Let's Talk BMW.

"FromCanadaWithLove" (fromcanadawithlove) 11/12/2014 at 07:29 • Filed to: bmw, m235i, 550i, 328d, countersteer, oppositelock

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Yesterday's !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (?) on Jalopnik was a good one, but a few of the comments got me thinking.

A lot of commenters were banging on about how !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! And that there is "nothing good or special about them." A few people seemed to agree with this.

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I thought it would be good to look at BMW's line-up, and find what exactly is missing. I'm not going to go through every car, because the 3 Series GT doesn't deserve the light of day. Instead, I'm going to focus on what the enthusiast wants.

( Full Disclosure: Before you read on, know that I'm a BMW fanboy through-and-through. I daily drive an M235i, and my dream garage has space for an E26 M1, M2, i8, and of course a 3.0 CSL.)

2 Series

228i, M235i. Both of these are fun, well balanced cars, built for the enthusiast. The 228i happens to be the cheapest BMW on sale. The M235i has the power of the E92, but in a smaller, newer package. It can even !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in a short drag race.

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3 Series

BMW offers a diesel wagon in the States and Canada in the form of the 328d xDrive. You can also get it in Estoril Blue with the M Sport pack. If that's not the coolest, I don't know what is.

If wagons aren't your thing, you can get an entry-level, RWD, manual sports-sedan in the form of a 320i. I didn't even mention the 335i. Things are looking good so far...

4 Series

This is a 3 Series with less practicality and better looks. No wagon, unfortunately, but I think the Gran Coupe is actually pretty cool.

5 Series

You can get the 5 Series with engine from the F10 M5 in the body of a beige 550i. Ultimate sleeper status achieved.

6 Series

Consider it a 5 Series Coupe. Controversial Opinion: If you were to reincarnate the old E31 8 Series for today, it would be the 6 Series. Today's car shares more with the E31 than the E24. If you were to add a coupe more doors, then it would be the 6 Series Gran Goupe.

7 Series

I can't make an argument for the current 7 Series. The E38 used to be so cool, but I'm not sure what's up with the F01.

i Series

Top Gear just said !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or Jaguar F-Type R. If that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will.

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X Series

I don't really understand it, but there are plenty of Jalops that'll tell you how great the X5 M and X6 M are.

Z Series

The current Z4 is showing its age, but BMW just officially announced a partnership with Toyota to build the next Z car. It worked out well for the GT86 / FR-S / BRZ, so fingers crossed.

That lineup has just about every enthusiast box ticked. Is something missing? Let me know. I'd just like to put this "BMW is dead" stigma to rest.

Too many M's > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 07:52

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A lot of people are just disappointed that NEW cars aren't like an old car. Technology will always be improving and we will push the envelope of what we can to with it.

For all the people who cry "BMW has lost their way". Well that's just fine, there are tens of thousands of used BMWs that could meet your old school ways. I have three different generation M-cars because I believe each one has its own character and each has different/better features than the last. But I still like the feel of the old school equipment, so I went out and bought an older BMW to capture that. I didn't bitch and moan that there wasn't a new offering because they ALREADY DID IT!! It's like a band who only does their "Best Of" old hits, sometimes there's a song you can hear over and over but a lot of people will eventually get sick of it. So a new hit has to be written in order to survive. And of course, why most businesses exist, to make money.

BTW, in BMWs lineup there wouldn't be a 4er wagon. It's supposed to be "coupe" styling only ;) And the i8 is quite amazing. The sound is awesome for the 3-cyl it is.

Jobjoris > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 08:05

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Okay, let's talk BMW.

Instead, I'm going to focus on what the enthusiast wants.

Wait a minute, you don't think the enthousiast likes this:

Not saying it looks/is better than a 235i but these are fun as hell.

As a great admirer of the marque, having owned a few, restoring a 02 touring and having driven a lot of different ones frequently I can honestly say that I still love BMW. Still. But it's quite not the brand it used to be. The latest generation Z4 didn't rock my world as the first generation did, the E85 is simply a better driver's car. In the past, only die-hard fans of motoring ordered an optional lowered sport-suspension as the cars were dynamic by default but nowadays the optional sport-suspension is the one you'll need anyway if you want to have a bit of a dynamic car.

Globalization and a changing car-market made BMW softer. That's not a bad thing per se and I would still buy one as a daily in a heart-beat but no BMW of their current line-up will end up in my dream garage. Well, maybe that i8...

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 10:38

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The F01 and the F10 fiver have an identity crisis both have soft close doors, night vision, same engine options, auto trunk, camera packages, and sunshades. Back when the E38 and E39 were out both had different driving dynamics, and didn't have the same options. If they can bring back the sports set up of e39 to the all too cushy F10, I'll be pleased.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 11:26

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You forgot this 2-series (SMH)...

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehi…

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 11:29

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Reading that the M4 feels "cold and distant" is what concerns me about modern BMWs.

The M235i is a winner, for sure, I am excited to see what they can do with the M2, and clearly the i8 is brilliant for what it is, so there's still hope.

———-

Top Gear: "For those reasons and others, many people have declared the i8 to not be as good a sports car as the Porsche 911. And they're right. It's not as good at the traditional sports-car stuff as the 911."

What if I want a sports car that's good at the traditional sports-car stuff?

FromCanadaWithLove > Jobjoris 11/12/2014 at 11:39

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I love the M135i, I was just focusing on the NA line-up. No harm meant.

FromCanadaWithLove > Too many M's 11/12/2014 at 11:40

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Maybe a 4 Series wagon could be like the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake?

FromCanadaWithLove > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/12/2014 at 11:41

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I'm hoping that the BMW/Toyota partnership fills that void. The GT86 is definitely a traditional sports-car, so that's probably the best hope.

FromCanadaWithLove > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/12/2014 at 11:42

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I left a out a lot of cars, but I will never accept the 2AT. Thank god it isn't coming to NA.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 11:49

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Has that been confirmed? Only front-drive BMWs in the US will be MINIs?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 11:50

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Yes, let's hope. They really need another Z M...

Too many M's > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 12:03

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That could be cool....I'd be really into an M4 shooting brake.

Jobjoris > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 15:26

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No harm done! But what about my 'analysis' or rather, opinion?

FromCanadaWithLove > Jobjoris 11/12/2014 at 16:09

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I can definitely see where you're coming from, and it's true in a way. On the other hand, I think the same argument can be made for any brand. I completely agree on the Z4, though. There's nothing special about the current one (although I preferred the Z3 to the first Z4).

Jobjoris > FromCanadaWithLove 11/12/2014 at 17:32

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Well, that Z3 gives me mixed feelings. We had that 1.9 4-banger over here as well and nothing is more pathetic then being humiliated on a twisty bended road by an Alfa 147 diesel using it's torque... Rode shotgun in a Z3 Clownshoe (3.0) on the Nordschleife that restored my faith in it but the Z4 E85 is a car I still miss. Should have never sold that one.

They're getting dead cheap over here though so I won't be surprised I'll end up with one again.