Sensory overload

[jhanna]

If there is one thing that I miss from my car driver learning days (early 80’s) till now, it’s the nimble ness of a light car. Take the E88 for example, it’s a small car externally, but weighs in at 1600KG. the same size car in 1982 would weight 1000KG. 1100KG, with a 6.

Since then, we now have as standard
EFI
Power steering
Electric Windows
ABS
Airbags
Stability Control
Climate control
Electric seats
Sensors for various aspects of the vehicle, lights, wipers etc (add at least 10 more for convertible)

The first BMW I ever drive was a 1983 318I coupe. I think all it had was EFI and that was it……the rest was all manual. Not even power steering. To this day I can still picture myself enjoying that 1.8 four, which had so much character compared to other motors of the same vintage, and that chassis, and nimbleness though fast sweepers in Adelaide hills.

Taking the 125I through the same roads, is of course immensely satisfying, impeccable ride and handling (for a convertible) the deep note of the SIX, with added bonus of roof down.

I sometimes wonder if all the electrics were removed, all the sensors, all the electric motors, the passive safety mechanisms. It would be at least 200-300KG lighter.

What would it feel like?

[swunder]

Sounds like you need to go check out a Miata or r50/53 Mini Cooper.

I'm sure its nothing like a 30 year old 318 but my 2004 Mini S was light, loud and 'raw' in a way that my 135i certainly isn't.

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by jhanna

If there is one thing that I miss from my car driver learning days (early 80’s) till now, it’s the nimble ness of a light car. Take the E88 for example, it’s a small car externally, but weighs in at 1600KG. the same size car in 1982 would weight 1000KG. 1100KG, with a 6.

Since then, we now have as standard
EFI
Power steering
Electric Windows
ABS
Airbags
Stability Control
Climate control
Electric seats
Sensors for various aspects of the vehicle, lights, wipers etc (add at least 10 more for convertible)

The first BMW I ever drive was a 1983 318I coupe. I think all it had was EFI and that was it……the rest was all manual. Not even power steering. To this day I can still picture myself enjoying that 1.8 four, which had so much character compared to other motors of the same vintage, and that chassis, and nimbleness though fast sweepers in Adelaide hills.

Taking the 125I through the same roads, is of course immensely satisfying, impeccable ride and handling (for a convertible) the deep note of the SIX, with added bonus of roof down.

I sometimes wonder if all the electrics were removed, all the sensors, all the electric motors, the passive safety mechanisms. It would be at least 200-300KG lighter.

What would it feel like?

My first car was a 1970 Opel GT. It weighed 1,863lb (only 845kg) and was powered by a 105hp four cylinder engine driving through a four speed manual transmission. It was incredibly fun to drive, but at times it felt underpowered and was easy to lose control in fast corners. Personally, I will happily tolerate the extra weight in order to enjoy the greatly improved power, control, comfort and safety of my modern E82.

Peace... Mack

[xQx]

Yeah, it's happened across the board. I expect if our cars weighed 500kg lighter they'd be a lot more like a Mazda MX5.

You might be interested in this thread: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=490024

Honestly, the biggest thing I've had to get used to with my car is the stopping distance. Since it goes and steers like my old 1200kg subaru used to (thanks to stickier tires and about 150 extra kw); I expect it to stop like that too.

It doesn't. My 135i stops like a 1600kg car.

My next car will be a Lotus Elise. It's everything you described above.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

My first car was a 1970 Opel GT. It weighed 1,863lb (only 845kg) and was powered by a 105hp four cylinder engine driving through a four speed manual transmission. It was incredibly fun to drive, but at times it felt underpowered and was easy to lose control in fast corners. Personally, I will happily tolerate the extra weight in order to enjoy the greatly improved power, control, comfort and safety of my modern E82.

Peace... Mack

My first car was a 'slightly used' 1968 VW Bug. Rear-wheel drive, 53hp, 1,850lb, 4-speed manual. What a rocket! lol

Also don't mind the weight, or power of our modern turbo coupes. Just the right amount of safety features too, imo.

[xQx]

I always love it when people say "wow, that car must be a real firecracker to have that much power in such a small car".

I always smile and say yes ... because it is... but I don't tell them while it looks small, it still weighs just as much as a BA XR6.

[jhanna]

FG XR6 will always be loved, and you are right about weight verses size.