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
It has not been yet confirmed with multiple sources, but the rumor mill has it that BMW is developing a tri-turbo diesel engine based on the six-cylinder turbo existing in the BMW line-up. The tri-turbo engine will output 354 horsepower and it will be initially used in a BMW X5 Performance Diesel.
This new engine will carry the EfficientDynamics badge by incorporating technologies like Start-Stop system and Brake Energy Regeneration (KERS). It will be geared towards the European market in need for a top X5 model.
Featured: Six-cylinder twin-turbo diesel
BMW X5 Performance Diesel has less pronounced wheel arches that the ones seen on the new BMW X5 M . The Wheels give the car very sporting and powerful appearance. The aerodynamic performance package follows the design of the X5 M, but the central intake is smaller with the intakes for the brakes less open mouthed and a colored bar across .
Same source, someone close to BMW, speaks of subtle spoilers for air flow at the leading edge of the bumper. The rear of the car features two larger and more exposed performance exhaust pipes which will be incorporated in the upcoming facelift of the X5.
The tri-turbo engine will be first available in the X5 models and the X6 at a later date. BMW plans to introduce the engine within key models such as the next 5 Series , 7 Series and eventually the additional 5er and 6er variants.
It is unknown what name will these X5 models carry, but as soon as we get more info, you’ll have it.
link title
Regards,
OW
I agree, and I own it! But in black, the exterior's exaggerated sculptings are less jarring (no shadows around the forms as you see in the lighter colors), and the interior is just plain handsome. Of course, just IMHO - and why I waited so long for a perfectly optioned black on black one. :shades:
Not the least bit surprised about Wells. When they got Wachovia they wrote all the Wachovia loans down to market on purchase price so they had no P&L exposure whatsoever on those loans. Every CFO worth his pay never misses an opportunity to reserve everything in sight in purchase price accounting. So here you have the stupidity of GAAP accounting. Wells has the same problems as everyone else but doesn't have to run any of the Wachovia loans thru it's P&L. Hence Wall Street can approach it differently and as a result ends up putting a much higher multiple on it's cash flow than say Citi. When Wachovia was on the brink I was buying whoever bought them because of my understanding of acquisition accounting. You've got to keep in mind the low bank valuations were not really caused by bad cash flow, they were caused by paper writedowns and all of a sudden Wells had a backdoor escape from booking to P&L of all of Wachovia's future mark to market loan writeoffs.
I also bought 10K shares of Citi at $1. I figured the upside was phenomenal. The companies cash flow was trading at a small fraction of its market cap which is absurd and is still absurd today. I dumped 3K shares at 2.98 so now I have 7K shares for a Grand with very low risk and very high reward. I understand the risks of Citi but I can't ignore their great cash flow. In the end investing a grand on Citi is like buying an old expensive DVD player.
Future - Don't know. You've still got a bunch of folks out there that want the market to tank and will do anything in their power to make it happen so these folks are playing on scaring everyone to death. Some of these folks just want their predictions to come true for their egos and have no shame in how far they are willing to go. Meredith Whitney has based her whole dire bank predictions on paper writedowns continuing unheeded. She reminds me of a manager who has a pitcher throwing a no-hitter thru 6 but now the other team is hitting ropes everywhere. I'd have a reliever warming up in the bullpen if I were her.
I just hope Obama severely curtails his spending plan. It's not needed as the Fed has pulled off all the great moves here. if Obama goes thru with his spending they'll need to quickly and agrressively raise rates rather than ease into it.
The boy and I went to lunch then to see Monsters vs. Aliens at Patriots Place (too cool for school 13 year old daughter declined my offer of joining us). Post flick, we wandered a bit around the Gillette Stadium adjacent mall area including the Pats Pro Shop. Cassel, Vrabel and Gaffney jerseys now selling for $25, down from their Pat playing day retail prices of $80. Thanks and good luck, boys...
We came home, I threw on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt and did a bit of yard work, including fertilizing the greening grass. The EW brought home pizza for dinner, we played Monopoly (which was suspended when the EW's bedtime had arrived, I was winning!) and I reminded the boy of baseball practice Saturday morning. Ah, Friday would have been a great day to play ball!
It is now Saturday, practice is over. The Monopoly game was concluded sans your humble scribe and, not surprisingly, I was told that I lost. To the boy. And, it is now snowing. :surprise:
I continue to love New England!
'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...)
It's been about 6 months of New England winter since my last application of Z-2 and the shine is still fab, the water still beading as though I last applied a week ago. Looking forward to some consistent 60-ish degree weather so that I can add a few more coats.
Hi, my name is Laurasdada and I'm a Zainoholic...
And I'm a bit jealous of the savvy investors here. I've been eying a few stocks, too. Which have done well in the recent run (and even one that fared relatively well during the blood-letting) . But, we're pouring our cash into paying down the mortgage vs. investing. SWMBO has ordered this course. She also being the one who timed the marked top, and moving assets to calmer waters, fairly well preserving her 401k and giving her the power to note that she can retire someday whereas Mr. Stay the Course cannot.
'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...)
Meguiar's. All I ever use on the outside. Lexol on the inside. But I'm open to a good sales pitch...
Well gents, 618 miles on the TTS. If heaven doesn't have Audi stands, I'm not interested. Thus far, it has done precisely what I expected on any ribbon of curving asphalt, and then some. The surprise is on the freeway. This suspension is unreal. I have set it in sport mode, and there it will stay. A trip through the tunnel and over the bridge into SF to take my anime and manga-crazed daughter to Japantown mall for a 16th birthday celebration was comfortable but solidly planted, and thoroughly enjoyable. But, oh my, the grip is, well, oh my!
I understand now why the DSG hasn't been offered on more models. It isn't for everyone. For those used to a typical, or even outstanding, slushbox through a TC, this is a bit harder, more visceral, more connected, and I can see why they would go with Tip for other offerings. You have to want to control the process to fully enjoy this transmission, through the gas pedal, the brake pedal and the paddles. Not to say the standard auto mode isn't more than acceptable, IMO, but you do feel things, and in the lux world, that's not always a plus, however much I prefer it. It belongs in this car. It fits.
The 2.0 with its heavy-breather is a delight to all the senses. The turbo whine is sweet, but it's that decisive and mildly concussive waste-gate pop that lends the right note to the proceedings.
I am hooked and hooked hard. I'll put it up here and now that when I turn the car in 36-48 months, it will be to upgrade to whatever the next TT advancement hitting our shores will be. Let's see how well this post holds up over time!
Investments: I hadn't considered GE before. I have considered and picked up some more Target Corp. as I think their potential on the back side of this correction is huge, especially considering the real estate opportunities facing retail. Other than that, the Mrs. and I are looking very seriously at real estate.
Happy Spring and Easter and Passover, etc. to all.
May the Easter Bunny fill your baskets with high quality car care products!
'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...)
Meguiar's definitely isn't bad, and you can find it everywhere which is a bonus. I've found that Mother's does a very good job. Haven't tried the Zaino stuff.
I'm glad you're enjoying the TTS, it's definitely a very cool car. S-tronic I think remains the ultimate gearbox at this point, though other automakers are catching up with their own dual clutch units. They've certainly come a long way in a few years. The M5's gearbox and the early Maserati Cambiocorsa units were not pleasant to use in automatic mode.
I'm curious to see what the reviews for the upcoming TT-RS are like. It's been quite awhile since Audi has offered a five cylinder.
Well, it looks like it's time to read the comparison test results. Zaino wins most of the tests. You don't have to take my word for it... you can Google this yourself.
I had never heard of Zaino until Laurasdada told me about it. Frankly, I was a little skeptical, but let me assure you that he is absolutely 100% correct when he talks about Zaino. After he told me about Zaino, I read about it, checked the reviews and test results, and then finally bought some to try for myself.
Yes, other quality products can do a terrific job, but Zaino is simply the best there is. In addition to Zaino's winning test results, you have testimonials from other forum members and myself.
PM, maybe trying to use the best paint care product just doesn't matter enough to you, but you've got a pretty nice car there... and as bright as it is, it deserves the best... and the best is Zaino. Period. If you don't believe me... you can read about it and discover the truth for yourself. Then after you buy some and try it, you will really appreciate that we told you about it.
TM
I am almost at the point of throwing in the towel on doing this myself but the detail shops don't have Zaino and I still like to do it myself, even though my increasing age makes it go slower than in the past.
The power application in this tranny is eye opening.
Zaino: I shall give it some thought. Egyptian cotton and clay bars still seem over the top to me, and I've done my own paint protection all the way along. Open I will be, though...
Really, I don't mind paying AMT because I'm sure that all those CEOs whose companies NEVER made a profit under their "leadership" deserve those platinum-gilded golden parachutes! Without my little contribution, they'd simply have to collect unemployment, e gads!
Hey, if you're contractually obligated to pay 7 figure bonuses to the "top talent" that helped destroy the finances of millions of regular folks, well, let me help by paying a little extra to the IRS. Because, yes, back in 1969 my family is certainly exactly the type of "rich people who don't pay taxes" that they had in mind. Yup, living in Massachusetts, in a lovely town that is supported by 96+% residential tax base, I obviously do not pay my fair share.
I guess, in the words of Leona Helmslely, I am one of the "little people."
Hey, one day a year I'm allowed to lament (and rant about) being a simple, honest, hard working, middle class family man. The other 364 days, that is a good thing.
And I know that I am not alone and that there are greater problems than having to pay AMT. But, at this moment in time, this is my rant.
'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...)
Regards,
OW
The E Z Pass people in Maine answer their phone quickly and are polite. In MA the E Z Pass people are rude, don't answer their phone, and won't let you have a commercial plate on the same E Z Pass as your other vehicle. All in all, the E Z Pass people in MA are everthing you would expect officials to be in a one party state.
Baghdad -- Business, not bombs, is booming at Baghdad car dealerships, as well-heeled Iraqis are indulging in a passion long out of reach -- spiffy, new cars.
BMWs, Nissans, Hyundais and even military-style Hummers now weave around the shabby, smoke-belching wrecks and donkey carts that have clogged the streets over two decades of sanctions and war.
That may make Baghdad one of the few cities worldwide where the auto industry is doing relatively well. With its limited banking system, Iraq has largely avoided the global financial meltdown.
More... link title
Anyone here think Iraq will ever pay us back?
TM
It's not just you. I'm quite outraged. Remember how Louisiana's guard was unfortunately out of town when they were rather urgently needed at home? Along with all their equipment?
If nothing else, the fact that hundreds of US soldiers were injured or killed by war profiteering KBR's electrified showers should make you angry. The military now has to inspect literally every one of its bases in Iraq and make sure the wiring is actually done properly, rather than just thrown around for maximum profit. Guess what private contractor got the contract to re-inspect all of the showers? Go ahead, guess. There's a reason that "Bandar Bush" is an honorary member of the family.
Anyone here think Iraq will ever pay us back?
Somehow I just don't see that happening. Not that its necessarily a unique sitation at this point. GM, Chrysler, and all of the TARP recipients will never pay us back either.
Well loans to the car companies are one thing, but the government is a preferred shareholder in the big banks. And IIRC they converted the preferred shares of Citigroup into about 40% of common stock.
Truer words were never spoken. I do think that these people will ultimately fail in their attempt to bring the market to new lows this time. I remain quite encouraged. BTW, I agree with previous posts that GE is a good stock to buy on dips.
You ask good questions and no one knows for sure, but here are my feelings. The collapse of the financial system was obviously triggered by the housing bubble and then the stock market had a historical collapse. But what I think has been happening the past several months is that we have quite a few so called "gurus" who have been predicting that we have yet to see the lows in the market and they have been forecasting a Dow down towards 5000 or lower in the "not too distant future". They started saying this in the days and weeks that followed the low a couple months ago. But I really believe that the market has fooled them on the upside and these guys and their followers have been using all their power to bring about another collapse to new lows so that they can say they were right. Anyway, that's the simplistic way that I see it. Do I believe there is manipulation in the stock market and, or commodity markets? You bet I do.
I truly believe that we have seen the lows about 2 months ago. It will obviously not be a smooth ride by any means, however.
thanks for the warning about the BMW wagon. Next time my wife gets her BMW 530xi touring serviced I will remind her of this possible issue.
cashflows are great for Citi and in fact it becoming great for the whole global banking industry.
But here's something to consider when looking at the financial industry's cash flows. In fact let's forget bank cash flows and focus on a larger number like global bank revenues:
Wholesale global bank revenues estimate = 220 Billion $ for 2010
Sounds impressive until global credit losses are considered.
IMF estimate of global credit losses = 4,000 Billion $ (some estimates are even more bearish)
Banks have already expensed 915 Billion $ according to Bloomberg
What does this mean? It means that it would take about 14 years for bank revenue just to cover those estimated credit losses.
With the numbers above cash flow or revenues does not sound impressive at all. The Government is actively involved in the financial sector not because they are excited about the hefty cash flows in the banking industry but because of insolvency.
FINANCIAL TIMES
Not with GE Capital. More than 40 percent of its consumer loans are non-investment grade borrowers. 81 percent of its outstanding equipment leases are to non-investment grade borrowers. A big portion of their borrowings are in Eastern Europe. It just so happens that many parts of Eastern Europe are just a few steps behind of Iceland in terms of becoming financial basket cases.
GE a good buy?
Buyer beware.
Business Week
In terms of what?
Bombings?
Destroying cities?
War Mortalities?
Hopefully a future Iraqi leader does not declare war on the USA based on suspicions that Wall Street is still hiding Weapons of Financial Mass Destruction.
I predicted three months ago that you would return back by Easter. Though I was only 50 percent right since I forgot Passover.
GE's financial arm is only a part of what GE is about. This is a company that does so many things, and most of them very well. It's stock price was (still is) too cheap, even if you factor in the risk to the financial arm.
As the general economy improves, GE will also. It won't take all that many years to roll a double... as it would with many stocks. When a solid stock like GE is oversold, I think it is very likely to outperform the market when the market is going up.
We disagree and we will see. I checked with my broker (who is a friend of mine) and he agrees with me that the oversold GE stock is very likely to outperform the market... in a big way.
TM
1) A solar sunroof Prius
2) A Gizmo loaded Prius without the solar sun roof
3) A Prius with a solar sunroof and a lot of gizmos assuming Toyota changes their minds about those option packages.
4) A future model of a Prius wagon expected next year that will be bigger than the current model
5) Another future model of a Prius that is expected to be even bigger than the Prius wagon mentioned above.
6) A Prius plug-in hybrid if the mileage and prices are not way off the top.
7) A Prius Sport Sedan Ultimate Driving Machine which I know will not exist. :P
It's a very tough choice indeed. Despite my problematical BMW I am beginning to feel seller's remorse and finding excuses why I should keep my car which happens to be right now at the dealership because of loose interior mouldings (again for the last dozen or so times) and a lost front tow hook cover.
Not from BMW or Toyota, but maybe from Infiniti. The upcoming G hybrid will obviously not be able to achieve Prius-like mileage, but it should be able to at least challenge the 335d, without requiring ultra expensive diesel fuel. If the G's current reliability record is anything to go by (100% perfect scores for the '08 RWD G in CR), a G hybrid is likely to be as reliable as the sun.
I just have a mental block on GE.
Regards,
OW
I am starting a new logistics company in NJ and will need to build up sales as fast as possible along with the infrastructure....wish me luck!
When will the G hybrid debut?
Regards,
OW
Let me know if you decide to hire Dre as a Spokesmodel for CircleW Logistics, Inc. :shades:
'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...)
When you get things rolling and feel like a breather, how's about a cigar and rum tour in Cuba. I know I'm heading there somewhere along the line. 'Bout damn time, too, IMO.
It's funny you should mention that in jest. I am concerned about those financial WMDs and what few seem to know about the derivatives market. Didn't Buffett change his position on them? Either way I don't trust what's going on out there. The direction and temerity of banking, politics and the lack of stability they laid on us is despicable.
I'm not sure. Edmunds tested an early prototype last year, but I don't think there are any concrete production plans yet. The hybrid M will probably come first.
Q5 Full Test
Good luck with your business venture!!
Logistics eh? More details please.
TM
Yes, now I have to search out real customers who need value added supply chain solutions instead of super models who pitch cars at the shows! Who'd a thought?
Perhaps Dre can join the team... we are outsourcing what makes sense! We can keep a picture of her over a desk in an office and keep saying she is on the road when customers come to visit!
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
Remember to give royalties to dada for using the name
I felt compelled to respond to couple of emails about GE..(My apologies to Pat).
I believe that GE will probably not do too well either. I say this because the culture in GE has been poisoned.
1) Since GE managers are very "sought after" the middle managers have started to lie to upper management to get two/three years of GE management stamp and move on to greener pasture. This is what happened to the LCD optical film division that was suppose to compete with 3M. It will take the analysts another 5 to 6 years to figure it out they are far removed from middle management. Serious accusation but true (IMHO)
2) Growth will be driven by innovation. GE is an execution company not innovative. Name one breakthrough innovation that came out of GE in last 15 years.
3) 9 by 9 performance matrix is driving people away. Getting rid of bottom 10% in R&D causes lot of tribal knowledge to go away...leading to mediocore and new R&D projects every year.
As far as picking stocks go common sense always prevails.
In tough time companies that deal with auto parts (AZO), Adult education (APOL, CECO) do well.
Job losses generally continue during recovery and are there during recent recovered markets. Companies like Monster and ADP will probably lead.
Just my babbling and thoughts...GE has never worked for me either
I can go on but its a car forum so I shall stop and hope this mail will not be deleted by our good host..
We are starting a new business model with a group of professionals in the fragrance and flavors, neutraceuticals and pharama arenas. Our purpose is to provide supply chain services that cut costs in the respective industry distribution systems. There are many firms that have specialized processes that we can do in a much more cost-effective model.
You would be surprised at folks that have never seen the forrest but for the trees in their respective operations. We are focusing on transportation, packaging and warehousing fine ingredients which need special handling and processing.
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
I can't attest to driving dynamics at all. When I was picking up the TT, a young woman was taking delivery of her new black on black Prestige Q5, and we spoke for a minute or two while her paperwork was printing. I killed a little time fussing around with the grey one on the showroom floor after. My wife's lease on a Lincoln MKX is up in a year, and I was thinking it might be nice to be a two-Audi family.
It is the class leader (mid-size crossovers), IMO, in styling, hands down. Inside and out, just on aesthetics, I find it ahead of the competition. The closest second on styling in my book would be the Mazda CX-7. Japanese offerings in general, though, tend to rely on more detailing gimmicks than any real purity of form, in my book. Infiniti is somewhat of an exception I think, but unfortunately, their crossover purity doesn't hook me.
Inside, from the driver's seat, everything is a delight to senses, from my cursory sampling. From the rear seat, not so very much. I set the front to normal driving position and hopped in the back. When I look at this class of vehicles, as opposed to, say, a sport sedan, I'm looking at family hauling abilities. There was not a substantial amount of space back there, though I daresay the typical family of four (assuming two children of pre-driving age) would not be inconvenienced. Not at all generous. And the fifth seat spot is a joke, as it was when we looked at the RX and FX and the CX and most other X's we entertained two years ago. I didn't find the rear seats particularly comfortable in any of them, this included.
Again, I can't speak to driving dynamics, although if bloodline is any indication then the Q7 test drive we took two years back would imply that it's likely very satisfying for what it is.
I doubt there's any question of success for this entry.
Here's my thought: I'd much rather take home an A4 or A6 Avant. If driving dynamics are a factor at all, then there is a disadvantage to the concept from the get-go, and better service will come from the sport wagons. There is very little hit, if any in reality, on utility by taking the wagons too. It's a vehicle class, admittedly, of which I have never understood the appeal.
I can't talk my wife into an Avant. She loves her Lincoln and will likely replace it with another of the same when this lease is up. I only have to drive it once or twice a year, so I have no real reason to be involved in the selection process in the first place, but I will say that it provides more real space and comfort than anything else we looked at in the class, and that it is attractively turned and appointed, other than the way overboard chrome grill. Drives just fine too for what it is. I think someone looking for a significant driving experience from a crossover of any kind to begin with has void spaces in the cranium, but that's just me.
So, I think it's a sales winner, but I still don't get why!
GE has already done very, very well since it's bottom, and continues to show strength, even when the market is down. and continues to do so, even yesterday and today (so far)... one of a handful of upside stocks when the broader market is negative.
I don't care about GE. I only like the fact that it was oversold and has been providing my portfolio with a decent return. GE makes so many things from the obvious light bulbs to jet engines... many things that the world still needs. We might just see some growth in GE nuclear power as we move towards energy independence. And GE leads the world in air turbines and has invested heavily in A123, the battery technology company... which will help the auto industry in a huge way. GE is huge and into energy, which is a very big priority now and moving forward.
When the stock gets high enough for my taste, I'll sell it and move on. I never get too greedy.
TM
Regards,
OW