Ok, just a few things (long)... (archive)

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I don't really understand why you are spending so much time trying to make your points, but then again I don't understand why I'm responding either.

1. I don't think it's reasonable to exclude comparisons between BMWs with manual transmissions versus cars of other marques that are not available with manual trannys. The fact that the other companies only provide an automatic speaks to their intentions, and the fact that BMWs are all available with manuals speaks to theirs.

2. The X5 4.4 isnt intended to compete with the ML55, it's intended to compete with the ML430. If there is ever an M X5, then the comparison can be made.

3. While winding roads and tracks may comprise a small percentage of the roads driven by Joe Driver in America, I dont think that is true of enthusiasts in general. I for one take the long way home because I like the twisties so much.

4. I live at Lake Tahoe and drive on windy mountain roads every day. I'm not alone.

5. Speaking of advertising, many car makers make ambiguous claims. How many times have you seen the ads for the Cadillac Catera ("more horsepower than a BMW 328"--they never mention that it's still much slower though), or the Cadillac STS ("faster than a BMW 540 in the slalom"--check the fine print though, it's on optional larger wheels with special tires versus smaller base wheels/tires for the BMW). There are plenty of other examples, but pretty much all car companies have ads that are designed to make their cars look better than the competitors, some of which prey on those who aren't smart enough to tell the difference. You of all people should know this.

6. I didnt buy my car b/c an ad says it's the Ultimate Driving Machine. I bought it because it feels better, handles better and feels more like a performance car than any other similar cars I test drove. Again, your stats are probably right in general as far as road breakdown, but I tailor my driving habits to maximize my enjoyment of my car. And the acceleration of my 328is is very good...I've outrun Boxsters in it pretty easily in straights and twisties, for example, along with many other types of cars. I even beat up on a new Mustang Cobra a few months back.

7. My problem with your point about the Japanese cars with similar quality etc for less money is this: generally speaking the Japanese competitors for BMWs are actually not as fast, and usually are more tailored for luxury than performance (at least here in the US where the most exciting Japanese cars are not sold, including the Subaru WRX, the RX-7, etc). A Honda Accord with a 3.0 L engine makes more power than a 328 but is not nearly as fast. It is much more of a sedate car, and to me, seemed very boring.

8. I still say it's a non sequitor to say that because a larger percentage of roads are type A and BMWs are better than other cars in type B roads than type A roads, that BMWs are not real-world performance cars (because they are not optimized for type A roads). Obviously straights and twisties do not exist independently. We all encounter both in daily driving. But ability to handle curves well augments your ability to go fast in the straights. What's that new Cobra going to do when he pulls ahead of me in a straight but can't handle the upcoming turn? He's going to brake hard and early, and I go flying by, ending up several car lengths ahead at the end of the turn. Accelerating early out of the apex, he cant touch me in the next straight. That's the way it works. BMWs are not meant to be drag racers, we all know that, and it's something discussed here frequently. They can be made to be faster in the straights though, easier than other cars can be made to be fast in the turns. Qualities like a strong chassis, well designed suspension, perfect F/R balance, and rear-drive layout are things that can't exactly be helped by aftermarket parts.

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