Luxury Lounge

hpowders

2001gs430

I think you misunderstood my post. The reference to Lexus V8 was made in regards of the sound of the I6-twin turbos made when the throttle is wide open; it does not sound as good or expensive as the the V8. Just take a GS430 for test drive and you'll know what I mean. This is has to do with my misguided expectation that I had build up by reading all the rave reviews of this engine.
The 328i is not a replacement for my GS. It's more of the replacement for my Subi wagon which I like for its compactness and fun to drive factor. I think the BMW is perfect since it has just the right amount power and refinement than the Subi. The lease deal is just the icing on the cake.
My RX is now the Luxury vehicle in the family, but it also double up as the utility vehicle since its can handle the occasional large loads. The RX may get upgraded to the new LX570 down the road for a true luxury vehicle (I was close to pulling the trigger on the LX470 until some of you here alerted my attention to the pending replacement).

dewey

No misunderstanding whatsoever.

The Lexus V8 your talking about would be a dud in a 3 series as a BMW twin turbo would be a dud in a Lexus LS.

This has nothing to do with something that sounds good or more expensive. This has everything to do with a sound that is more appropriate within a certain car.

No equivalent car can stand up today to the BMW335i! None! And the fact that a 335i does not have a sound proof interior is IMO a major benefit for such a car.

What ever makes you happy. If you feel the value of a Bimmer is more than a equivalent Lexus than I cant agree with you more

tagman

Seems like you single-handedly sold three (just about) bmw threes....Nice job

Wait just a minute, Tony. We can't forget that Mr. H. single-handedly sold a Lexus not too long ago, and that our friend from Canada, Dewey, was the first to get the 335i, and has posted countless praises for the car and has fought many long and hard arguments in favor of BMW as a company.

Yet, in spite of his accidental Lexus sale, Mr. H. has always stood by BMW, faithful and loyal.

I'd give credit to both of our esteemed posters, Dewey AND Mr. H., as well as others that have been loyal supporters of German cars, regardless of what some have said about them... for example, one poster once said that an entire BMW would fall apart, except for the engine... and that remark only caused the German car supporters to rally together.

So, in addition to the German car supporters,we owe particular thanks to Mr. H, and Dewey as well.

From this point forward, I also know with confidence that we will hear even more praises about the 335i from the latest poster to acquire one... our most outspoken Audi supporter...blkhemi. Congrats to him again!

All, of course, IMHO...

TagMan

louiswei

Okay, all these BMW or 335i love affairs are giving me goose bumps. I'll call Ang Lee since he probably would get inspiration for the Brokeback Mountain sequel...

:P

I guess a roll call for Japanese car supporters is in order if this keeps going.

tagman

Well. it would be interesting to take a FRIENDLY poll to see what kind of support for Japanese vs. European cars we have here.

I'll start... but let's keep it FUN!!!

I currently own 2 German vehicles, 1 British vehicle, and 1 Japanese vehicle.

But, regardless of ownership...
for my overall preference, I vote EUROPEAN

So far that makes EUROPEAN = 1 ....... JAPANESE = 0

TagMan

hpowders

The Lexus was a shameless set-up.

I hope being forced to wait until next summer gets me into a 335d. That would make the wait well worth it and would guarantee me continued LL exclusivity, smoothly transitioning from the only 545i on this thread. :shades:

PS: I will take a chance and vote EUROPEAN too... so long as Germany doesn't move out.

tagman

I hope being forced to wait until next summer gets me into a 335d.

Interesting you would say that. I'm weighing that option out myself. Either the 335i convertible, or the possibility of a 335d. I'm not hurting for time, so I'll see how this all turns out.

You and I are on the same page regarding the 335d!!

(BTW, I know the Lexus sale was a set-up.)

TagMan

EDIT: So far the vote for overall preference is as follows...

EUROPEAN = 2 JAPANESE = 0

louiswei

This is kind of pointless because one might prefer Japanese in segment A but German in segment B.

But since this is pretty much like our presidential election system I'll go with the Japanese.

I don't think this poll will need a recount...for some reason I am expecting a landslide result.

tagman

OK, fine ... But realize however, it is OVERALL preference.

Now we are at EUROPEAN = 2 JAPANESE = 1

TagMan

hpowders

Heh! Heh! The spin is starting already.

Anticipating defeat, the poll is already "pointless." LOL!!

tagman

Carefull what you say, powders... never forget that Florida voters can be discounted, as proved in a recent Presidential election. :P

TagMan

drfill

The Japanese never quit! 2 up. And now for the decisive 5th set......

DrFill

drfill

I've been there, dude! The dumpsters were overflowin' that day. Ah, to live in a Republican Dictatorship once again.

It takes me back....to 2000.

DrFill

louiswei

There is no such thing as "anticipating defeat" about this poll.

The Germans are benchmarks in the luxury car market and I wouldn't dare even to think for longer than a second that Lexus/Infiniti/Acura will hold the same reputation as of those.

Even if the poll is a landslide (which I think it'll happen) it'll have no effect on my future buying decision. Lexus also wouldn't lost its number 1 luxury brand sales title over it.

Pointless? I think so...

hpowders

Never has any president owed so much to the incompetency of one state.

As long as the troopers down here continue to let me drive 90 mph, I will ignore the rest of the state's ineptitude.

One summons though, and I'm moving out as soon as housing recovers a bit.

tagman

OK, so far the vote for overall vehicle preference is

European = 2 Japanese = 2

TagMan (confession... Porsche Carrera S ownership causes me a tremendous bias... LOL.)

tagman

Yes, Doc, sorry chapter in American history!
TM

tagman

Please, let's keep this on the high road.

So far, so good. It will be a fun result to ponder, but let's see where it goes, and have a good time in the process.

TagMan

So far the votes are... European = 2 & Japanese = 2

hpowders

Whatever...

By the way, your photos confirm that the 335i coupe trumps the 335i convertible in the looks department... the former, arguably the best-looking BMW at this time. A great bachelor's car. :shades:

tagman

By the way, your photos totally confirm that the 335i coupe absolutely destroys the 335i convertible in the looks dept.

Cleaner lines, yes agreed... but "destroys"?... that's going overboard, IMO.

TagMan

2001gs430

Japanese... so far...

hpowders

The convertible, IMO, looks like it was put together from jigsaw puzzle pieces that didn't entirely fit together smoothly... disappointingly awkward.

Man, just look at that seamlessly smooth coupe. I'm sorry I saw that photo. I can't stop thinking about it. Very nice!

If I was up for the convertible, I would definitely want to show it off more with the top down. But it is what it is... a compromise. It's heavy... and will not drive like the coupe.

tagman

That makes the vote for overall preference between European and Japanese vehicles...

European = 2 ....... Japanese = 3

We have yet to hear from Dewey, Hemi, Designman, Lexusguy, and others... so the voting is still ery early.

TagMan

tagman

I completely understand, but I see the "compromise" as well worth it... and not so terrible.

TagMan

jlbl

Hey TMan, you may take into account one more vote for Europeans ( :shades: ).

Jose

hpowders

"Terrible"... no. Most folks, I'm sure would love to get hold of a 335i convertible.

tagman

Hey TMan, you may take into account one more vote for Europeans

Very good. The voting for overall vehicle preferences so far goes to...

European = 3 ..... Japanese = 3

It's still very early. The rest of you... Remember to vote! It's your patriotic duty!

TagMan

hpowders

Excuse me, I hope I am not too late. :surprise:

Count my vote with the EUROPEANS... :shades:

tagman

Excuse me, I hope I am not too late.

Count my vote with the EUROPEANS...

So... you are attempting voter fraud!... that comes with serious penalties! I guess Florida residents want to vote TWICE to make up for that recent presidential scandal.

LOL. Your post 5927 has already been recorded as a European vote.

Don't try to slip a fast one past the good TagMan!!

Count is the same...

Europeans = 3 ..... Japanese = 3

TagMan

drfill

Do desperate tings.

DrFill

louiswei

LOL!!

Be honest, the voting so far is much to my surprise.

tagman

Surprised? In what way?
TM

louiswei

The Japanese is only trailing by one so far...

Not going to be like this for long though, as far as I can tell, most of the "absentee ballots" are pro-European.

:P

hpowders

I was just following Florida custom. "States Rights" and all that.

Oh well... you can try my case in front of the Florida judge of the day:

Ol' Hangin' Chad. :shades:

houdini1

Resounding vote for Japanese.

Japanese 4, European 3.

Are the polls closed yet? :P

jimbres

Although Japanese cars (Lexus ES 350, Honda CR-V) outnumber German cars (BMW 330i) in my household fleet, I drive German whenever it's up to me.

So my vote is for the Europeans, which should make the current tally 4-4.

tagman

OK houdini. You are logged.

So far, the "official" non-chad-hanging vote for overall vehicle preference is......

European = 3 ..... Japanese = 4

Of course, we have yet to hear from many of the "Euro fans", or all the "Lexicans" yet, so it's going to change a number of times before we're all through.

TagMan

tagman

OK, Jimbres has now voted.

The latest vote tally for vehicle preference is as follows......

European = 4 ..... Japanese = 4

TagMan

anthonyp

Two German Cars, and a Florida resident = 2 votes German Tony

tagman

Your (one) vote is logged, Tony. LOL.

New results for vehicle preference is.......

European = 5 ..... Japanese = 4

TagMan

laurasdada

Another Lurker vote:

I care not from what country/region a vehicle represents nor the nameplate is on the car. Only that the car best meets all my needs/wants and desires. We've owned Japaneese (built in the US of A) and European (and even a Chrysler!?) and enjoyed 'em all. Therefore, I vote European and my (evil) wife votes Japaneese.

As of this writing, the tie continues...!

(Having written this, I'm thinking that my next car will have a more Teutonic (sp?) flavor. Maybe British. Although the TL is a fine, fine automobile...)

tagman

Before I log your vote, let me clarify that only signed-in members of the Edmunds forum may vote, and they may not represent other family members and their votes. If that were allowed, then all kinds of possibilities could happen, such as hpowders wife could vote, and my family could all vote , and the next thing you know, our very own posters would not be represented any longer.

So, that said, YOU get ONE vote.

What will it be?

TagMan

laurasdada

Hmmm. Changing the rules after voting? You will be hearing from my lawyer, Sir! One of the Hungadungas (no, everybody uses lawyers from the firm of Dewey, Cheathem and Howe. I use the Hungadunga firm. Can anyone identify from whence the Hungadunga name comes from/associated with?).

I understand. And casting one vote is, for me, extraordinarily difficult as I have loved too often and too deeply.

What will it be boy? Yes or No...

Ok: For now, I'm turning Japaneese. I do, however, retain the right to change my mind should new, mitigating facts come to light.

tagman

Sorry, no re-visiting the voting booth!!

Perhaps you want to wait a little longer before you vote. Once you vote, it's permanent!

So... the ball is in your court. (not courtroom...LOL)

TagMan

tricky73

Do the rules require ownership of either..or both? Otherwise doesn't it become mostly an emotional contest? Without ownership experience, this forces an outcome based totally on printed data...unless one makes it more restrictive re specific attributes (reliability, Corporate product support, styling e.g).

laurasdada

Man, you are tougher than Judge Judy...

I shall then ponder this most important of decisions. My chad will have to dangle just a bit longer...

Just back from FL. 90+ degrees with like humididity. Arrived to the lovely, A/C'd resort room and the first thing the evil wife does is turn on the heat! It immediatley smelled something fierce of burning metal as my guess is that the heat had not been used since....

Our Japaneese cars have been flawless performers offering a decent blend of style (in the eye, of course), utility, fun and value for the $. But, the same could be said of our '95 Saab although a bit short of the flawless-ness. The Mercedes of my youth served us well, but certainly required a bit more TLC (for a bit more $$$).... And, all the folks I know absolutely love driving their BMWs. When they are not in the shop, of course! Kidding, I think. Although that was more true than not, I think, in the '70s & '80s.

And every morning when I go to the garage, I kinda hope my TL has magically morped into an XKR...

Decisions, decisions.

tagman

No ownership has ever been required on this forum to have an opinion about the vehicles discussed. I know that some have on rare occassion insulted another poster for not owning a certain vehicle that the poster expressed opinions about.

So... to be clear... no ownership is a requirement, and any combination of ownership does not bias the vote. It is only a vote of overall preference to either European vehicles or Japanese vehicles.

Let's not get too complicated here, as we don't want to spoil what is so far going very well. So, far, this is upbeat and fun.

And yes, you are very right when you use "emotion" as a factor. Preferences can be based upon anything you like.

So... what's YOUR overall preference, regardless of ownership? European vehicles or Japanese vehicles?

TagMan

tagman

You know, you do not have to vote if you can't find yourself leaning one way or the other.

TM

anthonyp

Mr Tag Man

When we were all posting on other boards, Dewey got us all together here, and I give him full credit...But before all that I think Mr H (or just H to his friends) through continual POWERFUL writing of his posititive love for his car ,influnced the recent rash of bmw 3 purchases ...as he intended.....As for me , I also learned alot, and at this time think I will get the 5 to replace the Audi which has been a great car, as it will save me alot of trouble if I go the route of a new one every two years... Unfortunately I`l have to take the hit on the Audi---which is no fun...All the above is with a light heart, as Dewey is one of my favorites---and it still pains me his recent misfortune---As for Howard, I detect a rememberance from his encounter ten years ago, so these thoughts don`t die young.....Tony ps `the vote goes on`