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1990 BMW 7 Series Consumer Discussions
View photos
All BMW 7 Series Models
Used TMV from $1,113
BMW Driving Experience
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Re: GM UAW Contract [dieselone]
RB, very nice car. The first BMW I ever got behind the wheel of was a 1990 318i which a older friend of mine bought new a year or so out of college. Wow, that car blew me a away. Having mainly driven domestics I'd never experienced a car that performed so effortlessly. It's something that's hard to describe, but the feel of the car was like nothing that I was ... Read More
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Re: GM UAW Contract [roadburner]
RB, very nice car. The first BMW I ever got behind the wheel of was a 1990 318i which a older friend of mine bought new a year or so out of college. Wow, that car blew me a away. Having mainly driven domestics I'd never experienced a car that performed so effortlessly. It's something that's hard to describe, but the feel of the car was like nothing that I was ... Read More
1990 BMW 735iL Questions and Upgrades?
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1990 bmw ac/heater 735il
with the ac on i get cold air on the driver and hot air for the passenger both controls are at 65 degrees
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Brake problems on my 1990 BMW
I had a braking problem were I ended up in a front end accident because of the faulty performance in the brake system. A slowing down as opposed to a quick stop. I thought it might be a problem with the ABS system in this earlier model year. Has anyone had similar braking problems, seen any bulletins, or have ideas on making performance work reasonably better?
BMW History and Engine Technology
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Re: BMW 2.5 V6 [pearl]
IIRC, BMW built some wonderful 3.4 and 3.5 liter I6s back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Yes, no? Best Regards, Shipo
High End Luxury Cars
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Re: BMW lease offers [dhamilton]
I have no interest in the M5. Can't see getting a track car for stop and go and interstate driving. I guess dewey can use one on some abandoned former olympic tobogganing runs. Funny post about the gal complaining that she is having trouble with her "newly purchased" 1990 7 Series over in the Luxury Lounge! I agree that if you see a car as "value", it is best to buy ... Read More
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Re: The X6 Edmunds HELC Forum Consensus [lexusguy]
Cars are getting bigger as usual. The outgoing RX is 14 cu.ft bigger than the new X3. Even the new RAV4 is a couple cu.ft bigger than the new X3. Benchmarking against old models from competitor is a sure way to lose. Seriously though, I don't think you can make a case for the auto mags being pro-BMW. Many of them have been choosing the Infiniti M over the 5 Series ... Read More
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Re: The C&D Comparo [hpowders]
What about the other vehicles in these comparos? Aren't pre-production models supplied for these tests all the time? Well not if they're already on the market, which in fairness the Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar all have been for some time now. I'd read in one of these C&D comparos in which Lexus asked for the comparo. I believe it was the first comparo of the original LS400 back in 1989-1990 ... Read More
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LS460 Review
Here is another review of the Lexus LS460. This reviewer loved the 1990 LS400 so much that he almost bought one. Unfortunately his opinion about the LS460 is a bit different And I would like to pre-empt anyone from accusing me of writing this review. Honest it wasn't me that wrote this. In fact it was a very fine fellow by the name of Jay Shoemaker that wrote this very engaging ... Read More
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Re: It's a no-brainer [lexusguy]
Sharing V6s is ok, many automakers do that. V8s however, should remain M-B exclusive. Lexusguy, there is no company on this earth that is as good in platform sharing between luxury and non luxury autos as Toyota. Unfortunately very few other companies share that success. The disasterous details of Jaguar/Ford platform sharing has been recently discussed here. The details of the success of platform sharing between Honda and Acura is evident ... Read More
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Re: Oac [blkhemi]
Japanese comp? We're still waiting..... How about the Skyline GT-R? "The GT-R's success in motor racing was formidable, particularly in the annual race at the Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst, Australia, where the champion three years running was a GT-R (despite receiving additional weight penalties in years two and three due to its unbeatable performance), and in the Japanese GT series where it has remained dominant up to the present day. ... Read More
BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair
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Radio head removal
Can someone please help me with some step-by-step instructions as to how to remove the radio from the dash of a 1990 bmw 735il. Or better still, point me in the right direction for solving my problem. It looks like the radio (and cd) are working fine but there is zero sound from the speakers. All fuses are OK, I have not yet checked the powewr into the booster amp (rear ... Read More
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Re: 1990 Bmw 750 Looses Power [caliboi1976]
sounds like a "cranky" crankshaft sensor to me. I believe there are two, one for each bank of cylinders, so this makes some sense. Another idea might have to do with throttle control "motor".
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1990 Bmw 750 Looses Power
HI, im looking for some information as to what would be the likely cause for my 90 750il to intermittantly loose power, it does it at cruising speeds mostly, feels like it runs on only 6 cylinders, i let off the gas and then the other cylinders catch on and its fine for a few minutes and then same thing, cuts down to 6 cyl, let off and then back to ... Read More
High End Luxury Cars
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Re: sales number and price premium is all it matters [volvomax]
Thats not true. Z06 is not the topic at HELM so lets not go there. I would still say, 911 turbo and 599GTB would out-gun Z06. Run circles around is an overstatement. It may be true that LS does not have the same heritage, but look at the recent HELM perception and you will be proven false. Moreover, contrary to your perception, Lexus is just as good as S and 7, ... Read More
1990 BMW 735iL Questions and Upgrades?
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Re: 1990 735il [slake]
The fuse box is under the hood, either on the driver's side or passenger side- square box that flips open. Inside, there's a reference guide to which fuses go where and the amperage. You may find either new fuses as any other may use or you may find the BMW original fuses. BMW original fuses are cool because you can just look at them to see which ones are bad rather ... Read More
BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair
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Re: mid 90's 740il questions [drbonds]
70K isn't bad. I'd prefer 60, but I guess one must be realistic. You mean a 1990s era performance sedan that drives like a BMW but runs like a Lexus? No such animal IMHO. If you could live with a mid to later 90s 5 Series BMW, that might work better for you. Again, low miles.
High End Luxury Cars
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Re: Plain as day [tagman]
Tagman, I respectfully disagree with your assessment. I still own my 1992 LS400 and will not part with it period. I don't need to justify anything: My experience with Lexus Customer Service and their Service Department has been very poor. How would you like it if you've invested $200K in a certain brand and they treat you poorly when you need them? That's not called Service. They were not loyal to ... Read More
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1990 LS400
"In 1989 when Toyota introduced this car to America as a 1990 model, the automotive press thought it didn't have a chance against the likes of Mercedes and BMW. Toyota knew how to build great economy cars and small family sedans but this is the big league. Jokes circulated about this folly, one of which I remember on a TV drama where a car thief who specialized in stealing expensive cars ... Read More
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Re: Sales..... [scott1256]
MB just completed their 12th consecutive year of increased sales in the USA. BMW has a stellar track record too. The success of Lexus doesn't mean BMW/MB are out of the picture. No they're not out of the picture, nor do I expect that to happen, however Lexus has and imho will continue to gain market share. Some others were asking about "where Lexus' share has come from" and I couldn't ... Read More
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Re: MB, BMW?? what else you have? [oac]
Care to back this up with facts ? As far as I know Lexus was introduced before 5 years ago! Lexus started in 1989 or 1990 and MB sales grew quite substantially since those years! Also MB sales at the tail end of 05 grew quite nicely indicating the beginning of a turnaround. And the Lexus LS remains a lower priced alternative to a MB S. There are more Tissot watches ... Read More
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Re: MB, BMW?? what else you have? [dewey]
MB sales have grown tremendously since the introduction of Lexus. Care to back this up with facts ? How much %-wise has MB sales grown since 1990 ? This is also a period when MB was dominating the HELM market, but now is #4 in sales...
BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair
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Re: need help on why my 1990 bmw 735il won't start [vypurr]
See message #343. Similar problem with 1993 740iL.
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need help on why my 1990 bmw 735il won't start
my bmw cranks but won't start.I'm wondering if anyone have any suggestions
High End Luxury Cars
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Re: True Luxury Cars. READ THIS!! by TagMan [ljflx]
In all honesty do you really think a young company that has blown past them (sales, quality, customer satisfaction, retained value, dealer service - and remember many who own Lexus dealers also own MB and other lux dealerships) in the largest and most profitable market in the world is not a key focus? Because if that's the case then they have managers who cannot see the future. That was certainly the ... Read More
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Re: True Luxury Cars. READ THIS!! by TagMan [merc1]
False again! MB's key focus is BMW Audi's key focus is BMW/MB And if I'm Lexus - I'm happy as hell about this and hope it stays that way. Because not focusing on a competitor like Lexus is blatantly stupid - in all three cases. In all honesty do you really think a young company that has blown past them (sales, quality, customer satisfaction, retained value, dealer service - and remember ... Read More
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Lexicans Response..
Hi All, I don't understand this prestige argument at all...Isn't it obvious a nameplate that has existed for not even 20 yrs will NOT be considered more prestigious than a historical marque such as MB..I think we can all agree on that fact Prestige is a function of time. I do think MB is concerned with Lexus at least in the USA. I distinctly remember a Mercedes VP complaining in the ... Read More
BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier
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Re: Cost estimate for a Level II Inspection? [Mr_Shiftright]
I have a 1990 735iL (200,000) that needs a transmission and has power steering reservoir hose leak. Is it worth putting $2,000 into it and expect to get some "pleasure" driving out of it without having to dump $200 more into it every month? The BMW dealer quoted $1400 for the trans, does this seem right?
High End Luxury Cars
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Re: Just a Thought.. [dewey]
Hi All, Michael is indeed correct. That recall was a one off thing, as the first batch of the 6 speeds had a production fault. Trying looking anywhere on the web to find anyone complaining about a Lexus drivetrain. I'd prefer a one off recall to the myraid of electrical problems that German cars have these days. Try a failing Airmatic suspension or cars with a complicated iDrive system that doesn't ... Read More
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Re: Just a Thought.. [manifold]
I dont care what Lexus or Acura does, it will take them a while before they get accepted in the very snobbish world of luxury cars. Only a while. Less than 10 years, to be exact. Lexus was introduced in 1990 and became the top-selling brand before 2000. They are already accepted. Lexus, Acura and Infinity combined outsells BMW, MB and Audi combined.
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Re: Lexux? [ljflx]
You really need to check your facts, the 190 was discontinued in 1993 so how could they drop prices in the late 1990's. And above average compared to who, Lexus is behind, BMW and Benz, Audi, Infinity, Jag and the Caddy's. They all make models in the same price range as the LS but have better performance. Above average when compared to the Camary, But in the luxury car market they ... Read More
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Re: Merc1 [oac]
What about the fact that buyers TODAY have more choices of high-end lux cars than in the past, say a decade ago, that you don't understand ? Lexus and Infiniti are new entrants within the past 15 years, right ? Prior to 1990, its either MB or BMW... Now Lexus via its LS, and Infiniti via its G cars have provided much better competition to the dominance of the traditional leaders ... Read More
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Re: Merc1 [merc1]
Whats old and worn is the diversion into irrelevant issues. You're bringing up why MB's prices are where they are instead of supporting your original point about MB not being the choice for the high-end buyer. No one said anything about why they're prices are what they are. You said that MB is no longer the choice for the high-end buyer and I see nothing to support that theory. Sometimes it ... Read More
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merc1
"Mercedes gives a percentage of their cars that are still on the road, yet it is seen as untrue or silly. Yet if Lexus said the same thing from 1990 onward it would be seen as a true testament as to how good Lexuses are. Like MB would really make such a statement without some research." Well, the point I was trying to make is that a sweeping statement like that ... Read More
1990 BMW 735iL Questions and Upgrades?
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Re: 1990 BMW 735iL Questions and Upgrades? [joyrider147]
Okay....I think I'd like to approach your questions from a different angle. Let me be very frank. I think it's not a good idea to mod this car for any number of reasons. First of all, it isn't worth very much and never will be, so any money you put into it will be completely lost to you. Secondly, it is a large heavy car and no matter what you do, ... Read More
BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair
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1990 735iL questions and upgrades?
Before I get into discussing the mods I have in mind, there are several questions I have about my BMW. I have a 1990 BMW 735iL that has a 3.5 litre inline 6 and a standard automatic. I only have 1 key for this car, and I'd like to get a spare key and a "Valet Key." I'm not sure, but I think this has a transponder chip in the key. ... Read More
1990 BMW 735iL Questions and Upgrades?
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1990 BMW 735iL Questions and Upgrades?
Before I get into discussing the mods I have in mind, there are several questions I have about my BMW. I have a 1990 BMW 735iL that has a 3.5 litre inline 6 and a standard automatic. I only have 1 key for this car, and I'd like to get a spare key and a "Valet Key." I'm not sure, but I think this has a transponder chip in the key. ... Read More
High End Luxury Cars
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Re: sales volume [kdshapiro]
> BMW is still the benchmark, when respect to the drive. I can't remember the last > time I heard some manufacturer saying I want my car to drive better than > a "GS". > Selling more does not make one better, it just gives one more sales. > MacDonalds sells billions and billions, yet it is better than Outback at burgers? Hmm . . . the last time I checked, ... Read More
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My Journey to the LS430
Purchased used MB in 1978, took Military BX European delivery of 300D in 1980, had to wait 18 months from date of order to delivery at factory. Traded in 1990 for a 1989 MB 300E (a lease return with some damage repair unknown to the dealer), 1993 traded for another 1993 (New) MB 300E. 1995 traded for new GMC Yukon, 1998 traded for new GMC Yukon. 2001 started looking for replacement ... Read More
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Oac
"Now as to the rest of your long post, I really don't know what to say. Let's start with the one about Lexus' presence or lack thereof in its home country. I disagree. Lexus has been in its home country since 1990, except that it is cloaked as a "Toyota". This is prime example of what I'm talking about here. You simply can't have it both ways. Either it is a ... Read More
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Re: Oac [merc1]
Phew !!! Where to start ??? That was a very looooonnnnnng response, I must say; one of your longest.... But first, I thank you for answering to my request per the new GS. I take all of your points as genuine and well put. Thanks. Now as to the rest of your long post, I really don't know what to say. Let's start with the one about Lexus' presence or lack ... Read More
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Re: ljflx [ljflx]
"Well then that progress to produce a sporty design took a long time - 100 years or so." Right, like other cars during those years, 4-door luxury cars to be exact had such swoopy designs. Like I said before this is all because Mercedes kills Lexus in design today so naturally the only defense is to reach back 30 years to knock Mercedes, when there was no Lexus to compare to ... Read More
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Re: [syswei]
Oh, so we should do this by number of innovations rather than their importance to the industry? OK, let's play it your way. Just visit the USPTO site and see how many patents have been issued to Toyota vs MB since 1990. Answer: Toyota 4906, MB 1998. Yes but the question is how many of these patents were for worthwhile technologies. I would consider MB's patent for ESC of greater value ... Read More
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Re: [tiag_m5]
"Would you please provide a list of Toyota/Lexus innovations, in total, since 1990 that make them "at least as significant" to MB innovations?" Oh, so we should do this by number of innovations rather than their importance to the industry? OK, let's play it your way. Just visit the USPTO site and see how many patents have been issued to Toyota vs MB since 1990. Answer: Toyota 4906, MB 1998. (The ... Read More
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Re: [syswei]
If you look at my original post, I never claimed that Lexus has out-innovated MB specifically in SAFETY since 1990. I did claim that, since 1990, Toyota/Lexus innovations IN TOTAL are at least as significant to the industry as MB innovations. Really? Would you please provide a list of Toyota/Lexus innovations, in total, since 1990 that make them "at least as significant" to MB innovations? For all of MB’s 120 years ... Read More
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Re: [syswei]
"What has MB done for the industry in the last 15 years?...Yes, MB has managed to do more here in 120 years than Lexus has in 15. " You must have been living under a rock for the last 15 years. Even if we disregard countless Mercedes innovations and only include those introduced since 1989 Mercedes STILL trumps Lexus by a wide margin. Virtually every safety feature in every Lexus car ... Read More
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Ljflx
Well the quality and reliability part really isn't anythin new and sales haven't dropped either. They were off a few percent last year compared to 2003 worldwide. The exageration is just about every post about MB on this board. Like I said before they're still selling cars are a premium and will continue to do so. Their pre-1990 days are gone and so are BMWs and anyone else in the luxury ... Read More
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Re: King of the castle [designman]
That was downright impressive. I like your choice of the word blessed to. Hope Pat appreciated it. I almost forgot your marketing question. I can tell you that Lexus is going to make a real big deal about the new models and worldwide branding in 2007. This will be equal to or greater than the pre 1990 pre-launch and continuation after launch marketing and brand awareness push. Some of this I ... Read More
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Re: [denaliinpa]
Hi All, Having high end >$100K cars isn't the sole definition of "High End" That's just pure snobbery. Jaguar's XJ Vanden Plas is around 80K these days, yet it is outperformed by LS430 hands down. It goes to show price isn't commiserate with competitiveness. Of course "status" is a big MB attraction..Have you seen their "Unlike Any Other" media campaigns lately? They show pictures of people posing next to their cars..It's ... Read More
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no title
Hi All, A tongue in cheek remark about the 5 Series.."There is no such thing as an ugly car, you just haven't drunk enough!" The only BMW I find remotely attractive is the 6 Series..Nice lines but it's still weird looking. The 5 Series looks like some Japanese cartoon artist gone mad. (IMHO) I like the dignified stately look of my new LS430. It's not too flashy. Reliability is still ... Read More
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michael_mattox
This is amazing. (Last Post) "In your previous post the chart showed 700+ units and you said that was US sales???? I accept 1700+ for the SL500....Allante sold 6700 in 93." No chart or link I ever posted said anything like that. Period. It said (they MBUSA.COM) said 1721 sales for 1993. End of story. You said 700 or 800 in your confused state. The link didn't change from one posting ... Read More
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michael_mattox
It is painfully obvious that you don't have a clue about the Mercedes SL. You seem to be the only one that is "confused" here. Everyone else has pretty much agreed that the SL was the superior car. The question is whether or not the Allante is so lame that its sole supporter is reduced to harping about trunk space over a decent top design, you know something that most people ... Read More
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ljflx
"I'll bet most critics of an LS430 have never sat behind the wheel of one. I'll also bet that many LS430 buyers have owned MB E or S class cars before. Do I have statistics - no. Just my feeling because it's the situation with the people I know and I'd bet its representative of a large part of the buying group." You might be right on that because most German ... Read More
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Re: Steel thickness not the issue... [dieselbreath]
I appreciate your long post. I still don't think you are thinking fully about what is happening. Saying that the Japanese are making cars to 'just pass' the tests is a good debating point but it doesn't have any substance in a discussion since you can't establish if it's true. It's just an opinion. It's just like someone saying, Mercedes and BMW cars are heavier because they are rear wheel drive ... Read More
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Re: maxhonda99 [merc1]
yes differences do exist but they are by all means slight today. 15 years ago, there were night and day differences between cars, such as the LS400 was lot more luxurious than the 7-series and the 7-series was in turn alot more sporty same with the 7-series vs. the S-class in 1990 vs. today. In the last 15 years as Lexus helped BMW discover that american luxury car buyers look for ... Read More
Good, Bad or Ugly - Current and Future styling trends of BMW
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Sales
tlcman... BMW's management has been obsessed with sales for many, many years. They have long believed that a modern car company has to reach a certain size in order to survive. Manufacturing economies of scale, market presence, R&D, etc. That was a huge reason they ended up with the Rover debacle. BMW wanted to use Rover to be their "mass market" brand/marque. Is one reason why BMW kept MINI (and is ... Read More
High End Luxury Cars
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michael_mattox
"Note to mention your constantly changing the years we are reviewing..I provided specs for a 93 SL and a 93 Allante...AS IS YOUR CUSTOM YOU WANT TO MOVE THE BALL TO THE 90 ALLANTE AND NO DOUBT COMPARE IT TO THE 93 SL." You're confused. It doesn't matter which 1990+ SL you use! You can use whatever year SL from 1990 onward and it will be the same outcome since the ... Read More
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Michael
I think merc1's arguments are simple monetary demographics. The cheaper something is the more buyers it can attract. It's far too logical an assumption to argue with as far as I'm concerned. There are simply more people that can reach the price point of an LS430 than can reach that of an S-class - particularly the $85K S-500. Thus it should sell more based on those broad paramaters. There are many ... Read More
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maxhonda99
Well I didn't exactly say they were useless. My position is that there are other things to evaluate a car on. I do take issue with some of the things JDP says because they really don't tell you much other than where a certain brand or car places. Not much detail. Secondly since this is the board for survey worshipers with a Toyota bias I just had to point out that ... Read More
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saugatak
I don't think BMW is in trouble from Lexus. I don't even think they are in trouble right now. I think they have developing problems which can and probably will lead them into trouble. Given the Toyota juggernaut and the fact that Lexus set dead aim on MB - you actually have to give MB a lot of credit for withstanding it and re-inventing themselves. I think BMW will have far ... Read More
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no title
Hi All, I'll just add my two cents to the discussion..I'd agree with Merc that MB and BMW are not in serious trouble. I'll qualify that with a "Yet" however. You can't ignore the bad press both automakers are having right now. Reliability is still a major part of the decision making process. IF left unaddressed, this is going to start to hurt their bottom line. Anyone have profit/loss data on ... Read More
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footie
It's just like I said before if you can't count all those taxi Mercedes, then you can't count all those so-called "Lexuses" running around in other countries as leathered up Toyotas. We disagree on what makes a "luxury" car obviously. Leather doesn't define it for me. I'm not trying to say you don't know what you're talking about here, but with the engine thing you really would benefit from doing some ... Read More
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oac
Why have a CLK and CL? Have you taken the time to look at the two cars? As good as the CLK is the CL is in another league. Styling, features, engines and technology seperate the two cars mainly. The CLK, unlike the CL is also available in a convertible. The SLK and SL. Come on now, you don't see the reason or difference here? The SL is the luxury roadster ... Read More
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Lexus Plans
Lots of dreamy talk going on in here about Lexus I see. All the hundreds of thousands of MB diesel owners who kept their cars all these years haven't been waiting for a new diesel model. Makes sense to me. The average person (most Lex fans too) doesn't even know about diesel technology, except for the 1980s or what they've read in the past. Hello...diesel technology has changed in the last ... Read More
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Bzzzzt, wrong again...
Sorry guy, I've owned four Audi's and I am now on my second BMW, a 530i this time that I had the pleasure of picking up in Munich and running it through its paces on the Autobahn. If that's not enough, I spent several years in the mid 1990s working for MB-USA in Montvale and Stuttgart, and I drove everything they had as well as all of their competitors that they ... Read More
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1988 560 SEL is a tank
I just sold one of these last week for my dad who was the original owner of the vehicle with 67K miles. I agree that it was solidly built but was more costly to maintain than my 1990 LS which had 100K more miles. The MB was much larger and made the LS look like a compact. Even the MB lovers out there have to be glad that Lexus came along ... Read More
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no title
Actually drive by wire isn't new. BMW debuted this technology on the 1988 750iL and Cadillac on the 1990 Allante. Needless to say this was a long time ago. There have been no complaints or problems with this type of technology since the very beginning. Even Honda uses it on several cars that cost much less than most Lexus, Mercedes or BMW models. Brake by wire has proven in certain applications ... Read More
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ksurg
Well I can't say that I've had enough time to get use to idrive. I've driven the 745i twice and the OMG 760Li once. I had a chance to take the 760Li for about an hour during BMW's annual charity (Susan G. Kormen) event so I can't really comment on the details about idrive. I do know that it would require time for even me to get used to and proficient ... Read More
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What should I buy?
Hi all, I ride a Honda CB100 and have never owned a car in my life, so I really need some help. My wife wants a nice big Sedan, and I don't want to spend more then $20,000. Should I get an early 1990s MB S class or BMW 7 series, or a more recent Lexus, Infiniti? Are there any particular years when the MB S class was really fine, like ... Read More
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merc1
At $69k (the estimated price C&D put on the car, which they thought might be low) the Phaeton is not worth it. Plus it is a very heavy car. I'd buy an A8L long before I'd ever consider a Phaeton. They aren't going to cut it here in my opinion and I still am missing VW's whole strategy. The US market is not big enough at this scale. You already have ... Read More
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oac3
Let me know what pricepoints you get on the LX470. I'm also buying or leasing at the end of the year or in January. If you are still shopping then I'll let you know prices I am getting as well. In the meantime check prices and lease deals at LexusUS.com to keep your dealer honest on prices he gives you. It's a great suv with an LS430 like ride if you ... Read More
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legendary and catching up
No doubt Benz was legendary and in fact both BMW and Lexus have been catching up. Things changed since the early 1990s when Benz was till the best made and most reliable car. Lexus came up with LS which cost half of a Benz and keep kaisen it into the closest of any car can ever get to become flawless. BMW keep winning customers away with the excitements they feel every ... Read More
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no title
I think that generally speaking people buying a car that ranges from 55-72 are little less deep in the pockets than people looking at a car that starts at 73K and goes to 125K. Yes there is some overlap for sure, but to say its the same exact demographic I think is incorrect. Yes Lexus has grown market share, but its been at the expense of every import luxury brand on ... Read More
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Europeans behind U.S. car companies?
from JDP: "While Japanese-branded vehicles continue to dominate in terms of long-term vehicle quality, the Europeans have lost their edge over the U.S. domestic-branded vehicles... The 2003 study, which measures problems reported by original owners of 2000 model-year vehicles at three years of ownership, finds that although there is near parity between U.S. Domestics and Europeans in terms of initial quality, substantial quality gaps appear between the Domestics and the Europeans ... Read More
Good, Bad or Ugly - Current and Future styling trends of BMW
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3 Series
indiana97... If you like introduction and production data, check out Jeremy Walton's book, BMW 3 Series Enthusiast's Companion (Bentley Publishers, 2001). Per it, the first 3 Series (E21) was "announced in the first week of July 1975 to the German press and European LHD markets, the 3 Series was also sold in RHD...in Britain in Autumn, 1975.... On sale in US starting November 1976 [320i MY 1977]." The E30 3 Series ... Read More
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Sales and Styling Leadership
carguy58... 745i sales rose over 740i. You don't think the new Nissan Maxima isn't radical styling? Or the Mazda RX8? Or that the New Beetle wasn't a radical departure from where VW had been in the early 1990s? Or that the new Infiniti G35 hardly looks like its sister I35 or G20? Or that the G35 coupe breaks new ground for Infiniti styling? Or just compare the Cadillac CTS to the ... Read More
High End Luxury Cars
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ljflx
Yes it would be an embarrasment and totally ridiculous for the original carmaker to start taking styling cues from a Japanese brands who's sole existence was trumped up to mirror them. And to take something from Ford would be even more ridiculous. No Mercedes isn't totally original in every single respect and every now and then over the past 117 years they've had to take a lesson from others, but for ... Read More
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footie
If Mercedes isn't THE technology leader, then they certainly are among the top 2. The other being BMW. Electronics, such as CD changers are hardly "technology" as most people understand the word. It's the brand culture that keeps/kept Mercedes/Porsche and other German makes from installing these things, not that they couldn't. I know you realize that. Lexus doesn't make it's own stereos, neither does Acura. In short if Mercedes felt that ... Read More
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RL / E - Difference in priorities
Well, I guess there's just a difference in priorities that constitutes value. And of course, individual experiences vary. Performance didn't seem very different to me and I've driven both, my sister's and a friend's E320. They feel a little different in the driver's seat, but both felt very stable, surefooted, in every driving situation I had them in. I also don't look at Mercedes as a technology leader anymore. I would ... Read More
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Whew
How do you guys find the time to post so much? Maxhonda, I been out of school twelve years now and back then, my favorite luxury automaker was a Cadillac and still is to this day. Cadillacs were pure luxury back then in 1990 and '91 when I begin to take interest in the product. I don't care for Mercedes or BMW back then. I thought they were ugly as sin ... Read More
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no title
It's as simple as this - Cadillac has not created a car in the past 20 years or so that has become a trendsetter and copycat to other luxury brands. This is an essential for a true luxury brand that is setting an example. Here's a few examples. In the mid 70's, the S-class, and E-class Mercedes set a standard in contemporary luxury design. It was emulated by everyone from the ... Read More
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no title
i dont know who was saying that lexus whurt the US lux makers more than the Germans but that is false. Even in 1990 people didnt see US makes as equal to German imports and therefore the people who rushed to the Lexus dealership were people who would have considered a MB or a BMW (although that is a stretch) not a cadillac. Lexus made a big splash but i dont ... Read More
BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier
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ljflx
Well I can live with that. There are a number of things that I think contributed to MB's downturn in reliability. Number one is the obvious amount of electronics that MB uses today. MB was one of the last carmakers to switch to fully electronic fuel injection because of the questions over electronic reliability. Up until 1990 MB cars didn't use much in the way of electronics, the 1990 SL was ... Read More
High End Luxury Cars
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no title
The 400E was a pipe dream in 1990. When the LS400/Q45 was introduced, the 300E had a 177hp/3 liter compared to a 250hp/4 liter V8 of the LS400 for about 10K less. The LS400 offered the horsepower and luxury of a 560SEL for much less than an E-CLass. Kind of makes you wonder what the MB executives were thinking in 1990! bernard: BMW's didn't have the same pricing problem as MB ... Read More
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no title
re:945 goto http://530i.org to get more info from what I hear, even the alusil replacements for the nikasil block were not durable and were prone to premature failure.. thru 1999... I think this V8 was an hurried attempt to combat the onslaught of the lexus/infiniti V8's in 1990... and I think BMw still hasn't gotten it right... I wouldn't drive a BMW V8 or any BMW for that matter without a ... Read More
BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier
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Should I be afraid of a 750iL?
I've been tempted by the tremendous value a used 1990 and up 750iL represents in the marketplace. Several individuals and my local wholesale parts supplier caution me that the engine electronics are problematic, often failing and resulting in "limp home" mode. Any comments? They seem well-made and beautifully appointed but I have no modern BMW experience (I own a 6 series). Thank you.
High End Luxury Cars
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no title
I usually keep my cars until about 200-250K, and both I am my wife have offices far enough away that we end up putting around 25K on the cars every year. That said, I've never bought an extended warranty. I usually take the risk because 1.most of my miles are highway miles, which isn't as rough on the car as city, 2.in my experience most warranties either won't cover a car ... Read More
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ljflx
Oh you mean within the Toyota empire, Lexus kept the technology for themselves. Yes that's true, luxury brand first. I'll be the first on to admit that Mercedes and all other German cars (Porsche is a disgrace) are way behind on in-car entertainment. Mercedes still doesn't offer an in-dash CD player standard, which quite frankly is silly and absurd for a 2001 model car. Remember I'm probably their 2nd biggest fan ... Read More
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hey arcoates
Glad you've gotten it back. I would'nt be surprised if that next move by Lexus includes the enthusiasts car but I wouldn't be surprised if they bypassed it either. They've made a conservative move toward that with the euro suspension. This company is making some of the best business moves I've ever seen in the super luxury class though. I know it irks you that they copied MB in 1990 but ... Read More
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Merc1
What I meant was that once Lexus developed a new technology it kept it for itself - usually 2-3 years than passed it onto Toyota to use in their broad base of cars. The capitalized development cost of the technology asset could be spread over a longer period of time (improved income statement) and Toyota saved cash on development for the everyday cars. The new dvd based nav system for example ... Read More
BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier
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re:E30 BMW's
It would help you to type in the letters E30 when searching for info on the old body style BMW 7's, as that is the internal BMW code, and any real info you need will be on web pages designated that by informed owners. The E30's are still fantastic cars. We have one ourselves. They still look great, drive great, and our real deals. Look at a Cadillac Seville from 1990- ... Read More
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BMW 740iL Reliablity
OK you good folks, I need some information concerning the reliability of a late model (1997-1999) BMW740iL. I have read with great interest much of the feedback from the "Sedan" segment related to the 740. It seems from what I have read the early or mid 1990's tended to have significant problems (i.e. engine, electrical, transmission). The question is has BMW corrected these problems? I love the car in terms of ... Read More
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