Which BMWs have you test-driven and not liked? Why?

[Jazzbass 1]

None of us here have identical tastes and I guess all of us who drive cars have different preferences. No right or wrong answers, just personal preferences and individual insights.

All of the BMWs I've driven have had a certain 'BMW-ness" about them, giving a sort of familar feel, but there have been some which to me have not felt as good as others.

E46 328i Coupe: Took it home for a couple of days of test-driving (thanks Jeff Gray) and I really loved the look of it, beautful colour and I desperately wanted to like it, but - it just didn't drive nicely enough for me. After talking it through with the salesman, we decided it was the 18" wheels and sports suspension which ruined the ride for my taste. Sad - I was ready to buy it before I drove it.

E36 M3: Took it out for 2 hours and loved the power, hated the black leather and loathed the harsh ride. The wholly black interior was just too stifling for me and although I owned an E36 325 at the time, the M3 just felt too cramped. No idea why that should be. I also found the car just too 'jerky' for my taste - quite common with higher power cars, in my experience.

E46 318i: It was a great price and a lovely car, but stepping down to the 4 from my 6 just felt awful to me. That 316 lack of acceleration from the stop was something I'd forgotten about and wasn't prepared to put up again.

E30 318i convertible: I had the cash in my pocket ready to buy it, but the test drive made me keep my money in my wallet. I guess since I was coming from driving the Radisich Telstar Motorsport I had at the time, the BMW was simply too small and too gutless.

Recently I drove another E36 328 Coupe (belonging to a mate), but it was so small inside compared to my E39 that I couldn't enjoy the ride.

Which BMWs have disappointed you on a test drive and why?

[bravo 35]

e36 318 ti - need I say more? Was slow, cramped, and looked like it had been rammed from behind by a bus. Only took the test drive as I needed to run an errand and the car yard was walking distance from my house. (my apologies to those car salesmen/women out there, but desparate times call for desparate measures).

Edited October 9, 2006 by bravomikewhiskey

[lidistick 70]

E46 328i Coupe: Took it home for a couple of days of test-driving (thanks Jeff Gray) and I really loved the look of it, beautful colour and I desperately wanted to like it, but - it just didn't drive nicely enough for me. After talking it through with the salesman, we decided it was the 18" wheels and sports suspension which ruined the ride for my taste. Sad - I was ready to buy it before I drove it.

E46 318i: It was a great price and a lovely car, but stepping down to the 4 from my 6 just felt awful to me. That 316 lack of acceleration from the stop was something I'd forgotten about and wasn't prepared to put up again.

did the E46's come with the run flats? Especially the first gen run flats that had concrete for side-walls? Get normal tires and a puncture repair kit or buy AA roadside assistance for about $60 a year:D

I did drive an E39 528i and love the leather, atmosphere, TV, space etc. But the missus said.. it way too big for her. So I got a 328i instead. Goes a lot faster as there is a lot less weight to shift.

Also did try an E36 323i but there was no power. my previous car was a Honda Accord with 180ps and the 323i was gutless in comparison.

Cheers.

[M3_Power 636]

Z3 M Coupe ..... Everytime I went to push the clutch pedal to change gears I would bang my knee into the bloody dash or steering wheel no matter what I did or where I adjusted the seating position .... ergnomically it was a disaster in my opinion.

[nath 134]

really only the Z3 1.9- 2.2 models, and maybe the lower powered 3 series models, although they arent without their charm

[318Touring 40]

118i as a loaner car for a couple of days. Love the new car feel, and very well screwed together. Love being able to play my MP3 CD. It's way very small even for a small family like us, most of the fittings feel cheap, the boot carpet belongs in a Kia rental car.

E36 318i 4 door, at that time it was too expensive for an underpowered car. Note I now have a E36 318ti which cost 1/3 of the 4 door (still underpowered).

E46 318 4 door, feel vey light and not well composed compared to the E39 I was comparing it with. Bought the E39 at the end.

[my_e36 43]

e90 330i, It was so boring, probably Team McM rep was with me blabbling along, and it's a brand new (delivery Ks on the clock). I felt the steering wheel is disconnected from the front wheels. Everytime I try to indicate, I got the cruise control stick. iDrive drove me nuts especially the SatNav part of it. Very smooth engine though.

[kiwi535 538]

E60 530d.

Nice car,wanted to see what all the fuss was about. the oil burners.

Was very impressed ,once the doors shut you couldnt really tell it was a diesel.The engine note was slightly more basso,then usual,there was a bit of a delay starting from a stop,but i wasnt sure if it was the turbo spooooooling up or if it was the auto.First few intersections also got the cruise intead of the indicators.I felt tho the interior was very disapointing for a 100,000 dollar car,nothing special at all.