[engstrom]

AFAIC, because BMW ships with runflats (horribly unreliable on our potholed roads), they've lost all claim to 'better tech'.

In my mind tech = electronics and gizmos. Tires are part of the set of performance. Yeah, Porsche is the better performance company. I still like BMW's tech (electronics and gizmos).

 

[K-A]

Someone seemed to point out in that thread that the X4 lacks lots of tech, namely performance tech and luxuries that you can or do get in the Macan as well.

Apparently the X4 doesn't even have an option for LED taillights which is reprehensible.

 

[The Hawk]

Someone seemed to point out in that thread that the X4 lacks lots of tech, namely performance tech and luxuries that you can or do get in the Macan as well.

Apparently the X4 doesn't even have an option for LED taillights which is reprehensible.

I suspect it doesn't even have proper residuals either0!

 

[-hh]

In my mind tech = electronics and gizmos. Tires are part of the set of performance. Yeah, Porsche is the better performance company. I still like BMW's tech (electronics and gizmos).

I'll plead ambivalence ... on the one hand, everything includes 'Tech', but on the other hand, I can see how you're carving out between Performance (giving it a silent 'tech') and the electronic gizmo stuff.

For the performance part, while BMW does do some stuff very well, I'm increasingly of the opinion that BMW has an even better marketing machine. It certainly doesn't help when I witness 'inverted porcupine' drivers who are compensating for having a huge insecurity complex (specific experience is in mind), as well as the poor behavior which is sadly evident from some of the posters on the OP's linked article.

For the electronic gizmo part, many of these are being pushed through marketing because they're Corporate Profit Centers. Unfortunately, many are also functional detractors from a driver's engagement with operating the vehicle(s) ...and while BMW's iDrive system today seems be okay, let's not forget that it took multiple design iterations ... iterations which occurred after it was in production, which means that its retail customers were its unpaid Beta Testers.

-hh

 

[K-A]

I really think that "tech" gets used too loosely indeed, by me as well. The Macan has LED Taillights, Heated Rear Seats, A/C seats, Air Suspension, PASM, Adaptive Cruise (avail on X4?) and lots of amenities you can't get on an X4. PDK I consider a feat of mechanical technology that X4 can't touch.

Then you have the extremely comprehensive MFD which has performance tech things like Lateral G monitor, even as simple as TPMS that BMW doesn't activate in the U.S for some stupid reason. Then BMW's have things like "Eco Pro" which it's antithesis to Porsche so they wouldn't waste their time, and some models can be had with LCD gauge cluster which Porsche would never do as their iconic mechanical cluster is what rivets the soul as we all have stared at them and their obscenely high MPH and "dreamt about the day".

Things of value that BMW offers tech wise that Porsche doesn't is HUD, foot kick trunk closer and opener (not sure if on the X4) and a less half-a$$ed keyless starter.

Even though I have a hard time calling the Macan's sunroof a true "Pano" since it's too thin to take up the whole roof, the X4 doesn't even have that option.

So what it comes down to is that too many people confuse "TECH" with "INFOTAINMENT". Tech in a way that still allows you to immerse yourself within the passionate and visceral, mechanical elements, the Macan wins. Infotainment, BMW wins (which is why I avoided that package on the Macan).

 

[engstrom]

I will concede that my definition of "tech" as "gizmos and gadgets" is too narrow for a proper definition. Certainly a V6 turbocharged engine, 3.0 or 3.6 liters, generating 340 or 400 HP takes a LOT of technology. And the engine itself it technology (the materials enabling long life and hight output; the VarioCam allowing easy street driving, high power output and good (for an internal combustion engine) efficiency; direct injection; dry-sump lubrication; etc.). The suspension and chassis also involve a lot of technology.

As @-hh says, everything involves tech. I do find that the comfort and convience technology that BMW has (current gen iDrive, HUD, foot activated trunk, heated seat and steering wheel settings being remembered if only stopping for a short time [I believe Porsche has that but I'm not sure who started it?], etc.) are class leading.

When I get in a car the comfort and convenience becomes secondary. I like to feel the road and how the car is behaving on the road. Given the right circumstances (track day, autocross, etc.) I like to push the car to the limit. That's fun for me. And not only does Porsche offer high limits but just as importantly they offer the ability to feel when you're getting near those limits. You get feedback from the car that isn't too subtle or overly subdued. I like that.

Of course even Porsche hasn't (in my limited experience with a Macan test drive - I could be wrong as I here the 981 is much better) gotten the electric steering perfect. It's "OK". I much prefer the hydraulic steering of old but understand why fuel economy pressures have pushed the car-makers into the electric racks. Of course an electric rack also makes more engine power available for drive which is a good thing. I just wish it would allow you to feel 100% connected to the road. Maybe in the future it will.

 

[mkaresh]

People are buying X4s?

I've been reviewing cars for 15 years, and that model just doesn't compute for me. It's not practical, and it's not attractive.

 

[-hh]

I really think that "tech" gets used too loosely indeed, by me as well... PDK I consider a feat of mechanical technology that X4 can't touch.

Thumbs up on the PDK. The Macan's literally my first vehicle ("for me") that didn't have a manual transmission, and I expected to be as disappointed in it as with my wife's Audi's DSG. I'm more than very pleasantly surprised: I'm actually impressed with how well it chooses its shifts.

Things of value that BMW offers tech wise that Porsche doesn't is HUD, foot kick trunk closer and opener (not sure if on the X4) and a less half-a$$ed keyless starter.

All of which can be YMMVs of personal preferences. For example, my Presbyopia is bad enough that I'm already on trifocals and as such, HUD is a bad thing for me because it puts a "midrange" focus item into my "far" partition. Similarly, I don't like keyless from a UI as well as urban security standpoints, so my keyfob's already going to be out for opening the trunk - - no foot wiggling stuff.

Infotainment, BMW wins (which is why I avoided that package on the Macan).

I also skipped the Infotainment, despite the 'advice' of the Salesman; no regrets .. plus the $200/year savings helps pay for extra homespun music made by modulating that long skinny pedal on the floor ;-)

 

[grim]

107 Posts about an X4?

really? Why do you guys care one wit about what they think? You know what you got.

 

[rhoyle]

107 Posts about an X4?

really? Why do you guys care one wit about what they think? You know what you got.

This. +1

The give a flip meter here is on high alert. Buy what you want. Like what you bought. Everyone else be damned. Trust me, you'll feel better

 

[ender]

I don't so much care that they bought an ugly @ssed car... I care that they try to rationalize it by badmouthing the Macan. You don't screw with a man's wife, dog or car.

 

[grim]

I care that they try to rationalize it by badmouthing the Macan. You don't screw with a man's wife, dog or car.

:laugh: dude, life is too short to sweat the small crap. Let it go. ... 0

(I was looking for a use for that icon).

 

[ender]

Yeah, I know. I'm a pretty stress free person, in general.

 

[RJMcInnis]

I don't so much care that they bought an ugly @ssed car... I care that they try to rationalize it by badmouthing the Macan. You don't screw with a man's wife, dog or car.

@ender My father, whom I consider to be a wise person, gave me a good yardstick to use to measure what I should care about. I proffer it to you in hopes that it provides assistance:

"Do you owe them any money? No? Then why the **** do you care what they think?"

 

[Rolltide86]

@ender My father, whom I consider to be a wise person, gave me a good yardstick to use to measure what I should care about. I proffer it to you in hopes that it provides assistance:

"Do you owe them any money? No? Then why the **** do you care what they think?"

Exactly.

 

[txtommy]

Owned BMW's for over 20 years. I test drove an X4, X3 and Macan. Just ordered a Macan to replace my 535i. It was an easy decision.

 

[ender]

@ender My father, whom I consider to be a wise person, gave me a good yardstick to use to measure what I should care about. I proffer it to you in hopes that it provides assistance:

"Do you owe them any money? No? Then why the **** do you care what they think?"

Very sane and logical. But emotions can't always be made to follow rules.

Extreme case, but what if you were in a restaurant and some red neck said something acutely derogatory about your spouse/loved one?

 

[Tayden10]

Not to stir things up again but guess who ended up on the 15 turkey list

15 Automotive Turkeys

Not trying to hate but obviously interesting on how the general public perceives vs just us.

 

[jzwu]

I wouldn't trash BMW after getting my Macan. Actually, I will keep my E46 convertible forever. It is classy and drives/handles well. It brought me into the sports car world from the mass market economical cars.

Porsche is at a different level, the next natural level for avid drivers. It is a level of attainment of driving, taste, appreciation and financial solidity. Every passionate driver is openly or secretly aspiring to its ownership. It is just that for some more fortunate folks they get there earlier than others.

So for me, there is no need for argument either way. You enjoy what you have and let others enjoy what they have. Peace.

 

[K-A]

No thanks to especially the X4 or any X variant really for me (though if I was looking full size, which I never would as they don't appeal to me, then it's only X5 or Cayenne), I'd be ecstatic if my fiancee would find herself in a 328i Sedan to go along with my Macan. I'd even be content with her in a 320i I think.