Surprise, surprise, BMW 3-series wins another comparo

[Sliver]

I like them, but it is amazing they can win every comparison test they're ever in in Car & Driver. Here the new 2012 3-series is beating out four competitors in this month's issue.



My only experience owning one was my '78 and it was a fun car for sure (spoiler for size).

Spoiler!

I've driven a Dinan-chipped '09 and a couple stock 335s and they are great cars, but it's just hard to believe none of their competitors can best them. After watching my business partner go through hell with a brand new 535 (and me as a result taking him to the BMW dealership every second week for a year with his crappy computer software and fuel pump issues) I'm kind of soured on the brand in general, but there is no denying they drive sweet when they work. Any thoughts on these cars? Are they really the best out there or is C/D off their rocker? Anybody looked at getting a 3, but then decided one of their competitors was a better choice?

[KTrain]

You really are trying to get an auto sub-forum.

[Ozy_Flame]

My 2007 335xi is hands down the best car I have ever owned. And I've owned two cars.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by KTrain

You really are trying to get an auto sub-forum.

lol it might look like that, but I really don't care one way or another. With the new subforum, it does leave more real estate on the main OT page for other stuff, which, along with all the auto talk lately, has motivated me to talk about cars more.

[Table 5]

Also suprise, suprise, BMW owners twice as likely to be adulterers as other brands!
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/b...vers-of-other/

Not sure why, but it kind of makes sense.

[Flashpoint]

Was it a D-bag competition?

[Sliver]

So Ozy gets to drive a nice ride and screw lots of chicks. Nice work buddy!

[Table 5]

That 78 is a beaut, Silver.

I've always been a big BMW fan, but it seems like with every generation they go more and more away from what made them great. So much less about driving dynamics now, and way more emphasis on things that make housewives and real estate agents happy.

The best 3 series was still the e30 in my opinion. My brother owned one for a while, and while it had it's electrical issues, it was a blast to drive around.



The 3 series is about as common as a Corolla now though....kind of lost it's magic for me.

[Superflyer]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Also suprise, suprise, BMW owners twice as likely to be adulterers as other brands!
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/b...vers-of-other/

Not sure why, but it kind of makes sense.

My brother in law can attest to this.

[gargamel]

I stopped reading the review at "each fitted with an automatic transmission." Having said that, I love my 335i. I tried to find something else because there's a certain stigma that goes along with that car, but nothing else in that class was as fun to drive (at least among the ones that my 6'4" frame comfortably fit in). I found a low mileage '09 for a bargain and have had no regrets.

[flamesflames444]

I had an 09 335 that I had nothing but problems with from the get-go. The infamous fuel pump issues that they finally admitted was a major problem had my car in the shop for 2.5 of the first 5 months I owned the car after having died on the road on me 4 times. Besides that, I had an embarassing squeaking sound from the right rear that they couldn't diagnose until the 3rd time in when they replaced the rotors, calipers, and pads. I fought to have the dealership take back the car as there is something in Alberta somewhat similar to the Lemon Laws in the US whereby you go before an arbitrator, but surprisingly enough there are only 3 car companies that refuse to have any part of it - Ferrari, Mitsubishi, and BMW!

Anyhow, I hadn't had any issues in awhile until my sunroof randomly exploded on the highway about 2.5 months causing over $5k damage as the glass scratched the roof and trunk as well. All of these issues despite only having put 24K on the vehicle in less than 3 yrs. On top of all of this, anyone having to deal with the BMW service monopoly (both dealerships owned by the same group) is bound to scratch their heads as the service is shoddy at best. I'm not sure if that is a function of the standard service levels for anything you need to get done in Calgary or if it is a BMW issue.

Despite all of this, the car is fun as hell to drive and puts my old G35 coupe to shame which is one of the cars it is up against in that review (well the sedan anyways). I actually just traded in the 335 for a used 550 M pkg with the 6 speed which while definitely is a much more refined drive, it lacks a bit of the fun factor of the 335.

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by Table 5

The best 3 series was still the e30 in my opinion. My brother owned one for a while, and while it had it's electrical issues, it was a blast to drive around.
.

Ah...the E30 M3...my man crush during the 90's.....

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Ah...the E30 M3...my man crush during the 90's.....

That thing is still my man crush. Well that and a 3.2 Carrera. Not sure why I love 80s cars so much, but to me they get my engine reving unlike anything else.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by flamesflames444

I had an 09 335 that I had nothing but problems with from the get-go. The infamous fuel pump issues that they finally admitted was a major problem had my car in the shop for 2.5 of the first 5 months I owned the car after having died on the road on me 4 times. Besides that, I had an embarassing squeaking sound from the right rear that they couldn't diagnose until the 3rd time in when they replaced the rotors, calipers, and pads. I fought to have the dealership take back the car as there is something in Alberta somewhat similar to the Lemon Laws in the US whereby you go before an arbitrator, but surprisingly enough there are only 3 car companies that refuse to have any part of it - Ferrari, Mitsubishi, and BMW!

Anyhow, I hadn't had any issues in awhile until my sunroof randomly exploded on the highway about 2.5 months causing over $5k damage as the glass scratched the roof and trunk as well. All of these issues despite only having put 24K on the vehicle in less than 3 yrs. On top of all of this, anyone having to deal with the BMW service monopoly (both dealerships owned by the same group) is bound to scratch their heads as the service is shoddy at best. I'm not sure if that is a function of the standard service levels for anything you need to get done in Calgary or if it is a BMW issue.

Despite all of this, the car is fun as hell to drive and puts my old G35 coupe to shame which is one of the cars it is up against in that review (well the sedan anyways). I actually just traded in the 335 for a used 550 M pkg with the 6 speed which while definitely is a much more refined drive, it lacks a bit of the fun factor of the 335.

Good god that's horrible. I'm surprised you stuck with owning a BMW after all that.

[zamler]

I knew the link was going to be to Car & Driver before I even clicked this thread.

[Lt.Spears]

My plan is to buy a 535 Xi in the future sometime... i think they are brilliant cars.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by zamler

I knew the link was going to be to Car & Driver before I even clicked this thread.

This! Car and Driver is all over BMW's nuts.

[Muta]

I f'n love the 3 series. Some of the most fun cars out there to drive.

[Ozy_Flame]

I will admit the 335 helped win over my girlfriend (who is still with me to this day) , I have a habit of eating all the food in her fridge and I expect her to pay for good times out. She even stayed with me after she found my consistently bad performances in the sack and less-than-generous endowment. The Beamer can give her the ride I mostly can't. Everybody wins.

[burn_this_city]

I don't care much for the look of the new ones. I much prefer the C63.