"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
04/21/2014 at 23:27 • Filed to: None | 4 | 31 |
The Audi "feels like the better balanced and livelier car".
"
The BMW's numbness saps driver confidence
, as the car doesn't provide enough information to form a complete picture of what's happening at the tires."
"BMW is going soft on its old priorities, just as others are zeroing in."
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Very frustrating to read these words written about a brand with such an incredible back catalog... At least the M235i seems to be universally loved.
Interested to read the first reviews and tests of the new M3/4.
Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/21/2014 at 23:32 | 2 |
I feel like the switch to the Fxx chassis code marked the end of the enthusiast's BMW. The Exx we're the performance oriented cars with a bit of luxury, the Fxx cars are luxury with a bit of sport. It's sad really. They've lost their core values. When Cadillac's are driving better than a BMW, you know something is screwed up.
Vicente Esteve
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/21/2014 at 23:54 | 1 |
Its really sad that in the future when I hopefully could afford a brand new BMW it has gone all numb and soft. I feel like I was born in their least enthusiast-like generations with all the Activetourer X-drive eco-pro twin power sound symphoser crap.
Soloburrito
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 00:00 | 5 |
"We had a $16,890 Mitsubishi Mirage in the office immediately prior to this comparison test, and we found ourselves marveling at what the Mitsu had that the BMW didn’t: navigation, Bluetooth audio, a backup camera. These things may not be necessities in life, but they are awfully close to necessities in a $57,225 car. "
I laughed.
E92M3
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 00:25 | 1 |
Agreed. Unfortunately selling comfortable luxury cars is easier than selling sporty luxury cars that communicate to the driver. The only communication 90% of drivers want while driving today is thru their smart phone. BMW has always had sportier handling compared to Benz, Lexus, Audi, etc. Now they are going softer, and everyone else is going sportier. The fact that Audi can hang the engine in front of the front axles, and use an AWD system while providing better feel says a lot. Image what they could do with a RWD only car that has good weight distribution.
Manuél Ferrari
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 01:14 | 2 |
Don't worry, I'm sure the S5's replacement will be larger and more numb to catch up with the 435i :P
That is seriously depressing that they liked the S5 more than the 435i. I test drove an S4 with the same engine as the S5 and I was not impressed. It was kind of "nifty" but I would never spend money on it. Driving it felt like driving a car in a video game. The steering was way too artificial feeling no matter how much I adjusted it. The whole car just felt digital. I was disappoint.
BKRM3
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 06:48 | 1 |
Ouch. But I'm glad they said it.
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 07:23 | 0 |
Having driven an F30 320i Jalopnik Pack when I was shopping for a car, it is numb. Granted it wasn't as communicative as say, the old 3er, it was about on par with a late 90s MB E Class.
So why did I end up not buying it? I'm not a fan of the looks, and it doesn't make you feel that special anymore. Which I suppose is a good thing. The dynamics are also a bit funny, but remember I was driving a 99 E Class and an E85 Z4.
So I bought a Mini. If the Mini is what BMW is able to do with front drive, then there really isn't much to fret over, since it is a slightly more lively VW GTI (and smaller. But not 500 Abarch small).
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Manuél Ferrari
04/22/2014 at 08:41 | 1 |
Ha! Seems like everything's going that way...
PS9
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 08:56 | 0 |
This review begged the question, but the stats page gave me an immediate answer.
The 2 series exists because the 3-cum-4 series is big enough to be a GT now. :(
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> PS9
04/22/2014 at 09:00 | 0 |
I think I read that the new 3-series is just as large as the E39 5-series.
Model bloat - not just more of them, they're all bigger, too!
yamahog
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 09:10 | 1 |
It seems like everything's going that way... The 13 Mustang has a longer and wider footprint than my 97 Cherokee. Mine's lifted and still feels smaller than most newer cars on the road today.
PS9
> yamahog
04/22/2014 at 09:13 | 0 |
Really? Aww man. :(
Is there a weight watchers for cars?
Übel
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 09:14 | 1 |
Fun fact: The Chevy Sonic, a subcompact, is the same size as a MkIV Golf. Basically every class has gone up a class.
yamahog
> PS9
04/22/2014 at 09:17 | 0 |
if you find one, let the Challenger know!
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> PS9
04/22/2014 at 09:18 | 0 |
The ghost of Colin Chapman weeps.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Übel
04/22/2014 at 09:18 | 0 |
Yeah, I know. Doesn't mean we have to like it - ha!
Party-vi
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 09:18 | 0 |
AWD performance variant of a car built since 2007
RWD non-performance variant of a car just released
Who the fuck thought this was a good comparison? I think the A5 3.2 would have been a more apt comparison but Audi quit making it available with that V6. This is like comparing an E550 to an M5.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Party-vi
04/22/2014 at 09:24 | 0 |
They cost the same, and compete for sales in the marketplace.
The 435i is the mid-level performance variant for BMW, until they release the M435i. The S4/5 does not match up with the M3; that's the challenge of the RS4/5 .
The 335i and S4/5 have been compared for several years, and the old 335i often came out ahead in those tests.
Party-vi
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 09:43 | 0 |
It doesn't make sense to me - why would you compare the advertised performance-variant of a vehicle to a non-performance variant competitor unless you wanted a sure victory? M4 and RS5 - good comparison. S5 and M435i - good comparison. S5 and 435i - silly comparison.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Party-vi
04/22/2014 at 10:03 | 1 |
The 335i beat the S4/5 in plenty of earlier comparisons, so victory definitely wasn't assured.
Taking what you said above, an Audi S5 shouldn't, then, be compared with any current BMW? That also seems silly.
Party-vi
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 10:06 | 0 |
Any car can be compared to any other car, but I think until BMW releases the M435i it's going to be an apples-to-oranges comparison. Again, Audi says the S5 is a performance version of the A5. The 435i isn't the "performance version" of the 428i, it just has a more powerful engine and some extra options.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Party-vi
04/22/2014 at 10:23 | 0 |
More than just a powerful engine, in this case:
"We figured the 4 would be indomitable in any comparo, but because we wanted to put its best foot forward, we lined up the baddest example available—a 435i with the $3100 M Sport package, which includes firmer dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars . The $1000 Dynamic Handling pack adds variable-ratio steering and adjustable dampers ."
I am interested to see what they can do with the M435i, especially since the M235i is getting so much love.
Party-vi
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 10:31 | 0 |
Understood - they wanted the most beefed-up example they could get to go against the S5.
The M435i needs to be the step between the 435i and M4 in terms of power (and should probably have more than the M235i). I would guess something in the 360hp range.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Party-vi
04/22/2014 at 10:40 | 0 |
The 335is made 20 horses and 32 pound-feet (70 extra pound-feet for short bursts of overboost) more than the same engine in the 335i. As I understand it, the M-Sport models are a replacement for the old "is" line.
Party-vi
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 10:42 | 1 |
Huh. Did not know that. Also it's been so long since BMW had the iS models why bring it back for a few years and then change the name again? Last time was for the E36 cars, then we skipped the E46 generation and finally brought it back late in the E90's life cycle.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Party-vi
04/22/2014 at 10:56 | 0 |
BMW's product planning in recent years has been the definition of irrational.
This is a 2-series: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2015-bmw-…
Party-vi
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 11:14 | 0 |
The Bavarian roundel is slowly morphing into a three-point star...
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Party-vi
04/22/2014 at 11:30 | 0 |
You know, Honda lost its way when it starting chasing Toyota. Seems like the same thing is happening to BMW in its pursuit of sales dominance over Mercedes/Audi.
Party-vi
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 11:34 | 0 |
If I were going to pick a new German luxury car to buy today (within reason) I'd probably grab an S4. The new 3-Series does nothing for me, I've never been a fan of the C-Class and the S4 is just the right level of fun to almost get me in trouble but keep my license clean. The only drawback to getting an Audi is that they all look the same now, save for the gorgeous A7. Mmm A7 *drool*.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Party-vi
04/22/2014 at 11:58 | 2 |
Yes. A7/S7/RS7. So hot. I sat in an S7 at the auto show - it even smelled incredible...
If I ever lose my left leg, I'll be driving one of those (or an F-Type).
Manuél Ferrari
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 13:32 | 1 |
It's so sad. Good thing Alfa is bringing us a car with no power steering. If only it had an MT option then it would be a total throwback!