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Comments
I've posted on the new E before. As I said previously, I think it looks like a Chinese knock off of an E-class. The whole E formula has gotten really stale lately, but this... thing... is not an improvement in any way. The front is a mishmash of "heritage" and modern ques that don't work together at all. It's time for M-B to either let the old E grille and the hood ornament go, or put them on a car that they actually fit on. Even worse than the Audi/Porsche knock off LED lights are the "double barrel" fog lights you can have instead, where it looks like the exhaust has been routed out the front of the car. The rear end is somehow even more bland and generic than the W210 E. I don't know how they managed that, but they did. The taillights were either stolen from a '97 Q45, or contracted out to Daewoo or Kia.
I like the S-class interior and love the CL-class interior, but this "squares are cool again!" '80s theme that M-B started with the C-class and put in the GLK and now the E just doesn't work for me at all. Interior design by ruler should've died its dishonorable death 20 years ago.
The engines in the US market are direct carryovers from the old model. Europeans get direct injection which MB calls "CGI" and idle-stop systems, but there's nothing new for us.
Personally, I'd hold out for the 2011 A6.
During a minor snow storm (nothing major to Toronto standards) my warning lights flashed indicating both suspension and brake malfunction. I tried to continue driving until I realized I was putting my life and other lives in danger.
I waited two hours for a tow truck in order to be informed that there was a mistake and a flatbed tow truck should arrive very soon. Two hours after that I got a flatbed tow truck but the driver couldn't find where to hook my car. Another hour was spent where he looked through his towing manuals and called his many contacts at his office on how to get my car on his truck. Lo and behold finally my car was delivered to the dealership five hours later at 1:00AM today.
I will update you folks on what new problems I have with my car. The dealership now is closed.
I am serious about this but since I got my car almost every single month like clockwork a malfuction or group of malfunctions occured with my BMW335i..
My wife is trying to persuade me that a Prius may be too small and she thinks a reliable AWD RX450h may be the solution. My neighbor has a brother who is a general manager at a Lexus dealership and he is trying to sway me towards a Lexus RX 450H.
I am not easily swayed by other opinions. BUT reality is starting to BITE and I really do need to be able to commute between Point A and Point B without a multitude of malfunctions and spinning wheels.
Well that's the update today. See you folks tomorrow.
Simplicity, reliability and durability are my priorities. And right now I cant think of any German car that delivers these three attributes. A Prius may not be simplicity but at least time has shown that Toyota has mastered complexity based on every single reliability survey out there on a Prius.
My MB 300D delivers simplicity, reliability and durability in spades. How the HELL did so many German cars become such pieces of crap is something I cannot understand.
Resale value hits for both my BMW 335i and my wife's BMW530xi touring will be enormous.
BUT throughout our lifetimes resale value hits never played a big role for us since we used to keep our cars for a long time towards a period when annual depreciation is minimal.
The BMW 335i will be the first car I sold within 2.5 years. By owning a Toyota/Lexus I hope to keep my car for the next decade. Being in the finacial industry I just cant stand wasted amounts of car depreciation ( the irony is most people in the financial industry seem to love massive auto depreciation). I am frugal during boom and bust times alike.
My BMW335i makes me understand why the following words are a Ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times". A Prius will be boring to own but in this case I dont think it will be such a curse as owning my far too interesting BMW335i.
.
You could compromise and get the Camry Hybrid, or if you want something interesting to drive that still has Toyota reliability, the Altima hybrid - provided you can actually find one.
All have been very reliable. 93 Civic, still running strong & now a project car for my son as he attempts to become fast & furious. Ha!
Current day 2 day car is 00 Acura 3.2 TL. Running strong w/150 k on it. None of the famous tranny issues. Biggest disappointment was rear-view mirror leaking onto center console.
04 Tundra has had very few issues. Son's day 2 day ride in college. Biggest issue was OEM tires were shot @ 25k. It's @ 75k now.
Now I'm waiting for my 1st German car to arrive. I have high hopes for the fun factor, & also hope Audi's improved reliability stats are accurate. If the ownership experience is in the same stratosphere as your current 335I, I won't show the same patience you have.
I am expecting more quirks than my other cars, strictly based on posters' accounts.
An ongoing onslaught of malfunctions is quite another thing. And I think it is unlikely that you would experience something like that.
I think it's a good bet that you will love your new car, and that it will be with you for many wonderful years.
I sure do understand Dewey's frustration. I'd be much more p----d off. I think he has shown an amazing amount of personal restraint. Must be due to his wife's influence.
Many here used to argue a lot about the value of Japanese-car reliability as opposed to German-car driving dynamics. There is still a lot of truth to that, but there are indeed limits that now seem more realistic and recognizable, especially to someone like Dewey who has encountered, first hand, the uglier side of German-car unreliability.
Lesson for all of us. I, too, now place greater value on reliability and quality than I used to.
So... I sincerely hope your new car is the best of both worlds. Awesome driving dynamics... and reliable.
TM
Dewey, I feel so bad for you. As others have stated, you are a man of incredible patience. Your luck is bound to turn for the better. Yesterday (Saturday), we visited the Detroit Auto Show and had lots of fun. I was impressed with some of the Ford vehicles as well as the 2010 Caddy SRX. But, I can honestly say that I was most impressed with the 2010 RX450h and the 2010 Prius. The 2010 Lexus HS250h did not do anything for me. My wife would definitely go for the Prius, but she says that she wants something a bit larger and she also wants AWD. Thus, it looks like I will have to dish out quite a bit more money for the new RX around late April or May. But I am looking forward to driving this vehicle. Dewey, I really don't think you can go wrong with either the Prius or the RX. Good luck!
After tiring of my Mercedes and the service I received, I went to Lexus and expected to never return to German ownership. Audi has made great strides in the last few years and I was willing to give them a shot with the S6, which has been a superb vehicle. On the other hand, if my experience was anything like Dewey's, Audi would be buying the car back, and I would be on my way to the Infiniti dealer.
Rock I hope your experience with your S5 is as good as mine has been with the S6. I've seen A5s on the road a few times now, and it is an absolutely stunning car. The 3 coupe is my favorite BMW design, but the A5 makes the BMW look dull as dishwater.
Regards,
OW
Personally I would pick the 3-coupe over the A5 on any given day, I think the e92 is the BEST LOOKING entry level lux coupe out on the street right now, at least exterior wise, interior is another story all together...
For me the A/S5 is a handsome car but it is definitely not striking, almost forgettable in some ways. On the streets a nice looking 3-coupe will normally make me look at it more than once but never the A/S5.
As for the driving dynamics, if the A5 drives anything like the new A4 then it is nothing to write home about, a 335i sports and G37S can easily out-handle it with ease. Surely I am biased but I think my f-sport enhanced IS350 will have no problem out run the A4 on any furface except wet and snow.
That's okay, if the A4 can run on Grizzly Adams then my IS350 can outrun it when it's dry...
Regards,
Jose
USA does not have a coupe version. That would be awesome. But I agree that the 335d is a car worthy of checking out.
TM
I agree with you.
The 3-Series Coupe is better looking between the two. However, the Audi is definately a good-looker, and is certainly nipping at the 3er's heels.
TM
For starters, there is a nice post (##278) in BMW 335d 2009+ thread here in Edmunds Forums. I fully agree with what is said in it. :shades:
Regards,
Jose
Regards,
Jose
I don't perceive a big gap though. I see it as 1 & 1A, either way (less exotics) & neither would be kicked out of my bedroom for eating crackers.
My favorite part about both is I think they both look good AND are distinctively different representing their brand styles well. If that makes sense.
I assume the 335 takes the drive award.
At the end of the day, if you want refined traction, the A5 fits perfectly. If you favor performance, the 335 is for you.
It's the best I can offer!
Regards,
OW
With just 265hp and 243ft.lbs, the A4 isn't really a match for most of the entry lux crew. The 2.0T version is more competitive, and will easily beat the criminally slow IS250 AWD.
The S4 with QS will shut down the IS350 and the 335i on any surface and in any weather (as it should for the considerable price premium), make no mistake about that.
Aside from enjoying my car, I was unaware I was so 'green'.
Regards,
Jose
Acceleration felt strong, but the numbers didnt agree, I got about 6 sec to the 60. As for the rest, I didn't find any difference btween the diesel and gasoline powered version.
The concern is price. In European countries the higher price tag returns in the form of lower emissions tax (which can get ridiculously high out there), not so in this country. The higher sticker, plus more expensive price for diesel fuel makes me wonder if the 335d is worth it...
Styling: BMW has the sleeker look, Audi more muscular. Both equally elegant = Draw
Interior: BMW wins a little for simplicity (sans i-drive), Audi totally rules in material and design = Audi wins.
Performance: BMW has the edge over Audi in every category I can think of = BMW wins
Last, pricing: Both are similarly priced with similar equipment = draw.
For me it's basically a draw, but if I'm to choose I'll take the Audi for it's exclusivity over BMW's dime in a dumpsterful status
Man you dodged a bullet....I am proud of you for doing so
Congrats to all of you for the new President. I've liked his presidential speech. Time will say if he will success in dealing the global crisis with the necessary fair leadership, but just now he is a milestone in world history. I wish the best to him and the USA Citizens (and collaterally to the rest of the world
Regards,
Jose
I think I just got one of those exceptional lemons :lemon:
Based on this forum I can tell you quite a few BMW owners are not going through what I am going through right now.
So what happened to my car?
The reason my car was stuck in the snow was solely due to a software prolem. Various modules (traction control , steering, braking) worked together to make my car immobile. Sort of like having a car built by Microsoft :surprise:
It took them two full days to correct this software problem.
Apparently the only mechanical problem was with my window motor. This is the third window motor that malfunctioned so far.
Amen.
Here is my rationale for a Prius:
Performance cars--Forget it. I am fed up with driving a ticket machine. One judge already knows me well enough that he gives me snarky looks even before my trial begins.
German cars--Nein, nein, nein. Those BMW service reps no me even better than those folks at the traffic courts.
SUVs-- NO way. Everytime I sit in a SUV or a Minivan I feel like I should be wearing a school bus driver's cap and uniform.
Luxury Japanese Cars--I never was a fan of ostentatious luxury and only liked BMWs because of their austerity and performance.
So where does that leave me?
A car with a lot of high technology and that is the Prius. The technology of the Prius is second to none. It's amazing that no other Toyota shares so many technologies with Lexuses like a Prius. I think the reason why Toyota has loaded the Prius with so many technologies is that they want to differentiate it from the new cheaper Honda Insight. But by doing so they have made the Lexus HS somewhat redundant.
Remember JIT Inventory control being a Japanese notion. Well apparently not only Nissan has lost touch with that notion.
Excess Hondas:
Excess Toyotas
link title
Yes that is a compromise. But I am too extreme for compromises. I want a benchmark car and if I am not going to get a benchmark performance car then at least I want a benchmark green car and that just so happens to be the 2010 Prius
I just have to agree with you on the 2010 Prius. It's just the right car for so many reasons. I'm working on my wife to consider one, but so far she doesn't "get it".
You are doing the right thing. I know it. Stay the course.
TM
Regards,
OW
Regards,
Jose
1) Sales fell by at least 30% over 2008.
2) Modern car production plantsall over the world are capable of producing 30-50% more than what the global market can absorb.
Well, if they give deep discounts I'll consider one
Perhaps the buy 1 get 1 free like some car dealers pull? :shades:
I've test driven Priuses many times so I know what to expect.
During the 90s I ordered a Honda Insight and had to cancel it due to family expansion reasons (rear seat required). Instead I got a BMW 3 series.
I cant fully explain the reason why I want a tinny hybrid? But one thing I love about the Prius is that it is one sophisticated piece of engineering compared to most other vehicles.
For instance what is the difference between the 2010 MB E Class and the 2009 E Class?
Both these MB cars have the same drivetrains and both share almost the same technology.
Many MBs. BMWs and Audis are complex cars and that is the reason why some of them are dreadfully unreliable. In fact the more complex they are the greater likelihood of them being unreliable. Priuses can be considered even more more complex but reliability is usually a non-issue. Now that is a great accomplishment..
But if you look at the new Prius versus the current model the differences are quite substantial.
The Light Amidst the Darkness
I am just the messenger.
My intentions were to wait until we got back from DC at the inauguration and then choose between it and the X5d.
But my sneak of a wife had it on order. SINCE LATE OCTOBER. But it is was mostly my fault as for most of 08, I found excuses for us not to buy any SUV, particularly through 4 dollar gas.
But on the positive side of things, MB definitely delivered. it's as solid as any MB and it rides much better than the X3 and VW Tiguan. The cabin continues with MBs new designs, it looks better than the C-Class. I do have to get used to the Range Rover-esque near vertical windshield. But that lends to great sightlines. The 3.5L gets the job done well. It steps out smartly from a stop and has ample passing punch. It's no 3.0 turbo BMW, but its nice.
All in, I think it was a great buy. I would have wanted to wait for the Q5, but if the Tiguan is a precursor of it, I think we were on the right track
Tony, they have a sweet black R8 in the showroom. Orderer had to cancel because of divorce. It's unclaimed now, so if you got a few extra coins....
One of the nice piece of mind things about buying a car like the Prius is that they are usually built in special factories, pretty much by hand. Hybrids represent the best of the best as far as reliability is concerned.
Congrats! A Deep Sea Blue pearl A5 was behind me on the way home today - WOW. Blue is usually not my favorite color, but it looked stunning. I was actually sorry to see it go. If you get a chance, post some pictures for us.
Yep, its the Q3 that gets its bones from the Tiguan. The pricing structure there seems pretty tight, the Tiguan can get well past $30K, and yet the Q3 has to cost less than the Q5, so it's likely to be in the mid to high $30s. Why would anyone buy the VW?