[zer0cool]

So recently I test drove the Tesla Models S, and I am seriously thinking of switching. First of all, I want to provide some background. I currently have a 2014 535i Msport, which I got last summer, after owning a 2013 Lexus GS Fsport for 1.5 years. I switched because the Lexus had really weak low-end torque due to being NA. So I tested numerous cars, including 550i (felt too heavy while turning), S6 (somehow didn’t end up with it), Macan S (didn’t work out because ordering took way too long), and ended up in a 535 due to an amazing deal that popped up. Then fast forward half a year, and I am shopping again… this time because wife’s lease will soon be due so we can get a different car. I have always had what I would consider an illogical yearning for the M3/4 although many had told me that I probably wouldn’t like them because I hate revving any car beyond 4k rpm. Anyways, I decided that I just had to try it to determine it once and for all, so I went a few days ago and did a pretty long test drive of the M4. Basically the result is… I liked the car whenever I was not accelerating because accelerating was too loud… Although the acceleration felt great, but the noise was just too annoying (sorry, I psychologically feel cars sound tired and exhausted whenever engines rev too high and are too loud, and it makes me annoyed).

From these experiences, I know I want a car with very good low-end torque, and not too loud. Anyways, almost as a tourism item (because I never considered Tesla before), I booked a Tesla test drive on the same day as the M4. I had been a Tesla skeptic over the years and had always thought that it ll likely not succeed. However after driving the Tesla, my entire perception of the automobile changed. I came out the store thinking that this is the future of the automobile. I only test drove the regular 85, but in every factor that matters to me, the car was superior to every car I have driven over the past year. The interior, tho not top quality like an Audi A8 or Mercedes S class, was very techy feeling, particularly with the center screen and the new autopilot features. However the most important factors were in the driving experience. Again, this is only the regular 85 on regular suspension, but I felt the suspension was on par with BMW Sedans and Porsche Panamera. The instant torque was exhilarating… I went on a curved off-ramp and an on-ramp at very fast acceleration and speed, and I had a big smile on my face the entire test drive. I had never experienced that, not even on the M4, as the annoying noise just took away any positive feeling I had accelerating the car. The Tesla however, was just sublime. The acceleration, stability, sporty steering, and also lack of noise, were in combination the most exhilarating driving experience I have ever had.

Therefore, I am seriously thinking of switching... Will try to cool down for a few days, as to not make a rush decision.

[ShocknAwe]

Why are you looking at high performance cars if you hate wringing out an engine? Does not compute.

Honestly, a big ponderous diesel would be a better match for you. 1.5-3k rpms all day every day.

[Year's_End]

You must be the Bizarro version of me with opposite tastes in everything.

[Sniz]

get off the car boards

[hellrotm]

You sound like you are 90 years old?

[zer0cool]

Wow, very unfriendly responses.

So, I don't like loud engine noises beyond certain RPM, but I really enjoy fast acceleration, sporty handling, suspension, and steering, and also enjoy advanced technology.

I would assume most people here like the same things as well. So we really only disagree on one item.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

Wow, very unfriendly responses.

So, I don't like loud engine noises beyond certain RPM, but I really enjoy fast acceleration, sporty handling, suspension, and steering, and also enjoy advanced technology.

I would assume most people here like the same things as well. So we really only disagree on one item.

P85D!

[Nkc]

So you want a quiet car that doesn't rev over 4k rpm. I'm glad you found tesla.

[MalibuBimmer]

Go for it, zer0cool. 5000 pounds of lithium ion batteries and the interior of that Tesla are just calling for you.

[SaMaster14]

The Tesla seems like it fits your needs well and it's an amazing car. Will it be your only car though? I know some people have been skeptical of having the tesla as their/their families only vehicle.

If you wanted something quick without the sound for a similar price, why not look at the Mercedes E550 4-MATIC/CLS550 or the Audi S6/7? (I think I posted something similar in your thread on the M3/4 forum but don't know if there was a reply). The Benzes especially are super torquey low end and have really muffled exhausts stock (especially if your windows are up!)

[Teutonic]

Without any sarcasm, you don't seem like a car guy. Any car with some decent luxury might work fine for you.

However,

Your inputs:
- The car must be quiet(er), don't like rev-ing, feel like the car suffers.
- Must have torque to put that grin on your face.
- Must be techy and with nice interior (feel premium)

My output:
My opinion is that you should buy a diesel BMW (if they offer it there).

- They don't rev much,
- The torque is there (believe me),
- they are the sportiest diesels
- They purr like a cat (if you like that "torquey" sleepy sound),
- They don't cost like a Tesla,
- You can get a pretty nice luxury interior,
- They don't run in batteries,
- It doesn't need charging,
- you squeeze a lot of mileage from one tank
- You squeeze a lot of mileage from the whole car (yeah, I am talking hundreds of thousands of miles). With proper care, they last forever. Not joking.

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

So recently I test drove the Tesla Models S, and I am seriously thinking of switching. First of all, I want to provide some background. I currently have a 2014 535i Msport, which I got last summer, after owning a 2013 Lexus GS Fsport for 1.5 years. I switched because the Lexus had really weak low-end torque due to being NA. So I tested numerous cars, including 550i (felt too heavy while turning), S6 (somehow didn’t end up with it), Macan S (didn’t work out because ordering took way too long), and ended up in a 535 due to an amazing deal that popped up. Then fast forward half a year, and I am shopping again… this time because wife’s lease will soon be due so we can get a different car. I have always had what I would consider an illogical yearning for the M3/4 although many had told me that I probably wouldn’t like them because I hate revving any car beyond 4k rpm. Anyways, I decided that I just had to try it to determine it once and for all, so I went a few days ago and did a pretty long test drive of the M4. Basically the result is… I liked the car whenever I was not accelerating because accelerating was too loud… Although the acceleration felt great, but the noise was just too annoying (sorry, I psychologically feel cars sound tired and exhausted whenever engines rev too high and are too loud, and it makes me annoyed).

From these experiences, I know I want a car with very good low-end torque, and not too loud. Anyways, almost as a tourism item (because I never considered Tesla before), I booked a Tesla test drive on the same day as the M4. I had been a Tesla skeptic over the years and had always thought that it ll likely not succeed. However after driving the Tesla, my entire perception of the automobile changed. I came out the store thinking that this is the future of the automobile. I only test drove the regular 85, but in every factor that matters to me, the car was superior to every car I have driven over the past year. The interior, tho not top quality like an Audi A8 or Mercedes S class, was very techy feeling, particularly with the center screen and the new autopilot features. However the most important factors were in the driving experience. Again, this is only the regular 85 on regular suspension, but I felt the suspension was on par with BMW Sedans and Porsche Panamera. The instant torque was exhilarating… I went on a curved off-ramp and an on-ramp at very fast acceleration and speed, and I had a big smile on my face the entire test drive. I had never experienced that, not even on the M4, as the annoying noise just took away any positive feeling I had accelerating the car. The Tesla however, was just sublime. The acceleration, stability, sporty steering, and also lack of noise, were in combination the most exhilarating driving experience I have ever had.

Therefore, I am seriously thinking of switching... Will try to cool down for a few days, as to not make a rush decision.

Have you talking in consideration the issues of range, charging with the Tesla?

I agree they are great cars, but a bit different than a 5 series and for sure a M3.

Have you looked at an I3? OR a diesel ?

[ShocknAwe]

Just a clash of perceived/conceived identity and actual identity. I'm sure he'll figure it out.

335d would be a great option.

[fecurtis]

Not sure why all the hate, OP seems like you found a car that fits your needs and wants out of a daily vehicle. I say go for it.

I guess you upset the forum collective by not saying you test drove a Porsche 911 GT3 RS and now you want one...

Most of the unfounded hate comes from those people driving 135i's and older 3 Series. Newsflash, not everyone wants a canyon carver car, some people place a heavy emphasis on comfort and instant acceleration. When it comes to that, a Model S works just fine. That or a 550i....

The attitudes of those individuals are probably more at home on a Honda Civic Si forum than on here. Not everyone wants to buy a car to take to the track or to auto-x events.

[///MCFC]

there are some real dicks on this forum.

[gtron]

Originally Posted by ///MCFC

there are some real dicks on this forum.

there's some real dicks on all forums. i know that's no excuse for being rude but i thought i would mention it.

in fairness, this is a bmw forum and this is a thread about tesla's. i'm not sure what kind of response the OP was expecting.

i'm not sure i would come to a forum where some people bitch about engines getting smaller with the use of turbos and then talk about the inverse of naturally aspirated engines.

i mean, i didn't even read the OP's long-winded post, i just came in this thread to read the replies.

[airshaq20]

Good for you OP. Its exactly the reason why I don't want to test drive a Tesla as it will mess up my brain. The Tesla has instant 100% torque (even at zero RPM) - and will kill most Ferraris from 0-80mph where I spend most of my time driving. Of course, there's a trade off (weight, charging time, etc), but who cares. People who buy a Tesla has other cars for other purposes. I'm just scared to drive one - once I own one, I will not be happy with any sports/sports car that I can afford.

To the OP, don't listen to the haters - a lot of these peeps are virtual F1 drivers.

[tiltmode43]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

I had been a Tesla skeptic over the years and had always thought that it ll likely not succeed. However after driving the Tesla, my entire perception of the automobile changed. I came out the store thinking that this is the future of the automobile.

This has been the story of SO many test drives. They're really great cars, if only more would have an open mind to it like yourself!

On top of it being such an amazing car, it's also nice to know that what is arguably the most innovative automotive manufacturer of today is in fact US designed, managed, and manufactured.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by airshaq20

Good for you OP. Its exactly the reason why I don't want to test drive a Tesla as it will mess up my brain. The Tesla has instant 100% torque (even at zero RPM) - and will kill most Ferraris from 0-80mph where I spend most of my time driving. Of course, there's a trade off (weight, charging time, etc), but who cares. People who buy a Tesla has other cars for other purposes. I'm just scared to drive one - once I own one, I will not be happy with any sports/sports car that I can afford.

To the OP, don't listen to the haters - a lot of these peeps are virtual F1 drivers.

Maybe I'm just being stupid, but how's it possible for an engine of any kind to produce torque at 0 RPM?

Or maybe I'm just reading too much into what you're saying.

[airshaq20]

[QUOTE=fecurtis;17497830]Maybe I'm just being stupid, but how's it possible for an engine of any kind to produce torque at 0 RPM?

LMGIFY:

READ HERE

[kyleb350]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Just a clash of perceived/conceived identity and actual identity. I'm sure he'll figure it out.

335d would be a great option.

They don't sell the 335d here anymore. I think a 535d might suit him though

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

They don't sell the 335d here anymore. I think a 535d might suit him though

Oh yeah, forgot about that. Can't believe they stopped importing it. I'd love to get a diesel for day to day. Not many options for us yanks.

Can you get the Alpina D3 here?