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  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    so I took my car to the beach and shoot some pictures while you guys were buy here at the board... 60+ posts during the weekend, dang!! :surprise:

    I though I ought to share some pics with y'all:

    As you can see this one is not at the beach, I took this picture while in Las Vegas:
    image

    The rest are in Redondo Beach:
    image
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  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,331
    ...or the Suzuki SX4 hatch...

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,331
    Nice!!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Hey, Lou, don't get too besides yourself here. You're not the only one that had a good weekend and got out of town... :shades: Ever heard of a mobile device? A major percentage of my posts are mobile, and I'll bet others use mobile devices now and then, too. ;)

    OK... kidding aside, I am glad you had a nice weekend, and your car looks terrific!!

    BTW, I'm going to be considering the addition of a Dinan performance chip for my 135i. Horsepower should get to around 380+++. I checked to see if there are any performance chips for your IS350 and there are some from different sources... you could check them out and squeeze a bunch more performance out of it without breaking the bank.

    After that, we race!! ;)

    Edit: I'm p----'d off right now, as someone landed a big door ding on my Porsche this morning while I was eating breakfast at a restaurant with a friend... I came out to the parking lot and saw it, and you know the feeling... :sick:

    TagMan
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    How much would that chip run you, TM?

    -moo
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    How much would that chip run you, TM?

    Well, I didn't really word that correctly, as it's not just a chip exchange if you are considering using Dinan. And, the '08 performance service is a little different so far. From what I understand, at this point they want the ECU on an '08 car removed and then shipped. They download all the software changes (you see, actually it's not just a tuner chip... it's better than that.)

    The good news is that their service centers are in the Bay Area, only less than an hour's drive, so I might just make an appt. for the download. Dinan also has a factory-matching warranty with their performance upgrades... a VERY important factor, IMO. I don't know the price yet.

    Are you interested in this Scott? Because if you are, I'll be happy post more about the procedure and its price as I find out more in March or April. BTW, I believe that an oil-cooler is necessary to retain the factory-matching warranty.

    TagMan
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Too bad you didn't caught the offender on the spot, I feel sorry for ya. Get it fixed then it'll be all pretty again.

    I am not going to do anything to the powertrain, the next upgrade for me will likely be the strut and sway bars. After you got your 135i maybe we should meet up at a track during track day huh? ;)
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    I'm interested, yes. That's a big jump in HP and as you get more information, pass it along. ;)

    -moo
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Too bad you didn't caught the offender on the spot, I feel sorry for ya. Get it fixed then it'll be all pretty again.

    Yes, but had I seen it happen, I'd have likely lost my cool, and hit the guy or kicked a dent in his car door. :mad: It's better this way. ;)

    TM
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I'm interested, yes. That's a big jump in HP and as you get more information, pass it along.

    It is a big jump. The turbo boost gets a big increase in pressure, and the top-end speed limiter is disabled. I'll definately keep you posted as I find out more.

    BTW, I was just informed that my 135i has completed production, and is now awaiting transport. I have no idea how long that takes, but the production was quicker than I expected. March delivery should be a reality.

    TM
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Kick [non-permissible content removed]. Post pics or it didn't happen. ;)

    -moo
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Post pics or it didn't happen.

    LOL. I will.

    After the 135i arrives, and after it gets the Zaino treatment and the windows tinted, eventually I'll get around to posting some pics of it, and my 911 as well. I know this sounds riduculous, but I don't own a camera. My wife and daughter share one that they use to take a few family shots now and then, but that's it. I'll have to borrow it or get one of my associates here who has a nice digital SLR to take some shots in the Spring. :)

    TM
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    LG, looks like you might get to say "I told ya' so" on this one.

    nissan-considering-an-infiniti-gt-r-variant

    TM
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    I know this sounds riduculous, but I don't own a camera.

    It doesn't sound ridiculous, it IS. :surprise: You can get very nice ones for a couple hundred bucks (and cheaper).

    Ahh well, I look forward to seeing those pictures. ;)

    -moo
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    image

    First the RL, and now THIS! Uh oh. :sick:

    link title

    TM
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Although not what I had in mind for the TSX but this looks MUCH better than the RL. However, if Edmunds is right then it will remain FWD with a NA I4 (possible the 2.2L Diesel down the road) but this car desperately needs SH-AWD and at least the turbo-4.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    The problem I see is that Acura needs to break free of that front end look. They are stuck on it, and yet It's going to kill them.

    TM
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    The shield grille on the TSX looks okay compares to the execution on RL, I am still not used to it yet but maybe it'll grow on me.

    When I first saw Audi's buck tooth grille I thought that was the ugliest thing in the world but now I came to appreciate it. I think the execution on the R8, TT and new A4/5 was excellent.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    I'll have to borrow it or get one of my associates here who has a nice digital SLR to take some shots in the Spring.

    You really should think about getting your own camera. The really hot one this season is the new 12MP Canon Rebel XSi. I haven't held it yet, but it looks like they finally gave it a decent grip, it's no longer crippled for features compared to the 40D, it's got a huge 3" screen, and critically, contrast detect live view AF like the big Nikons, so multiple mirror flips aren't required. The competition is still catching up to the last Rebel in terms of image quality, so the XSi should be the king for quite some time. The body and something like the 18-55mm EF-S would come in at under $1K, and would be capable of some stellar shots.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    LG, looks like you might get to say "I told ya' so" on this one.

    I read about that this morning. It absolutely makes sense to me, the powertrain and platform are the hard part, and that's already done. Just lux it up a bit, and they've got an M6 killer.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Although not what I had in mind for the TSX but this looks MUCH better than the RL. However, if Edmunds is right then it will remain FWD with a NA I4 (possible the 2.2L Diesel down the road) but this car desperately needs SH-AWD and at least the turbo-4.

    From LLN:

    "Power for the base TSX is expected to come from a 2.4L i-VTEC four-cylinder — rated in the 220 to 230 horsepower range — driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.

    Look for Acura to offer a Type-S model of the TSX. Power is said to come from the turbocharged engine found in the Acura RDX — tuned to 260 horsepower — and will be connect to a six-speed manual or a DSG gearbox. But unlikely the base TSX, the Type-S is expected to use Honda's Super Handling All Wheel Drive."

    The shield grill isn't nearly as bad on the TSX as it is on the RL. It's tolerable here. Not pretty by any stretch, but at least tolerable. The front end of the TL will probably look very similar.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    If you want something a bit more fun than a Prius but still FWD, what about a Mazda3?

    Logically all your suggestions makes sense if applied to the general public. But I am different from most folks including the folks in this forum. I dont only want to own a benchmark performance sedan like a BMW335i but I also want to own a benchmark anti-enthusiast gas miser . About a decade ago I was about to place an order for a Honda Insight just before I bought a BMW323i. Two years ago I almost bought a hybrid Toyota Camry instead of a BMW 530xi Touring

    You may ask how on earth I can comparison shop such opposite types of cars. The answer to that is I like cars that are extreme on either end of the following spectrum:

    SlowFuel Miser.........Fast Performance Car

    I want either or of the above spectrum not a in between car like a Mazda 3 that is somewhat fuel efficient and somewhat fast. That's a compromise I cant live with. I want all of one specific thing (performance or fuel efficiency) or Nothing.

    There is no logic whatsoever in my biases. It's just the way I am in terms of picking cars. ;)
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Beautiful Car!

    Belated Congratulations. I know you bought the car a year or two ago.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Here's a warning to all of us auto enthusiasts. Maybe my desire to have a Prius is more logical than what I had originally thought it was. :surprise:

    The freedom to drive fast in a powerful car is fundamental to the mystique that auto makers use to sell cars. Now, as if the auto industry didn't have enough trouble, come more signs of a looming war on horsepower and speed.

    Still, the Insurance Institute/HLDI conclusion that higher horsepower correlates to increased insurance-claim losses across the board -- for younger and older drivers -- isn't a welcome development for the industry or consumers who like cars with larger power-to-weight ratios

    Taken as a whole, the IIHS's broadside against power and speed -- launched amid the bigger debate over the automobile's role in our energy and environmental problems -- should represent a warning to car makers and automotive enthusiasts. There's a backlash building against the idea of the car as an unassailable icon of freedom and power. America has changed since the late 1960's. The car culture may have to as well.

    The same issue of the Insurance Institute newsletter contains approving reports on the use of cameras to monitor speed and issue speeding tickets. In Montgomery County, Md., outside of Washington, D.C., the installation of speed cameras in certain 35 mile-per-hour speed zones dropped the proportion of vehicles driving 10 miles per hour over the limit by 70%, the IIHS reports.

    In Scottsdale, Ariz., a well publicized test of speed cameras on the Loop 101 highway also coincided with a substantial drop in speeding. The share of vehicles traveling faster than 75 miles per hour on the road fell to 1-2% from 15% before the cameras were installed, the IIHS reports. Arizona officials now are considering broader use of speed cameras.

    Wall Street Journal
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,331
    Naw, chances are you would have just been more frustrated. Probably some old woman so you couldn't hit her. Right? Right?..... :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    BTW, I'm going to be considering the addition of a Dinan performance chip for my 135i. Horsepower should get to around 380+++. I checked to see if there are any performance chips for your IS350 and there are some from different sources... you could check them out and squeeze a bunch more performance out of it without breaking the bank.

    Call me conservative but I would be very concerned about warranty issues and what kind of premature wear and tear this chip may cause to your twin turbo engine.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,331
    I always thought the new Accord kind of looked like a Saturn. The TSX with that new grill sure looks like a Saturn to me. I would like to see a Saturn Aura, Accord, and this new TSX pictured side by side.

    Anyone know how to do that?

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 17,762
    I'm not surprised; the same safety [non-permissible content removed] took a swipe at "high powered" motorcycles a few months ago. I'm in 100% agreement with what the Autoextremist(AKA Peter De Lorenzo) had to say about them:

    The bull**** that the denizens of the IIHS keep foisting off on the American public in the name of "saving" us from the evils of society is simply inexcusable. This organization is one of the chief contributors to the sniveling, mewling, whining defeatist mindset that's overrun this country - one that aspires to mediocrity and entitlement - while assigning blame to everyone else for our abject stupidity (as we carefully monitor everyone's feelings in the process, of course). Pathetic.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • bmlexusbmlexus Member Posts: 755
    Least surprising - BMW X6. This is actually surprising (LOL), because I expected to be surprised, but wasn't. It looks pretty much identical to how it does in photos. This could be due to several things: A) it was on a car show stand, B) it had the standard wheels that don't fill the wheel wells and C) it was tucked into a corner, while it should've had its own display.

    Most photogenic - Audi S5. I couldn't stop taking shots of this thing. My best shot is with my camera somewhat low to the ground, the silver S5's LEDs aglow, with people around it, not close enough to mess up the shot but not far enough to make one think that the car doesn't draw a crowd. It does, most definitely, but it was the R8 getting all the attention.


    So did u really like the x6 much more than your x5? is there a big difference in size between them does it look really better in real than compare to the x5.
    the good bits and bad bits abt the x5 vs x6

    It seems u really liked the S5 it seems to be more practical than the R8.

    Whats the difference between X5 M package an d normal x5?

    Does any1 think wil the new 7 series wil be much better the current s class.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Call me conservative but I would be very concerned about warranty issues and what kind of premature wear and tear this chip may cause to your twin turbo engine.

    The good thing about Dinan chip is that it will be fully covered by BMW's original manufacture's warranty (at least that's what I heard). However, I am very conservative like you when comes to modding my car so I would just stay away from the powertrain in order to avoid any unnecessary problems.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Not exactly "side by side" but close enough...

    image
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    I don't think the TSX looks like a Saturn but I can see the correlation between the TSX and Aura grilles.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,331
    Thanx Wei. In spite of the resemblance, put a nice diesel in that TSX and it would be very tempting.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Sorry about the ding....When my wife`s bmw was very new, it got a ding in the front top hood, and amazingly they pushed it out without re painting or anything...I think it cost maybe a hundred or therabouts...They did it at the bmw dealer, and I couldn`t see, or feel it when I Zainoed her car....Tony
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,331
    Funny, the things we remember. This particular memory goes back about 22 years. I had just gotten my new BMW 325. I was sitting in it in a grocery store parking lot waiting for my wife to pick up a few things. A cart got loose from an old woman about 30 feet away and was rolling right toward my new car. I was paralyzed and simply could not move. WHAM! Right into the passenger side rear quarter panel.

    She came walking up saying how sorry she was, and although for a split second I could have shot her, I just smiled and told her not to worry about it. It left a nice ding but I have had an extremely good life since then. It probably would not have turned out so well if I had gone to jail for murder! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    There was no X6 at the show I attended. Was it that same red color that is being shown in all the media?

    Yeah, it was an X6 35i with the standard rims in metallic red.

    Of course, I must ask if you saw a 135i? If so, what color? What was your impression of the car?

    I did! And it was in Sedona Red, which I actually liked, a lot... maybe it's the lighting? There was a 128i cabrio next to it in Platinum Bronze, which wasn't as good. Overall, it looks how a small BMW should. Very upscale without encroaching on the others.

    How about the Fiskar Karma electric car? Any chance you were lucky enough to see that car?

    I didn't, and to me that sounds like a bunch of BS. A car that's almost as beautiful (and almost as fast) as a Quattroporte, that can be plugged in every day, coming in a little over a year for only $80K? Get outta town!

    I was like... me, in an auto show, which is better, yes!

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    I love your IS! It's the perfect Lexus, IMO. Refined and luxurious without sacrificing performance or sleek styling.

    Those are some great angles, but you're in need of a decent camera to flatter them... if you want a great pocket cam, try a Canon SD870 IS, but if you want to be more serious, the Nikon D40 is a fabulous starter dSLR...

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    BLAH!

    I already saw it, and my sentiments are: better than the RL, but that's not saying much. IMO, it's a step backwards from the very attractive current model. This, combined with the RL, make the TL Type-S look extremely beautiful...

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    There is no logic whatsoever in my biases. It's just the way I am in terms of picking cars.

    Alright then, feel free to ignore my post regarding the A3 and GTI (and Jetta TDI).

    Edit: Nevermind, I deleted it.

    I guess it is nice to have both... but I'm at a point where I like to indulge in my purchases. No, it isn't a mid-life crisis (that was quite a few years ago :cry:), but it's the "I can afford this so I'm going to get it" period.

    And I've decided that this is going to be the year of the anti-Audi. I may get a Jag, Merc or BMW, but not an Audi sedan. Strange, huh?

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    So did u really like the x6 much more than your x5? is there a big difference in size between them does it look really better in real than compare to the x5. the good bits and bad bits abt the x5 vs x6

    No, I've decided I still like the X5 more. We made the right decision in not waiting for the X6, although now I'm wishing we had the diesel X5!

    Don't get me wrong, the X6 is an attractive car, but it's not as brilliantly different as I thought it was going to be. I think I'm going to wait until I see it on the road to cement my opinion on it.

    It seems u really liked the S5 it seems to be more practical than the R8.

    There's no question, the S5 is definitely more practical than the R8. However, they don't compete. The S5 is for people who can't afford an R8! :P S5 is $55K, R8 is more than twice that. They're both just gorgeous, though. I'll put a few shots up of notable cars from the show.

    Whats the difference between X5 M package an d normal x5?

    It's purely aesthetic. The M aero kit X5 has an M bumper, M wheels and an M rear valance. There are pictures of one on this page:

    http://www.x5world.com/x5-e70-forum/42493-its-here-white-w-saddle-brown.html

    Click on the shots to make them bigger.

    I'm not sure about the 7. It's never been quite as good as the S-Class.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Here are my best shots from yesterday. Enjoy.

    img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1457dl0.jpg - Nissan GT-R

    img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1499kp9.jpg - Audi R8

    img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1514ea4.jpg - BMW M5

    img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1521sc7.jpg - BMW 135i

    img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1532ce2.jpg - Porsche stand

    img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1579jx8.jpg - Lexus IS-F (must see!)

    img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1586kz3.jpg - Jaguar XF leaper

    img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1606ql9.jpg - Hyundai Genesis

    img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1622kd9.jpg - Chevy Malibu

    img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1687eh4.jpg - Jaguar XF

    img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1467di6.jpg - Jaguar XF interior

    img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1696rf2.jpg - BMW M3 coupe

    img507.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1690ho3.jpg - Audi S5 (must see!)

    For some reason, it wouldn't let me post actual images, but anyway...

    I love you, ImageShack! :D

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    OK, ESF, NEVER SAY I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR YOU!!!... LOL...

    HERE'S YOUR PICS... COURTESY OF TAGMAN...
    ;)

    image

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    image

    image

    image

    image

    image

    image

    image

    image

    Very nice indeed!!
    TM :shades:
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Thank you very much!

    I don't know why it didn't work for me...

    However, there is one shot that's missing: the Five Axis IS-F. I got an incredible macro shot of that car. I'm pretty sure I labeled it in my other post.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    You're welcome. I'll post your IS-F pic for you later this morning. I remember seeing it. It's a cool shot.
    TM
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Thanks for the compliment.

    I am not big into cameras so I just grabbed my girlfriend's (Sony DSC-W90). I think it is a decent enough pocket cam, when we bought it late last year it was on the high end within its equivalents. The picture quality is a little bit fuzzy I think it's due to the sunlight angle and some of the pictures were taken at the maximum zoom. I may try again this weekend if weather permits at a different time to see if the result will differ.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    I'll do it, you also missed a few others...

    image
    image
    image
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Very glad you got it figured out. I didn't intend to sign up as your picture-posting assistant on any long-term basis. ;)

    Hey! I like that IS-F shot. What kind of paint job is on that thing anyway?

    TM
  • 2001gs4302001gs430 Member Posts: 767
    Nice car, and the weather as well. We've been stuck in 18 F plus wind chill and snow for the past few days. Are the last few pics with the shorter springs?
    I was too busy drooling over vacation properties in Florida on the weekend. Does anyone here knows if St George Island, Fl, a good place for vacation/winter home?
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Hey Tony!
    Thanks for that post. I'm already feeling better. I found out about a guy right down the street from my company that apparently is very talented at removing those nasty dings. Thanks again!
    TM
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Let us know if he uses something called "Dent Wizard". My dealer got out 2 dings for me and the outcome was flawless. Its the pdr (paintles dent removal) process.

    link title

    Regards,
    OW
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    but if you want to be more serious, the Nikon D40 is a fabulous starter dSLR...

    It was two years ago, but the D40 is a bit of an old dog these days. The D40x and the upcoming D60 have updated the formula a bit, but it is still quite lagging behind Canon. Not only is there no contrast detect live view (as on Nikon's D300), there's no live view at all. The newest Digital Rebel just mops the floor with the entry-level competition, though its price at $800 for the body is a bit high. The Olympus E-410 with the 14-42mm Zuiko kit lens has live view and will take better pictures than the D40, and comes in about half the price as the Rebel XSi.
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