[classyfast]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

Sadly, I can't say that about the Caddies as that AC stunk after year one then the leather/new car scent after 2 or so haha

Really? I never got that in any of my caddies....I always thought the leather smelled "buttery" if that makes sense?? Lol

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by classyfast

Really? I never got that in any of my caddies....I always

I still say that I just got a few duds as I loved my CTS and although that leather scent dissipated a bit quickly, many factors come into play with smelly AC lol. The XTS was the worst and they replaced some kind of drain tube if I'm not mistaken. The second time they sprayed the damn vents/filter/everything possible which made it worse. Sadly, right before it was totaled, they completely resolved the issue by replacing the entire evaporator core. IT's actually pretty common so you must've gotten lucky lol. https://www.google.com/search?q=xts+...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Great cars and highly underrated yet I love my Bimmer a helluva lot more and wouldn't trade it in for a CTS/ATS anytime soon unless it was a "V" and not a "V Sport" lol

Not to change the topic but I even started looking at the 2019 Jetta there for a minute! (looks like a great value for what one gets!)

[BillD1953]

good reads.

for a while I thought I was on the "The Hull Truth" where the lively mud slinging debates/arguments about boats occurs daily

Brought my X3M40i in for it's first service yesterday, it just turned 10K miles. Very fast and very fun to drive. I traded my 2016 228i RWD 6MT in for the M40i. If the 228 had two extra doors I'd still have it. Just too dam small with grandkid carting around.

I asked for a 330i loaner. Got an 2018 330i xdrive with only 445 miles to drive around for the day and I purposely racked up the miles for the day ! Sticker was $51K and some change.

Returned the car, drove the M40i home which is always fun.....driving the 3 series reminded me of the 228i. low, close to the road, simple. I started reminiscing about the 6MT and actually did some "fake clutch work" with my left foot. Ya nuts right ?

Don't get me wrong, the ZF8auto in the M40i is flawless with all the power. But even in manual mode you can't skip gears down or up shifting. It will shift as fast as you can flick your index finger on the shifter or paddle.

So, before the last day to order a F30 2018 3 series (last day of July about 6-7 weeks from now according to my dealership today) I plan on ordering a bare bones 340i RWD 6MT. List is around $51K (nothing special for options, glacier silver, heated seats, heated steering wheel, don't need anything more) figure 6%-7% off list (no trade) I figure $47,685 for the last of it's kind 340 6MT stick.

Was considering a 330i 6MT but having the four banger as a daily driver while the M40i is parked next to it would be too much temptation in the morning.

IMO the 340i is a better buy "standard options" to "standard options than the 330i. The BMW B48 four banger is a very good engine. Vibration at idle of course.

The B58 in the M40i...? more than once I've left the dam thing running, the engine is that quiet and smooth at idle.

What's the saying ?

"Once you go six.....you never go back"....or something like that

[sr5959]

Originally Posted by BillD1953

good reads.

for a while I thought I was on the "The Hull Truth" where the lively mud slinging debates/arguments about boats occurs daily

Brought my X3M40i in for it's first service yesterday, it just turned 10K miles. Very fast and very fun to drive. I traded my 2016 228i RWD 6MT in for the M40i. If the 228 had two extra doors I'd still have it. Just too dam small with grandkid carting around.

I asked for a 330i loaner. Got an 2018 330i xdrive with only 445 miles to drive around for the day and I purposely racked up the miles for the day ! Sticker was $51K and some change.

Returned the car, drove the M40i home which is always fun.....driving the 3 series reminded me of the 228i. low, close to the road, simple. I started reminiscing about the 6MT and actually did some "fake clutch work" with my left foot. Ya nuts right ?

Don't get me wrong, the ZF8auto in the M40i is flawless with all the power. But even in manual mode you can't skip gears down or up shifting. It will shift as fast as you can flick your index finger on the shifter or paddle.

So, before the last day to order a F30 2018 3 series (last day of July about 6-7 weeks from now according to my dealership today) I plan on ordering a bare bones 340i RWD 6MT. List is around $51K (nothing special for options, glacier silver, heated seats, heated steering wheel, don't need anything more) figure 6%-7% off list (no trade) I figure $47,685 for the last of it's kind 340 6MT stick.

Was considering a 330i 6MT but having the four banger as a daily driver while the M40i is parked next to it would be too much temptation in the morning.

IMO the 340i is a better buy "standard options" to "standard options than the 330i. The BMW B48 four banger is a very good engine. Vibration at idle of course.

The B58 in the M40i...? more than once I've left the dam thing running, the engine is that quiet and smooth at idle.

What's the saying ?

"Once you go six.....you never go back"....or something like that

I was just admiring an X3 M40 the other day...superb sporty looking SUV, and I'm sure great to drive. Is it a decent bit cheaper than a Macan which is another sporty SUV that I really like?

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by BillD1953

good reads.

for a while I thought I was on the "The Hull Truth" where the lively mud slinging debates/arguments about boats occurs daily

Brought my X3M40i in for it's first service yesterday, it just turned 10K miles. Very fast and very fun to drive. I traded my 2016 228i RWD 6MT in for the M40i. If the 228 had two extra doors I'd still have it. Just too dam small with grandkid carting around.

I asked for a 330i loaner. Got an 2018 330i xdrive with only 445 miles to drive around for the day and I purposely racked up the miles for the day ! Sticker was $51K and some change.

Returned the car, drove the M40i home which is always fun.....driving the 3 series reminded me of the 228i. low, close to the road, simple. I started reminiscing about the 6MT and actually did some "fake clutch work" with my left foot. Ya nuts right ?

Don't get me wrong, the ZF8auto in the M40i is flawless with all the power. But even in manual mode you can't skip gears down or up shifting. It will shift as fast as you can flick your index finger on the shifter or paddle.

So, before the last day to order a F30 2018 3 series (last day of July about 6-7 weeks from now according to my dealership today) I plan on ordering a bare bones 340i RWD 6MT. List is around $51K (nothing special for options, glacier silver, heated seats, heated steering wheel, don't need anything more) figure 6%-7% off list (no trade) I figure $47,685 for the last of it's kind 340 6MT stick.

Was considering a 330i 6MT but having the four banger as a daily driver while the M40i is parked next to it would be too much temptation in the morning.

IMO the 340i is a better buy "standard options" to "standard options than the 330i. The BMW B48 four banger is a very good engine. Vibration at idle of course.

The B58 in the M40i...? more than once I've left the dam thing running, the engine is that quiet and smooth at idle.

What's the saying ?

"Once you go six.....you never go back"....or something like that

I have seriously considered this, but the timing just isn't right. Maybe you should contact me some day in the distant future when you are ready to part with your yet to be ordered RWD 6MT 340i. It may very well be then end of an era. Enjoy!

[530iDriver]

I came from a N/A N52 6 in line E90 and loved that engine. I thought my next BMW would have to be another 6 in line by default, albeit with a turbo this time.

Things quite didn't worked out that way, so instead of landing on a 540i, went for a very attractively priced 530i with the 2 liter B48 turbo 4 pot.

Having previously driven BMW F30s with the old N20, never really cared for the experience. However, the B48 on the 530i has been a revelation in many fronts. Excellent power delivery, in the highway it passes with authority and the city/highway fuel economy is amazing.

Sure, it doesn't have that signature smooth silky nature of the 6 cyl in line but to be honest and for my daily driving needs, the 2 liter is more engine that I will ever need or want.

If in the future the 6 is still available, I would probably go back, but I have to admit, I am very smitten by this little B48. It's a lovely power plant.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

It may very well be then end of an era. Enjoy!

Thats what they said about the E90 when the F30 came out. I wouldn't be too hung up on it.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by Kafkaesque328

this idea that you don't 'enjoy' driving if you aren't in the 4% of cars equipped with a standard trans is ludicrous. Just because you think pushing in a clutch pedal and pulling on a lever every time you need to shift gears makes you the ultimate badass, or Mario Andretti or something, you don't get to tell people what they do and do not enjoy. I learned to drive a standard on a 72 VW bug 4 speed when I was 14 1/2. Drove a manual for 20+ years, much of that time in LA traffic. Big deal. Find something else to care about and lecture people on.



They used to use whale blubber as a primary source of fuel for lamps and other things from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Neat story, right? I really miss those days. I looked into that option in my house, vs. central heat and was told this wasn't possible. I explained that I was a heating/fuel enthusiast, but no bueno..



Your definition of enthusiast may vary from other people's definition of enthusiast.

I love this article, from back in 2012, jalopnik, racecar drivers talking about what kind of trans they have in their daily drivers.

I wonder if F1 drivers or pro drag racers also feel less 'enthusiast like' with their auto equipped cars. If a slushbox or dual clutch is good enough for race car drivers, its good enough for me.

https://jalopnik.com/5952924/mario-a...hat-they-drive

[classyfast]

Originally Posted by jmg

Thats what they said about the E90 when the F30 came out. I wouldn't be too hung up on it.

I think the e9x may still be the last good BMW's ever.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by classyfast

I think the e9x may still be the last good BMW's ever.

Dynamically it was a very good car. However, never understood the need for the overly heavy steering that was a bit annoying at slow parking speeds and the standard front seats were not terribly comfortable and thinly padded.

But yeah, I enjoyed mine for a very long time and when I traded in it was still solid as a drum.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Dynamically it was a very good car. However, never understood the need for the overly heavy steering that was a bit annoying at slow parking speeds and the standard front seats were not terribly comfortable and thinly padded.

But yeah, I enjoyed mine for a very long time and when I traded in it was still solid as a drum.

I think the heavy steering was a side effect of keeping the boost down. This allows for more feedback from tire to hand. It wasn't purposely made heavy just to be heavy. Of course, people ended up associating that heavy steering with sporty and now our sport mode wheels are made artificially heavy even when parking even though we have zero feedback.

[classyfast]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

I think the heavy steering was a side effect of keeping the boost down. This allows for more feedback from tire to hand. It wasn't purposely made heavy just to be heavy. Of course, people ended up associating that heavy steering with sporty and now our sport mode wheels are made artificially heavy even when parking even though we have zero feedback.

Well said and great point!

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Dynamically it was a very good car. However, never understood the need for the overly heavy steering that was a bit annoying at slow parking speeds and the standard front seats were not terribly comfortable and thinly padded.

I passed my E46 to my daughter once I got an F30. After about 6 months I drove that E46 again and my first reaction immediately on starting to pull out of the parking spot was “omg wtf is the power steering broken????” I seriously thought the steering was broken at first, it was such a shock going back to it after 6 months in an F30.

But 2 minutes later driving down the road I was all, “OMG I love this car!” Darn I miss that E46!

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by classyfast

I think the e9x may still be the last good BMW's ever.

Yes, likely the last good driver.

Too bad it's so ugly. I could never and still can't warm up to the exterior styling. I had to step away from the 3 series during that entire body style.

[classyfast]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Yes, likely the last good driver.

Too bad it's so ugly. I could never and still can't warm up to the exterior styling. I had to step away from the 3 series during that entire body style.

E92 pre-Lci msport is legendary though!

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by classyfast

E92 pre-Lci msport is legendary though!

The coupe is a lot better. Back is good actually, but the front is still the least attractive since the E36, so still the ugliest 3 series in a 20 year period.

[Rox335i]

Do you have to pay for a loaner or is it just my dealership?

[metallicpea]

I don't pay for loaners at my dealership.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Rox335i

Do you have to pay for a loaner or is it just my dealership?

Is there a Trump Tariff on loaners too?!?!?!?


Seriously though, in the US loaners are free.

[Rox335i]

Lol, that sucks for me. Both BMW dealerships near me both charges $27 dollars per day.

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by Rox335i

Lol, that sucks for me. Both BMW dealerships near me both charges $27 dollars per day.

As others have mentioned, it's free here in the US until you start taking advantage. I overheard someone getting pissed about paying for his loaner but they called three days prior and he ignored the calls. Think they were asking for $150 or $50 a day if I recall correctly.

[classyfast]

Originally Posted by Rox335i

Do you have to pay for a loaner or is it just my dealership?

Lol hell no! Never ever had to pay for a loaner if your under warranty or CPO or BMW extended warranty.



Also: you should never own a Bmw without a warranty of some type. Bmw is by far the easiest to have