Does It Matter That BMWs Don't Drive Like A BMW Anymore?

More probing questions from the pop-psychologist thinking minds at Autospies.

Q = "Does It Matter That BMWs Don't Drive Like A BMW Anymore?"

MrE30 A = What does it mean to drive like a BMW?

20 years ago, when "...BMW's REALLY DROVE (!!!!) like BMW's..." - BMW's were harder riding, sporty cars when automakers had to make a choice about being either "cheapo" or "luxury" or "sporty" - Mercedes choose "luxury" and BMW chose "sporty".

Today, with the advent of computer controlled, drive-by-wire systems, literally any car (within a set budget) can be programmed to drive luxury some of the time and sporty some of the time. Basically, with minor variations - the cars in a competitive class (S-Class/A8/7-series) essentially drive the same.

Also, for a car such as the 3-series sold to customers in pot-holed, crumbling USA roads, it does not make sense to deliver a "sporty" experience to all customers.

BMW's DO drive like BMW's in 2018.

The more operative question should have been

"WHY ARE BMW'S AMONG THE UGLIEST OF PREMIUM VEHICLES ON THE ROAD TODAY"

OR

"WHEN IS BMW GOING TO GET RID OF THE TWIN-KIDNEY GRILLS THAT ADD VERTICALITY TO AN OTHERWISE SLEEK DESIGN?"

I had my 435i GC for three years, and for me personally, it had the perfect balance of drivability and livability. The ride was compliant but the handling was flat. The biggest downside was the steering which was overly light even in Sport mode. Also, the run flat tires didn't deliver much grip. If BMW had stocked the car with better tires, it definitely would have made a big different, I believe.

Absolutely! While I have bought my wife a few in the past decade I have not found one yet to drive as good as the 535i I had some years ago. BMW's use to be light on their feet, had telegraphic steering (you actually knew what the front wheels were doing thru your hands and the rear wheels thru your butt) with lots of feel and instantaneous throttle response. All the technology added in the past couple of decades may make them faster,more fuel efficient and safe but at the cost of driving satisfaction and soul.

AT About this time - Mercedes decided to poll its actual buyers - and they found out that the majority of buyers wanted smoother rides and more Luxury over a hard riding sports sedan. So - Mercedes separated its "performance" edition to AMG - and its regular offerings are doing quite well

So - one must question - if BMW actually polled its buyers - would THEY want them to be harder riding /handling vehicles or would they be more like Mercedes Buyers?

Since BMW is perfectly capable of producing for BOTH as well - I do not see the problem. If you want a Go cart - get an M. IF you want a real premium sedan - they have them too.

Bmw however has other problems - not the least of which is that their cars are at best - 3 year cars - after which they seem to fall apart. Add in that their interiors are not in line with the class - they always seem to have the LEAST amount of room inside - making the larger cars especially non-competitive with other brands - and then - for some reason - BMW always manages to style their cars to make them look SMALLER than they really are - which also is a disadvantage for their higher line product.

However - what is clear is that a good stylist COULD make a very presentably styled car - with the twin-kidney grills - and I believe even a good Kindergarten child with a sharp set of Crayolas could do the same - that they seem to have the same styling over and over again is getting OLD now.

True. I have a long wheelbase 7. It's huge.

Up close, it looks extremely imposing and impressive.

From far away, in the absence of other cars or objects for scale, it looks diminutive.

Absolutely it does. I loved the way my E39 5 series and E90 3 series drove. I just switched over to Audi this year...I felt the S5 Sportback drove much better than the F10 3 series, and the interior is a much nicer place to spend time. I considered the M3, but the regular one didn't offer anything to me for the extra $$$ and the comp pack was just too rough on NY roads.

No, it doesn't matter because exceptionally few BMW drivers drive a BMW "like a BMW."

-Steve
(Former owner of 4 BMWs across 18 years. I loved them all.)

BMW has some issues. Interiors across the range, with a few exceptions, are middle-of-the-road or downright last place. Reliability has been problematic in the past too.

But as far as adapting to the demands of the market, I think they have done well.

I think most people have forgotten what older BMWs were like. I mean the 3s of the early 90s, or some of the stuff they put out in the 80s. Sure they handled better than anything on the road (within some price constraints), and are still paragons of driving dynamics.

But they were probably louder, rougher, more cramped, and less comfortable than people care to remember or admit. I think if you took most people, including the majority of people who complain about "modern BMWs", they wouldn't choose that car over a modern one. Sure some might, but they would be in the minority, and many of them would probably only choose the old BMW because they like the idea of driving an old BMW. Even the hypothetical people who used and took advantage of the superior old school driving dynamics would have to admit that it was less ideal for day-to-day usage, and the main thing getting them through their daily commute would be this nebulous knowing that they were in an old BMW making it all tolerable.

If you want a car that makes sacrifices in comfort, ride quality, interior quality, and reliability in the pursuit of class-leading driving dynamics, get a Cadillac ATS or CTS.

It did to me. After 2 E92 V8's M3's I bought an M4. Great cat and such but I'm a Shelby flatplane V8 mustang now..... The E92 V8 was IMHO a motor of distinction.

Can't wait for the new M8!

I test drove an M240i a few months back... it drove kind of like my 2000 M5 did. They have moved the larger car feeling down the chain :).

"Does It Matter That BMWs Don't Drive Like A BMW Anymore?" Nope not a damn bit. Most people are just looking for the Roundel to sport in their driveway and local byways. However, BMWs will ALWAYS leak like BMWs. It is a shame Bayerische cannot figure out how to seal an engine so it doesn't spring leaks after 60000 miles.

I’ve had a bunch of BMWs from a CSL and an1802 to a 2012 3 series diesel and not one of them was leaky. Really the only crappy car I’ve ever owned was a Honda Accord.

BMW incorrectly has been following the lead from Lexless and has ruined the BMW marque.

Lose the kidneys and you'll get other marques releasing a ton of copycat designs. As for the driving, my 328 drives like a mini — the original classic one.

Don't much care what anyone writes or says about BMWs.
I always vote with my money. I test drove the 4-series, 3-series, MB c300 & C43, Audi A3, A5 and S5 and the vehicle which, fo me, had the best handling, performance and fun factor was the BMW M240xi. Is it the vaunted E46? Ummm, no, it's so much better.