[TsunamiFury]

I've driven my last BMW, for now.

After an E46 328I, E46 330i ZHP, an F30 328i and an F36 428i, i've jumped ship.

What got me? The C43 AMG Coupe.

Here's the story if you're interested in the long love affair with BMW.

I loved my E46's. The handling, the ride comfort, the acceleration, and the size were just sublime. Everyday driving that car was a treat. It was somehow perfectly practical as a sedan and a impressive sports car too. I drove it for years until it wasn't worth maintaining, then gave it to my dad who wanted to keep it around for a bit.

I still drive it sometimes, and I'm still impressed.

I skipped the E90 generation because it was... ugly. But the coupe sure drove well.

After a while I bit the bullet and bought an 2012 F30 328i. Thinking that it would have even more power than my old e46 330i and lots of updated technology I'd love it. It was a terrible car. I reviewed it here about 4 years ago, and it just did not stand up in any way. Awful handling, terrible, rough acceleration, rugged road feel while still somehow being numb on the steering wheel. I hated that car so much I traded it in after 2 years for...

My F36 Gran Coupe (review here). This was a pretty nice car, and by all accounts what the 3 series should have been. Low, smooth, refined acceleration, great transmission, and a bit tighter of steering. I got it custom, and enjoyed almost all my time with it. But to be honest, for how incredibly expensive it was, it missed the panache of what a 60-70k car should be. No exhaust note, softer brakes (that easily faded), and still had the rattle-tattle suspension that lacked the smooth but stiff feel of the E46. Amazing utility and sporty driving mix, but really i grew to resent the car. It felt like BMW always played gotcha with configurations, elusively trying to charge you more and more for the feel that used to come with a bone-stock E46.

So after my lease expired, I decided to look beyond, and settled on the C43 AMG Coupe. This car has everything my E46 used to. Smooth yet stiff handling, roaring rumbling exhaust, refined interior, and a luxury GT ride on the highway.

After giving a few BMW's a try, like the 540i Msport, they all honestly left me cold. They were sports cars trying to be luxury cruisers, and failing at both.

Honestly I think BMW is going to be in a small pickle for the next few years. They haven't decided if they are a sports car maker, a luxury car maker, or a technology-self-driving-car maker. And on top of it, they aren't doing a very good job at any of them. Mercedes interior design absolutely wipes the floor with them (when a C sedan looks better than the 5 series, you've got a problem), and the Merc has the right sweet and sour flavor of sport and lux. Yes the handling is lighter, but so is the BMW's now too -- so I'm not even losing anything at this point.

Heres the rub: the 3/4 series is getting tired, and didn't even start out on great footing to begin with. Merc and Audi isn't just biting at BMW's heals like before, they are past them. And with Porche moving in to mainstream with the Macan S (its an incredible ride), BMW's patented mix of sport and lux is going to play a distant second fiddle. On top of that, BMW's pricing is out of control, for tepid specs and lackluster features.

Anyways -- so a long love affair is over and honestly I'm sad about it. I drove about every car on the BMW lot to try to find a reason to stay, but it only took one test drive in an AMG Coupe to pull me away. (Also 2nd after that was the Macan GTS, when an SUV is beating a sports sedan, you got a problem).

Anyways, I'll leave you with a picture of my new love that won't come for 3 more months...

[tturedraider]

"....really i grew to resent the car. It felt like BMW always played gotcha with configurations, elusively trying to charge you more and more for the feel that used to come with a bone-stock E46."

Just a little reminder, your ZHP didn't come like that "out of the box". You paid $3,900 for that option.

Curious - did you drive a 440i M Sport coupe or Gran Coupe? After all you went from two four banger BMWs to a bi-turbo V6.

If you do a little math you'll find out BMWNA has done a pretty good job holding the line on prices. Adjusted for inflation most BMWs today are actually slightly less expensive than equivalently equipped models from years ago. Frequently that includes more standard content.

Enjoy your Merc.

[Bbb34]

Congratulations, beautiful looking car. I hope it's everything you hope for and more.

Once you find something you like more, you just know it, and seems that's exactly what happened to you.

[tgmsocal]

I feel you, BMW is trying to be a jack of all trades and is mastering none. I like my F30 328i but it's not the same kind of driver's car that my older BMWs were. I know things change and what not, but non-M BMWs have completely changed from what they once were. I have a feeling after this car it will be ///M or bust (bust being another manufacturer).

Thanks for your honest review and best of luck with your new Merc. She's a beaut.

-tgm

[JDMAF]

Meh. glad you're happy, and variety is certainly the spice of life. But I cant help observing that you feel MB got it right, yet they don't offer a serious driver's car with a manual transmission- at least in the us market. That's a non starter for me. A sweet straight six BMW with a manual transmission trumps pretty much everything else for me. Lord help BMW if they stop making that combination.

[goj]

Good for you

[drummerlauw]

You really can't go wrong with either brand IMO. Enjoy the C43!! It's a beautiful machinery.

[icwhatudidthere]

Last year, that was supposed to be my next car but Mercedes was slow in bringing it to the US. They gave me a C Class loaner at the time and that actually soured me on the C Class. The interior was incredibly photogenic but in person, I just didn't like the quality of that specific car.

Price was what ultimately sealed the deal. A similarly equipped C43 was easily $10k more than the 435i GC I ended up with. It's funny the cars you mention. My sister has a Macan, my parents have a C but I'd pick mine over either of those in almost every regard. (The matte black wood in the MB is gorgeous.)

[eluded]

I am sorry for your loss.

[rdeluna72397]

Disregard the haters man. You're on a bmw forum. I personally loved the C43 (C450 at the time when i test drove it) and I think it's far better than the 435i I ended up getting. Wish I had enough money to afford the difference between the cars. Congrats on the purchase!

[wilbur_the_goose]

^^^
Agree. It's way out of my price range. Congrats to the OP!

[jparnes1]

Your AMG is a great car but I always scratch my head when people complain that today's BMWs aren't like those of years ago. No kidding! People who owned E46s complained that they weren't like E30s. Honestly, do you really want a car with technology from 1999? No car is perfect and car manufacturers have to adapt to mandates and the market or they die. You want hydraulic steering back? Sorry, electronic steering helped meet CAFE requirements. Who doesn't love their adaptive suspension? The list goes on. My son's E46 is a great drive, but no way am I selling my 340 for one of those.

[5ilver-5amurai]

Congrats on your purchase! If you haven't purchased the AMG Performance Exhaust, please do yourself a huge favour and get it.

I really don't think you can go wrong with the S5, 435/440, and C450/C43 at this point - All are fantastic machines!

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Your AMG is a great car but I always scratch my head when people complain that today's BMWs aren't like those of years ago. No kidding! People who owned E46s complained that they weren't like E30s. Honestly, do you really want a car with technology from 1999? No car is perfect and car manufacturers have to adapt to mandates and the market or they die. You want hydraulic steering back? Sorry, electronic steering helped meet CAFE requirements. Who doesn't love their adaptive suspension? The list goes on. My son's E46 is a great drive, but no way am I selling my 340 for one of those.

I agree. I am on my 19th BMW since the first one in early 1971. I would not want to go back to most of those older cars. The only one I should have kept was a 1974 3.0C coupe - and kept not because it was wonderful to drive but kept because it was an iconic car and highly treasured today. I had three 2002s over the years, and while a fun car, they were far from perfect.

I also will keep my 340i.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Your AMG is a great car but I always scratch my head when people complain that today's BMWs aren't like those of years ago. No kidding! People who owned E46s complained that they weren't like E30s. Honestly, do you really want a car with technology from 1999? No car is perfect and car manufacturers have to adapt to mandates and the market or they die. You want hydraulic steering back? Sorry, electronic steering helped meet CAFE requirements. Who doesn't love their adaptive suspension? The list goes on. My son's E46 is a great drive, but no way am I selling my 340 for one of those.

Actually I never regretted trading my E36 for an E46. The E36 had some great qualities but the E46 was a very easy transition and had the same general character. The character of the F30 is quite different from those previous models, more of a slightly anonymous (in character, not looks) comfortable GT cruiser than a sport sedan.

I'm not saying it's good or bad, just different. Owners of prior BMW models have to decide for themselves if it's what they want; the decision to upgrade to the latest model BMW is no longer a simple one. I suspect I might also be going to MB or Porsche for my next car after 22 years in various 3-series models. But that's not necessarily a bad thing for BMW as they now appeal to others that might have passed them over previously.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by tgmsocal

I feel you, BMW is trying to be a jack of all trades and is mastering none. I like my F30 328i but it's not the same kind of driver's car that my older BMWs were. I know things change and what not, but non-M BMWs have completely changed from what they once were. I have a feeling after this car it will be ///M or bust (bust being another manufacturer)...

I sense that most users these days are after the best package, compromises go hand in hand, to get to that product. Then over here in Europe a typical BMW 3-series is a small diesel, many are tourings (wagons). Creature comforts, including the ride quality and ease of driving, being as important (or even more so) than outright performance. Shows how the goal posts are so different, certainly moved on from when straight six petrol saloons (sedans), were the heart of BMW production.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

"....really i grew to resent the car. It felt like BMW always played gotcha with configurations, elusively trying to charge you more and more for the feel that used to come with a bone-stock E46."

Just a little reminder, your ZHP didn't come like that "out of the box". You paid $3,900 for that option.

Curious - did you drive a 440i M Sport coupe or Gran Coupe? After all you went from two four banger BMWs to a bi-turbo V6.

If you do a little math you'll find out BMWNA has done a pretty good job holding the line on prices. Adjusted for inflation most BMWs today are actually slightly less expensive than equivalently equipped models from years ago. Frequently that includes more standard content.

Enjoy your Merc.

Yes. Why not try or get a 335/440? Not a real comparison to a C43.

[zamboni]

Enjoy your new ride.

[JDMAF]

Originally Posted by JDMAF

Meh. glad you're happy, and variety is certainly the spice of life. But I cant help observing that you feel MB got it right, yet they don't offer a serious driver's car with a manual transmission- at least in the us market. That's a non starter for me. A sweet straight six BMW with a manual transmission trumps pretty much everything else for me. Lord help BMW if they stop making that combination.

well it seems that BMW will loose the manual too. Wow - so much for the ultimate driving machine. Glad I got mine.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1376991

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Yes. Why not try or get a 335/440? Not a real comparison to a C43.

You know the C43 is just a tarted up C450 with a new name? Not a real AMG. Not a C63.

[turo329]

I agree 100%. BMW has lost its way. Ian Robertson head of Sales and Marketing recently said that BMW is moving to being a Technology Company. Further for those thinking that BMW is a true drivers car look at what is on the top of Bimmerpost stating that both DCT and Manual will be gone soon. Fact is what brought people to BMW in the 70s, 80s-90s is not what their target market is anymore. Its no longer about how the car drives and handles. I have owned BMW's in my family since 1984. Everything from E28,E30,E36,E46,E39,E53 and now the F30. My F30 is by far the least fun to drive of them all. Yes has great power with the 6 as I have a 335 but power isn't everything. I also have a manual but with the ZF being so good I could take it or leave it. Where the old cars made you feel like a better driver based on your inputs the new car is completely disconnected. Further with older BMW's you did not necessarily need the sport package to have a fun car to drive that handled well. My F30 has the sport pack and feels loose. Could be tires, could be rear suspension. Regardless its just not an overly fun car in comparison to the old ones. I would say my top favorite BMW were my E30 325is, E36 M3, E46 330 and my E39 530i non sport. The E39 was just an awesome car sport or non sport. Smooth, comfortable and would hunker down in the switchbacks and twisties. Just a great all around family hauler. I will be shopping other brands moving forward as a BMW is just a name at this point. It is NO LONGER The Ultimate Driving Machine.

[BMRSEB]

Originally Posted by turo329

I agree 100%. BMW has lost its way. Ian Robertson head of Sales and Marketing recently said that BMW is moving to being a Technology Company. Further for those thinking that BMW is a true drivers car look at what is on the top of Bimmerpost stating that both DCT and Manual will be gone soon. Fact is what brought people to BMW in the 70s, 80s-90s is not what their target market is anymore. Its no longer about how the car drives and handles. I have owned BMW's in my family since 1984. Everything from E28,E30,E36,E46,E39,E53 and now the F30. My F30 is by far the least fun to drive of them all. Yes has great power with the 6 as I have a 335 but power isn't everything. I also have a manual but with the ZF being so good I could take it or leave it. Where the old cars made you feel like a better driver based on your inputs the new car is completely disconnected. Further with older BMW's you did not necessarily need the sport package to have a fun car to drive that handled well. My F30 has the sport pack and feels loose. Could be tires, could be rear suspension. Regardless its just not an overly fun car in comparison to the old ones. I would say my top favorite BMW were my E30 325is, E36 M3, E46 330 and my E39 530i non sport. The E39 was just an awesome car sport or non sport. Smooth, comfortable and would hunker down in the switchbacks and twisties. Just a great all around family hauler. I will be shopping other brands moving forward as a BMW is just a name at this point. It is NO LONGER The Ultimate Driving Machine.

Have to agree with you there as well.. I stated in another poster's thread who just got an E30 to go with his F30. I commented how I missed letting my '87 325is go. Great car, very tossable and just a joy - "Freude Am Fahren", right? - excuse the spelling! Interesting, that is no longer a tag line (yes, I know tag lines change, eventually)..

I also, had my share of E39's, 528i, 540i all 5/6 speeds; 2002 M3, 6 speed, '97 E36 M3.. Also, a '95 540i 6-speed, not an MSport, but fun nonetheless..

BMW is selling cars, lots of them without having to be the true "Ultimate Driving Machine", they once were.. Our very small community of enthusiasts really doesn't carry any weight... . Nevertheless, I am enjoying my computerized, tech laden F30.. Whacha gonna do?