Sorry to say BMW, but it's time to pull your head out and save yourself.
- Thread starter Bryan330i
- Start date
anoodle - I feel your pain. I just got rid of my 528 because of repair costs (I was at 140k mi). The GM transmissions seem to be reliable, but I would NOT run more than 100k without changing the fliud out. It can be changed and should be. It cost me $150 to have it changed.
MrElussive is right - the 3 series was still at the top of my buy list, but price was a huge consideration for me.
MrElussive is right - the 3 series was still at the top of my buy list, but price was a huge consideration for me.
I know that if it makes BMW $$$ it's okay. But if BMW think the new designs are working, then they'll just keep going with it and it might get even worse. Average Jae stated how BMW makes "cars that they like" but if nobody else likes their cars, then they're just wrong. It's sort of like a guy who prefers a certain cologne. He likes the smell and wears it, but EVERYBODY else hates it....what other choice does he have than to choose a new fragrance? You get me? That BMW roundel has a lot of power, but if the designs get worse from here, then they're just heading down the wrong road and they will pay the price.
iDriveguy, thanks for the response. Hybrid is a pretty good technology but there are a few cons. What happens when all those batteries in the car need to be replaced later down the road. I'm sure that would put a pretty big dent in anyone's pocket. Also, when these hybrid vehicles are at a stop, the engine shuts off and then starts back up again as soon as you start driving again (although the electric motor/batteries are what starts the car from a full stop). I'm not sure if I can deal with an engine that constantly turns on and off.
As for the gas mileage issue of the hybrids, do you know anyone who owns a hybrid vehicle with personal experience regarding gas mileage? They really are supposed to deliver on their promise of great gas mileage.
I don't know what it is but VW + TDI motor is just so damn appealing to me. It's one of those combinations where you just CAN'T go wrong.
iDriveguy, thanks for the response. Hybrid is a pretty good technology but there are a few cons. What happens when all those batteries in the car need to be replaced later down the road. I'm sure that would put a pretty big dent in anyone's pocket. Also, when these hybrid vehicles are at a stop, the engine shuts off and then starts back up again as soon as you start driving again (although the electric motor/batteries are what starts the car from a full stop). I'm not sure if I can deal with an engine that constantly turns on and off.
As for the gas mileage issue of the hybrids, do you know anyone who owns a hybrid vehicle with personal experience regarding gas mileage? They really are supposed to deliver on their promise of great gas mileage.
I don't know what it is but VW + TDI motor is just so damn appealing to me. It's one of those combinations where you just CAN'T go wrong.
I will tell you guys this, I have a CLK500 and it has 11,000 miles on it and I have never had a headache with it. I think MB is really turning themselves around with their products. The new SLK is said to outperform the z4 and boxster. We also have a ML and that has never even given us a problem at all either. I owned a 2001 330ci for four years and it was awesome but MB has been gaining a bit of an edge on BMW and MB styling is awesome, every one of their vehicles looks like a million bucks.
Have an E320 and frequent mbworld.org I can tell you that there are PLENTY of examples of MBs giving tons of headaches. It's horrid JD Power quality rankings is there for a reason. I'm not talking little nit picky crap like "ohh, my ashtray doesn't open smoothly." I'm talking big stuff like E-classes coming out from the factory with a severe problem of some sort making it turn right all the time. Electrical problems that short out the whole car (Keyless Go). Major stuff like that. There's a CLK55 (the AMG one so you'd expect it to be built right) owner on a board I visit who's totally pissed at Mercedes cuz of his car.
MB has nice products, but they can really only go up from where they are now. They've always looked nice, but I'm gonna reserve judgment on them cuz their biggest problem right now is quality. Not just in reliability, but quality of materials. I'm not too happy with the obvious cost cutting I see in the E-class.
MB has nice products, but they can really only go up from where they are now. They've always looked nice, but I'm gonna reserve judgment on them cuz their biggest problem right now is quality. Not just in reliability, but quality of materials. I'm not too happy with the obvious cost cutting I see in the E-class.
I agree there is a general inclination to be reluctant to change. You pointed out the E36 owner's indignation toward the E46. But the E46 was very well received throughout the press. It topped every comparo since its release and stayed there for 7 years for the most part. That can not be said of the Bangle abominations. Anti-bangle-ism is akin to racism?
At the end of the day, you're right about the sales figures being the ultimate test as to whether the new design is good or not. And there, the devil is in the detail. A closer look at the figures will show some cracks in the company line. Resale values, owner loyalty, expansion through new car lines at the expense of weakening sales of higher end cars, leases with a glut of returning cars in the future, etc. show all is not on the up and up. Not a disaster, but enough for BMW to know it's gotta back off the Banglizations on the upcoming 3.
The new designs were intended to be radical and shake things up. So that's what they got. This wasn't just an evolution in design for new body style changes. BMW has never placed 5 out of 6 in luxury sedans like the 7 got in MotorTrend. And the 5er got something like last place in a Car and Driver comparo, mostly for wierd wacky wrong design.
Let's face it. There will always be a certain percentage of people who like any old shit BMW throws at the fan. But let's be real....the new designs just aren't pretty.
At the end of the day, you're right about the sales figures being the ultimate test as to whether the new design is good or not. And there, the devil is in the detail. A closer look at the figures will show some cracks in the company line. Resale values, owner loyalty, expansion through new car lines at the expense of weakening sales of higher end cars, leases with a glut of returning cars in the future, etc. show all is not on the up and up. Not a disaster, but enough for BMW to know it's gotta back off the Banglizations on the upcoming 3.
The new designs were intended to be radical and shake things up. So that's what they got. This wasn't just an evolution in design for new body style changes. BMW has never placed 5 out of 6 in luxury sedans like the 7 got in MotorTrend. And the 5er got something like last place in a Car and Driver comparo, mostly for wierd wacky wrong design.
Let's face it. There will always be a certain percentage of people who like any old shit BMW throws at the fan. But let's be real....the new designs just aren't pretty.
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I wholeheartedly agree with what you're saying. I can't tell you how many people there are (in OZ, at least) who are literally 'stuck' with their 7 series. Quite simply, no-one is buying them second hand because they are ugly and far too techno-laden. This is where owner loyalty and resale values begin to fray and the long-term effect will be a financial problem for BMW in that their dealerships will be forced to lease more, and more of their cars to keep them on the road with the aim of artificially propping up resales.
Driving a Bimmer in Detroit isn't as bad as driving a Honda in Flint. Those GM people are fanatics. Their families all work at GM so they get fat discounts, and then look down on you for driving a "foreign" car (hey it was made in Ohio). B!tch, I don't get a discount! That is long in the past now... thankfully.
I am fortunate to live in a cool town, where there are many nice cars. I even get to see an occasional Ferrari. I ignore the Benz's completely, though. I have never liked their styling. And the ride is as described above... good for old people. It's the modern cadillac. Ghetto pimps slapping 20" chromies and a dark tint and thinking they are cool. Not cool. I want to slap those people with a sport suspension.
I would never buy Mercedes. The don't have the style (yeah, I like the look of some of the newer models), they don't have the reputation (in my opinion of course), and they don't have the passion. BMW has style, class, and substance. With that said, I hope Mercedes does bring out some sweet rides. Then the others will have to follow suit or lose business. The consumer should benefit.
-J
I am fortunate to live in a cool town, where there are many nice cars. I even get to see an occasional Ferrari. I ignore the Benz's completely, though. I have never liked their styling. And the ride is as described above... good for old people. It's the modern cadillac. Ghetto pimps slapping 20" chromies and a dark tint and thinking they are cool. Not cool. I want to slap those people with a sport suspension.
I would never buy Mercedes. The don't have the style (yeah, I like the look of some of the newer models), they don't have the reputation (in my opinion of course), and they don't have the passion. BMW has style, class, and substance. With that said, I hope Mercedes does bring out some sweet rides. Then the others will have to follow suit or lose business. The consumer should benefit.
-J