12-04-2009, 10:40 PM | #133 |
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Kudos to the OP, this is a great thread that BMW SHOULD READ. I agree with most of the suggestions here, but my personal list would have at the top:
1. Do NOT grow the 3er. It needs to lose as much weight as possible. Some have said 200 lbs - great, but at least something. 2. Bump the power of the N52 to more than 230hp - hotter versions of this engine already exist so this should be easy. 3. Add a dipstick for sanity and safety. Also make DIY maintenance easier - many want to, and are able to do this. 4. Back up camera integrated into I-drive. 5. Lower the cost of the NAV. This is also one of the great automotive rip-offs of all time. 2K when equally or more competent Garmins go for $250. 6. Either get rid of the RFTs or at minimum, make them an option. These tires have been an epic FAIL for BMW. Hope you are reading. |
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12-05-2009, 11:50 AM | #134 |
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1. Better suspension setup (EDC adjustable?)
2. Much more efficient cooling (larger IC and OC) 3. A real rear differential lock. 4. Wider front and rear seats. 5. DCT |
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12-05-2009, 11:55 AM | #135 |
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my list:
- Get rid of run flats - Stop making everything a super expensive option. Kias have ipod intergation standard now, why do I gotta pay $400 to BMW for that? same with smart phone integration/bluetooth/etc. Make it all a $1000 package... That would include better stereo, more speakers/subwoofers/bluetooth/smart phone integration/ipod/mp3 players usb ports. - SSD (solid state drive) based NAVigation. - Make LSD available on 335 sport model (it's currently reserved for M models) - Fix HPFP issue on 335 model, add valetronic to N54, make it around 350-360hp. - Make sport seats standard. - keep the size or make smaller - Lose weight - More standard features Next M3 wish list: - Ceramic brakes as option - Highly tunable Twin turbo Inline 6 with gobs of low end torque (great for daily driving) - Option for very lightweight forged deep dish wheels - tunable suspension (sport/comfort modes) - make it MUCH lighter and more focused. E92/E90 M3s became more of a GT tourer than a sports car. |
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12-05-2009, 11:58 AM | #136 |
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my list:
- Get rid of run flats - Stop making everything a super expensive option. Kias have ipod integration standard now, why do I gotta pay $400 to BMW for that? same with smart phone integration/bluetooth/etc. Make it all a $1000 package... That would include better stereo, more speakers/subwoofers/bluetooth/smart phone integration/ipod/mp3 players usb ports. - SSD (solid state drive) based NAVigation. - Make LSD available on 335 sport model (it's currently reserved for M models) - Fix HPFP issue on 335 model, add valetronic to N54, make it around 350-360hp. - Make sport seats standard. - keep the size or make smaller - Lose weight - More standard features Next M3 wish list: - Ceramic brakes as option - Highly tunable Twin turbo Inline 6 with gobs of low end torque (great for daily driving) - Option for very lightweight forged deep dish wheels - tunable suspension (sport/comfort modes) - make it MUCH lighter and more focused. E92/E90 M3s became more of a GT tourer than a sports car. |
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12-05-2009, 12:04 PM | #137 | |
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12-05-2009, 12:05 PM | #138 | |
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Current: '21 M5C, '15 X6 50i Previous: '18 M550i, '16 550i, '11 335is, '09 E93 M3 DCT, '10 E90 335d, '07 E90 328i |
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12-05-2009, 12:48 PM | #139 |
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Make the base model truly base. IE, no sunroof, alcantara/cloth, manual transmission, no cruise control, no cup holders, etc. Then make everything OPTIONAL (Performance: LSD, sport suspension, bigger rims/tires and Comfort: Navigation, leather, heated/ventilated power seats, etc)
What a concept. |
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12-05-2009, 12:50 PM | #140 |
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Active cruise control as standard and NO MORE CDV! Active cruise control is an awesome option, but nobody chooses it. Having more of that in the used market would be great
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12-05-2009, 01:25 PM | #143 |
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I've read most of the posts on this thread; I agree with most, if not almost all.
Just a few things though: I'm not saying we shouldn't voice our opinion, but take into account that BMW is not designing this car for its enthusiast customers. It's unfortunate, but true. From a business standpoint, they can't try to stick to heritage and a few fans and forget their relevance to the bigger picture (full customer base). A few things that have come up countless times that I would love to see, but am almost certain won't happen: - DCT They are going to the 8-speed auto, so DCT will 99% chance not happen. - Same size The car is going to be bigger, maybe marginally, but it will be bigger - it has happened with every predecessor generation, no reason why it won't happen to this one. The general consumer (especially North American, thinks bigger = better = better value), so it will gain a little bit of size here and there to give more interior room, trunk space, etc) - Lighter If it's slightly bigger, it's reasonable to expect to weigh the same or SLIGHTLY less, but nothing significant like 200lbs. - Cloth seats Could happen if they do a "performance" line, but it won't be a generally available/standard option because in the eye of general consumer, leather = luxury, and BMW stands for luxury, so it must have it. - RFT delete Again, general public thinks apart from the cost, RFTs are good because they are safer. At least that's what BMW gets them to believe, and most buy it. I don't disagree, they are safer, but you pay a big price (not just financially) for that slight increase in safety. |
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12-05-2009, 01:35 PM | #144 |
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Don't forget they're a German company, they pay for their materials in Europe, as long as the dollar is worth less and less, our prices will go up whereas around the world they stay essentially the same.
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12-05-2009, 01:42 PM | #145 | |
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You get the idea, the free maintenance has more than made up for any potential savings on the original price of the car for me. The way I see it, BMW has to use cheaper suppliers for certain parts in order to keep their prices competitive with the crap coming out of Japan and now Korea, I think they should raise their prices as much as they need to in order to make their cars meet the quality standards that people expect from the Germans. Think pre-1993 Mercedes Benz, I used to have a 1991 300E so I know first hand how great it was to have a car for 16 years and never have a single part break on it. |
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12-05-2009, 01:44 PM | #146 |
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-No RFTs
-LSD option for the factory (maybe a $500 upgrade, tops) -Lightweight starter battery (ala GT3RS, c'mon BMW you can make it happen) -Sunroof delete option (to lose weight) -aluminum hood, roof, and trunk -7speed DCT or 8speed auto -350i with the twin turbo V8. Muhahaha -Lighten up the exhaust a bit. Last one was a porker -Option for matte black grills from the factory ($100 upgrade option) -Keep the fold down rear seats (very handy) -Don't make the valvetronic impossible to hack in the N55 (so we can tune) -Give us a ROBUST turbo 4 -Give us the twin sequential turbo 4 diesel. The 335d wasn't enough of an MPG upgrade to justify going diesel. If I go diesel I expect to be (slightly) slower but I expect a huge MPG gain. and -Move all of the controls for windows, mirrors, etc to the center counsel (so some of us can do CF door panels) or -Door mounted airbags (so some of us can do lightweight bucket seats without compromising safety)
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12-05-2009, 02:19 PM | #147 |
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Great ideas everybody.
My list: (many already mentioned) BMW Individual program New colors Full choice of performance options from factory True LSD as an option (ala audi sport diff.) Sport/tii model with less options, lighter weight, more power, sportier suspension NO RFT! (or build a new BMW dealership every 50mi. throughout US) Fold down rear seats in all cars standard (seriously?) Most importantly, at least an expanded range of diesel motors for the U.S.!!!! |
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12-05-2009, 02:45 PM | #148 |
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Make the climate contol driver temp knob the default control. Only have passenger knob activate if someone uses it. I get sick of having to move three knobs everytime I want to adjust temp. (middle vent knob is #3)
Mechanical LSD Make the fog light button work like the E36, once pushed the fogs come on anytime the main lights come on. Cruise stalk back to right side of column. Make a user settings for having the Comfort Access lock doors automatically when you walk away, and mirrors fold automatically when locked. Keep standard handbrake, no electronic versions. Make the manual small enough to fit in glove box. Hire someone that can design a decent cup holder that holds a drink and doesn't sit right where unknowing passengers will knock them with their knees. Height adjustable shoulder belts. Ventilated seats. 4 blinks instead of 3 for one touch turn indicators. Bring back the early E90 mirrors, the new ones are too big. Or maybe somewhere in between. Otherwise I love it, Runflats and all. |
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12-05-2009, 02:50 PM | #149 |
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300hp as the lowest model 3-series in usa and canada . bump 335 to 400 stock with upgraded turbos and m3 at 480hp with 420tq. Mechanical LSD for all 3 series. And including nicer seats. Angel eyes and xenons for all models is a must ! No silly halogen !!!!
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12-05-2009, 02:52 PM | #150 |
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Some xi model suggestions
Make the sports package on the xi a true sports package (no need to have the suspension as high, it makes the car look like an SUV ).
Allow fine tuning for the AWD software through I-Drive. For example, allow control of power allocation front to rear instead of having just the default 40/60. Personally, I would prefer 0/100 when the conditions are not slippery and 50/50 when the conditions are slippery. Decouple sports package suspension from other items such as oil coolers, 18 inch rims, etc. For example, I had to order the 18inch Summer performance option to get the oil cooler even though I would have preferred the 17 inch package which makes for a more comfortable ride on our pothole ridden CT roads. PLEASE do not include silly items such as the seatbelt assistant. Only adds cost, complexity and weight. Make items such as USB ports standard. They are standard on the lowliest of cars these days. It should not be a $500 option. One cool feature that I think all manufacturers should shoot for would be to use bluetooth for more than just phone connectivity. Bluetooth can be used to transmit music as well. It can probably be used (in combination with a custom application) to display and control vehicle parameters from the iPhone. Personally, I think it's a HUGE waste that we build these screens and GPS systems in a cars without any thought to reuse in other cars. When the car goes, so does all that expensive electronic gear. Perhaps they should be modular. |
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12-05-2009, 03:02 PM | #151 | |
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12-05-2009, 03:03 PM | #152 | |
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Same with Lambo doors. They are are so played out that not all Lambo's have them.. |
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12-05-2009, 03:12 PM | #153 |
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imo
I really love the e90.
1. get rid of airbags 2. get rid of power steering 3. get rid of navi. who needs em anyway? 4. a free bmw hat 5. a coffee brewer 6. change the entire body for more pussy 7. get drum brakes. 8. cassette tape player That is how much I love bmw. yeah thats us; bad chicks like bad checks |
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