The Car Thread ... !

[iLog.Genius]

Man I'm not so sure I agree with this. The 2 series is probably the best car BMW is building now since it's basically what the 3 was before it got fat and bloated like everything else on the road.

Agreed. Been having gone through 3 generations of the 3-Series (E30, E46 and E90), the 3-Series isn't a 3-Series to the enthusiast anymore. It's still a great car overall as it always has been but the emphasis on driving is not there. The 2-Series because of its size has now become what the 3-Series has been, fun.

As for the all 20i BMW's, sad to say, but I can argue that they are "more BMW" than the 28i's and 35i's. 320i w/ manual transmission, sport/performance package, xenons and if you live in cold climates, heated front seat all for $36k. Throw in any of the various tuning kits out there, you're still looking at just below $40k before taxes. Best part? the 320i saves you 300-400lbs over there 335i (est. 3280 vs. 3600lbs). If you're looking to get close to what BMW used to be, the 320i is the closest you'll get. Of course if you need the bells and whistles, the 335i and to a lesser extent, 328i are your only options and finding that old BMW feel is moot or irrelevant.

Again, getting to experience an E30, E46 and E90, none of those cars really had or offered anything special in terms of options (iDrive in the E90 being the most significant) so I never really cared for all the electronic toys found in today's BMW's. If I suddenly lost my E90, I would have absolutely no problem picking up a 320i mentioned above to replace it. Sure having an I4 instead of BMW's legendary straight-six would suck but I would sacrifice that if I didn't have to be annoyed with all the options and weight. Just my opinion.

 

[puma1552]

Also, any BMW ending with a 20i. For example, the 320i is not a real three series. It's a really weak detuned engine.

As for the all 20i BMW's, sad to say, but I can argue that they are "more BMW" than the 28i's and 35i's. 320i w/ manual transmission, sport/performance package, xenons and if you live in cold climates, heated front seat all for $36k. Throw in any of the various tuning kits out there, you're still looking at just below $40k before taxes. Best part? the 320i saves you 300-400lbs over there 335i (est. 3280 vs. 3600lbs). If you're looking to get close to what BMW used to be, the 320i is the closest you'll get. Of course if you need the bells and whistles, the 335i and to a lesser extent, 328i are your only options and finding that old BMW feel is moot or irrelevant.

Funny, I literally quoted Austin with the intention of saying exactly what you did of the 320i.

If you know BMW, you know a 320i, RWD, manual, sport package (and xenons just because selling anything with halogens today should be a crime) is probably the purest, truest to roots 3 you could buy today. No silky six, but still the most visceral 3. I seriously considered that and a 228 Msport with a few goodies when shopping my 5.0. End of the day I wanted in on the prime of the muscle cars before they disappear again and figured it was my last chance before needing a family hauler so the 5.0 won.

No shame in a lightly but correctly optioned 320i. None whatsoever.

 

[D.T.]

in other news i went dealer snooping last night and my old favorite ford dealer continues to leave new cars unlocked after hours so i sat in a new '15 GT premium and i gotta say the interior quality blew me away - i knew the interior was awesome but sitting in it it really felt like a car twice the price. ford has a serious grand slam on its hands with the new GT

Damn. I finally got some time to check out a new GT, and while I'm still pretty enamored with a GT500, the new car is a major step up on the interior. It's not like the GT500 is _bad_, but comparatively it's like the Corvette C6 to C7.

So many things about the GT500 push my buttons: The uniqueness/exclusivity, the handbuilt easily tuned 5.8L supercharged beast, the historical significance of C. Shelby, but clearly, the current generation car is a notable improvement.

FWIW, I'm specifically shopping convertibles.

 

[A.Goldberg]

I was at the BMW dealer today for some work. I was oogling over a new X5 diesel or 535xi.

 

[2298754]

I was at the BMW dealer today for some work. I was oogling over a new X5 diesel or 535xi.

Herb Chambers? I live a block away!

Honestly, both are a disappointment to me. The F10 doesn't drive as good as the E60 that you own. The F15 X5d is slower than the E70d and has their terrible EPS. However, their interiors have gotten fantastic. They both lost their "BMW-ness"

 

[A.Goldberg]

Yeah, good old Herbie's.

I haven't driven either. As I said before my neighbor went from an 06 X5 to a brand new X5 diesel (with that hideous xline? pack) and he hates it, though he didn't elaborate. And here I am outside, watching a new X5 drive by creating a metal on metal scraping sound (seized caliper?). Everything I've heard about the new BMWs dynamics has been pretty bad.

My E60 is getting old though and will have to go. The interior is fine, not as nice as the new BMWs, but I never liked the e60 exterior. I call my car the Silver Manatee. The dynamics are fantastic and the 3L I6 TT is great. Plenty of oomph to scoot around. It's probably more than what I need, but I'm sure I'll be disappointed in that regard if I ever got anything slower. I'm annoyed that the new BMWs x28's are 4cyl, despite being still very quick.

 

[AppleFanatic10]

I just got first my car less than a month ago. I'm happy.

 

[AustinIllini]

I just got first my car less than a month ago. I'm happy.

Congrats! My first car was the Cobalt (next gen Cavalier)

 

[AppleFanatic10]

Congrats! My first car was the Cobalt (next gen Cavalier)

Thanks!

 

[bunnspecial]

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Cavaliers as my grandmother had one(I think a '91 or '92 model) for many years and I went on many fun trips with her in it.

For what they are, there's not a lot to dislike about the Cavalier(along with the Pontiac Sunfire, which is for all intents and purposes identical). I think that the number I still see on the road-despite the fact that they haven't been made for several years-is a testament to their longevity.

Enjoy it!

 

[Suture]

Damn. I finally got some time to check out a new GT, and while I'm still pretty enamored with a GT500, the new car is a major step up on the interior. It's not like the GT500 is _bad_, but comparatively it's like the Corvette C6 to C7.

So many things about the GT500 push my buttons: The uniqueness/exclusivity, the handbuilt easily tuned 5.8L supercharged beast, the historical significance of C. Shelby, but clearly, the current generation car is a notable improvement.

FWIW, I'm specifically shopping convertibles.

I was in the same boat, only looking at verts and the GT500 was at the top of the list for my weekend car. The noise it makes is intoxicating. Regardless of whether I go with that or another end of the spectrum, I'm looking to probably make my purchase sometime next year.

 

[lowendlinux]

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Cavaliers as my grandmother had one(I think a '91 or '92 model) for many years and I went on many fun trips with her in it.

For what they are, there's not a lot to dislike about the Cavalier(along with the Pontiac Sunfire, which is for all intents and purposes identical). I think that the number I still see on the road-despite the fact that they haven't been made for several years-is a testament to their longevity.

Enjoy it!

I worked for various GM dealers from 1992-2000 and with the introduction of the 3rd gen we had a lot of business replacing head gaskets. The techs loved it because the job paid 6 hours and could be done in ~2 it was a gravy job.

 

[D.T.]

I was in the same boat, only looking at verts and the GT500 was at the top of the list for my weekend car. The noise it makes is intoxicating. Regardless of whether I go with that or another end of the spectrum, I'm looking to probably make my purchase sometime next year.

Yeah, I've had two seaters for a long time, and it means I don't get to use my car when the whole family is involved (which means _significantly_ less use). So my criteria is a convertible that seats 4 and is reasonably "high performance" - but I also includes things like the "fun factor" that's different for everyone. I dig on unique rides, so if it's a common model, the special version (GT500, Z06, M). At one point, I was factoring in a car my wife could drive, i.e., no manuals, but honestly that so rarely comes up, and she really doesn't care.

 

[MatthewLTL]

Well, After several days off the Forums (and mostly the Internet), I have a car update. The Woo went BACK into the shop yesterday (around noon) for the seized caliper (severe dragging) coming back. I got It back today. The Caliper he put on failed and seized so he put on a reman and only charged the cost diference which was $25. The Nail hole in the new tyre was plugged and it's holding air just fine now. CAR IS FIXED this time i know because the Coolant doesn't surge anymore.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Well, After several days off the Forums (and mostly the Internet), I have a car update. The Woo went BACK into the shop yesterday (around noon) for the seized caliper (severe dragging) coming back. I got It back today. The Caliper he put on failed and seized so he put on a reman and only charged the cost diference which was $25. The Nail hole in the new tyre was plugged and it's holding air just fine now. CAR IS FIXED this time i know because the Coolant doesn't surge anymore.

Did you just do the caliper day ago? That should have been fixed for free.

No more surging coolant? Was that solved by the nail hole repair or caliper replacement do you think?

 

[MatthewLTL]

Did you just do the caliper day ago? That should have been fixed for free.

No more surging coolant? Was that solved by the nail hole repair or caliper replacement do you think?

2 weeks ago the caliper was replaces (3 weeks now i think) the coolant was solved by the caliper

 

[D.T.]

2 weeks ago the caliper was replaces (3 weeks now i think) the coolant was solved by the caliper

Yeah, my starter went out, got a new lid for the center console, fixed the starter right up.

 

[2298754]

Went to Cars and Coffee this morning

These were the greatest hits IMO

 

[2298754]

More pics of the other cars

 

[2298754]

Last one

 

[Suture]

Nice turnout. We have a really good C&C in Great Falls (VA) but I haven't been able to drag my butt out of bed that early. VW and Audi have been known to show up with out-of-market cars and prototypes, as their HQ is just a few minutes away.

 

[2298754]

Nice turnout. We have a really good C&C in Great Falls (VA) but I haven't been able to drag my butt out of bed that early. VW and Audi have been known to show up with out-of-market cars and prototypes, as their HQ is just a few minutes away.

I've actually been to the NoVA one last year. Always a good turnout. A 911 is like a Corolla in NoVA lol

Yes about VAG. My brother used to live in the complex right off the same road. I would always go out there. Haven't been there recently though. He moved out to Loudon county, so it's a hike back to Herndon.

I've seen many Audis and VWs years before they came out in the U.S.

 

[D.T.]

Nice, great pics!

Those C&C shows/cruise-ins are always fun, usually a few surprises. Now that's something you don't see everyday: a Merc coupe with a rollcage Was a that a Black Edition? (fenders are crazy)

Love the diversity in that one row: Merc SL, a modern McLaren, a 914 and a station wagon (looks like the Family Truckster)

 

[2298754]

Nice, great pics!

Those C&C shows/cruise-ins are always fun, usually a few surprises. Now that's something you don't see everyday: a Merc coupe with a rollcage Was a that a Black Edition? (fenders are crazy)

Love the diversity in that one row: Merc SL, a modern McLaren, a 914 and a station wagon (looks like the Family Truckster)

Yup. It was a gutted out CLK black. Roll cage, racing seats.

 

[D.T.]

This design will be relevant and beautiful 100 years from now: