By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
The officially published consume for a 2007 335d (*) is still slightly below the officially published consume of a 2004 530d. Therefore I am confident that with my 335d I will at least keep up with the consume of my former 530d as averaged by me (odometer and tank fillings) along 61,000 miles from the day I bought it to 100 miles before the crash (**).
(*)The published 335d consume is (converted into USA Units):
Highway&road, 44.4 miles•gallon
Town, 25.8 44.4 miles•gallon
Combined, 35.1 44.4 miles•gallon
I am sure I will not match these figures in real life!
(**)What I hope is I will be able to match my 530d consume, which was 36.6, 20.2 and 30.8, respectively. (I used to drive 74% Highway&road.)
Regards,
Jose
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
The best advice on any car forum. Agree completely.
Regards,
OW
I read them and I found it very helpful. I also read some comments specific on 335d like this:
link title
And I was listening to 335d drivers over here. Eventually I test drive one, but only along a few kilometers.
I will take delivery next Friday. I am salivating too.
Regards,
Jose
I am not knocking Lexus, they deserve success but the price point is a major factor.
(I am taking advantage now to thank anyone who has greeted me because of the car! My wife and I have planned to go for a driving ride next Sunday; I will post my feelings and some pics too.)
Regards,
Jose
Regards,
Jose
Regards,
Jose
Regards,
Jose
An unnecessary post, but I just cannot believe how good this particular forum has become. This is a great group of worldwide participants. I am a member of a number of other website forums, but this one is my favorite by far! I wish some of the past members were here, of course, but that is the nature of forums like this. Anyway, I appreciate and thank every one of you for your participation and interesting and valuable contributions.
There is simply nothing else on this planet quite like this place!
Thanks again!
TagMan
Anyone driven it yet?
My question comes after some consideration that the rear seat room in the 1-Series convertible sounds very tight, according to the descriptions in the April car rags. They love the car, but comment on how tight the rear seats are in the convertible, which concerns me. It made me think that the 3-Series could be a better choice?
So, does anyone know about this latest M3?
TagMan
Edmund's True Cost To Own estimator shows the following over a 5 year period @ 15,000 miles per year driven:
1. 2008 Hummer H2 (The Big One)- $89,432 or $1.19 per mile.
2. 2008 Mercedes S class- $116,000 or $1.55 per mile.
In light of the above, and since neither of these vehicles is a necessity, what are your feelings about the S class and its owners?
You don't really need to answer that, but it is something to think about!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I agree. I read this forum daily... don't always comment as I am in agreement with the majority of what I read and don't want to simply take up space, but I have also learned a lot! The knowledge and contrasting opinions are stimulating. If you take the approach with an open-mind, it can be as rewarding as any informative reporting out there! :shades:
There are many self-indulging vehicles out there. I have no issues with the choices of others, as I recently posted at length.
Hummers are, unfortunately, the iconic representation of gas hog and anti- environmental waste.
However, in reality, Hummer owners have just as much right to their choice as the rest of us... IMHO.
TM
In the short term definitely yes. In the long term the consumer perception of S-Class prestige would be tarnished and probably have a negative affect on S-Class sales. Kind of like Rolex discounting their watches to the same level as equivalent Omegas. At first Rolex sales would boom but later on Rolex sales would stagnate and no longer be considered the top in terms of prestige.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Without resorting to naming all the icons out there, the point I am making is that the Hummer marque has widespread brand recognition... one of the most powerful. Even if it is currently negative to many, General Motors has the distinct and fortunate opportunity to capitalize on that iconic brand recognition by offering exciting products that are fuel-efficient. This can, and I suspect will, be accomplished by offering both hybrid and diesel powertrain alternatives as well as smaller models in the future. If these things are accomplished, it is theoretically possible that Hummer could be a major threat to Jeep, which, of course, has been the off-road icon for decades, as well as changing the highly-recognized Hummer image to a more positive one.
Let's see if this does or doesn't actually happen.
TagMan
I think some folks buy cars to reflect their ego, some to get pure joy out of the experience of the drive and some a combination of both.
I respect everyones decision on their ride. I might not understand it (Hummer) but it's their reality.
The S Class is good for me, I'd take an S55, please!
Regards,
OW
But the whole point of a S Class or a LS or a A8 or a 7 Series is strictly for conspicuous consumption. It's all about excess and indulgence and not about neccessity. These class of cars are bought more for symbolic reasons than anything else. They are bought by someone who wants to buy something that only successful or wealthy or accomplished people can afford
This is why I feel luxury marques are shooting themselves on their own foot when they start discounting their cars with wonderfully tempting lease deals or big MSRP discounts. In the long term this kind of pricing will dilute their images and the wealthy will seek other brands that are not so discounted.. I read in the Wall Street Journal that BMW328i lease deals in the USA are equivalent to lease deals for Ford Tauruses. OUCH!!!! .
.
A Hummer? Same thing. There is nothing practical about and is definitely an excess but it symbolizes something else altogether (power, toughness, bigness, masculinity).
Regards,
OW
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Yes indeed... and the un-human people are even weirder!
TM
OW, thank you!
TM
Just have to share.
I think you did very well, pricewise and the auto....Maybe you could give some additional insight to the one series you were driving as a rental, as it may be helpful to Tagman.....To me just looking at the car it looks a bit small if you needed the back seat often....Looking forward to your new car report Tony
People can certainly drive what they like. I'm still going to hate what they are driving.
Seriously, there is no other vehicle that pulls this feeling from me.
-moo
Regards,
OW
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
High-end performance cars, as an example, very often do not live up to their potential either. Many owners of Porsches, Corvettes, Mercedes AMGs, BMW Ms, Ferraris, etc. do not drive them to their limits. Why should we expect that from Hummer?
There is an inherent quality about Hummers that truly hits the nerve on the bullseye.
As I posted earlier, this high degree of brand-recognition can be capitalized, if GM understands the potential.
Also, I just want to point out that there is a very significant difference, IMHO, between hating a vehicle and hating a vehicle's drivers. The former seems OK to me, and the latter not-so-OK.
(And... I see that you placed your dislike towards the vehicle itself, where it belongs... bravo!)
TagMan
Regards,
OW
Well, perhaps ideally, you speak words of wisdom, but let's face it... people intensely dislike (hate) certain things... it's natural to do so. What we ultimately do with that feeling (of hate or intense dislike) is a responsibility we all have. As I suggested, for example, if someone hates a Hummer, fine, but don't hate the driver. I think to suggest that someone not pay attention to a Hummer is like suggesting that people don't pay attention to a tornado... It's just too darn looming to ignore!
Now, take this stone from my hand, Grasshopper!
Or should I try and take it from yours?
TagMan
My 5-Series was a great car that combined wide inner space with a handling that surprised me to the most because it was well above the car size. With such a sedan we have enjoyed comfortable as well as sporty touring trips not only along highways but also on mountain roads. (My family and I would not board a plane if we had the time to drive to our destination. May be this will change now due to the advent of comfortable high velocity trains from downtown to downtown.)
I had no experience with any 3-Series apart from the few miles I test drove recently. Honestly I did not like the 3-Series previous to the E 92 model. This being not because of her driving qualities, of which I was aware from references; I just felt these cars had too little space to my needs. Not that we were such a big family—just we are prone to take more luggage than needed. The few miles I have test driven last days have left me very satisfied. The car had outstanding power, precision and nobility. Given that we are just two persons at home now, and because of the current 3-Series size, I feel the 3-Series Coupé is all we need even for a touring ride with luggage. Or for week-end trips and daily commuting. And I must add I like the car aesthetics a lot.
Now the 1-Series. I posted we were impressed by this car (a rented 128d) after our touring to the Alps. I considered this car as a little roadster. Yet in long trips one had to secure luggage from her to the the hotel and fro every night. Handling this car was very nice, but not as nicer (and firmer) as handling the 335d or the 530d; specially in straight road sections. Also, 1-Series riding was comfortable, but there are comfort grades as there are better lives.
In summary, a well equipped 1-Series Cabrio can be a joyful driving toy IMO. I would happily drive a 1-Series Cabrio for short week-end journeys. (My wife has a 2004 Mini Cooper for that, which of course is not the same thing.) As for longer journeys, I would choose a bigger car. May be the 3-Series Coupé/Cabrio has the best of both worlds.
But then you may have still more cars in the garage, as many of you have, and then you buy the 1-Series just for fun, which is very good too. My wife, my daughter and my daughter's boy friend (or co-owner, as she uses to say) would choose a 1-Series rather than a bigger car.
Regards,
Jose
Most of the mags and an episode of TG have covered the M3 vs C63 vs RS4 thing, and the M3 has come out ahead. The C63 is far better than AMGs of old which were basically nothing more than muscle cars, but it still lacks refinement and finesse compared to the BMW or Audi. The old RS4 is still surprisingly competitive with the new M3, and there's a good chance that the new RS4 with even more power and better handling could take down the BMW, though I'm sure it will take several years to appear.
One thing that surprised me in that video I posted about the GT-R, M3, and 911 GT3, is that the M3 is basically incapable of handling a track without dumping the stock brakes. After only a few laps, the driver could barely get the M3 to stop at all. Apparently BMW M brakes suck.
Yeah, I think that the single caliper M brakes don't work very well. There's a terrific review of the 1-Series that Gabe posted on Bimmerfile, where he referenced that he had tested the M3 before testing the 1er. He suggested numerous times that the M3 wasn't as much fun to drive.
I think I'll just wait out the 135i cab and bring my kids with me when it finally comes in (sometime in May, I think). Hopefully the kids will fit in the rear seat well enough, or it's plan "B"... which I do not have at all...LOL.
TagMan
Hi Jose. I did not go with the RFT's on the 335i. Moreover, I don't know of anyone that has them. But, many have stated that the ride of RFT-equipped models are not overly harsh. There is of course, more bump thump, but nothing that would be a deal breaker.
As for ride/handling, nothing compares. No car, including one of my favs, the A4 S-Line, gives you this rewarding ride/handling compromise. The G35 perhaps does a good imitation, but it is not stable enough at the limit, mph limiter that is :P
I tracked this car twice since I've had it, and I gotta tell you, I see why people go ape over this car. It has the adhesion of velcro, and this car is completely stock, shockingly.
The transmission is a marvel of a machine. Instead of fluid, I think that BMW puts butter in it instead, as the shifts are super silent and transparent. Most cars shift harder as the engine is in the higher end of the powerband, but not the Bimmer,
My only coveat is the longish service intervals. BMW and Porsche have some the longest service intervals known to the automobile industry. But it's free, and the oil still retains it's light-caramel color. So I'm not worried. Happy motoring in that diesel, you lucky dog.
Very true, and that "bigger car" for those "longer journeys" is typically not a car at all, but the SUV. When we go on a trip or long journey, we almost always use the SUV. It handles that job very well.
So with that consideration, I'll stay the course and wait for the 1-Series Cabrio for the more typical driving. (But I do want my kids to fit in the back.)
Thanks Jose!
TagMan
I witnessed this personally in Germany 2 months ago. Where the E90 would let you beat it like it stole something, the new model is more reserved in it's moves and less fun when trying to get it into the groove.
I also found that it is more refined on the other hand. This is definetely in an attempt to lure those Porsche and Jaguar buyer for sure. But we want our M3 raw, not tuxed up ready to go to the ball. That's what we have SL550's and XK's for.
And yes, the brakes need work. But BMW does have a upgrade system supposedly.
I also found that it is more refined on the other hand. This is definetely in an attempt to lure those Porsche and Jaguar buyer for sure. But we want our M3 raw, not tuxed up ready to go to the ball. That's what we have SL550's and XK's for.
That sounds about right! Consider, though, that Porsche didn't "refine" the GT variants... instead it made them into brute animals... (with great brakes... LOL).
edit: There IS a niche for a smooth, refined speed freak, isn't there?
TagMan
Tag, if it were not for your brief fling with a Lotus, I'd say that fits both of us. :P
Yeah, I definetely fit the billing. I could've got a Turbo Cab just like my brother, but I went with the more sedate and tame R8. I've owned both a S65 AMG(w-220) and a S8, both big powerhouses wrapped in a very refined package.
But I do have some serious problems with BMW. What the heck happened over at M? The M5 and M6 both are not well received like the previous M5. And that is why that model's appeal and price has skyrocketed, if you can find one. BMW was wise to offer a 6-speed stick, but there is still way to much trickery and gadgetry to this ride. The old model made you turn a key, depress a clutch, and drive the heck out of it. This model makes you step on the brake , push a button, fumble through countless programs to drive it and you may still not be in the right mode. Why do you have to "set" the car to get the full 500hp? That is one thing that the Americans and Mercedes-Benz are very true at: Mashing the thottle to unleash all you can handle.
I won't go so far as to say that the new M3 is watered-down, but BMW clearly took a new route in developing this car. It is driveable everyday. It rides with aplomb, better than the new EVO or STi, and it is, ehm, quieter. Ah, the last thing, and although that the V-8 is ligher than the 3.2L iron-block I-6 it replaces, the car is still 300lbs heavier, not the best thing for the most coveted performance coupe this side of a F430.
BMW, I am begging you to stop. Put those current plans down. Turnaround and look at those old designs that made M who they are. I think it is a sad day when Boaz BMW/MINI has 5 brand new M5's and 2 M6's. I can remember pleading with them 7 years ago to get me an M5, with a 3 year wait. Ah......
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Just. WOW.
Still?
And I thought I was bad when it came to picking a new ride.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Porsche has tamed the GT3 though. Even the new GT3 RS is softer and more livable than the 996 GT3. Supposedly there may be a new M3 CSL, but it probably won't make it to this side of the pond.
Agreed! The old M5 was a truly great car, and it was universally praised. The new one...eh not so much. 400hp, 500hp, or 500 "Sport" hp. Who needs this? Who is sitting there thinking, "hmm.. well I don't think 400hp is quite enough for today, but do I need 500 'Sport' hp? No... I don't think I need my horses quite that big. I want 500hp, but with slightly smaller horses. Is there a mode for that? There IS! Thank you BMW!"
Too wonderful for us. :sick:
TM
Perhaps they will start with an M1...
TM
Dont' worry, you're still the worst! LOL... just kidding. No... you're just like the rest of us. And so am I. Just look at many of the vehicle decisions around here. My personal history is that I've generally just gone out and purchased what I want when I want it, as you've already seen. But ordering a car I haven't driven... well, that leaves me second guessing.
But look at LG needing to decide on an SUV for his wife. Not a simple task. And look at the good Mr. H... he could quite possibly change his mind every other day for the next few months.
Truth be told, you know I'm good with the 135i... I've read way too many incredible reviews to turn this car down. I'm hooked on it pretty bad!! I wanted a 135i red convertible to begin with, but was told it wouldn't be available til the end of the year. I convinced myself that I didn't need another convertible, and ordered the coupe. Then I went throught the exterior color stuff, and just when I thought it was finally a done deal, I discovered that the convertible is indeed going to be available soon afterall! So... it was back to the original red convertible that I wanted all along! If you think about it, in the end, I got very darned lucky. Now, the last thing to make this all work out is that my kids will need to fit in the back seat. They probably will, but it's a requirement of mine. I'd put the odds at well over 90% that by the end of May I'm driving a red 135i Cabrio.
TagMan
We don't want that, now do we sensei?
On the other hand, loving the S-Class is a full green light!
Regards,
OW