Section8, while I agree with much of what you said, I must point out that my post focused not so much on the accomplishments of BMWs (I know them very well), but more so on the future of Japanese brands, which I think is also very promising. Sure M-B/BMW/Audi build super high-performance cars that no Japanese maker has a rival for, but this is changing--Toyota has a very respectable and accomplished motorsport/F1 division, and I've read rumors that they might be applying their techniques to soup-up their autos much the say way as M, AMG, and Audi's S division. Don't be surpised. A new 400-500hp Supra is also on the way.
Also, just because the Germans make M cars, AMGs, and S/Rs's, doesn't detract or discredit anything from Japanese cars. You say Infiniti/Nissan only makes one comparable model, but what about the FX35/45 (which I hate with a passion BTW) which is often described a REAL competior and threat to the X5. And what happens when Infiniti's M35/45 comes out; and when they revamp the next Q(??); and what happens when the new Lexus line come out--remember, the old GS430 did steal some thunder from the Germans back in the late 90s (I have the car mags to prove it).
All I'm saying is watch out: you can't discount the Japs because they made bland cars in the past. I'm talking about the future. BMW is in a crunch with their new cars (style and quality-wise if you ask me and a lot of others), and I don't read any complaints about the G35s "bungled" styling or poor electronics. Sure BMW/M-B cram their cars with more gizmos, but if they can't work properly, if at all, they aren't worth a damn. In the end, the Germans have to beware--and they know it too....
About a decade back, the Germans could "discount" pretty much everything that came from Japan. But not anymore....
![[cheers]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_cheers.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
Also, just because the Germans make M cars, AMGs, and S/Rs's, doesn't detract or discredit anything from Japanese cars. You say Infiniti/Nissan only makes one comparable model, but what about the FX35/45 (which I hate with a passion BTW) which is often described a REAL competior and threat to the X5. And what happens when Infiniti's M35/45 comes out; and when they revamp the next Q(??); and what happens when the new Lexus line come out--remember, the old GS430 did steal some thunder from the Germans back in the late 90s (I have the car mags to prove it).
All I'm saying is watch out: you can't discount the Japs because they made bland cars in the past. I'm talking about the future. BMW is in a crunch with their new cars (style and quality-wise if you ask me and a lot of others), and I don't read any complaints about the G35s "bungled" styling or poor electronics. Sure BMW/M-B cram their cars with more gizmos, but if they can't work properly, if at all, they aren't worth a damn. In the end, the Germans have to beware--and they know it too....
About a decade back, the Germans could "discount" pretty much everything that came from Japan. But not anymore....
