So now that the F30 has been out a while..

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

I am a single man who drives a station wagon. How important do you think street cred is to me?

Got a chuckle out of that, KT.
At one time I owned 4 wagons in a row, 3 Volvos and the last one an '86 Sable, the first year of the model. But I was married with 3 kids. They pre-dated minivans and were a neccessity for a small family which travelled a lot.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Bolt, I'm surprised no one has indignantly mentioned your "///L" yet.

hmmm....got my attention....

In a word - provocative - some would say joining the iconic M colors at the hip with the L (new luxury BMW branding) is sacrilegious. I disagree. I had an epiphany during our "spirited" exchange earlier in this thread. We all realize BMW is a Big Tent and must constantly discover clever ways to expand the tent. BMW’s financial viability necessitates selling as many 3 series variants as possible especially profit laden 328iLs. Sales of the 328iL are most certainly helping to underwrite the development of Ms. In turn 328i sales are enhanced by basking in the glow provided by M, and further augmented by the iconic mantra - the Ultimate Driving Machine - legitimized by M.

In short - no 328iL - no 3/4M. Although the 328iL is not my thing, it is necessary. Even though some may view BJ’s artfully executed logo as an act of presumptuous provocation – I see it as an inconvenient but necessary truth. Besides who says you have to drive an M to take pride in M or BMW. We are a diverse lot here – joined by our passion for the BMW brand – no harm done flying the flag.

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

BMW uses an anti-reflective screen, so glare shouldn't be an issue.

I hope that polarized sunglasses do not render the screen un-readable at certain angles. The 2 inch screen on my non-nav e90 head unit gives me fits while wearing sunglasses.

Originally Posted by Capobranco

hmmm....got my attention....

In a word - provocative - some would say joining the iconic M colors at the hip with the L (new luxury BMW branding) is sacrilegious. I disagree. I had an epiphany during our "spirited" exchange earlier in this thread. We all realize BMW is a Big Tent and must constantly discover clever ways to expand the tent. BMW’s financial viability necessitates selling as many 3 series variants as possible especially profit laden 328iLs. Sales of the 328iL are most certainly helping to underwrite the development of Ms. In turn 328i sales are enhanced by basking in the glow provided by M, and further augmented by the iconic mantra - the Ultimate Driving Machine - legitimized by M.

In short - no 328iL - no 3/4M. Although the 328iL is not my thing, it is necessary. Even though some may view BJ’s artfully executed logo as an act of presumptuous provocation – I see it as an inconvenient but necessary truth. Besides who says you have to drive an M to take pride in M or BMW. We are a diverse lot here – joined by our passion for the BMW brand – no harm done flying the flag.

LOL, a convert! Chalk another one up to the Beej and the power of persuasion.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Bolt, I'm surprised no one has indignantly mentioned your "///L" yet.

I figured the concept of maniplating BMW logos with photoshop was "played" and ignored it out of respect to the deceased. It is older than the goats, and they died a while back.

Like Arnold Palmer playing golf, one hopes for a bit of the old magic, but the more you watch the more you realize his best work is behind him and you are left with memories of better times.

It is unfortunate that a new chassis designation doesn't bring new material...

Originally Posted by Capobranco

hmmm....got my attention....

In a word - provocative - some would say joining the iconic M colors at the hip with the L (new luxury BMW branding) is sacrilegious. I disagree. I had an epiphany during our "spirited" exchange earlier in this thread. We all realize BMW is a Big Tent and must constantly discover clever ways to expand the tent. BMW’s financial viability necessitates selling as many 3 series variants as possible especially profit laden 328iLs. Sales of the 328iL are most certainly helping to underwrite the development of Ms. In turn 328i sales are enhanced by basking in the glow provided by M, and further augmented by the iconic mantra - the Ultimate Driving Machine - legitimized by M.

In short - no 328iL - no 3/4M. Although the 328iL is not my thing, it is necessary. Even though some may view BJ’s artfully executed logo as an act of presumptuous provocation – I see it as an inconvenient but necessary truth. Besides who says you have to drive an M to take pride in M or BMW. We are a diverse lot here – joined by our passion for the BMW brand – no harm done flying the flag.

I knew we were going to like each other. Just took a little time.

In my attempts at humor on BF since 2006, I've been very right. So along with my 428i and M328i, I'm certain that someday there will be the ///L division making L318i,s too.

BJ

Originally Posted by jertronic

I hope that polarized sunglasses do not render the screen un-readable at certain angles. The 2 inch screen on my non-nav e90 head unit gives me fits while wearing sunglasses.

Happy to report that the iDrive screen is immune to Polarized sunglasses, so RayBan owners can rejoice.

The head-up display and the iPhone 5, different story.

BJ

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

LOL, a convert! Chalk another one up to the Beej and the power of persuasion.

It's a great car (though I miss my disco-ball rims, unavailable for the F30 at this time).

BJ

Originally Posted by ///M-ratedE90

I figured the concept of maniplating BMW logos with photoshop was "played" and ignored it out of respect to the deceased. It is older than the goats, and they died a while back.

Like Arnold Palmer playing golf, one hopes for a bit of the old magic, but the more you watch the more you realize his best work is behind him and you are left with memories of better times.

It is unfortunate that a new chassis designation doesn't bring new material.

Some things never get old (get it?).

BJ

These cars are totally stock "Family Sedans"

Originally Posted by ///M-ratedE90

I figured the concept of maniplating BMW logos with photoshop was "played" and ignored it out of respect to the deceased. It is older than the goats, and they died a while back.

Like Arnold Palmer playing golf, one hopes for a bit of the old magic, but the more you watch the more you realize his best work is behind him and you are left with memories of better times.

It is unfortunate that a new chassis designation doesn't bring new material...

We can change ///M, we really can! Example;

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

We can change ///M, we really can! Example;

I admire the extensive use of aluminum in the chassis, care to show us a picture of the twin turbos??

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Good points CA, but I disagree in regard to the EPS (electric power steering). I can only think of one good reason for its existance and that is it might result in a few tenths more mpg. So doing adds to the cost, greatly increases the complexity, and completely separates the driver from the road. I am unable to imagine how some feedback gimmickry can recreate that connection.
For those who don't know, EPS used to use an electric powered power steering pump. The mechanical and hydraulic systems were otherwise the same as they've been for 50 years. In fact, total failure of the EPS system would still result in a steerable car.
Not any more. Now there is no steel connecting the driver with the wheels. The steering wheel is now a big...sensor. It senses which way you've turned it, how far and how fast. It sends this information to another of many computers (yes, there's one just for steering now!) where the computer looks at vehicle speed, direction, and stability data from the DSC computer and the computer decides how far to turn your steering rack via the stepper motor now replacing the input shaft on the steering box! Failure of this system will result in an unsteerable car. Of course, many redundant systems will ensure that there is never a failure...

This is sad and scary, in equal doses. What redundant systems?

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

We can change ///M, we really can! Example;

Originally Posted by Bemo

I admire the extensive use of aluminum in the chassis, care to show us a picture of the twin turbos??

Bemo,
Study that photo that DSX posted carefully. This may be the last chance you ever get to see "Gertrude".

Originally Posted by boltjaM3s

Some things never get old (get it?).

BJ

I was hoping for at least "///L328iM" if not " ///L328TiCMxDrive", which I believe is Roman numerals for 42. Maybe the "C" can only be added when the F32 comes out...
... Which could be ///L428TiCMxDrive.
428i... Dude, you made it!

Originally Posted by ///M-ratedE90

I was hoping for at least "///L328iM" if not " ///L328TiCMxDrive", which I believe is Roman numerals for 42. Maybe the "C" can only be added when the F32 comes out...
... Which could be ///L428TiCMxDrive.
428i... Dude, you made it!

Have you been sampling off the production line again?

Originally Posted by Bemo

This is sad and scary, in equal doses. What redundant systems?

The redundant systems which are there to ensure that nothing can ever go wrong...like went wrong on the 200 cars BMW recalled last Summer for EPS, um, glitches.
Speaking of 'feedback' through the steering wheel, here's a lead on where it's going.
http://www.mv.uni-kl.de/index.php?id=1492&L=1&S=0

Whoa, long thread...

Did I miss anything?

Originally Posted by Inline Sixer

Whoa, long thread...

Did I miss anything?

Yes. Any argument about whether the shark fin antenna is a design flaw or not is hopelessly outdated, boltjaM3s has a few newbies nibbling but the old fish know better, and goats may be so far out they're now back in.

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

Bemo,
Study that photo that DSX posted carefully. This may be the last chance you ever get to see "Gertrude".

I'm genuinely touched that you remembered her name.

No

Originally Posted by Inline Sixer

Whoa, long thread...

Did I miss anything?

Originally Posted by bear-avhistory

No

Oh yeah, one other thing, Kevin doesn't give a hoot about street cred, but I think he enjoys a little sky cred. Kilgore says he has no cred but on the other hand he's always telling us "chicks dig wagons" so I'm thinking at least his car has some cred.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

I'm genuinely touched that you remembered her name.

Sometimes a near photographic memory is a blessing; sometimes a curse.

Originally Posted by Inline Sixer

Whoa, long thread...

Did I miss anything?

I sold an F30. Intend to sell about 5 more before my work here is done.

BJ

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

LOL, a convert! Chalk another one up to the Beej and the power of persuasion.

Originally Posted by boltjaM3s

,,,,,

I knew we were going to like each other. Just took a little time.

In my attempts at humor on BF since 2006, I've been very right. So along with my 428i and M328i, I'm certain that someday there will be the ///L division making L318i,s too.

BJ

Cool Luke, Handed to You

Hey there guys, fear you still got it wrong here
Cuz’ you’ve twisted a Kum-ba-Ya song here.
Though I preach, educate,
Lay the facts right out straight--
“We’ve a failure to communicate.”

We who covet the M’s must observe
without base models, huggin’ the curve.
There’d be too far to grow
to build M’s on the go
so we offer the props you deserve.

So if you dash about on the prow-l
with a coif and a manicure, scow-l
at the zest we all got
in our M (yeah, we Hot!)
Like the Mansons, we’re all Family now-hell!