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Luxury Performance Sedans

10339 messages,  Last post on May 30, 2013 at 3:26 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 808 of 1035

#8063 of 10339 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 10339 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-

#8065 of 10339 Re: The BMW "Brand" [sfcharlie] by drtravel

Aug 10, 2006 (9:36 am)

Replying to: sfcharlie (Aug 09, 2006 2:42 pm)
I've always believed that brand plays a BIG part in consumer's buying decisions - this applies to all luxury goods not just LPS's. Many are very status conscious, so yes they will buy a BMW or MB over a non-German LPS purely because of the brand. In fact, many BMW or MB buyers never even considered the alternatives or acknowledge their existence. How could any other car possibly compete with their beloved brand?
 
I was always amazed that when I was at the BMW and MB service departments (yes I've owned both) and talked to other owners (who were less than satisfied with their German engineering) about their future buying plans, that many of these same disgruntled customers were only considering replacing their vehicle with another BMW and/or MB. When I mentioned other alternatives, many didn't even know of their existence but even now they still were not going to actually consider any of them. And these were all very intelligent people.
 
I don't have a problem with consumers choosing luxury products based primarily on their brand. Hell I plead guilty also. We are all making life style choices and what we drive makes a statement about who we are and how we want others to perceive us. I do have a problem with some who deny that brand was a factor. A majority of BMW owners choose the smaller engines with (god please don't strike me down) an automatic transmission. They really are not driving enthusiasts and their driving needs would probably be better served by an Accord or Camry - except for that German status thing. Are they really buying the ultimate driving machine or it's status?
 
Curious about Toyota's brand. Of course they are marketing quality of design, MPG and reliability. They are not in the status realm. Because a majority of buyers can't afford luxury makes, Toyota's marketing is perfect for a company that may one day be the best selling brand in the world.

#8066 of 10339 Re: Problem OEM Pricing [lexusguy] by jimbres

Aug 10, 2006 (10:29 am)

Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 10, 2006 9:14 am)
Thanks for the suggestion, but I've tried FM modulators & found them wanting. Here in the NYC metro area, we have so many FM stations that it's impossible to find an unused frequency. Cassette adapters actually yield better sound.

#8067 of 10339 Re: Problem OEM Pricing [bookedup] by warthog

Aug 10, 2006 (11:00 am)

Replying to: bookedup (Aug 10, 2006 4:44 am)
For that amount of money, you can buy an iPod that will hold many thousands of songs more than a CD changer and purchase and have installed a little device that connects the iPod so that it plays through the Bimmer's radio. The connection can be installed in the glove box, if you wish to keep the iPod out of sight, or have the wire emerge from the center console (no drilling required) and keep the iPod handy. I use this solution and it works great.

#8068 of 10339 Re: The BMW "Brand" [drtravel] by lexusguy

Aug 10, 2006 (12:45 pm)

Replying to: drtravel (Aug 10, 2006 9:36 am)
Curious about Toyota's brand. Of course they are marketing quality of design, MPG and reliability. They are not in the status realm. Because a majority of buyers can't afford luxury makes, Toyota's marketing is perfect for a company that may one day be the best selling brand in the world.
 
Exactly. Toyota knows that the vast majority of the auto buying public, at least in the US, are not driving enthusiasts. They have no idea how a car works, they just want things like simple controls, comfort, and reliability, which are all things Toyota does very well. Thats why the Camry managed to outsell the Dodge Ram last year. Things will only get better for Toyota as people who don't really need a big F-150 or Silverado stop buying them, and start going back to cars. Toyota will say, how 'bout a Camry?

#8069 of 10339 Re: The BMW "Brand" [lexusguy] by markcincinnati

Aug 10, 2006 (12:52 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 10, 2006 12:45 pm)
I closed in on a new BMW 5 series, shiny black, but, hmmmm, something looked a little outta place on its rump.
 
Holy cow, Batman!
 
It was a new Camry.
 
Now, don't go thinkin' this boy's never seen the new Camry and not at least had the inkling that it was a shameless copy of the BMW bustle-hind-end. But, as I was some distance away and it was on the exit ramp I was about to take, I didn't at first note the "T" on its bum.
 
As if Toyota needs to sell more of these things, I would assume its shameless flattery division will certainly get some credit for the darn near rip off styling.
 
Toyota MAY build great, wonderful, "I'm not worthy" cars for all I know -- but they are certainly unoriginal.
 
I remember when I saw the 1986 Taurus and it was being advertised here in Cincinnapolis as the "American Audi 5000S."
 
Sheeeeesh!

#8070 of 10339 Re: The BMW "Brand" [markcincinnati] by lexusguy

Aug 10, 2006 (1:05 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 10, 2006 12:52 pm)
Toyota MAY build great, wonderful, "I'm not worthy" cars for all I know -- but they are certainly unoriginal.

I don't think anyone has ever praised Toyota for styling. The Calty studio did a great job with the SC400 back in '91, and since then.. well..

#8071 of 10339 Re: The BMW "Brand" [lexusguy] by drtravel

Aug 10, 2006 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 10, 2006 1:05 pm)
The Calty studio did a great job with the SC400 back in '91, and since then.. well..
 
Back in 1991 I was standing in line at a movie theater and I saw this great looking car drive by... it was the brand new Lexus SC 400. So a few months later I had to buy one. They still look great although the new style SC looks worse than even Bangle's nightmares.

#8072 of 10339 Re: The BMW "Brand" [lexusguy] by drtravel

Aug 10, 2006 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 10, 2006 12:45 pm)
Toyota knows that the vast majority of the auto buying public, at least in the US, are not driving enthusiasts. They have no idea how a car works, they just want things like simple controls, comfort, and reliability, which are all things Toyota does very well.
 
So what does this say about all those BMW renters? Are they really that interested in the driving mechanics or status? I know there are quite a few enthusiasts who rent BMW's because of their handling, engine etc. Actually everyone who visits this forum probably falls under this category, but a majority of actual buyers do not.
 
This might also explain why Audis outsell BMWs in Germany but the sales figures are not close in the US. In the performance orientated part of the world (i.e. Germany) Audis and BMWs are very close. In the status part of the world (i.e. US) BMWs outsell Audis.

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