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
BMW makes it real easy/attractive for employees to lease certain cars. I doubt the diesels will be available on that program for a while.
BINGO!!
But I agree, let's not go there...
Okay, The short version of the story is that I almost pulled the trigger to buy a 2005 e46 M3 SMG with only 8k miles :surprise: ...
Here's the longer version if you are still interested:
Ever since I got back from the track day my interest in a slightly used M3 has been growing on me. So couple weeks ago I went to my local BMW dealer and told one of the sales that if he ever comes across a SMG M3 (just can't live with a manual as my DD in LA) with low mileage ( < 25k ) then let me know. Last Wednesday I got an email from him saying that they just received one so I made an appointment to have a test drive on Friday afternoon. Man, was that car sweet or what!! I guess you can call me a believer now because from now on I would really think twice before bashing on the M3 ever again...
The power delivery is seemless, SMG is a bit jerky but once I got the handle of it, it's actually pretty good, instant shifting too. The ride is smooth but handles cornering with a lot of confidence, I guess that's the lengendary M performance for ya. The only thing that kept me from getting the car is the sticker price. The dealer was asking for $43.9k with a kbb suggest retail price of $47.9k, they dropped it to $42.9k at the end but I just couldn't justify of getting a used car for over 40 grands. The car is in mint condition, the interior looks brand new and is in better shape than my car even it's one year older. So I told the sales that I have to sleep on this over the weekend then walked away.
On Saturday I went to the Lexus performance driving academy, this is one of the 3 events replacing the Taste of Lexus. As participants we got to drive the IS350, GS460, GS450h and IS350 with F-sport in house tuning accessories in an autoX type of course. At last, as the main course, we got to drive the IS F in the road track inside the California Speedway for couple laps following the instructor. Boy, that IS F was so smooth on the track but yet so confident with its handling, the only connection between that car and the regular IS are the looks and Lexus smoothness, for everything else this is like a completely different car.
After both experiences I have to say that given a choice I would definitely take the IS F over the e46 M3. But how would it stack up against the e92 M3 is yet for me to find out.
The new M3 is over $70 LARGE. I would run back to the dealer and make the deal on the E46 vs. the new one.
Regards,
OW
I would think so too but at the same time I am pretty sure that I'll smile for the entire time if I owned the IS F...
I am sure the price difference is justifiable against the delta in performance but let's also keep in mind that an '05 M3 would be a 4-year-old car pretty soon so it has only one year left on the factory warranty. Last I check that owning a M3 past warranty is not necessarily a brilliant idea of any sort.
Since you have considered that M3, I must respectfully suggest that you take the time to test drive a 135i... with Steptronic, since you want a DD for LA.
Even if you have no intentions of ever getting that car, you would have a blast just testing it, and you would increase your knowledge about the car, and how and why it stacks up so incredibly well against the M3 and the IS-F.
The price is reasonable enough, depending upon the options you get, and includes a full 4 yr. warranty as well as all maintenance, so you can have that peace of mind that you like.
I honestly believe you would be pleasantly surprised, to put it mildly.
TM
The 1er is a really nice weekend fun car but just about pointless as a DD.
Spy before you buy.................
Regards,
Jose
PS: The list has been provided by a former young best award sommelier that deserves my credit.
I am really interesting in the new supercharged V6 S4, definitely going to give it a hard look when it comes out.
Nice camera. The D80 is about two years old now and doesn't have the latest features like the D300 does, but its also a lot cheaper than the D300. Its TTL AF is very good, and with no ability to shoot with the screen you want a good viewfinder, and the D80's is exceptional for its price. On points I'd have to give it to the new Canon XSi, that is unless you already have a collection of Nikkors, in which case the D80 still makes sense if the D300 is out of your price range. My guess is that Nikon will hit back at Canon with a replacement for the D80 next year.
Indeed. Audi deserves props for the R10 alone.
Posted: June 3rd, 2008
Buzz up!Filed under: Bugatti, Ferrari
A Bugatti Veyron was pulled over by cops after racing a Ferrari 599 GTB on a motorway at 130mph. The two raced through a 50mph construction zone. The race ended with police catching up to the Bugatti in their BMW, pulling over the 253mph Veyron. The Ferrari 599 GTB, capable of 205mph, zoomed off.
Witnesses said that the high-speed race/chase went on for at least 10 minutes with both cars weaving across all three lanes of the highway.
Police said that they officially clocked the Bugatti at 97mph.
The Bugatti Veyron driver was given three tickets and a fixed fine of $117 - all worth it if you ask us.
So does Jay Leno just walk into a dealership pick up his car and leave? Not at all. From the pictures, it seems like many people came out to watch Leno get behind the wheel of his new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. Apparently LAPD was also on hand to provide security for Leno so we highly doubt he ripped the HEMI out of the dealership onto the LA streets.
No word on how much Leno cashed out for his black on black Challenger but we hope he shows it off in the next episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage.”
Click through for more pictures.
Jay Leno takes delivery of first 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8:
FoMoCo sold 42,973 units of the F-Series truck in May, while Toyota sold 51,291 Camrys and 52,826 Corollas. Meaning the Toyota Corolla ended up outselling the F-Series biggest competitor in May. Now that definitely shows consumer’s buying behavior shifting to compact cars.
The last time any car outsold the F Series was in October 1991. Jim Farley, Ford group vice president for marketing and communications, said that the loss to two Toyota cars was a “significant development.”
“But it’s not surprising, given the fuel price,” Farley said.
While Camry sales were flat Toyota said Corolla’s sales rose 12.4 percent in May after being down 9.5 percent in first five months of 2008.
Pointless? To you, perhaps... but the majority of 1-Series owners either use or intend on using it as a daily driver. Your needs for a DD must be a little different, or require a more functional rear passenger area.
I have every intention of using it as a DD. Until my future hybrid arrives.
TM
That means I'm driving alone 97%+ of the time.
On the weekend I may need to clear off the right seat for my wife or (infrequently) put up the rear seatbacks to take a couple of the kids (youngest 23) out to dinner.
YMMV.
Yeah, yeah. YMMV.
'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...)
Most of us are on the same page here. I would like to hear from Lou as to why he has a different or special requirement for his DD. I'm a little baffled as to what he has in mind that would render a 1-Series "pointless" to him as a DD, when the vast majority of 1-Series owners identify the car as their DD.
Lou? What sayeth thou?
TM
Camry beating F-series is certainly historic, but even mighty Toyota had a very bad month of may. Lexus was down 20%, and TMC overall was down 8%. Mild compared to the domestics, but still not good. I think there's going to be at least one Chapter 11 before the US auto market recovers. My money is on Chrysler.
I think the idea is that he wants more space than the 1 offers, though how much more space does the previous gen M3 have over the 1? The old 3 coupe wasn't a big car.
As for the IS-F. It's easy to like a $60K 420hp new car more than a $40K 330hp older one. Like you said, the E90 M3 must be driven first
I also saw a gray IS-F, though it was on the road, and I wasn't. Drove by quickly so I couldn't get a great look but I know I liked it.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Not when you get the bill. And not when you get gas :surprise:
I agree with OW in that the E46 is probably still the best of the three... New M3 is incredible but a bit less accessible. And I don't just mean price-wise.
'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
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Nope... Have you seen the back seat in an IS-F? :surprise:
TM
I NEED TO GET MY HANDS ON A 135i!!
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
The ironic piece is that Ford's line up in Europe is well respected and frugal enough with fuel to survive then prosper over here, their strategic vision was just completely out of sync.
Wow. I probably would have arranged that subject list differently. Or at the minimum, left out the dogs.
link title
It reads like a Hyundai press release so I guess they really liked the vehicle. I am not digging the interior in any way shape or form. Performance sounds good.
I wonder who of the luxury marques are going to feel the pressure to adjust prices?
Will Hyundai pay the price of bringing a big, premium sedan to the U.S. just as that market is taking a nose-dive? Maybe it works in their favor?
I am a regular on IL's long term blog so I can stand by the claim that they took good care of this car over the last year. They also dropped about $5k to fix some issues at first so now it should be in pretty good conditions.
I would definitely like to see this car ends up with people from this board because I think classic cars deserve classic owners.
I've seen that as well, though I don't quite understand why. I think the "new" Focus is incredibly ugly, and have no idea why somebody would buy one over a Civic or Mazda3 (which has the proper Euro Focus under it). Ford must be giving them away. Lots of Edges on the road too. Fusion, not so much. The Flex is probably going to be another Edge style hit for them.
Ford and GM I think can survive the current mess, but I don't see Chrysler's way through it. They've just had one bomb after another, and there's nothing in the pipeline in any way relevant to the market.
And, a more loyal companion is hard to come by [humans included]
On topic, Lexus needs to establish a racing heritage to legitimize the LF-A. I'm not saying it won't be a great car without it, but the R8 comes in to the picture linked to one of the most dominate racing cars in history R8/R10TDI. It helps make a strong connection to the brand, and at the same time justify the price=heritage.
IMO............
I want a sedan, period!
Most of you here (if not all) have more than one car in your garage so even if your DD is a tiny as the 1er when the hauling duty calls you can just grab the key of wife's car or your other cars. As for a poor young engineer like me I am not quite ready to own multiple cars yet so my need for a "DD which happens to be my only car" would obviously be different than yours.
It's a good question that why would I consider the M3 given that it's not that much bigger than the 1er...
IT'S A M3!!! Also, I am a fan of the SMG given that I am still very against the idea of owning a manual in LA.
I would also consider the IS F if it only comes as a coupe.
I got the IS350 for about $36k before tax.
Same here. The dash design is just awful, and looks like something out of the '90s. Town Car anyone?
So... you want a sedan, period? But... then you say this...
It's a good question that why would I consider the M3 given that it's not that much bigger than the 1er...
I would also consider the IS F if it only comes as a coupe.
Perhaps you NEED a sedan, but WANT something else? LOL... Sometimes our "wants" are stronger than our "needs".
Regarding the IS... I'd consider buying one for my daughter. She's about to learn to drive and will need a car. I do see a number of other teenage girls driving one, so I can see it as a reasonable choice for our daughters.
The IS-F, OTOH... I can't justify buying one at all when the latest M3 is so much better. The latest M3 kicks its butt... and offers a manual tranny, significant interior room/comfort advantages, greater cargo capacity, and the M3 even seats 5 vs. the IS-F's 4. It's a no-brainer, IMHO.
TM
IT'S A M3!!! Also, I am a fan of the SMG given that I am still very against the idea of owning a manual in LA.
If I am buying a regular model then I'll stick with a sedan. However for special models like M, AMG and F I can really care less about my "sedan only" rule...
I do see a number of other teenage girls driving one, so I can see it as a reasonable choice for our daughters.
Yeah, an automatic IS250 is definitely a chick's car, they are all over the place here in LA too.
The IS-F, OTOH... I can't justify buying one at all when the latest M3 is so much better.
Have you driven both before, or are you basing those on the magazine reviews? Personally I haven't driven the e92 M3 so I am not going to make a statement on which one I prefer. An IS F build to my liking is around $60k but a M3 sedan will run me about $62k so that's a wash. As for the tranny, you probably should know by now that I am not a big fan of driving a manual in LA traffics so that's actually one disadvantage of the M3 for me :surprise: . Maybe the upcoming DSG would change that... If you are still hung up by the "slush box" in the IS F then I suggest you give R&T's comparo a read, they just ranked IS F's tranny as high as M3's and that's also the highest ever for an automatic transmission.
That's pretty impressive I'd say...
According to the NHTSA, a clutch sensor in the transmission could malfunction under normal driving conditions due to heat produced by the car. “Such sensor malfunction may inhibit the proper function of the clutch assembly, making the shifting of the gears very difficult,” said NHTSA.
The malfunction could result in a crash. Ferrari already started sending out letters in may. If you own a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and just learned about the recall call (201) 816-2600 for details.
Posted: June 4th, 2008
Buzz up!Filed under: Industry News, Porsche, Volkswagen
U.S. antitrust authorities have given Porsche the approval to increase its stake in Volkswagen from 50 percent to 31 percent. The Federal Trade Commission put the deal on a list of approved mergers and other deals that it publishes several times a week.
You’re probably thinking VW’s CEO Winterkorn is throwing things around in his office right now but that’s because his recent comment to a German publication may have been taken out of context - well, a little bit. Shortly after Der Spiegel reported that Winterkorn threatened to resign if Porsche interferes with the Volkswagen’s operations, a spokesman from the company issued a statement to AutoCar.
“Dr Winterkorn doesn’t see the remotest chance that he will step down from his current position as chairman of the VW Group while the organisation is achieving such success,” said the statement.
“Dr Winterkorn is an engineer, not a politician,” the spokesman explained. “The statement was just a bit of exasperation, as if he were having a bad day at the office. Dr Winterkorn and Professor Wiedeking only see one another at motor shows, and once every two months at board meetings. But they’re both alpha males, so there might be something between them ”
Note: If you really want to know what it says in the bubbles above, head over to Google Translate.
Outlining some of the things we’ve learned about the next-generation in the past couple of months we can expect a twin-turbo V12 and twin-turbo V8 engine mated to an automatic 8-speed transmission. The V8 model will get two square exhaust pipes while the V12 will get four square exhaust pipes. Four-wheel steering and all-wheel-drive will be optional features.
The 2009 BMW 7-Series will also get an improved iDrive Navigation system and BMW’s new ConnectedDrive System. BMW will offer 4 new colors including Sophisto Grey, Cashmere Silver, Imperial Blue, Mineral White.
:confuse:
Isn't that a decrease?
But it say porsche has increased its stakes I think they made some mistake writing the article.
Posted: June 4th, 2008
Buzz up!Filed under: Bentley, Industry News
What’s going on with these super-premium automakers? Following Ferrari’s recall of the 612 Scaglietti, Bentley is recalling over 13,000 vehicles from its 2004 to 2008 model year lineup to fix a faulty fuel-filter.
13,420 Bentley Flying Spurs, Continental GTs, GTCs and GT Speeds are being recalled to fix a problem that could cause the car’s fuel-filter to corrode and leak. The NHTSA said that road salt can corrode the outside of the fuel-filter resulting in a fuel leak that could result in a fire if around an ignition source.
“This is something we are covering worldwide, but have not seen any instances of [the problem] on a North American product. The road salt mostly used in the U.K. and Russia has caused the fuel filter to corrode and possibly leak. We have not yet had any actual fires, but from a safety standpoint feel that it is necessary to take the necessary precautions,” spokesman David Reuter said in a statement.
Owners of the 2004 to 2008 Continental models can visit their local dealer to have the fuel-filter replaced. The recall began at the end of May. Contact Bentley at 1-800-777-6923 for more details.
Porsche has definitely increased its stakes in VW, not decreased.