Ask the Car People.SM


High End Luxury Cars

24723 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Sedan



Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.

A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.

Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.

Messages Page 1896 of 2473

#18950 of 24723 The BMW-Pontiac thing by designman

Sep 16, 2006 (10:05 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Sep 16, 2006 8:54 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 else they try to be like them except in their dreams:
 
“…the “kidney” grille appears in the 30s. BMWs first car the 1928 Dixi 3/15 PS did not have it. Neither did the 1932 BMW AM4. However, the 1932 Pontiac 302 did indeed have it. And a year after that we see it for the first time on the BMW 303. Curiously, not only is the grille almost a dead ringer but the similar, successive designation numbers seem to be an admission on BMW’s part. Who gets the jump on patents, trademarks and copyrights first is one thing. The truth of matters is another.”
 
designman, "BMW 5-Series Wagon 2004 Redesign" #448, 1 Oct 2003 8:42 pm!keywords=allin%3Amsgtext%20kidney%20grille

#18951 of 24723 Re: BMW W12 [tagman] by dewey

Sep 16, 2006 (12:55 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Sep 16, 2006 8:28 am)
Dewey - somehow I've gotten confused about your new 3-series purchase/order. What's the status, and is there an issue with the dealer or the price? Or have you changed your mind about the car itself?
 
Price was an issue at 1.5 percent off MSRP. I managed to buy my BMW335i sedan today and got only 4 percent off MSRP today (nothing to be boastful about but it was the best discount I could get).
 
Options:
 
Sport Package
Sparkling Graphite Metallic Paint
 
It will be manufactured in October and delivered to me sometime in November. Cant wait!

#18952 of 24723 Re: The BMW-Pontiac thing [designman] by dewey

Sep 16, 2006 (1:03 pm)

Replying to: designman (Sep 16, 2006 10:05 am)
Interesting post!
 
As a kid during the 1970s I always admired the looks of a Pontiac grille. Kidney shapes certainly do look sexy.

#18953 of 24723 Re: BMW W12 [dewey] by anthonyp

Sep 16, 2006 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 15, 2006 8:00 pm)
When we purchased the bmw last year, they had three stationwagons in stock and wanted to move at least one..5 series....Made a quick discount of thirty five hundred....When I negociated for the seven they would not come down but twenty five hundred as they didn`t have any on hand....I suspect you need to go to a dealer that has a few cars as you would want...All in all I as you found them to be difficult to deal with--all -- Tony

#18954 of 24723 Re: What's going on in Motown? [tagman] by lexusguy

Sep 16, 2006 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Sep 16, 2006 9:16 am)
It's almost a deeper philosophical problem with GM. It's as though they attempt to climb a ladder but either never go to the top or try to skip steps along the way. I also see that historically the evolution of many (but not all) GM vehicles actually erodes rather than improves. It's all just plain stupid, IMO.
 
I think it all has to do with the guys at the top. Companies like BMW, Honda, etc. are run by engineers. GM is run by accountants. They've said it themselves "we're in the business of making money, not cars". That worked great in the '50s, when GM had half the US automarket. Not anymore.
 
Fortunately it seems like they are finally getting the message. Their new full-size SUVs are pretty much best in class, with interiors better than Toyota and Nissan. Cadillac is finally getting proper interior treatments as well. The interior of the freshened SRX is no longer a cheap joke. Maybe not quite at Lexus\Audi level yet, but very competitive.

#18955 of 24723 Re: What's going on in Motown? [lexusguy] by tagman

Sep 16, 2006 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Sep 16, 2006 3:30 pm)
Fortunately it seems like they are finally getting the message.
 
That's to be seen.
 
I've only owned four GM vehicles. ALL, except for a '92 Corvette convertible, were pathetic in terms of reliability. Some with MAJOR problems. Maybe they will get better, but I'm not about to find out, as I won't purchase one, period.
 
Quite simply, there are better alternatives than General Motors, IMO.
 
TagMan

#18956 of 24723 Re: BMW W12 [dewey] by tagman

Sep 16, 2006 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 16, 2006 12:55 pm)
Dewey - Congratulations (for a second time?).
 
Sounds like a terrific car! Good color choice, IMO, and I'm glad you got the Sport Package.
 
TagMan

#18957 of 24723 Re: What's going on in Motown? [tagman] by blkhemi

Sep 16, 2006 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Sep 16, 2006 4:51 pm)
Tag,
 
The same thing goes for me with my 8 Corvettes. From my '63 Split Window to my current '06 Z06, with the exception of my '92 ZR1 with total engine failure due to a faulty oil pump, the cars have served flawlessly.
 
But I must admit, I have owned 2 GM cars other than ny Vettes. My '97 Caddy STS was a rare reliable model, needing only the crazy BOSE system replaced, as witnessed by many
Nissan and MB cars. And the 2000 DTS was a great car that I used to travel to and from the City everyday for work for a year. Racked up 42,000 miles in the first year without so much as an unscheduled visit to the dealership, a first for any luxury ride I've owned. No wonder they sell 90k copies of this car a year.
 
And to add, judging from this years JDP reports, the makers divisions are on a roll, save for the plagued HUMMER and Saab brands. Cadillac was right along with Jag and Lexus this year. Very interesting. I do think that the General has gotten the hint, even the top general himself, Wagoner. It's either do or die.

#18958 of 24723 Re: What's going on in Motown? [tagman] by lexusguy

Sep 16, 2006 (7:15 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Sep 16, 2006 4:51 pm)
I've only owned four GM vehicles. ALL, except for a '92 Corvette convertible, were pathetic in terms of reliability. Some with MAJOR problems. Maybe they will get better, but I'm not about to find out, as I won't purchase one, period.
 
I had an Oldsmobile in the early '70s, which was pretty much junk as well. After that I was finally able to afford my first Mercedes, a 280E. That car and my later 300E were great. When I went to the S, though, lots of troubles that ultimately soured me on the brand.

#18959 of 24723 Re: BMW W12 [anthonyp] by dewey

Sep 16, 2006 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: anthonyp (Sep 16, 2006 3:20 pm)
Anthony,
 
very similar experience. During March I got a good deal on a BMW 530xi wagon that was among two wagons on the lot.
The novelty of owning a twin turbo BMW is the main reason for why I am willing to forgo a good discount.

Messages Page 1896 of 2473

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement