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The new 3 Series still on top
Just got done reading this article:
Sporty Luxury Sedan Comparison - Mercedes-Benz C250, Volvo S60 T5, Infiniti G25, Lexus IS 250, Buick Regal GS, Acura TSX, BMW 328i, Audi A4 - Motor Trend I don't hide my love of BMW's but was ready to try another make. After reading some reviews, my thoughts are changing. This is just a 4 cyl that gets 24/36 mpg and 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. Apparently, it wasn't even close. |
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03-24-2012, 04:25 AM
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Shiftless....
I understand why many people buy auto trans. especially for city use but not having the option of manual transmission in a sporty car has little appeal for me. Is this a trend now particularly on this size of car and up not to have manual transmission? The BMW is a nice car though. I find it interesting that among the younger generation many including my daughter and her boyfriend do not know how to drive a standard trans.
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03-24-2012, 05:57 AM
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Not sure what you mean but there always is a manual option for the 3 series. I went on line to build one and this came up:
PERFORMANCE OPTIONS Manual Transmission $0 Manual Transmission $0 . You have selected the following: Manual Transmission By adding this selection, you will also: RemoveSTEPTRONIC automatic transmission$0 STEPTRONIC automatic transmission $0 STEPTRONIC automatic transmission $0 . You have selected the following: STEPTRONIC automatic transmission By adding this selection, you will also: Variable sport steering $300 Variable sport steering $300 . You have selected the following: Variable sport steering By adding this selection, you will also: Sport automatic transmission with shift paddles $500 That being said, I would still go for the 8 speed automatic and leave the shifting to the 911. |
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03-24-2012, 06:10 AM
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Quote:
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03-24-2012, 06:19 AM
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Looking at them, but hate that some options are not available by themselves, for example, in order to get zenon lights, you have to order the $3,600 luxury package, or that some trims aren't available if you want the sport package.
Hopefully that will change with the 2013s.
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Neil '73 911S targa |
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03-24-2012, 07:57 AM
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Virginia Rocks!
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i went to one of the big BMW dealers here in VA this morning. They had only 2 3-series cars with a Manual. They were offsite at the overflow lot.
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Rosewood 1983 911 SC Targa | Black 1990 944 S2 | White 1980 BMW R65 | Past: Crystal 1986 944 na Guards Red is for the Unoriginal
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03-24-2012, 08:31 AM
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I think if you went with a manual, you would have a very hard time selling it.
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03-24-2012, 08:55 AM
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I think if advertised in the right place you'd sell a manual rather quickly. Some of the enthusiast BMW sites have a lot of twenty-somethings that are looking for manuals. Many wouldn't even consider an auto.
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Kurt |
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03-24-2012, 12:22 PM
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Virginia Rocks!
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He said the few they get in used sell very quickly.
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03-24-2012, 12:59 PM
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
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The 4-cylinder may get better MPG with the same power, but it won't ever sound or feel as nice as the straight-six. I have mixed feelings about BMWs in general, but damn those are sweet motors.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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03-24-2012, 09:06 PM
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Such a strange article. The gripes about the Mercedes made no sense to me at all... LOL and I could not imagine thinking the C250 is a sports sedan. I know its called a C250 Sport, but when you look at the demographic...
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'95 993 C4 Cabriolet Bunch of motorcycles |
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03-24-2012, 09:16 PM
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Quote:
Ironically, I know this because they asked why I always buy my cars somewhere else though they're close. I said "you never have manuals." "Yeah, there's no demand." "Or, like me, everyone goes where they have some." 
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03-24-2012, 10:25 PM
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It will be interesting to see how the new Cadillac ATS 2.0 Turbo stacks up. On paper, it should do quite well in this bunch. BTW, the Caddy is available in a manual.
As weird as the new 3er looked at first, the new nose is growing on me. I'm a big fan of the turbo four, it would be my choice if I were in the market for one.
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I love you guys outside this forum  -Eric |
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03-25-2012, 10:27 AM
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Lexus RX350
