2013 Lightning Lap - Page 3

IndyMike · 01-03-2013, 03:14 PM

I blew by the first F30 I've seen so far on the freeway last Sunday, and wouldn't have known it was a 3er if it hadn't been for the Estoril blue skin.

Since Le Mans is no longer on the palette, EB would be an easy choice if I were to ever be serious about one.

While in for the anniversary oil service a couple of weeks ago I was given a F10 528 loaner. Have to admit that the N20 seemed to have gobs of power. The powerplant after initial ignition is so quiet..................actually too quiet. That combined with the auto stop start (ASS) almost caused to get out and check if the engine was completely dead the first time I came to a complete standstill.

FC · 01-03-2013, 03:57 PM

Other than one at work that I see often, I've seen only two in the wild. And I live and work within 5 miles of a dealer in an area thick with BMW's.

TD · 01-03-2013, 04:06 PM

Well, it one is buying one outright, the stretch to a 5er is relatively small.

I just built a 335i sedan and a 535i sedan, both with the M-sport package and the same options (including NAV) and the 535i comes to $60.1K while the 335i comes to $54.5K.

If you can swing $55K, you can swing $60K. And, at least IMO, the 5er is way more than $5K more desirable than the 3er.

I'm not in the market at those prices.

JST · 01-03-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TD

Well, it one is buying one outright, the stretch to a 5er is relatively small.

I just built a 335i sedan and a 535i sedan, both with the M-sport package and the same options (including NAV) and the 535i comes to $60.1K while the 335i comes to $54.5K.

If you can swing $55K, you can swing $60K. And, at least IMO, the 5er is way more than $5K more desirable than the 3er.

I'm not in the market at those prices.

I haven't driven the 5er with the sport package, but the F10 535 that I did drive a couple of years ago wouldn't have been desirable at any price. It was terrible. The 328 that I tried last year was a much nicer drive. I'd buy the 335 over the 535 if the 335 cost 5K MORE.

TD · 01-03-2013, 04:14 PM

Having not driven either one at this point and having heard less than stellar driving reviews of both, I figure the 5er is much better looking (in and out) and offers more space.

I mean, when the Roundel says that the Golf R is a better enthusiast drive than the new 3er...

John V · 01-03-2013, 05:09 PM

Based solely on reviews the 5er is a much worse drive then the new 3er. And bigger does not equal better for everyone. I would argue it is worse.

lemming · 01-03-2013, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

Based solely on reviews the 5er is a much worse drive then the new 3er. And bigger does not equal better for everyone. I would argue it is worse.

just let yourself age a little, sonny boy.

then the 5er gets more appealing. i really like the look of the new 5 and it also has a gravitas that the 3 never had/has.

i'm not sure if i'm getting old or if i'm mocking TD for being in an old man's car.

(kidding, TD)

John V · 01-03-2013, 05:55 PM

The E46 is already bigger than I'd like. I'd prefer something E36 or smaller but with four doors and four seats. GTI would be great if it wasn't FWD.

My dad just bought an F30. He's 61. How much older do I have to be to find a 5er appealing?

lemming · 01-03-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

The E46 is already bigger than I'd like. I'd prefer something E36 or smaller but with four doors and four seats. GTI would be great if it wasn't FWD.

My dad just bought an F30. He's 61. How much older do I have to be to find a 5er appealing?

i wouldn't get a 5er, either. i just love the way that it looks because it's a lot more unique than the 3er.

JST · 01-03-2013, 06:28 PM

I spent 5 minutes in the garage the other day trying to figure out if the car I'd parked next to was a new 7 or new 5. Pretty sure it was a 7 but I never bothered to go around the back and look.

Couple this with our collective inability to figure out whether AF bought a 3 or a 5 and I think it becomes pretty hard to laud the 5er as having unique styling. It's probably the most successful of the current BMW line in terms of details, but it's bland and boring in the extreme.

01-03-2013, 03:14 PM	#21
IndyMike Elected by grace Join Date: Feb 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: 11 1 M; 11 328iT; 22 M240ix Location: Brickyard Posts: 1,962	I blew by the first F30 I've seen so far on the freeway last Sunday, and wouldn't have known it was a 3er if it hadn't been for the Estoril blue skin. Since Le Mans is no longer on the palette, EB would be an easy choice if I were to ever be serious about one. While in for the anniversary oil service a couple of weeks ago I was given a F10 528 loaner. Have to admit that the N20 seemed to have gobs of power. The powerplant after initial ignition is so quiet..................actually too quiet. That combined with the auto stop start (ASS) almost caused to get out and check if the engine was completely dead the first time I came to a complete standstill. __________________ The path to God is clear.......and it takes us to the cross.

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01-03-2013, 03:57 PM	#22
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,263	Other than one at work that I see often, I've seen only two in the wild. And I live and work within 5 miles of a dealer in an area thick with BMW's.

01-03-2013, 04:06 PM	#23
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	Well, it one is buying one outright, the stretch to a 5er is relatively small. I just built a 335i sedan and a 535i sedan, both with the M-sport package and the same options (including NAV) and the 535i comes to $60.1K while the 335i comes to $54.5K. If you can swing $55K, you can swing $60K. And, at least IMO, the 5er is way more than $5K more desirable than the 3er. I'm not in the market at those prices.

01-03-2013, 04:14 PM	#25
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	Having not driven either one at this point and having heard less than stellar driving reviews of both, I figure the 5er is much better looking (in and out) and offers more space. I mean, when the Roundel says that the Golf R is a better enthusiast drive than the new 3er...

01-03-2013, 05:09 PM	#26
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	Based solely on reviews the 5er is a much worse drive then the new 3er. And bigger does not equal better for everyone. I would argue it is worse.

01-03-2013, 05:55 PM	#28
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	The E46 is already bigger than I'd like. I'd prefer something E36 or smaller but with four doors and four seats. GTI would be great if it wasn't FWD. My dad just bought an F30. He's 61. How much older do I have to be to find a 5er appealing?

01-03-2013, 06:28 PM	#30
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,611	I spent 5 minutes in the garage the other day trying to figure out if the car I'd parked next to was a new 7 or new 5. Pretty sure it was a 7 but I never bothered to go around the back and look. Couple this with our collective inability to figure out whether AF bought a 3 or a 5 and I think it becomes pretty hard to laud the 5er as having unique styling. It's probably the most successful of the current BMW line in terms of details, but it's bland and boring in the extreme.