Roundel article on 535xi vs. Caddy CTS4
05-12-2008, 10:45 AM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gray side of the moon USA
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 528i: Silver/Black/Light Wood, ZPP, ZCW, STEP, Comfort Seat, Heated Rear Seat, PDC, Xenon, Nav, iPod. 35% ceramic tint, VentureShield clear bra.
I just read the article in the May Roundel. The article claims how close the caddy is while costing 15 grand less. I admit I haven't sat in one yet, but from the pictures of it, I'm not really impressed.
The article makes a couple of claims that I don't agree, like "the Five is the most conservatively designed" among the BMWs, and the criticism of the iDrive. All in all, the article says BMW handily beats the caddy in performance, but interior, exterior, electronics etc. the caddy is better.
The article makes a couple of claims that I don't agree, like "the Five is the most conservatively designed" among the BMWs, and the criticism of the iDrive. All in all, the article says BMW handily beats the caddy in performance, but interior, exterior, electronics etc. the caddy is better.
05-12-2008, 12:21 PM
#3
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: United States - Rhode Island
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535xi
Monaco Blue
Dark Burl Walnut
Black Leather
Comfort Package
Sports Package
Cold Weather Package
Nav
Logic 7
18" Sport Wheels
Xenon Interior and License Plate Light Upgrade
Guy who works for me has a brand new 2008...
Already been in the shop 4 times!!!
I have not driven in it so can't tell you how it performs... But he is kicking himself that he bought it...
Every morning he says "I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR"
Already been in the shop 4 times!!!
I have not driven in it so can't tell you how it performs... But he is kicking himself that he bought it...
Every morning he says "I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR"
05-12-2008, 12:27 PM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by kearflex' post='578902' date='May 12 2008, 01:21 PM
Guy who works for me has a brand new 2008...
Already been in the shop 4 times!!!
I have not driven in it so can't tell you how it performs... But he is kicking himself that he bought it...
Every morning he says "I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR"
Already been in the shop 4 times!!!
I have not driven in it so can't tell you how it performs... But he is kicking himself that he bought it...
Every morning he says "I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR"
BMW is far from exempt from reliability issues, and there is certainly no longer a gulf in quality between BMW and most current American brands.
05-12-2008, 12:35 PM
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
Originally Posted by swajames' post='578906' date='May 12 2008, 03:27 PM
BMW is far from exempt from reliability issues, and there is certainly no longer a gulf in quality between BMW and most current American brands.
05-12-2008, 12:36 PM
#6
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have not been in a new CTS, but I rode in a 2006 and the interior of that car is absolutely hideoous. They would have to have done an awful lot on the inside for me to even consider that thing. Then factor in the usually poor reliability with Caddy and it makes no sense whatsoever. I seriously cannot see myself buying any Caddy product any time soon.
So many other makes have much more to offer with much MUCH better relability such as Acura, BMW, Audi, and Lexus... to name just a few.
So many other makes have much more to offer with much MUCH better relability such as Acura, BMW, Audi, and Lexus... to name just a few.
05-12-2008, 12:37 PM
#7
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by jmsod' post='578911' date='May 12 2008, 01:36 PM
I have not been in a new CTS, but I rode in a 2006 and the interior of that car is absolutely hideoous. They would have to have done an awful lot on the inside for me to even consider that thing. Then factor in the usually poor reliability with Caddy and it makes no sense whatsoever. I seriously cannot see myself buying any Caddy product any time soon.
So many other makes have much more to offer with much MUCH better relability such as Acura, BMW, Audi, and Lexus... to name just a few.
So many other makes have much more to offer with much MUCH better relability such as Acura, BMW, Audi, and Lexus... to name just a few.
05-12-2008, 01:31 PM
#8
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by swajames' post='578912' date='May 12 2008, 04:37 PM
In fairness, the new generation CTS has little to nothing in common with the prior generation. It's light years ahead and is a much better car than the old one.
Fair enough, but Caddy is still behind the curve IMO. When I compare the E46 to the the E90, the E90 is simply improve on a great car (E46) and same with the E39 and E60. The CTS had to make AMAZING strides over the previous generation CTS for me to even glance at it.
05-12-2008, 01:43 PM
#9
Senior Members
Drove a couple year old CTS not to long ago. It wasn't bad though it wasn't no 5 series. Getting close I guess you could say from where Caddy came from. Though one of the real issues is how is the Caddy going feel at 6 or 7 years old with a 100,000 miles on it compared to the 5?? Most Bimmers are still tight at that time when most American cars I've been in at that time are a far cry from when they were new (ie: rattles, squeaks, suspension losing up, much more wear and tear,etc.). This seems to ring true with many Forgien cars compared to American car.
P.S.: Use to sell cars back in the day (about 10 years ago) and it was just mind blowing the quality of a Toyota Camry that was 5 to 6 years old with 125,000 miles compared to say a Saturn, Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc. counterpart that maybe was only three years old with 50K of miles. You could even at that time see/feel the wear and tear on the overall car compared to the Toyota.
P.S.: Use to sell cars back in the day (about 10 years ago) and it was just mind blowing the quality of a Toyota Camry that was 5 to 6 years old with 125,000 miles compared to say a Saturn, Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc. counterpart that maybe was only three years old with 50K of miles. You could even at that time see/feel the wear and tear on the overall car compared to the Toyota.
05-12-2008, 01:48 PM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by swajames' post='578912' date='May 12 2008, 01:37 PM
In fairness, the new generation CTS has little to nothing in common with the prior generation. It's light years ahead and is a much better car than the old one.
So how many times has the Porsche been in the shop? *knock on wood 911 times*