So I found myself at the BMW dealer

[bren]

Originally Posted by JST

What about the Q5? Everyone seems to love that.

I like the look of those, but I really can't imagine it doing anything "better" than the x3. Also, as far as I can tell, everyone seems to love the mdx too, and that ain't saying much.

[equ]

Sometime this year, I drove a 3.0si x3 with a manual. Last of the previous gen, I had always been curious about them and wanted to like it.

It... was... awful...

No comparison to the a4 or the q5. I could not believe how slow-witted it was, in turns or straight. Perhaps that particular car had an issue but many of the 255 horses were nowhere to be found. The elderly 528i had it beat by far. The countryman was better as well.

[bren]

Originally Posted by equ

Sometime this year, I drove a 3.0si x3 with a manual. Last of the previous gen, I had always been curious about them and wanted to like it.

It... was... awful....

My parents had a previous gen that I drove numerous times, I never really had a problem with it aside from the maddening transmission that could never make up its mind.

I sure hope they got that resolved in the new one or this could be an expensive mistake.

[JST]

I haven't driven one of the new 8 speeds, but I've never driven a BMW or Mini with an automatic that was even close to acceptable as far as shift programming goes. That by itself would prevent me from ever buying an automatic BMW.

[robg]

Originally Posted by equ

Sometime this year, I drove a 3.0si x3 with a manual. Last of the previous gen, I had always been curious about them and wanted to like it.

It... was... awful...

No comparison to the a4 or the q5. I could not believe how slow-witted it was, in turns or straight. Perhaps that particular car had an issue but many of the 255 horses were nowhere to be found. The elderly 528i had it beat by far. The countryman was better as well.

Really? My mom has one of those (a 2008 with the n52 motor) and I've been pleasantly surprised whenever I've driven it. Is never own one but I actually prefer the way it drives compared to the a4s ive driven. I think people get carried away with criticism of this model due to the suspension and trim issues on the first few model years. For a BMW it's not so great, but for an suv it's pretty good. And thr interiors of the later builds are quite solid and nice IMO. Even the infamous gm trans doesn't seem as bad as everyone makes it out to be.

[SARAFIL]

Originally Posted by JST

I haven't driven one of the new 8 speeds, but I've never driven a BMW or Mini with an automatic that was even close to acceptable as far as shift programming goes. That by itself would prevent me from ever buying an automatic BMW.

The new 8 speed is getting terrific reviews in the press (not just here in the US... also in Europe). One of the euro mags that did a review of the new 3-series even said "skip the manual and go for the new 8 speed" because it was that good. I'm still skeptical, but I'd say it is probably much improved from the old GM tranny.

[equ]

Just not an suv fan, I guess. Though I hadn't minded the q5 or the cayenne.

I guess I expected a certain bmw'ness that I didn't find in the x3. Just not my cup of tea... Specs are good on paper though.

[bren]

Ok, seriously, what's with car dealers? Why do you have a form for "get internet price" and never respond to inquiries? Why are you on Edmunds or Truecar and never respond there either? Is three days really not enough time?

Car salesmen are dumb.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by bren

Ok, seriously, what's with car dealers? Why do you have a form for "get internet price" and never respond to inquiries? Why are you on Edmunds or Truecar and never respond there either? Is three days really not enough time?

Car salesmen are dumb.

I can send you my guy at Tischer.

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by bren

Ok, seriously, what's with car dealers? Why do you have a form for "get internet price" and never respond to inquiries? Why are you on Edmunds or Truecar and never respond there either? Is three days really not enough time?

Car salesmen are dumb.

I hear this so often from my friends whom I've either convinced to shop BMW's or have stumbled upon the idea themselves - the lazy BMW salesman stereotype is repeated often.

I'm genuinely curious about this and since we have Sarafil here, who most certainly seems to have been the opposite of the lazy, unmotivated sales type, perhaps he can shed some insight.

Fil???