[dradernh]

Originally Posted by BimBimM2

trading one set of characteristic for another entails an opportunity cost

Indeed. For example, buying a heavier car means buying a slower car. That matters for some buyers, and for others it doesn't. It's just a guess, but I imagine the engineering-oriented mind would be more likely to consider the fact when making his or her buying decision.

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Indeed. For example, buying a heavier car means buying a slower car. That matters for some buyers, and for others it doesn't. It's just a guess, but I imagine the engineering-oriented mind would be more likely to consider the fact when making his or her buying decision.

Unless, as aerobod said, one is a Civil Engineer, then "everything is too fast!" Haha

I can't stop laughing at that!!

[Mason Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

Being an engineer really is different. The world looks different when all the works of man are seen as 'designed for a purpose'.

Toasters, software, furniture, cars...

Just to pause on transmissions; I prefer the stick shift because it lets me make a selection and experience the results. It's not faster or more efficient or easier, it just lets me be true to my nature.

Engine size, my 230 has more power than I would have given it. It works just fine and I don't think a change either up or down is worth considering at this point. It's not broken. But to a guy with a history of much slower cars, this is not ideal.

Not ideal for me but the best choice at the time. It was designed for a purpose and that is 'to sell profitably'. The market believes that more power is better. I get it and I am ok with it, I just see it differently.

Does your husband like the car?

[msendit]

Surprised no-one has brought up the obvious solution to OP feeling the car was "too fast" -- just bring it to your local track. There: (i) you don't have to worry about being too fast; (ii) you get many 100-hp cars ready to prove the "too fast" statement wrong...

[Skrrt McGrrt]

As a mechanical engineer, I can appreciate the design/engineering involved to get my 240i to do 0-60 in around 4.6s.

[PDM5]

Originally Posted by BimBimM2

https://www.Reddit.com/r/iamverysmart

Added to the countless Reddit communities that I read for far too much of the day . . . thanks BimBim!

[Winemaker2]

Guys, not sure if this would have been a topic of discussion had we not been housed up in shelter in place. We have too much time on our hands...but I love reading these threads.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by msendit

Surprised no-one has brought up the obvious solution to OP feeling the car was "too fast" -- just bring it to your local track. There: (i) you don't have to worry about being too fast; (ii) you get many 100-hp cars ready to prove the "too fast" statement wrong...

Addressing msendit's last point, there is nothing...I repeat...NOTHING...like watching a well-driven Miata dance away from you in a section of tightly-linked corners. Yes, you may pass it on the next straight, but if that makes you feel better you're still on the steep part of the learning curve. As always, just my 2¢.

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by Winemaker2

Guys, not sure if this would have been a topic of discussion had we not been housed up in shelter in place. We have too much time on our hands...but I love reading these threads.

It is an adorable little community! Today's thread though... god it won over all other threads! Even the infamous xDrive vs RWD one.

Despite the cheekiness, I sympathize with Shovelman's situation. It is a philosophical quandary.

[Shovelman]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I see we have more engineers than the OP aboard this thread. One of the other qualities I noticed over the decades was that many struggled with the exercise of empathy. They were clear in their own convictions but not as able to understand others' points of view. Perhaps, this was a factor as to how and why they self-selected engineering versus, for example, being a psychologist or other social scientist. Of course, there are exceptions, but some posts in these threads again demonstrate a strong belief only in one's own feelings, ideas, preferences, but are remarkably unable to see beyond to "walk in the other person's shoes." These mindsets are often not susceptible to new input, so these discussions wind up being more for entertainment value, or even mockery, than any meaningful exchange of ideas, despite Shovelman's opening attempt to share his thoughts with us.

Carry on.

Sportstick, thanks for having my back but it's covered with duck feathers that shed the criticisms like rain.

[gosi]

Lol this thread. I don’t even know what you are arguing about anymore. If the OP likes his 230i why would anyone hold anything against him? He finds it OK or even too fast which is the same thing your grandmother says about her 100hp Hyundai. Yet you don’t go around convincing her she needs a RWD 400hp M2 Competition. Also while it is possible he may be trying to fool himself into thinking his car is adequate or have issues with self image, don’t just assume that because you’d do that.

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

Sportstick, thanks for having my back but it's covered with duck feathers that shed the criticisms like rain.

Wait... why is your back covered in duck feathers?

This quarantine...

What did you do with all those ducks OP?

[scratchypants]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

Sportstick, thanks for having my back but it's covered with duck feathers that shed the criticisms like rain.

I think your inference machine might be malfunctioning.

[chattanooga240]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

That should go over well at home...the endless expectation that's impossible to meet!

Your reach should exceed your grasp.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by nvmaddog

Your reach should exceed your grasp.

If he brings that philosophy home, he won’t need much reach for what he has left to grasp.

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

If he brings that philosophy home, he won’t need much reach for what he has left to grasp.

Shameless Caveman Maxim #375:

Don't expect. Inspire her. She will love you for it, actually.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

Sportstick, thanks for having my back but it's covered with duck feathers that shed the criticisms like rain.

I'm quite sure you're doing fine and don't need my help. Just some sincere observations, reinforced by what I've read on this thread.

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

Being an engineer really is different. The world looks different when all the works of man are seen as 'designed for a purpose'.

Toasters, software, furniture, cars...

Just to pause on transmissions; I prefer the stick shift because it lets me make a selection and experience the results. It's not faster or more efficient or easier, it just lets me be true to my nature.

Engine size, my 230 has more power than I would have given it. It works just fine and I don't think a change either up or down is worth considering at this point. It's not broken. But to a guy with a history of much slower cars, this is not ideal.

Not ideal for me but the best choice at the time. It was designed for a purpose and that is 'to sell profitably'. The market believes that more power is better. I get it and I am ok with it, I just see it differently.

Many cars being produced today have more power than can be safely used on our roads. Some others are under powered IMO.

As an example, when entering an interstate where traffic is rolling along at 70+ MPH, having a bit more power may be useful when merging. Even in cases where one is trying to get into traffic on a heavily traveled road where only small breaks in traffic exist, a bit more acceleration is handy.

I've owned slow cars (1996 Saturn) and fast cars, Corvettes and now my M240i. I much prefer owning a car with a bit more power than I need than one that is under powered.

Thankfully, each manufacturer installs a throttle control that allows the owner to regulate the amount of power the choose to use at any given time. This being the case one can choose to use all the power of a Z06 Corvette (which would be entirely to much in normal traffic conditions causing an unsafe condition) or their Yugo (or my old 1996 Saturn) (which did have difficulty merging with traffic and could result in a equally unsafe conditions).

The difference being the car with more power can be driven safely and be adaptable to all driving conditions while the other cannot.

The 230i is advertised as a 0-60 in 5.5 second car (with launch control and WOT). Certainly a 6.0 or 6.5 second time would be enough for most driving situations. The other side of the coin being if you use less than wide open throttle to merge with traffic you will likely cause less strain on the engine and drive-train thus increasing the cars longevity.

Generally posts like these serve no useful purpose on a forum like this. If you think the car is too fast for you, no need to share your feelings with others. Most will label you a troll. A post like yours would do much better on another car forum (Mini Cooper 3 cycl as a example) where you can explain how unnecessarily fast the BMW was and why you decided to buy the 3 cyl Mini Cooper instead. People there will likely applaud your choice and support your reasoning.

Sell the car and buy something slower if that's what you want. No need to share your feelings on a forum of enthusiasts that like the car as is.

[chattanooga240]

Originally Posted by BimBimM2

Shameless Caveman Maxim #375:

Don't expect. Inspire her. She will love you for it, actually.

This.

[4Hockey4]

I mean this is no MT > Auto, or 230 vs 240 vs M2 vs comp...but its getting there.

mmm duck sauce

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by 4Hockey4

mmm duck sauce

That's what she said...

[aerobod]

When it comes to power, want and need are two different things. I want lots of power, but power for merging doesn't need to be more than gives the same acceleration as a transport truck loaded to it's weight limit if you plan merging and overtaking well in advance.

I've never had any problem driving in Europe and merging on to motorways with 70bhp 1.0 litre rental cars, not that I would choose that car on a regular basis, I'm more inclined to find ways to increase the 400bhp per ton of my current fastest car. Just because.....