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Maybe you better keep trying to figure it out. That is, if Son #1 and others who work at his high tech systems field are right.
The gurus where he works think that it won’t be too long before cars rely on smart phones for their navigation system. From what he tells me, since so many people rely on their smart phone for navigation, the car industry will incorporate Bluetooth from the smart phone to display the map on the car screen which will become standard equipment along with a standard backup camera using the same screen (safety being used as a reason for this adder). This will free up a lot of hard drive space for the nav system and will probably carry over to music also since most people use other sources to store music and patch it to the cars radio system now. ‘driver’, Mike and others say they do this music thingy already because they don’t want to pay for Sirius / XM radio music programming that they don’t like.
I’m not knowledgeable enough about this stuff to know if they are correct about cars heading this way but I am knowledgeable enough to know that it is possible.
If this becomes reality, remember where you heard it first.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
9 months ago, our condo board of directors decided they wanted to spend over $500,000 on building a new security building with gates at our south entrance. The construction is still not finished after 9 straight months. Thus, over 4000 people have had to wait in horrendously long lines at the west entrance to gain access to the property. They claim it will take another 3 months before the new entrance is complete.
First of all, we didn't need a new entrance - this was done for "beautification" purposes. $500,000 to beautify a 75 foot area that is the smaller of the two entrances.
Secondly, any contractor could build a 10 story office building in less time than it is taking to build a one-story building that can't be larger than 20' x 20'.
Thirdly, they haven't even begun to wire the building or prepare the roadways necessary to handle traffic.
This morning, they started to replace the entire roof on our 48 unit building. We can't park within 150 feet of the building. So we are forced to park on the parkway grass 3-4 blocks from the building.
The noise is so deafening and the vibrations are so acute, I'm ready to move into a hotel for the 3 weeks it will take them to finish the work.
At least there is one consolation - a neighbor sold their condo unit for $98,000 yesterday and their apartment is 300 square foot less than ours.
As soon as Dad can no longer tolerate living in our apartment without constant care, you all know what I am going to do. We pay $432 a month for maintenance in this place - a travesty to be sure.
The complaints being leveled at the condo board for all this mess is being ignored. Someone or a group on that board is making a financial killing. Sn audit needs to be accomplished, that 'a for sure. $500,000 could build a nice two- story house in most places in this country.
Now that I got that off my chest, I can relax a little. Thanks for tolerating my rantings but life in a condo development can be dangerous to one's health.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Sometimes you can outsmart yourself by too much research.
@Jmonroe one thing getting overlooked is how many people are going to get slammed on Data charges when this happens. All that streaming eats up a lot of data. A cheap garmin and XM will start looking cheap by comparison.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
After two years of NAV with an Android phone, I may become a GARMIN convert. Use the GARMIN for NAV and the Android for podcasts while I drive.
I wonder if he assumed the Hyundai was FWD? I can see that happening...
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I can see that happening. Factory NAV systems are ridiculously overpriced and I imagine they have a fairly low take rate. I have never used any kind of NAV in a car except for a few times when I tried to get the iPhone to tell me how to get to an address in an unfamiliar city, without much luck. Actually, over the last year I had to go to the same place in another city twice, about a year apart, and the directions it gave me the second time were completely different from the ones it provided the first time. I have no idea why since the roads did not change. I think maybe Apple changed the s/w over that 12 month period, since it seemed different from what I can recall, though neither time was it very easy to use. I just do not understand the trendy "minimalist" interface Google and Apple seem to love. Basically it has no commands at all and you are supposed to know what a single meaningless icon is supposed to do for you. I hate that.
I pay for XM because I do not use the phone to store music, and I like being able to choose from different types of programming that I do not necessarily own.
Even simple stuff is designed to trip up the unsuspecting. Last week I rented a GMC Yukon and the rental agent told me to press the "talk" button on the steering wheel to pair my iPhone via Bluetooth. Every time I did that nothing happened. Fortunately they left the owners manual in the glove box and I looked it up. Turns out you have to hold the button down for several seconds to start the process. Nothing at all intuitive about that.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I think she'd be impossible to live with. Worrying and whining is a miserable way to go through life. I think I've mentioned this before, but I had a few crybabies /frustrated Safety [non-permissible content removed]/busybodies practically go nuts when I told them my son's first car was going to be a 1975 '02.
Geez- get a life, weenies!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
There's a definite air of self-righteousness about it...it's playing the subtle "Bad Mother" or "Bad Father" card--thereby implying of course, that THEY are paragons of virtue in this regard.
See also "I would NEVER let my dog eat a cookie!" (I have a funny story about a neighbor like that---her little dog got into a bag of her "healthy doggie treats", and ate the whole 32 oz. dose of it--and she had to take her dog to the VET! My Freddy used to eat tin cans, lived to be 16.
My sister is letting her 16 year old son drive their mid oughts 330i ZHP. She's hoping it will get him through college.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
According to one article I read, the take rate on in dash navigation systems is expected to be about 25% by 2015 - at a sales rate of 15 million vehicles a year, that's alot!!
Although phone based gps systems are more adaptable, IMHO auto makers will continue to offer proprietary NAV systems for as long as they can make a profit at it. Unless the majority of customers clamor for the ability to pair their phone and use it as a gps, they won't offer it.
"On another note....Mike....I mentioned earlier that I thought the CLA was the best looking car Mercedes made of the ones I saw at that car show recently. They didn't have a CLS at the show. But, I saw a relatively new one yesterday. That car is down right gorgeous. No wonder Mercedes decided to mimic the CLS's styling with the CLA. You have a beautiful car."
Thanks, GG. I agree. The CLA is a mini-version of the CLS. I did not like the styling when I first saw them, but when they updated the CLS in 2012, I began to "Covet" them - and when they made me an offer I couldn't refuse - it was history.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
With the unlimited data plans that most people have today, I don’t think that should be a problem but using a lot of space for a nav system may change the way they start charging for plans.
As far as using a Garmin or other brands of portable units that can be taken from car to car, from what I have seen with the portable Garmin’s that both of my sons have, it is better than the much more expensive units that we have in the ’09 Genny or the ‘12 Subie. While less expensive, I don’t like pasting it to the windshield and having the charging wire hanging from it. I know I’m paying a premium for this neatness but I still like the built in units.
At least one of the things I don’t like about the Subie is that as soon as the car is rolling at 5 MPH, you can no longer select anything on the display. Nav or phone features. So, if I want to use the Subie to find a restaurant at an upcoming exit I have to stop the car to search for it. I’m told that this limitation hit on all cars as of 2012 and later as a safety feature. I went to the dealer to see if the car could be re-programmed but I was told flat out, “NO”! I don’t like that but I have to live with it. Since the Genny is an ’09 I don’t have that problem. Maybe using voice commands in the Subie will get around this but I haven’t tried that. So far, I’ve been kinda resistive to talking to my cars but maybe I’ll have to give up that old school line of thinking and get in line with the techies.
Who would have ever thought we’d have to talk to our cars to get them to do what we wanted them to do? I know I never did.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
At least with verizon unlimited data plans where phased out. Now you have to buy blocks and if you go over you pay more.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My kids have Verizon and I know they cap the data each month.
Wife and I are on Sprint and we're still on a truly unlimited data plan, but I may change it to lower the monthly payment.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
I just converted to T-Mobile. Fell for their buy-out thing when tranfering from Sprint with almost a year left. I have a somewhat limited plan because I don't use the phone like a lot of geeks do. So I save a little bit by doing that. I think if I paid $10 more a month I'd have an unlimited plan. I'm not absolutely sure about the cost but I know it wasn't much for someone who can't live without their smart phone.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Very possible. My friend is quite knowledeable about cars, but I am not sure why he ended up with the Gennie as a winter car. He also has an MB SUV so that will get him through the snow as long as his wife isn't using it. I know he was impressed with the Gennie a few months before he got the Maserati. He says he is going to keep the Maserati for 20 years, but, he usually wants something else after awhile. Maybe he got a really good deal on the Gennie, and figures he'll just put snows on it for the winter.....at least his wife won't have to worry about safety issues. It would be easy to forget the Gennie is RWD though, but, he should have remembered...I won't get the full story until we head back north in April.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Actually, you could be on to something Mr S. My friend and his wife are obsessive about health issues, foods we eat, medical stuff etc. He says he is compulsive about germs etc. He was the one that seriously considered a business where you could make your car 99.9% germ free...thought used car dealers would love it and people would pay $300 for the service. The posters here said they wouldn't bother...so I told him no one seemed that interested, and what's to stop the germs from coming back in 48 hours?
People do like to know what models are safe and a safe car is a good selling point. But, I am not sure I would get rid of a car just because it got a low test score in the new quarter frontal off centre crash test. But, some people are extremely obsessive about such matters.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
A few things ab. I can get about 4 different ways to get somewhere, I have options, fastest route, most economical route, route without tolls, scenic route. So, depending on which I set it to, I could get different routes. Once, when coming back from Florida to Toronto, I accidentally left it on "no toll roads". Instead of a 1500 mile trip it had me going across the border in some little border crossing into Eastern Canada and circling back...it was about a 3500 mile trip.
I actually didn't know my car came with a GPS when I ordered it. I wouldn't have chosen it as an option. But it has come in handy lots of times, and I wouldn't want to be without it. You will get most of the money back when you trade it, and probably some cars will be hard to sell if they don't have it. Just the fact, that it can warn you when to move to the right to make a cut-off up ahead is worth it. For business people not getting to a meeting makes it worthwhile.
Also, it gives you an idea of the time it takes to reach your destination. Like many things, once you get used to it, you won't want to be without it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Personally, I would be very careful about that one. The kid would have to have proven to me that he is very responsible. Unfortunately, I have seen that not work out for the best - not saying it is wrong, just that it depends on the kid - each case has to be decided individually.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"At least with verizon unlimited data plans where phased out. Now you have to buy blocks and if you go over you pay more."
My contract with ATT expired in December so I went with T-Mobile with 500 Meg's of data @4G and unlimited talk/text for $63.00 a month including taxes and fees. Once you go over 500 Meg's of data, it merely slows from 4G to 3G unlimited. Since I hardly use data because I am on WiFi most of the time, I have no problem. There is no contract and I was able to use my iPhone 4S with T-Mobile. I save $32.00 a month with T-Mobile.
I know their coverage is very limited compared to Verizon and ATT, but for me here in south Florida, it is perfect.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I didn't do any of that as far as I know. Wouldn't know how as it isn't obvious if the iPhone even offers that option. I have no idea. I just took the route that it offered up. This year's choice made a lot more sense (was more direct) than last year's.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
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Well said and my opinion also. I try to learn something when I need it and occasionally skim through the manual to see if anything else may interest me.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
the real problem is when you pick up a rental. especially at night. A good reason to select the lowest tech option (like a Rentabu) they have!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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I tried the "I'm hungry" thing today. It asked "Nearby or what city?" I said nearby. It brought up a list of restaurants and asked what line I wanted. I picked Subway and it asked which one. I said "number 1" and it plotted the route on the NAV screen. Pretty cool.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Sounds like me.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
tried the "I'm hungry" thing today. It asked "Nearby or what city?" I said nearby. It brought up a list of restaurants and asked what line I wanted
I wouldn't dare do that where I live. I'd get a response---- "Sushi or Crepes?"
CHEESEBURGER!
"I'm sorry...I didn't get that....sushi or crepes?....."
My understanding is that a smart phones nav system downloads the entire route at one time and stores it in memory and it only uses data if you veer off the route and it needs to recalculate a new route.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The germs can come back in just a few hours or less. Plus the 0.1% that survive are usually the ones that can do you some damage. The more benign the germ the more likely it will be in the 99.9% killed.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
entire route at one time and stores it in memory and it only uses data if you veer off the route and it needs to recalculate a new route.
That sounds like Martian to me. I hope you don't need smart phones to operate cars in the future or I'll be walking. I didn't even know you could text with my trac phone until my son got hold of it and burned up all the minutes.
What is the purpose of texting again?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I once ran the Garmin and the Smartphone NAV simultaneously---I was rather hoping they'd start arguing....
Me too. I'd even pay full MSRP if I had to but so far I've gotten the "once only" promo rate since 2010 with the Genny and now I get the same deal with Mrs. j's Subie.
Yeah, it's not always as simple as they make it out to be but once you learn how to read between the lines it almost makes sense. Too bad I'm not so great at that but I'm getting better at it. I'd sure like to tell people how to explain things. I provide instructions to people every day, both verbal and written and if I explained things like some people do, I'd be lynched or worse.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Ya know, we have email today even phones, land lines and cell type. We'd rather not wait till April. Give it a try, OK?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I wasn't aware of that but if that is the case, what my son said is coming will be here sooner than later.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Was this system called Bactronics or something like that? If it is they are the ones that had an advertising blitz for about 2 months around here late last year. I don't hear anymore from this outfit so maybe selling their franchises are all sold out or they went belly up.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I'd like to know asap too..........but, this particular friend only emails or talks on the phone for a brief time. I really like this friend, but I won't know until I actually see him in person. A typical email is like this;
Friend: How r u?
Driver: I am really good, so happy we are in Florida, and not cold and shovelling snow back home. Going to see Frankie Valli and 4 Seasons tomorrow night in Clearwater. Lots of tennis, 3X a week. See you in a month. Driver
Friend: Good.
I'll try though.
Btw, about cell phones, I am with you JM, I use my pay as you go clamshell cell about once a month to tell my wife when I'll be home. I don't carry the phone with me unless I absolutely know I will need it. I hate people being able to call me, and I have little need to call someone else. I sure hope they don't drop GPS's from being built into the car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I think it could have been. My friend figured it could cost about $500K to get property, garages, equipment etc. We both discussed dealers might like to certify used cars as germs free, but we know dealer will try to beat the price down to $200 or less. Then I asked here and about 8 people said they would never pay for this kind of service. I think snake is right, germs come back right away and most of them aren't that bad. But, there are some people who are germophobic and might buy the service.
I am happily retired and don't want to worry about a business, government regulations, employees, competition, profitability, getting new customers, etc. etc. etc..........
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I like to carry my phone with me most times as you never really know when you will need it. As for people calling me, just because the phone rings doesn't mean I have to answer the damn thing. I can always turn the ringer down or off completely or even turn the phone itself off.
Plus I have a few apps that I use for various purposes.
Someone mentioned T-Mobile, I looked into them but when I ran the numbers I wouldn't be saving much through them (maybe $3/month). Yes they have no contract but they charge you full price for the phone spread out over 24 months and if you cancel the service you have to pay the rest of the payments on the phone when you cancel. That's how they lock you in.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
There are lots of variables that could give you a different route next time. I think some GPS units can detect a problem and send you on a different route too...like if there is an accident ahead.
I know we were travelling from Tampa to Port Charlotte and the GPS took us off the main highway and we went through slow traffic for about a quarter of the distance. The reason, I didn't know there were options. The GPS took us the shortest way, but not on I-75 where you can go 75 mph and would have been much faster. You do get better at it though.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have two cell phones. One is a business line, the other is my personal line. I cut ties with my landline a couple of years ago. Amazingly, all the telemarketing calls immediately stopped once that land line was cut.
I have tried Sprint and T-Mobile. I have ATT now. I can't complain about AT&T's coverage or service. They've always been on the high side. But, it appears now that they're restructuring their contracts so maybe the competition is getting to them.
This was a couple of years ago, but when Sprint was offering "unlimited everything", I decided to give them a try. Most of these cell phone companies give you a few days to return their phone and cancel their service. As soon as I walked directly outside of the door of the Sprint store, my signal dropped. I thought the phone was bad. I marched it right back into the store, and they gave me another phone. Same thing happened with the other phone. I immediately got a refund on the phone I had just bought, and canceled Sprint, to go back to AT&T.
Since cell phones are the only phones I have, coverage is important.
I know something about that but in my case I was innocent.
About 2 months after Mrs. j got the Subie we were headed to our nephews wedding. The easiest way to get there was the PA Pike going about 4 exits from where we lived. I had no idea where this place was once I got off the Pike so I dialed it in on the nav. The nav started up but it didn’t have me taking the Pike. I ignored this figuring it would recalculate once we got onto the Pike. Nope, it didn’t do that. It kept telling me to take the upcoming exit every time we got close to one. Once we were off the Pike it took us right where we wanted to go. After we were in the parking lot I scratched my head figuring it had to be a nav setting and commenced to find it. Low and behold it was factory set to avoid toll roads. After punching the screen a few times it finally figured I was serious about changing the factory setting.
All is fine now except that the screen still has a slight black and blue mark but it’s healing nicely.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
GPS is like life.you just have to keep trying it and slowly the pieces come together, and you will get better at it...I won't say master it though.
**My friend emailed me back about his Gennie. ** He says the car has every feature a luxury car has, lists for $45K Cdn and with discounts got it for just under $40K.....probably about $36K U.S. He had them throw in 4 snowtires which were worth $1500. He wasn't too concerned because he doesn't have problems driving in snow, but, he decided the snow tires would be a good idea, after this winter.
Like i said, my 2008 bmw 328 convertible was absolutely hopeless in snow with all season tires. With 4 snow tires it was fine......although being really low to the ground can be a problem in deep snow.
My friend says there is something wrong with mim, he loves trading in cars. I am wondering how long he will keep the Gennie.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thanks for staying with it. I knew you could do it.
That price has to be the 6 cyl. But I’m not sure if it is the fully loaded 6 with nav, more powerful radio with more speakers than I can count, softer leather, prettier wheels, etc. The pix you showed last isn’t as bad, grill wise, as what I saw earlier.
If that last pix is what the 2015 Genny is going to look like then I’ll at least consider it but only the R-Spec V8 model. Do I really need a V8? No, but that’s what I want. No sense going backwards, a 6 would never satisfy me now.
Now all I have to do is formulate a plan that I can get Mrs. j to buy into.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
You can do it but you may have to offer to get some more new furniture first.
The V8 is defintitely the way to go...... 5.0L V8 engine with 420hp over the 3.8L V6 engine with 311hp.
I can't ask him too many questions but I think he got the 6.....he does have the Maserati if he needs the feeling of the extra horses one day.
If my friend likes his Gennie I may consider one myself. The 2015 is going to come loaded, even has a CO2 monitor....can change the air if not enough oxygen and you could get sleepy.
Soon universities will offer courses in how to operate your new car.
2015 Gennie
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Seems like there would be interest during cold and flu season when the news is reporting the end of humanity is upon us, but long term people tend to forget and move on without much concern for germs. If a convenient cleaning tech package could be delivered to car rental companies, and maybe even hotels, for a low enough cost, I wonder if a new cleaning standard could be created? Disinfect the most common touch points and advertise a healthy and clean option for travelers.
Just doesn't seem to be enough interest ty. My friend who was interested in this idea is obsessive compulsive, so it matters to him. We know someone who won't use a public restroom. Most people just don't care.
It's like insurance...sure we all need more than we have but you have to draw the line somewhere.
And, if someone is really concerned, they can wash the steering wheel and controls with some Purell. I tend to think you will maintain a stronger immune system if you don't overdo trying to kill germs constantly.
There would probably be a big demand for it if there was a major virus threatening us, but, I don't know if I want to base a business on something like that.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
What he needs to do is start an Pickup Truck Bed Bug rumor!
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That was funny........and, not a bad idea. I'll mention it to him.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I test drove the BMW 328d sport wagon last week. I was able to leave work about an hour early after weeks of late evenings writing associate performance reviews, and so my wife and I swung into the local Bimmer dealer to see if a sport wagon was available. Sure enough, they had one gasser and one diesel outside.
Both were locked up tight and we headed into the showroom where we found one more gasser unlocked. We spent ten minutes checking out the interior and the engine compartment, taking measurements and getting to know the little wagon before a sales person became available. They were busy and we didn't mind the wait.
A pleasant saleswoman greeted us and asked the initial questions about our interests. She was casual and non-pressure, and appeared interested in our feedback about wants/requirements. We hit her with two questions she didn't know, including cargo volume and towing capacity. While we looked at the wagon inside a little longer she researched the volume and provided a BMW printout listing the volume specs we needed to know. And then she committed to research the towing capacity while we test drove the diesel model by ourselves. That was a nice surprise, to be alone while we checked it out.
I have say that 4-cylinder turbo diesel is a gem of a motor. There was a little clatter when we first started it up in 45-degree weather, but shockingly, the vibration felt in the driver seat and floor was far less than the 4-cylinder gasser I test drove with my dad. Like, there was nearly none to be found. It's smooth, quick for a diesel, torquey, and delivers superb fuel economy. I checked instant fuel economy along the freeway portions and averaged from low 30s to high 50s depending on wind, speed, and gradient. One complaint was the warm up time. The motor took a full 20 minutes before hitting normal operating temperature, which could be a problem for my short daily commute. And that was a warm winter day, not the bitter cold days we can see around here.
The 8-speed auto transmission is a different story. It's not bad, the shifts are very smooth and fast. But, trying to modulate acceleration was difficult around town. It was almost like an on/off switch. Also it felt at times as if the AT was in the wrong gear, too low to respond to peddle input.
The handling felt to me to be identical to the gasser sedan. Responsive and sure footed with predictable brake pedal modulation. My aggressive driving days are behind me and the 328d would provide more than enough feedback for daily commutes and weekend family trips.
I was surprised to hear interior panels flexing and popping throughout the test drive. I was expecting a quiet ride, but between tire noise and interior pops, it was far from quiet. Additionally, the interior felt a bit low budget for the $45,000+ price tag with hard plastics and pieces that easily flexed with a little pressure. The interior was disappointing given the cost. The silver and red trim pieces were particularly bad, better suited to an entry level car trying to look upscale but lacking the budget to really be so. The seats were excellent with good thigh and mid section support, and rear legroom was very good for the class.
We returned to the dealership to check on towing capabilities. According to our sales rep, BMW won't support towing in the USA with no specs published. That's not good. She recommended checking the manufacturers for tow bars to see what rating they recommended, and I found a hitch rated 1,500 lbs. Not enough, plus potential insurance and warranty issues.
So, it looks like the 328d wagon is not an option. We're just beginning our long shopping process and in no hurry. Figure another year, but I want a model selected in case the van quits on us early (very possible). Next up on the test drive list will probably be the Volvo V60, confirmed ahead of time to tow 3,300 lbs. Priorities for the next vehicle: safe IIHS crash ratings, tow 2,500 lbs, not a "crossover" if possible, relatively decent fuel mileage, room for three plus a pooch on vacation. AWD a plus. And I hope this is the last fossil fuel vehicle I buy :-)
tyguy: Thanks for this excellent write up. It sounds like a great vehicle on paper, but it seems like there are a few things that need to be worked out. My brother-in-law is interested in this model, but maybe I should show him your report.