If you’ve never heard of Satch Carlson, you are missing out on one of the most entertaining and opinionated car guys out there today (think Jeremy Clarkson without the curly hair and English accent). This Saturday, I’ll be sitting down to chat with Satch and want to know…
What would you ask this fixture of automotive world?
Satch Carlson is the outspoken Editor-in-Chief of Roundel, the official magazine of the BMW Car Club of America, where he’s been for over 10 years. He regularly writes columns for other publications and is also a passionate racer. The knowledge and experience behind Satch’s unique writing style always informs and entertains… he’s a true asset, not only to BMW enthusiasts, but to all car guys.
Carlson's '88 325ix "Bad Dog"
This Saturday (June 6) I’m going to have the pleasure of sitting down with Satch while he’s in town with his ‘88 325ix, “Bad Dog”, for the 8th Annual BMW E30 Picnic. After reading Roundel for the past 7 years or so, I’ve certainly got questions for him! But what about you? If you had the chance to sit down with Satch Carlson, what would you ask? Writing tips, feelings on the “state of the auto industry”, meaning of life… anything is fair game!
Toss your questions in the comments below. I’ll ask Satch, and bring back answers next week. Oh, and just for kicks, I’ll award the writer of the best question a Griot’s Garage car care prize!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Of all the motors that have been produced by BMW, which do you feel, embodies the heart and soul of what the brand stands for?
Thanks,
Rob
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
Who’s a better driver: David E. Davis Jr., Brock Yates, Pat Bedard or Ezra Dyer?
What’s the low-down on Csaba Csere?
And will Americans ever embrace diesel?
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
BMW used The Ultimate Driving Machine as a slogan for years. Which BMW, in your opinion best embodies about that slogan and why?
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
It seems there are two kinds of Bimmer-heads: (1) The 2002, E30 M3, “Three pedals are always better than two!” type. And (2) The iDrive, SMG, DCT, DSC, “Hmm, that Bangle-butt aint’ so bad.” type. Has this clash caused any riffs in the direction the club is going? In your mind, is it possible to be both a true type 1 and type 2 bimmer-head?
I’ve always admired your work Satch, and can’t wait until my Roundel arrives each month! Keep on going.
-Charlie
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Being an E30 racer yourself, how do you feel about the MINI as a BMW family member and club race platform?
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
All great questions. See you all Saturday and Sunday.
Topless Red
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
why a Sonnet? Why?
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Why is BMW so enamored with active steering?
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
With two wins since 2003 in F1, what will BMW to fix this? What advantages does Brawn-Mercedes, Ferrari, RBR Ranault and Toyota have over BMW that has them sitting in 8 in manufacture points. What can BMW do to overcome such a deficit?
-Levi
June 4th, 2009 at 6:12 am
My question is in the same vein as Charlie’s.
Was there a similar backlash when the E21 was introduced as the next generation sporty sedan after the 2002? Do old schoolers thumb their nose at the E21 and E30, as the carpeting and trunk tar in an E30 probably weighs as much as the front end of an 2002?
June 4th, 2009 at 6:25 am
why dont bmw’s look like bmw’s anymore?
June 4th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Satch, as it is obvious the days of dinosaur powered cars are nearing their end, which do YOU believe to win the evolutionary war, electric or fuel cell?
Phase 2 of the same question: if you HAD to choose between sauteed mushrooms OR Bacon, which would be on your burger?
June 4th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Satch, reading your column on the iX and E30s brought a huge smile to my face. I’ve been out of the country for six months, with five to go, all without my dear E30. I know I’m not the only E30 nut around, but there seems to be a great dearth of E30 related articles in Roundel these days; most articles are on what people have done to their E36 “me-too” mobile or the newest “ultimate passenger machine.” I know I’m generalizing, but articles on E30s, past, present, or modified just aren’t that common anymore. Could Roundel publish more E30-related articles?
Other random questions I have: What do you think is the better BMW from a driver’s perspective between an E30 (any type) and a Z4 M Coupe? What do you think about BMW’s new direction with turbocharged M motors, autotragic transmissions, and trucks?
Thanks!
-David E
June 5th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
What’s your favorite color? Justify your answer in 100 words or less.
June 5th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Dear Mr Satch Carlson,
Common people have refered to the BMW automobile as the “Beemer” but those of us who know, KNOW it’s a “Bimmer” and the bikes are “Beemers”. Why Didn’t BMW correct this with a commercial so people could get the terminology right? I can’t tell you how many people mistakenly call your automobiles “Beemers” instead of “Bimmers” Cheers!
January 10th, 2010 at 9:00 am
I had an E36/7 (Z3 roadster) but now own an E85 (Z4 roadster.) It took me years, and repeated viewings of Bangle’s explaination of his design to come to love the E85. But, he brought art into design to a level neede for BMW to leap ahead.
Will you miss Chris Bangle?
January 11th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I’m in the same boat as you, George. It took a time for each of Bangle’s designs to grow on me, but I’ve come to love many of them. The Z4 and 6 Series (E63/64) both took some time to grow on me, but are now a couple of my favories designs. I will miss Chris Bangle because, as you said, he had the guts to take automotive design to a different level. A level that everyone else followed. Now, if he only would have designed smaller cars.