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Luxury Performance Sedans

10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan

Messages Page 807 of 1035

#8055 of 10338 The BMW "Brand" by sfcharlie

Aug 09, 2006 (2:42 pm)

Business Week (Aug 7) ran a cover story on "Best Global Brands". The main point is that a percentage of a company's revenue can be credited to "brand." Toyota is ranked #7 (among all corporations, not just car companies) in terms of "brand value". Mercedes is next (among car companies) with a rank of #10, followed by BMW at #15, but it had the largest brand value rating jump from 2005 to 2006.
 
I think this supports comments which argue that part of BMW's 5-series sales success is simply that "BMW" evokes "brand quality" in the collective consciousness of consumers. It would be hard to substantiate that good sales of the 5-series prove that auto-consumers (unlike professional car critics) love the new Bangle design. It could, however, be used to argue that something about BMW overrides any (if there is any) ambivalence people might have about the new design.

#8056 of 10338 Acura goes nuts by lexusguy

Aug 09, 2006 (10:20 pm)

From C&D: "For 2007, the Acura TL line will sprout a Type-S boasting a more powerful engine and a sport-tuned suspension. According to The Boston Globe, power output grows to 286, a gain of 28 hp, and torque rises 23 lb-ft. to 256. Previously, Acura offered a TL A-spec handling and appearance package, although it offered no bump in power. While the A-spec was a dealer-installed kit, the Type-S is a factory-produced regular model."
 
Obviously Acura feels threatened by the significantly more powerful IS350 and G35, but I think they are forgetting that those cars are RWD. The last thing the TL needs is more power. This car will probably make the 9-3 Viggen look like a gentle puppy by comparison.

#8057 of 10338 Re: Acura goes nuts [lexusguy] by merc1

Aug 09, 2006 (10:24 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 09, 2006 10:20 pm)
And the power increase is hardly worth all the effort IMO. Acura seems to really be losing it. The IS350 and G35 are still going to be faster and like you point out their power is going to the correct wheels.
 
Here is where Acura's dependence on V6s and fwd platforms hurts them the most. The TL-S couldn't be any more powerful without AWD and if they add AWD to a TL, the RL would be rendered even more pointless than it already is.
 
One good RWD platform specific to Acura and a V8 to be shared with the next NSX and RL would "fix" all of this IMO. However knowning Honda and the current gas prices hoopla Honda likely couldn't even bring themselves to do a V8 for anything besides a sports car.
 
M

#8058 of 10338 Re: Acura goes nuts [merc1] by lexusguy

Aug 09, 2006 (10:42 pm)

Replying to: merc1 (Aug 09, 2006 10:24 pm)
One good RWD platform specific to Acura and a V8 to be shared with the next NSX and RL would "fix" all of this IMO. However knowning Honda and the current gas prices hoopla Honda likely couldn't even bring themselves to do a V8 for anything besides a sports car.

I agree. Its rather strange that Honda is willing to give the S2000 a dedicated, RWD platform, but they wont do one for the Legend\RL, which is a much higher volume car.
 
I think with the next TL, they should follow Audi's lead. Give the car SH-AWD so it can actually deal with the power, and then push the engine behind the front axle to give it proper weight distribution. Couple that with Honda's slick six-speed manual, and they could have a real 3 fighter on their hands.

#8059 of 10338 Re: Acura goes nuts [lexusguy] by merc1

Aug 09, 2006 (10:45 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 09, 2006 10:42 pm)
Its rather strange that Honda is willing to give the S2000 a dedicated, RWD platform, but they wont do one for the Legend\RL, which is a much higher volume car.
 
I've often wondered why they never built a small sports sedan and coupe from the S2000's platform. The TSX could have been such a car.
 
M

#8060 of 10338 Problem OEM Pricing by bookedup

Aug 10, 2006 (4:44 am)

I want to add a CD Changer to my 03 530i (Manual). The cheapest I can find it from a BMW dealer is $587 plus 5% state sales tax. This vehicle is pre-wired for an OEM changer and I have seen adds on the net to acquire it cheaper but am hesitant buying it on-line. The price looks more attractive but can I trust them? I worry about putting my money in a dark hole and never seeing it again. Additionally, I don't know who is on the other end of that phone line. I have concerns about credit card fraud. Any one able to advise?
 
 Thanx in advance,
 
   Rob

#8061 of 10338 Re: Problem OEM Pricing [bookedup] by markcincinnati

Aug 10, 2006 (8:17 am)

Replying to: bookedup (Aug 10, 2006 4:44 am)
As one who spends thousands per year at a variety of sites, and have been doing so for years, I don't know where to begin.
 
You do have to be careful -- but, you have to be careful when you hand your card to a server to pay for your dinner. You have to worry about so many areas in life these days -- you may get phished, you could have someone spy on your computer and on and on.
 
All these concerns are real.
 
Yet, it was only a couple of years ago that it was super simple to get your credit card number when the self-serve gas pumps printed out the whole CC number on the receipt.
 
Web sites, generally, can be vetted -- you can set up an "e-wallet" with specific companies or with your credit card vendor for purchased you will make.
 
The majors do have protection and financial fail safe's for you (Fraud Divisions) -- they are on your side and are usually 100% forgiving without question. Amex is very strong in being your advocate and your shield from fraud.
 
If you buy "X" on line with most credit cards and you are in some way defrauded, your Credit Card company will don their Super Anti-fraud Suit and stand up for truth, justice, your credit card and the 'merican way, etc.
 
This is not really the place for much more of this discussion, but billions of transactions happen via "e" commerce every year. Only a very tiny % of them go sour.
 
This may not be sufficient assurance for you. I can understand that. My mother in law won't shop on line. My cousin won't even use an ATM.
 
Takes all kinds.

#8062 of 10338 OEM Pricing by bookedup

Aug 10, 2006 (8:42 am)

Thanx Mark. I appreciate the prompt ant thorough response. I'll certainly consider it in making this call. Does anyone have any experience buying after market CD changers from other than a dealer? I don't want to pay an extra $200 dollars for something with an "official" BMW badge on it just to sit inside a closed compartment in my trunk,
 
 All responses appreciated,
 
  Rob

#8063 of 10338 Re: Problem OEM Pricing [bookedup] by jimbres

Aug 10, 2006 (8:44 am)

Replying to: bookedup (Aug 10, 2006 4:44 am)
To Mark's good advice I'd like to add my recommendation that you avoid using debit cards for online or phone purchases. The consumer protection built into Federal law is more robust for credit card transactions than it is for debit card transactions. FWIW, I've been doing business online since the pre-Web GEnie, Prodigy & CompuServe days, & I've never had a problem.
 
Please keep us posted on what you turn up. I'm interested because the trunk-mounted CD changer in my '01 330i died a couple of months ago. The head unit display reads "NO CD" when I try to play a disc, & I can't eject the cartridge from the player. After charging me $50 to look at it, my dealer asked me for another $285 to cover off-site repairs. I declined this offer, thinking that I could find a new unit for less money. I'd be even more interested in a solution that would let me play MP3-encoded CDs or allow me to jack my iPod directly into the car's sound system. (Right now, I'm using a cassette adapter to connect my iPod, but I'm not thrilled about the sound quality.) BMW offers an Apple-designed iPod interface, but only for cars built after 2001.
 
Any ideas, folks?

#8064 of 10338 Re: Problem OEM Pricing [jimbres] by lexusguy

Aug 10, 2006 (9:14 am)

Replying to: jimbres (Aug 10, 2006 8:44 am)
I'd be even more interested in a solution that would let me play MP3-encoded CDs or allow me to jack my iPod directly into the car's sound system. (Right now, I'm using a cassette adapter to connect my iPod, but I'm not thrilled about the sound quality.) BMW offers an Apple-designed iPod interface, but only for cars built after 2001.
 
One possibility is an FM modulated universal add-on CD changer. Sony has a 10-disc MP3 CD capable model that retails for $200. You could also try an FM modulator for your iPod, rather than the cassette. I don't recommend replacing your headunit. It would be cheaper to just have the dealer fix your CD player.
 
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dQy5skx4wun/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=610&I=158CDX565M-

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