Why doesn't BMW simply copy the Japanese?
04-04-2006, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='264438' date='Apr 4 2006, 03:40 PM
Yup, that's my point exactly. These days, nobody seems to be able to get things working perfectly from the get go. Unfortunately I've come to the conclusion that if you want high tech, bleeding edge stuff, you'll have to live with some glitches and become a tester so things can work better in the future...
04-04-2006, 10:00 AM
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Hmm, let's see...
Japan has tons of experience making reliable mass-produced consumer electronics...like Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sharp, Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, etc.
What does Germany have?
Japan has tons of experience making reliable mass-produced consumer electronics...like Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sharp, Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, etc.
What does Germany have?
04-04-2006, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by hinckley' post='264275' date='Apr 4 2006, 02:32 AM
So why can't companies like BMW just buy a few Japanese cars and copy what they now do best?
Personally, I just think the software team on the e60 project were not up to the mark... The initial product just didn't work properly and we still have some glitches....
in computing terms the early e60's software was 'beta' at best...
04-04-2006, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by ImolaRedM' post='264287' date='Apr 3 2006, 10:27 PM
I disagree. Spend some time with that Denso NAV unit and try and enter a destination. Try it while parked and try to find a gas station while you're moving (without voice). And I don't find the menu intuative at all. It's so bad my wife won't even use it anymore even after retrofitting voice into it. She also finds the bong sound and directions to be `annoying.' RDS is cute but it's not that useful but then I don't use the radio. Auto headlamps worked better in our BMWs than on our Toyota too. And if your loaner Toyota has ACC try it and see how 'good' that 5mph resolution is. At least it's not as expensive as the BMW's but the BMW has a 1mph resolution and will work it's way to speed while the Toyota is binary. :thumbsdown:
If that Denso NAV unit is the same one that's in the Lexus then I have to agree with ImolaRedM. My dad's lexus nav unit sucks in my opinion. The touch screen is awful and it is a pain to enter directions. The phone system is a pain too. He finally admitted he hates that whole system and is going back to BMW when his lease is up. The biggest reason being he said my car walks all over his LS430 for handling alone, not to mention the whole NAV and Bluetooth unit he likes much better. I hate how the lexus blocks you from so much while driving. I think the quality of the map is much better in the BMW also. The map in the lexus looks like a child drew it.
One thing BMW could do is make the unti faster. It is a little annoying entering directions at times, the unit can be slow.
04-04-2006, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by needforspeed' post='264566' date='Apr 4 2006, 02:04 PM
Personally, I just think the software team on the e60 project were not up to the mark... The initial product just didn't work properly and we still have some glitches....
04-04-2006, 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by SolarFactory' post='264570' date='Apr 4 2006, 02:16 PM
If that Denso NAV unit is the same one that's in the Lexus then I have to agree with ImolaRedM. My dad's lexus nav unit sucks in my opinion.
04-04-2006, 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by hinckley' post='264275' date='Apr 3 2006, 09:32 PM
Both of my cars happen to be in the shop this week and I'm driving a loaner Toyota Avalon (from my Porsche dealer - don't ask me why). Now the Avalon is a car that I would NEVER buy, but my god, everything works so well!! The auto wipers just work the right way. The auto headlamps just work the right way. The nav system is unbelievable (with complete voice control). And wonder of wonders, Toyota has figured out how to use RDS to display the radio station frequency, call letters, song name and artist all at same time.
The Japanese have spent years emulating and perfecting much of the "science" of western products. I think that they have been less successful copying the "art" of things like BMW handling. So why can't companies like BMW just buy a few Japanese cars and copy what they now do best? It scares me that they will be left in dust when Japan gets the whole equation right.
The Japanese have spent years emulating and perfecting much of the "science" of western products. I think that they have been less successful copying the "art" of things like BMW handling. So why can't companies like BMW just buy a few Japanese cars and copy what they now do best? It scares me that they will be left in dust when Japan gets the whole equation right.
I COMPLETELY agree with this post...the Germans are being left in the dust when it comes to interior electronics and overall functionality/reliability of their cars...and it's just a matter of time before they get the driving dynamics/styling down to where it would not make sense to buy German....it's time for the Germans to bite the bullet and strive to emulate the japanese when it comes to electronics and reliability.
04-04-2006, 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by hinckley' post='264275' date='Apr 3 2006, 09:32 PM
The Japanese have spent years emulating and perfecting much of the "science" of western products. I think that they have been less successful copying the "art" of things like BMW handling. So why can't companies like BMW just buy a few Japanese cars and copy what they now do best? It scares me that they will be left in dust when Japan gets the whole equation right.
04-04-2006, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by hinckley' post='264275' date='Apr 3 2006, 08:32 PM
Both of my cars happen to be in the shop this week and I'm driving a loaner Toyota Avalon (from my Porsche dealer - don't ask me why). Now the Avalon is a car that I would NEVER buy, but my god, everything works so well!! The auto wipers just work the right way. The auto headlamps just work the right way. The nav system is unbelievable (with complete voice control). And wonder of wonders, Toyota has figured out how to use RDS to display the radio station frequency, call letters, song name and artist all at same time.
The Japanese have spent years emulating and perfecting much of the "science" of western products. I think that they have been less successful copying the "art" of things like BMW handling. So why can't companies like BMW just buy a few Japanese cars and copy what they now do best? It scares me that they will be left in dust when Japan gets the whole equation right.
The Japanese have spent years emulating and perfecting much of the "science" of western products. I think that they have been less successful copying the "art" of things like BMW handling. So why can't companies like BMW just buy a few Japanese cars and copy what they now do best? It scares me that they will be left in dust when Japan gets the whole equation right.