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That's what happens when the customers are more interested in iPhone connectivity and entertainment options instead of suspension and engine. Also, when the reg

That's what happens when the customers are more interested in iPhone connectivity and entertainment options instead of suspension and engine. Also, when the regulations will force you to put in bullshit like start-stop system or efficiency regulations force engine downsizing and use of turbos. That's why even Hyundai is catching up and the premium brands are standing still. For existing owner, there is no reason to switch from E46 or E90 to F30. The older ones are more fun.

raspasov 11y ago
I agree, especially the newest 328i with its 4 cylinder engine that sounds like a motorboat :). Tbe previous generation is way better.
- chubs 11y ago
  The direct injection makes the petrol engine sound like a clunky diesel. It's pretty crummy. Combined with the wooden electric power steering and they're really boring cars to drive. Not to mention the gripless run-flat tyres. I used to own one - never again, all they've got going for them is the admittedly lovely styling.
- cowkingdeluxe 11y ago
  The new ones have more horsepower even with the 4 cylinder. Better handling too. For example the 2016 is a 4 cylinder but has 10 more horsepower and 26% more torque than the 2011 6 cylinder. Do they need to pipe in engine sounds into the speaker system like other brands do (Lexus)?
  - vetinari 11y ago
    The turbocharged 4 cylinder, while has more horsepower and more torque, has also much shorter life span. Do not expect to drive upwards 500k km on it. But I guess for those who buy cars for 4 years, that's fine.
    - gaadd33 11y ago
      How much do people drive where you are located? At least in the US, even if the car/engine only lasted 200K miles (~321k km) that would still be about 13 years of average use.
      - vetinari 11y ago
        Depends on the car. The old diesels or atmospheric petrol engines in sedans were build to serve almost forever (petrol 500k, diesel 1m). Even "newer" (cca end of nineties) turbo-diesels were robust - I was once in a taxi (Skoda Octavia), that had 800k on the odometer... On the other hand, new compact cars with their 1.0 - 1.2 three cylinder, turbo charged engines will be done in the 100-150k range. Again, if you want to buy a new car and get rid of it after the lease is paid, they will be fine. If you want to keep it longer, look somewhere else.
Aoyagi 11y ago
Well, downsizing is a lot to blame I guess. Still though, I think it has (at best) a 3L turbo-charged engine, which is weaker than Cadillac's NA 3.6L engine (which isn't available in Europe though).
Shivetya 11y ago
Start/Stop and Turbos are fine. I experience both in my 2012 Z4. That little turbo hardtop car is averaging over thirty miles per gallon for me while driving locally/commuting and hit forty on a long distance trip. So all that mileage and fun, I will take it. BMW is going to PHEV/Hybrid all their cars within five to ten years so I expect we will get used to it. Far better option than lugging around eight hundred or more pounds of battery. Figure your going to end up with quite a few three cylinder engines and such until eventually replaced by some form of fuel cell and buffer battery. I don't think BMW is losing its handling prowess, I do think others are catching up and a few surpass them here and there; Jaguar is getting good marks.
- marincounty 11y ago
  All this engineering is fine, until that sensor, or system breaks down? These vehicles are becomming so difficult to work on even the dealership mechanics are learning on the the customers' dime. I won't even get started on the proprietary software, and the fact that independent 3 party repair shops can't even buy access to the repair codes. My father used to say I can roll down my own windows. I thought at the time he was being to hard on the industry. They finally engineered servos that worked longer than a year. He would flip if he saw just how complicated vechicles have become, and how he would wouldn't be able to buy a service manual, and do most of repairs. My father bought very few new automobiles, but always bought a factory service manual, and did all his own repairs. His last vechicle was a 98 Dodge Dakota. It was still simple enough for him to work on, and now myself to work on. (My father passed away a few years after he bought the Dodge.) I will hand it to certain companies, like Toyota, who engineer complicated vechicles, but these vechicles are putting easily 250,000 miles on the odometer. Yes, a lot of the fancy features/gadgets stop working, but the vechicle still runs, and gets through smog. Needed advances in technology--yes! Fluff/gadgets--no! But I'm just an older guy who really never got the need for so many retractable beverage holders.
  - protomyth 11y ago
    The sad part is that electric cars should be simpler to work on than gas powered cars. I honestly think a company that builds a easy to repair electric will make cash. They will probably still make fine money off service, but having the option means something to people recommending product. // sorry for your loss - glad the vehicle lives on

raspasov 11y ago

I agree, especially the newest 328i with its 4 cylinder engine that sounds like a motorboat :). Tbe previous generation is way better.

chubs 11y ago
The direct injection makes the petrol engine sound like a clunky diesel. It's pretty crummy. Combined with the wooden electric power steering and they're really boring cars to drive. Not to mention the gripless run-flat tyres. I used to own one - never again, all they've got going for them is the admittedly lovely styling.
cowkingdeluxe 11y ago
The new ones have more horsepower even with the 4 cylinder. Better handling too. For example the 2016 is a 4 cylinder but has 10 more horsepower and 26% more torque than the 2011 6 cylinder. Do they need to pipe in engine sounds into the speaker system like other brands do (Lexus)?
- vetinari 11y ago
  The turbocharged 4 cylinder, while has more horsepower and more torque, has also much shorter life span. Do not expect to drive upwards 500k km on it. But I guess for those who buy cars for 4 years, that's fine.
  - gaadd33 11y ago
    How much do people drive where you are located? At least in the US, even if the car/engine only lasted 200K miles (~321k km) that would still be about 13 years of average use.
    - vetinari 11y ago
      Depends on the car. The old diesels or atmospheric petrol engines in sedans were build to serve almost forever (petrol 500k, diesel 1m). Even "newer" (cca end of nineties) turbo-diesels were robust - I was once in a taxi (Skoda Octavia), that had 800k on the odometer... On the other hand, new compact cars with their 1.0 - 1.2 three cylinder, turbo charged engines will be done in the 100-150k range. Again, if you want to buy a new car and get rid of it after the lease is paid, they will be fine. If you want to keep it longer, look somewhere else.

Aoyagi 11y ago

Well, downsizing is a lot to blame I guess. Still though, I think it has (at best) a 3L turbo-charged engine, which is weaker than Cadillac's NA 3.6L engine (which isn't available in Europe though).

Shivetya 11y ago

Start/Stop and Turbos are fine. I experience both in my 2012 Z4. That little turbo hardtop car is averaging over thirty miles per gallon for me while driving locally/commuting and hit forty on a long distance trip. So all that mileage and fun, I will take it. BMW is going to PHEV/Hybrid all their cars within five to ten years so I expect we will get used to it. Far better option than lugging around eight hundred or more pounds of battery. Figure your going to end up with quite a few three cylinder engines and such until eventually replaced by some form of fuel cell and buffer battery. I don't think BMW is losing its handling prowess, I do think others are catching up and a few surpass them here and there; Jaguar is getting good marks.

marincounty 11y ago
All this engineering is fine, until that sensor, or system breaks down? These vehicles are becomming so difficult to work on even the dealership mechanics are learning on the the customers' dime. I won't even get started on the proprietary software, and the fact that independent 3 party repair shops can't even buy access to the repair codes. My father used to say I can roll down my own windows. I thought at the time he was being to hard on the industry. They finally engineered servos that worked longer than a year. He would flip if he saw just how complicated vechicles have become, and how he would wouldn't be able to buy a service manual, and do most of repairs. My father bought very few new automobiles, but always bought a factory service manual, and did all his own repairs. His last vechicle was a 98 Dodge Dakota. It was still simple enough for him to work on, and now myself to work on. (My father passed away a few years after he bought the Dodge.) I will hand it to certain companies, like Toyota, who engineer complicated vechicles, but these vechicles are putting easily 250,000 miles on the odometer. Yes, a lot of the fancy features/gadgets stop working, but the vechicle still runs, and gets through smog. Needed advances in technology--yes! Fluff/gadgets--no! But I'm just an older guy who really never got the need for so many retractable beverage holders.
- protomyth 11y ago
  The sad part is that electric cars should be simpler to work on than gas powered cars. I honestly think a company that builds a easy to repair electric will make cash. They will probably still make fine money off service, but having the option means something to people recommending product. // sorry for your loss - glad the vehicle lives on