Considering selling my BMW 335i to get FR-S... Good or Bad idea?

[dirk_diggler]

Trade the bimmer for another one.

I bought one yesterday myself, a 2011 328i Coupe, fully loaded (including M-sport package) with MT. MSRP 49k negotiated down to 37k. Car had 68 miles on odometer (a few test drives.) It sat on the dealer lot for 11 months. Looks like people in LA hate MT. Can't blame them.

As much as I would have liked a BRZ, it has become increasingly clear that there are bugs to be squashed, no allocations to be had, and rushed production/sloppy QA (i.e. no oil in MT.)

Instead, I chose a mature platform at the end of the model production cycle. The sports seats in Dakota leather will make the BRZ Limited seats blush. The staggered setup (225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear) make the car track straight, balanced, and so easy to handle. You overcook a turn and instead of complaining, the car asks "Is that all you got for me, p#ssy?" The ride is plush, confident, and communicative. Trunk space is substantial and you get bonus space where the spare used to be. Plus, no human rights violations will occur if someone sat in the back seats. I could go on and on...

I sat in both the BRZ and the FRS, and while I did not have a chance to drive them, I doubt it can raise the bar on the BMW in the way that the BMW makes me feel so special. The BMW is sex on wheels, the BRZ/FRS, not so much. Don't get me wrong here, for many the BRZ/FRS exceeds anything they have driven before and therefore it makes them feel special in the same way I feel about it, but for someone who is comming from a 335i, don't kid yourself.

Trade it for another one and enjoy the vast ecosystem of BMW fans, tinkerers, tuners, and vendors. The FT86 ecosystem is only in its infancy and has no continuity of heritage (like, say, the 3 series.)

[Kire]

Originally Posted by dirk_diggler

Trade the bimmer for another one.

I bought one yesterday myself, a 2011 328i Coupe, fully loaded (including M-sport package) with MT. MSRP 49k negotiated down to 37k. Car had 68 miles on odometer (a few test drives.) It sat on the dealer lot for 11 months. Looks like people in LA hate MT. Can't blame them.

As much as I would have liked a BRZ, it has become increasingly clear that there are bugs to be squashed, no allocations to be had, and rushed production/sloppy QA (i.e. no oil in MT.)

Instead, I chose a mature platform at the end of the model production cycle. The sports seats in Dakota leather will make the BRZ Limited seats blush. The staggered setup (225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear) make the car track straight, balanced, and so easy to handle. You overcook a turn and instead of complaining, the car asks "Is that all you got for me, p#ssy?" The ride is plush, confident, and communicative. Trunk space is substantial and you get bonus space where the spare used to be. Plus, no human rights violations will occur if someone sat in the back seats. I could go on and on...

I sat in both the BRZ and the FRS, and while I did not have a chance to drive them, I doubt it can raise the bar on the BMW in the way that the BMW makes me feel so special. The BMW is sex on wheels, the BRZ/FRS, not so much. Don't get me wrong here, for many the BRZ/FRS exceeds anything they have driven before and therefore it makes them feel special in the same way I feel about it, but for someone who is comming from a 335i, don't kid yourself.

Trade it for another one and enjoy the vast ecosystem of BMW fans, tinkerers, tuners, and vendors. The FT86 ecosystem is only in its infancy and has no continuity of heritage (like, say, the 3 series.)

it really depends on what you are looking for in a car. if comfort, amenities, and sportiness is what you desire in a car, then the 3-series is the way to go, but the 3-series is GT at best and does not provide the thrill of a true sports car. i own an e46 m3, and even though that car has gobs of performance, it does not have the sports car feel that i get from the s2000 and miata that are also in my garage. believe it or not, i take the miata out way more often than the m3, cuz the miata is a lot more fun to drive, even though it has way lower performance and limits.

[DR1FT]

if you want the frs get it. it's never a downgrade if you getting something that makes you happy.

[Night]

Consider functionality, financial issues or questions, purpose and quality.

Sleep on it for a week and see if your willing to exchange vehicles or if its worth it for price point.

Forget all about class and what it makes you look like and rather What you enjoy more. In the end its what makes you happy rather than what people think about you.

[Biggins]

Originally Posted by DR1FT

if you want the frs get it. it's never a downgrade if you getting something that makes you happy.

Well said.

I only have a lowly E36, but I could not convince myself to sell/trade it for the FR-S... so I kept it and got the FR-S too. After over a month with the FR-S, I'm seriously considering selling my BMW if I can get my dog to like the FR-S a little better.

Your E92 is big, heavy, very powerful, and an all-around awesome grand touring car. The FR-S is raw, light, sufficiently powerful, and an awesome sporty RWD car. Comparing within the BMW world, it's more of a modern E30.

[FRiSson]

The psychology of a BMW driver means that he will not be happy with an FR-S. BMW drivers are driven by a powerful need to feel "superior" to other people. They purchase the "ultimate driving machine" to gain a sense of mastery over those unfortunates who drive lesser cars. The salient feature of the BMW is its extremely strong sense of brand identity. This is the ideal selling point for people whose egos require strengthening of their sense of self and self-worth. Think of it as a mechanical buttress to their fragile sense of personal value. While we tend to think of BMW drivers as arrogant and conceited, in fact these features typically mask their sense of vulnerability and inferiority. Keep in mind that these features reflect the typical male BMW drivers, but certainly not all of them. The FR-S is an entry-level sports car that will not effectively support the ego as a statement of personal wealth or of superiority. The car is neither expensive enough nor does the Scion (or Subaru) brand convey the image of superiority or control. For these reasons, the typical BMW driver will not find satisfaction with the FR-S.

[phenom86]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

The psychology of a BMW driver means that he will not be happy with an FR-S. BMW drivers are driven by a powerful need to feel "superior" to other people. They purchase the "ultimate driving machine" to gain a sense of mastery over those unfortunates who drive lesser cars. The salient feature of the BMW is its extremely strong sense of brand identity. This is the ideal selling point for people whose egos require strengthening of their sense of self and self-worth. Think of it as a mechanical buttress to their fragile sense of personal value. While we tend to think of BMW drivers as arrogant and conceited, in fact these features typically mask their sense of vulnerability and inferiority. Keep in mind that these features reflect the typical male BMW drivers, but certainly not all of them. The FR-S is an entry-level sports car that will not effectively support the ego as a statement of personal wealth or of superiority. The car is neither expensive enough nor does the Scion (or Subaru) brand convey the image of superiority or control. For these reasons, the typical BMW driver will not find satisfaction with the FR-S.

I got rid of my 08 Z4 and I find satisfaction with my FR-S close to a hard on but not enough, but when i get a supercharger put in I'm sure ill be getting that hard on.

[Luis_GT]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

The psychology of a BMW driver means that he will not be happy with an FR-S. BMW drivers are driven by a powerful need to feel "superior" to other people. They purchase the "ultimate driving machine" to gain a sense of mastery over those unfortunates who drive lesser cars. The salient feature of the BMW is its extremely strong sense of brand identity. This is the ideal selling point for people whose egos require strengthening of their sense of self and self-worth. Think of it as a mechanical buttress to their fragile sense of personal value. While we tend to think of BMW drivers as arrogant and conceited, in fact these features typically mask their sense of vulnerability and inferiority. Keep in mind that these features reflect the typical male BMW drivers, but certainly not all of them. The FR-S is an entry-level sports car that will not effectively support the ego as a statement of personal wealth or of superiority. The car is neither expensive enough nor does the Scion (or Subaru) brand convey the image of superiority or control. For these reasons, the typical BMW driver will not find satisfaction with the FR-S.

Wait a second... I know I hated my cheaply built, unreliable POS Mustang... but I have nothing to feel superior about in a 10 yr old BMW... and all my friends call it a old woman's car... I'll be happy if the interior of the FR-S is as good as my cousin's sentra or my sister's rouge... which are miles ahead of the mustang's interior...

[FRiSson]

Originally Posted by Luis_GT

Wait a second... I know I hated my cheaply built, unreliable POS Mustang... but I have nothing to feel superior about in a 10 yr old BMW... and all my friends call it a old woman's car... I'll be happy if the interior of the FR-S is as good as my cousin's sentra or my sister's rouge... which are miles ahead of the mustang's interior...

Someone who buys a 10 year old BMW has a different personality than someone who buys one new, or nearly new. The buying considerations are almost entirely different. There is some truth to the Woman's car claim. Audi has kind of eaten into the market once dominated by BMW. A lot of woman buy the BMW now, but usually for different reasons than men. For women it confers a kind of solid executive position - almost like an expensive, but conservative, suit.

[FRiSson]

Originally Posted by phenom86

I got rid of my 08 Z4 and I find satisfaction with my FR-S close to a hard on but not enough, but when i get a supercharger put in I'm sure ill be getting that hard on.

Perfectly said. The Z4 is probably the most phallic car in recent memory.

[thill]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

The psychology of a BMW driver means that he will not be happy with an FR-S. BMW drivers are driven by a powerful need to feel "superior" to other people. They purchase the "ultimate driving machine" to gain a sense of mastery over those unfortunates who drive lesser cars. The salient feature of the BMW is its extremely strong sense of brand identity. This is the ideal selling point for people whose egos require strengthening of their sense of self and self-worth. Think of it as a mechanical buttress to their fragile sense of personal value. While we tend to think of BMW drivers as arrogant and conceited, in fact these features typically mask their sense of vulnerability and inferiority. Keep in mind that these features reflect the typical male BMW drivers, but certainly not all of them. The FR-S is an entry-level sports car that will not effectively support the ego as a statement of personal wealth or of superiority. The car is neither expensive enough nor does the Scion (or Subaru) brand convey the image of superiority or control. For these reasons, the typical BMW driver will not find satisfaction with the FR-S.

I didn't know that Sigmund Freud was posting on the forums..

[Biggins]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

The psychology of a BMW driver means that he will not be happy with an FR-S. BMW drivers are driven by a powerful need to feel "superior" to other people. They purchase the "ultimate driving machine" to gain a sense of mastery over those unfortunates who drive lesser cars. The salient feature of the BMW is its extremely strong sense of brand identity. This is the ideal selling point for people whose egos require strengthening of their sense of self and self-worth. Think of it as a mechanical buttress to their fragile sense of personal value. While we tend to think of BMW drivers as arrogant and conceited, in fact these features typically mask their sense of vulnerability and inferiority. Keep in mind that these features reflect the typical male BMW drivers, but certainly not all of them. The FR-S is an entry-level sports car that will not effectively support the ego as a statement of personal wealth or of superiority. The car is neither expensive enough nor does the Scion (or Subaru) brand convey the image of superiority or control. For these reasons, the typical BMW driver will not find satisfaction with the FR-S.

As one of those loyal BMW owners, your statement is not totally inaccurate, but the brand has moved more toward selling anything they can which has brought in a much larger demographic that do only buy one because it's a BMW (yuppies, women, elders, etc.). I'm fine with it becuase the "ego-centered" buyers pay for the company to make enthusiast models that could not have been otherwise produced (1M, M Coupe, X# Ms). Maybe I got hooked, but I don't see any other car that suits my needs/taste better than a 3-Series for everyday driving.
I picked the FR-S over the 1-Series :happy0180:

[Luis_GT]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

Someone who buys a 10 year old BMW has a different personality than someone who buys one new, or nearly new. The buying considerations are almost entirely different. There is some truth to the Woman's car claim. Audi has kind of eaten into the market once dominated by BMW. A lot of woman buy the BMW now, but usually for different reasons than men. For women it confers a kind of solid executive position - almost like an expensive, but conservative, suit.

I call those car enthusiasts...

[Turbowned]

To the OP: you sound a lot like me, except I'm in a more advantageous position for German car ownership - I get an employee lease deal in 6 month intervals with no mileage restriction, credit check, or money due up front. I hand the cars in before they reach their first (paid) service interval; it works out to about $.25/mi for my S4, or $530/mo. I get to build my own and configure them however I like (sadly it doesn't apply to the A5/S5 )! Even though I don't have to deal with the fear (and potential pain) of owning a German sport sedan out-of-warranty, I still want to get a BRZ. Now mind you, I want the BRZ over the FR-S because now after having said German sport sedan, I don't want to give up my creature comforts like leather/alcantara heated seats, keyless access, navigation, HID headlights, etc. However what I pine for is a return to a purer driving experience, which the BRZ offers over the MUCH faster Audi while still offering an acceptable amount of refinement and comfort.

Whatever you do, I'd get rid of that Bimmer before it hits 100k and becomes a "Bring Money With-you."

Originally Posted by sho220

Beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer beamer....

http://www.bmwccbc.org/misc/tech-and-trivia/bimmer.html

Know the difference, it's not a bloody motorcycle!!!

Originally Posted by Biggins

As one of those loyal BMW owners, your statement is not totally inaccurate, but the brand has moved more toward selling anything they can which has brought in a much larger demographic that do only buy one because it's a BMW (yuppies, women, elders, etc.). I'm fine with it becuase the "ego-centered" buyers pay for the company to make enthusiast models that could not have been otherwise produced (1M, M Coupe, X# Ms). Maybe I got hooked, but I don't see any other car that suits my needs/taste better than a 3-Series for everyday driving.
I picked the FR-S over the 1-Series :happy0180:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZyIhtN3PDI"]White BMW - YouTube[/ame]