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LG
Written by: Guest on Nov 3, 2006 5:40:47 AM
BTW, the G35 is at 47,700 for the year. The CTS is just behind it. BMW 3-series, with it's gang of configurations and engines, usually sells 100k a year, as a group. Lexus should offer both AWD and a manual on the IS350 for 2008. There is no excuse for not doing so. Infiniti and BMW are getting it done. Lexus needs to get that done. I don't wanna hear about ... Read More
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Re: KBB details [hpowders]
Written by: brightness04 on Oct 20, 2006 9:02:37 AM
What's the percentage they gave? Try to be quantitative. We have both Edmudns and KBB giving 50% for 3yr old 745i (the lowest model, i.e. the one holding up the best among 7 series). That may be "excellent" compared to some other large luxury cars (like the A8), but nowhere close to the 60% residual that BMW offers on leasing the same car or the 63% attained by LS. Is CR ... Read More
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Re: Lexus Quality Slipping [brightness04]
Written by: dewey on Oct 19, 2006 7:59:35 AM
Interesting how you used a 2003 7 series as a comparison to the 03 LS ;) We all know the notirety involved with a 03 7 series model with its new revolutionary idrive system and reliability issues. The two biggest US organizations that are in the business of determing retained and future resale values voted BMW overall as number one. Ofcourse if you compare one single model from one single year ... Read More
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Re: Lexus Quality Slipping [dewey]
Written by: brightness04 on Oct 19, 2006 7:35:29 AM
There is no golden high auction prices for Lexuses. They are just inline with what Lexus predicts in their lease offers (and the offers from third-party banks). The problem with MB and BMW is that their residuals are way above auction value. You can find out the numbers first-hand by going to dealer auctions. If you do not have that opportunity, a proximation can be found by simply looking at the ... Read More
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Seems Like A Reality Disconnect
Written by: hpowders on Oct 8, 2006 8:51:52 AM
Reality check: Reviews of the S-Class have been overwhelmingly positive. Reviews of the LS 460 that have concentrated on the car and not the company, have been "polite" to negative. If anything, given the representative reviews I posted above, it seems that Lexus has fallen even further behind the great German automakers. Car and Driver, for example, found the stopping power better for the LS 430 than the LS 460. Lexus ... Read More
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Joined the Mercedes-Benz ranks....
Written by: merc1 on Oct 5, 2006 9:43:06 PM
Finally, there is a Mercedes-Benz in my garage! Tuesday I picked up a 2003 CLK430 Cabriolet. It is Brilliant Silver over Ash (grey) with an Ash top. Four things come to mind when driving it over the last couple of days; fast, comfortable, stylish and solid. Everything clicks and thunks, from the doors being closed to the windows doing their little drop down/raise up routine everytime a door is opened. The ... Read More
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The BMW-Pontiac thing
Written by: designman on Sep 16, 2006 10:05:11 AM
Pontiac has long wanted to be like BMW… This comes up periodically. Are you referring to the kidney grille? If so, below is one of my posts from a debate I got into three years ago. Pontiac had it first even though BMW had the wherewithal to patent it, and apparently Pontiac has been unrelenting in not conceding the issue with their grille designs through the years. I can't see how ... Read More
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Re: Actually, [syswei]
Written by: merc1 on Aug 2, 2006 4:22:13 AM
I haven't really been reading what all the fuss is about with the surveys this time around, but I do think JDP should have broken the IQS into two surveys because certain brands (like BMW) rank differently when you break down the two categories they used this year: A little something I saw on MBWorld.org, someone posted the breakout for the study: Auto news More rankings June 8, 2006 Email this ... Read More
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Re: 2002 745i with 27,000 needs new engine? [sadatx]
Written by: kevin3344 on Jul 11, 2006 11:40:05 AM
Hi sadatx, Good to hear about your car. The 03 I drove had comparable options; lux seating, logic 7, park distance control. Very nice when backing up I might add! The list was $49,999 with 40,100 miles. I went in knowing I wanted to spend $45k. The dealer came down to $47.5k, which was close but not close enough. I thought he could come down a little more to tell you ... Read More
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Re: 2003 745 Li issues [sadatx]
Written by: cjennjr on Jun 30, 2006 8:59:29 AM
Hope you get the problem fixed, even though driving an '06 5 Series isn't bad either! The sports package on the BMW's are the best - firm, yet comfortable ride, and with the 19" wheels for the 7 Series, the look really catches the eye, especially chrome 19's!!
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Re: 2003 745 Li issues [cjennjr]
Written by: sadatx on Jun 29, 2006 1:18:04 PM
So I called my dealer asking if the tech has tried adjusting the rpm at idle to 700 rpms at rest. Service rep indicates that the tech working on the car is the best they have and is pretty sure he's tried it - whatever. Service rep mentioned they have a pullman case opened (not sure if I heard him correctly though - could be called something else) with BMW on ... Read More
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Re: 2003 745 Li issues [sadatx]
Written by: cjennjr on Jun 29, 2006 9:50:37 AM
I can't see why BMW has to keep your vehicle for such an extended period of time just to check the idling issue - seems strange. At one point before my local dealer fixed the problem I had with my car, the tach needle was "idle hunting," going up and down below 500 rpm, especially when I had no auxiliary equipment in operation (A/C, defroster, etc). My rpm does increase to ... Read More
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Re: 2003 745 Li issues [cjennjr]
Written by: sadatx on Jun 29, 2006 7:50:38 AM
Hi, Thanks for the reply. I will relay this information to my dealer. The car has been with the dealer since last Saturday and the dealer is working with BMW b/c they cant seem to figure it out. Also, does your rpm slightly jump up when the AC is on? When my AC is off, at rest my rpm is sitting at .5. Once the AC is enabled, the RPM jumps ... Read More
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Re: 2003 745 Li issues [sadatx]
Written by: cjennjr on Jun 28, 2006 1:35:48 PM
I have a 2002 745i and the idle was going below 500 rpm at times, especially at stop lights, signs, etc. Even though it was smooth during driving, the drop in rpm was annoying and it seemed as though the engine would shut down, then jump back up to 600 rpm. I took it to my local BMW dealer and they adjusted the idle to 700 rpm at rest. I haven't ... Read More
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Re: Potpourri... Tagman, question for you... [oac]
Written by: merc1 on Jun 18, 2006 11:28:52 PM
Let's ask this again: What exactly do you guys constantly harp on as "performance" ? is this about suspension setup, steering and/or road feedback, speed, or what ?? You also add "handling"... Is the MB better at handling than an LS ? And sayz who ? Is the MB a better performance car than the LS ? Sayz who. The last comparo of record was the MT Dec 2003 report for ... Read More
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Re: Potpourri... Tagman, question for you... [merc1]
Written by: oac on Jun 16, 2006 3:34:31 PM
Better when you stack the criteria in favor of the LS. No where in there does performance, handling, styling or anything else that actually relates to it being a car as opposed to an appliance even come up... Let's ask this again: What exactly do you guys constantly harp on as "performance" ? is this about suspension setup, steering and/or road feedback, speed, or what ?? You also add "handling"... Is ... Read More
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Re: Honda to offer diesel in the US [ljflx]
Written by: sv7887 on May 24, 2006 10:24:24 AM
Hi Everyone, Diesel is a great technology. In Europe 50% of all new cars sold are Diesels. It's not a perfect solution, but a practical one to the current gas woes. This talk about Lexus hiking prices is crazy. Lexus has always appealed to the "Objective" buyer. Oppressive price hikes would simply eliminate the Value that the LS has over the S Class. I would have bought a S Class a ... Read More
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Re: Merc [drfill]
Written by: merc1 on May 20, 2006 1:01:58 PM
You were right about C-Class sales. Ok! I missed that one. It sells much more than I thought. Bingo! Finally! But you are also guilty of lack of research, and saying without knowing! Nope. Not. You seem to like to pick on the GS, as I do the C-Class. For some reason you are quick to jump on BMW's bandwagon, while the E-Class gets passed over easily in comparisons, like it's ... Read More
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Re: 7 Series Questions [bdr127]
Written by: wabends on Mar 18, 2006 12:57:57 PM
esvcaddy4me and bdr127 This morning I went to the BMW dealership for state inspection. While there, I asked my BMW service advisor and client advisor (who sold my 745 Li to me) and they both emphasized that the 2002 and 2003 models of 745 have 6-year/100K miles warranty. They will not volunteer that information but if you ask they cannot deny it. Therefore, the warranty on the 2002 and 2003 745s ... Read More
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Re: 7 Series Questions [esvcaddy4me]
Written by: bdr127 on Mar 10, 2006 4:37:17 PM
It's just straight-out fact.... Any and all 2002-2003 BMW 7-Series have a 6yr/100k full new car warranty. That's just the way it is. When they first came from the factory, they had the 4yr/50k... but after the initial problems, BMW just said, "Okay, okay... We'll fix the problems, and we'll also back that up by giving every car in those model years a full new car warranty of 6yr/100k." Anyone telling ... Read More
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Re: 7 Series Questions [esvcaddy4me]
Written by: bdr127 on Mar 9, 2006 8:49:40 AM
If any BMW is a Certified Pre-Owned at a BMW dealer, then it will have the remainder of the new car warranty, and when that expires the CPO warranty will kick in. The CPO warranty is for 6yr/100k (whichever comes first) from the original new car purchase date. I'm not sure why a Certified car you're talking about wouldn't have an extended warranty.... that's part of the CPO program. As for ... Read More
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Re: 7 Series Questions [esvcaddy4me]
Written by: bdr127 on Mar 6, 2006 8:31:18 AM
Can you tell me if and when there has been a body style change on the 7 series? We are looking at several '02 and up. Have there been any major problems with this series. The ones we are looking at are all pre-cert through BMW. The 7-Series was dramatically revamped for the 2002 model. It was slightly changed for 2006 (slightly changed exterior to make a nicer front and rear ... Read More
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LOL!! I dig you, Merc!
Written by: callmedrfill on Feb 7, 2006 5:36:36 PM
:P I like you, Merc. You make me laugh! If Matrix were here, he'd laugh too. Take the gloves off and start swingin'! ;) Alright, let's see if you'll follow this line of questioning: 1. Was that a good picture of a vehicle for a national print ad campaign? 2. I omitted BMW for three very good reasons. One, their ads are consistent to their slogan and mantra, which has NEVER ... Read More
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Re: MB, BMW?? what else you have? [dewey]
Written by: oac on Jan 15, 2006 2:10:01 PM
The Lexus LS beat the MB S in head to head competition. Please englighten me with the facts? It appears the world and myself are quite ignorant. You asked, and I am pleased to inform: Better be ready with excuses.... 1) 2004 Motor Trend Comparo (1st = A8L, 2nd = LS430) http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/luxury/112_0409_class/index14.html 2) 2004 Car and Driver $70K sedan comparo (1st = LS430) Ranking (last place = S430) 6. Mercedes-Benz S430, ... Read More
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MB TREMENDOUS sales increase???
Written by: lexusi on Jan 15, 2006 2:00:43 PM
Although in my IMHO I do not judge the car by its sales, but thats why manufacturers produce cars? to sell no to display?! anyhow, Lexus sales were shown against BMW sales, and here is the other part of the story, the MB sales (USA only), lets see how tremendous it is! yah BTW, here is an intersting point: "Posting its best sales month with 31,192 units sold in December, MBUSA ... Read More
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Copying, Gimmicks etc....
Written by: merc1 on Jan 10, 2006 11:41:11 PM
We can debate all day long as to whether Idrive, Park Assist and what not are "gimmicks". In the end it really doesn't matter because this is where the luxury car is going and more importantly it keeps luxury cars above "regular" cars. I don't consider it "copying" when one company adds a feature to one of their cars that a competitor already had - that is common sense. My problem ... Read More
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Re: Latest figures: BMW ROCKS HARD. [garyh1]
Written by: hpowders on Dec 8, 2005 4:50:05 AM
Huh? The BMW 5 series is one of the few automotive success stories in the past 2 years. You want to imagine how the sales of the 5 series would be without Chris Bangle's influence or the iDrive that any 9 year old could use, check out the 2003 5 series sales. Bangle + iDrive = BMW SUCCESS!!
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Re: Reliablity Viral Contagion! [gshocksv]
Written by: merc1 on Oct 26, 2005 2:27:33 AM
What I meant was, if it wasn't for these corporate parents and the injection of capital, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls, would probably be plagued with reliability problems and have already gone bankrupt. Well that is basically what I stated in my previous post, except for that reliability part. I don't see here is how their reliablity has made any difference when they never traded on reliability in the first place. Secondly, ... Read More
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sport
Written by: syswei on Oct 24, 2005 9:13:10 AM
YTD through September, 5.7% of 3-series sales are of the M3, and .014% of 5-series sales are of the M5. They don't even make a M7, of course. The numbers are somewhat unfair as presented as I believe both are based on the old platforms. So looking back at CY 2004, it was 7.4% for the M3 and 0.7% for the M5. For CY 2003, 7.2% for the M3 and 3.1% ... Read More
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Re: Have a look... [lexusguy]
Written by: dewey on Oct 23, 2005 8:52:27 AM
Yes, you did. Dewey: "my 2003 530SP has been as faultless as any Lexus could hope to be, not to mention more enjoyable to drive!" Nope, wrong identity that was not me who said that! Just like this other person I can tell you my BMW can out-Lexus any Lexus in terms of reliability! Your doubts about CR data does not extend to Lexus models but only to BMW models! Interesting, ... Read More
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Re: Dewey, my BMW brother [garyh1]
Written by: michael_mattox on Oct 23, 2005 7:57:08 AM
I posted the Consumer reports ratings of dependability for ALL BMW, LEXUS, and Mercedes....(going back to 97) Lexus all Red checks FOR ALL MODELS except for one suv model in only one year....2003... BMWs best...The five series....Going back to 97 ...3 Red checks...Total. Mercedes ALL BLACK Xs...On all models for all years back to 97 with one exception in 98 or 99
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Re: Have a look... [dewey]
Written by: lexusguy on Oct 23, 2005 7:39:39 AM
"I did not say BMWs are equivalent to the reliablity of a Lexus! I said BMW reliability is not as notorious as you are presenting it!" Yes, you did. Dewey: "my 2003 530SP has been as faultless as any Lexus could hope to be, not to mention more enjoyable to drive!" "Your doubts about CR data does not extend to Lexus models but only to BMW models! Interesting, dont you think??" ... Read More
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Re: Dewey, my BMW brother [syswei]
Written by: garyh1 on Oct 22, 2005 7:18:35 PM
Thanks for showing the VDS ratings for individual models. I missed them since I only looked at some examples for 2003-2004 models...duh, there is no 3 year record for those! I take back my statement about JDP not proving VDS data by model; they obviously do. I'd say you have now provided "statistics" to back the Lexus superior reliability claims against even the 5-series - at least as of the 2002 ... Read More
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Re: Have a look... [lovemyclk]
Written by: oac on Oct 21, 2005 3:40:31 PM
Without diving into a pointless holy war on this matter, my 2003 530SP has been as faultless as any Lexus could hope to be, not to mention more enjoyable to drive! I often wonder if the rest of the world drivers with cars and trucks do not enjoy driving them ? How is your 2003 530SP more enjoyable to drive than say my 2003 Matrix XR? That car is small, nimble, ... Read More
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Re: merc1 [anthonyp]
Written by: merc1 on Aug 7, 2005 10:15:44 PM
Do you know just what mecedes and bmw reliability problems have been? After trading the Mercedes for a bmw stationwagon, and as I previously told you--the Mercedes clk was trouble free except for one window switch one time, --I sort of think the Mercedes problems are a little overblown.... Overall it has been electronics and the intergration of it. BMW and Mercedes both introduced a lot of things over the last ... Read More
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Re: Just for the heck of it here's the next level down [oac]
Written by: lexusguy on Jul 26, 2005 7:41:47 PM
I'm sorry, but I really have to agree with Merc's posts here. I think Lexus' idea of ultimate luxury is to be as simple and hassle free for the owner as possible, from interfacing with the car to the dealership experience. Cars like the ES, RX, and LS reflect that, and all have done very well. None of them are or have ever been sports cars though. The ES is no ... Read More
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Re: Jaguar [xkss]
Written by: merc1 on Apr 8, 2005 3:55:13 AM
Though I did like the XJS way back in the day, I really never really gave Jaguars too much thought until the 1997 XK8 showed up. Then came the 2000 S-Type and now the 2004 XJ. The XK is still as timeless as day one. Remarkable. The 2000-2002 S-Type was not up to the Jaguar name imo. The cheap Ford touches were everywhere. Then for 2003 the car got its first ... Read More
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New Aluminum Jaguars
Written by: xkss on Apr 3, 2005 8:48:00 AM
The next Jaguar S-Type will likely use the new XJ's aluminum chassis and have styling cues from the 2001 Jaguar R Coupe and the 2003 Jaguar RD-6. I think the grille and headlights need some work, but it looks nice. The Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe shows what the next XK might look like. The next XK will have to comply with new European pedestrian safety regulations. The next XK will use ... Read More
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Re: Pivoting Headlights [kdshapiro]
Written by: designman on Mar 16, 2005 6:27:51 AM
BMW had self-leveling headlamps for MY 2003. The swivel up and down. Not sure which models have them or when they first appeared. My 03 530 has them. Still trying to figure out what good they are. Ljflx... in the words of the great Pierre Francoise Dellabrioschi... La PL-U-U-ME dellacroix se si bon vichysoise si bon SHEESE!!!
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Re: Pivoting Headlights [merc1]
Written by: kdshapiro on Mar 16, 2005 5:29:56 AM
Right, except that BMW I believe had them in 2003 for the US market, but I can't find any sources to back up that statement. I remember when they were announced, BMW rightly claimed no other manufacturer had them for sale in the US.
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Pivoting Headlights
Written by: merc1 on Mar 14, 2005 10:24:04 PM
Mercedes, Lexus and BMW all introduced them for Model year 2004, on the E-Class, RX330 and 5-Series respectively. This was in the U.S. market. The RX330 came to market first in the spring of 2003 so that is why everyone says Lexus had them first. They were first to actually to put in buyers hands in the U.S. At the same time the technology was present on European Es and 5s, ... Read More
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Re: accident avoidance [sv7887]
Written by: hpowders on Mar 9, 2005 6:55:10 PM
The BMW 530i was also rated the highest for accident avoidance along with the 2 Mercedes in the April 2005 CR Auto issue. Both Mercedes were reviewed with 5-speed automatics. The E in June 2004. The S in November 2003. Both the E and the S received CR's worst reliability ratings when reviewed in these issues. The BMW 530i received the safe "new" reliability rating in the June 2004 issue of ... Read More
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Re: take off the German blinders II [tiag_m5]
Written by: hpowders on Mar 8, 2005 7:34:36 PM
I agree that CU can probably do a better job on reliability. I notice that the reliability rating for the 2005 BMW 5 series in its auto issue is the worst they give out-a black circle(bottom of page 42). Yet if you go to the back of the issue where all the cars are rated for reliability scores listing 14 trouble spots from engine down to body hardware(page 83) for the ... Read More
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Re: Side Airbags [sv7887]
Written by: tiag_m5 on Mar 8, 2005 5:45:36 PM
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety would probably disagree with you. You seem to ignore that frame construction is the Number ONE factor whether it be an airplane or car. Wrong. That article mentions that a good structure is necessary in addition to side airbags. A good structure alone simply isn't enough. Besides, why does it matter? You talk as if Lexus has a better structure than Mercedes when there is ... Read More
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2005 CR Reliability Rankings are out
Written by: oac on Mar 3, 2005 8:50:37 PM
Consumer Reports had the largest response to its latest annual auto reliability survey ever, allowing the nonprofit organization to compile reliability portraits on more than 810,000 vehicles, up from 675,000 vehicles in 2003 and 480,000 in 2002. This is the second year in a row that Consumer Reports surveyed subscribers to both its magazine and its web site, www.ConsumerReports.org, a total of more than 5 million consumers throughout the U.S. The ... Read More
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Ljflx
Written by: merc1 on Feb 22, 2005 6:05:43 AM
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
