[Grubbe]

Yeah, how is that? Here in euro just the guys in wheel chairs and the semi retarded ones (the guys who arent allowed to drive a stick in their condition) who stick with the auto and no one likes the ballon-style tires?

I think that U.S has a history of auto-transmissions and the ballon tires comes from the old V8, Corvette, GTO, SS and so on..?

[SpecC]

It's just the US. Wer'e quite lazy . No really, we know you have hills and what not too but we prefer automatic transmissions in our cities which are built around mountains or on hills themselves such as San Francisco. Some people also think the semi auto steptronic is the best of both worlds! Performance when you want it, automatic cruising when you don't!

now the tires i don't know anything about

[LEDZEP]

I'm not quite sure what you mean about balloon tires, unless you just mean "full sized", but from what I see on this forum most American members have 17" 18" or even 19" wheels, which means low profile tires.

As far as the automatic trannys, there are a couple of reasons for that. First, most Americans cannot drive. Americans are also way too busy multitasking and paying attention to everything BUT their driving. Having to clutch and shift would make their tiny heads explode.

For me, it was a matter of practicality and compatibility. Practicality because my driving puts me in heavy stop and go traffic and a manual tranny is a PITA, and also because my wife prefers not to drive a stick.

Whoops, just noticed you said 'ballon' tires. Is that different than 'balloon'. ?

[Paul330d]

Grubbe, I don't know if you are trying to be deliberately provocative, but know that as a European, I am delighted with my Steptronic transmission and would happily accept slightly higher profile RFTs if it meant greater comfort.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I'm not quite sure what you mean about balloon tires, unless you just mean "full sized", but from what I see on this forum most American members have 17" 18" or even 19" wheels, which means low profile tires.

As far as the automatic trannys, there are a couple of reasons for that. First, most Americans cannot drive. Americans are also way too busy multitasking and paying attention to everything BUT their driving. Having to clutch and shift would make their tiny heads explode.

ASSuming far too much eah!!?? i did notice your 3 vehicles have STEP so hopefully your head is still intact.

BD

[canucklion]

yes, Europe owns the world, end of discussion, I guess we can close the thread now knowing that Europeans have the best taste

Originally Posted by Grubbe

Yeah, how is that? Here in euro just the guys in wheel chairs and the semi retarded ones stick with the auto and no one likes the ballon-style tires?

I think that U.S has a history of auto-transmissions and the ballon tires comes from the old V8, Corvette, GTO, SS and so on..?

[bronco]

Originally Posted by canucklion

yes, Europe owns the world, end of discussion, I guess we can close the thread now knowing that Europeans have the best taste

Hahahahha....I love my auto trans. It is perfect for those everyday NASTY bumper to bumper traffics...where I have to travel for about 1h 30min....on the other hand, I love a smooth manual trans. when I am in the mood and when there are no beer drinking red necks slowing my drive

[Grubbe]

Originally Posted by canucklion

yes, Europe owns the world, end of discussion, I guess we can close the thread now knowing that Europeans have the best taste

Hey, dont bash me for asking?

With balloon tires I mean like 265/30/19 on a 19x10", Im leaning more towards 245 or so on a 10" rim.

The auto is just here in Europe. They often drop really much in price when you buy the cars used, its like no one wants to drive them.

[Grubbe]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

Grubbe, I don't know if you are trying to be deliberately provocative, but know that as a European, I am delighted with my Steptronic transmission and would happily accept slightly higher profile RFTs if it meant greater comfort.

Yes, there are some people who still buys auto and balloon tires, but i would guess that 95% are Manual transmission, wouldnt you?

[Dave_3]

I drive an Auto in Europe, too.

Never thought of trying to park in a disabled parking slot. Wouldn't think the general public or traffic wardens would agree with you that I was a bona-fide "semi-retard in a wheel chair". They'd quite rightly shoot my boots off.

265 verus 245 on 10" wide rims. The 265 or 245 part of the tyre measurement does NOT indicate the "Balloon like" qualities of a tyre. To be more accurate you would need to quote aspect ratio too.

I presume you have healthy teeth ....

And for the record my other car has 185/70 on a 13" rim - 5.5" wide. More thrills and fun in the handling Dept. than a barrel of monkeys.

Having super thin strips of rubber certainly increases outright grip but when up around 10" wide take away a lot of composure, finesse, feel and gentle break-away that make for truely tactile driving. These large widths and 19" and 20" rims are primarily marketing driven. Lotus actually decreased the width of tyres on the latest Elise to improve that delicate, fun and agile feel. Why don't F1 cars run on those thin strips ... ?

D.

[Grubbe]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

I drive an Auto in Europe, too.

Never thought of trying to park in a disabled parking slot. Wouldn't think the general public or traffic wardens would agree with you that I was a bona-fide "semi-retard in a wheel chair". They'd quite rightly shoot my boots off.

265 verus 245 on 10" wide rims. The 265 or 245 part of the tyre measurement does NOT indicate the "Balloon like" qualities of a tyre. To be more accurate you would need to quote aspect ratio too.

I presume you have healthy teeth ....

And for the record my other car has 185/70 on a 13" rim - 5.5" wide. More thrills and fun in the handling Dept. than a barrel of monkeys.

Having super thin strips of rubber certainly increases outright grip but when up around 10" wide take away a lot of composure, finesse, feel and gentle break-away that make for truely tactile driving. These large widths and 19" and 20" rims are primarily marketing driven. Lotus actually decreased the width of tyres on the latest Elise to improve that delicate, fun and agile feel. Why don't F1 cars run on those thin strips ... ?

D.

Great for ou that you think your car is a F1 car. I think that all Bmws are a slow pos-car compared to an F1. Why dont you have that enormous wing on the trunk that the F1 cars have? And why is there more then one seat in our cars? The F1 cars only have one seat?

Its not about handling on theese type of slow cars, most of the people in the US choose balloon tires because they think that it looks good, I choose stretched look because i like the looks of it. Do you understand?

[spydrz]

This sounds like a bunch of ballooney.

[canucklion]

if you don't want people to bash you for asking questions, then behave the same when asking your question, i.e. not insulting them by calling them wheel-chair bound and semi-retarded, you think that's a reasonable way to ask a question and expect a half-decent response in return?


"hey, why do cheapass Europeans buy manual tramissioned cars? is it because they can't afford gas?"

or

"hey, aside from the performance aspect of it, what's another good reason for you manual drivers that sway you towards driving a manual tranny car? Is it gas economy?"

which question do you think would yield more intelligent discussion????

Originally Posted by Grubbe

Hey, dont bash me for asking?

With balloon tires I mean like 265/30/19 on a 19x10", Im leaning more towards 245 or so on a 10" rim.

The auto is just here in Europe. They often drop really much in price when you buy the cars used, its like no one wants to drive them.

[mkoesel]

Isn't this completely OT? Its definitely not E90 specific and exactly zero people have balloon tires on an E90.

[iatacs19]

Originally Posted by canucklion

yes, Europe owns the world, end of discussion, I guess we can close the thread now knowing that Europeans have the best taste

[Grubbe]

Originally Posted by canucklion

if you don't want people to bash you for asking questions, then behave the same when asking your question, i.e. not insulting them by calling them wheel-chair bound and semi-retarded, you think that's a reasonable way to ask a question and expect a half-decent response in return?


"hey, why do cheapass Europeans buy manual tramissioned cars? is it because they can't afford gas?"

or

"hey, aside from the performance aspect of it, what's another good reason for you manual drivers that sway you towards driving a manual tranny car? Is it gas economy?"

which question do you think would yield more intelligent discussion????

I think that europeans buy manual transmissions because there is no history of Autos here.

I have not called anyone a retard, Im just explaining how the situation works over here. If you have a problem with that, well thats your headace, right?

[Got-BMW?]

Originally Posted by Grubbe

Hey, dont bash me for asking?

With balloon tires I mean like 265/30/19 on a 19x10", Im leaning more towards 245 or so on a 10" rim.

The auto is just here in Europe. They often drop really much in price when you buy the cars used, its like no one wants to drive them.

You might want to check your tires and/or specs because a 245 on a 10" wide rim isn't going to work well. If you can even get it mounted you are going to have horrible grip because it's stretched so far out. Who cares what it looks like, function is what we are after or at least I am...

For future reference the BALLON look is the profile NOT the width. (For instance 275/55/19 over a 275/30/19 would be more ballon) So you might want to get your facts correct before you try and troll....

Some people sit in traffic for hours at a time EVERY day so driving a manual can get OLD very quick. I love a manual on my track car but for a daily driver, why would you EVER want to buy a manual.... ?!?!

[Lassaxi]

I must admit I've lost the discussion here. Have we deterined what the OP means by "balloon" tires?

As for AT vs. MT, it's just a preference. I CAN drive a MT, and rather well I think. But I prefer an AT, particularly a good AT like the steptronic, because I like the convenience it offers. In my opinion, rowing the gears is a purely recreational experience- fun for people who like it, but by no means a necessity. It can become positively bothersome at times.

Besides, this is 2007, not 1940. "Steptronic" doesn't exactly mean "Hydra-Matic" anymore.

[picus]

Why is it people from Sweden feel the need to tell other people how to spend their money? Seems quite arrogant to me.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by Grubbe

Its not about handling on theese type of slow cars, most of the people in the US choose balloon tires because they think that it looks good, I choose stretched look because i like the looks of it. Do you understand?

Understand completely, you are going with your own personal preference on looks alone with no regards to the actual technical benefits of your choice.

Carry on. You are talking purely about cosmetics. And that is a SUBJECTIVE topic. Do you understand ?

If someone chooses differently to you, then why is their personal preference that of a "semi-retraded invalid" ?

Also, very gracious of you to make such sweeping statements for all us Europeans. Bit presumptuous, wouldn't you say?

D.

[LEDZEP]

Okay, looks like what he means by balloon tires is extremely large wheels with very low profile tires.

If that's the real question, then here's the real answer:

"It is a current fashion trend, and nothing more." Every generation has to distiguish themselves from their forebears, and it is simply fashionable right now. As soon as it is too mainstream (already happening) you'll start to see something different and equally silly. It's just what people do.

[Grubbe]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Understand completely, you are going with your own personal preference on looks alone with no regards to the actual technical benefits of your choice.

Carry on. You are talking purely about cosmetics. And that is a SUBJECTIVE topic. Do you understand ?

If someone chooses differently to you, then why is their personal preference that of a "semi-retraded invalid" ?

Also, very gracious of you to make such sweeping statements for all us Europeans. Bit presumptuous, wouldn't you say?

D.

Dont you agree with me on how the situation looks over here in Europe? Thats how it works around here, but yes there are still some folks who prefers auto even if they dont sit in a wheel chair and uses hand-throttle and brake.

One of my best friend sits in a wheel chair and according to him it is very expensive to mount an auto-clutch/brake system for wheel chair guys on a manual car.