Guys, would you say our FRS's handling is same or better than BMW's?

[EAGLE5]

I love how the FR-S's tale is always ready to come out. It's about the fun, not the speed. If you want to pull out of a corner in a higher gear with a twin, get an Innovate kit. I believe Robispec called it akin to an "angry v6" when on e85.

[Ganthrithor]

I'd say neither the 86 nor any BMWs that I've driven have felt entirely "right" from the factory, but both can be made to drive really nicely with some modifications. On balance, I preferred the stock handling on my BRZ to the stock handling on the BMWs I've driven, but I've never driven a stock M-car, only things with "M packages."

One thing I can say is that I was shocked at how badly a stock ~06 325 drove... featherweight, grabby brakes; sloppy auto transmission; soft, rolly, understeery suspension. I was kind of horrified-- I thought the 3-series was supposed to be a driver's sedan? Other sedans must be like driving Hitler for a low-end 3-series to look good in comparison...

[Boxer486]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

I'd say neither the 86 nor any BMWs that I've driven have felt entirely "right" from the factory, but both can be made to drive really nicely with some modifications.

^ This right here. But then I've never been truly happy with anything I've bought stock, car or otherwise.

[chas3wba0]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

One thing I can say is that I was shocked at how badly a stock ~06 325 drove... featherweight, grabby brakes; sloppy auto transmission; soft, rolly, understeery suspension. I was kind of horrified-- I thought the 3-series was supposed to be a driver's sedan? Other sedans must be like driving Hitler for a low-end 3-series to look good in comparison...

They used to be... but after the E46, they started appeasing all the boring average drivers that care more about comfort and luxury. Seems like if you want that sportiness, you have to go with M-models, or at least the Sport packages :/

[Boxer486]

Originally Posted by chas3wba0

They used to be... but after the E46, they started appeasing all the boring average drivers that care more about comfort and luxury. :/

Except they were neither comfortable nor luxurious either.

[chas3wba0]

Originally Posted by Boxer486

Except they were neither comfortable nor luxurious either.

Good point. I did test drive the F30 328i recently, and while it was very pleasantly BMW-esque inside, it did not wow me like current Mercedes and Audi interiors do

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by chas3wba0

Good point. I did test drive the F30 328i recently, and while it was very pleasantly BMW-esque inside, it did not wow me like current Mercedes and Audi interiors do

Really? I find BMW and Audi interiors to be quite nice, while I think Mercedes is the one which is lacking (at least for the lower end models).

[chas3wba0]

Originally Posted by chrisl

Really? I find BMW and Audi interiors to be quite nice, while I think Mercedes is the one which is lacking (at least for the lower end models).

Well, I drove an E46 for 3 years, and I just didn't notice much change/improvement in the newer generations of BMWs. Don't get me wrong, there's not much lacking in terms of quality and refinement, but I don't get that space-age cockpit feel that I get from sitting in Audis and Benzes, especially at night with the interior backlighting on.

It's possible that I may just be a bit too accustomed and numb to the classic BMW interior look, which is also why I don't get that excited about the all-red backlighting in the BRZ :/

[EZ Shifter]

An FR-S handles better than any BMW due to it's lower center of gravity is my vote.

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by EZ Shifter

An FR-S handles better than any BMW due to it's lower center of gravity is my vote.

lol, might be time for you to drive a BMW . You are wrong in this case

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by chas3wba0

Well, I drove an E46 for 3 years, and I just didn't notice much change/improvement in the newer generations of BMWs. Don't get me wrong, there's not much lacking in terms of quality and refinement, but I don't get that space-age cockpit feel that I get from sitting in Audis and Benzes, especially at night with the interior backlighting on.

It's possible that I may just be a bit too accustomed and numb to the classic BMW interior look, which is also why I don't get that excited about the all-red backlighting in the BRZ :/

Every generation of BMW has upped the comfort and downed the feel. The new BMWs are inferior fun machines as compared to the previous generation. The 3 and 5 series worsened significantly. They're better and faster cars but worse fun machines.

[chas3wba0]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Every generation of BMW has upped the comfort and downed the feel. The new BMWs are inferior fun machines as compared to the previous generation. The 3 and 5 series worsened significantly. They're better and faster cars but worse fun machines.

Well put, and I would add that this is not specific to BMW alone, either

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by chas3wba0

Well put, and I would add that this is not specific to BMW alone, either

Depends on the company. Honda got worse but at least with the accord got better. Gm keeps improving. Lexus is way way better. VWs are solid. It's just BMW that has lost its mojo.

[h4nh]

I have all 3 cars so I can make a comparison.

To simplify the answer, from a stock car no the brz does not handle better. It does have a better feel of the road from the steering.