What do you think of BMW?
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From: Hong Kong
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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/o...ming-too-soft/
I think BMW have gone very soft on the sporty feel, compare to 10 years ago.
I think BMW have gone very soft on the sporty feel, compare to 10 years ago.
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From: Zoo York
My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
...then- BMW marketing director Jack Pitney (who tragically died in 2010) shared with me a Powerpoint strategy showing how far too many people, in his mind, weren't considering a BMW because they were intimidated or otherwise put off by the performance image of the brand. It was this finding that led BMW to first do a corporate ad campaign touting BMW's independent ownership, and then the softer "Joy of Driving" campaign...
Great write-up, btw. If misguided. IMHO, BMW will always rebound. They should just bring Rolls Royce downmarket with several entry-level models, that will be more "baby-Royce", than big soft Bimmer - that'll steal ALL the Lexusoids immediately.
And yes, a "Lexusoid" is a variety of a Toyotaoid, that is generally slower and cockier. All Toyotaoids can be recognized by their ability to cut you off and slow down - you know, sh!t like that
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From: Zoo York
My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
Whatever, you are... well, you 
Be a Lexusoid all you want, just don't drive where I drive 
BTW I've owned a Toyota and a Lexus myself... well, not "owned", leased. I had a 2000 Celica GTS, and a 2001 RX300. Loved GTS's handling, hated the lack of power. RX had nice interior with an awesome sound system, but it was absolutely nauseating to me because of it's wafty, mr. softie handling. It was a friggin' boat! :thumbsdown:
Be a Lexusoid all you want, just don't drive where I drive BTW I've owned a Toyota and a Lexus myself... well, not "owned", leased. I had a 2000 Celica GTS, and a 2001 RX300. Loved GTS's handling, hated the lack of power. RX had nice interior with an awesome sound system, but it was absolutely nauseating to me because of it's wafty, mr. softie handling. It was a friggin' boat! :thumbsdown:
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From: Hong Kong
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Whatever, you are... well, you Be a Lexusoid all you want, just don't drive where I drive
BTW I've owned a Toyota and a Lexus myself... well, not "owned", leased. I had a 2000 Celica GTS, and a 2001 RX300. Loved GTS's handling, hated the lack of power. RX had nice interior with an awesome sound system, but it was absolutely nauseating to me because of it's wafty, mr. softie handling. It was a friggin' boat! :thumbsdown:
Be a Lexusoid all you want, just don't drive where I drive BTW I've owned a Toyota and a Lexus myself... well, not "owned", leased. I had a 2000 Celica GTS, and a 2001 RX300. Loved GTS's handling, hated the lack of power. RX had nice interior with an awesome sound system, but it was absolutely nauseating to me because of it's wafty, mr. softie handling. It was a friggin' boat! :thumbsdown:
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From: Zoo York
My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
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bmw has surely dropped the ball, looking more like GM more and more. The story is spot on, they have shifted from its core competency, performance vehicles, to luxury vehicles that appeal to the masses, and a phony concept called 'efficient dynamics', all at the same time that it keeps build bigger and heavier, less involved cars.
Case in point, the new 650 cabrio. Supposedly the reason for the crap twin turbo engines was about fuel efficiency, but the 650cab now has a gas guzzler tax and weighs 200lbs more than the outgoing e64! I know my 645ci NA V8 did not have any gas guzzler tax, so in the new world of bmw, you get less performance, more bloat, and forced induction with a consupmtion tax. What a green strategy it is
Case in point, the new 650 cabrio. Supposedly the reason for the crap twin turbo engines was about fuel efficiency, but the 650cab now has a gas guzzler tax and weighs 200lbs more than the outgoing e64! I know my 645ci NA V8 did not have any gas guzzler tax, so in the new world of bmw, you get less performance, more bloat, and forced induction with a consupmtion tax. What a green strategy it is
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Case in point, the new 650 cabrio. Supposedly the reason for the crap twin turbo engines was about fuel efficiency, but the 650cab now has a gas guzzler tax and weighs 200lbs more than the outgoing e64! I know my 645ci NA V8 did not have any gas guzzler tax, so in the new world of bmw, you get less performance, more bloat, and forced induction with a consupmtion tax. What a green strategy it is
My 2000 540i had it and so did my 2002 X5 4.4i. I don't recall any BMW V8 that didn't pay the tax.
However, I agree that some of the newer cars have dropped the ball. I've owned many 5 series but I'm not longer tempted by the F10 and I'm waiting for the F30 as a replacement for my 5-er.
All of the models have grown up and the F10 is roughly the size and weight of the E38 7 series. The F10 is a fine car but I don't see it as the wolf in sheep clothing anymore. That wolf ate the sheep! The 3 series (F30) may be the new middle child that I hope will have that right blend of comfort with an emphasis on performance. While the 1 series is akin to the E30 and will grow to the size of the E36 during the next revision.