I'm gonna dig up a bunch of stuff but I just don't feel like it at this time, it's too cold out.

I do know that modern BMWs don't drive like ones from the old days, sorry, it's a fact. It all started when they ditched hydraulic steering and everyone was complaining about the 3 series. I'm not saying Bimmers aren't fun to drive today, but back in the day they read your mind and the drive experience was pure bliss. Cadillacs outperform them now.

I actually would just buy the IS500 out of all of them and not think anything of it.

 

When have you driven a modern BMW? Nobody uses hydraulic steering anymore, including Cadillac.

Car & Driver still picks the 3 Series:



Cadillac comes in #14 LOL



So I don't see how you can say Cadillac outperforms BMW...

 

As someone who's logged almost 400,000 miles on BMW 3 series over the past 25 years, I strongly disagree that "fact", at least if we're talking about modern cars. The steering was heavier and had more feedback on the E46 and E90, but the G80 is more precise and the chassis tuning is phenomenal. I will admit that I passed over the F30 generation (2012-2019) in between, as I did not like the way they drove at all. I did drive several of them, both at launch and post-LCI.

It is ironic that the first-gen Z4 (E85/86) was BMWs first foray into EPS, and is frequently cited as having the best steering feel of any car they've made before or since.

 

Yeah no. GM makes 4 cars that handle well, that's it.

 

Modern ones drive totally fine, now as raw though but they are faster, can be placed on road better, and respond more predictably. I have an E36 M3 and E39 M5 I work on regularly and a modern X3M comp runs circles around both

 

The m340i is the benchmark by which every other car in that class is measured, as is the M3.

 

That's the one I'm talking about. You completely passed on the car. However if they've improved it, good.

Lol come on, they make well more than 4 cars that handle well. C&D praised the beater Enclave's chassis and steering and ride when it was at the end of its life cycle. Here @sw17LS read for yourself, Car and Driver Road Test: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...d-test-review/

And yet there’s good news behind the wheel, too. As it has been since the beginning, the Enclave is a quiet cruiser. With its 2013 update, the Enclave got dual-flow dampers, which, combined with skillful chassis tuning—in recent years a General Motors strong point—pays dividends in ride and handling. Even on our test car’s larger, 20-inch wheels (19s are standard), the ride quality was quite good; there’s no impact harshness and bumps are more heard than felt. At the same time, this big vehicle reacts capably and predictably through corners, with less body roll than one might expect.

I've read that or something like that so many times, and I'm probably going to do some digging to further prove my point that GM chassis tuning is top notch--including their big SUVs. The way they are so massive yet shrink from behind the wheel takes competence. Don't sell GM short. Ferrari used to use GM dampers... Ferrari.

BTW if a new BMW drives better than a perfect E39 M5, then that's fantastic.

In other news, here are my old school car keys.



I still haven't warmed to keyless ignition though I've gotten used to it. I just don't like how you can't click the key left and turn the engine off but leave the radio on. Also, I lose keys more frequently with the LX than the other two with actual keys. Why not just have a key in the ignition. I also HATE that you can't start a car to warm up without it being annoying and having to either get in it or use 2 hands by pressing the brake with one. Reaching over and clicking an ignition from a a key one handed takes about a second and is a lot better.

 

Saying something is a strong point and saying they are "amongst the world's best" are very different things. Thats also from 11 years ago. Ask anybody what has better chassis tuning, an Enclave or a Porsche Cayenne lol

Because getting your keys out of your pocket is annoying, especially for women having to dig into their purses for them. How do you lose keys?

All modern cars have remote start so I just start them on the app.

Whats already out there and is even better is phone as key. I really wish my cars had it. As long as your phone is in your pocket you don't need to carry a key. I hate carrying keys, all of my locks etc are keyless, the only key I carry is for the car. I loved how with my LS460s I had the card key that just went into my wallet.

 

I love the keyless ignition in my 540i. First car I've had with it(as well as with the keyless unlock by just grabbing the door handle). I actually miss that feature when I'm driving my truck which still has a normal key.

I don't know how you'd lose your key MORE with the keyless start. If anything you should lose it less. You lose your keys by handling them.

 

When I turn any of our keyless cars off, the radio stays on until you get out of the car, or it times out after 10 minutes. If that happens, one tap of the start button brings it back.

The M3 is smart enough to know if you have a passenger, and it leaves the music playing until BOTH doors are opened. I can get out and fill the tank while my son continues to enjoy uninterrupted tunes, with zero effort on my part.

 

I'm not trying to say a 2016 Enclave can out handle a Cayenne lol. But I'm telling you I have read it plenty, that GM is among the best. That Caddy article I posted said it's the best driving in the segment, pretty crazy praise there. I'm gonna look for more examples but I just don't care that much... I'm not making it up.

They'll get left in the car, etc. One set will get left in the car and then they'll both be there and the doors won't lock by pressing the button on the door. I get it is convenient but I would have been fine without this invention. Expensive cars have crazy nice ignition locks, like the two of mine with keys. They're nice to use. IDK, hitting a button to start the engine just feels phoned in to me.

Phones and cards, that's better.

This is me we're talking about. Keys go from your pocket to the ignition to back to your pocket so they're harder to lose. For some reason I don't put the LX key fob in my pockets. It's a tad cumbersome. And like I said, both keys will end up in there sometimes, etc. It's not a big deal, I'm just reporting an opinion on something that wasn't broken that was fixed anyway..

The Yukon is like that. LX you have to cycle through it all again just to hear the radio. Like I said I'm really picking, but I would have been fine with keys forever.

That's really clever. German cars have their quirks that are definitely appreciated, like fuel doors that lock with the regular locks (MB at least) since you mentioned getting gas.

 

On my '24 X3 if you have the feature activated, the doors will lock as you walk away and unlock as you approach the vehicle.

 

I prefer physical keys due to getting to feel the cylinder pins move and then turning it past each setting. Also far harder to lose track of or forget in a pocket somewhere, most start buttons are cheap plastic junk, like Lexus has the same button on an ES as an LS.....

I want the button to at least be metal and if they could setup a mechanical step detent even better, I want physical feedback and a unique feel to each car. A screen or button shared brand wide is cheap and generic IMO

Something like a DB9 or Vantage is very cool since you have to insert the fob into the dash, also prevents anything being put on the fob as well. It's also made of special materials etc

One of the few things I hate about the phaeton is that it uses the really nice but shared through the whole lineup VW switchblade key. It should have at least had a metal clad or leather wrapped case......my D4 W12 has a unique key for example that is great for leaving badge up on a table. All my friends also drive Audis but my key has the nice subtle badge so it can't be confused

 

Yukon does that as well. It will also alert you if you leave the keys in it and walk away by three short honks.

 

I'm glad someone else feels what I'm saying at least. The Mercedes even has the magic start one twist which is as pointlesss as it is fun.