05-03-2011, 07:19 PM | #1 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
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535i GT
So, I took the M3 in to get the emissions recall reprogramming done today. When I got to the loaner counter, I asked what they had and after the usual list of 328s and 335s, the girl offered me a 535i GT. What the hell, right? I've never driven one, so I might as well.
In one sentence, it's the car I would have designed if I decided that I wanted to drive my living room down the highway. It's very comfortable, quite spacious in the interior (including in the back), rides well, handles decently and is *really* quiet inside. As usual, BMW's automatic transmission programming is all fucked up and annoying. On the other hand, the 8-speed turns absurdly low revs on the highway. Like, 1,500 RPMs at 60. No wonder the 5'ers are getting better fuel efficiency than the E90s now. Amusingly, my biggest complaint about this thing isn't the way it drives, feels, or anything about the dynamics. It's quite good for what it is. Even though the steering is numb, it's quite well weighted. My complaint is that the trunk is too damned small. As in, I couldn't fit everything that was in the trunk of one of my E30s. WTF? Since they don't give you a spare, you'd think that they could at least excavate the floor a little.
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
05-03-2011, 07:52 PM | #2 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: A very fast golf cart
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You didn't mention that its fugly...
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05-03-2011, 07:54 PM | #3 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
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I think I've been desensitized.
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
05-03-2011, 09:07 PM | #4 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
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Posts: 14,753
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I would be embarrassed to be seen in one of those.
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05-03-2011, 09:29 PM | #5 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,587
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That's really funny. A giant car, seemingly all about utility but with a small trunk. Fail.
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05-04-2011, 12:47 AM | #6 |
There and back again
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: 2003 BMW 325xiT; looking for a new fun car
Location: New York
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If it anything like the pre-production one I looked at, the spare tire well is full of wiring. Does the owner's manual (if it was in the car) mention anything about fuses in the trunk?
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05-04-2011, 05:37 AM | #7 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
Posts: 12,475
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I didn't look. A glance under the car showed that they definitely put electronics there, though. I still maintain that they could have found another spot.
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
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