Well, here goes.....I couldn't tell you anything about older BMW's except 7 series....which my dad has driven since around 92. What you said was that BMW M division was originally there to bring "super" cars to "ordinary" people. Isn't that what the M3 does? An M3 coupe...at base price is $48,000 and change. That is FULLY accessible to ordinary people. By ordinary I mean people who can't shell out $75,000 for a Porsche 911. I also don't really agree with what you said about the new M5.cgalves wrote:DAMNIT, a whole thread devoted to M5's and I didnt notice?? WHAT THE FUCK!
Anyways, I, like JKanter, love BMW's. I do however, feel as if the latter 3 and 5 series arent nearly as driver oriented as those of the early 90's, but they are truly unparalleled driving machines. I do feel, however, as if the new V-10 M5 in some ways defeats the original purpose of the car. The M Motorsport division was originally founded for BMW's racing, and they then started producing superordinary cars for "ordinary" people. The original M535i of the 80's was the quintissential Q car, meaning fast car in disguise. BMW did this extraordinary car out of a 6 naturally aspirated 6 cylinder no less, and had around 280 hp. The new M5, although it is made out of an aluminum space frame, has a huge V-10 which according to numerous sources will make the large Bimmer understear like woah in the handling department. The current BMW, although a little outdated, is still perfectly fine. A little more hp and a little less weight would put it on top again. And honestly, I deem it a little unnecessary for such a big engine in such a perfect car already. And on the BMW / Mercedes analogy, I view BMW as superior in every aspect. Although not as close rivals as they seem (Bmw's biggest rival, since Day 1, believe it or not, is actually Porsche (see M3 vs. 911), Mercedes have never been performance oriented automobiles. Their recipe for success consists of stuffing a huge supercharged engine into an antiquated chassis and slapping on numerous comfort amenities and a DVD screen. BMW is expert tuners, have never resorted to the use of forced air induction, and have always extracted every last hp out of every last cubic inch of engine. And then the amazing handling department. Enough said.
Newer BMW's sadly enough disappoint me in the technology department, especially the new I'drive in the 745. Although it is intuitive and may very well be the "wave of the future" it is awkwardly clumsy and difficult to navigate. In order to change radio stations to a station not in memory, it requires something ridiculous like 7 different commands! But regardless, these are amazing automobiles. I will not own the new or newer M5 anytime soon though ... my first M car will either be an 87 DINAN M5 or '93 Dinan M5. I once detailed an 87 Dinan M5 with a claimed 400hp and over 400,000 miles on the odometer and it was still running strong .... the cosmetics of course were shot. The owner was going to turn it into a race car when it passed 500,000 miles. Those engines are truly bulletproof. Good god I think I just made a mess talking about the Dinan. And speaking of ridiculousness, Alpina modified the E34 M5 and put twin turbochargers .. the result is the ALpina E34 Biturbo and a top speed of 183 (thanks to the rev limiter).
Haha, and as for what I drive, my first car was a 93 Nis 240sx that was sadly totaled at the hands of my sister. I now drive a Scirocco 16v aka 944 beater 8) haha. Very very soon though ... upon graduation at UNC I will soon own an M5. Soon ...
BMW > Mercedes.
What's wrong with sticking a V-10 engine in the M5? They aren't supercharging the the engine....they aren't adding turbo's....all they are doing is upgrading the engine. It's just natural progression that as things grow....so much the technology inside them. What you said about the Merecedes is spot on and it goes for Audi and Jaguar too. They stuff supercharged and turbo engines in their regular cars. There's nothing special about that. Anyone can supercharge/turbo an engine(although I'm sure they do it better than most)....while not many do with regular engines what BMW does.
As for the I-Drive technology, my dad owns a 745i and I've had many-a-hours toying with the device. I must say it isn't as bad as everyone states. What you said about the radio station is true....but if you know what your doing...you can do it in about 3 seconds. The car also has 12 preset's times 2(I believe)...obviously not including AM stations. Now please, PLEASE tell me that you listen to more than 12 different radio stations. Ok, so let's say you travel somwhere...that's understandable but then again, you should only really be listening to one station that might not be on your list...especially if it's a foreign place(foreign as in not your home). Of course there is also a 6 CD player that is "in-dash" above the glove compartment and then a single CD player actually in dash in case someone brings a CD or something.
I can't get into it all but the truth of the matter is that most of the public just isn't ready for/or able to handle the iDrive. It's honestly a very good piece of equipment but it has it's flaws. That's why the dumbed it down for the new 5 series and 6 series(my dad's getting that as his next car.....oh yaeh baby, finally an "upscale" BMW 2 door convertible).
I think what it comes down to, and what we both agree on, is this.......BMW's kick all other normal producation cars asses(other than Porsche....which is only ahead slightly and are basically pure sports cars) and the M5 is the greatest production car in teh world. And yes, the new one will be even better(I say that at least).
P.S. When you get out of UNC you will be getting an M5? Is this graduate school? I would assume you got a nice cushy job is your saying your going to have one. Or is this just like me saynig I will have my M3 when I graduate....by that I mean within 5yrs. Can I come with you to South Carolina for the training session? PLEASE!
) but I doubt that will happen. I can dream though cant I?