RE: Test drove new BMW 3 series today

["Greg Spark" <sparkg@wave.co.nz>]

Had test drive of new E45 BMW 3 series today.
Certainly big improvement in old 3 esp in refinement and quality feel (taken
a few hints from their rivals at Ingolstadt methinks :) )
Drove 328 with standard suspension, 16inch wheels and Steptronic auto.
Had huge problem getting through to dealer difference between their traction
control and dynamic braking system and quattro. He's clearly been
brainwashed by the BMW propaganda machine that their electronic gizmos beat
quattro - ho hum. Their system is all about stopping drivers over-powering
in corners and spinning - which it does very effectively. I planted boot in
many situations on a wet road when a non-modulated car would have been doing
pirouettes or spinning into the bushes (or worse) - result= no drama at
all - and also NO fun :(. Whereas we all know that quattro is all about
that, PLUS getting more traction to the road therefore allowing much faster
cornering exit speeds - my A4 would have been all over this car and feels
way more exciting to drive. The beemer feels far too tame - as soon as you
think its going to get exciting (in a controlled way of course) an unseen
hand takes over the car and plants it firmly back into the adhesion
envelope - great for the average driver but bloody boring for the
enthusiast.
The engine is lovely - pulls very strongly and smoothly from low revs and
sounds nice at the top end.
The steering is superb - better than A4 in feel although no more accurate
(that would be a tall order). Little imperfections in the road are
perceptible but not intrusive and you have a feeling of being in touch with
the front wheels - I've missed that ever since I sold my Alfasud in 1979.
I am sure that a 5speed with M Tec suspension and 17 inch wheels would be
much better but I hated the computerised modulation of the handling - drive
by wire here we come!
Styling - far too fussy for my liking and too much a cut down 5 series
(although the A4 is a little like a cut down A8 I guess).
In summary I think they have vastly improved the soft aspects of the car but
moved it further away from the enthusiast's desires.
And I thought THAT was the MAIN reason for sticking with RWD!!!!!! Therefore
the car is almost a contradiction in aims - but then I am sure thae average
BMW buyer won't care two hoots - we all know why they buy the cars.

Cheers
Sorry to be so long but it was an interesting day.

Greg Spark
New Zealand
'96 A4 1.8Tq 5sp Sports, mtm 187hp, K&N, Remus, 17x8 Ronals 235/45-17
Falkens
Ming Blue Heaven (still)