Coupes: 2015 Honda Accord V6 or 2012 BMW 328i

[A.Goldberg]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes.

I'm still exhausted from this whole process. I think driving home last night I finally began to enjoy the car. I've never experienced the joy of auto-dimming mirrors.

If you have high intensity lights and you drive behind an old car, you've temporarily blinded the person in front of you. Understand that the person in front of you has to drive slow until the effect wears off. I hated when new cars used to blind me. Now I understand now why people tolerate the high intensity beams: auto dimming mirrors.

Haha. What was your old car?

Once you switch to HID/Xenon going back to halogens is like driving worth sunglasses at night. I haven't had the chance to use LED lights but in most cases don't think they look as good aesthetically. I've heard the Honda/Acura LEDs suck and I have read generally they're not as bright as HIDs. Unless your driving an electric car I don't know why you'd get them if HIDs are brighter. I'm curious to see BMWs laser headlights. I saw a video and they looked incredible.

Congrats on your auto dimming mirror. Sometimes the little things make the difference.

 

[duffman9000]

Haha. What was your old car?

Scion's mobile refrigerator, I mean econobox, I mean cube before cube's became popular. It was great in college. The most massive upgrade ever. 90mph downhill with a good wind.

Once you switch to HID/Xenon going back to halogens is like driving worth sunglasses at night. I haven't had the chance to use LED lights but in most cases don't think they look as good aesthetically. I've heard the Honda/Acura LEDs suck and I have read generally they're not as bright as HIDs. Unless your driving an electric car I don't know why you'd get them if HIDs are brighter. I'm curious to see BMWs laser headlights. I saw a video and they looked incredible.

Congrats on your auto dimming mirror. Sometimes the little things make the difference.

I think people don't realize how bright the Xenon lights are until you drive in an old car and get blasted by car behind you. I saw an Audi S5 (I think) today. White on black, exactly how I would want it if I was young and single. The LED lights looks awesome. I'm happy with what I have.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Scion's mobile refrigerator, I mean econobox, I mean cube before cube's became popular. It was great in college. The most massive upgrade ever. 90mph downhill with a good wind.

Ok, now I see why the BMW dealer didn't take you seriously.

I think people don't realize how bright the Xenon lights are until you drive in an old car and get blasted by car behind you. I saw an Audi S5 (I think) today. White on black, exactly how I would want it if I was young and single. The LED lights looks awesome. I'm happy with what I have.

There are still a lot of cars out there without auto dimming mirrors. My old Jeep was the first car I had ever driven (that I noticed) had dimming driver side mirror. My BMW also has this except on both mirrors. Believe me, once you get used to it and the drive a car without it, you immediately notice absence.

I've only owned two cars. The first was 2003 Grand Cherokee Limited (owned 2006-2013) and a 2009 BMW 535xi (2013-present), so I've improved in terms of power, fuel economy, quality, features, and status- aside from the fact the Jeep was unstoppable in the snow. I imagine if you get a car with options and tech, it's hard to switch to a new car without them.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Even if the original poster had not decided, we have to be VERY careful of one thing: 2012 was the first model year BMW replaced the lower powered I-6's of 201 and 230 bhp with the 240 bhp turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engine (and was the start of the current 3-Series model design, the F30).

While the N20 engine does have a lot of power, it's also a bit more rough-idling than the N52 I-6 engine it replaced.

 

[duffman9000]

Even if the original poster had not decided, we have to be VERY careful of one thing: 2012 was the first model year BMW replaced the lower powered I-6's of 201 and 230 bhp with the 240 bhp turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engine (and was the start of the current 3-Series model design, the F30).

While the N20 engine does have a lot of power, it's also a bit more rough-idling than the N52 I-6 engine it replaced.

I read about the 1st gen turbo's rough idle. A friend told me not to buy a 1st gen BMW anything and to wait until the bugs are sorted. Only the sedan can come with the 2 liter turbo. I was looking at a coupe and the coupe only comes with the I6. That said, I don't know what got into me thinking about a coupe. Sedans are much more convenient. Maybe I'm having that midlife crisis lol?

 

[duffman9000]

Ok, now I see why the BMW dealer didn't take you seriously.

You know what's really funny? At one lot I parked on the new sales side, and then walked to the CPO side. They didn't see me coming.
Also, driving in with a crappy car should alert the sales team that I'm really ready for a good car.

There are still a lot of cars out there without auto dimming mirrors. My old Jeep was the first car I had ever driven (that I noticed) had dimming driver side mirror. My BMW also has this except on both mirrors. Believe me, once you get used to it and the drive a car without it, you immediately notice absence.

I've only owned two cars. The first was 2003 Grand Cherokee Limited (owned 2006-2013) and a 2009 BMW 535xi (2013-present), so I've improved in terms of power, fuel economy, quality, features, and status- aside from the fact the Jeep was unstoppable in the snow. I imagine if you get a car with options and tech, it's hard to switch to a new car without them.

Only the more recent Audi's support bluetooth A2DP. 2012's don't and owners sounded pretty frustrated. I'm somewhat annoyed because my wife's Civic has all these little nice features. No power, but the little things makes driving enjoyable. I found a module that will supposedly allow bluetooth streaming audio and also support the car's media buttons.

Some of my friends say push to start (key fob in pocket) is over rated or having the car unlock when it senses your fob isn't a big deal. You don't know how nice it is until you don't have it. One day LED lights will appear on a Civic as an option. Trickle down technology.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Some of my friends say push to start (key fob in pocket) is over rated or having the car unlock when it senses your fob isn't a big deal. You don't know how nice it is until you don't have it. One day LED lights will appear on a Civic as an option. Trickle down technology.

I actually prefer using a key than a push to start button. There's something more satisfying about turning a key than pressing a button.

 

[turtle777]

Only the more recent Audi's support bluetooth A2DP.

i'm using this in my A4 and 335d. It's not cheap, but it works really great. You can sometimes snag it for under $40 on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Hands-...98&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=Belkin+blutoothaudio

-t

 

[Kariya]

I actually prefer using a key than a push to start button. There's something more satisfying about turning a key than pressing a button.

Agreed. I like the way Mercedes does it (or rather used to do it). But LOVE the way Aston do it. Push to start is fun the first 3 or so times but the novelty wears off quick and it becomes yet another button to push.

 

[duffman9000]

i'm using this in my A4 and 335d. It's not cheap, but it works really great. You can sometimes snag it for under $40 on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Hands-...98&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=Belkin+blutoothaudio

-t

I ordered this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R2HZ1XU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Supposedly, I will be able to navigate using the MMI controls.

 

[turtle777]

I ordered this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R2HZ1XU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Supposedly, I will be able to navigate using the MMI controls.

This looks interesting.

Please report back how it performs.

-t

 

[duffman9000]

This looks interesting.

Please report back how it performs.

-t

I will. The lack of Bluetooth audio streaming had many Audi owners upset. I got into a short exchange with a service guy when he told me that the feature was incomplete back then. I countered with, other cars in the same model year, and at least one car a year older had this feature. It kinda chaps their hide that Japanese and even American cars sometimes have useful technology that luxury German cars drag ass in implementing lol.

 

[duffman9000]

Before careful what you wish for... you just may get it.
So the tune2air works great... sometimes. When it works, it works great. All of the Audi controls work, when my phone isn't acting possessed.

I think the problem is in iOS 8.2 or a mixture of the two. Sometimes my phone decides to play a song from a different album. Or the Audi next or back buttons do who knows what. Today Music showed I don't have any albums... while playing a song. I can't win for losing...

NOTE: I'm not mad, but I love how the looks like. Reminds me of the guy from Big Trouble in Little China who got so angry he inflated then blew up.

 

[2298754]

Once you switch to HID/Xenon going back to halogens is like driving worth sunglasses at night. I haven't had the chance to use LED lights but in most cases don't think they look as good aesthetically. I've heard the Honda/Acura LEDs suck and I have read generally they're not as bright as HIDs. Unless your driving an electric car I don't know why you'd get them if HIDs are brighter. I'm curious to see BMWs laser headlights. I saw a video and they looked incredible.

This is so true. I refuse to buy a car without, at least, Bi-Xenons anymore. They make a huge difference, especially when you really get out onto the country roads in New England.

I have the all-LED lights on my S7 and they're crazy bright. Huge beam with near-perfect cutoffs. One day, we can meet up and you can take it for a spin and check out the lights for yourself

LED headlights are such a huge step forward from Bi-Xenons. Whiter beam

The current Toyota Corolla comes standard with LED headlights across the range!

Too bad, we aren't getting the laser lights anytime soon. Our laws are stuck in the past. I saw a demo on Youtube for BMW's lights. You can leave the high beams on all the time and the left beam will selectively "move around" on coming traffic, so they don't get blinded. Impressive technology.

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dvPZ3H1Vm4&spfreload=10
BMW's LED headlights do this now. People in the US have been able to code this feature on their F10s (provided they have the LED headlight option)

Congrats on your auto dimming mirror. Sometimes the little things make the difference.

The next step is even better. Auto dimming rear-view and side-view mirrors!

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Only the more recent Audi's support bluetooth A2DP. 2012's don't and owners sounded pretty frustrated. I'm somewhat annoyed because my wife's Civic has all these little nice features. No power, but the little things makes driving enjoyable. I found a module that will supposedly allow bluetooth streaming audio and also support the car's media buttons.

I never understood this about Audi. They are so forward in their in-car tech (Google maps, LTE, street view, touchpad, etc), but seem to be so backwards on several key features, such as A2DP and now a USB port. The AMI system still uses a proprietary dongle, which is ridiculous. Isn't a USB port cheaper?

And in the US market, headlight washers. Only the top-trim S-Line equipped cars get them on the A4/5/6/Q5/Q7, etc. On a BMW, they come in the Cold Weather Package. Pretty much every car comes with them around here. Not Audi... a company who prides themselves on all-weather cars.

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Agreed. I like the way Mercedes does it (or rather used to do it). But LOVE the way Aston do it. Push to start is fun the first 3 or so times but the novelty wears off quick and it becomes yet another button to push.

Porsche's implementation of keyless start is pretty cool. They put a "fake" key in the slot that you still have to turn to start the car. No stupid button.

 

[A.Goldberg]

This is so true. I refuse to buy a car without, at least, Bi-Xenons anymore. They make a huge difference, especially when you really get out onto the country roads in New England.

I have the all-LED lights on my S7 and they're crazy bright. Huge beam with near-perfect cutoffs. One day, we can meet up and you can take it for a spin and check out the lights for yourself

LED headlights are such a huge step forward from Bi-Xenons. Whiter beam

The current Toyota Corolla comes standard with LED headlights across the range!

I would love to check out the S7 headlights. I'd also love to see how she handles on a nice run from the top of Comm Ave down to Kenmore . It's too bad that road is riddled with pedestrians and stop lights. It's can be a thrilling road to tear down at 3:00 AM (...not that I'd ever do that... ).
My mom's old lexus only had low beam xenons which was disappointing. You have to go all the way.

Adaptive lighting is pretty neat. My car has it as well as my parents. I think it's a bit of a gimmick, but it's cool in the fog to see the lights googling around turns.

From what I've read the low end LED's, particularly Honda/Acura are disappointing. Despite the whiter light, they're less powerful. I'd imagine Audi would build them to be better than their Xenons.

The next step is even better. Auto dimming rear-view and side-view mirrors!t a "fake" key in the slot that you still have to turn to start the car. No stupid button.

While this idea is stupid, it's brilliant at the same time!

 

[2298754]

I would love to check out the S7 headlights. I'd also love to see how she handles on a nice run from the top of Comm Ave down to Kenmore . It's too bad that road is riddled with pedestrians and stop lights. It's can be a thrilling road to tear down at 3:00 AM (...not that I'd ever do that... ).

That sounds like fun. The roads are straight and mostly free of potholes.

However, there are more than enough ******* asian international students from BU racing up and down Comm Ave that I don't want to be like them.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_op...rove_100_mph_through_back_bay_prosecutors_say

Adaptive lighting is pretty neat. My car has it as well as my parents. I think it's a bit of a gimmick, but it's cool in the fog to see the lights googling around turns.

Yeah, the fog lights turning on is pretty useless as you turn. The main Bi-Xenon beam on most BMWs also turns, but you really don't notice it unless the road gets really curvy.

From what I've read the low end LED's, particularly Honda/Acura are disappointing. Despite the whiter light, they're less powerful. I'd imagine Audi would build them to be better than their Xenons.

Yeah, the Honda/Acura LEDs are poor. On their lower end models, only the low-beam is LED and the high-beam is halogen, which is hilarious. Even the MDX I've driven at night.... the lights aren't that bright, compared to the various LED BMW/Audis I've driven. Audi and BMW are really at the forefront of automotive tech right now.

While this idea is stupid, it's brilliant at the same time!

That's just something I love about Porsches. There's that feeling you get when you turn the key, which is on the left side of the steering wheel.