[MMVI]

I would dearly love to be involved the in the development of the next 3.

[napoletani99]

1) Program the ECM to put out similar performance as the Dinan Stage II
2) Make rear proximity sensors standard (it's a $40-50k car and even Hyundais have it, come on...)
3) Make a smarter iPod/MP3 player integrated console and make it standard. If you're going to charge $350-400 for the option, at least throw in the cable!
4) Make factory tint an option or standard with the Sport and M packages
5) Add rear fog light switch standard
6) Add sport steering wheel and shifter standard with Sport package

[napoletani99]

Originally Posted by HST

- Cross drilled brembo brakes
- Twin turbo V8
- LSD
- Stiffer lighter chassis
- Firmer lower suspension
- Heads up display
- Stop designing for the american market

BRAVO! Keep it German. Real drivers don't need cup holders for Double Big Gulps.

[napoletani99]

Originally Posted by Panzerleder

BMW has always been something of a niche player, focused first and foremost on performance. It's what differentiates BMW from Lexus, and Mercedes, and Cadillac and a host of others. I think it lost its way when it began trying to market itself as a luxury brand in the 80's. The cars began to go soft. It became a yuppiemobile, sought after for no other reason than the cachet of the Roundel. But that carries you only so far and it's a very fickle audience. Pretty soon, they move on to the next hot thing. Even worse than that, though, was that quality began to suffer. What had been a basic, solid, reliable vehicle that you could beat to death and work on yourself became something of a technological tour de force that had too many flaws requiring an expensive battery of specially-trained technicians to fix. GM has tried mightily to appeal to everyone and look where they are. BMW can't go down that road because they can't afford to compete with the big mass marketers. They can't afford a mistake (the Land Rover notwithstanding). Keep it simple and go with who brung you. Porsche understands that better than most and they are still thriving.

you can't blame any car maker for striving to be profitable. reality is that consumer demand has driven more luxury and fickle options into current products, including bmw's. that said, bmw has done a great job keeping performance their number one priority, while adding luxury and class. let the yuppies have their status symbols. the rest of us will continue to own them because they provide an unmatched ride and performance with a touch of class and comfort, without being extreme. i can't afford an austin martin or a worthwhile porsche, but i can afford a well-equipped 3-series.

[napoletani99]

Originally Posted by Staszek

Hmmm I somewhat agree with you. BMW was a niche player only because it was a small family owned company, its not because they wanted to be a smaller player or they never would have expanded.

As for technology I think you are wrong again, they may be pushing the envelope a little more now but they were always a technically advanced company, from their engines to their addons. T

They were one of the first cars to offer independent suspensions, their I6's in 1933 were way more advanced then the competition.

BMW had disc brakes on their cars in 1961 which most car companies did not begin to use till the 1990's, they had ABS back in 74.

They were not the first, but one of the first automakers to use airbags as standard.

Technology comes in all different forms and without it a company falls behind. Yes they still have to stick with performance to differentiate themselves from the pack, but really how far have they strayed?

My 330 is faster in a straight line, and I will beat is faster around a track then the 1989 E30 M3, while getting better gas mileage and having many more amenities. (Btw I have also owned an E30 M3). All this and it was only $11,000 more then a car that is almost 20 years old.

If BMW wants to keep making cars like the M3 CSL they have to build the other cars to afford to make them. As long as they dont go to FWD and auto only (like some automaker I wont mention ........cough Audi) I will be just fine.

well said. bmw has earned their cred, well beyond any dealer markup or pretentious consumer demographic. go the bmw welt in munich and you'll get a good feel of true spirit of the company. it's not consumed with image. it's all about performance and driving enthusiasm.

[napoletani99]

Originally Posted by yoyeewee

Am I the only one who noticed this?

PLEASE MAKE FLOOR MATS STANDARD!!!

sorry to break it to you, but they were included in mine at no extra charge, and i bought at a huge diplomatic/military discount

[asus389]

- Bring the 320d over to the states.
- Better stereo... seriously my passat that I had before the 3er had a much better sounding stereo.
- Let me honk the horn when the car is off!
- Decouple iPod/Bluetooth from the premium package. They should be cheap options or standard.
- Don't drop 6MT option.
- Better fuel economy.

[demosthenes]

Bottom line:

I agree with all the posters that say keep the 3 series true to its performance car roots. Don't keep adding luxury items at the expense of weight, cost and performance. But it's going to be hard for BMW to do so since the trend is clearly away from buyers that are enthusiasts and towards those seeking luxury.

[Jeef]

Originally Posted by napoletani99

1) Program the ECM to put out similar performance as the Dinan Stage II
2) Make rear proximity sensors standard (it's a $40-50k car and even Hyundais have it, come on...)
3) Make a smarter iPod/MP3 player integrated console and make it standard. If you're going to charge $350-400 for the option, at least throw in the cable!
4) Make factory tint an option or standard with the Sport and M packages
5) Add rear fog light switch standard
6) Add sport steering wheel and shifter standard with Sport package

they do come with a cable.. well i got 2 cables. and why do we need proximity sensors we can all drive hopefully..

[tat2mofo]

i want a retractable license plate so i can fly thru photo radar
and get rid of RFT!!!

[AlanAZ]

1. At least give me a spare compartment and let me decide if RFTs are what I want
2. non-run flats and spare/jack kit as an option
3. Water/oil temp cold light in dash (in blue, goes out when both are up to temp)
4. Ability to show water temp, oil temp, and oil pressure thru on-board computer
5. Ability to read radio read-out with polarized glasses
6. LSD as a option (as it was previously on performance BMWs)
7. Warning light in dash that you're in Reverse in manual-shift cars

[2001bmw330]

do not get rid of the manual trans forget all them dual clutch paddle shifters i like the 3 pedals

[MikeTerp]

Originally Posted by Takashi

Run flat tires standard.

They are standard - at least in the U.S. - and that IS the problem.

[MikeTerp]

Originally Posted by Remonster

Whoa, what? Since I bought my car I've had all five locks replaced (they wouldn't unlock) had my rear left window regulator replaced because it would open but not close (and now I have the same issue on the right side) had both catalytic converters replaced (well, I'm having them installed on Tuesday) had my clutch replaced...

You get the idea, the free maintenance has more than made up for any potential savings on the original price of the car for me. The way I see it, BMW has to use cheaper suppliers for certain parts in order to keep their prices competitive with the crap coming out of Japan and now Korea, I think they should raise their prices as much as they need to in order to make their cars meet the quality standards that people expect from the Germans. Think pre-1993 Mercedes Benz, I used to have a 1991 300E so I know first hand how great it was to have a car for 16 years and never have a single part break on it.

All of the stuff you list are warranty items, not "maintenance" items, and would be covered for the first 50K miles anyway. Some people do not like the idea of "free maintenance" (oil changes, wiper blades, etc) because it certainly is not "free" and they would rather do it themselves. Moreover, since going to this "free maintenance" plan, it seems that maintenance intervals have been extended dramatically. It is not uncommon for people to go as long as 20K miles before their car tells them it is time for service. Many would rather do their own maintenace and do it more often for peace of mind, especially those planning on keeping their cars for many years, not just turning them in after a three year lease. Whatever, but window lifts and clutches are not maintenance items

[E46M54325Ci]

no rfts
sport seats std, with perf seats on sport pack
assist/bt/ipod/smartphone std
xenons std,
leather std, with delete option
sunroof std, with delete option
lose 400 lbs
window switches back to the center console
4 banger diesel

just a few for now

[StatenEye 535i]

Originally Posted by Jeef

they do come with a cable.. well i got 2 cables. and why do we need proximity sensors we can all drive hopefully..

In cramped cities i.e. Napoli and Manhattan the sensors can be useful.

[aboji]

- More supportive standard seats
- Standard Garage controls
- Cool seats
- More storage space (glove box, near shifter, arm rest, center stack)
- Include engine temp, not an unaccurate MPG gauge in the cluster
- standard 17' wheels
- standard auto dimming mirros
- option to turn off headlight washer spray
- standard dual exhaust

[Devin]

-E85
-lose 400 lbs
-cold/heated seats
-rear camera
-AWD !!!!!!
-Better fuel pump

-bigger Turbo (i don't really mind lag just don't want a lot of it) lol

[MRSSIIM3]

instead of orange gauge clusters, make them bright white like M3
RFTs stock but have a better tire option with spare for sports package cars
DCT on lower level models as an option
keep MT transmission
LSD
ventilated seats
keep interior the same!!

[Ofmalik]

Originally Posted by Bartman619

-Get rid of Run Flats
-A spare tire and jack.
-Stronger A/C system.
-Honest to goodnes engine temperature gauge.
-A real oil dipstick. Get rid of the electronic one.
-A real auto trans dipstick.
-A serviceable automatic transmission.
-Better cup holders.
-Hellfire missile launcher. For people who keep cutting me off on the road.

+1

that last part got me laughing

[cncmastr]

Make Alcantara interior an option!

[tron1043]

I would like:

1. HUD at $500 or less.
2. Keep Logic7 instead of the Dirac that the cars seem to be heading towards.
3. Carbon fiber as a factory installed trim option.
4. Stronger A/C and heating system.
5. Bring back the residual heating feature; "REST."
6. Smaller packaging of the automatic and manual transmission area on the center console.
7. LED interior bulbs.