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  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I had an interesting phone conversation with the BMW dealer earlier. Apparently, they forgot to cancel my order for the black 135i coupe and went ahead and placed an additional order for the red convertible. I know this is true because the BMW website shows me as the owner-to-be of both cars!

    I told my family the crazy news and they all said to get the coupe because I already have a convertible, and there's little reason to have two convertibles and it makes more sense to have one convertible and one coupe... blah, blah, blah....

    So... I'm all messed up AGAIN on this car! I can't believe it! I'm about to cancel this whole thing...

    ... but not really. Instead, I'm going over to the dealership in a couple of hours to check out the coupe and decide whether or not I'm going to take it. If I do, they said I could drive it home tomorrow.

    I'll keep you all posted. If anyone has any last minute comments or suggestions... I'll take any and all of them at this point. :confuse:

    TM
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    You don't have the possibility to compare side by side both cars? Or at least your owner-to-be 135i coupe to other 135i convertible standing in the dealer show room? If so, let your emotional brain to make your whole mind up!

    Regards,
    Jose
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    I guess alot of the decision making process could be centered around ---do you plan on trading a car--- For me-- that would complicate things as I just wouldn`t want to to have an extra car, and all that entails.....bmw magazine came today and had a nice series of pictures on the new 1....Good luck with your decision Tony
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Hi jose

    Welcome back....How is the new car doing? Tony
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Not possible... The red cabrio won't be in for another few weeks. I'm about to drive to the dealership now. If I love the black coupe, I'll get it. If not, I'll wait.

    TM
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Thank you Tony. I decided to get the black. I looked at all the different colors and even an M3, and the M is veeeeerrrry nice!

    I hope to pick it up tomorrow if I can. I have a busy day.

    Thanks again!

    TM
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    I hope to pick it up tomorrow if I can. I have a busy day.

    So after all this you ended up with the original coupe? Oy! :) Congrats
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Thanks, LG... I'll sure have some good laughs to share, as this car has come my way full circle with a darn good story. :)

    TM
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    indeed.

    my keyboard doesn't work so i have to use a virtual one w/ no caps that's a pain to write with.

    well, finally, congrats on your decision/purchase. i'll be waiting for the pics ;)
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Sorry to hear about your keyboard. Do you have another computer laying around that you can swap keyboards with temporarily?

    Pics will come after spring break when I will get LG's camera recommendations and purchase one. Then I'll be armed and dangerous. I'll also take a pic of the Carrera, and its interior. I have always wanted you to see the body color-matching instrumentation. I think you will like the look of it.

    Man, esf, that M3 is sweet. I was tempted, but my purpose for this car is to keep it reasonably simple, inexpensive, have some style, and be loads of fun to drive. The GTI came close... very close... but just not quite enough. I really believe that this 135i should do the trick for a while.

    Thanks. :)

    TM
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    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...

    Hmmm....even then the US junk didn't hold up to the German armor!

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Why? You could blow away the X-6 without even moving!

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    I know this is late...take the black coupe!

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    TM, sorry I posted that picture back a few posts. Subliminal.

    Regards,
    OW
  • tx_buzzardtx_buzzard Member Posts: 130
    If anyone has any last minute comments or suggestions... I'll take any and all of them at this point.

    OK, so why would anyone consider a 1 Series? Because it is lighter, can be tossed around a lot easier, handles like a BMW is noted for, and it is available with the twin turbo. So if having a light car with a lot of power to toss around is your purpose, then consider the coupe. It is more rigid, weighs in at 287 lb lighter and the weight distribution is 47.7/52.3% vs. 53.3/49.7%. IMO if weight is not the deciding factor, then why the 1er?
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Great analysis.

    The coupe it is! Now, all that's left is to get to the dealership, test drive it of course, and make sure the car is OK.

    When I stop and consider how many weird things have happened in the process of getting this car, I would not be surprised if something else happens today that changes things again, and postpones delivery! We'll just see. :surprise:

    TM
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    The universe send you all green lights!

    Regards,
    OW
  • tx_buzzardtx_buzzard Member Posts: 130
    Perhaps the reason for all the "weirdness" is because you were supposed to have the coupe all along. Just a way to make you stop and think before you pull the trigger... ya know? From reading so many of your well informed posts, I was thinking you might end up a little disappointed in time had you gone with the 'vert. What you are looking for is a heavy dose of BMW "fun-factor"... and that little bimmer is going to deliver! I picked up my BMW the 24th of Nov., and already have >7,700 miles. I can't stay out of this thing... what a pleasure! Enjoy. :shades:
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    OK, ever since I saw that pic of the coupe that was posted, I liked it better. I have owned convertibles in the past and they all had a little bit of cowl shake. Plus the extra bracing to try to avoid this costs in extra weight.

    I think you will be happy with the coupe. Let us know your impressions, especially any surprises, after your first drive. Congrats. :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Congratulations Tagman,

    I am glad you got the coupe instead of the convertible because deep down you knew all along that is exactly what you had wanted. ;)

    Anyways you already have a Porsche that can go topless during sunny days . Two topless cars involves far too much vitamin D from the sun. Too much of that vitamin can be harmful to the kidneys and I am not referring to the ones on your Bimmer's grille.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Well, I'm off to the office, and later will check in at the dealership to pick up the car.

    My son just informed me (before going to school) that the rear center armrest was totally missing... and frankly I don't remember seeing one... out of sight, out of mind... If so, that's very strange, because the literature sure shows one that folds down, and even lists it as a standard feature. I'll have to check it out, and I owe my son a perk for that little heads-up, although I wish he would have mentioned it last night.

    Well, we'll see. If it's true, I wonder just how they could fix something like that.. ??

    TM
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    My son just informed me (before going to school) that the rear center armrest was totally missing

    That's funny because:

    image

    Source: Full Test: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe

    I think you made the right choice by going with the coupe, this hot little car is meant to be driven (hard!) so any weight saving is a good trade. I really like the 135i, if not for its 2-door design (need a sedan) and expensive pricing (I built it online, if I am getting one it'll be around $43k) I'll have no problem trade in my IS350 for one.

    So are you planning on taking it to the track after it's broken in? ;)
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Congratulations! I am sure you will enjoy the car!

    You had put every piece of information (rational and irrational) deep in your brain—so you were only waiting the outcome of your 'cooked' instincts. Follow them and have a nice driving!

    (BTW, there was not rear center armrest in the 1-Series I recently drove. Is that so important for you to be deceived by the car?)

    Regards,
    Jose
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Tony, I just came back from Innsbruck, Austria, yesterday evening. I spent there four days. (Innsbruck was plenty of skiers, though I didn't go for skiing but for lecturing; anyhow, I was envious of the skiers! Innsbruck also was plenty of A8s belonging to Eastern Europe tourists, in particular Hungarians.)

    I went to and fro by plane. When being there, I was constantly thinking how much I would had loved driving my 335d back home.

    To my surprise, when I came back home yesterday I discovered my wife had felt in love with the 335d in my absence :blush: . She said the 335d is precise and docile as no other car she would have driven anytime. Then I rejoiced thinking how much she had insisted in buying a 1-Series instead. (I felt sorry for TM :P .) She had not loved the 530d that much.

    This morning I re-gained the steering wheel. Just for driving a couple of dozen miles to see how the tranny settings were! OK, they were really nicely done. The car engine is much more brighter now as well. I would have to thank my wife for doing such a nice breaking-in! But I am prudently going to keep my mouth set up. Just in case.

    Tomorrow we will go for a spring-break, 1,000-mile driving journey, this time with skiing in between and paying a visit to a friend couple. I will post my driving impressions afterwards. To be compared with those of TM ;) .

    Regards,
    Jose
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Well, Lou, I just talked to the dealership, and they are scratching their heads because the center armrest is missing on all of their 1-Series cars.

    That made me think that the armrest is somehow linked to the "cold weather package", which provides heated seats (available seperately) and a "ski bag". My guess is that the ski bag needs a hole in the back seat, so THAT package gets the armrest. NOTHING in their literature explains this, because the literature shows it as STANDARD equipment... but it makes enough sense to me that I'm almost willing to bet on it.

    And if that turns out to be the case, then I wonder if they can get a car with the cold weather package and all the other stuff without starting from the very beginning again. I doubt it.

    This is really stupid.

    Oh... it gets worse. BMW's literature shows that the Sport Package option on the coupe only adds a sport seat and shadowline trim, because the rest of the typical sport package equipment is supposedly standard on the 135i, as opposed to the 128i. Well, that also turns out to be false. And as a result, this coupe doesn't have the Sport Package, as it originally seemed unnecessary, but, it now seems that there is a speed limiter diffference, as well as possibly an auxilliary oil cooler that goes along with the Sport Package without documentation. On top of that, the M steering wheel was initially shown to be an available request on the manual transmission 135i, but that's also not the case without the Sport Package.

    And... they don't seem know what to do about any of this mess. :confuse:

    TM
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Wow...

    I am speechless, I like the car but COME ON BMW!!!

    See, this will never happen in a Lexus dealership...

    :P
  • tx_buzzardtx_buzzard Member Posts: 130
    And as a result, this coupe doesn't have the Sport Package

    If you get it without the Sport Pkg. you will regret it until the day you die! Being Dinan is right there, ask the dealer if they are willing to pay for Dinan's sport suspension being they can't get a simple order right. Now THAT would be a plus!
  • bristol2bristol2 Member Posts: 736
    I will believe none of this until there is a picture of you shaking the dealer's hand, keys in pocket, car parked.

    Judging by all this you will probably come home with BOTH! :)
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    You are making perfect sense, but you should know that the 135i has the Sport suspension standard. That's the whole point of the Sport Package supposedly being just the seats and the trim on the 135i, but it turned out to be more than that... but the sport suspension IS standard on the 135i, thankfully. There was no glitch on that.

    TM
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Was there enough room in the rear seat area? When I ordered the Audi, it did not have a little compartment that was shown in the literature....I always remembered it, although adapted without it.....Again good luck tony
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Room was adequate. My son and I both sat back there. No issue for kids, but only short trips for adults.

    It's basically about that damned armrest. Maybe I'm making too much out of it, but it ticks me off a bunch, that's for sure. I'm thinking about it, of course, and I'll decide soon.

    TM
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Oh, yes, it does.

    When we bought the RX330 in 2003, we had definitely wanted the huge panorama sunroof. My Lexus salesman informed me that it isn't actually available, which forced me to order one without it.

    When we picked ours up a month or two later, there was a silver RX, complete with the panorama roof, sitting right in front of the entrance.

    Of course, we have one now in the X5. ;)

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Tag, have you driven the car the yet? If you haven't go drive it then decide.

    If you absolutely love the way that thing drives then so what about not having the armrest when you can have row-yourself 6-speed, a good looking interior, the most nimble Bimmer and one of the best 6-bangers on the market all at once. If I am buying a coupe I can just give a damn about having armrest in the backseat or not, although I certainly would like to have the M steering wheel and gear shifter though...

    This car is the new hotness (except for the pricing that is...)!!
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    What did the Lexus website say at the time? If the website said the panoramic roof is available then that should be the final answer. We all know that sales person screws up here and there ALL THE TIME.

    However, in this case the armrest was listed as a standard equipment, how is it possible that a standard equipment cannot be found on the car?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Did you guys see this?

    V8-Powered Acura RL Is on the Way
  • bmlexusbmlexus Member Posts: 755
    Tomorrow we will go for a spring-break, 1,000-mile driving journey

    IMO the 5 and the 7 series will be much better and more comfortable for long drives specially if its a thousand miles :surprise:
  • bmlexusbmlexus Member Posts: 755
    Wow...

    I am speechless, I like the car but COME ON BMW!!!

    See, this will never happen in a Lexus dealership...


    Agreed plus point to lexus ;)
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    IMO the 5 and the 7 series will be much better and more comfortable for long drives specially if its a thousand miles

    No doubt about it. 530d was wonderful for that purpose. Yet we will divide the driving in four closely equal legs, with some day/s in between of each.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    Rejoice, Rejoice!!!

    Thankfully, Acura has gotten the hint that Infiniti and Lexus got almost 20yrs ago. They understand that the American buying public, particularly in this field, will not be fooled into buying a car with false claims of being equal to everything in this class.

    I really do hope that Acura has gotten their act together regarding this car. Now here are some scenarios that may or may not work.

    Yes this, car has RWD. But one has to wonder what the weight distribution will be like? Ideally 50/50, but no more than 55/45.

    I would make AWD optional, as opposed to standard. As good as SH-AWD is, some may want a lighter car with less moving parts and weight.

    The car must at least grow to E-Class size if to be taken serious. It also must spiff up the cabin, and that does not mean go gadget-gizmo crazy.

    I'd offer some sort of sport pkg in hopes of keeping up w/ the likes of E550 Sport, A6 4.2 S-line, 550i Sport, and now the very good XF-S.

    Pricing? YIKES!! $70 thou?? Yeah, we may need to go back to the drawing board on that one. A well equipped Lexus LS can be had for 70 large. Unless this car is moving in that territory w/ goods to match, I suggest topping out at 60, fully loaded. With the E550 being able to be had @ $58k, one must have to wonder if it can tote that load.

    And finally, to spread the wealth, the TL must now go RWD in hopes of going against the IS, 3, A4, C, and G seriously. It is way past time for this car to move forward. The TL-S is ok, but stiffening the suspension on an already taut ride is not good enough.

    Let the TSX be that car that goes up against lower rung cars, like the SAAB 9-3 Jetta GLI

    I sure hope they don't mess this thing up.

    BH
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Hmmm....even then the US junk didn't hold up to the German armor!

    No, but the Germans were rather surprised by how good the Russian T-38 was. Russia has never been much for cars, but tanks they know how to build.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Slated for a mid-2010 debut, the new RL is expected to land in showrooms wearing a higher price tag of over $70,000.

    Who is going to pay over $70K for an Acura? Unless they plan to go after the LS and a future Q50 with a 200" RL, they are just going to get laughed at.
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Hola Jose

    Well for a few days you were the `man` with the new bmw...I want to urge you to get a picnic baseket, and with a few days warning to get a nice Florida thin skinned Avacado, with some saltines, a few hard boiled eggs, and some nicely cooked cold fried chicken(not the greasy kind) and maybe some macaroni, and take a spin with your wife out to a quiet spot, and spread a blanket and have a picnic..Remember mayo, salt and pepper and napkins and something to drink...Man you will have fun even if it is a cold--just no wind--day...The avacado(sp) is the best part Tony ps might not be able to find a Florida one over there in Spain, but at least you named the state......Mr Hpowders you are almost up to bat :)
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    [keyboard still doesn't work]

    even then, they would get laughed at. lexus and audi barely ask 70 large for an ls460 or a8, and they're well-established players. acura, of all brands, wouldn't be able to do that on its first foray. maybe infiniti with the next q, but not the lone 'luxury' brand that has all of its vehicles based on a honda counterpart.
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    he must be too busy enjoying it to post :surprise:
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    If you absolutely love the way that thing drives then so what about not having the armrest when you can have row-yourself 6-speed, a good looking interior, the most nimble Bimmer and one of the best 6-bangers on the market all at once.

    Excellent advice, Lou, and I thank you.

    After a long morning of no one at the dealership knowing what the situation was, I finally just drove over there myself and carefully looked the car over again, but this time item by item to determine just how the car is actually equipped. As it turns out, everything other than the armrest is fine, and I think I can live without the rear armrest... although I do know a very talented auto upholstery guy who could probably easily add one if it ever really became necessary, which it won't.

    I think part of the problem was just my own reaction to the car being different than what I expected. The car is so new that some of these issues will be sorted out over time. The oil cooler, for example that was rumored to come only with the Sport Package IS in fact there, and I saw it myself. So, it turns out the Sport Package IS standard on the 135i, but they still have an option called the Sport Package, but in reality, it's only the Sport seat and the shadowline trim. Well, that's fine with me, because I definately prefer the 8-way powerseat with 4-way power lumbar adjustment that's in there now anyway... it feels more like my Porsche seat. And the shadowline trim doesn't matter to me at all and can always be changed for less than $100.

    BTW, I will bet you are right about the Lexus experience... it would HAVE to be better than this was today... although I really should add that as confused as everyone seemed to be for the first hours on the car's equipment, I couldn't have asked for nicer folks to deal with. I think that BMW should provide their dealers with more information about the cars before they release them.

    So, in the end, everything's cool and what a relief!! Tomorrow should be a better day!!... although at this point, I'm not betting on anything until I actually get this car home. ;)

    TM
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    drive...

    darn no question marks.

    excuse me while i fix this mess.
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Anyway--it's working again.

    It doesn't sound like you've driven it yet. I don't think I would be able to go to the dealership and just look at my new pocket rocket, I would have to drive it.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,621
    ". . .the car being different than what I expected."

    Happiness equals reality minus expectation. I applaud you for doing the item-by-item review to bring things back into perspective.

    On a different scale, I took delivery of a new vehicle last week & was very pleased. Low expectation was certainly part of it.

    Enjoy! (as if)
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    esf, be realistic here, please. These cars just came in and there is no demo at the dealership yet. I suspect that they will sell all of them quickly. On top of that, there are few 6-speed manual tranny 135i's in the Western USA as compared to the overwhelming number of automatics. My (to be mine) black coupe is the only 6-speed at this dealership. It just got serviced this morning. I don't want it going out on a bunch of test drives, and I won't drive this particular car unless I at least know that I am considering buying it. Then, if for some unexpected reason I don't like it, I would refuse to take it. We both know that is not likely.

    So... now that the dealership and I expect to proceed, I will be there tomorrow morning to test drive it and then make sure the price is what I am expecting as well. If all goes as it should, I will buy it and drive it home.

    When its all done, I'll post the outcome... no matter what happens. As you know, I've been very forthcoming with all the twists and turns that have surrounded getting this car. I've shared the whole experience, even when I looked foolish at times... I didn't hold back.

    I think this may very well be the trickiest car purchase in my personal history, although I've had some unusual experiences.

    Just as an example, one time in the 80's, I purchased a Porsche in a silver gray metallic color. It was beautiful, but it had a small scratch on the front bumper. The dealer said to give him a couple of days, and he would fix it like it was never there. I said OK, and a couple of days later I went to pick up the car and the entire bumper was a different color than the rest of the car. So, he apologized and asked for a little more time. I said OK, and somehow his paint people proceeded to ruin an entire freakin' Porsche. He actually looked me straight in the eye and asked me to give him a chance to repaint the entire car and he wanted me to accept that. Of course I did not, and after some serious dialogue exchange, I left the dealership with a check for a full refund.

    I'm sure we all have some good stories, and maybe it would be fun to hear some of them. But for now... wish me luck tomorrow!

    And... I will post what happens, as well as pics later in the Spring!!

    BTW, there was a white LOADED (carbon fiber roof, tech pkg. everything, and very pricey!) M3 at the dealership today, just looking back at me, teasing me, and trying very hard to seduce me. ;)

    TM
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I picked up my BMW the 24th of Nov., and already have >7,700 miles. I can't stay out of this thing... what a pleasure!

    That's awesome! I realize that says a lot about the car, but it's also a matter on where you live. It's easy to put on the miles in the state of Texas. Some states are just like that. California is another. So is Florida.

    TM
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