BMW has not lost their way

"AM3R shamefully returns " (am3rshamefullyreturns)
08/18/2015 at 14:24 • Filed to: BMW

They still make the ultimate driving machine. The BMW X5 M hits 60 in 3.8 seconds and runs the quarter mile in only 12.3 seconds. But speed isn’t everything, this is oppo after all. The REAL noteworthy thing is the .96g skidpad number, literally putting it into a class of sports cars. Am I the only one impressed by this?

I’ve driven an E70 X5 M and I can genuinely say it drove incredibly well. The handling was great, in my opinion better than the Cayenne GTS (but that can be had with 3 pedals so it’s a winner in my book).

DISCUSSION (32)

djmt1 > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:30

I’m curious as to what is like to drive one of those big 4x4s. The first car I ever drove on track was a E63 AMG and it was amazing. I don’t know what it is but I seem to enjoy battling against inertia.

LongbowMkII > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:34

Driving isn’t 0-60 and skidpad numbers. a beaten 2002 toyota camry on 305 Michelin pilot sports cup can put up grip numbers.

AM3R shamefully returns > djmt1
08/18/2015 at 14:35

I took an E70 X5 M on my usual back roads once, I know it’s cliche to say “it handles like a taller car!” But it really did feel like a taller 5 series. It hid it's weight incredibly well and body roll was at a minimum. For the price though.. I think I'd take a new E63 AMG wagon :)

Sneaky Pete > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:35

Those are extremely impressive numbers, but I think slalom speed is more indicative of handling process than skidpad. I feel skidpad is more indicative or tire performance.

HammerheadFistpunch > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:36

Impressed? not really. Turbo technology and tire technology is what is to thank. We live in an age of “throw enough boost and rubber at the problem” is the solution. And while I appreciate this Paula Deen add-butter-and-sugar approach I can’t say that its the right thing for my body or soul. Its a treat, but its no substitute for delicate cuisine.

Shankems > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:38

Sticky + wide tires on modern “sporting” stuff always gets near 1g (sustained) no matter how large a vehicle. Slalom speed is what is going to really tell you how much of a weight penalty there is (if any).

This is why I am personally never quite sold on the Miata and BRZ type vehicles. If the 4000lb competition can handle as well and is two to three times as powerful, why would you buy the small sports car?

PS. I have watched a Cayenne Turbo hot lapping Lime Rock Park. It was super cool.

jjhats > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:39

will bmw ever race this truck?

A: No

Bmw used to build m cars so they could race. they were race cars for the street and acyually had motorsports pedigree in them. This is a great car but shouldnt wear an m badge. Additionally the people who buy this type of car are not driving enthusiasts and thus by dilluting their brand they are ruining the m label

Milky > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:39

Can you recall the tire size?

I remember talking with a Autoblog journalist about it and he said beyond stupid fast there wasn’t much to it. Then I saw the tires and was like “holy shit this thing better grip”.

AM3R shamefully returns > LongbowMkII
08/18/2015 at 14:40

And this is a completely stock SUV you can buy at a dealership. Driving is about fun, I know that. This is a fun to drive SUV that has incredible performance.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > HammerheadFistpunch
08/18/2015 at 14:42

Pretty much all this is my distaste for the future of performance cars in general. Boost this and add rubber to that and dial in more boost for this and that, just meh and boring to me. Not that I’ll ever be able to afford any of it.

AM3R shamefully returns > Milky
08/18/2015 at 14:45

Stock sizes are 285/35 front and 325/30 rear. Seeing the massive rear tires in person is pretty interesting.

LongbowMkII > Shankems
08/18/2015 at 14:49

because the BRZ and ND are on the equivalent of prius tires from the factory. This is more fun as you don’t need to be in “go straight to jail” speeds to have some chassis feedback.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:55

BMW HAS lost their way. Yes it’s fast and has high cornering grip. What it lacks is any semblance of feel. The X5 is a porky, overweight thing that has no business being mentioned in the same breath as an E30. It has fake engine noise, numb steering, and safety nannies at every corner. And yes, I have driven one. Was not impressed.

Every new car is fast. I recently drove a Ford Edge that can outrun most sports cars from a few decades ago. What people are complaining about is not that BMW’s are slow and wobbly. (They’re not) But that they’ve shamelessly followed the yuppy market with no regard for the core values that made them a success in the 80’s.

Milky > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 14:58

Kinja'd!!!

obligatory

I remember watching a review of the P1 where they stated its a “road car for the road”. Just for whatever that car has 245 & 315 tires. Hell, my 275s already annoy me on my daily commute on a few certain roads. I’ll pass on 325s

Baber K. Khan > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 15:31

The exercising pages could use the BMWs now.

If you work hard enough, you can turn from this:

Normal-bloated-BMW-X5.jpg

To this:

bloatness-shredded-BMW-X5M.jpg

So join our 15 day program and gain amazing benefits and you know that they are just talking shit.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 15:36

I'm assuming you got these numbers from the C/D test of the X5 M. What I though was most interesting was the fact that it was better in just about every performance metric than the 4C Spider they tested earlier in the week.

911e46z06 > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 15:50

What used to make bmw great was that every single model they made was great to drive. Now you have to get up around 100 grand before you find anything you can drive without pulling over to take a nap. That’s why they’ve lost their way. The top of the range has always been great.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 15:54

Here’s my thing: as stupid as some of the stuff BMW is doing now is, I don’t think they’ve lost their way. When they become the next Acura/Lincoln, then they’ve lost their way. However, as with literally everything, those who stubbornly believe a certain way cannot be swayed by any amount of evidence to the contrary.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > HammerheadFistpunch
08/18/2015 at 16:02

They still sell the 320i. I would love to upgrade to one when it comes time for the dadmobile.

AM3R shamefully returns > Sneaky Pete
08/18/2015 at 16:07

I didn’t want to put the slalom number down because I haven’t found one solid answer but the consensus is low/mid 60’s, usually around 63.

Bill Caswell > AM3R shamefully returns
08/18/2015 at 16:50

The MX5 or X5M is a pretty cool SUV, but using it as a reason to say BMW hasn’t lost its way is kind of funny, especially when motortrend just ranked the M3 third in class behind the AMG and Cadillac. Randy Pobst even drove them on track and agreed. Kind of a sad time for BMW.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/seda…

Your title is almost comical because the M3 was their way, but now its about SUVs, and minivans. They have definitely “lost their way”

AM3R shamefully returns > Bill Caswell
08/18/2015 at 23:28

Wasn’t saying the X5 M is what is “saving” BMW or anything like that, just bringing up that even one of their most mundane cars has an extreme level of performance, showing that BMW still does car about making cars that enthusiasts want to drive.

Vicente Esteve > HammerheadFistpunch
08/18/2015 at 23:52

^that.

Bill Caswell > AM3R shamefully returns
08/23/2015 at 22:30

Maybe they should find a way to actually make the enthusiast cars that the enthusiast want to drive. The new M3 is rated lower than the Mercedes and the Cadillac. Thats pretty sad. They do make a mini van for driving enthusiasts. I would be happy if they could simply build a car that’s capable of winning at the Nurburgring. http://buildraceparty.com/bmw-loses-at-t…

Bill Caswell > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
08/23/2015 at 22:32

Well said Cletus44 aka Clayton Seams

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Bill Caswell
08/23/2015 at 22:41

Bill fucking Caswell. You’ve been missed around here, dude

AM3R shamefully returns > Bill Caswell
08/24/2015 at 00:08

You’re right, as an enthusiast I don’t want to drive a car unless it is the fastest in its class on the ring and wins all the comparison tests! I saw the C&D tests.. Gonna sell the competition package E92 M3 I bought my dad last year.. Lol

Drivers cars are not all about lap times. The C63 has more HP, I’ve been hearing the ATS-V can out handle the M3/4. Cool! Great time to be an enthusiast, lots of choices. In motorsports, the Z4 is a little aged now. I’m not huge into motorsports but I’m excited to see how the M6 GT3 will be. Maybe it’ll put BMW back on top?

Oh, and here’s the results from the C&D test between the ATS-V, M3, and C63 S. Look who’s on top ;)

Kinja'd!!!

Bill Caswell > AM3R shamefully returns
08/24/2015 at 01:12

Thats funny. Driver comfort. rear seat space. trunk space. as tested price. Ergonomics. Flexibility. Fuel economy. rebates/extras. Interior styling. Exterior styling. Really? Its on top? Maybe as a luxury car. It lost on steering feel, brake feel, was tied with the AMG on handling and lost against the Cadillac which goes against the entire Motortrend review with Randy Pobst and the lap time comparison. I would say its hardly on top as an enthusiast car. Those days are gone. BMW has lost its way.

AM3R shamefully returns > Bill Caswell
08/24/2015 at 01:39

This is all relative, these are all incredibly capable performance cars. Just because it didn’t get first place, it doesn’t handle well? Go drive one and tell me that. BMW doesn’t have to be on top for them to not be “lost”.

Give me a break, I can go to my local BMW dealership and buy a manual RWD car with a performance suspension for around $35k. Hell, they have a decent selection of manual RWD 3 series in the current new inventory. Benz dealer? Good luck finding a non 4matic C300. Cadillac? I’m very impressed by the ATS chassis.. I really want to drive a manual ATS coupe. I loved the manual CTS-V I test drove. I might have picked one up if the dealer didn’t just have one in a boring color combo. Too bad all the caddy dealers are still trying to cater to their soccer mom escalade buyers. There isn’t a single manual car currently at my local caddy dealership. So yeah, I don’t think BMW has lost their way. As an enthusiast I can pick up a daily driver that handles well and offers a RWD, manual platform. Cadillac is definitely getting there, and I’m loving how good they are making their cars. All it means is that BMW will have to do better.

FWIW, I have a W204 C300 and an E90 328i that I both daily drive. C300 is better interior/exterior but the 328i is just sublime to drive.

Bill Caswell > AM3R shamefully returns
08/24/2015 at 17:43

You should go reread the Motortrend article. Talking about the cars at the limit and how easy the Mercedes was to drive flat out - that on public streets the BMW was left enjoyable to drive and then at the track was a second behind the mercedes which is an eternity on a 2 mile circuit. This is the first time that a new M3 has been beaten by its competition. Times are changing for BMW and its not good for us enthusiasts. As commuter cars they’re pretty nice. But compared to the competition in performance, they are no longer number one like they used to be for the past 20 years. Then factor in their losing street at the Nurburgring 24hrs which they dominated for like 15 years in a row and its pretty easy to make a case for BMW losing its way. The fact that they have a manual doesn’t really mean anything. You do know Porsche dropped it all together its real cars and they spank the BMWs non stop.

And the E90 is good car. Still has a hydraulic steering rack. I take it you haven’t tried any of the new ones with electric steering?

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > AM3R shamefully returns
11/05/2015 at 17:27

I drove an X5 diesel around a local city and I gotta say, she drives and handles nice.

I just wish the car would tell me seconds before it shuts its engine off at a red light, not turning the light on and disabling the engine at the same time.

AM3R shamefully returns > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
11/05/2015 at 17:44

I've experienced that start stop feature driving my friends X1, I'm not a fan at all. I turned it off for the rest of the ride.