06-28-2012, 08:56 AM | #133 | |
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I do agree that the 3-series is pushing beyond its sweet spot as the perfect sport sedan. Which is why BMW probably came out with the 1-series, which is smaller and cheaper (perhaps to compete with the A4?) and has the same engines as the 3-series. I think most of the 3-series customers here will start to look at the 1-series to get back to that 3-series feel that we had for the past 20 or so years. Personally, I think BMW's configurations can be a lot simpler, and it was mentioned in the story that BMW sometimes over-engineers things. But what I did learn is that they do listen to their customers. It's up to us to change what BMW does if we tell them. |
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06-28-2012, 09:03 AM | #134 |
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Correction, the A6 weighs 3600lbs not 4000lbs. Depends on your priorities but I would not be embarrassed to drive a car that costs 50k. When a 3 series starts nudging 55k for me its common sense to step back and examine the options. Unfortunately I only find the 3 series attractive with the MSport face. In this economy one has to get good value for money. I cant remember "Joy" ever being accepted as a car payment.
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06-28-2012, 09:04 AM | #135 | |
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The ATS is a similarly weird car to configure and comes with GM's love of polished wheels only, which like BMW and RFT's, would be immediately replaced. The new A3 will continue on with Haldex, meaning it's a fwd car until slip is detected, which means I'll continue to ignore it. The A4 is a boat, the S4 is a heavier boat with an awesome motor. The IS is, well, the IS, hopefully they get the next one right. The S60 is big, nose heavy and Volvo's hazy future scares me off. The G37 is ancient, large and feels cheaply made with a rather terrible motor. So in the end, unless they decide to hurry up with a 1er sedan or actually just give us here in the US the five door 1er, we'll likely buy an F30 or F31 at some point in the next year or two. I'm hoping they at least give us a little more juice in the 335i and make one or two more interior colors available on M Sport. One caveat, if BMW USA actually allows us to have a 335i F31, I will eat every word I just said and buy one as soon as they open orders. |
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06-28-2012, 10:02 AM | #137 | |
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I've bought CPO in the past to afford the car I wanted, and that has been a good experience overall. This time around, though, I'm jonesing for an F32 335 xDrive coupe, so I'm three or four years out from having CPO access to one of those (at the age I target). Not sure my E60 will hold up another four years. I don't know what I am going to do.
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06-28-2012, 10:58 AM | #138 | |
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06-28-2012, 11:10 AM | #139 | |
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In any case, the F30 has six years newer technology to work with that allow it to almost match the performance and economy of the old diesel. The point is that, given the same advances in technology (such as the 8 speed transmission), an f30 335d would blow everything away both in terms of performance and fuel efficiency. It would certainly make for a much more attractive package than this horribly overpriced hybrid. |
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06-28-2012, 12:00 PM | #140 | ||
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06-28-2012, 12:51 PM | #141 | |
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06-28-2012, 12:58 PM | #142 |
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I think BMW will make a 2 series Gran Coupe in the near future as Merc already presented a concept based on A class ( ~ CLA or something) and Audi presented a prototype of an A3 sedan...
That would be a really nice and sporty car |
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06-28-2012, 01:07 PM | #143 |
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The 335d was too expensive and had 286hp vs the new updated 330d with 245hp...
After some years both engines were updated again 35d version for two times (1st version with 300/ 306 hp and after that with 313hp) and 30d engine upgraded to 258hp... In this moment the best diesel alternative is 320d (184hp)... For 5 series the 525d (218hp) is better due to a higher weight |
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06-28-2012, 01:11 PM | #144 | |
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06-28-2012, 01:42 PM | #145 | |
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So when an underdog company is trying to catch up with the leaders by offering competitive products at lower prices than the already established competition, I would like to think that it's us the enthusiasts that can see this opportunity and jump on it. I see Hyundai as very much a case study of this in the non-premium segment. And in the premium segment, it seems Audi is increasingly becoming that. Their products are very significantly improved from previous generations, to a point where some of them can be considered class leaders, and yet the pricing is still a bit below BMW and MB, due to the relative lack of prestige. I would be very compelled to look at Audi the next time we are shopping for my wife's car. |
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06-28-2012, 01:57 PM | #146 | |
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For the same reasons, there's a certain degree of parts bin sharing happening across VW-Audi/Nissan-Infiniti that doesn't happen with BMW. As a buyer of the premium brand, that bothers you or it doesn't. I do not believe that Audis nor Infinitis are badge-engineered versions of VWs and Nissans. At least not in 2012. But their products and pricing strategies are a little different than BMW because of the sort of companies they are. For me, Audi design, performance, and prestige are all close enough to BMW to make no matter. But, when I drive or ride in an Audi, I don't get the sense of it being carved from stone as I do with a BMW.
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06-28-2012, 02:18 PM | #147 |
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The 2.0T is getting Quattro and the 8spd ZF in 12.
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06-28-2012, 02:23 PM | #148 | |
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06-28-2012, 09:02 PM | #149 | ||
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06-29-2012, 12:00 AM | #151 | |
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And to those of you saying you're going to move to Audi, go test drive their new cars. I spent a few hours behind the wheel of the 2013 S4 which is significantly improved even over the 2011, but their lease rates are shockingly bad. They were expecting me to pay twice as much a month (with identical lease terms, same down payment, etc.) for a $55,000 S4 as I would for a $55,000 335i. I guess that's why Audi sells 11,000 cars a month while BMW sells 22,000 in the US. |
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06-29-2012, 06:45 AM | #152 |
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The great equalizer in the pricing wars = BMW leasing..... Audi may have better MSRP, but monthly won't be any lower, b/c BMW financial is crazy on the lease rates and the incentives.
I do hear what u guys are saying about shopping the A6 if the 3er is creeping up way to high on the price scale. That is a valid point.
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06-29-2012, 08:45 AM | #153 | |
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06-29-2012, 09:43 AM | #154 | |
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