[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by Obioban

My 328i loaner was a 2014, so...

Has not yet been confirmed when the cars got the update which is dated 12/13, so it depends on the build date of the 14.

I don't care either way, no need to convince you of anything especially with me myself selling off an F30 without looking back.

But for the greater good, the info is there that the 12/13 update has people MUCH happier with a handful of threads about it.

[skypx]

Originally Posted by lsmkr01

The answer to that question depends on the individual. If you just like the badge to show your friends then you will be happy that now they make a car you can buy. If you liked the sport mentality engineering then you better save up for the exclusive models because the base ones will not check that fun box off. The BMW roundel used to mean you were getting something special. Now only a few cars in the line up are actually special. Its like that car maker who originally set out to make the best drivers cars now is now more interested in selling the most cars. To do this they cater to the mass public. There is nothing special about the mass public. I guess cash really does move everything around...

BMW isn't the only company to follow the dollar, look at Ferrari and Lambo. They used to be ultra exclusive but now they produce so many you need to get a Pagani to be in an exclusive circle of enthusiast owners

This is all with out even mentioning politics and the never ending control they try to impose on the people (car company very included) in a false effort of looking out "for your own good" . Which reminds me its been really chilly in the US this year. I better do my part to help with "global warming" speed up summers arrival and drive my M

Well said! Thank you!

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Its the complete opposite in Europe.

Why is that? Is the suspension tuning different for the Euro market? It's that why both the F3o and F32 fall a little behind the competition in the states but rapes the competition in Europe.

[BlueMeenie]

There is just too much up and coming competition. I would say the e46 seemed like a better car.. but I am having the same issues at 60k miles with the e92 that I had with the e46.. Oil Valve Cover Gaskets... the worst!

[mr.unknown]

I would say that since introducing turbocharged petrol engines, it has now gets much better with B58 and N63 than their predecessors. So comparing 2010+ models to current models, or 2020+ models, is definitely better.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by mr.unknown

I would say that since introducing turbocharged petrol engines, it has now gets much better with B58 and N63 than their predecessors. So comparing 2010+ models to current models, or 2020+ models, is definitely better.

11 year bump

[Elderado82]

Look, I get why people say the E46 or E9x were peak BMW. They had that raw, connected feel — heavy doors, hydraulic steering, just enough tech without drowning you in screens. But let’s be honest: they also broke. A lot. Cooling systems, VANOS, subframes, timing chains… owning one was basically a rite of passage in patience and wallet pain.

Fast‑forward to now, and BMW’s quietly fixed a lot of that. The B58 engine? It’s a beast — smooth, powerful, and way tougher than the old N54/N55 days. You don’t hear about fuel pumps dying every 40k anymore. Consumer Reports even has BMW sitting at #2 for reliability in 2025, which is wild if you remember the early 2000s reputation. And the new cars? They just… work. You get in, drive, and don’t spend every weekend wrenching or Googling part numbers.

So yeah, the E46 and E9x will always be the ‘soul cars,’ but reliability‑wise, BMW’s in the best place it’s ever been. If the Neue Klasse brings back some of that old‑school driver feel while keeping today’s dependability, we might actually be heading into a new golden era — just a different kind than before.

[Emily172013]

People have been saying BMWs glory days are in the past since the 2002 ended production. Same as the Corvette crowd who hate the new model since they own the dated outgoing model.
New cars, whatever make they are, keep improving.

[M3Sleeper]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

BMW seems to be a victim of the Euro economy. The new 3-series is back to a 4 cyl, and people are complaining about degradation of quality.

Do you think the E9x or even the E46 was the best BMW will ever produce? Or, are BMW's best days in front of it?

The company going down the drain is Jaguar

BMW is just getting started!!!

[Janjohn]

Originally Posted by M3Sleeper

The company going down the drain is Jaguar

BMW is just getting started!!!

I’d agree after seeing the last Jaguar commercial.

[dizz81]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

11 year bump

I was like no way this thread has so many responses and it's a new thread. So I had to check the first post, 2013 lol.

I guess this has been discussed for a long time now.

It's crazy how this thread might have more relevance these days than back then lol.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by dizz81

I was like no way this thread has so many responses and it's a new thread. So I had to check the first post, 2013 lol.

I guess this has been discussed for a long time now.

It's crazy how this thread might have more relevance these days than back then lol.

Actually has less relevance today considering sales have never been better for BMW.

[dizz81]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Actually has less relevance today considering sales have never been better for BMW.

This is the original post:
"BMW seems to be a victim of the Euro economy. The new 3-series is back to a 4 cyl, and people are complaining about degradation of quality. Do you think the E9x or even the E46 was the best BMW will ever produce? Or, are BMW's best days in front of it?"

Very relevant, as it seems that more and more people are complaining about the quality of BMW products. It seems BMW cars are being built with cheaper plastics inside and lower-quality materials in general.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by dizz81

This is the original post:
"BMW seems to be a victim of the Euro economy. The new 3-series is back to a 4 cyl, and people are complaining about degradation of quality. Do you think the E9x or even the E46 was the best BMW will ever produce? Or, are BMW's best days in front of it?"

Very relevant, as it seems that more and more people are complaining about the quality of BMW products. It seems BMW cars are being built with cheaper plastics inside and lower-quality materials in general.

Maybe but it's certainly not leading to less sales. In fact more people are buying BMW's despite some forum complaints about the quality of interior plastics but Mercedes has been doing that for a while and Audi is now doing it as well as their interiors are nothing to write home about. I just think people in general just hate change and are constantly negative about anything new and different as this thread kind of proves that this negative mentality has been prevalent for decades.

[dizz81]

Bro, what is it with you and BMW sales? Is BMW paying you to keep talking about it?

Nobody said anything about sales. The statement was regarding the quality of the product.

It's not just the forums that are complaining about the cheaper materials that BMW is using across the board.

The statement is valid. Degradation of quality across the board.


As far as BMW sales go (since you're so hard up on them), choosing the lesser of bad products doesn’t make one any less bad.

Other brands are also going the route of cheaper materials nowadays. This is just the BMW forums, so we're talking BMW's.

[KevinGS]

For many enthusiasts, the past will always be better, because many are simply nostalgic.

And for many others, there's simply no arguing with the progress of today's cars...which are often more reliable, more efficient and wayyy more powerful, all with today's tech.

I have an "older" BMW which I adore (a 2013 M3), and I have a late model 2021 G82. Both are driven as "dailys" based on my mood or the weather that day. Love them both, for completely different reasons.

Ultimately, we each have different characteristics of what makes a car great based on its intended purpose (a daily, a weekend car, a track car, etc.). So of course this will garner many different opinions. None of them matter, except yours.

Best ever BMW? Hmmmm... I think it depends on my mood.