The Ultimate Driving Experience. WOW!
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 215
From: ********.com
I love BMWs, but as a friend once said,
"You can be a perfectly nice person AND own a BMW, but when people see those twin kidneys under the blue and white emblem, you are automatically going to be labeled a stupid rich snob."
"You can be a perfectly nice person AND own a BMW, but when people see those twin kidneys under the blue and white emblem, you are automatically going to be labeled a stupid rich snob."
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
I suspect that there are some people who buy a Bimmer, who couldn't tell the difference in chassis dynamics between a 3 series and a Kia. But they cough up the cash for them anyway, don't they? That's because the enthusiasts who rave about them are opinion leaders. As long as BMW keeps satisfying - NO make that - thrilling, this enthusiast/opinion leader group, the poseurs will always be standing in line with open wallets. Pretty good plan, if you ask me.
BTW, no offence, but your friend sounds like a snob.
Last edited by Z284ever; Oct 31, 2006 at 04:11 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 664
From: Hanford, CA, USA
I always get the "ohhh you have a BMW.... wow I never knew you were had so much cash" and all of that BS...
my response " dude, it's a 94. you drive a brand new pickup. it cost 4 times what this did."
My biggest problem with owning one, is alot of the guys around my age who own E36/46 and E34/39's ARE snobs. Head over to a Bimmer board sometime. You get a good amount of them. Not saying the total board is, but you seem to get a special quality snob there.
my response " dude, it's a 94. you drive a brand new pickup. it cost 4 times what this did."
My biggest problem with owning one, is alot of the guys around my age who own E36/46 and E34/39's ARE snobs. Head over to a Bimmer board sometime. You get a good amount of them. Not saying the total board is, but you seem to get a special quality snob there.
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Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,610
From: Cincinnati, OH
I think my CTS's chassis dynamics are great, but BMW really nailed the ride/handling equation better on their car. The steering is excellent on my car, but perhaps not quite as direct as the 5. My HF 3.6 is a thoroughly modern V6, however it's not as smooth or sweet as the Bimmer's I6. I could go on about brakes, interior, etc.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 215
From: ********.com
BTW, no offence, but your friend sounds like a snob.[/QUOTE]
None taken, and your point is valid. As I said, I love BMWs, they are fantastic machines... but I'll take the mulleted IROC stereotype over the rich jerk one. I know that puts me in the minority, but whatever...
None taken, and your point is valid. As I said, I love BMWs, they are fantastic machines... but I'll take the mulleted IROC stereotype over the rich jerk one. I know that puts me in the minority, but whatever...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
I've met alot of really cool BMW and Porsche guys and some Camaro and Mustang guys that were real A-holes......and visa versa.
Anyways, in a perfect world, my Camaro would drive perfectly - like a BMW.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
Did you drive the latest 5-series?
A recent Wheels magazine comparison between the VE Calais V V8, BMW 550i and Merc E500 put the Calais V ahead of the 550i for ride and handling although the E500 scored top marks for the most comfortable ride.
Just thought some future US Zeta owners would be interested!
A recent Wheels magazine comparison between the VE Calais V V8, BMW 550i and Merc E500 put the Calais V ahead of the 550i for ride and handling although the E500 scored top marks for the most comfortable ride.
Just thought some future US Zeta owners would be interested!
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 114
From: Sydney, Australia
GM could learn a bit from these guys.
being largely owned by the quandt family (and, therefore, no debilitating quarterly reporting to deal with), it can make decisions for the good of the brand or the engineering without being predicted profit being the sole priority.
someone posted that it was amazing what you can do with money. and yet...
BMW essentially has only two platforms - the 3-series and the 5-series.
so good are the chassis engineers that everything spins off from there.
the 3 gives you the 1, the 3, the 3 coupe and convertible, the Z4, the X3 and the smaller M cars.
the 5 gives you the 5, the 7, the 6 and the X5, plus something else in the pipe.
they've made mistakes: i-drive is still rubbish, the M cars don't have brakes that are porsche-strong and some of their ideas on steering feedback aren't ideal (the insistence on hydraulic steering on M cars for one, when the Z4 is designed for the electronic system).
yet they make huge money per car because they have a lovely, concise, integrated business model.
just drove a 335i from italy to england and back, and you really wouldn't want much more in a car. it's brilliant. am now in a Z4 M Coupe and that thing's a jet (M3 in-line six).
being largely owned by the quandt family (and, therefore, no debilitating quarterly reporting to deal with), it can make decisions for the good of the brand or the engineering without being predicted profit being the sole priority.
someone posted that it was amazing what you can do with money. and yet...
BMW essentially has only two platforms - the 3-series and the 5-series.
so good are the chassis engineers that everything spins off from there.
the 3 gives you the 1, the 3, the 3 coupe and convertible, the Z4, the X3 and the smaller M cars.
the 5 gives you the 5, the 7, the 6 and the X5, plus something else in the pipe.
they've made mistakes: i-drive is still rubbish, the M cars don't have brakes that are porsche-strong and some of their ideas on steering feedback aren't ideal (the insistence on hydraulic steering on M cars for one, when the Z4 is designed for the electronic system).
yet they make huge money per car because they have a lovely, concise, integrated business model.
just drove a 335i from italy to england and back, and you really wouldn't want much more in a car. it's brilliant. am now in a Z4 M Coupe and that thing's a jet (M3 in-line six).
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Did you drive the latest 5-series?
A recent Wheels magazine comparison between the VE Calais V V8, BMW 550i and Merc E500 put the Calais V ahead of the 550i for ride and handling although the E500 scored top marks for the most comfortable ride.
Just thought some future US Zeta owners would be interested!
A recent Wheels magazine comparison between the VE Calais V V8, BMW 550i and Merc E500 put the Calais V ahead of the 550i for ride and handling although the E500 scored top marks for the most comfortable ride.
Just thought some future US Zeta owners would be interested!
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 171
From: New Lenox, IL
Just something to note. . .
I absolutely love the new M5. If I could afford it, and have only one car, that'd be it.
With that being said, the M6 is supposed to perform slightly better than the M5 in all categories. It's BMW's most expensive coupe available and you'd expect it to perform the best.
In Car And Driver's Lightning lap, the M6 ran a 3:10.0 lap time.
The 350Z Track model went 3:12.5. I don't know if that's sad for the top of the line BMW M6, or impressive for the 350Z. Not to mention, the 350z in that test had the old VQ 35 engine (probably making an SAE rated HP of ~290). The new VQ35HR (or whatever it is) makes SAE 306hp. Should be pretty impressive.
Mike
With that being said, the M6 is supposed to perform slightly better than the M5 in all categories. It's BMW's most expensive coupe available and you'd expect it to perform the best.
In Car And Driver's Lightning lap, the M6 ran a 3:10.0 lap time.
The 350Z Track model went 3:12.5. I don't know if that's sad for the top of the line BMW M6, or impressive for the 350Z. Not to mention, the 350z in that test had the old VQ 35 engine (probably making an SAE rated HP of ~290). The new VQ35HR (or whatever it is) makes SAE 306hp. Should be pretty impressive.
Mike
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
Fuel economy. The M3 got hit with a gas guzzler tax. The 335i gets 3-4 mpg more. Also the M3 engine needed an iron block because of the bore spacing.
Remember too that in Europe, the auto mfrs have to improve their fleet fuel economy as part of a CO2 reduction program.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
Record Sales Month For Holden Special Vehicles
Holden Special Vehicles
1 November 2006
www.hsv.com.au
Press Release - Holden Special Vehicles today announced October 2006 as a record month for the high performance car company.
More than 490 retail deliveries were registered in Australia and New Zealand in October, well above the previous monthly record of 436 (December 2004).
Managing Director Phil Harding said the result was a vote of confidence in HSV following a fantastic E series launch and the excellent performance of the exclusive HSV dealer network.
“With 491 retail deliveries in October, we have sold 55 more vehicles than our next best month ever”, Phil Harding said.
“Demand is set to continue based on incoming orders. October was also a record month for production, with 515 cars dispatched to dealers. We have increased production by 50% to keep pace with demand".
“Year to date deliveries now stand at 2632. Our performance this year is exactly to plan, with an orderly run down of production and the sale of outgoing models, followed by a rapid and controlled ramp up of the exciting new E Series”, Harding said.
Mr Harding said HSV was receiving tremendous traffic through dealerships from both its loyal customer base and new buyers.
“I am particularly pleased with the level of interest from ‘Euro’ owners”, Harding said.
“We’re seeing owners of premium European models switching across to the E series based on the extraordinary value, level of performance and high-end specifications across all three vehicles”.
Phil Harding said HSV were continuing to show real leadership in the high performance niche vehicle segment with solid sales performances year after year, setting the standard for performance, technology and value.
“This early local success gives us great confidence for the overseas export potential of both the E series and other vehicle opportunities”, Harding said.
Holden Special Vehicles
1 November 2006
www.hsv.com.au
Press Release - Holden Special Vehicles today announced October 2006 as a record month for the high performance car company.
More than 490 retail deliveries were registered in Australia and New Zealand in October, well above the previous monthly record of 436 (December 2004).
Managing Director Phil Harding said the result was a vote of confidence in HSV following a fantastic E series launch and the excellent performance of the exclusive HSV dealer network.
“With 491 retail deliveries in October, we have sold 55 more vehicles than our next best month ever”, Phil Harding said.
“Demand is set to continue based on incoming orders. October was also a record month for production, with 515 cars dispatched to dealers. We have increased production by 50% to keep pace with demand".
“Year to date deliveries now stand at 2632. Our performance this year is exactly to plan, with an orderly run down of production and the sale of outgoing models, followed by a rapid and controlled ramp up of the exciting new E Series”, Harding said.
Mr Harding said HSV was receiving tremendous traffic through dealerships from both its loyal customer base and new buyers.
“I am particularly pleased with the level of interest from ‘Euro’ owners”, Harding said.
“We’re seeing owners of premium European models switching across to the E series based on the extraordinary value, level of performance and high-end specifications across all three vehicles”.
Phil Harding said HSV were continuing to show real leadership in the high performance niche vehicle segment with solid sales performances year after year, setting the standard for performance, technology and value.
“This early local success gives us great confidence for the overseas export potential of both the E series and other vehicle opportunities”, Harding said.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Anyway, had Caddy (or for that matter Chevy or Pontiac), offered a 3 Series sized car - I definitely would have considered it. In fact, before I bought my CTS I seriously considered a 3 series.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 439
From: upstate New York
GM probably has double or triple the engineers that BMW has (and ten times as many bean counters!) They COULD build a great enthusiast's car, they just choose to build the main-stream crap that they do- car design by commitee.
BMW builds cars like you are actually goint to drive them. Drive them hard, in a hurry. If you just want an appliance to impress your friends, or pick up the dry cleaning, it will work, but, if you want to take it out and drive the wheels off of it, it will do that, too. No apololgys, no excuses.
GM needs to have some world-class cars, something for the press to rave about, something for the car guys to lust after. The Cadillac is getting close- a couple of decades ago, the were the best- period. Rolls Royce used to use GM transmissions- They went through some dismal years of over-stuffed jokes with flaccid suspension and no performance, but it looks like they are trying to find their way back- Let's hope GM gets it's act together before they get bought up by some other company, like what happened to Chrysler...
Other than the Vette, what enthusiast's cars does the General build? Not everybody wants a 2-seater- Not much out there pulling me into the Chevy dealer.
BMW builds cars like you are actually goint to drive them. Drive them hard, in a hurry. If you just want an appliance to impress your friends, or pick up the dry cleaning, it will work, but, if you want to take it out and drive the wheels off of it, it will do that, too. No apololgys, no excuses.
GM needs to have some world-class cars, something for the press to rave about, something for the car guys to lust after. The Cadillac is getting close- a couple of decades ago, the were the best- period. Rolls Royce used to use GM transmissions- They went through some dismal years of over-stuffed jokes with flaccid suspension and no performance, but it looks like they are trying to find their way back- Let's hope GM gets it's act together before they get bought up by some other company, like what happened to Chrysler...
Other than the Vette, what enthusiast's cars does the General build? Not everybody wants a 2-seater- Not much out there pulling me into the Chevy dealer.