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Originally Posted by RamVA
I'm as irritated as anyone, as I simply won't buy a vehicle with an automatic. That said, I don't think this is a case of "catering to the mass market", unless by that you mean "not making cars that people won't buy." There's a reason there's only two premium SUVs left with manual boxes (Cayenne and X3) and I think the stick-shift Porsche's days are numbered.
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Well, I've been really into cars since about 1999, and in the past few years I've really seem BMW change a lot, and unfortunately most of those changes didnt make the new BMWs any more involving or entertaining. (I'm sure many disagree)
Gone is the amazing and prominent exhaust note that made itself know the minute you started the car and when you idled at the stoplight. Now its a muted note that only sings when you push it past 4500rpm.
How about the steering? Active Steering was an answer to a question nobody asked. The E90 steering feels a bit too dull compared to an E46 steering (tho both are still top in class), and I bet this isn't a case isolated to the 3-series makeover.
BMW also seems to be more concerned about the latest automatic transmissions. Of course you can only do so much to improve a manual transmission, but how about promoting it a bit more?
I could go on for ages
but what really stuck out as an example of "mass-market appeal" is the introduction of the Lane Departure Warning thingy on the facelifted 5. This is pretty darn similar to what you find on some Infiniti's and IMO if you can't stay in lane and/or are too tired to do so, get off the road!!!!