Former original (2008) 135i owner; BMW Brand Name/Reputation is Deteriorating

[ShocknAwe]

Nevermind.

[ShocknAwe]

Nevermind.

[HondaGoneRogue]

I still love my (garaged for the moment) year one of the one.
Yes, I do think BMW is stretching the brand thin, but it is progress and if it's a good car, it's a good car. They day that they become cheaper because of demand is the day I will lose faith. Until then, the M235i is exactly what I hoped for (besides the name) kept the sexy rear and updated the front. The M4 to me is gorgeous and I'm all about boosted fuel efficient sports cars. I came from turbo hondas. 300hp and 28mpg is heaven. I look forward to the future with BMW.

[MZWIE]

Ahh....as my dad used to say: Progress I like. Change I object to.

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by Worra

While I agree with many of OP's sentiments, I think it's important to note that the M235i is not an "M" car.

Think about this.....just the fact that we don't even consider the 235i an "M" car is part of my point. "M" cars used to be fairly exclusive vehicles.....now with the M235i it's attainable for everyone! (I'm not knocking the car, it's awesome).

Just a thought.....

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

well a few things....

firstly my 135is my first BMW and I think it is a VERY special car. Direct, well built, well engineered, and a whole lot of fun.

I do agree with the OP about the state of BMW-----but the funny thing is that ALL the automakers have had to dilute their efforts to stay in profit and in business. We sometimes forget that this is a business and companies need to make sales. The way I see it-----if BMW has to make an X1 through X9 to create enough cash flow to produce great driver cars like the 1er/1M or even an M2.....then I'm fine with it!

the m235 is just a 135 with 150lbs of added weight and a lot more M badges and 'refinement' (no thank you!). A marketing gimmick.....

yes! agree! thanks for writing.

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by B777flyboy

Couldn't agree more. Purchased my first in dec. A 135 of course after seeing this mess begin to unfold.

The 135 is awesome! I"m sure you got a good deal.
There are actually some really good deals on 135i's right now. Used 2012 and 2013 models are all over. GREAT car now at a great deal.
Enjoy your car, it's bad ass!!!

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by edisapimp

If we're being realistic, and we have a decision to make between producing a larger variety of cars that appeal to a broader ......

If they could sell you a cheerios box with wheels and a roundel for $30k you don't think they would?
.......

It's purely economics, I wouldn't take it personally.

Well said! That's hilarious! I'm surprised someone didn't come up with a graphic of a BMW cheerios box.

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by roundel335

So let's see...Porsche now builds SUVs and an ugly 4-door sedan. Does that mean their brand is "deteriorating" as well? Corporations are in business to make money, not to pander to a minority of enthusiasts, which is what is really deteriorating. Every year, there are less and less of us who are confirmed "car enthusiasts" who find driving a car to be a an enjoyable activity and don't view a car as just a transportation appliance. We're the vanishing breed, and that our favorite car company or companies are trying to stay afloat by producing what the majority of their customers want (or think they want) is not a sign of some sort of failure.

That said, BMW stands apart from run-of-the-mill manufacturers. If you want a pure sports car with no frills, buy a Lotus. See how you enjoy driving that kind of car day in and day out, as not everyone can buy both a pure performance car and an everyday car. I think of my 335i as both - but not to an extreme in either role.

I love your mention of the Porsche brand doing the same thing! I didn't think of that! In my opinion (and I'm sure other have a different opinion) I think Porsche having an SUV is complete B.S. Come on!! If you want an SUV buy a Jeep....not a BMW or Porsche. At the end of the day these companies are out to make money (as we all are). But that doesn't stop my from being disappointed. I do remember the day I heard about the X5 being developed....I think I cried on the inside.

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by achtungE30

While I share many of your sentiments OP, both like you being one of the first year one-of-the-one owners...you are stretching quite a bit and let me be the first to say, I agree that the brand is watering down a bit much for my taste as well...

The 320i does not compete with the Civic Si - it is an alternative to a premium midsize sedan...why buy Honda Accord V6 anyone for $34k when you can have a BMW for $34k.

The 1-series (e82) did not have any fanfare if you remember in 2008, just a lot of magazines hyping up the stats (300hp twin turbo in a car smaller in both weight and size than the E9x 3-series).

The first automatic available in an M-car (a real M car and not an M-1/3/5 series) was the E36 M3 in 1995.

The X series in many cases improved the BMW brand from a financial aspect, so if they need to sell bread and butter cars to stay relevant and keep making high performance, enthusiast M-cars, so be it.

If you really want to support BMW's "old ways", do what I did and buy an old BMW.

end rant!

Well said sir! Does anyone else laugh when they see a 320i? Call me crazy, but for $34,000 I would buy something else. You mentioned a Honda Accord with close to 270HP and fully loaded at that. Again, call me crazy, but I think the Accord is a smarter buy than a bare-bones 320i with a pencil thin steering wheel and tiny tires. Hell....for $34-37K you can buy a pretty descent pre-owned 2012 335i.

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by rrinorl

Ahh.. is that fields of winter park? i want to go take a look...

HI. It was at the Fields on OBT. It was a corporate car, I think they were bringing it around to all the dealers. In 6 weeks that car will be at every dealer and you'll see it on the road! Hell...in 5 months there will be pre-owned ones here-and-there.

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by HondaGoneRogue

I still love my (garaged for the moment) year one of the one.
Yes, I do think BMW is stretching the brand thin, but it is progress and if it's a good car, it's a good car. They day that they become cheaper because of demand is the day I will lose faith. Until then, the M235i is exactly what I hoped for (besides the name) kept the sexy rear and updated the front. The M4 to me is gorgeous and I'm all about boosted fuel efficient sports cars. I came from turbo hondas. 300hp and 28mpg is heaven. I look forward to the future with BMW.

No doubt that 235i (hate the name) is bad ass. Awesome car.

[HondaGoneRogue]

Originally Posted by x97Melbourne

Think about this.....just the fact that we don't even consider the 235i an "M" car is part of my point. "M" cars used to be fairly exclusive vehicles.....now with the M235i it's attainable for everyone! (I'm not knocking the car, it's awesome).

Just a thought.....

Touche. But believe it or not, they are still pretty exclusive. You'll always see more 3 series than anything else, especially an M235i for that matter.
You must live in a very wealthy area!

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by x97Melbourne

I love your mention of the Porsche brand doing the same thing! I didn't think of that! In my opinion (and I'm sure other have a different opinion) I think Porsche having an SUV is complete B.S. Come on!! If you want an SUV buy a Jeep....not a BMW or Porsche. At the end of the day these companies are out to make money (as we all are). But that doesn't stop my from being disappointed. I do remember the day I heard about the X5 being developed....I think I cried on the inside.

You and me both! What's even worse is the X6 and the M-variants of the X5 and X6. Really? And now...front-wheel drive BMWs? THAT has to be the saddest thing I've ever heard. Mini? Sure...it's always been FWD. But then, most people these days don't know FWD from RWD. A 40-year-old friend of mine at work was shocked to learn that my 3-series was rear-wheel drive. He said "I thought ALL cars were front-wheel-drive!".

[rrinorl]

Oh nice, thats close to me. I'll have to check out that fields.

[shah269]

Could be worse...the new Mercs now come with auroma therapy!
No i'm not kidding! But yeah that's what you can expect in your next BMW....
A smell......

I'm glad i bought a 1...sure she is bat shit carzy but i'm glad i have her in my life.

[stangman]

A 40-year-old friend of mine at work was shocked to learn that my 3-series was rear-wheel drive. He said "I thought ALL cars were front-wheel-drive!". [/QUOTE]


And a stupid consumer is the easiest one to fleece. Why not sell him a Cheerios box with a Roundel?

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by roundel335

You and me both! What's even worse is the X6 and the M-variants of the X5 and X6. Really? And now...front-wheel drive BMWs? THAT has to be the saddest thing I've ever heard. Mini? Sure...it's always been FWD. But then, most people these days don't know FWD from RWD. A 40-year-old friend of mine at work was shocked to learn that my 3-series was rear-wheel drive. He said "I thought ALL cars were front-wheel-drive!".

Yeah, tell me about it. I think we are all BMW fans (that's why we are on here) but I think the X6 is the ugliest thing on 4-wheels. In my opinion, the X6 is the biggest "sell out" example pointed out so far. I just don't get the appeal other than a "hey look at me" attitude. Ultimate trophy wife vehicle to take them back and forth to nail appointments.
I'm sure BMW is making a lot of money on these X3, X5, X6...etc etc etc but I'm not a fan. BUT, if you live in Michigan or Wisconsin I can't say I'd say no to a nice X5 to fight the snow. But here in Florida, I literally see little reason to buy any "X" vehicle....but that's me. PLEASE no comments about how you can get a 3rd row and haul like 8 people....I don't want to get nauseated.

As for your coworker....I literally have no words. Must not be the sharpest individual. Maybe he thinks the world is flat and babies come from storks.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by x97Melbourne

Yeah, tell me about it. I think we are all BMW fans (that's why we are on here) but I think the X6 is the ugliest thing on 4-wheels. In my opinion, the X6 is the biggest "sell out" example pointed out so far. I just don't get the appeal other than a "hey look at me" attitude. Ultimate trophy wife vehicle to take them back and forth to nail appointments.
I'm sure BMW is making a lot of money on these X3, X5, X6...etc etc etc but I'm not a fan. BUT, if you live in Michigan or Wisconsin I can't say I'd say no to a nice X5 to fight the snow. But here in Florida, I literally see little reason to buy any "X" vehicle....but that's me. PLEASE no comments about how you can get a 3rd row and haul like 8 people....I don't want to get nauseated.

As for your coworker....I literally have no words. Must not be the sharpest individual. Maybe he thinks the world is flat and babies come from storks.

In defense of my coworker - he's a computer guy and not much of a car guy (although I am both). It's like I said earlier...REAL car guys are becoming scarce. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone under 60 who knows that a condenser was once part of every car's ignition, or that camshafts weren't always overhead.

I tend to agree about the X-series - they have their uses, but the BMW "xi" models are pretty capable in the snow. So much of the general population nowadays has allowed the marketing guys to convince them they need to drive a 3-ton truck instead of the family sedan that so many of us grew up with. And regarding the X6...it brings to mind another horribly ugly car - remember the AMC Pacer of the 1970s?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

the m235 is just a 135 with 150lbs of added weight and a lot more M badges and 'refinement' (no thank you!). A marketing gimmick.....

Actually its a 135is with better suspension & LSD options. Its also its not sold as an M car. M cars are ID'd with an M#

[BavarianN54]

Originally Posted by roundel335

In defense of my coworker - he's a computer guy and not much of a car guy (although I am both). It's like I said earlier...REAL car guys are becoming scarce. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone under 60 who knows that a condenser was once part of every car's ignition, or that camshafts weren't always overhead.

I tend to agree about the X-series - they have their uses, but the BMW "xi" models are pretty capable in the snow. So much of the general population nowadays has allowed the marketing guys to convince them they need to drive a 3-ton truck instead of the family sedan that so many of us grew up with. And regarding the X6...it brings to mind another horribly ugly car - remember the AMC Pacer of the 1970s?

To this day 'camshaft s aren't ALWAYS overhead'

[128]

BMW M has made a lot of good cars. But BMW Motorsport used to make great cars. Now, cars like the 1M, F10 M5, X5M & X6M are more like AMG products than products made by BMW Motorsport like the e30 m3 and M1. After decades of wanting to be like Mercedes, now BMW wants to be like Audi and so we have a new numbering system and M performance cars. I guess this is 'progress' to most people... I can't wait for the heated is-the-M235i-a-real M-car discussions! To me 1991 was the last year for a real M-car.