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  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    What his going on with the BMW design team? We see a Jekyll Hyde situation... with some of the models looking gorgeous, and some of the upcoming models looking like monstrosities.

    This upcoming hybrid is an example. What the heck is wrong with the rear bumper setup? The rear lights are nice, but below them things turn ugly real fast. The rear of the vehicle looks like its carrying a leaf-collection bag from a lawn mower, or like its wearing a diaper, or maybe it's a baboon's ugly rear.

    Here... take a look...

    image

    :sick:

    TagMan
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    It's just a X6 with a very awkward looking rear bumper.

    I hate to say this but seems like the X6 has been growing on me. From a certain angle I think it actually looks good. Still don't see the point of buying one though.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Here's a nice review of the Mercedes E320 Bluetec.

    I dedicate this post to Doc, so he can give us his honest opinion of this car after he reads the review.

    Here's the link...

    link title

    TagMan
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Tata Mortors from India is the likeliest potential buyer of Jaguar and Land Rover.

    Who is Tata Motors? It's a firm that is striving to manufacture the cheapest car on earth that will be priced at $2500. It's also currently losing market share in its home auto market in India. Tata Group was successful in a British tea acquisition (Tetley Teas) but as far as I know selling Jaguars and Rovers aint gonna be a cup of tea.

    Financial Times
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    The Mercedes E320 Bluetec delivered a remarkable 38 mpg on the highway in our testing, better than many four-cylinder economy cars. It also posted 28 mpg in the city, which is considerably better than the EPA rating of 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway, which reflects new test procedures designed to better approximate real-world driving in the test labs. Overall, the E320 Bluetec sipped fuel at an average rate of 32 mpg (combined city/highway driving), which is 40 percent better than the 23 mpg we got in a gas-powered E350.

    Impressive
  • topspin628topspin628 Member Posts: 373
    I hate to pile on, but as a disinterested non-baseball fan, when I see the post-game interviews with the Mets guys compared to the Padres players, it just seems like the Mets are mildly put-out that they didn't make it.

    I couldn't agree more. It sure seemed like the fans cared more than the players.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Back in January of '01 you were covering an event in CA for a car that doesn't even exist anymore, but got a big fan boost from Edmunds. I was there & met you

    T'wasn't I! I don't know who you might be thinking of, but at that time I was working for Edmunds as a host from right here on the east coast, not covering anything in CA. Out of curiosity, what car?

    were you a fan of baseball in elementary school?

    Actually, I was. But in '69 I was in high school. :shades:
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    It sure seemed like the fans cared more than the players.

    And THAT explains the collapse. :sick:
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    Good observations on the cavalier attitudes.

    One more ting on this. It seems team leaders are disappearing from baseball. The Mets need leaders like Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter. They weren't only ballplayers, they were rabid fans of their own team.

    Remember the old Reds, Cards, As? They were fun teams to watch. There was emotion, passion. Now, just get your big salary and look forward to fishing when the season is over.

    Yanks/Sox should be good if it gets to that. Lot's of new talent on both teams. Guys like Chamberlain and Duncan are firecrackers. And of course, Manny and Poppy are always up for this. They hit Yankee pitching like batting practice fastballs.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    in '69 I was in high school.

    So... you are part of the mid-fifties crowd... anything been hurtin' (aches or pains) lately? ;)

    :) TagMan
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Yes.

    :P
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    The only one I am surprised that it made the list is the Jaguar X-type, especially it ranked so high.

    I'm not really surprised by the X-type at all. A very unpopular car can still have a very high percentage of buyers from one gender or the other. I can see why the X-type doesn't really appeal to men, it certainly doesn't appeal to me. I would say that (in general) the X's lack of power and lousy handling would be much less important to women than it would be to men. It also just doesn't have an aggressive shape like the 3 or G35.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Overall, the E320 Bluetec sipped fuel at an average rate of 32 mpg (combined city/highway driving), which is 40 percent better than the 23 mpg we got in a gas-powered E350.

    Compare that to the GS450h, which can just barely manage to eke out 24mpg or so, compared to 22 or 23 from the GS350.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    :)
    TM
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Have to disagree with you, Tag. The X6 will be HUGE HIT here in the Big Apple. I like it's fastback style! :shades:

    From the back it looks like, dare I say......an Infiniti!

    :surprise:

    DrFill
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Well, regarding the E320 BlueTec review I posted, so far we've heard from you and Dewey with rational replies, but I'm sort of curious to hear from the Doc on this.

    TagMan
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Sounds good to me. Competition in the market is a good thing. I'm all for it! ;)

    C&D's review was less glowing.

    Looks like Mercedes wanted to match the E320's performance, while maximizing the efficiency. Lexus wants improved performance and economy.

    The GS450h is faster than the V8, and more efficient than either gas engine, according to owner reports here. :)

    The Camry Hybrid shows the most outright improvement.

    To each his own....

    DrFill
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    According to Porsche, there is not a sufficient market for their cars in the Detroit geographical area to warrant all the logistics and expense of participating in Detroit's auto show. It's a shockingly dissapointing, but understandable decision.

    TagMan
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Wright cares the most. He's not happy, and will become the team leader. He's my favorite Met! :D

    Not all Mets are created, or imported, equal. ;)

    DrFill
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Thanks, Doc! I knew you were out there!

    The Camry Hybrid shows the most outright improvement.

    So? The Camry is just a car for the masses... Go back far enough in time and it's like the Impala used to be. The torch gets passed from time to time. I think the Ford Escort and the Ford Taurus might have had it at one time, and IIRC, the Accord had it before the Camry.

    The Mercedes E-Class is quite a notch above the Camry. It would be better to compare to the GS, perhaps.

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    The X6 will be HUGE HIT here in the Big Apple.

    "Sell well" in the Big Apple?... just maybe.

    "HUGE HIT" in the Big Apple?... I doubt it very much.

    TagMan
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    So? The Camry is just a car for the masses...

    "JUST" a car for the masses?

    I know this is a luxury car board and most (if not all) people here own or have owned luxury brand cars or some sort. But the reality is that a masses car, like the Camry, is far more important to the whole auto industry than any of those luxury sedans. Take Model T for example, it was so affordable that almost everyone can have one thus it played a huge part in revolutionize the industry.

    Gotta go, will check back later, need to bring my car in for a warranty service.
  • sysweisyswei Member Posts: 1,804
    I guess we shouldn't be surprised when the germancarfans here, who tend to be performance enthusiasts, just seem to totally forget about the performance angle when it comes to comparing diesel with hybrid.

    EPA estimates:
    E320 Bluetec 26 mpg
    GS450h 23 mpg

    C&D tests 0-60:
    E320 Bluetec 6.8 sec
    GS450h 5.5 sec

    Not a slam dunk win for Bluetec, imho. Especially not for performance-leaning enthusiasts.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    What's so surprising about giving up some fuel efficiency for a little better performance?... or... giving up a little performance for some better fuel efficiency?

    It's a typical tradeoff, IMHO.

    On an additional note here, I would venture to suggest that the torque of the diesel is likely better and could snap your neck more than the GS could... thus giving that feeling of having more ummph than it might actually have.

    I recall there was a review where the mag referred to such a scenario... that the diesel FELT much quicker than it actually measured. And that's certainly a nice little bonus for an enthusiast who still wants to get the better fuel economy.

    TagMan
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    The part about currency differences sounds logical but for autos it hardly ever makes much difference because of competitive pressure.

    Plus, the dollar will only slide so far and then it will start to climb vs. the euro. This is the nature of tings.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Looks like the Aztek is making a comeback. Does it come with a tent? :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    …the torque of the diesel is likely better and could snap your neck more than…

    …engines with similar or even greater displacements. Be confident about that.

    Jose
  • bristol2bristol2 Member Posts: 736
    Hopefully at least a First Aid kit! :surprise:
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    And a scout to help crossing faux rivers! :mad:

    Jose
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    On an additional note here, I would venture to suggest that the torque of the diesel is likely better and could snap your neck more than the GS could... thus giving that feeling of having more ummph than it might actually have.

    I can confirm that's true. I've driven both an A4 2.0TDi (the older 140hp version) and a 2.0T. The diesel certainly felt much stronger around town than its horsepower would suggest. It began to run out of steam above 70mph or so, but the fuel economy more than made up for that. The new 170hp 2.0L Audi turbo diesel would probably be just about perfect in that car. Shifting at 4000rpm isn't necessarily "fun", but its no more boring than a hybrid's CVT.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Yes, SIR!! There is indeed a lot to be said for torque! :)
    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I can confirm that's true.

    Confirmation confirmed! ;)
    TagMan
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Everything you say is true. But I have no intention upon packing boxes and moving to exurbia in order to do extensive highway driving so I can experience the miracles of diesels.

    I will stay put where I live (the city core of Toronto unlike some other cities in North America is a nice place to live even with kids) and buy the future Lexus below:

    Lexus also is studying ``a hybrid that's engineered for really high mileage and really low emissions,'' Farley said, without elaborating.

    The above sounds like my dream car!

    The Irony of Ironies is that a forum member named Lexusguy may end up getting a German diesel while a diehard BMW fan forum member ends up getting a Lexus hybrid. :confuse:
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    The Irony of Ironies is that a forum member named Lexusguy may end up getting a German diesel while a diehard BMW fan forum member ends up getting a Lexus hybrid.

    Life is whichever it can be, then you exchange cars! :surprise: :D

    Jose
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Dewey,

    WHEN are you planning on getting your next car? There are many new models about to make their debut over the next two years.

    One thing I would say to you about that last post... I have read practically every post you have written for the past two years, and I once took the time to quickly scan some of the history of the HELM thread.

    That said, I believe you to be a true enthusiast whose only limitations are real-life practicalities. Of course, there is a subjective nature to just how practical you need to be. For example, obviously you went with the 4-door sedan when you bought the 335i. But... you DID buy the 335i!!!!! You could have easily bought something less fun to drive that got better fuel economy, but you went for that 300 HP twin turbo with all that TORQUE, and almost everyone on this board truly understands such a decision.

    When it comes time to make the next choice, I want to caution you to remember just how much fun it is to DRIVE a car! I feel sorry for people that get so overly practical that they never experience a good shot of adrenaline once in a while... and with that 335i of yours, I KNOW you understand what I'm talking about here.

    I could go on and on here, but I won't. You either understand what I'm saying or you don't... and I think you do. Don't let the practical side of your brain talk yourself into something that you won't ultimately enjoy, or the next thing you know, you'll be paying too much attention to Consumer Reports and carrying a clipboard around... and not enjoying driving any more.

    TagMan :blush::)
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    The Irony of Ironies is that a forum member named Lexusguy may end up getting a German diesel while a diehard BMW fan forum member ends up getting a Lexus hybrid.

    Stranger things have happened. If Audi brings their A6 3.0TDi over here I will definitely take a look at one.
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Moparbad has just posted this link in Diesel in the news thread:

    http://wardsauto.com/ar/bmw_diesel_us/

    Jose
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    GREAT article!!!... And... according to the article:

    “That makes it a performance engine in the American tradition of the stop-light Grand Prix,” Carlson says.

    Which makes the BMW diesel tons of fun in city driving!!!!!! :shades:

    I sure hope you have read this article, Dewey!!!

    Thank you for posting this article, jlbl. It couldn't have come at a better time. I think it will convince Dewey of what I was trying to say in my previous post!

    TagMan
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    ;)

    Jose
  • topspin628topspin628 Member Posts: 373
    Wright cares the most. He's not happy, and will become the team leader. He's my favorite Met!

    I agree. Wright seems to care the most, and LoDuca, though I'm not sure he will be back. Someone has to get to Reyes. Maybe they can sign Posada for one year and he can teach them how to be "professional" like the team 5 miles to the northwest.

    Watching the Rockies-Padres last night was great. Both teams were playing inspired, if not perfect baseball. Talk about caring. After every out someone was slamming a bat into the ground while someone else was punching the air with his fist. I didn't realize how "dead" the Mets looked until I watched those two teams.

    By the way, I placed my order for a 550i with sport package in Carbon Black. I should have the car in about 5-6 weeks. Really looking forward to this one. The sound of the engine and the look of the sport package really sold me on this car over the great turbo 6 cylinder. I will give a full review once I get it and hopefully before I have to do my winter tire change.
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    550i, carbon black, sport package… Congrats and Merry Drivings!

    Jose
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Hi Dewey

    I guess everyone goes through different stages..I have gone from just get there driving (saving the money)to flagrant aggressive, to economy, then luxury...Along the way I have found the high powered larger cars really are too powerful so the thrill is enjoyed at much greater speed...For me the Miata was the most fun car...Seemed as though you were going a hundred, but only turned out to be forty five..Light and nimble= fun...If I lived in a big city, I would like a elec car or hybred with a softer suspension..And if I had a garage then thing would be different on what an occasional car would be...I am at the point where I think I am tired of the huge depreciation , and think you may be right on the money with the European cost increases that the weaker dollar would bring....I have learned a lot from our fellow poster Hpowders, and now think leasing a car may not be the way to go...I hope to maybe make a change from my Audi to a bmw 5, and then keep them longer than I am accustomed, by occasionally swopping with wife....Her bmw 5, although not the best interior, still at two years old looks and drives fine and there is no reason to make a change....I suspect you went through an economical point , therefore the Mercedes diesel you still enjoy...That has been a good deal for you....Just remember back....Tony
  • sysweisyswei Member Posts: 1,804
    If I recall correctly, you own an A8? Do you not like it that much anymore? If so, why?
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Excuse me, but making a spectacle out of BEGGING the washed-up mercenary, Roger Clemens, to come back and save their season, for a cool $28M, having him parachute in during a game to make the proclamation, shouldn't make a Yankee fan swell with pride. :blush:

    The Yankees are far from perfect. They have a healthy list of transgressions.

    Don't get me started! :mad:

    DrFill
  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    "I guess we shouldn't be surprised when the germancarfans here...."

    That may be true that the GS is faster, much faster actually, but...

    The E320BT still gives you all of your trunk room. It is cleaner than the 450h(and no that is not a typo). It is way less complex, hence much more less likely to develop reliablility problems. And given the fact that it "only" has 215hp to work with here and still able to propel the relatively substantial E-Class to 60 in under 7 seconds and save you 8 grand in the bank over the GS is more than enough reason to take the hit on "performance" all the while enjoying the E320's 13mpg advantage over that car.

    And then you get to take it to the tuners for a little juice if you find it's not enough.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Hey Doc, the latest news is that Andruw Jones is now a free agent. You think Mets will be interested?

    Don't think a sign-and-trade will work though since no one in the Mets will be considered as a good fit for the Braves.
  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    "If Audi brings their A6 3.0TDi over here I will definitely take a look at one."

    If this does happen, bye bye 335i and hello A6 diesel.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    S-Class is down almost 15% this year. :blush:

    DrFill
  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    And the LS?

    Moreover, let's not forget that the S is still the car that's bringing home the bacon with the best profits for it's company.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    I don't think the E320 Bluetec can go 0-60 in "under 6 seconds" as you've stated. It's more like under 7 seconds. There is AT LEAST 1 second difference between the the two in 0-60 acceleration and that's a big difference in today's standard.

    As for the E320 BT being cleaner than the GS450h I would like to see the source which stated it. The GS450h is rated at SULEV but I couldn't find E320 BT's rating.

    The Prius has been on the market for almost 10 years now and I haven't heard any major reliability issue regarding the HSD technology. Given Toyota's track record in hybrids I really think the reliability is a moot point when comparing the GS450h and E320 BT.

    Edit: I see that you changed the "under 6 seconds" to "under 7 seconds"
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