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  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Thanks for the support.

    I also find it interesting that most luxury makes are planning to compete in the 1-series bracket. BMW has a jump but let's see what develops for 2009. I see even Porsche is coming out with a hatch-back coupe.

    It seems BMW has been leading many new variants to market over the competition lately.

    Regards,
    OW
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    I was researching last night and Morgan S had an interesting perspective on the plug in car vs the hybred vs the regular gas car...Generally the plug in could be re charged at night for less, and roughly would cost 1/4 vs the gas..The hybred would cost about 6/10 than the gas....Further if Goldman Sach is right about two hundred dollar oil, it would seem to me that if gas cost in the high two dollar range, then it would cost around six dollars. I would think that kind of price would make the more efficient auto much more in demand.... and soon...Tony
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    You are so right Tony!!

    It's no coincidence that Porsche has suddenly reversed itself and has decided to offer a smaller SUV. And they are not alone when it comes to plans for smaller vehicles and alternate powertrains. Those manufacturers that don't consider the significance of this will be sorry, while those manufacturers that build desireable fuel-efficient vehicles will be richly rewarded.

    A few years ago, the domestic manufacturers decided to build the Dodge Challenger and the Chevy Camaro... but one has to wonder if gas-hog muscle cars can really sell well in the future, past the initial honeymoon. In the meantime, Toyota has already shown us a cool-looking hybrid sports car concept, and they can't build enough Prius vehicles fast enough. They have plans to make the Prius name a whole new marque of its own. Is it any wonder why Toyota has become so successful?

    Other imports from Japan and Germany will also reap the benefits. We can only hope that the domestics wake up before they die in their sleep. GM may have awakened, I suspect, and I hope it's not too late.

    TM
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    This forum must have been overwhelmed by Lexus fans today... I just checked in and noticed that it's been VERY QUIET. ;)

    TM
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Alright then, I'll buy all three and tell you which one is the best.

    ...One note: I think there's a larger gap than 0.5 sec between the 135i and M3. I don't know what the 1 Series's fastest time is, but the M3's stands at 4.1 sec, and that's without DSG. Expect something just under 4 sec for the M-DKG M3 coupe.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    In an article regarding a future baby Porsche SUV written by EGM Cartech, the Q5 was brought up (the two smaller SUVs won't be based off each other, as previously thought), and this is the info they put out...

    In the mean time, Audi is set to unveil its new 7-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox in the Q5. The new transmission will be launched in other Audi models with the A4 getting it in September.

    !!!

    This will nullify the difference in acceleration between the A4 3.2 and the rest!

    At least, until they also get DSG.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I think there's a larger gap than 0.5 sec between the 135i and M3. I don't know what the 1 Series's fastest time is, but the M3's stands at 4.1 sec

    Well, some of the reviewers quote the difference as only a half-second... and man are they ever close. The actual C & D test of the 135i came in at 0-60 in 4.7 seconds.

    Be aware, though, that I'm not about to say the 135i is a better car than the M3. My perspective is clear... that the 135i delivers better performance than previous M3 territory and comes amazingly close to the current model when considering that it costs at least $40K less. ($140,000 less, if you're shopping in Hollywood... LOL.)

    TM
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    I have always been amazed at how much horsepower it takes to improve just a little bit....The wife`s 535 with the six cylinder (I think 255 or therabouts) Is a relatively quick car, but also get imo good gas milage...With the congestion here on the East coast, and the police out --improving their budget--I really can`t imagine the use for a big high horsepower fuel comsuming car...I think a new era is approaching, with efficient engines and higher quality interiors for high end cars and very light small cars with improved batteries etc. for the majority of cars...I further do not understand how our gov. officials etc. have let our country get in such perilous times.....I swear on occasion I think how it must have been with Nero and Rome burning.....Tony
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    ...it costs at least $40K less. ($140,000 less, if you're shopping in Hollywood... LOL.)

    I see your point, but where did you come up with those figures? Leave the M3 a couple months to cool off, and there would be a $25K difference between the two cars, at the most. The M3 coupe is $56K, with the 135i coupe coming in at $35K--however, identically equipped, (including the M3's extra 120hp, no small cost) the two coupes are split by about $21,000.

    That sounds reasonable to me. With the M3, you get more power, more luxury, more space, more style and more pedigree. However, both make the 335i coupe seem irrelevant.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    You are probably right that over time the difference will decrease, but if you compare an M3 convertible and a 135i convertible, I'm fairly sure the price difference approaches around $40K.

    BTW, I'm not sure if this image will post from the BMW build configurator, but if so, you can take a peak at what I'm waiting for...

    image

    Except that THIS is the REAL color, but shown in a coupe:

    image

    You like?

    TM
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    We must be getting closer to the X6, because it is now on the main page of the BMWUSA website, replacing the 1-Series already.

    I really like it.

    TM
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    You like?

    I do, but it's too wide! Boo! :P
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Oops... but glad you like it! ;)

    TM
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    If you guys are seeing the former problems with wide pictures, let me know. Something has changed and they no longer are wrecking all the messages on the page for me, so I've been leaving them.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Thank you, Pat!!

    TM
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    If you guys are seeing the former problems with wide pictures, let me know. Something has changed and they no longer are wrecking all the messages on the page for me, so I've been leaving them.

    Images up to 640px wide seem to be OK now. The BMW that Tagman posted was 665, which (for me at least) covered up the the edge of the posts on the page, at least all of those under the "hello LG!" board menu. Before it was like 550 or something which was the limit.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    LG, I'll try to be more aware of those limits. Truth be told, it was past 11 pm when I made that post. I was admittedly a bit lazy. That said, you and I know that this forum would benefit from more pics, especially when compared to many other forums... so, we don't want to discourage or complicate posting pics to the point that no one ever posts them. I'd have to venture a guess that the way the software is set up on different forum sites is the reason behind the pic size capabilities.

    But, regardless of all that, I certainly do appreciate that Pat is allowing the pics to remain. Even so, I'm going to personally be more careful and aware of the sizes of the pics I post in the future to make it easier for you and others. :)

    Now... let's see some more pics around here!

    TM
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Just an FYI, I resize all my large pictures to 600 width with an editor. It takes some time but it fits real good.

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    image

    Regards
    OW
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    What's your ETA?

    TM
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Yes, excellent choice.

    But I still have to wonder---$40K? That's definitely not true. The M3 convertible, well-equipped, will be less than $75K. Mark my words. The well-equipped 135i convert is what, $50K?

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

    It's already 4:47PM where I live... very few comments today.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    A very well-equipped 135i Cabrio is mid to upper $40's, so yeah, with a well-equipped 2009 M3 possibly approaching $75-$80K, the additional green needed to get one would be around $30-35K or more, and I suspect that the M3 Cabrio will carry a hefty premium for a while... how much and for how long is anyone's guess.

    But, no matter how you cut it, slice it, or dice it, the 335i convertible gets the squeeze, like you said.

    TM
  • bmlexusbmlexus Member Posts: 755
    very few comments today.

    Well since i dnt get much feedbacks i tend to not write much anymore just read
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    December. I am looking forward to a test drive very soon.

    Regards,
    OW
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    so, we don't want to discourage or complicate posting pics to the point that no one ever posts them.

    Absolutely. Pictures are definitely better than thousand word posts :)
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Pictures are definitely better than thousand word posts

    So true and the picture below conveys best on what's going to happen to an oversized BMW Coupe SUV called the X6.

    image

    A big and heavy SUV/ Crossover that fits only four people :confuse: Is this auto catered to a family of four Sumo Wrestlers who felt squeezed in a BMW 650i coupe?
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    That's priceless...LOL! Maybe it's just playin' possum, and it's going to get up and walk away any minute... Hardly... Dang, what a way to go! And that highway worker missed his dinner treat.

    Anyway, a family of four or less could really enjoy that X6, couldn't they?

    Why the anti-X6 sentiment? Please explain.

    TM
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Man, that's terrific!

    TM
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Whoa... :surprise: You go ahead and write some posts and I'll try to offer you more feedback. ;)

    TM
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    A big and heavy SUV/ Crossover that fits only four people :confuse:

    Apparently BMW thinks that M-B's "A Mercedes in every driveway" plan was such a smash hit that they've just got to do it to. No niche left untouched, no matter how small or pointless!
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    LG, I don't get your aversion to the X6.

    If it's a useless crossover you are looking to point a finger at, why choose the X6? It's supremely useful for four. Take a better shot at something like the Infinit EX, for example. Unless the front seats are pulled forward in that thing, the rear seats are very tight. Two adults and two children is about it. What pointless niche did Nissan build that thing for?

    The BMW X6 seats four full-sized adults in serious comfort, and it is overflowing with dramatic style. What the heck is the matter with that?

    TM
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Why is the X-6 such a problem for some? What's with an Escalade? Not over the top?

    Please!

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    I finally checked out the TG vid comparing these 3 top cars! Now I know why they say the BMW wins...the chassis IS faster than the engine.

    Who is that guy, the Stig???

    M3
    C63
    RS4

    Regards,
    OW
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    So... now that you've seen the video, what do you think about the C's chassis?

    Personally, I noticed that the AMG engine was so compelling that they were willing to overlook the C63's unstable chassis. No one but a professional should ever turn off the C63's stability control software without realizing the potential catastrophic consequences.

    I'll also take the M3 as my top pick between those three, but after that, I'll go against the grain on this one and take the RS4 over the C63's psycho chassis.

    TM
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Why the anti-X6 sentiment? Please explain

    I hated it when I saw it in the Toronto Auto Show. The "U" in SUV stands for Utility, The S in SUV stands for Sport. The X6 excels in neither of those initials. Weight kills the S and the restricted seating kills utility.

    Performance and efficiency are continuesly repeated in BMW ads. The X6 is the antithesis of both peformance and efficeincy.

    As Lexusguy had pointed out this is nothing more than what MB tried to do: Having a car that caters to everyones driveway. Being a premium marque is not about being in everyones driveway Leave that for Toyota and GM. Being a premium marque is about producing special cars that are not for everyone and certainly should not belong in everyones driveway. BMW should not IMO server the market segment that are indifferent to both performance and efficiency. What next a BMW Escalade?
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Thanks for your viewpoint.

    As you say, BMW (should) builds cars that aren't for everyone,and in my wildest imagination I can't see the X6 as a vehicle for everyone... the X5 is more like that.

    Why does the X6 need to meet any pre-defined parameter?

    They are thinking outside the box, and that's one of the things I like about BMW.

    TM
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    They are thinking outside the box, and that's one of the things I like about BMW.

    Definitely the X6 is thinking outside the box. A cumbersome heavy performance vehicle that is both space and fuel inefficient is definitlely outside of any box.

    Lunatics and geniuses think outside the box. The X6 is more the former than the latter.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Lunatics and geniuses think outside the box. The X6 is more the former than the latter.

    So, then, I take it you don't care for the X6? :P

    Just kidding... obviously you do not... and I kind of like the idea of the X6, but will wait to see one when they arrive at the dealership. You have the advantage on me because you saw one at your local auto show. It wasn't at our show. So, I have to give a fair amount of credibility to your view... at least until I see for myself... and find out if it really was designed by Dr. Frankenstein. ;)

    TM
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    "The equivalent to an Axe Murderer on Wheels" is how Jeremy put it.

    Great but not precise like the M3. I agree with your pecking order as well...which is even more reason to consider the bargain/benefit that a 300 hp version would do for us mere mortals...

    Care for another go at the apple on the apex with a 135i??...easy!

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Actually, compared with the old versions of the 3-Series, everything BMW is making is more heavy and inefficient today from a pure point of view...so it's relative. The X-6 won't be parked in my driveway either but I'm sure there is a customer base for this vehicle.

    General Patton could have used one on party night!

    Regards,
    OW
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Who says even F1 drivers are the safest

    HaHa, was not Lewis Hamilton who was caught speeding an MB SLR McLaren up from 200 km•h on a touristic Southeast French highway last year? 'I am ashamed; I promise I never will do it again' he said :cry:. Yet in last Canada GP he collided into Räikkönen's car rear end when it was standing at a pit lane red light stop. Crazy pack, it is unbelievable they can survive their accidents.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    So, then, I take it you don't care for the X6?

    Good observation. ;)
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    General Patton could have used one on party night!

    General Patton in a BMW is kind of like Field Marshall Rommel in a M4 Sherman Tank. :surprise:

    Well at least the M4 Sherman was lighter, faster and more nimble than the BMW X6 , oops I meant the Tiger Panzer. ;)
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Well at least the M4 Sherman was lighter, faster and more nimble than the BMW X6

    Based on what I heard and saw (from the documentaries that is...) if I am the one going to the battle I'll take the Tiger Panzer over the M4 on any given day...
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    If it's a useless crossover you are looking to point a finger at, why choose the X6? It's supremely useful for four. Take a better shot at something like the Infinit EX, for example. Unless the front seats are pulled forward in that thing, the rear seats are very tight. Two adults and two children is about it. What pointless niche did Nissan build that thing for?

    I just don't understand the point of an SU-Coupe. Who's it for? What does it do that the X5 cannot do? It's certainly not more attractive than the X5, and isn't that really the only point of a coupe in the first place, to be more attractive than the 4-door?

    You'll get no argument from me on the EX. Infiniti botched the packaging on that one big time.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    The one advantage of the Tiger Panzer over the BMW X6 was that it had the capacity to seat five versus only four.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    SU-Coupe

    A Coupe sedan in fact is almost as useless. Kills interior space, doesnt drive any better and is far more expensive than a regular sedan that it is based on.( i.e. MB CLS vs. MB E Class)

    Why do Coupe sedans and SU Coupes exist? Merely for the looks! All fluff no substance. That's what I hate about them.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Haha, true, but the key word here is "comfortably"...

    On the other hand, I'll take the X6 over the Tiger Panzer if I am going to the 'Ring.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Daimler not only blew it in the lower end with Chrysler but also with the highest end with Maybach.

    Maybach may cease to exist very soon based on the article below.

    link title
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