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Comments
TM
Are ya' getting the picture?
TM
The above scenario illustrates something else. It always amazes me that when people pull over on the side of the road with a flat, they stay on the pavement in an effort to save the tire. To hell with the tire. Get way OFF the road. If they pulled way off the road as soon as there was a break in the guard rail and waited for help they would be a lot better off. And the cretins wouldn't stop to bother them.
You may be right. As much as I believe the MB brand overall has been tarnished, the S is still the "gold standard" as it were. It's the 3 series of the full lux class, the big target everyone else is trying to take down. It's the "you've made it" car.
Now, speaking of resale, can someone tell me why with the exception of some highly dubious stuff on Ebay, one can't find a used Bentley Continental for under 100K? Wasn't the MSPR only $120 or so, four years ago?
A 2008 Continental GT starts at $175K, the Speed is $200K. So unless the price has gone up $55K since launch, I think you may be mistaken about what the GT costs.
Good advice. The brother of a friend of my wife's is now dead due to not pulling off the freeway far enough. Location was in our nation's "South". He was struck by a car at freeway speed. Tragic.
As far as the concern over "cretins", there is really no way to know whether or not any "cretins" will show up in the first 20 seconds or in 20 minutes... it just depends upon when and if they happen to pass by. Personally, I don't mind the run-flats on my 135i. I know they are not at the pinnacle of performance, but they are actually darned impressive, and I'm keeping them at all 4 corners.
TM
Yes indeed. And, it's even more than the "you've made it" car.
Behind that iconic S-class is a genuinely terrific car... especially the very latest W221.
TM
Just another nudge that your posts are sorely missed here. Hope things are OK with you. How 'bout checking in from time to time?
Best Personal Regards,
TM
TM
I wont judge anyone's decision, but personally I refuse to listen to people I consider hypocrites. I dont care for those uncomfortable stares from other people, I worked my butt off for my money and I'll spend it the way I want it. Heck I totally deserve the luxury. I mean, otherwise whats the point of working 10-12 hrs, 6 days a week?
No insults, just reality...
btw, all these hot debates on genesis and other things arent complete without Dewey's analytical skills, where is he?????
According to Autocar (or Autobild, forgot which one), the new Ferrari will be named California, not Dino. From the photos it wont have 4 headlights like the last pic posted, and thankfully looks less like a Cayman or Elise now.
I just saw the official pics on the new 911 (facelift), not impressed. The new look is overwrought imo, too much decoration.
btw BIG, from those 45k cars, which do you recommend for younger, blend out type of guy?
Here's the production version in the flesh. Jalopnik has a full gallery of exterior and interior shots:
California Exterior
California Interior
Does anyone else here dislike the rear?
TM
The rest of the car looks great.
Regards,
OW
Here's the link for others, too, of course. And, there's a nice video included at the link!
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Aside from the somewhat cheap interior, this car has my respect!
TM
Or not. TM, unlike what you may thnk the new M3 isnt that impressive, at least to me. The local dealer had 1 M3 available for test, G-Timer installed. Had the chance to drive it, sat in it, tried the controls. I was impressed by the car, until the moment I tested an e46 M3 recently, following a poster's recommendation. Still impressed, but not so much anymore.
Where should I start? Hmm....lets see.
Performance
Its really, really darn fast. Not (Ah the old 80's syndrome :P). The computer recorded 60 mph in 4.7 secs (dealer said they got 4.6 at best), plenty fast but not so significant considering the 335i can do 60 in about 5.0-5.1 sec. So unlike the e46's difference, where the sedan ran about 6 sec to the 60 and the M3 ran in less than 5 (no G-timer at the time, thus no exact numbers). Maybe I'm just being an amateur, as according to car magazines the M3 can go to 60mph in 4.4s. Throttle response isnt as jumpy as the old one, but its still kinda tough to drive smoothly at lower speed.
There's a significant heft to the steering wheel compared to the old M3, which is much lighter at times. I later found out that it can be customized via power-steering-assist button. I honestly couldnt feel any difference between the old and the new's shifter (pure manual, btw), but I can tell that the clutch pedal is lighter in the new car. It felt precise, but somehow I found the car less entertaining than the old, a bit robotic I guess. Fast, precise, and more civilized but heavier and not as wild as e46's. It also felt a bit bland, call me old fashioned but imo all these electronic assist is killing the fun. That said, I say its safe to assume the new M3 is easier to use as a daily driver.
Comfort-Convenience
I believe this is where the e90 shines. Everything inside feels better than the e46. The ride is just as rough, but there's less annoying noises heard inside. I didnt hear the odd whirring and burbling noise I heard in the e46 during the test (the e46 I tested was a CPO but dealer said those noises are normal), which - according to dealer - is the sound of the 3.3l engine operating and warming up. Tire noise less prominent, though not by much. Overall its a much more refined car than the old one.
Setting the car's performance is the tough part, must deal with i-diot-drive. The buttons around the shifter do the same, but trying to figure out all of them takes time. Setting throttle control, suspension firmness, steering assist, etc, etc makes the car feel somewhat complicated. I wouldnt be so annoyed if the screen loads menu fast, as there's a noticeable lag when trying to access the menus. Once the controls are set, however, the car prove pretty civilized in town compared to the e46.
One more inconvenience, 12mpg??? You gotta be kidding me. BMW said the new engine is supposed to improve in mileage, it sure didnt show during my test.
Interior-Quality
The interior is roomier than the old, or at least felt so. The rear seats also felt roomier, whether it really is or just my feeling is still unconfirmed. Fit-finish is great, theres no rattle inside during test-drive. Materials just the same as the 3series, which I find hard to accept in a test unit that cost $62000 (sticker). Seats as usual, supportive, but again, the leather is just the same as the standard model, which is lower quality than those I found in MBs or even Audis and Lexus. The stereo is a sad excuse at this price, offering sound quality no higher than standard 3's, and they dare say its HK??? It does however, sound better than the old M3's sound system.
Oh and btw, the AC sucks!!! It couldnt cope with the heat during the test drive trying to keep the 72F temp I set, sometimes blowing hot air into the cabin. And the outside temp was barely over 95!!! I just hope other units dont suffer the same problem, as I remember reading about the same problem in a 3-er tested by either Car&Driver or MotorTrend Mag. Carbon fiber roof is indeed light, but a few knocks on it and it starts to feel fragile, not to mention possibly costly to replace when damaged.
* Another point I didnt have the chance to check out myself, I heard the rear window use thinner glass than standard 3s. Confirmation, anyone?*
Overall I felt less emotion driving the new m3, but it's more practical and refined. Dishing out 62k for one is out, even if I can afford it right now. I can't see where the massive price increase goes to. Let me know if anyone else feels differently about the new M3. Louiswei inspired, hence the format
Chances for an Equus vehicle being parked at the country club next to big sedans from Lexus, MB and BMW:
I have to vote, NEIGH!!
The car will fit right in at the country club... and might even get first tier parking!
It looks THAT good. :surprise:
TM
I enjoyed reading every word.
I'd suggest driving an additional CPO e46... just to be sure.
TM
New Car Update:
I was out this morning at 5:38AM on the interstate when I got pulled over by a young, obviously new cop for doing 71 in a 55. "Didn't you see the posted signs?" It was pitch black outside, the highway was dimly lit and others were passing me with ease, but I feigned stupidity and said nothing. He let me go with a "stern warning" as most other car passing us were breaking the damn sound barrier! :mad:
The last guy who drove 55 on this road was probably back in 1913! Another case of misplaced law enforcement. Harassment, pure and simple.
The VW got its baptism. It took exactly 6 weeks. Anyhow, I got 29.2 mpg on regular fuel for my trouble.
Isn't that the way it always is. 55mph limits are really annoying, because 67mph is about the limit to stay in the "safe" zone, and 67mph is just too slow. Most other drivers will be blowing past you. Some cops give more leeway in the 55s than the 65s, whereas others take the hardline stance, and you just never know what you're going to get. I was ticketed for 70 in a 55 awhile back.
LOL.
The Genesis interior isn't up to Audi levels, but it's not THAT bad. Heck, I think we could easily find that new '09 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 right up front with it's cheap plastic interior. Now, before you fire back, I know the Genesis isn't an iconic Corvette. But, it's a terrific looking car in person.
My personal country club experience is that it's not totally the car that determines the parking location, but the amount of green the car owner usually tips the valet attendant.
Bummer about your little 5:38 visit from the young traffic officer. On a mission for some Kona that early? Good thing you kept your cool. I guess Elmer was after that kwazy wabbit.
TM
Cheap interior? With this kind of performance at only $100k even an interior [non-permissible content removed] like me would be able to let that slide a bit!
The M3 is indeed a looker from outside, especially in the coupe form but personally I think the e46 M3 has the more "classic BMW" look in it. Based on your review since I haven't driven the e92 M3 yet looks like BMW has gone softer with the new one. Granted that it is now faster but somehow that was never the heart and soul of the M-philosophy.
Also, not to mention the e90/92 interior, sigh... :sick:
No Kona. Taking the wife to the airport on 2 hours sleep. Yeah. I know not to challenge the officers, no matter how stupid their reasoning. Imagine anyone being stopped on an interstate with a dinosaur speed limit sign from the 1950's of 55mph, and being asked, "Didn't you see the posted signs"?
71 mph is speeding on an interstate? :surprise:
I haven't seen a Genesis on the roads yet. I am not about to visit a Hyundai dealer (if I could find one) to examine one.
I will more likely be chomping at the bit when they break ground for the local Equus dealership, right there behind the local country club. Way behind.
When will they ever learn? They can build a car that looks better than a BMW, and has a better interior than BMW, but none of its competitors has successfully captured BMW's driving dynamics. Nobody!
Infiniti did a fine job with the M, but within 1 minute, driving an M blindfolded, I would know it's no BMW.
Now Equus will attempt to take it to the 7 Series.
Prediction: All comparos between the BMW and Equus are won by BMW, except for the one done by Motor Trend, the perfect contrary indicator.
Back to the questions I asked from time to time...
Why does everyone have to be BMW?
Why can't Infiniti be Infiniti, Lexus be Lexus and Acura be Acura?
What if I don't want a BMW?
What if I want a full-size RWD sedan with luxury touches and less than $40k. What if I really don't give a darn about the blue and white prop badge?
:confuse:
All well and good. A reasonable question. However, Infiniti, and Lexus are guilty of building vehicles aimed directly at BMW. They want to put you in a BMW imitation regardless of what you want. See Infiniti G and M and Lexus IS.
I won't even mention (oh, what the heck!) the embarrassing Lexus GS which was being proudly trumpeted as the 5 Series killer by Lexus management a few years back. Nobody actually knows what the GS is supposed to be. It probably should be allowed to die a quick, merciful death.
I think we can forget about Acura. They destroyed the one good-looking vehicle they had. The 2009 TL is finally as ugly as the other Acuras. I would grab a 2008 TL quickly if I was interested in a front driver with lots of torque steer. At least it looks good.
Acura is so bad as a luxury division, they actually make their parent company, Honda, look terrific in comparison.
I would rather buy a 2008 Accord EX L V6 than a 2009 Acura TL.
Yeah, the IS and GS are 3/5er fighter but they are NOT out there to be the Lexus 5/3-series. They are merely competing in the SAME SEGMENT as the 3-series and 5-series but with Lexus' own philosophy in them. They do carry the L-badges after all you know...
Just please don't lie awake at night, tossing and turning, knowing for a few dollars more, you could have been driving an incomparable BMW.
I hear doctors' offices are filled with folks begging for Ambien prescriptions for just that reason.... not to mention the automobile engineers who lie awake at night knowing they can never follow the latest executive order: "You must build us a car that directly competes with BMW!" Some jobs are well nigh impossible. :shades:
Few dollars more? Really?
Last I checked now a base 335i starts at OVER $40k.
Incomparable? Really?
If one doesn't want a manual tranny (uh... me?) and don't like the BMW interior (uh...me?) an IS350 or G35S would be much better choices overall. BMW performance you say? Except the legendary "road feel" (which personally I don't think it's that legendary and I've driven almost every single car in the 3-series segment including the e46 M3) the G35S is just as good as the 335i sport and IS350 with F-sport sway bars and suspension can out handle a 335i but still undercuts it in pricing...
Lie awake at night, tossing and turning? You are a funny man.
I thought you were all down on BMW right now? Is this a symptom of too little sleep?
Some good deals out there now on the 328i with Steptronic. But, I would take a loss on selling my current vehicle-too much so to make the deal palatable.... but then again.... how does one quantify driving pleasure?
Incomparable. Really!
Let me tell you something: BMW's have allowed me to escape some pretty close calls over the last 15 years, thanks to the great steering, brakes and agility. I may not have been so fortunate driving any of the cheaper imitations. Driving a BMW will make most people better drivers. That's a good thing. They handle like nothing else for the money.
If I go back to BMW, it is because their vehicles make me feel safe.
So you are saying that there is no way you'll be able to escape those close calls with brands other than BMW?
Okay...
They handle like nothing else for the money.
With some kool-aid, sure... Is BMW the king of handling? Yeah. By a lot? No way. Like I said, I've driven several best handling performance sedans from the popular luxury brands (TL, TL-S, TSX, A4, e46 M3, 335i, G35 coupe, G35S, IS F, IS350, IS250 and C63) so I think I know what I am talking about.
Give IS350 the factory F-sport sway bars and suspension then it will hang with the 335i sport if not better in terms of handling and cornering performance.
Granted that the Bimmer still has better road feel.
If you only drive in a straight line, the IS is fine, but for real "roadwork" nothing beats a 3 Series.
When I have an inattentive lunatic on a cell phone attempting to share a highway lane with me, you can have the nice goodies in the IS. As for me, I will happily settle for the better transmission, brakes, steering and agility in the 3 Series to get me safely away from that jerk or jerkarina as the case may be.
You can argue if it makes you feel better, but it won't change anything, because you, and everyone else know that nothing handles better in its price range than a BMW 3 Series. It's an indesputible fact. You might as well argue that the Sun is revolving around the Earth.. You will sound just as persuasive. Heh! Heh!
I do believe that our resident Mr. H is correct with his appraisal of BMW handling, but he seems to be making the point with a bit of "attitude" thrown in, and it kind of alienates those that might otherwise be more accepting of his perspective. Just an observation, but usually it's a result of an overindulgence of rum cake. Nonetheless, he is correct.
BMWs do in many ways set the benchmark, and that's why so many comps include BMWs. But, that said, there are plenty of other terrific cars that aren't manufactured by BMW.
Now, let me just add that a lowly BMW 135i has sparked my driving enthusiasm nearly as much as a 911.
As you said, Lou, BMWs really do have great road feel. It's a fact.
TM
What if I don't want a BMW?
Very good question. I like what Infiniti and Audi have been up to lately better than recent BMWs. One question though, for "Acura to be Acura", don't they need some kind of brand identity? What is an Acura? They used to be the no option, cheap FWD luxury brand, but now there are several trims and option packages, and the cars aren't all that cheap anymore. "Advance" doesn't cut it.
Why do you bring a Porsche Cayman into the mix? I priced comparably equipped 335i and Cayman Coupes. They are: $45190 and $59030 respectively.
Porsche vehicles are in a different league. For me to switch to a 911, I would have to make some serious adjustments at home: for example, a switch way down to domestic rum for my wife's rum cakes. It's intolerable. I won't do it.
Well, technically the S5 is faster through the slalom and better on the skid pad than the 335i coupe, so one could make the argument that you're more likely to avoid the accident in the S5.
Also, if the situation is a wet/oily road rather than avoiding a clueless idiot, give me the Audi.
If active safety was the only reason why we buy cars, we'd all be driving EVOs, or Elises, not BMWs. :P
I'm glad you like Audi, as I am currently involved in driving a vehicle produced by its more humble "brother."
As for the S5, again, I must say, I was specifically talking about the 3 Series price range. I did not intend to imply that the 3 Series is the most secure-handling vehicle out there, which in sedan or coupe guise, it surely is not. Given my own experiences with two 3 Series vehicles, I am quite satisfied with its handling and level of security it provides and will probably acquire one in the future, though from a different dealership and service department.