[BellasBmw]

I was lying in bed this morning have a discussion with a friend.. i was telling him how i was thinking of purchasing the fujita intake for $300,but i didnt think it was worth it. And he started to tell me how he would never try to make a slow car faster.

I started to think about that.. My car (even the 330, even the m3) are really not fast cars. I mean i could have paid the same or a little more and got a Ford Cobra which can kick our ass.. even the mustang GT could (and then i could have saved 10k.) Plus, you can supercharge a GT for $1500. So, do people buy bmw for the name and the smoothness of the ride? Cause im pretty sure its not the power. And this is my conclusion, i pretty much should stop thinking i have a fast car.. haha i think its cause i went from a 115hp jetta to this, and it feels quick.. but in reality, my car is slow. Makes me think, if i wanted quickness and power, i could have gotten somethin else.

[kobechrome]

It's intangible. Once you get into it and drive it... nothing else matters.

[vladinecko]

i don't think bimmers were ever meant to be muscle cars, like 'stangs, 'vettes, chargers. it's all about handling and the feel you get when you drive them. so yeah, as you said it yourself, you don't get a BMW if a fast car is what you want. unless you have lots of dough and get an M5 or M6. then you can have it all

btw, you woke up next to a male and you only refer to him as "a friend" ??? i wish i had friends like that when i was still single...

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i don't think bimmers were ever meant to be muscle cars, like 'stangs, 'vettes, chargers. it's all about handling and the feel you get when you drive them. so yeah, as you said it yourself, you don't get a BMW if a fast car is what you want. unless you have lots of dough and get an M5 or M6. then you can have it all

btw, you woke up next to a male and you only refer to him as "a friend" ??? i wish i had friends like that when i was still single...

LoL, no no we were talking on the phone.

I just notice that sometimes when i drive, i drive like "damn this is a fast car" hahah but then i look back at my buddy's 04 Cobra, and im like.. ya.. its really not a fast car. And i know there is no comparison to american muscle cars, but i notice that some people on the forum talk about racing like we got this awesomely fast car and are shocked when someone beats them.

[wweoholic]

I have noticed 2 sterotypes of BMW riders.

1, Classyness, wants a nice car, for luxury features and name, however had no intention of racing, and car fits budget, generally with idrive, prem pack, etc...

2, Stripped 330's with Sport pack only. 'Trying' to feel like they have a good luxury car, but in reality all they want it for is redlineing everyday.

If I could do it over again I would have not gotten a 3, because its a automatic sterotype that you couldent afford a real name brand car that was graduated in the series, such as like a mercedes CL500 or a 6 series...

Also, i am no longer willing to compromise not going out in bad weather or snow, so a supercharged Range sport might be in my future, i love my uncs......

I wont have this car for another 6 months.

[JackMac]

I drove an Evo IX last weekend. Now that is a fast car. But that is all it is, it is very focused on speed.

The E90 has other qualities. It is the class leader for handling. The materials and finish are outstanding. What other brand offers 8 different factory rim options just for the sedan? Etc, etc.

While the thought of an '07 Shelby GT500 gets the blood pumping, it won't be as well rounded as even base E90 325i.

[magmd]

Agreed...this is not the vehicle if all you want to do is quench your need for speed. I mean, its fast enough for me during my daily commute...but yeah, it would be nice to have a muscle car for the weekends and the occasional showing off.

In anycase, the appeal of the car for me (what led me to consider this car)...I guess is in fact the name. I mean...not to be too pretentious, but I have always heard how wonderfully the car handles, and is quite a beautiful blend of comfort, luxury, sportiness, and performance. This is my first BMW..so I went in cold. I only knew what I read, and what other drivers have told me. I fell in love with it when I test drove it, because of all the above items. At my age...I needed something sporty, attractive but still somewhat luxurious....not old man luxurious though! And I did not want to spend a fortune on a car...when I still have alot of other monetary commitments. LOL!

[Ghunger]

I figure it's all relative. There are always going to be faster better cars out there. I went with BMW because of the mix of luxury, handling, power and with ED a decent pricepoint.

[wweoholic]

What makes the 3 so desireable and succesful is all the things you guys just mentioned, sportiness, luxury, fun, name, etc all in 1, price effective automobile....

However its not the car to get if you are looking to impress, and honestly i do have a image problem, and I do feel superior to others, and living here i cant count 1 compliment on the car, but maybe thats just because I am a f'n jerk. lol

[luckystrike]

its also my first BMW its actually my dream car before when i was in manila, now i have the oppurtunity to have it ., i grab it! , i dont want to get old to have it, i wouldnt enjoy it so much.

[EVO_S4]

Originally Posted by JackMac

I drove an Evo IX last weekend. Now that is a fast car. But that is all it is, it is very focused on speed.

The E90 has other qualities. It is the class leader for handling. The materials and finish are outstanding. What other brand offers 8 different factory rim options just for the sedan? Etc, etc.

While the thought of an '07 Shelby GT500 gets the blood pumping, it won't be as well rounded as even base E90 325i.

Evo IX is also have better handling than the E90

[Flyingdwarf]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

I just notice that sometimes when i drive, i drive like "damn this is a fast car" hahah but then i look back at my buddy's 04 Cobra, and im like.. ya.. its really not a fast car. And i know there is no comparison to american muscle cars, but i notice that some people on the forum talk about racing like we got this awesomely fast car and are shocked when someone beats them.

By this I assume you mean there is no comparison in a straight line, but I think you would find that your BMW handles considerably better if any steering input is required. Here is a little list of a number of cars' lap times around the Nurburgring. Note the M3 CSL is about fifth (sports tyres granted) on the list here, with the standard M3 some 45 seconds slower. Only two American muscle cars in this list though, with a number of BMW's making a decent showing. Again it is all relative, and depends what sort of driving you are doing, but I can assure you that your BMW will remain much more compossed on more challenging roads.

7:32 - Porsche Carrera GT (7:32.44)
7:44 - Zonda
7:46 - Porsche 996 GT2
7:47 - Porsche Gt3 RS (sport tyres)
7:50 - M3 CSL (sport tyres)
7:52 - GT3 (381hp)
7:52 - Lamborghini Gallardo
7:52 - Lamborghini Murcielao
7:52 - Mercedes SLR mclaren
7:56 - Porsche 996 Turbo
7:56 - 360 stradale (sport tyres)
7:57 - Lotec Porsche 993 Turbo (600 HP, racing suspension)
8:07 - Ferrari 550
8:09 - Lamborghini Diablo SV
8:09 - Ferrari 360 Modena
8:10 - Chrysler Viper GTS
8:12 - Porsche 993 Turbo (430 HP version)
8:15 - BMW Z8 400 HP
8:17 - Porsche 996 C2
8:18 - Ferrari F355
8:22 - BMW M Coupe 321 HP
8:25 - Audi RS4 375 HP
8:28 - Porsche 993 C2
8:28 - BMW M5 400 HP
8:32 - Porsche Boxster S
8:35 - BMW M3 Coupe 321 HP
8:37 - Mercedes C32 AMG
8:38 - Honda NSX
8:39 - Honda S2000
8:40 - Chevrolet Corvette
8:42 - Audi S4 265 HP
8:42 - Lotus Exige
8:49 - Jaguar XKR Coupe
8:52 - Mercedes CLK 430

[Squawks]

That's a nice list, dwarf.

Why aren't other supercars listed like the Saleen S7, Koeningseggs, Bugattis, Paganis, McClaren F1 (not SLR), Enzo, etc.? I would be extremely interested to see how well these would fare on the 'ring.

[E90Boy]

Awesome!!! :rocks: I was thinking about getting the E46 M3 when I first started looking for a new car, but price was a bit high so I'm went with the e90 325i(awesome car). Now I want to save my pennies for the 2008 M3.

[ward]

it's all about handling, straight line is just a plus

I'd take average power and great handling over great power and average handling every time

[Squawks]

Originally Posted by ward

I'd take average power and great handling over great power and average handling every time

Why do you have a Z4 instead of an S2000 or Miata then?

[ward]

Originally Posted by Squawks

Why do you have a Z4 instead of an S2000 or Miata then?

I don't fit in a miata or S2000 comfortably and I think you'd be stretching to say either has an advantage handling over the Z (s2000's supposed to be good, but no torque and no space, and roll over protection that doesn't stick up as far as my head does, and the dooshbag sales teams at their dealers)

engines with no torque drive me just as crazy as poor handling


Back on point for a sec though, BMW dealers treat you better (at least treat me better) than non luxury, or even some luxury brands.

[selm]

This is why I picked the 3er. This was the thought process that I went through when test driving and investigating cars around 30k.

Top 3 cars for safety #1 priority:
Volvo S40, BMW 3, Merc C

Top cars for handling (passive safety):
subaru WRX, BMW 3, Saab 9-3

Top cars for performance:
subaru WRX, BMW 3, Infiniti G35

Cars with the best luxury:
Merc C, BMW 3, Volvo S40

I also looked at AUDI, and they never made my list in any category, and I did not look at Acura or Lexus because I don't like them.

All in all, BMW was the only car in the top 3 for all of my criteria.

[Squawks]

Hey, Ward - fair enough.

I can't say anything about the Honda's lack of torque - no doubt about that...but the majority (even BMW owners) would concur that the S2000 has better handling than the Z. My big bro even says so - he has an S54 M Roadster as a daily.

[timzerofive]

People who purchase BMW, including the 3 series, are buying a sports sedan. Most of these other american cars thats listed are sports cars. If speed/performance is the only concern, of course BMW would not be the best choice. However, for most of us, speed is NOT the only thing we are seeking, we also look for other factors such as styling, comfortness, and luxury. BMW is definitely superior in these field, and thus the extra money we pay for them.

Let's use a food analogy. If your main concern is to get full, you can spend $20.00 at Wendy's buying up their 99cent menu and get extremley full on it. However, if what you want is to get full AND enjoy the taste while you eat the food, then you might want to spend $50 getting some prime ribs at Lawry's. Perhaps you won't be as full as if you ate at Wendy's, but probably you'll enjoy it a lot more.

So in conclusion... Why BMW? Because you can.

[ward]

Originally Posted by Squawks

Hey, Ward - fair enough.

I can't say anything about the Honda's lack of torque - no doubt about that...but the majority (even BMW owners) would concur that the S2000 has better handling than the Z. My big bro even says so - he has an S54 M Roadster as a daily.

his M roady has rear suspension from the E30 3 series
I have no doubt the S2K hands the Z3 it's butt, the Z4 is a whole different game though and most of what I've seen puts them pretty much at a draw with each other

[shadye90]

I also own besides my BMW, a 12 second civic that holds its own on the autocross and a GSX-R 750 Sport bike so I definitely didn't buy my Bmw for acceleration or handling..I bought my Bmw because I wanted a nice comfortable car that had the best of all worlds..speed, handling, refinement, etc which I believe it has...