[BMWI6]

I have been a BMW fanatic since I can remeber, but lately BMW is pissing me off with some of the stuff they are doing lately. Here are some of them: 1. Doing things just for looks like the fake grills on the new M3. 2. Expanding their line to include more cars than FORD, GM AND Chevy combined. 3. Flame surfacing and less agressive looks on the cars. 4. NOT making a CSL version of the M3 because they dont have resources as they are developing an M X6 and X5. I also think that before, BMW was on a league of it's own and when people wanted serious performace and German engineering there was only one brand you could think off: BMW. But now Audi and Mercedes are closing in; making higher quality cars as they are trying endlessly to gain marketshare on BMW. I still beleive that based on driving dynamics BMW is still the leader of the pack, but will this last for long? I don't know, but I see a very dim future for our favorite company unless they get their act together, and by recently anouncing that they are cutting R&D funding they arent going to achieve that. This is the first time ever that I see a lot of e90posters asking "hey, what do you guys think of the new Audi, looks good right" should i trade it for my 335i"...blah blah blah... Anyways, I just felt like i needed to vent.... Vote on your opinion! feel free to make suggestions, maybe we can get something out of this thread.

I posted a poll on e90post so feel free to voice your opinion there..

[JEllis]

I really think the latest cars from BMW are their best. I have driven an E90 328i, 335i, and I now own a E92 M3 and they are all fantastic cars and far better than the previous generation of the 3 series. I do not believe that "fake" grilles are sign of a down trend for BMW.

The CSL was a test bed for a few key options that are now showing their face. One of them was the CF roof. I read an article that stated that CF roof manufacturing process was refined through lessons learned from the CSL. While I do believe the CSL represents M tuning at its best, I also understand the amount of money required to undertake such a project and that in the end the CSL did not make money for the brand.

Do not forget these flame surfaced cars are the best selling BMW's in history.

While I dont want to see M versions of the X5 and X6 I also realize that BMW needs to compete in the world of performance SUV's. Just about every major auto maker has one now. Porsche, MB, and even Jeep have some serious SUV muscle.

In the end we have to keep in mind that BMW is not always going to give us "gear heads" exactly what we want because in the end BMW is just trying to make money.

Jason

[xsilvor]

1. One and three contradict themselves.
2. Stop whining.
3. Buy an Audi.

[synclastica_86]

Chill out dude. I don't think that they have too many cars on their line up. They just offer different engine choices for their models. Not everyone finds it necessary to get the top of the line M3. Sometimes the 328i might be enough.

[Sticky]

Were you planning on purchasing a CSL? Something tells me no, so stop whining about it along with all your other nonsense.

[synclastica_86]

Well I guess some people wants to claim that the make of their car also made some other uber cars. I guess this somehow might up the rep of their ride.

[hakaida442]

I'm more interested in the f1 team than the csl if built that would never come to the usa.

[Irb Digital]

IMHO, I don't think so. In the last few years, they have really done a great job on the M5, M6, and the new M3. All have spectacular engines, and even if they have grown in weight and lost some of that hardcore edge, they are still great machines. The only mistake I've seen recently is the X6. As far as them not releasing a CSL M3 in the states, I think this is a smart move. The current M3 is already an expensive entry-level vehicle, and I just don't see them being able to sell a CSL in the U.S. market for a profit. I don't see the CSL becoming any more of a "Halo" vehicle than the current M3, and there's still the M5 and M6, if you really need a "Halo" vehicle. The U.S. is their biggest market, and in this current market they need to play it safe. Going out and wasting money on vehicles that won't help the bottom line, can be suicide, especially if their is no visable end to the current downtrend in the market. In times like this, if you want a company to weather the storm so you can buy their products in the future, its smart for them to play it safe right now. Plus, I like the fact that they are competive in F1, and want them to stay there. So wasting money on a CSL that will be tough to sell to a frugal American market that love comfort and amenities, would probably end up detrimental to programs like F1 that improve the whole line of vehicles, particularly the ///M line.

Edit: I also forgot to mention the new 1 series. This is a great car, with plenty of options and a awesome topline motor that gives it a stout power to weight ratio. I, personally think its overpriced, but not everyone thinks that way, and I'm glad that BMW has decided to offer a small performance car with great personality.

[GnokGnik]

Lets not forget the BMW slaughtering the competition in "engines of the year awards" ( i forgot the exact name of the awards).

[IWearScrubs]

[sayemthree]

yes and no

new M3 - no

new 7 - yes.

[stickypaws]

BMW is a well run and successful automobile manufacturing business. It is a for-profit venture that intends to stay in the game for the long haul. That they don't do what you think they should be doing is irrelevant.

[Xelloss]

There are things that BMW has done that has somewhat disappointed me such as the canceling of the M1, the M3 CSL, the possibility of M X# variants. However, there is a bigger picture to be told as seen from the research into the future BMW is conducting. They are the one of the few if not the only one I know actively pursuing hydrogen as a fuel source for cars in the future, which in my opinion and according to my colleagues in the materials engineering department, more viable than fuel cell technology. They are still the company that diverts the most capital into R&D. They have multiple affiliations with leaders of the future such as Intel and TED. They make some of the best engines and cars on the planet for a mass luxury automaker in comparison to their competitors as exemplified by their streak of awards. Their F1 team, BMW Sauber, is making great strides being ever more competitive as well as incorporating the latest in technology. We will also see BMW return to the GT circuit with the ALMS M3 GTR and will be ever dominant as they were with the previous GTR. Yes they may not have that halo supercar like Audi or Merc and the others, but what are the competitors doing to change the world or to become a leader in their field. From BMW, you get a supreme balance between a luxury automobile you can be comfortable in and use as a daily driver to a car you can find utter satisfaction when you open the taps and take it onto the twisting roads or ferocious tracks. BMW is seeing a bigger picture and they want to be here for the long run. We may not agree with what they do, but they have been ever consistent and it is the rich history, passion, and the soul poured into each vehicle and thats what makes me an ever proud BMW owner and an M3 owner especially.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

yes and no

new M3 - no

new 7 - yes.

I agree with that, the new 7 is hideous. Worst styling in its segment.

[V1.47fan]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

BMW is a well run and successful automobile manufacturing business. It is a for-profit venture that intends to stay in the game for the long haul. That they don't do what you think they should be doing is irrelevant.

+1

[BMWI6]

Originally Posted by Sticky

Were you planning on purchasing a CSL? Something tells me no, so stop whining about it along with all your other nonsense.

Obviously not since im only 19. But I have owned 2 BMW's at my very young age, so I do see a csl in my mid-range future. If only one were available.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by BMWI6

Obviously not since im only 19. But I have owned 2 BMW's at my very young age, so I do see a csl in my mid-range future. If only one were available.

Are you sure they are your cars and not your father's?

[Sticky]

Originally Posted by BMWI6

Obviously not since im only 19. But I have owned 2 BMW's at my very young age, so I do see a csl in my mid-range future. If only one were available.

Thank God BMW is not catering to pampered 19 year olds. I am sure BMW is missing out on your purchases and business sense, maybe they will see the light?

[ArtPE]

you are 19 and have been into BMW's for 'as long as you can remember'?
how long is that? you could have only been driving for 3 years or so...
have you owened or driven a BMW? an M car?

so that puts it around 2005 or so...

ok, not to be harsh, but imho BMW doesn't need guidance from the likes of us...

[TMNT]

It's not that BMW is doing anything wrong, its that their competition is finally doing things right.

[JHFW89225]

Originally Posted by TMNT

It's not that BMW is doing anything wrong, its that their competition is finally doing things right.

wow that is nicely put ! im speechless lol

[!Xoible]

bmw sucks, please stay away from bmw. it's so ghetto... i'd like to see less bmw's on the road man