i reckon i'd tell a Euro in a blind test based on one thing only (because i know very little about cars -- mechanically i mean, im just a driver, not an expert).
the one thing would be "power without screaming". a huge unscientificgeneralisation but what the heck, i make it in good humour. so see what you think of it. if I put my foot down to the floor in a ford (counting fords as jap) , toyota or nissan say (and i do drive em, cos i rent cars when i travel with my job).they scream for mercy while deliverying the power.its awful.
when I put my foot down in a 5 series beamer.it just delivers the same or more power and you can almost feel it shrug its shoulders and say "whatever" :)
vtecintegra,
Dec 13, 8:51am
Sounds like you're comparing small four cylinder cars to a larger six or eight cylinder BMW
cantab1971,
Dec 13, 9:01am
and on the folding-up thing.i've never bought into this crumple zone stuff.
.sorry to all the scientists and designers, and for being totally obnoxious.but.
You just need to see the wrecks on the news.yep, crumple zones worked great.there's about a square foot of space inside there somewhere. which is why its always "driver/passenger died at the scene".
I'd like something that doesn't crumple so much thanks.
vtecintegra,
Dec 13, 9:03am
Your BMW (assuming its a relatively modern one which it will be if it has 10 airbags) is constructed in exactly the same way as any other modern car with regard to crumple zones.
drew2009,
Dec 13, 9:03am
You reckon! Anything 5 series less than the 540 was a bit of a slug IMO to heavy.
richard198,
Dec 13, 9:03am
3 litre or 2.0 litre!
cantab1971,
Dec 13, 9:08am
and lastly.the interior.I always quote the falcon here because its so god awful i remember it :)
even new ones have you winding down the back window with something that looks like it will break off if you get too excited.
its acres of black plastic in the front and a stupid bar under the seat that you lift up and wiggle your arse (on the crappy fabric seat that attracts hairs and stuff) to move forward or back .i mean seriously in a $40k car! then there's the crappy grey lcd screen in the centre to control everything.like an overgrown digital watch from the 80's.
its like some dudes at ford sat round a table and said lets design the ugliest most awful interior.
thats the ford anyways.the holden is the same
a 9 year old beamer has full leather, everything electric (i mean everything, seat forwards and back,up and down, headrest up down,(all same for passenger), memory for driver.air-con for the rear passengers. night vision mirors, auto rear window shade .i could go on but people will get pissed off.
to coin the cringe-making cliche, "you just get so much more car" ;)
oh, and there's a TV in the dash which the young-un watches when parked up. (although i have to say, it drains the battery :)
kazbanz,
Dec 13, 9:44am
OH MY GOSH--Cantab You now really have me wanting to get you out in a couple of decent sized Jappa's. Now I personally don't like leather seats -but thats just personal taste. I bet if I got you out in a Brevis, a 3.0l legacy.An LS300 lexus.a 3.0l skyline or a few others I could name you would change your tune. Heck I may be wrong
richardmayes,
Dec 13, 10:36am
I've had a drive of a couple of 325s of different ages, and I can definitely see why a keen driver would pay his money and take his chance with one.
vtecintegra,
Dec 13, 12:51pm
I can't when you can buy a 330i for about the same money.
bwg11,
Dec 13, 1:12pm
Can't understand this "image" thing with european cars (BMW excepted). I think it makes the statement, "I'm a poser who knows f all about cars". Even to quote Clarkson, "BMW are making some good cars at the moment, since all the cocks are in Audis, you may even get let out at an intersection in one".
vtecintegra,
Dec 13, 1:16pm
Why is BMW different! The other German manufacturers also make some very nice cars.
sgrants,
Dec 13, 1:17pm
Take a visit to continental car services and see which marque (of the nine they are agents for!) has the most vehicles awaiting repairs! (I have worked there in the past!)
elect70,
Dec 13, 1:25pm
Having owned 36 cars fromminis,zephers , vauxhuals ,to holdens ,falcons , 5 japers! renault& 3bmwsIprefer the328bmws. latest 1got at 220k fromgirl racer, ultra lowprofile 18 inchwheels, 3 years now & nothing has needed repairstill feels tight .
eagles9999,
Dec 13, 1:35pm
Thats what you need- a girl racer who still feels tight.
bwg11,
Dec 13, 1:38pm
Beemers - in my mind the M series Beemers have a true sporting heritage and are fantastic drivers cars and certainly have "image", but it is the tossers in stuffed 318's who belive they have a sporting saloon and that makes them superior beings to the humble Mazda 3 or Corolla drivers which get up my nose. And for the sake of the argument do I accept Audi has won Le Mans and the RS Audis are also great cars if someone else is paying for service and repairs.
kcc55a,
Dec 13, 1:39pm
Is there any truth to the story that Holdens are still based on the original FJ. Which was maybe based on a '47 Chev!Engine looks to be in the same place!
richard198,
Dec 13, 1:46pm
Refer again to my list above. For reliability, BMW makes 11th. VW and Mercedes make 32nd.
Edit: Porsche also good!
a.woodrow,
Dec 13, 1:47pm
uhm no!
wrong2,
Dec 13, 1:57pm
hey, id actually like to know - they are a big enough dealership to make a point with
skiff1,
Dec 13, 2:06pm
Is it so hard to slide a seat back and forward! and what do all those shitty little actuators cost to fix! Dont like falcons either, but all of those electrics cost you and what do they do to make your life better!
richard198,
Dec 13, 2:09pm
Yeah come on, spill the beans! Which one!
vtecintegra,
Dec 13, 2:10pm
I'm going to guess Peugeot.
richard198,
Dec 13, 2:20pm
Along with Renault!
vtecintegra,
Dec 13, 2:21pm
I don't think Continental does Renault
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