Drove TD's car today

nate · 06-17-2006, 06:00 PM

(well, not exactly)

Test drove a Jet Black 330i with Terra, SP, PP. It had aluminium trim and a manual.

It drove like a BMW should. A bit large, but it still felt nible enough. Nice, linear power delivery. Good handling, fairly taunt suspension. The demo car only had 150 miles, so I didn't rag on it.

Also drove a manual G35c. I wasn't very impressed.

TD · 06-17-2006, 06:39 PM

LOL.

Any additional impressions?

From my POV, it's not perfect. And a few things bug me. But, overall, there isn't anything else out there that fits my needs/wants better.

And it does drive like a BMW.

Look at it this way- It's almost E39 sized yet it drives a lot smaller.

operknockity · 06-17-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate

... fairly taunt suspension...

Damning praise

nate · 06-18-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TD

LOL.

Any additional impressions?

From my POV, it's not perfect. And a few things bug me. But, overall, there isn't anything else out there that fits my needs/wants better.

And it does drive like a BMW.

Look at it this way- It's almost E39 sized yet it drives a lot smaller.

The turn signals were really annoying. I could probably get used to them after a while, but they pissed me off.

The brakes were ok, I thought the pads could have a bit more bite. Not a big fan of the SP wheels. They are OK. Runflats suck. Staggered tires suck. Big trunk. Clutch had very quick engagment. Why the hell do you need dual zone climate contol in such a small car? I don't want a turbo E90. Looks decent.

Optimus Prime · 06-18-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate

The turn signals were really annoying. I could probably get used to them after a while, but they pissed me off.

The brakes were ok, I thought the pads could have a bit more bite. Not a big fan of the SP wheels. They are OK. Runflats suck. Staggered tires suck. Big trunk. Clutch had very quick engagment. Why the hell do you need dual zone climate contol in such a small car? I don't want a turbo E90. Looks decent.

-I agree that runflats suck
-The dual climate works well, especially when the wife wants a totally different temperature than I do
-I really like the turn signals, what exactly about them bothers you.

TD · 06-18-2006, 11:03 AM

The turn signals were annoying at first but have actually become my favorite anomoly of the car. There actually is a benefit to them over traditional ones.

I think the climate control sucks. Not just because it's dual zone (I tolerated dual zone CC in my E36) but because it can't just be set and forgot. Whatever sensor is supposed to sense sun in the face doesn't work. I am often way too hot on my way in to work (driving into the sun) and have to crank the fan manually to get comfortable. With the exact same temp set on the way home, with the sun still higher in the sky and not directly in my face, the car gets too cold.

It's annoying.

And the rain sensing wipers do not work consistently.

And the start button is still stupid.

And I'd much prefer a spare tire.

But, overall, it's a great car. I have no complaints with respect to driving characteristics. And that's what is most important. I can ignore everrything else.

nate · 06-18-2006, 11:31 AM

Ah, I forgot about the start button. What the hell is the point of that?

The turn signals were weird. I could get used to them, but they are annoying the first time that you use them.

Optimus Prime · 06-18-2006, 11:49 AM

The only reason I can see for the start button is if you have Comfort Access like I do. In that case, since you're never removing the key from your person, you need a botton of some sort to start and stop the car.

nate · 06-18-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime

The only reason I can see for the start button is if you have Comfort Access like I do. In that case, since you're never removing the key from your person, you need a botton of some sort to start and stop the car.

What kind of lazy bum can't manage to turn a key?

Optimus Prime · 06-18-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate

What kind of lazy bum can't manage to turn a key?

Isn't that what they said about key fobs?

Trust me, it's a really handy feature.

06-17-2006, 06:00 PM	#1
nate Oh, are they? Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: S4 Location: H-town Posts: 10,270	Drove TD's car today (well, not exactly) Test drove a Jet Black 330i with Terra, SP, PP. It had aluminium trim and a manual. It drove like a BMW should. A bit large, but it still felt nible enough. Nice, linear power delivery. Good handling, fairly taunt suspension. The demo car only had 150 miles, so I didn't rag on it. Also drove a manual G35c. I wasn't very impressed. __________________ "People keep saying I'm crazy as hell, but sooner or later they're going to realize I know what I'm talking about." - Charles Barkley

06-18-2006, 11:31 AM	#7
nate Oh, are they? Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: S4 Location: H-town Posts: 10,270	Ah, I forgot about the start button. What the hell is the point of that? The turn signals were weird. I could get used to them, but they are annoying the first time that you use them. __________________ "People keep saying I'm crazy as hell, but sooner or later they're going to realize I know what I'm talking about." - Charles Barkley

06-18-2006, 11:49 AM	#8
Optimus Prime Carmudgeon Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Golf TDi Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 3,283	The only reason I can see for the start button is if you have Comfort Access like I do. In that case, since you're never removing the key from your person, you need a botton of some sort to start and stop the car. __________________ Jason

06-17-2006, 06:39 PM	#2
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	LOL. Any additional impressions? From my POV, it's not perfect. And a few things bug me. But, overall, there isn't anything else out there that fits my needs/wants better. And it does drive like a BMW. Look at it this way- It's almost E39 sized yet it drives a lot smaller.

06-18-2006, 11:03 AM	#6
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	The turn signals were annoying at first but have actually become my favorite anomoly of the car. There actually is a benefit to them over traditional ones. I think the climate control sucks. Not just because it's dual zone (I tolerated dual zone CC in my E36) but because it can't just be set and forgot. Whatever sensor is supposed to sense sun in the face doesn't work. I am often way too hot on my way in to work (driving into the sun) and have to crank the fan manually to get comfortable. With the exact same temp set on the way home, with the sun still higher in the sky and not directly in my face, the car gets too cold. It's annoying. And the rain sensing wipers do not work consistently. And the start button is still stupid. And I'd much prefer a spare tire. But, overall, it's a great car. I have no complaints with respect to driving characteristics. And that's what is most important. I can ignore everrything else.