Quote:
Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I am curious to see how you like the SMG. I am considering it as a compromise between my "must have a manual tranny" position and my wife's "won't drive a manual tranny" position (we only need one car). A 325iT with SMG and sport package seems like the best of all worlds (of course, we don't get the 3.0 or the D engine in Touring in the US, but that is a rant best saved for another post).
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Sadly, the stupid salesdroid didn't understand the part of our conversation where I said "I want to drive the Z4 3.0 and the M3 the SMG." They have neither in stock, and I still haven't driven an SMG. I will go to another dealer this weekend and drive the Z4 SMG.
I would have thought it was to "try to sell him something else," but they were pretty happy to let me futz around with the manuals in both the Z4 and M3 for a while without too much pressure. I got a referral to them from a Z8-owning partner at my firm, so it was nice to not to have to deal with the typical dealer tomfoolery.
The M3 6M is fantastic. The motor is fantastic. The car is so fantastic. It's such a leap over the E36 M3 that it's just amazing. The interior is beautiful. I have told myself that I will not spend close to $70k all in on a car, but it's tough. I almost would just get a stripper M3 coupe, but I would kill myself for not optioning it out, and it would still be close to $60k after tax and even a minor option or two. Navigation, I think, is a must. So, no M3 for me. But I can't think of a better driver's car in the price range. Nothing from Mercedes or Lexus or Acura comes even close until you consider the NSX, which is around $90k now. I haven't driven the new S4 (and I don't think I'll get to drive an RS6), but that would be the only thing I could imagine would be close.
I've been disappointed with the 3.0 engine in the X5, but it really motivates the Z4. But make no mistake, the Z4 is nowhere near as small as the Z3. It's almost absurdly roomy. Great lines, too.
In other news, the dealer suggested I go over to U.S. Cellular Field nee Comiskey Park for the autocross event of BMW "Ultimate Drive." I had previously driven the 4.4i X5 in their autocross events, so I wasn't too excited about driving an automatic X3. But I was really impressed. The space is actually really good in the car. It's a nice size, and it's so perfectly balance and absolutely throwable, especially with the aftermarker rubber. I don't know if the SMG is available in the X3; I would hope so, as the automatic was kind of annoying. In the "manual" mode, it will downshift to first from second and not upshift. I was able to hit the top of second in the straights, and, of course, in a 10-10ths situation, it's tough to convince yourself to shift to third for a split-second before you brake and corner hard.
Anyway, if you're interested in BMWs or just cars and racing or just safe driving in general, I suggest that you do this event when it comes to your town. I was pretty surprised what they let you do. I've autocrossed for years, but most people clearly hadn not. They were pretty finicky about the X5s when we autocrossed them, and the corners weren't that tight. This course was small and tight with only a few straights, but they just let you drive like crazy. They claimed that the car was nearly unflippable without specific intent, and I'm inclined to agree.
I would actually consider an X3 if they offered a larger engine, but the 3.0 is just too weak for it. The engine is nice and torquey, but even with 230 hp and comparable torque, it takes 7.5 to get to 60 for the manual. Considering the other performance available at that price (350Z, WRX, IS300 and countless others all under 6, EVO and STi around 5), it just seems silly. Really, it's a wagon, not an SUV or SAV or anything like that, and they should see it as competing with wagons, hatches and sedans. No one is going to cross shop an X3 with the Rav4 or the CRV.
Also, BMW needs an I6 between the 3300CC M with 333 hp and the 3000CC 3.0i engine with 230 hp. I know that they want to upsell, but there's customers in that gap. Like me. If they offered a detuned (from the M) 3300CC I6, I might be in that car. As is, it falls in the FX35 category of "nice car, but fundamentally flawed." I'd also maybe be in an FX35 if they offered that car with a manual.
