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Comments
Looking forward to April so I can try one.
Anyhow, to my eyes, I believe the car would look quite nice in "white."
I built one for "only" $42,675. I anticipate many more orders for the 128i will be placed than the 135i.
Looking forward to driving the 135i in April. Should be a lot of fun!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I think I can project what would happen to me if I drove up to the house in a 135i on July 31, 2008:
No rum cake for me for at least a month. :shades:
I think I could live with that.
Consider that right now with that trouble-free and fun-to-drive silver-streak 545i, you are getting all the rum cake you need... I wonder if you aren't already in the best situation.
After all, you have your car and you can eat the cake too!
TM
Although we have gone over this a year or two ago, what might work is keeping the present auto, and when they next change the style, get the station wagon (sport wagon) as we have...It is really very comfortable, plenty of room, drives nicely, and will probably have a diesel (if you so desired)...Of all the cars we have owned, it just doesn`t age, and it gets above thirty mpg the way my wife drives...In the past you have been interested in the two year lease, but maybe this is a thought for you.....Tony ps Where has Blkhemi gone....He has had some great insights for almost any type of car, and a world traveler to boot-----Maybe that was his plane in Architecual Digest this past month
The problem is the wife doesn't drive and we have half of the garage already filled with 2 golf carts. The wife uses one of the golf carts to get around. I would hate to have two vehicles and park one in the driveway that I would always have to be moving out of the way. If she drove we would have an SUV for practicality and I could have my fun car.
We do need the space of an SUV, but I will drive the 135i anyway to see what I will be missing.
I have a feeling that if I CPO the "silver streak" with BMW and buy it outright, I may only have to go no more than 2 weeks without the rum cake. This is doable!
The 135i would definitely cost me a month's supply of rum cake. No doubt about it.
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately BMW wagons entail some of BMW's most expensive leases. Never a bargain.
Because of your suggestion, I will be keeping an eye on the 5 Series wagon's residual value and money factor from month to month as issued by BMWFS.
I've learned that this is absolutely accurate. So, I can have no dipstick (with a questionable oil level sensor), run-flat tires (with all the joy that brings) & a crappy lease deal. What's not to like?
Well. . .
Upon returning from the swim meet and consuming left over pizza, it was on (for Dad and Jason) to the annual Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby! For those not in the know, scouts are given a Pinewood Derby car kit (a block of wood, four nails and four plastic tires) and must put together a car to be raced down a 30' long track, gravity being the engine. Four cars at a time, round robin against your fellow Den members. Top four from each Den move on to the semi-finals with the top four in the semis vying for the top ranking. Cars built range from yes, that looks like it was built by a father/son, to no kid touched that car to, "So, how long have you worked at NASA?"
Last year was an embarrassment (if it is possible to be embarrassed at such an event?) as Jason's car finished no better than third in each of his four first round robin races. So, his car was going nowhere but to the practice track of shame to be ridiculed by the rest of the cars from The Isle of Misfit Toys. Jason recovered rather quickly from this shame (I believe he was over it before we actually raced...) whilst I would not know of such a crushing defeat again until this past Super Bowl (almost over it, not quite, getting there... Just flashbacks now....) and had this black Pinewood Derby cloud hanging over my head (it's rather crowded over my head, black cloud-wise...) for the past year.
2008 would be different, I vowed. So, all through January and February I spent literally an hour of solid research, planning, cutting, polishing and wondering what this tool is for as I produced a car that could proudly be held aloft, admired and noted, "Yes, this is definitely a Pinewood car that a father with limited tools and talents and his 9 year old son built!" Jason asked if he could do some cutting and I said of course, thrilled he was so into this. After about 9 seconds of sawing, he noted it was difficult and went back to watching Sponge Bob as I continued to be tortured by a small block of wood. But when I had completed the build, I handed the now somewhat more "wedge-ish" block of wood to Jason and told him he was responsible for giving the car its personality. He would paint it! We discussed a "wedge of cheese look" or "pizza slice." I left him to ponder this. He spent a half day release from school afternoon painting the car and upon my return home from work, he showed me the car: It was green with some black, red and white. Ok, we're the Eco-friendly racer instead of "Cheese Racer..."
So, a bit tired, we arrived at the race venue yesterday. After admiring some of the more ornate and creative cars, it was time to race. I haven't been this nervous since the Pats gave the Giants the ball back with over two and a half minutes left in the game...see, another flashback. Anyway, after a last minute inspection, the car was placed on the track along side the three other cars (one beautifully crafted as a Dragon, that is one talented 9 year old...) and the race began. Approximately 3.5 seconds later, we had won! And we won the second heat. Came in second in the third and third in the fourth heat. I theorize that my intricately polished and angled wheels had become a bit skewed slowing us a bit in races 3 &4, I should have been quicker in the pits with my tool belt... And my lethargy could have cost us, but:
We are now tied for fourth with 13 point, vying for the last spot in the semis. So, a one race runoff with the aforementioned Dragon car! I inspected/adjusted the wheels and released the car to Jason for the race. And... we slayed the dragon! 'Twas truly beauty that killed the beast! Jason was pretty excited at this point, as was I. I could taste the sweet nectar of vindication (tasted a bit like Gatorade). Worst to first, I have a dream!
On to the semis, four races against the other top 19 cars (of an original field of ~ 80 cars). Well, if there was an award for consistency, we would have won as Jason's car placed second in all four of his races, giving us 12 points and an overall 8th place finish.. Had we been able to garner a couple of firsts, a different story. End of a dream as only the top four move on to the finals. But, both father and son were pleased, proud, exhausted and thrilled with this miraculous turn around from the ignominy of the 2007 race.
By now, I'm sure you're on your feet standing and cheering, Rocky Balboa-like. And, there will be a rematch next year... great.
Or you're wondering how to get the last few moments of your life back...
Jason proudly accepted his "2008" Finalist trophy along with an award for "Best use of stickers" (I cut up assorted return address labels w/American flags, Olympic rings and a doggie and slapped 'em on the car to tug at the heart strings of the crowd). We finally returned home around 5pm to the proud squeals of delight from Mom as we held high the "finalist" trophy. Daughter, well, we hadn't seen her since the swim meet ended. I believe she sequestered herself downstairs with computer, cell phone and TV...
Thanks for your rapt attention, I hope you enjoyed this tale of greed, lust and redemption. Back to reality tomorrow. But for now, we're #8!!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
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Do the other members a favor and post that on Stories from the Frontlines. That's an awesome tale!
-moo
You're a guy I'd have a beer or two with. BTW, my son is 8 1/2, so I'm living the similar experience right there with ya', but we have not done the Pinewood Derby that's for sure... something I now know has been clearly missing from our lives!! LOL.
Thanks a bunch!
Oh, yeah... sounds like you might need to put some new tools on your birthday or Christmas list.
TagMan
I think I can project what would happen to me if I drove up to the house in a 135i on July 31, 2008:
I think you can.
You would gain NOTHING by buying or leasing a different sedan or coupe. Keep the silver streak.
If you go COV or SUV, then that's a whole different story. Look at your choices for a second, and and you know darned well that you've got issues with that MDX, as practical as it might be... there are just things about it that will bug you forever. so, forget about it. And the RX?... you know you don't like it. That's not how anyone should feel about their vehicle, so forget about that one too.
Now, the X5... it gets your nod just for being a BMW... 'cause you love Bimmers!... nothing right or wrong about that... it's just the way it is for you. If you go the SUV route, you'd have to take a good look at the X5, and also the X3 for comparision. In addition the X5 X-Drive 35d will be out soon, and maybe you will want to consider it, although I expect it might carry a hefty price tag. Maybe even a ridiculous price tag.
If I'm not mistaken here, the clock is counting down on you and it sounds like you must finally make up your mind as to whether or not you are going to go from a sedan to an SUV or COV. That's your primary decision.
If you decide you really need the SUV, then you've got homework to do. If you don't, then you are already driving the right car.
One more thing about this, if I may... consider that if you buy your 545i, you can always make a change in the future if a vehicle comes along that makes more sense for you and your wife. In the meantime, you'll have your favorite car to drive, and what's wrong with that?
Silver-streak 545i, wife's rum cake, and real Kona coffee. Some of life's simple and great pleasures. :shades:
TagMan
:surprise:
Congratulations!
Regards,
Jose
Any sedan I exchange the 545i for would pale in comparison, unless it is a 550i. My 545i is proven to be reliable and I would not exchange it.
The problem with the X3 and X5 is the lack of practical total cubic feet behind the first row. The MDX beats both.
I drove the MDX and it was satisfactory. I wish it came with an automatic liftgate and front sensors, though. To get the liftgate, one must buy the rear DVD system. I have no use for that. Rear sensors are an option, but alas, not the front.
I wouldn't be totally satisfied with any SUV or COV out there. Always compromises.
Thanks again for the valuable post!
To sum up: Nice exterior, but inside lurks an out-of-wack, lopsided mess. :sick:
TagMan
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I'm oft told that I'm wasting my creative juices tending to Insurance Systems in order to eke out a meager existence... :sick:
Siento, Jose. At this point, no pix of the car as I believe that a digital image would steal its soul as well as speed...! As I said, it ain't pretty (like, imo, Bangle designs
Off to New Hampster tomorrow for a few days of skiing with la familia. Will take the Evil Wife's RX. It might snow, I'll freak her out by not pressing the snow button when the flakes start to fly!
Got the RX washed yesterday in anticipation of the trip up north. "Free" lifetime washes at the dealership where we bought and I take advantage of that. I was too early as the hot dog roaster and popcorn machine were being rolled out for the anticipated Patriotic throng of President Weekend shoppers... Did have a muffin and bagel, though. They may have gotten me on the front end purchase, but I'm takin' em with the perks for the past 6 years!
But, I ain't hurtin' em as (previously mentioned) they now have the largest (claimed) Lexus dealer en Los Estados Unidos...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The center stack appears to be something of a blend of their old style center stack from the S60 which was canted towards the driver, and the new "floating" stack. I'm sure there will be several interior color options, this is just what was leaked to the net before the official introduction.
TM
Coming down the Maine Turnpike and into NH and MA tonight in the freezing rain/snow and gloom, my thoughts turned to state police vehicles and how ill equipped, ill specced and indeed low tech they are compare to the typical luxury car on the road tonight. I can recall when the Mass Turnpike was first opened in the mid-1960's that the state police vehicles then operating on the Mass Pike were state of the art cars. The fleet was composed of big Chrysler sedans and wagons with fitted with Detroit's latest Chrysler V8 and Blue Streak Police Pursuit tires. Not so with today's highway patrol vehicles.
Lets start with the front end, many state police fleets hang a big cow catcher of a grill bar on the front end. The 150 pounds of tubing and fasteners hanging off the hood of an already front-end heavy car must do wonders for its handling. While it looks nice and macho, I've never, ever seen a police cruiser push a car with this thing and I wonder how it will affect the air bag sensors.
Rather than moving weight off the front end and installing a great battery like an Optima in the trunk, GM and Ford police cars stick with an OEM battery and keep it mounted up front. Tires. Years ago you would see Goodyear (or was it B F Goodrich?) "Police Pursuit" tires on these vehicles. No more. Tire technology has improved and many, many people in New England now are running winter tires such as Blizzaks. Yet the state police who are out at 3:00 AM on icy turnpikes are still running all season tires. Their Ford Crown Vics are so loaded down with electronics that they ride low in the rear. Does Ford offer composite, light weight panels, remove the rear seat, to cut down on the weight etc? Nope, they instead advertise protective inserts for the doors and front fenders against small caliber weapons, adding to the weight. (While protecting a police officer's life if important, I'm not too sure how well door inserts work.)
Side curtain air bags, roof surround air bags (like on an Expedition), Electronic Stability Control, and the ilk? You won't find these in most state police cruisers. Given their duty cycle of lots of idling time, you would think that Chevy would put the 5.3 V8 with its on demand cylinder shut down feature in their cop cars. Sorry.
Any sedans with AWD? Nope. Some fleets do though have massive and ill handling Expedtions. Many high end cars offer zenons and almost all have fog lites. Someone should tell the police about this new technology.
All in all, state police fleets would do well to raise the spec levels on their sedans for a more effective and safer vehicle.
Unfortunately, that's also the old Volvo. The XC60 is the "new" Volvo.
TM
The second interior was from the S60, which is due for replacement. When it is replaced, you can be sure it will have an interior a lot more like the first one. That is the direction that Volvo started going in with the S40, and like the Audi nose, you just kind of have to get used to it as it will be spreading across their entire line. I don't really dislike it. I wouldn't get the cream and brown seats, but the interior isn't bad. If on the other hand the only engine choice is their 3.2L 235hp I6, then forget it.
I don't get how Volvo thinks they can raise prices and go head to head with the luxury heavy weights, and yet still bring a butter knife to a gun fight, engine wise. Their turbo 5s were never competitive with the competition's sixes, and this new NA 3.2L isn't competitive either. To compete with the GLK350, the next X3 which I'm sure will get twin turbos, and the EX35, Volvo needs to offer an XC90 T6.
The X3 may get the twin turbo, but the interesting news is putting that twin turbo in the upcoming X1... a little screamer SUV!
TagMan
You're probably right about that. There were a few oddballs out there who bought S60 and V70Rs, but not enough to keep the Volvo R brand alive. I don't expect a Volvo to be a scorcher, but if I'm going to buy one I want it to be at least reasonably competitive, acceleration wise. The V70 and the XC70 are slugs, not competitive with the 5 or E wagons or even the A6 Avant. There's an expectation when you're paying $40K+ for a car that it will get you to 60 in I would say a maximum of 7.5 seconds, no matter who makes it. A RAV4 V6 can easily manage that task, but Volvo's 235hp six just can't hack it. That's not good. If a car is too slow, it starts to become unsafe in merging and passing situations. I wouldn't want to be in a well over 8 second Volvo trying to pass a truck on a two lane.
Acura dealers can expect a "huge shift" in the next year that will move the brand closer to tier 1 luxury brands such as Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
"In the next year there will be a huge shift toward tier 1, and the dealer body is excited about that shift," said Valerie Voyles, CEO of the Ed Voyles Automotive Group in metro Atlanta. "With the new products coming, we're moving forward a great deal. We have great faith in the future."
Acura's flagship, the RL, was just revealed during the Chicago Auto Show with a "minor model change," said Dick Colliver, American Honda Motor Co. sales boss. Acura is Honda's luxury brand. Based on these sedan changes and Acura's pledges of new models, "we have great faith in the future," Voyles said.
"We're not up there with Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but a big shift is coming," Voyles said. "You'll see more separation of the brands (Acura and Honda), with more Acura-only product."
Colliver said Acura dealers will learn more product details at the dealership meeting in New Orleans in April. He predicted that "the face of Acura will be completely different in five years."
Regards,
Jose
Having dismantled my crashed 530d the official BMW mechanic shop insists there is no structural chassis or engine damage; they also say the value of the car damaged parts is 14,000 €. Adding this to the expected labor cost, the repair sum will still be well under the value of a similar car of her age and specs, which is just below 30,000 €. Thus, in agreement with the insurance company, they are going to repair the car. Although I asked to get ride of the car and get the money value of a similar car of her age and specs instead, the insurance company refuse to do so—not surprisingly considering its viewpoint :sick: and, may be, possible money discounts from the shop :confuse: .
So, I am going to keep the rented BMW 1-Series for two or three more months until receiving my repaired car. I will then pass the compulsory National Test for damaged cars and then I will most probably sell her to buy a new 335d Coupe if the re selling value still is financially sound, which I fervently hope. (I will keep an eye on other models and brands, I am not a BMW blind-eyed man; though I reckon that up to date it is the brand most appealing to my brain & senses, all these indeed including my nasty personal fancies and biases :P .)
Any comment will be welcomed.
Regards,
Jose
But at least now you are looking at a BMW335d which to me sounds like an amazing car based on both its performance and fuel efficiency specs.
I myself am open to buying a car that is a non-BMW and I think in a few years hence there will be far better alternatives than there are today especially from Audi and who knows maybe even MB( hybrid Blutec).
While BMW has suffered a sales decline in the USA during January their fortunes are quite differrent in Europe.
Sparked by revived demand on their home turf, BMW saw European new-car registrations last month rise 13% from the year earlier, while Daimler's registrations increased 7.7%, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, or ACEA, said Friday.
Who had the worst sales performance in Euorpe?
In contrast, Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corp. was the market's worst-performing major auto maker for the latest month with a 10.5% slump
WALL STREET JOURNAL
Many people think Volvos are the safest cars on earth and that is why people still buy Volvos. Volvo is still in business because of this misinformed fiction about their safety. The truth is Volvos are not the safest cars on earth. The safety gap between Volvos and many other major marques is non-existent and in fact it can be argued that many marques have surpassed the safety of Volvos.
That notorious politician named Joseph Goebbels once said that if you keep on repeating a deceptive slogan over and over again people will begin believing it as a fact and not as a fiction. That observation also applies to car safety.
A friend and I had just finished a round of golf and were heading home. Luckily, no serious injuries. I was lucky on at least two counts.
First, this car had those little automatic seat belts that ran on a track and I had not fastened my lap belt. When we spun I hit the shoulder belt so hard that I cracked a couple of ribs, but it held. My passenger had buckled up completely and was unscathed.
Secondly, if I had seen this guy and hit the brakes he would have probably hit us more squarely on the passenger side. I hate to think about that.
At any rate the insurance settlement was complicated by the fact that we both had the same insurance carrier. This is not a good thing if you are the one not at fault.
At any rate they decided to repair the car over my objections. I think the original estimate was around $12,000. but they ended up spending around $18,000. They said they would have totaled it if they had known. Served them right.
I immediately traded it in on a new Acura Legend without too much loss in value and the whole thing worked out OK.
I remember joking with my doctor. I asked him how long it would be before I could play golf and he said about 3 weeks. I said good because I could never play before. He didn't laugh much, no sense of humor.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Very true, and I am not one of them. I don't think they are the safest, and I will never buy one. Their safety record is one of being pioneers, IMO, and there is little doubt that today there are many other marques that excel in safety. However, in their earlier days, Volvo deserves some of that pioneering credit, as you know better than most... you wouldn't be alive if it weren't for a Volvo!
But safety is not just about the vehicle absorbing a crash, which is a wonderful engineered capability... it's also about surviving one with the least amount of injury to the occupants in the interior of the vehicle, and more importantly, avoiding a crash altogether.
You are also correct that Volvo has successfully hammered that safety messsage so consistently, that the car has a natural appeal to the maternal instincts of many moms who insist on driving nothing but a Volvo.
But as you indicated, if safety is the primary concern, there are many other very safe marques to easily consider nowadays, thankfully.
With regards to LG's interesting posts, I think they illustrate just how unusual Volvo's styling continues to be, and just how poor they are as performers.
TagMan
So... when you got back on the course, how did that first swing feel?
TM
So true. Volvo's have a driving feeling of not being able to get out of their own way.
If you can avoid the accident entirely, that's the best scenario.
-moo
Here are the IIHS's Top Safety Picks for 2008:
Large Cars
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus (with electronic stability control)
Mercury Sable (with electronic stability control)
Volvo S80
Midsize Cars
Audi A3
Audi A4
Honda Accord
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy (with electronic stability control)
Midsize Convertibles
Saab 9-3
Volvo C70
Small Cars
Subaru Impreza (with electronic stability control)
Minivans
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona
Midsize SUVs
Acura MDX
Acura RDX
BMW X3
BMW X5
Ford Edge
Ford Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Veracruz (built after August 2007)
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Saturn Vue (built after December 2007)
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Highlander
Volvo XC90
Small SUVs
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Infiniti EX35
Subaru Forester (with electronic stability control)
Large Pickup
Toyota Tundra
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Any comments or surprises?
TagMan
no cayenne is the SUV
A6 consider large car and accord mid size is there a big difference?
too many SUV's for top safety award
I guess the symbol is Euros? My experience with a wrecked car-- the value is way lower at the time of sale....It would seem to me that if you could document another car like your own, and it`s value before the wreck, it might serve you well if you are poorly treated when you go to trade..Possibly you could get the insurance company to pay you that amount...Too bad the car wasn`t leased....Good luck Tony ps Possibly you could get the bmw dealer to take the car in trade now ??
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
You should also post this question in the Questions About Auto Insurance & Accidents topic. There are some very knowledgeable folks hanging out there who can give you some pointers.
Hope it works out well for you.
(If I already gave you that link, I apologize - I have no memory anymore. :-D)
Yes, the € symbol stands for Euros.
As posted, the value of a car like mine but with no wreck is just 30,000 € now.
Damaged pieces will cost 14,000 € and labor will add up to an estimate of 20,000, may be 25,000 €.
The insurance company is prepared to give me that money minus VAT 16% minus other 15% due to this-&-that and bla-bla-bla.
I should next have to pay the cost of having dismantled the car into pieces to be diagnosed but I will still get the pieces to sell them. Say I could have at the end about 15,000-17,000 € minus the time lost in selling the remnants.
The alternative is to have the car repaired in order to sell her afterwards. As you said, the best option probably will be to get the BMW dealer to take the car in trade for a new car. I think the BMW dealer will value the repaired car better than any other BMW or brand dealer. (After all, they guarantee the repair; on the other hand I am happy with the deal I cut from this BMW dealer when I bought new the wrecked car.)
Meanwhile, I will still loose the rentals of the 1-Series and the depreciation of the wrecked/repaired car from Dec 2007 to April 2008. I have spoken to the dealer in order to buy a 335d. I hope the BMW dealer will offer no less than 25,000 € for the repaired car.
Regards,
Jose
PS: Dan, I will keep posting along the process.
Thanks again,
Jose