[eliphil]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

In the past 6 months I've driven a 2024 Macan S and a 2020 840i GC. I've shared my thoughts on the Macan S in another thread so I'll summarize here. Great chassis, great steering, quiet enough, easy to drive, great ride over bumpy roads. What you have heard it was, and yes it could be a suitable replacement for a G30 without feeling too small. What I didn't like was the hibernating throttle pedal. It was just way too slow to react, and probably why so many on Rennlist recommend a pedal commander.

Today I drove the 840i GC (RWD version). It was a 2020 so had the smaller iDrive 7 screen, but most of the other typical options. My main purpose for driving it was to see if it could be a potential replacement for the G30 in 6-12 months. I know it's 4-5 inches longer than a G30, and wider, and heavier, but it hides it's extra size very well when driving. Plenty of power actually, no issue there, and I found myself traveling 5-10mph faster than normal without immediately noticing. I think they use a different ASD soundtrack in this car because it sounds more aggressive inside, but when you park it and rev the engine with the door open it sounds the same as my 540i.

The issue for me was the low seating position - I'm 6'3" and have my G30 seat higher to help with occasional sciatica. The 8GC doesn't have as much headroom with the seat raised a bit. The trunk is also substantially smaller and probably wouldn't work for me with golf clubs and push carts that are regularly kept there. Overall really liked the car, but I don't think it would work for me.

And every time I get back in my G30 after driving another car, I'm reminded how well this car does so many things well.

My wife and I had same experience with seats in the 8 series. They were completely unforgiving and turned me away. The M550 seats are so much better

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Apples to Apples, unmodified from the factory, the Macon S will handle remarkably better than any G30 model. The height of the G30 is 58" and the Macon S is 63", 5" is negligible with a better suspension. It is also a shorter by almost 10" which makes it more nimble.

Anyway, Porsche is on an entirely different level of performance than any BMW. They are also on a different level on price!!

Once again Joe right on point. Porsche’s are so vastly superior with handling but you will give up ergonomics and comfort plus a lighter wallet. I also never loved the 911 s power vs a good old fashioned v8 supercharged vette. Both are great choices but I went USA

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eliphil

Once again Joe right on point. Porsche’s are so vastly superior with handling but you will give up ergonomics and comfort plus a lighter wallet. I also never loved the 911 s power vs a good old fashioned v8 supercharged vette. Both are great choices but I went USA

Spot on Mike. A 911T has been on my bucket list since I was 18. I remember test driving one 20 years ago and how cramped and big I felt in it, but I also could not get over how it handled. I was also about 30lbs heavier back then! I do think they have gotten wider and more comfortable over the years, but it would still be a fun car that I would put 1,000 miles a year on it, so the 700+hp and the rail like handling will be just a treat and not for long drives.

Total bucket list midlife purchase. I can't tell you how many times I have built one. I know exactly how I would order it! You never know now that I've made that final tuition payment for my last child that also triggers the end child support! Alimony is another story, lol!

[Joe-BMW33]

Very good review, worth a look. My takeaway is that the reviewers think it's boring, unremarkable and not sporty:

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by eliphil

My wife and I had same experience with seats in the 8 series. They were completely unforgiving and turned me away. The M550 seats are so much better

I thought the 8 series comfort seats- without articulating upper back section, so probably same as new G60 comfort seats- were comfortable enough once you sat in them. My main issue is how low you have to sit and if you want to sit higher, there’s not as much headroom as a 5 series to accommodate. The G30 comfort seats I have are great, and especially since the car is a little higher than the 8 it works better for me. Not to mention my tall wife thinks my 5er is low enough, so getting into and out of an 8 would lead to plenty of complaints.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I thought the 8 series comfort seats- without articulating upper back section, so probably same as new G60 comfort seats- were comfortable enough once you sat in them. My main issue is how low you have to sit and if you want to sit higher, there’s not as much headroom as a 5 series to accommodate. The G30 comfort seats I have are great, and especially since the car is a little higher than the 8 it works better for me. Not to mention my tall wife thinks my 5er is low enough, so getting into and out of an 8 would lead to plenty of complaints.

I am in the minority, but I hate the design of the 8-series. It looks so Japanese, straight out of Toyota's design lab. Especially the Supra ass. I couldn't get past that to sit in the seats.

[BMW012]

https://g60.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2083949

not that i would get it, but the red is a nice new color.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

On my last visit, I was offered an electric or gas loaner. I said I didn't care so I was given a.................. GAS 330!

That is my favorite loaner to get. Get a go kart for a day or two and with the 4 cyl I can hammer it around without being in too much trouble.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I am in the minority, but I hate the design of the 8-series. It looks so Japanese, straight out of Toyota's design lab. Especially the Supra ass. I couldn't get past that to sit in the seats.

I like the GC better than the coupe. I’d like to drive both just out of curiosity.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Very good review, worth a look. My takeaway is that the reviewers think it's boring, unremarkable and not sporty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q60-N05Aacs

That’s how I’d describe it. Outside the speed, the M60 I drove was pretty boring. Nothing unpleasant. Just not exciting. And not sporty. Too high and big to really be sporty.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by NGT2

That’s how I’d describe it. Outside the speed, the M60 I drove was pretty boring. Nothing unpleasant. Just not exciting. And not sporty. Too high and big to really be sporty.

Mark praised it quite a bit with regard to the drive, which is really all some of us care about.

I don't like the looks much, but as a total package it is growing on me a bit.

I certainly can't think of an SUV that I would purchase over one; then again no one interested in the drive purchases an SUV or loads their car up to be a luxo-barge. The only real competition on dynamics will likely be the E class in the sub-AMG version. Audi remains a shopping trolley, like nearly all VW products.

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Spot on Mike. A 911T has been on my bucket list since I was 18. I remember test driving one 20 years ago and how cramped and big I felt in it, but I also could not get over how it handled. I was also about 30lbs heavier back then! I do think they have gotten wider and more comfortable over the years, but it would still be a fun car that I would put 1,000 miles a year on it, so the 700+hp and the rail like handling will be just a treat and not for long drives.

Total bucket list midlife purchase. I can't tell you how many times I have built one. I know exactly how I would order it! You never know now that I've made that final tuition payment for my last child that also triggers the end child support! Alimony is another story, lol!

Now is the time Joe. I think the 911 GTS is great and can save u a few sheckels over a turbo. I test drove one and it is so much more comfy then the old ones.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Mark praised it quite a bit with regard to the drive, which is really all some of us care about.

I don't like the looks much, but as a total package it is growing on me a bit.

I certainly can't think of an SUV that I would purchase over one; then again no one interested in the drive purchases an SUV or loads their car up to be a luxo-barge. The only real competition on dynamics will likely be the E class in the sub-AMG version. Audi remains a shopping trolley, like nearly all VW products.

I drove it. It’s not that exciting, for me. For others, it may be different. All good! It was like driving a really big golf cart with less body roll.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eliphil

Now is the time Joe. I think the 911 GTS is great and can save u a few sheckels over a turbo. I test drove one and it is so much more comfy then the old ones.

I know! I just feel like it’s been my life long dream, so I want no regrets. 200 more horsepower is meaningful. What is another $50,000 😂😂😂😂 when your spending stupid money.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I am in the minority, but I hate the design of the 8-series. It looks so Japanese, straight out of Toyota's design lab. Especially the Supra ass. I couldn't get past that to sit in the seats.

Tried to paste NGT2 ‘s comment here but didn’t work on my phone. Anyway, I prefer the way the 8er coupe looks…they got it just right to my eye. But it’s not practical for me so I have to focus more on the 8GC. But in the GC the hofmeister kink window looks a bit off, incomplete and just forced. I think they could have done better there and I’m good with the back end, though a hatch would have been more practical. Along with the 3er sedan the 8C and GC are the best looking hardtop non SUVs in the lineup. I say that because I don’t want an X# or the Z4.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I drove it. It’s not that exciting, for me. For others, it may be different. All good! It was like driving a really big golf cart with less body roll.

It's relative. For the size of the car, it appears to do quite well, and ofc it's still got lower CG and better polar moment than almost anything it is being compared to; no amount of fiddling will change that.


Was surprised Mark called it stiff. In this regard, I'm curious as to how much better the Euro version will handle than the soft serve the Americans typically get.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Tried to paste NGT2 ‘s comment here but didn’t work on my phone. Anyway, I prefer the way the 8er coupe looks…they got it just right to my eye. But it’s not practical for me so I have to focus more on the 8GC. But in the GC the hofmeister kink window looks a bit off, incomplete and just forced. I think they could have done better there and I’m good with the back end, though a hatch would have been more practical. Along with the 3er sedan the 8C and GC are the best looking hardtop non SUVs in the lineup. I say that because I don’t want an X# or the Z4.

I, too, am a huge fan of the 8er.

A neighbor has an M8 in Carbonschwarz. Beautiful car.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I drove it. It’s not that exciting, for me. For others, it may be different. All good! It was like driving a really big golf cart with less body roll.

Hoping to drive a 530i next week while the service department is checking out my LED headlights (that’s another story for later). I suspect it will be similar to our X3 xdrive30i. Similar weight and power. The X3 is a good vehicle but it’s my wife’s daily. If it had the B58 it’d probably be much better, but she doesn’t care. I want a direct replacement for the G30 but I suspect the G60 will feel like it, even accounting for the small engine. Or maybe I should drive the M60 just to see what the M550i successor feels like. If the G60 becomes my next car, it will definitely be the 540ix. The fat ass hybrid M5 is off the table.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Tried to paste NGT2 ‘s comment here but didn’t work on my phone. Anyway, I prefer the way the 8er coupe looks…they got it just right to my eye. But it’s not practical for me so I have to focus more on the 8GC. But in the GC the hofmeister kink window looks a bit off, incomplete and just forced. I think they could have done better there and I’m good with the back end, though a hatch would have been more practical. Along with the 3er sedan the 8C and GC are the best looking hardtop non SUVs in the lineup. I say that because I don’t want an X# or the Z4.

Since the G30 is now a retired model, I agree with your looks assessment and rankings.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Neusser

I, too, am a huge fan of the 8er.

A neighbor has an M8 in Carbonschwarz. Beautiful car.

This was at my dealer when I was there having the tires rotated last week. It had tartufo/white interior. Gorgeous car.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Hoping to drive a 530i next week while the service department is checking out my LED headlights (that’s another story for later). I suspect it will be similar to our X3 xdrive30i. Similar weight and power. The X3 is a good vehicle but it’s my wife’s daily. If it had the B58 it’d probably be much better, but she doesn’t care. I want a direct replacement for the G30 but I suspect the G60 will feel like it, even accounting for the small engine. Or maybe I should drive the M60 just to see what the M550i successor feels like. If the G60 becomes my next car, it will definitely be the 540ix. The fat ass hybrid M5 is off the table.

I can’t stand driving the 530. I’d much rather drive a 330. I thought the X3 30i was okay, actually. But if I bought an X3 it would be an M40i for sure or the new coming up M50i.

After owning a 540 and 550, I just couldn’t get happy driving the 530 even as a loaner.

If I got a G60 it would either be the 540ix or the coming B58 hybrid 550e. But I am pretty confident I won’t get a G60. They will have to change a lot, aesthetically, to make me even consider it.

If I HAD to replace my M550 with another BMW and it couldn’t be with another G30, it would be one of the following:

M340i
X30 M40i
M850 GC

I suspect it would be the 3 or 8 GC, but I’d give the X3 a drive. Knowing me, I’d probably end up sacrificing age and miles to get an M850 GC I could afford. Way out of my league as a new order. One day…

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I can’t stand driving the 530. I’d much rather drive a 330. I thought the X3 30i was okay, actually. But if I bought an X3 it would be an M40i for sure or the new coming up M50i.

After owning a 540 and 550, I just couldn’t get happy driving the 530 even as a loaner.

If I got a G60 it would either be the 540ix or the coming B58 hybrid 550e. But I am pretty confident I won’t get a G60. They will have to change a lot, aesthetically, to make me even consider it.

If I HAD to replace my M550 with another BMW and it couldn’t be with another G30, it would be one of the following:

M340i
X30 M40i
M850 GC

I suspect it would be the 3 or 8 GC, but I’d give the X3 a drive. Knowing me, I’d probably end up sacrificing age and miles to get an M850 GC I could afford. Way out of my league as a new order. One day…

That’s exactly where I am on replacing my 540i. But maybe the X5 40i instead of X3. We don’t need two X3’s.