming, you still take the conventional quick step route to get to all of your interior features and work around the iDrive. The M5 has an awesome motor, but you're stuck with the SMG transmission and the interior and exterior styling is subjective. You're almost better off saving the 20grand and purchasing a 550i and then throwing down 4 grand to get better performance numbers. At least that way you get a 6 speed, and a motor that you're not scared to mess with (there was an article on M5 vs 550i in car and driver that was quite excellent on this matter). When/If BMW releases the M5 in Manual, then i'll have some more respect for the car as a whole, but the SMG really drags that car down a lot in my book (along with the M6). I see your point now. I'm just easily entranced with fancy doodads in cars. Speaking about fancy doodads, I'm reminded of that Top Gear episode where they asked to ride with a Mercedes engineer in the new S class to test how great the automatic emergency braking system was in foggy conditions. The car slowed down but still plowed into the back of the obstacle car! You can imagine the smartass remarks from the Top Gear crew... Yeah, the SMG is severely lacking. I hear that VW's DSG system is much more polished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Yeah, the SMG is severely lacking. I hear that VW's DSG system is much more polished. Porsche is supposed to have one that's top notch too in their new 911 Turbo; I still prefer having a manual transmission, there's something about the setup that gives you an almost spiritual connection to your vehicle that you don't get with the autos (no matter how fancy the three letter acronym is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poonman Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 exterior styling is subjective. i find the 5 to be the most beautiful car on the road. still gets a small "wow" out of me everytime I see one. and don't even get me started on the M5. Right out of the box the 335i is a Supra killer, and at 40grand it debut at 10grand less than the Supra did 14 years ago, i'm just waiting for some aftermarket shops to start turning ridiculous numbers from this car. "Supra killer" yippie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladic Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 whats better a mazda6 or an eclipse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poonman Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 neither. a bunch of the new Eclipse's were DOA because the batteries were leaking acid on the freakin lots right after they were released. its probably why you only see them on the raod once in a blue moon. unlike the old ones which are probably the second most common car behind a civic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 (edited) "Supra killer" yippie The idea isn't to glorify the supra but to compare it to the only car that's in its class since they both have identical engines and layouts. Personally i find the 5 series to be okay, it doesn't scream sofistication like the previous body design did. The whole rear end looks no better than a Camry's, but i really enjoy the contour lines and the more agressive front bumper. The head lights look like they were jacked from an accord and the tail lights looked like they were jacked from an Impreza and put little "horns" on the tips of both. The M with it's more aggressive styling and the fender accents definitely improves the overall design a LOT but i'm still not feeling the head/tail light design for such an expensive automobile. It definitely doesn't evoke any kind of "wow" from me, but whatever floats your boat. Oh.. and an Eclipse and a 6 shouldn't even be compared, the eclipse is barely a car where as the 6 is a well built and reliable sedan with the option of being a very nice and zippy street car. Edited October 18, 2006 by emajnthis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poonman Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 I think its more like Bangle did it first ====> then all the Japanese cars you compared it to. its what they do best afterall.... ripping off the Germans and making it more cheaper and reliable as far as styling is concerned the germans have always lead the pack then all the Lexus' and Honda's of the world have followed suit several months later with their own homoginized versions of "two tone tailights" "dual lens headlight configurations" and "flame licked orgami lines". for half the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Personally i find the 5 series to be okay, it doesn't scream sofistication like the previous body design did. The whole rear end looks no better than a Camry's, but i really enjoy the contour lines and the more agressive front bumper. The head lights look like they were jacked from an accord and the tail lights looked like they were jacked from an Impreza and put little "horns" on the tips of both. Aaauugh, the indignity!!! - coming from a current 5 series owner. Anyways, my mouth did water when I heard about the sequential twin turbo inline 6 in the new 3 series coupe. That's going to be butter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 You know, Edwin happens to know a few things. And one of dose tings Edwin knows is - it's not how you stand by your car, it's how you race your car. You better learn dat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowlightman Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 whats better a mazda6 or an eclipse? Mazda6, by a considerable margin. My Mom bought one a a little over a year ago and it's a great car. The Eclipse has the unfortnate distinction of being a Mitsubishi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaijin Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Mazda6, by a considerable margin. My Mom bought one a a little over a year ago and it's a great car. The Eclipse has the unfortnate distinction of being a Mitsubishi. The Eclipse was cool in it's first 2 generations...it has now been "eclipsed" by most others now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poonman Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 zing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retracting Head Ter Ter Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 . All aluminum 3.0liter Inline 6 direct injected twin turbo with variable cam timing running at a conservative 8psi of boost, already shows better potential than the sought after 2JZ-GTE motor with its port injected cast iron block. I think the block used is the older non-valvetronic Iron block. Might be wrong though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 (edited) I think the block used is the older non-valvetronic Iron block. Might be wrong though. If it was the old cast iron block i wouldn't have cared for it, but it's definitely been confirmed as an all aluminum block with variable cam timing, which does provoke drooling *also; sorry for the harsh criticism of the new 5 series, i just have a deeper attachment to the previous design and the feel it evokes. The 5 series styling looks great with the M5 (and even the 550i) because it has that more agressive stance and wheels that fill up the fenders and gives you the feeling of a fast vehicle, but just doesn't look civil or sophisticated like european cars tend to look. The three series is the opposite, where the sedan looks absolutely amazing and agressive and the coupe looks terribly bland. Edited October 19, 2006 by emajnthis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retracting Head Ter Ter Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 If it was the old cast iron block i wouldn't have cared for it, but it's definitely been confirmed as an all aluminum block with variable cam timing, which does provoke drooling Ok I am not sure if its iron. But its definitely not the same material as the aluminium-magnesium block used in the 330i valvetronic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 (edited) It's definitely not the aluminum magnesium block. I read a huge article in car & Driver and every other auto magazine that stated that the alum-magn block wasn't strong enough to withstand the extra stresses caused from the turbocharger. BMW instead went to an all aluminum (not sure if its cast or forged, but either way it's strong enough for turbo charging) block which weighs just a little bit more, but is a LOT stronger and certainly weighs much less than a cast iron block. Also if i remember right it's only variable cam on the intake stroke (like most cars), but i have to dig up the articles that mentioned it more in detail to be sure. Edited October 19, 2006 by emajnthis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retracting Head Ter Ter Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Is it variocam on both lift and duration? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poonman Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 The three series is the opposite, where the sedan looks absolutely amazing and agressive and the coupe looks terribly bland. yeah I know what you mean.... I live in San Diego and have seen all but one... I saw one in Tucson, AZ two months ago of all places before even seeing one in SoCal (which seems crazy to me) so maybe the "ho hum" styling of the coupe is the reason for this. atleast I know the one I saw just looked... ok. not enough of the sharp lines that the sedan has I guess... and while the taillights kinda reminded me of the ones the updated 7 series got the whole backend just looked real boring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 (edited) Here's the specs from car and driver on the 335i Sedan, which is incidentally faster than the lighter 335i coupe (My guess is the Sedan has better weight distr. and a more rigid chassis). Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan Price as tested: $44,445 (base price: $39,395) Engine type: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection Displacement: 182 cu in, 2979cc Power (SAE net): 300 bhp @ 5800 rpm Torque (SAE net): 300 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Wheelbase: 108.7 in Length/width/height: 178.2/71.5/55.9 in Curb weight: 3616 lb Zero to 60 mph: 4.8 sec Zero to 100 mph: 11.8 sec Zero to 140 mph: 26.1 sec Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec Standing ¼-mile: 13.5 sec @ 106 mph Top speed (governor limited): 145 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 g EPA fuel economy, city/highway: 19/28 mpg (C/D est) http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests...335i-sedan.html The article doesn't mention what VVT technology they're using, but i was able to pick it out at road and track. It has VANOS variable camshaft timing, though it does without the valvetronic variable valve lift seen on the N52. http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?se...article_id=3948 There really aren't a lot of turbo cars (i can think of only one) that come with variable valve lift control, so this isn't a big stink. * and my thoughts on the coupe body were exactly what poonman thought; they fixed the tail lights but then everything else became bland in the process Edited October 19, 2006 by emajnthis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Seriously, 0 - 60 in 4.8 seconds with a street start 5 - 60 of 5.6 seconds?!!! That's faster than my RX7! Wow, to be blazing fast AND have the German sophistication and luxury... that's great. The pricetag is where it gives me pause, but it looks like you get what you pay for. Oh and Emajnthis, I don't mind at all your criticism of the current 5 series, I do realize everyone has different tastes and at least we can talk about it without resorting to the usual tired internet bickering. It's not like you walked up to my house and egged my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poonman Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 yeah that sticker price is CRAZY.... cars are getting to be so freakin expensive these days.... I for one know that driving a shiny new beemer is not worth lowering my living standards in other areas like getting a cheaper apartment etc. Its the "socal" way to live ghetto fabulous... live in a crap apartment/house in the south bay or have five roomates and drive a new car but I refuse to live like that. eventually one day when I'm making tons of cash I'll have it all but until then I don't see how having a car payment thats almost as much as my rent would be worth it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Seriously, 0 - 60 in 4.8 seconds with a street start 5 - 60 of 5.6 seconds?!!! That's faster than my RX7! Wow, to be blazing fast AND have the German sophistication and luxury... that's great. The pricetag is where it gives me pause, but it looks like you get what you pay for. Oh and Emajnthis, I don't mind at all your criticism of the current 5 series, I do realize everyone has different tastes and at least we can talk about it without resorting to the usual tired internet bickering. It's not like you walked up to my house and egged my car. I couldn't believe the numbers when i saw them either, i expected the beemer to be good but not that good, which is why i have kind of been hot on the heels of its progress. I still think its funny how its standing times are better than its rolling times because of the conservative setup they're using. It's always good to be able to give an opinion on something and not have everyone come down on you like a ton of bricks, it really lets you appreciate that there are still some well informed auto enthusiasts left in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retracting Head Ter Ter Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 It's not like you walked up to my house and egged my car. Maybe if he had your address? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Maybe if he had your address? I would probably steal his RX-7 instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 I would probably steal his RX-7 instead LOL, you can try, but it hasn't run in half a year and has all sorts of parts taken out. The problem is that whenever I get it almost running, I either have to take it apart again or install other parts I got tempted into buying. For example, after my latest batch of mods, I got a notification in the mail that I had to smog my car. So then I had to remove everything I just installed. *groan* Now, I've just been too busy to put things back together to go and take it in for a smog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 well....you could always move to a state that doenst do emissions testing.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poonman Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 (edited) this website is brilliant: http://www.wreckedexotics.com the write up on the whole Enzo crash in Malibu is downright fascinating. I could never imagine having enough money to own two Enzo's, an SLR, a 14 million dollar yacht and an estate in Bel-Air. in-freakin-sane Edited October 20, 2006 by Poonman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 i used to frequent that site, but it was always painful reading about some of the classic 60's exotics that were getting wrecked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beltane70 Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 well....you could always move to a state that doenst do emissions testing.... Such states exist? I live in NJ where our emissions testing is almost as bad as California's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 In VA it's very strict also, but some counties within a state (Spotsylvania county in VA) don't have emissions testing. In my county (Fairfax) we are not required to display a tax sticker on our windshield which just passed back in July Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 yep, here in Florida we haven't had it since the early nineties. Unfortunately it means that we have some really crappy cars on used car lots... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Tell me about it, I've seen plenty of RX7 and Supra owners out of Florida with turbos big enough to suck in racoons. They laugh at our California smog nazi laws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areaseven Posted October 22, 2006 Author Share Posted October 22, 2006 2003 SEAT Cupra GT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 ugly front end, nice ass end. since when did SEAT start making so many supercars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emajnthis Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 (edited) that car is terrible ugly; looks like a bugatti rip off... which is also a terribly ugly car. Edited October 23, 2006 by emajnthis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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