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Tag
Written by: drfill on Nov 25, 2006 6:21:54 PM
... and not changing for changes sake. Change is an ongoing process in the automobile industry. Merc has constantly, ad-nausium, put up pics of Mercedes evolution in exterior styling. But they are at best inconsistent on interior styling, as the 1998, 2000, and 2006 have little incommon with each other. I didn't know the wheel needed reinvention. Meaningless point. And the interior relationship to BMW is well-known and unmistakable. How is ... Read More
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According to information, provided by Lexus,
Written by: drfill on Oct 29, 2006 4:52:34 PM
The LS and S550 had drag coefficients of .26. The BMW was .29. You seem to put quite a bit of value of the drag, as a sign of advanced aerodynamics/design. This is interesting, given the Lexus has had a drag coefficient as low as .25 since 1995, and Mercedes has been playing catch-up. Mind you, the Prius has a .25 co., and is also regarded as maybe the most advanced ... Read More
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Lexus LS Pricing
Written by: drfill on Oct 6, 2006 9:18:40 PM
My opinion is I'm pleased with the LS460L pricing, and the SWB should be near $65k, so it does indeed represent incredible value, especially against cars like 750i. The LS460L is aggressively priced, and is right on top of the 750iL. This may add feul to Tag's fire on that note. I don't think Lexus is after BMW customers any more or less than they are after Mercedes customers. I believe ... Read More
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Re: Merc [drfilll]
Written by: merc1 on May 16, 2006 10:19:29 PM
Doc you're confused. I know you didn't bring up the $50k CLK as a C320 coupe! YOU can't wait to announce it as a SC430 competitor, and superior at that. The CLK and C-Class sedan share a platform, and that's about it. Yeah I did as to say that the CLK's sales aren't counted in the C-Class like BMW counts their 3-Series coupes in with their sedan. The CLK shares its ... Read More
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Re: LS 460 pricing: quantum leap and incremental increase, new deal [garyh1
Written by: stevekilburn on May 7, 2006 8:04:24 PM
So you want to call me a looney who lacks cogent thinking and gets lampooned left and right. Alright, carry on, but then dont expect me to save you next time when you make a less than perfect comment. You think I am doing this just to "GRAB ATTENTION". Well I dont get it! I have been saying all along that it does not behove Lexus to under-cut competitors prices, when ... Read More
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Re: Looks like we've found a chink in Merc's armour? [callmedrfill]
Written by: merc1 on Feb 1, 2006 5:09:21 AM
Having the Maybach and S-Class virtually share taillights, or the C-Class and S-Class of a generation ago, is not a good thing, as it says cost-cutting to the trained eye. Yeah this is a good example. Now if this were true, why doesn't it mean the same thing for Lexus? Lexus is doing the same thing with design from model to model. Anyway, the cars you mention don't have the exact ... Read More
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Re: Growth rate and price [designman]
Written by: syswei on Jan 16, 2006 1:49:49 PM
Looks like growth rate is inversely proportional to price. Is the less expensive brand of cars here more inclined to grow? High prices didn't keep MB from substantially outgrowing Lexus and BMW "in cars" in the 1995-2000 period. Also, in other markets, it seems to me that retailers that are carry higher-priced goods often outgrow more mainstream retailers. Example: Whole Foods.
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Re: Sales..... [dewey]
Written by: syswei on Jan 16, 2006 12:11:17 PM
You're spinning in a very German way. What the 5 year numbers show is that BMW is indeed "holding its own" vs Lexus, in cars. But does 20% unit growth for MB, when BMW and Lexus grew 45% and 49% (in cars), mean MB is "holding its own"? Do you think the MB USA execs are patting themselves on the back for that? long term stats of 10 years indicates the ... Read More
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Re: Sales..... [syswei]
Written by: jrock65 on Jan 16, 2006 11:11:57 AM
Thanks for the link. 10 year car growth: BMW 1995: 93,309... 2005: 197,833 up 112% MB 1995: 76,752... 2005: 183,169 up 139% Lexus 1995: 79,334... 2005: 151,226 up 91% It's interesting to see that in the past 10 years, MB and BMW car sales have been increasing at a faster rate than Lexus car sales. Lexus kills MB and BMW in SUV sales though. It was smart of them to capitalize ... Read More
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Re: Sales..... [scott1256]
Written by: syswei on Jan 16, 2006 8:28:14 AM
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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How Many 1996 750il's Manufacured?
Written by: thomsonc on Jul 18, 2004 10:06:51 AM
I am close to purchasing a 1996 750il and I was curious to know if anyone knew where I might find figures on the number of 750's and 740's produced each year by BMW. I had heard from someone an incredably low number on 750's produced for that year but it seemed too low in my opinion. Also, does anyone know the difference between the 750il for 1995 & 1996? Thanks. ... Read More
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designman
Written by: ljflx on Jul 12, 2004 6:09:07 AM
Can you imagine a world like this board where everyone criticized the guy who follows suit. There would never be improvement and there would never be any change at the top. There'd be stagnation as there was in the luxury segment until Lexus came along and caused everyone to scramble. The hardcore German enthusiasts have a real hard time with that last sentence. But the real buyers are so glad there ... Read More
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ljflx
Written by: merc1 on Jul 8, 2004 10:06:11 PM
Well you know what I think of the A8 W12's new grille. I think it fits perfectly. Gives the car real presence. Mercedes and Bruno Sacco are done from everything I've read. He is apparently still "close" (whatever that means) to the company but he isn't running the design studios. Oh well, not even Mercedes, BMW or Audi can make a gorgeous car every time. They used too, but not anymore. ... Read More
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Intellectual property 101
Written by: footie on Apr 5, 2004 9:28:14 AM
Merc1, If you don't think that the entire auto industry, just like high tech, food processing, pharmaceuticals and just about every manufacturing company that does business in this country doesn't 'look' at intellectual property held by others and try to insure that theirs is protected, then you have missed a key piece of how business works. Virtually all 'big' businesses also cross-license IP with each other. It's the smart thing to ... Read More
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sv7887 -- 1998 Jaguar XJ8 owner report
Written by: johncalifornia on Apr 4, 2004 9:22:39 PM
I bought my 1998 XJ8 (anthracite/black) two months ago with 50K on the clock. It's going in this week for an oil change with 54K miles, and highly enjoyable ones, too. I'll be using an honest and competent Jag specialty shop -- like most enthusiast owners I avoid the dealer service departments whenever possible. They're exorbitantly expensive for routine operations like oil changes, and prone to swapping components rather than repairing ... Read More
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sv7887
Written by: ljflx on Mar 10, 2004 6:26:33 AM
Don't know what you see in your car but I've had the 95, 98 and 2001 LS430's and they just keeping getting better and better. I'm about to take a 2004 LS430 and gave some serious thought to buying out my 2001 because it is so good. Interior is better than ever and I don't see any departure from the excellent switch gear that has been in the car in the ... Read More
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pablo_l
Written by: merc1 on Feb 25, 2004 4:45:24 AM
I share your thoughts; thankfully the Arnage has at least a few more years to go. What you were missing in the BMW was that cockpit feel that BMW used to provide. They've all but abandoned that concept. The 3-Series is next. mariner7, The CLS (CLE was just the concept name, though I like "CLE" better) is supposed to be a 4-door Coupe, and yes it is based on the E-Class ... Read More
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misinformation
Written by: f1buick on Jan 27, 2004 4:45:43 PM
well, misinformation certainly gets spread around all right. Where did you get yours? The Nikasil V8 was intoduced in 1993 and infected all 1993 and 1994 e32 v8's. BMW extended the warranty on all of these cars to 100,000 miles and 6 years. I can personally vouch for that because when I shopped a 1993 V8 in 1997 the salesman made a big deal about the extended warranty, and the service ... Read More
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no title
Written by: f1buick on Jan 15, 2004 5:33:47 PM
In an earlier post someone said BMW sweeps the big problems under the rug. Nikasil was one of them. Eventually, BMW was forced to extend the warranty to 6yrs/100,000 miles, but that warranty now is gone and a lot of engines never were fixed. The problem is that the cylinder walls corroded in the presence of high-sulpher US fuels. Lots of used car dealers out there are selling nikasil V8 740's, ... Read More
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some answers
Written by: f1buick on Jan 15, 2004 11:19:14 AM
regarding tire rotation, BMW does not recommend tire rotation on any of its cars, as far as I know. I'm not sure why. Tire mfg's, on the other hand, generally insist on tire rotation if you want to maintain the mileage warranty. Regarding a "720iL" V8, there is not and never has been such a car. The last two digits indictate the engine's liter displacement, i.e., a 745 has a 4.5 ... Read More
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1992 735
Written by: f1buick on Jan 2, 2004 2:35:32 PM
. . . I have a 1993 750 and feel the same way. Agree with nvbanker that BMW has serverely overengineered the E65, it is crawling with bugs, and anyone who purchases it will be seriously sorry when the warranty runs out. the 1995-2002 7 series (E38) basically is an update of the E32. That's what I'd be looking for. Should be pretty bulletproof. The A8 is intriguing, but very rare--who ... Read More
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Styling
Written by: f1buick on Nov 17, 2003 5:19:45 PM
Let me try this thesis: Styling has never been a BMW strong point. The name, after all, is Bavarian MOTOR Works, not Pininfarina, and if style is your bag, then the Italians, Brits, and, yes, the Yanks have plenty of offerings. While some Bimmerphiles might care to disagree, I respectfully suggest that a BMW body graced with, say, GM mechanicals, would be lambasted as badly engineered AND of questionable appearance. Yes, ... Read More
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bentleyfam25...
Written by: bmwmrc on Nov 1, 2003 3:41:42 PM
very good points in your posts. No you're not the only one and you're not a "market of one" when you speak from your heart. As a proud owner of two BMW 5 series, (1995 and 2003), I tried to have an open mind with the new design and had the opportunity to see the new E60 in person and drive it. IMO, it just doesn't do ANYTHING for me. Whereas ... Read More
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1995 BMW Engine
Written by: bstotmeister on Jun 19, 2003 9:32:08 AM
This may be a day late and all, but regarding the problems with a circa 1995 7 series BMW.... I was recently looking into this, and from 1993 to 1995 (think that's correct) BMW used a nickel alloy engine, called Nikasil. This alloy, combined with the relatively high sulphur content of gas sold in some US regions, hastened pitting of the cylinder walls. BMW extended the warranty, but if you buy ... Read More
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footie
Written by: merc1 on Dec 20, 2002 10:07:26 PM
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
Written by: footie on Dec 20, 2002 3:22:28 PM
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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Nikasil BMW Ring any bells?
Written by: wslowry on Dec 10, 2002 8:55:11 PM
While on the subject of flagship marquees, you might want to do a Google search on "BMW NIKASIL" before making your decision. As recently as 1995 BMW had major engine problems that they tried to blame on inferior petrol. Funny, my wife's Mitsu runs regular and has had no engine problems while I, running Amoco white, had engine failure at 6 years, 6 months and 74k miles. I, being one of ... Read More
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ljflx
Written by: merc1 on Mar 14, 2001 2:28:32 AM
Yeah I know....I'm star-crossed, propeller-driven and ringed-around. Get it, MB, BMW and Audi. xjs5, Yes in my opinion the new CL (not the CLK) is the best looking Mercedes of my short lifetime. It is simply gorgeous, and looks nothing like a Mustang. A Mustang has scoupes and such, the CL has nice clean lines, with a roofline to die for. To me the really good looking Mercedes in the recent ... Read More
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georget3
Written by: ljflx on Feb 22, 2001 4:48:20 PM
I did not look at the BMW 740. Neither I nor my wife like its style and too many people we know had problems with their BMW's and told us to stay away from them. All of those people, like those on this board, raved about the engineering, but complained bitterly about the breakdowns. We did however seriouly evaluate the A-8 quattro, the E-430 4matic - both because of the obvious ... Read More
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re: Jag experiences
Written by: arcoates on Feb 8, 2001 12:19:20 PM
This may be of some use to you- I'll throw it out there anyway. We had a 1995 XJ6 until September. Not the same engine, but bodywork, electronics, chassis etc... Interior was gorgeous- no problems there. The I6 was a gem, as is the V8. The handling, although not a BMW, is very competent- when you push it, you are surprised at how it reacts. The tires on ours were very ... Read More
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1995 BMW 740i engine problems
Written by: mcargo on Jan 21, 2001 6:21:13 AM
Thank you for your comments on the 95 740i! Does anyone know if BMW will honor the need for engine replacement given this problem? I have a 740i with 55,000 miles, and no problems yet, but has BMW agreed to fix this systematic problem free of charge--with loaner? Any other problems with 1995 740i's that I can expect? All is well except for my glove box falling open and some alarm ... Read More
