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BMW 3-Series 2006
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Comments
Actually, that kind of pushes me more towards a manual (which doesn't require much of a push, to be honest). I'm a programmer, so I know how much can really go wrong with code.
I'd rather have my feets, brain, butt and gut making the choices... but that's just me.
BTW, how does this tranny help with downshifting before turns? I'm often heel-toeing (actually in the current e46/e90 it's more rolling my foot on the brake and throttle at the same time with my foot perpendicular) before corners - makes the exit heaven.
owner6 ExUSAF
Assuming that you are referring to the SR-71 "Blackbird" and not some old TI Calculator, then I'm a little puzzled. According to all of the information that I have, the airframe and skins of the A-12, YF-12A and SR-71 series of aircraft was constructed out of a Titanium Alloy (Beta-120/Ti-13V-11Cr-3A1). I have seen a few references over the years referring to "High temperature plastics", however, it is my understanding that said plastics (composites in your lexicon?) were used for non-structural internal components.
In your post were you alluding to "composites" being used for either the airframe or skin? If so, could you please point to any references that support that? If this is indeed true, I may just have to re-write a few things that I've written on the subject.
Best Regards,
Shipo (ExUSMC)
I sure would hope you wouldn't have to do that on a BMW.
-Paul
I don't know that I would call designed in gaps specifically to deal with the expansion "issues" per-se. Kelly needed to design a plane that could tool along at Mach 3 all day long, and it did. The fact that it leaked so much that it needed to be fully refueled shortly after leaving the ground was a small price to pay for that amazing level of performance. ;-)
As a side note, I remember watching a video of a Russian pilot talking about the USSR's efforts at forcing a Blackbird down. Apparently the Mig 23 (IIRC) was purpose built for the task, and could actually achieve a similar top speed. That having been said, he also noted that after every flight in the Mig that achieved Mach 3, even for a short duration, the plane required a complete ground-up rebuild.
Best Regards,
Shipo
DL
Jaron
DL
Overall, they seem to be narrowing the performance gap between SMG and torque-converter automatics.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, until the automotive transmission is neurally wired into my brain so that it can know what I'm about to do and shift accordingly, then I won't even consider an Automatic. Even then I probably won't want one simply because it won't be as fun. :P
Best Regards,
Shipo
I'm actually selling my 525i (AUTO) becuase it isn't a manual. I should have never listened to my husband. Not when it comes to cars.
So, I went back to a 330ci with the performance package...6-spd MANUAL ALL THE WAY!!!
Stacy
Best Regards,
Shipo
Still in Texas. Now on 4th BMW.
Had the 330i, went to a 325ci, then the 525I (still have, but hopefully it will find a loving home), and now a 330ci.
NEVER NEVER an AUTOMATIC...NEVER!!!
Stacy
Is it truly a unanimous consensus that manual is more fun to drive? Or are we simply hearing from those who speak the loudest for whatever reason.
Joseph
in San Diego
My wife's car is an auto, but does have a sport mode and a manual mode, but it isn't the same. When I want to row my own, I have a car for that.
-Paul
Take the issue of number of gears. IMO, 6 speeds is the limit for a gated shift lever. I mean, how would you ever hit the right gear in a shift pattern for 7 or 8 speeds? But more gears can be a big benefit for combining performance and economy. I often wish there were one more gear for me to shift into on the highway in my 325i (yes, I only have a 5-spd, but you get my point). Shoot, my bicycle has 24 speeds to choose from.
Also, manuals are cheap to maintain. A rebuilt automatic tranny = $$$$$. A new clutch is less than a grand and that's at like 120-150k miles. A new or rebuilt auto is at 100-120k miles and I know some bimmer people who paid 4-5k on their e39s and e46s. I can only guess what a 6 speed automatic will cost?!
I don't know that that is much of a problem, afterall, Automatics have sold extremely well for decades due to "personal preference". ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
You will find a lot of people who can drive both but prefer an automatic. You will probably find less of the opposite. Don't let anyone tell you what you like to drive. Figure it out for yourself then suffer the consequences if you end up with the automatic :P
I think that, 90% of the time, I'd be just as content driving a car with an automatic. And there are definitely occasions when I hate driving a manual. But there are also times when the manual is much better. And, although the fuel economy may be too close to judge, a manual E90 is measurably faster. Buy and drive what you like!
If i had to accept an auto, i guess i could, but i'd have to have a heck of a good reason, such as someone donating a 911 turbo tiptronic to me.
Amen. I've always driven manuals and in traffic I actually become annoyed in automatic rentals (work trips for instance). I like having a clutch...even in stop n go.
I think i'd prefer an auto 1% of the time, such as when i'm parallel parking on a hill.
e90 solves that with the new clutch braking stuff. It's a little weird for the car not to roll on hills.
If i had to accept an auto, i guess i could, but i'd have to have a heck of a good reason, such as someone donating a 911 turbo tiptronic to me.
I'd feel like I was dating Jessica Alba wearing a chain mail suit in that instance. We saw a gorgeous 997 Cab in OB on Saturday. I got up close and surveyed the interior. Two things screamed at me at one time - an automatic and a tony robbins book. Egad!
dave
I have seen nothing official from BMW regarding the 3 Series Sedans for 2007. What they have said officially (talking about the new Coupe) is mostly here:
http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/futurevehicles/new3coupe
Speculation seems rampant. My ** GUESS ** is that (for several reasons) the Sedans will offer the same drivelines for MY 2007.
If this proves true, a 335 Sedan (ED next Spring) will be on my 'Short List'.
- Ray
Always looking for a "excuse" to visit Europe - and save a few $$s on a cool car . . .
Some coupe lovers insist the bmw will have 4 different drivetrains for the 3. Doesn't seem likely.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a 328i sedan very soon, unless BMW wants to maintain a distinction between the sedan and the coupe. The normally aspirated engine can clearly be tuned for different outputs without much hassle. I read, though, that the 335i loses the magnesium/aluminum block and moves to straight aluminum. I wonder how the F/R weight distribution/handling balance, so sweet on the 325i, will be affected by the block and accessory change. The 328i may end up being the better car. All the above could benefit from losing two or three hundred pounds.
In any case, if something is unacceptable, it's also unacceptable masked. :P
But there's no reason to be shy about mentioning Autoweek!
Oh and to the post above..unless you really want to spend the money on that factory aux linkcable. I've used the monstercable version (around $60 at your local consumer stereo market) and a little less on the ebay..It does work on the FM modulation tech but it really isn't a detriment unless you get a bleedover freq on the band. One of the advantages is that it's obviously not confined just to your bimmer if you want to take your music collection with you. Not that the HK system in the car is completely audiophile-grade fantastic but that's just my opine. IMHO the ipod sounds as good as a cd through the stock speakers and anyone who also feels the bmw headunits do sound a bit "flat" in the soundstage and imaging should take solace that using the ipod will sound the same albeit slightly better..the difference is you can tweak it with it's (ipod's) onboard DSP settings.
BMW's upcoming solution will work with the MOST electronics bus interface allowing you to see playlists, song titles, and you will be able to use your wheel controls. additionally, the system will recharge your ipod and you should be able to set it to continue charging for a set amount of time after turning off the car.
Dension's next IceLink should also interface with the MOST electronics bus in the e90s. They hope to have their system out in the next few months. It will have the same feature set as BMW's system and it should be more portable to other bmws.
oh and an one more thing regarding ipod sound...get your songs at 256 kbps not 128. There's a massive difference in sound quality. Massive. Yes, that means you can't download from iTunes...I ripped all my CDs to 256.
It is your opinion that the FM modulation doesn't work well and granted depending on how many radio stations are prevalent in your area, it may not be an elegant solution due to interference from mobile phones or the chatter of the umpteen signals competing for freq's on the radio dial (if you're in a congested area). I recall when i first started making the rounds in the IASCA comp circuit, fm modulation was considered a joke but that was about 18 yrs ago. It is however, cost effective and more mobile than the BMW interface.
Regarding the Aux port. on the E90's, i've had the worst luck with those. The system is similar (or most likely the same as the navteq based dvd units are also used by BMW AG and Ford PAG ) to those on the Land Rover Disco 3 with the HK logic 7 system and the sound wasn't even on par with using the monster cable. While i am NOT an audio tech for these companies, i do own vehicles from the respective marques and can substantiate my observation.
I still stand by the recommendation to try the monster. Especially if cost or mobility are concerns.
You are right regarding iPod sound at 256 but it's logical statement. I was never a fan of any type of lossy compression and encoding (something about those missing freq's) and even iPod's usage of AAC (i believe it's AAC) for lossless. Some details get lost in the translation. Read up for yourself and let your own ears make the decision for you.
http://www.firstpr.com.au/audiocomp/aac-mp3-vq.html
Essentially, don't dismiss it until you try it. I initially did but was surprised at the results..I'm sure other's would agree that it's subjective.
FM is lousy. There's massive difference listening over the aux input and FM. Massive. It's not even slight or difficult to discern. It's like the difference between a cassette's hiss and a CD's quiet.
I recall when i first started making the rounds in the IASCA comp circuit, fm modulation was considered a joke but that was about 18 yrs ago. It is however, cost effective and more mobile than the BMW interface.
Cost effective, yes. A joke still? Yes. FM was cruddy 18 years ago and it's not become any better. It's still OTA analog.
Regarding the Aux port. on the E90's, i've had the worst luck with those. The system is similar (or most likely the same as the navteq based dvd units are also used by BMW AG and Ford PAG ) to those on the Land Rover Disco 3 with the HK logic 7 system and the sound wasn't even on par with using the monster cable. While i am NOT an audio tech for these companies, i do own vehicles from the respective marques and can substantiate my observation.
Mindblowing that any person would push for analog ota on FM over an actual stereo input.
I still stand by the recommendation to try the monster. Especially if cost or mobility are concerns.
I stand by my assertion - never, ever, under any circumstances, not even after midnight listen to anything audio via AM or FM OTA.
I completely disagree as to the degree of difference you describe in regards to the aux specifically on the in car system. I never stated the sound from the fm modulation was cd quiet but compared it to the output quality of a cd through the stock HK system which is acceptable at best. I believe if you're listening to ripped, burned, compressed music on some sort of device (any mp3, iPod iRiver, archos etc), then convenience was the most influential factor behind your decision rather than bringing along huge booklets of cd's into your BMW (but if audio quality really is your priority...)
Mindblowing that any person would push for analog ota on FM over an actual stereo input.
sigh, analog vs. digital, tubes vs. transistors, LP's vs. CD's. even vs odd order harmonics..which distortion is more euphonious etc. We'll just have to agree to disagree as to the benefits (or as in your perspective, detriment) of the fm modulator vs the factory iPod link factoring cost, convenience, sound quality. Different people will purchase what they want according to their priority.
What's mindblowing for me is that carmakers are able to charge for a "premium" audio system. These days, you don't even really have a choice as it's integrated into a special "package"
(sport, premium, ZHP, M, lighting etc)
I stand by my assertion - never, ever, under any circumstances, not even after midnight listen to anything audio via AM or FM OTA.
By that rationale, the stereo receiver shouldn't even be part of the car.
Whether the signal is modulated or matrixed, i seem to recall that up until now, especially if you've listening to radio, there was "stereo" or come degree of channel separation. Folks, try it out and make your own informed decision. That's why there's more than two flavours of ice cream. I've had a good experience with the monstercable connect and http://www.blueguy.com prefers the more expensive connection route.
Regarding the iPod, the simplicity and elegance of it's design with the selector wheel is why imo the little device has so many fans. (coolness factor) Unless that can be accurately mimicked (even with iDrive integration) It's still a little clumsy to use the wheel controls even though it may seem intuitive, that's still too much time concentrating on page menus/folders/selection and not driving which is a big concern (and why you bought the bmw in the first place).
btw..the best stereo is actually linear, in the form of six cylinders (soon to be accompanied by twin turbochargers) and located approximately 3 feet in front of your seating position
Oh and to throw a final wrench into the works..the iCruze (also by monster) integrates with the M-bus. (a little more expensive, uses dock connection, charges, connects through your changer aux and you can use your wheel controls and includes a little lcd screen to display your tags)
http://monstercable.com/productPage.asp?pin=2867
The iCruze is for M-bus systems. The e90 uses the MOST interface. The MOST system is the reason Dension and BMW have gone back to the drawing board for ipod integration.
FWIW, I would not be bothered if they removed the AM/FM receiver from future cars. I do not ever use my stereo for OTA music. In my e46 I plug my iPod into the aux input, set the playlist (couple hundred songs) and then use my griffin airclick with rf remote (works with ipod in glove box) to pause/play/skip forward/backward. Easy solution.
In my e90 while driving through Europe I used the built-in aux, airclick and ipod on a playlist. Easy enough solution until the dension version comes out. For now the play/pause/skip is all I need once I set a playlist.
Have a great weekend!