Test Drive: 2010 BMW 535i GT (yes, the one with the ugly back)

The 535i GT was hit the ugly stick. Take a look at the back and you want to visit the Audi dealer next door.

I didn’t really want to test dive the car, after all it’s just unattractive. And on top of that it’s expensive. Who wants to drive a cross between Minivan and station wagon for almost $70,000?

The BMW GT in all it's beauty ...

Then I took it for a spin. Yes, it’s still ugly and overpriced, but now it sort of makes sense … considering the BMW line up and pricing scheme.

The Good
The car is large inside, think 750i. Font and back offer plenty of room for well-fed adults. The driving position feels like a lowered X5 with great forward visibility. The handling is better than the X5 but still too top heavy for my taste. It doesn’t handle like a 5 series sedan. It’s more like a lowered X5 without a sports suspension.

Although the car is heavy (about 4800lb) the 3.0 turbo engine is all you need. The excellent engine pulls strong and stays smooth in any situation. I also tested the GT with the V8 and although it’s faster the 35i is the best fit for the GT. This isn’t a sports car (and never will be) but the 35i always delivers enough to not feel underpowered. And you’ll save a nice stash of cash over the V8. Plus I do not like the turbo lag in the twin turbo V8 anyways (see my 550i review).
The GT is all about is traveling in comfort. If I could have my pick for a road trip car sitting in the back, I would choose the GT over the X5, 550i sedan and even the 750i.

The Bad
As good as the forward visibility is, the rear window is a joke. Think X6, with a tiny back window that is close to useless.
It would make a great airport shuttle that moves four executives in comfort. However, you need to ask politely to travel lightly – there isn’t much space in the trunk.  The limited trunk space makes it questionable as family vehicle. If you have kids try to fit two strollers before you buy. It looks awfully small back there for a vehicle this size. Why buy a big van when you can’t fit much in the back?
And as I mentioned before the rear end is just plain ugly. I suspect the GT is a slow seller because of the questionable looks. From the front you will confuse it with the 5 or 7 which isn’t a bad thing. All large BMWs seem to have the same corporate BMW face nowadays.

Conclusion
With a mix of Minivan and station wagon the GT ends up looking like an odd compromise. Add prices close to a 7 series but with none of the prestige, and you get a car that is a tough to understand. It’s unclear who would voluntarily spend close to $70,000 on a GT (well equipped).
Other than that I actually like it. It surprised me. It is clearly bigger and better than the X5 and offers 7 series like space and comfort. To sum it up: great engineering, bad styling.
If I was in the market for an SUV because of the great forward visibility I would get the GT over the X5. But, the GT is just plain ugly in the back, and I’m sorry, I just can’t do ugly.

Don't know about you, but somehow the proportions on the GT are off

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2010 Audi A5 3.2 vs 2010 BMW 335i coupe comparison test

I was shopping for a new ride and two cars stood out. The 2010 335i coupe and the 2010 A5 3.2 quattro. Why did I ditch my all time favorite BMW for an Audi? Read on for the details.

Although both are $46,000 sports coupes the character couldn’t be different
The BMW feels like a driving tool where everything was designed to maximize fun. The 335i  has the sportier suspension and steering, but it is also more nervous and less confident than the A5.

Supreme confidence is what the A5 should stand for, especially on the freeway.  If you like to weave through city traffic the BMW is better, if you like high-speed freeway travel pick the Audi. In the end I prefer the Audi approach of beauty and confidence, it’s a more exiting car overall.

Oh God, those curves
I usually prefer substance over beauty, but The A5 is the first car I considered on looks alone. The A5 just looks like a more expensive, more impressive car next to the somewhat plain looking 335i. The LED daytime running lights on the Audi are just a beauty, the wide stance, the curves, the rich overall look. The Audi is the exotic sports car for an (somewhat) affordable price.

Audi’s Quattro or BMW rear wheel dive?
Unless you like to floor the gas while making a left turn, rear drive is still more fun than all wheel drive. Having said that the more powerful BMW could use the extra traction of Quattro. The 335i spins it rear tires virtually anytime in 1st (and sometimes even 2nd gear). Which is fun if you have an extra $800 to spend on new rear tires, but honestly do you really want traction control drama anytime you lay down the power? I didn’t think so. In the end the Audi is unflappable no matter when you hit the gas. Acceleration in the dry or wet are always worry free.
Audi 9. BMW 8.

What about luxury?
Maybe it’s just me but a $46,000 car should not only be fun and good looking but also luxurious. Let’s start with the interior: Here the Audi impresses with a stylish design while the 335i is plain and dated. The A5 actually uses less expensive materials than BMW. Tap the plastic around the dashboard and you know where Audi saved money. The A5 scores with a noticeably wider cabin and more comfortable seat belts. The BMW seat belts are mounted too low, too far back and cause annoying shoulder strain on longer drives.
Audi 10. BMW 7.

BMW 335i coupe

Audi can’t out-handle BMW
Handling is one of the reasons why I had a tough time considering anything but the 335i. Although Audi got better you still notice too much weight up front and boring under-steer. You have more fun in the BMW in tight corners. But the Audi impresses with a more planted and secure feel anywhere else.
With all wheel drive and a wide stance the A5 feels more mature and less of a edgy “let it all hand out” car.   That’s not as sporty, but it’s a great feeling nevertheless. In the end BMW has better turn in and quicker reflexes. On the thigh on ramp I take every day the BMW bits, and the Audi runs wide.
Audi 8. BMW 9.

The Audi Automatic is a disappointment
The Automatic is Audi’s most obvious weak spot. It shifts quick and smooth, but then occasionally it clunkers the gears like an old pick up truck. Forget about using the paddle shifters, it will hammer in the gears for drive-line abusive. With so many excellent automatics available this is a big disappointment in 2010 luxury car.  The automatic should have never passed Audi engineering & quality standards. Fire your supplier or pay them more. The BMW automatic is clearly better and never missteps.
Audi 4. BMW 9.

BMW Engine still rules
And then there is the BMW 3.0 twin turbo of course. While the Audi 3.2 matches my old 330i in acceleration, it’s hopelessly underpowered compared to the 335i. The power and torque difference is immediately noticeable – you need about 2 seconds to tell. The A5 3.2 feels strong until you drive the 335i. The A5 is not slow, but just not enough to run with a 335i.
Audi 7. BMW 10.

Audi Freeway ride revelation
This is where the Audi was a revelation. Rarely have I driven a car that feels this secure and in charge on the freeway. The wide stance, firm suspension and tires, and the automatic are now all in tune to deliver a ride that is unflappable. Even the steering wheel mounted shift paddles make sense now – there are perfect to drop a gear or two while passing on the freeway. This car was made for triple digit travel. It’s reminiscent of more expensive luxury cars such as a BMW 7 series. The 335i in comparison feels nervous and a bit tipsy. Still secure, but not as confident and calm. I never noticed this 335i weakness until I drove the A5 3.2 Quattro with sports package.
Audi 10. BMW 8.

Steering is still BMW’s domain
Steering is one of the best things about my old 330i and the new 335i is virtually identical. Audi almost matches the precision BMW steering – most of the time. The A5 steering is great until you drive under 25 mph. Then the steering becomes too light, too over boosted, and too artificial. This might be helpful if you mom parks your A5, but it’s not what you want in a sports car. Audi’s plan to have a light steering at low speeds and a firm feel at higher speeds was a great idea, but the execution was botched. It’s not an acceptable compromise. On a short test dive it might appeal, but after a week you want hack into the OBC to get rid of it.
Audi 6. BMW 10.

Bottom Line
When you tally up the points the 335i BMW is a better driver’s car – no surprise here. The Audi is competent, but it’s not as fast, not as much fun and does not offer the discounted leases or the awesome free maintenance that BMW comes with. So why did I get a more costly, less sporty, slower Audi? Because it’s a beauty, it’s a coupe that 6.2 feet guy can be comfortable in, and no matter how good the BMW handling and engine is, the car has its shortcomings.

In the end it’s more than just getting bored of BMW. The Audi drives like a larger, more mature car. It’s a supremely competent high-speed cruiser and only give ground to the 335i in city driving – or drag racing. The Audi A5 3.2 is a Grand Tourer that can handle. The Audi wants to be driven less aggressive, but at higher speeds. Right now I prefer the supreme confidence and style of Audi over the edgy, fun, and a bit nervous BMW set up.

Brazilian Girls and the Audi don’t mix
No problems so far with the car, except that my on again off again fiery Brazilian girl kicked the passenger side door and put a shallow dent into it. It’s barely noticeable, but it was so wrong. She feels terrible about it. She loves the car too.

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Test Drive: 2010 Chevy Camaro SS

Don’t get me wrong the Camaro SS is a good car – it’s just not that much fun.
On paper it does everything right. 426 hp, fat V8 torque, macho looks and plenty of elbowroom. I really wanted to love the Camaro SS, but it’s missing what makes Muscle Cars great.
In the quest of making better cars Chevy overshot the target and created a big Chevy Malibu coupe. Take a Malibu, add a strong V8, chop off two doors, give it a wide stance, and you got the 2010 Camaro SS.

The Camaro has potential, but GM needs to make a few changes to make it great.


Where is the V8 sound?
I’m talking about an aural excitement that stimulates your deep down desire of having more muscles than brains and loving it. I’m talking about hearing the superiority of a V8. I’m talking about rolling up on unsuspecting pedestrians and scaring small children.
The Camaro is missing the primeval fun that comes with a rumbling V8. Driving the Camaro SS is too generic, the engine is too muted. Yes, it can accelerate in 4.6 seconds to 60.  But I also want to hear the V8 when I’m cruising down to the corner store.
No one expects the Camaro to handle like a serious sports car and it doesn’t. It’s just too big and soft for that. That’s what the lighter and firmer Corvette is for.

The Camaro became a fast generic Coupe
The Camaro SS became a fast, heavy coupe with overdone styling. It’s comfortable, quite on the freeway, and handles like a well-designed large sedan. With the latest safety gear and low prices it’s a great choice for your Consumer Reports reading neighbor.
But the Camaro SS should stimulate you groin, not you brain. Deep down we like to be a bit trashy, we desire the slutty girls and the bad boys. And with being muscular and bold comes the rejection of pretentious wine bars. Unfortunately the Camaro SS became the car parked in front of you local wine bar.
And yes, the outward visibility is ridiculous, the interior could be better, and the design looks like a Transformers Action Figure. But all that could be forgiven if it had that special excitement that makes you want to drive it.

Conclusion
The Camaro SS is a well-designed car underneath it all. It has great potential. Lose 300 lb, add better V8 sounds, add much needed outward visibility for the driver and you have a winner.
There is one thing GM could do to fix the Camaro SS right now – it badly needs better sound engineering. It has a Corvette engine, so let it shine, let me hear it, let the girl in the passenger seat know that I’m having more than 400 hp at my disposal.
Maybe an aftermarket exhaust would do the trick but as it is, the car leaves me cold. If you want an authentic Muscle Car get the Mustang V8. Which, by the way, will get an upgraded engine with 411 hp in 2011.
The Mustang isn’t perfect (see my Mustang review on CraigSelection.com), but it’s right now the only authentic Muscle Car on sale.

Lamborghini V10 engine sound for $49.95?

The sound of an engine is very important and one of the reasons you pay so much for a Lamborghini or Ferrari are the awesome engine noises. So, how can you make your whiny 4-cylinder sound like an exotic V10? Meet the SoundRacer V10.

How it works
Plug it into your cigarette lighter and it will read the rpm of your engine though the fluctuating current form the alternator. As the engine revs so does the alternator.  The V10 soundtrack will play though your stereo system. A neat technical solution but does it work in practice?
Before I ordered the device I read reviews on Amazon. Some liked it some hated it. So, that wasn’t exactly useful.  I decided to test it myself. Here is what I found.


Does it work?
In my research on Sound Engineering I came across the SoundRacer. This was MY IDEA a few years back and finally somebody overcame the tech challenges to made it a real product. I’ve contacted SoundRacer (a Swedish company) to get a sample for the review you are reading right now.

Once I figured out how to calibrate the system (it’s pretty easy) it became addictive. I started revving the engine everywhere, stayed in low gears and stomped on the gas as much as a could.
The V10 sounds the best just off idle (1000-1500 rpm), and develops into a scream anywhere past 3,000 rpm.

Word of caution. At the beginning you will get addicted to the sounds and rev you engine into stratosphere. After 15 minutes of testing my Audi A5 3.2 engine compartment emitted a wave of hot air and some funny rubber smells. Be careful with older cars as you might just push them to overheat.
As much fun as it was initially the novelty wore off. After one week I barely use it.

Here are the problems:

The sound quality is not good enough
It sounds realistic in idle and it sounds great just off idle (1000-1500 rpm) but once the rpm climbs it’s not good enough to fool anyone. To be host my V6 sounds better than the V10 from the speakers. And my stereo system is pretty good. I tested it in a 2009 Nissan Altima 4 cylinder and it sounded worse.  I also took a 6 year old on a test drive and he liked it, but did not love it. So there you have it. If kids love it you have a winner.

It can’t keep up if you are driving fast
And that was the real deal breaker. I want the sound to change as the rpm change. Driving fast it could not keep up and it took too long to realize when I was shifting.
The only time it tracked accurately was at medium speeds. If you let the engine rev slowly it delivers a V10 sound in sink with the engine speed. But that is an unnatural way to dive. Either you floor the gas and rev high or you take it easy and shift early. Who slowly revs the engine until 5,000 without going fast?

It think this is a great idea, but I’m looking forward to the improved version 2.0.
As it is right now I can’t recommend it because it has limited usefulness. The sound needs to be more realistic and it needs to track the rpm’s quicker especially at gear changes. Other than that, I still love the idea. Please fix it and I’ll be the first to buy one.

You can get the SoundRacer in two versions: V8 and V10. I tested the V10 but the V8 is cheaper and *might* sound more realistic.

Links to Amazon.com:
SoundRacerV10   $49.95
SoundRacerV8   $39.95

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2010 Audi A5 water pump failure at only 8,000 miles

Here is some disappointing news about my new 2010 Audi A5.
My Audi left me stranded in Palo Alto, CA with a massive coolant leak. I can’t remember the last time I broke down in a car with less than 150,000 miles on it.
Here is the lesson learned: 1. Audi has quality problems 2. Roadside assistance is slow 3. The Audi Dealer needs customer service training

Audi Quality is disappointing
Water pump failure and a massive coolant leak at 8,000 miles? Hey Audi, cooling systems have been figured out since 1960. It’s car building basics and should not happen with a new car. Period.

How it happened
The first thing I noticed is that the heater did not work. I usually blast heat down low and 3 minutes into my freeway ride I still got cold feet. As I entered city traffic the tell tale signs of white smoke and the smell of au de coolant reminded me of days past gone – when I couldn’t afford new cars.
I pulled over and popped the hood.  Coolant was all over and the reservoir was empty. Did I get a warning message or low coolant signal? No. Luckily I was already at my destination so I just parked the car and went to my appointment.

Roadside Assistance takes too long
At 11:40 am  I called Audi Roadside assistance. At 3 pm I was in a renal car going home. Spending almost 3.5 hours to get home is not acceptable. I wasn’t stranded in the middle of nowhere, it was downtown Palo Alto.  The whole process should have taken an hour or less.
First I waited 30 min for the wrong tow truck to show up  – the car needs a flat bed truck because I have all wheel drive. Audi should know that. Then I had to wait another hour and 15 min before the right truck came by. The dealership had attitude but on loaners, so before I got a rental from Enterprise it was 3 pm.

High Call Volume Roadside Assistance line?
The roadside assistance number has a voice-mail system designed with self-service in mind. Press this button for that, type in your home phone number here (I guess I broke down at home), listen to this message first, etc.. I’m not calling to track my FedEx package, this is an emergency road side assistance line. Yes, this wasn’t a real emergency, but if I would have been stranded elsewhere at night I would be pissed.  It’s all very efficient – if Audi is expecting a high call volume on this line.
The Roadside assistance reps are friendly, but not very effective. The rep advised me to call the local dealerships to check if they have loaner cars available. Should you do this for me? The rep also promised to call when the tow truck is there.  Two trucks showed up but neither time did I get a call. I guess the automated system didn’t work.

Dealership Service Department needs training
The dealership experience was less than stellar. The service adviser enjoyed being argumentative. Do you work in Customer Service? Or maybe he was just annoyed that another Audi broke down. Ironically an “Excellence in Customer Service Award” for the same guy was hanging at the wall. I just stared at the framed award while he was talking down on me. Nice!

So, what’s the lesson leaned?
Braking down in the same year that my car was made constitutes a new record. Let’s see what 2011 holds.
This could be a one off bad luck scenario. But if I do break down I expect better treatment from the Audi dealer and more effective roadside assistance. Audi supposed to be a luxury brand.

Oh, and think twice about owning an Audi past the warranty period.  The Service guy explained to me that Audi makes millions of water pumps and I just can’t expect them all to be perfect. Oh, my bad.  I guess I was expecting too much from Audi. Thanks for giving me another attitude adjustment.

BTW, the car was fixed under warranty after two days. It still smells like burned coolant, although I brought it back for a second cleaning. The smart rep advised me to just drive until it’s all gone. Nice, job guys, I now have a new car that smells like my neighbors leaky 1986 Ford Ranger.

2008 Audi TT used car test drive: Get the Quattro and get used to a lurchy DSG

 
Just test-drove an Audi TT from my dealer service fleet.

It was a 2008 model with only 10,000 miles on it and FrontTrack (no Quattro). Will it make a great Audi certified pre-owned car some day? How is the TT holding up after a year in the loaner fleet?

The TT is a handsome car inside and out that has sports car potential. But it has some quirks that make it difficult to live with.

It spins the front wheels like a Oldsmobile Alero
Do you remember the Alero from the 90’s? It was front wheel drive car with a strong V6 and torque steer from hell. This Audi TT without Quattro is a modern day Alero.

plenty of torque + turbo lag + front wheel drive = You will look like a hack who can’t drive
A strong engine with initial turbo lag and low traction conspire to make you look like a hack who can’t modulate the gas pedal. You will spin the tires in the city, especially while turning, even if you are trying hard not to.

What fun is a sports car when you got to be super careful about applying the gas? Want to make a quick right turn without drama? What to merge quickly on the freeway without loosing you steering feel or aim? Forgetaboutit.

Get the Quattro. Seriously.
Audi should have never sold any TT without Quattro. (Thankfully all 2009 and 2010 models come standard with it).

Capable on mountain roads
I took the TT on my usual test loop to Saratoga, CA and up highway 9 to the summit road. The combination of quick tight corners and long sweeping curves is a great way to test the suspension and steering set up. The TT performed very well (aside from the traction problems), with predictable handling and high limits even without the sports package. The steering is getting almost BMW 3 series precise and most importantly my lady passenger said she felt secure being driven fast in the TT. Ultimately, the Audi TT has a bit too much weight up font, which translates into too much under steer. But this is entirely save set up and does not seriously interfere with having fun.

The DSG Transmission is great on the open road, sucks in city
Many good things have been written about the DSG and I agree it’s an excellent transmission – most of the time. The DSG dual clutch automatic fires gears off quickly and smoothly in manual or automatic mode. Regardless if you give it full power, half power, shift at redline or at 2,000 rpm. It’s always crisp and fast. Fun, fun, fun.

But, the Audi TT also suffered from a lurchy automatic.
When you come to a stop the engine rpm briefly drops until the car shakes. A few times I was looking for the clutch pedal with my left foot. Then, as you let go of the break the car starts to shake (again) and then lurches forward as you give it some *gentle* gas. Try to park a car with a lurching automatic and you will look like a fool who doesn’t have motor skills. I’ve talked to my local Audi service advisor and apparently this is a common problem with the DSG. There is no fix for it, you just have to live with it.
If you do a lot of city or stop and go traffic it will annoy the hell out of you.  I expect better from Audi. Much better.

Bottom Line
If you are interested in the Audi TT the “must have” option is the Quattro. The front wheel drive is killing all sporty driving ambitions and fatally flaws an otherwise capable little sports car.
Cruising around town in the TT does not satisfy their either. The ride is a bit busy and choppy, the engine is vibrating (especially in stop and go traffic) and the DSG automatic is lurchy.  It’s definitely not a smooth cruiser like a Mercedes SLK.

The Porsche Boxster is clearly the better sports car for a few thousand extra. I’m no friend of the BMW Z4 (because of the non-BMW like handling), but at least it offers a much smoother engine and automatic.
Still want the Audi TT?  Get the Quattro and check if you can live with the jerky DSG and vibrating engine. Also, watch the options list and keep it simple. A roadster/ sports coupe should be simple and fun. Even if you load it up with options it will never be a luxury car.

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