Thinking about switching from BMW 328i to Scion FR-S

[deejaylew]

Originally Posted by venturaII

I really don't think this is the case - the cars really don't compare well. The FR-S is a rather spartan 2+2 sports car (intentionally...), and the BWM is a sporty luxury car. If driving feel and dynamics is what you value, then going to the FR-S will be a definite upgrade. If having wood trim, heated seats and over-engineered cupholders is what you value, then the BMW is the better choice. The FR-S will eat the 328i alive in an autocross or on a road course, but it doesn't have the image status that the BMW has. It also doesn't have the overpriced maintenance and parts cost, the horrible resale, inflated insurance, etc.

The start of my quote actually sums up what you just wrote so we aren't far off but for the sake of banter....

In the real world most people value 10+ speaker sound systems with underseat subwoofers, heads up displays, large lcds in the instrument cluster, wide internet connected media displays and 260 ft lbs of turbo induced torque.

I love the twins which is why I'm buying my second this winter, Also getting rid of the BMW because really.. who wants to own a boring BMW and it is coming out of warranty but lets not act like fanboys, 90% of the population is going to say he downgraded whether he is moving to a car that WE and HE may like more or not.

[venturaII]

^ Agreed 100%

[Braces]

Sports sedan vs Sports car. The FRS/BRZ drives like it's on rails. It is amazing how fast it will corner at speed. The car is perfectly balanced.

The 328i is at the lower spectrum of sports sedans. 328,335,M3,4 series, 5 series .......

I see you moving from a car that is essentially a downgrade in it's class to a car that is right up there with the best of the lightweights.

Interior wise it will be a downgrade, but the seats in the twins are serious butt holders. Love the center tach (idea stolen from Porsche), flashing light rev limiter. Revs are fun past 7000rpms.

Auto vs. Manual. I'm partial to manuals, but if you've never used paddles ... they're fun also. Choose what you like.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by deejaylew

The start of my quote actually sums up what you just wrote so we aren't far off but for the sake of banter....

In the real world most people value 10+ speaker sound systems with underseat subwoofers, heads up displays, large lcds in the instrument cluster, wide internet connected media displays and 260 ft lbs of turbo induced torque.

I love the twins which is why I'm buying my second this winter, Also getting rid of the BMW because really.. who wants to own a boring BMW and it is coming out of warranty but lets not act like fanboys, 90% of the population is going to say he downgraded whether he is moving to a car that WE and HE may like more or not.

Why, oh why, do not more people here understand this very basic concept?

[deejaylew]

Originally Posted by Braces

The 328i is at the lower spectrum of sports sedans. 328,335,M3,4 series, 5 series .......

I would argue that the 328 is the best balanced of the list if you factor price, MPG, available options, performance. Also you left out the 320i, the 328 is popular because it seems to be the sweet spot in the lineup for value/performance. I don't consider the 328 to be high luxury, but with BMW past the 328 you are just paying for motors, the cars are lackluster and use the same interior in almost every car (which is a solid C in the industry, nothing special design wise). You certainly don't get value for your dollar but I guess that isn't the reason many people buy BMW's.

I think I'm just rambling now. Pay no attention to me

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by deejaylew

You certainly don't get value for your dollar but I guess that isn't the reason many people buy BMW's.

BMW used to be known as the most practical of all German brands, in terms of performance value. They've been quite successful in cashing in on that reputation, too, despite it not being the case for a LONG time...

[VTEC]

Originally Posted by kaylikestofly

Yes. What rating would you give it out of 10? Do you think the power is too little?

If power is a concern don't get the automatic. The auto shifts very fast on the FR-S but unfortunately the gear ratios were changed to make it more fuel efficient and that made it slower. You could of course do a final drive ratio swap but that would be much more expensive and complicated than just buying a manual in the first place.

I came from the last generation E93 BMW 328i to a FR-S. In terms of driving performance it's an upgrade in every possible way except maybe braking. The brakes on my old E93 were amazing. But my FR-S is faster in acceleration and much better handling. But my FR-S is a manual. An automatic FR-S would be slower than my old 328i.

In terms of picking up girls, its a downgrade. Don't get me wrong, you can still get girls with the FR-S no problem. They still compliment me on the FR-S and tell me it's a nice car. But it obviously doesn't have the status of what was at the time the latest model hardtop convertible BMW. And to be honest, I'm probably a bit too old to still be driving souped up loud ass Japanese cars when most of my friends left the import tuner scene and are driving luxury/family cars now. But fuck it. I'm immature.

I actually test drove the F30 328i with 6MT, rear wheel drive and the 704 sport suspension (not the adaptive suspension in sport mode, just the passive sport suspension). It didn't feel that much faster than my lightly modified FR-S. But when I threw it into a hard corner it understeered way more than the FR-S. Salesman blamed the tires saying they were worn out but I duno. Maybe I'll try another test drive someday on another 328i and see if it's any better.

If you're driving the same xdrive automatic 328i on base suspension that most BMW owners drive I would say ditch that and get yourself a manual FR-S in heartbeat. But if you have a manual 328i with rear wheel drive and sport or adaptive suspension, and you're looking an automatic FR-S, I'd say keep the BMW.

The FR-S actually captures the essence of what used to make BMW the ultimate driving machine. Rear wheel drive, balanced chassis, firm suspension, slick manual transmission, and free revving engine. BMWs were never even all that fast until the turbo N54 335i came out in the E90 with its monster torque. But the naturally aspirated straight 6's from the past were smooth, rev happy and had just enough power to make you want to wring it out with a manual transmission.

[PeterFRS]

depends on your budget.
if you can afford the upkeep of BMW go right ahead definitely in a higher level than a scion.
if you can't afford the bmw then i wouldn't call it a downgrade.
I never considered buying a new frs downgrade since I could've gone with a used bentley conti GT, i could never afford the maint on it anyways.

theres this guy who recently lost a job forcing him to park / considering selling his 3 year old 335 coupe and drives around in his brother's 99 civic sedan. don't be that guy

[FX86]

wait a second!...the seatbelt comes to you?? shit i need to get myself a bmw

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by kaylikestofly

Yes. What rating would you give it out of 10? Do you think the power is too little?

I am familiar with sarcasm. Good job being friendly!

I traded a faster more powerful car for my FRS. Power is not the pinnacle of automobile bliss for me. Additionally, mine is paid off with only 63,000. I give my car a 10. It still makes me happy after 50 months of ownership.

[8R6]

i sold my e92 328i w/sport package for my current FRS. Is it a downgrade? in terms of niceness, quality, fit and finish, amenities... hell yeah it was a downgrade.

looks-wise, i like both the e92 and FRS equally. Handling-wise, the e92 is an awesome chassis and mine was still fun as hell to drive whether it was cruising or hard in the canyons. But i got the FRS cuz i missed the rawness that i felt when i used to have an s2k. i wanted another s2k but frikkin prices to buy one again was the same price as when i sold mine back in 08 but with twice the miles! F that. FRS/BRZ seemed like the next "raw" sports car with a ton of aftermarket support so i for the same price as a used s2k, i just got a new FRS instead lol. i still think the s2k is more fun than the FRS, but i also still love my FRS too.

as far as maintenance, i got rid of my e92 (2008) in 2014 with 91k miles and the only problem i've ever had was having to replace the water pump (this shit goes out pretty much on all BMW's lol). other than that, the e92 was awesome to own and the inline-6 engine is a solid engine.

[extrashaky]

Let's be honest. It IS a downgrade in the sense that if you tell someone you drive a BMW, she says, "Oh, what do you do for a living?"

Whereas if you tell someone you drive a Scion, she says, "Oh, that's nice. Can you bring more ranch on your next pass by the table?"

[Braces]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

Let's be honest. It IS a downgrade in the sense that if you tell someone you drive a BMW, she says, "Oh, what do you do for a living?"

Whereas if you tell someone you drive a Scion, she says, "Oh, that's nice. Can you bring more ranch on your next pass by the table?"

This is the internet. I didn't know honesty was a prerequisite for posting here.

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by FX86

wait a second!...the seatbelt comes to you?? shit i need to get myself a bmw

Yea but you got to keep an iron board and iron in the trunk just in case.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPL9VVCqvY"]BMW seat belt giver extender arm drop fix E92 E93 E90 328i 335i M3 coupe 3 series - YouTube[/ame]


This is how a properly designed one works (same design with the new Mercs to this day).

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqCZC4XDP5g"]Mercedes W124 CE cinturón seguridad seat belt presenter - YouTube[/ame]