The BaT thread for the cars we won't buy, but kinda wish we would

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by clyde

Ordinarily, I wouldn't argue with you about why you're wrong when talking about your cars in your garage, but this is the internet, so sit back...

[equ]

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

Yea - 5 (4) was getting at my opinion that only 4 of the 5 speeds are really usable. I think the extra gear on 6spd is much needed. Not sure how many of you have actually driven one of these, but it’s just a really weird car to drive.

Re: sport - not saying it’s a must on an X5 generally speaking, I know that majority of them are non-sport. But from my experience, the buyer who wants a manual on one of these probably wants sport package too.

More than a decade ago, I said on these pages I was going to test out an X5 manual. Fil stated in advance the manual sucks on the e53 and he was 1000% right.. I drove it; indeed the gearing was not acceptable with that super stump-puller 1st gear. Not like the e46 at all, not a good drive in city traffic.

[JST]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

My wife tells me that the correct term for a VW cabrio is "bitch basket."

I had not heard this term until a few years ago but it is, indeed, 100 percent correct.

[FC]

Originally Posted by JST

I had not heard this term until a few years ago but it is, indeed, 100 percent correct.

First time I hear it.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by JST

I had not heard this term until a few years ago but it is, indeed, 100 percent correct.

they really do come with basket handles.

[JST]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

they really do come with basket handles.

The white A1 with the white top and white wheels was THE thing to have.

[ZBB]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

they really do come with basket handles.

Probably why the Eos failed -- no basket handle

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by equ

More than a decade ago, I said on these pages I was going to test out an X5 manual. Fil stated in advance the manual sucks on the e53 and he was 1000% right.. I drove it; indeed the gearing was not acceptable with that super stump-puller 1st gear. Not like the e46 at all, not a good drive in city traffic.

I'm still puzzled by the "super stump puller" comment. Yeah, it's short. But it's not that short.

Maybe this is more of a throttle pedal calibration issue?

[SARAFIL]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I'm still puzzled by the "super stump puller" comment. Yeah, it's short. But it's not that short.

Maybe this is more of a throttle pedal calibration issue?

It’s not just the 4.10 rear end but the gear ratios are also really aggressive. 1st gear on the earlier 5 speed manual was 5.09. I found a calculator online (too lazy to do the math by hand) and if I got all the inputs right - you’re maxing out around ~20mph in 1st, ~45mph in 2nd, and solidly into 3rd before you hit 60mph. And 5th is 1:1 so you’re running pretty high RPM at highway cruising speed.

[equ]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I'm still puzzled by the "super stump puller" comment. Yeah, it's short. But it's not that short.

Maybe this is more of a throttle pedal calibration issue?

Maybe... It was a long time ago and my test drive ended early as it wasn't the car/SUV for me.

People have different tastes. Folks shorten the gearing of motorcycles I find just fine or already short.