do the engineers at BMW read my blog?
August 24th, 2006If they do, they’ll know how I feel about the recent, Bangle induced, dynamic flaws in their cars.
Large, heavy wheels, unfeasibly low ride heights and absurdly low tire profiles (and the run-flat tires they pretty much mandated) have literally made it impossible for BMW’s engineers to achieve the magic blend of communication and refinement that BMW was once best at.
This photo gallery gives me reason to think there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Check out the tire size, model and profile. Cars like the last 5 series, original Infiniti Q45, McLaren F1, and Ford GT are prime examples of how much better a suspension can be tuned if the tires have enough sidewall to quash the smaller stuff and the suspension is left with larger movements. (Today’s BMWs have softened suspension bushings to mask the harshness created by the runflat tires and most cars have such low profle tires that the suspension must be softened to retain ride comfort, which in turn reduces body control).
Just as M engineers just said “nein!” to Active Steering and Dynamic Drive for the M5 and M6 and electric steering and Valvetronic for the M Coupe and Roadster, could they be turning the tide on low profiles with the next M3?
(The M coupe is either the first sign that things are coming back into focus in Munich or the last of the great, inline-6 propelled BMWs. Let us pray that it’s the former…)