How exactly is BMW the ultimate driving machine?

[hengtirey]

Could you please tell me in what ways BMW is better than other makes? Japanese cars can have powerful engines, too. Then why is BMW much more expensive than Honda? Is it just the brand name? Or you really get what you pay for? Thanks very much to everyone who answers.

[KarlSpackler]

Y hello. Welcome to Bimmerforums

[xxxxxxx]

It's a positioning statement.

They used to make very good driving machines. Now days in my opinion they have sold out. The cars are bloated, the steering numb, there are logos everywhere, and all kinds of electronic shit no one ever uses. For me BMW's are hardly an ultimate driving machine any longer.

[bfp9]

It's a positioning statement.

They used to make very good driving machines. Now days in my opinion they have sold out. The cars are bloated, the steering numb, there are logos everywhere, and all kinds of electronic shit no one ever uses. For me BMW's are hardly an ultimate driving machine any longer.

When compared to older generations of BMW sure.

Proportionally to the market that they are in today, BMW still leads (in my opinion) in overall driving experience.

[GaryE30]

Sounds like multiple questions laced into one.

If you want to know why they are the ultimate driving machine, its due to their extensive research and engineering into vehicle dynamics, engine efficiency, close to 50/50 weight distribution, aerodynamics, driver ergonomics etc.

If you want to know why they're more expensive than a similar performance Honda, look at build quality, build materials, integrated technologies. Look all around and you'll find typical "over the top" german fine details throughout the vehicle (body panel gaps, head/tail light details, interior triming, engine bay wire routing, heck even the wire retaining clips). I could go on and on and on. There are so many things the average consumer takes for granted that some german engineer sweated over to make perfect in their eyes. If you put a new BMW next to a new Honda side-by-side you can easily see the difference. All those differences add up.

Sure you can buy a new mustang 5.0 and run a lap time close to a e90 m3, but you're comparing apples to oranges. With a BMW its about the overall experience of comfort/luxury and performance. A mustang is a good car, but you get Ford assembly line and design materials with it.

[billyfiction]

go drive one and find out.

[BimmerBreaker]

It's also a lot more than sheer power. IT's about the power delivery and the way the cars are geared for acceleration and not economy, the way it handles via weight distribution and a finely tuned sporty suspension, luxurious plush interiors with high quality materials... to most people, Lexus and Infinity and etc may be perceived as being the same level but they really aren't.

In two words: Engineering and Passion...

[M52 POWER!]

Most japanese cars are soul-less combinations of parts that do not have an equilibrium together. Left-over designs from years past that "just work".

BMW's are a system of parts working in harmony with no compromise.

[russoturristo]

[prash]

BMW doesn't use Ultimate Driving Machine like they used to. Up till the 90s they used it across their entire line up encompassing the whole brand.

Today they use it much more selectively for certain models only.

[justinca540i]

BMW doesn't use Ultimate Driving Machine like they used to. Up till the 90s they used it across their entire line up encompassing the whole brand. Today they use it much more selectively for certain models only.

Yeah. Some of the newer ones feel like the ultimate luxury machine.

[montaillou]

Most japanese cars are soul-less combinations of parts that do not have an equilibrium together. Left-over designs from years past that "just work".

BMW's are a system of parts working in harmony with no compromise.

At last, an objective answer!

[Wilson740]

The best thing someone can tell you is... drive one!!.... When new the handling is excellent. With 100k+ miles they still are great. It is the standard all others are compared to.

[ELVA164]

March 18, 2010.

[Sean802]

Can you imagine asking such a dumb question.

[Imolarot2]

This is why...

http://www.racingsportscars.com/resu...940-04-28.html

The 328 was the ultimate driving machine. Now it's just marketing.

[Tomcat104]

It means that combination of sportiness and everyday driveability. Some cars may have great performance or handling. Other cars may be quite practical and reliable for daily use. BMW combined those two attributes, particularly in the 3 series.

Nowadays, BMW is not alone in that combination of course (and arguably they don't do as well as before), but BMW was one of the marques that pushed that concept quite well.

[shiftmygears]

It's a rather subjective matter, as you then have people who won't buy anything that's not American made.

IMO it's the combination of practicability, fun to drive, and reliable if well taken care of.

[ELVA164]

Seriously though, why are people answering this? Is my picture not showing up?

[Sean802]

True

[Sean802]

It's just to get people goin, haha

[BimmerBreaker]

Seriously though, why are people answering this? Is my picture not showing up?

Because regardless of if it is a spam/repeat question, it's an interesting thing to discuss...

[ELVA164]

Because regardless of if it is a spam/repeat question, it's an interesting thing to discuss...

I guess, seems like the deadest of dead horse conversations to me. To each their own though.

[champignon]

If you are looking for a current production ultimate driving machine, buy a Subaru STi. If you want a BMW, go vintage. Simple as that.