Author Topic: Bmw = Garbage (Read 2768 times)

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #75 on:** July 17, 2002, 07:52:42 AM »

The explorer situation and rollovers was a result of bad tires from Firestone. A blowout would result highway speeds... not a flat... a blowout. The only way to avoid a rollover would be to make an instant recovery move (the right one). Very few people could do it.

As a rule, we don't go into the "driver's fault" arena on this one. Certain people on the board are extremely sensitive to this since they lost loved ones as a result of the defective tires.

The only other rollover issue with fords was with the old bronco II. And that didn't matter if it was 4x2 or 4x4. The thing had a narrow wheelbase and a high CoG.

AKDejaVu

Ripsnort · « **Reply #76 on:** July 17, 2002, 08:19:25 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
5.9? Never seen better than 6.1 for one of those in a magazine. BMW says 6.4.
And they are governed to 128 mph. 155 mph is fantasy if you live in the US.

Funked: Dinan chip $200...takes the governer off

Thats the first thing I had done because of the benefit of the software that takes off the "dumb-downed" clutch delay/throttle response.

Also, the 5.9 sec 0-60 is what most of the automotive mags test I've seen and our club members have confirmed this speed as well out at the track. BMW always posts conservative values for 0-60 times.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #77 on:** July 17, 2002, 08:21:01 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
Crow, Rip doesn't drive an M3. He drives a 330i sedan. It's governed to 128 mph. And I rather doubt a porky luxobarge with only 225 hp could reach 155 mph even if he disabled the governor. That's what I meant by fantasy.

Not a sedan, a Coupe. And I can do 155 (see the above post) though I've never had it above 140

Oh, and I have a bra, they suck, I don't like the looks, but it does cut down on the rock chips...

HAJO! Post a pic of your Z3!

Masherbrum · « **Reply #78 on:** July 17, 2002, 08:50:27 AM »

I understand the Firestone issue full well, I witnessed FIRSTHAND a blowout on a 1997 F-150 in 1996 outside of Toronto on a Mineralogy field trip. It wasn't even an issue back then. TIRES aside. When you yank the wheel of an SUV less than 30 mph, it is not going to flip or roll. Be honest, the recall aside, you don't just turn a curve at 20mph and roll the thing, bump that speed to happen, and you took the turn to fast.

The problem isn't with soccer mom's at all. It is people buying these things and have no idea what responsiblity they need to have (MORE THAN A CAR). You are in a framed vehicle, the chances of getting into an accident and killing someone is FAR GREATER than that of a car. But when they tailgate people "because I'm in the bigger vehicle" they should lose any privileges of driving these vehicles. Trust me, if I were President. You would have to take road tests to drive an SUV with Panic stops, evasive manuevers and other forms of training. It would piss people off, but doesn't everything else.

My point is that people treat SUV's like cars and speed through traffic. I watched an Excursion speed through traffic (weaving of course) and rear end a Geo Metro. I stopped and the person in the Geo was alright except for severe whiplash and a bruised wrist. The cops arrived on the scene and one was commenting (off the cuff) on how F'ed up the Geo was and chuckled. I asked what was so funny. He said "The damage to the Geo is ungodly" (he didn't know I had heard the initial conversation. I told him that I did and asked him "Would you be laughing if the driver of the Geo was a family member or a friend?" He nodded in the realization that he acted like an amazinhunk and went back to his cruiser with his tail in between his legs. Would it be funny to most people to see the rear end all the way up to the back of the front seat and the impact so severe that the engine came off of the mounts?! "But it is was a Metro." It doesn't matter there are people driving SUV's and Pickup trucks that have no business driving at all, it isn't a RIGHT, it is a priviledge.

I am sorry if anyone has lost someone to the Recall but my posts GO BEYOND THAT, prevention in the first place.

Masher

Monk · « **Reply #79 on:** July 17, 2002, 10:14:55 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ripsnort

Not a sedan, a Coupe. And I can do 155 (see the above post) though I've never had it above 140

Come on over here Rip, drive where you really can do 140 or more

Ripsnort · « **Reply #80 on:** July 17, 2002, 10:40:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Monk
Quote
Originally posted by Ripsnort

Not a sedan, a Coupe. And I can do 155 (see the above post) though I've never had it above 140

Come on over here Rip, drive where you really can do 140 or more

Monk, 2005 my wife and I are planning either an M5 or M3 Euro-delivery. We will(granted I'm still employed!)

Incidently, if any of you guys need some detailing advice, you can find me at bimmerfest forums, I'm the Detail forum moderator there.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #81 on:** July 17, 2002, 10:51:24 AM »

Oh, Deja , we've just finished adding a "Mini" forum too, and the Off topic forum gets as hot as this one as well, come join us!

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/index.php

funkedup · « **Reply #82 on:** July 17, 2002, 11:45:45 AM »

Rip you got a chip, no fair.

funkedup · « **Reply #83 on:** July 17, 2002, 12:06:39 PM »

I'm NOT going to do this mod:

Ripsnort · « **Reply #84 on:** July 17, 2002, 12:27:42 PM »

Hey, you still planning on getting that car Funked? WRX will beat the pants off just about anything in its weight class, very quick off the line, and great torque! I drove one in Missouri while on vacation (My Nieces husband owns one), though I could easily "lose" one on the twisties...I liked that torque!

funkedup · « **Reply #85 on:** July 17, 2002, 01:09:57 PM »

Rip I got it a couple of weeks ago. It's great.

Quote

I could easily "lose" one on the twisties

I doubt that very much. WRX are often 1-2 seconds ahead of 330i in our local autocross events. In fact, WRX's sometimes run as fast as E36 M3's. Those are stock cars though. I'm sure a lowered 330i with stickies could run away from a stock WRX and vice versa.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #86 on:** July 17, 2002, 02:26:46 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
Rip I got it a couple of weeks ago. It's great.

I doubt that very much. WRX are often 1-2 seconds ahead of 330i in our local autocross events. In fact, WRX's sometimes run as fast as E36 M3's. Those are stock cars though. I'm sure a lowered 330i with stickies could run away from a stock WRX and vice versa.

No, what I meant is lose it as in I didn't feel the confidence cornering it as I do my 330. A WRX is gonna beat a 3 series in any auto-X with all that torque

Ripsnort · « **Reply #87 on:** July 17, 2002, 02:40:06 PM »

Funked, did they re-vamp the suspensions on the 2002's? Evidently they must have according to this article at Edmunds...the one I drove was a couple years old (2000?) and didn't handle like they (Edmunds) claims they do now.

Good bang for the buck!

lazs2 · « **Reply #88 on:** July 17, 2002, 02:44:44 PM »

bah... station wagons and cookie cutter euro boxes you can't find in a fair sized parking lot.... Nobody talks about cars anymore.
lazs

funkedup · « **Reply #89 on:** July 17, 2002, 03:02:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ripsnort

No, what I meant is lose it as in I didn't feel the confidence cornering it as I do my 330. A WRX is gonna beat a 3 series in any auto-X with all that torque

Oh I hear you. It's always weird in a new car. I actually thought the handling was weird in the WRX.

What I figured out is that it likes to be abused. You have to kind of grab it by the scruff of the neck and throw it around. Lots of trail braking to get a little oversteer going and then stomp on the throttle early. Then wait wait wait for the turbo lag and then WOOOSH the turbo spools up when the car is ready to exit the corner. If you do it right, the tail will come out in a nice 4 wheel drift.

I think my car is the same spec as the one Edmunds tested except for the wheels and tires. The one they drove had some 17" forged BBS wheels which come with Bridgestone "Pole Position" tires. Mine has cast 16" wheels with Bridgestone RE92's, which are all season mom & pop tires. So mine is probably not as macho as the one in the Edmunds article. It's definitely stiff though, enough that my sister was complaining about the ride.

My goal now is to shred the RE92's so I have an excuse to get some 18" OZ's with Michelin Pilot Sport rubber.

You gotta bring your BMW to the Con man! I've never driven one of those.