Welp. S50B32 Rebuild Time...

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by JST

LOL, no, I never found a dealer that would let me drive one.

The ride quality is quite possibly the worst I've encountered in a modern car, and it seems to be because of an extremely weird mismatch between the dampers and springs.

The torque curve of the engine most closely resembles a diesel, so it feels really, really slow. It's the absolute worst example of the too-small-turbo modern engine that I've ever driven. Tons of torque down low, dead up high. Stock, it loses 100 ft-lbs. of torque between the torque peak at 3000ish, and redline. (Stock turbo tunes make almost no power up high, just collossal midrange torque, so that drop off is more like 200 ft-lbs. )

Great seats, though. Even if I'm a little bit too fat for them.

My sister has one, and I absolutely hate it.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by JST

Maybe? But if she didn't like the Mk VII (and I can understand why not), I don't think she's going to like the Mk VIII. Honestly a Mk VI might be a better choice, but those are still trading for silly money used.

I haven't driven a new WRX, so I don't know if those still have the drawbacks they used to have.

An E90 or E46 wagon seems like it might answer the mail and would fit in with Nick's overall fleet zeitgeist.

She doesn't like the E90 or E46, either.

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The ride quality is quite possibly the worst I've encountered in a modern car, and it seems to be because of an extremely weird mismatch between the dampers and springs.

The torque curve of the engine most closely resembles a diesel, so it feels really, really slow. It's the absolute worst example of the too-small-turbo modern engine that I've ever driven. Tons of torque down low, dead up high. Stock, it loses 100 ft-lbs. of torque between the torque peak at 3000ish, and redline. (Stock turbo tunes make almost no power up high, just collossal midrange torque, so that drop off is more like 200 ft-lbs. )

Great seats, though. Even if I'm a little bit too fat for them.

My sister has one, and I absolutely hate it.

interesting, I wouldnt expect a 2.3l turbo to driver like that since it has a bit more displacement then the usual 2.0T. Have you driven current 2.0T VW/AUDI/Porsche engine?

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

interesting, I wouldnt expect a 2.3l turbo to driver like that since it has a bit more displacement then the usual 2.0T. Have you driven current 2.0T VW/AUDI/Porsche engine?

I’ve driven the GTI and an array of Audis with the 2.0T. It’s inoffensive, I didn’t even hate it in the Q7. It doesn’t run to redline well either, but it’s not the incredible plunge in power that the Focus has. The issue isn’t displacement. The issue is the size of the turbo.

[JST]

Ok, this actually looks like a really nicely spec’ed 340:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/7...ff=share_other

45k, 2018, in the right color, x drive, manual

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by JST

Ok, this actually looks like a really nicely spec’ed 340:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/7...ff=share_other

45k, 2018, in the right color, x drive, manual

Too big, and remember that she doesn’t like the E46 because it’s clumsy and numb.

[JST]

Hm, yeah, I got nothing. WRX is about the best I can suggest.

[SARAFIL]

Originally Posted by JST

Ok, this actually looks like a really nicely spec’ed 340:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/7...ff=share_other

45k, 2018, in the right color, x drive, manual

Nice spec, but my god that car is $10k too much due to current market craziness (2017’s were low/mid-30s a year ago)

[equ]

Ah, that's almost my car. I think $10k too much is a bit aggressive but high 30's to 40 even would be about reasonable.

One thing with the spec, though. The m-sport package is an appearance package. The definitely better brakes & less definitely better adaptive dampers come with the track handling package that this car does not have. Noticed by blue calipers, no fog lights, etc. An x-drive needs all the help it can get to be somewhat fun. That said, I have little complaints with my car. With my low mileage use, in 2.5 years, only one fault, slight leak in front diff area. Very quiet and comfortable, makes me not miss the 535i which was a whale in comparison. That said, I don't drive the 340 hard. Just a cushy machine with a nice engine. I have only mod, m performance exhaust. I do not have the MPPSK or any tuning.

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by JST

Hm, yeah, I got nothing. WRX is about the best I can suggest.

is she ok with sh!tbox interiors? Hard for me to go back to them after driving German cars. new ones are improved but still economy like.