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Luxury Performance Sedans

10007 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM

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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

#8346 of 10007 Re: BMW Product-line [tayl0rd] by dewey Sep 12, 2006 (8:21 am)
Replying to: tayl0rd (Sep 12, 2006 5:42 am) Not to mention a 300HP 530i would severely cannibalize 550i sales at this point.   Good point. In the 3 series categorty a 335i will not cannibalize sales from the new V8 M3.   After hundreds of test drives I've never felt as excited about buying a car as the BMW335i. I hope I can negotiate a reasonable deal this week.
#8347 of 10007 Re: BMW Product-line [merc1] by dewey Sep 12, 2006 (8:26 am)
Replying to: merc1 (Sep 11, 2006 8:16 pm) That will likely have to wait until the 5-Series facelift, probably next spring as early 08' models.   No need yet for such a face lift with the 5 series outselling the E Class.   Also I would like to point out that we are soon approaching the deadline for our E Class vs. 5 series sales bet. I am kind of disappointed that this was only a gentlemen's bet with no legal tender wagered. Replies to this message: merc1 (Sep 12, 2006 9:25 pm)
#8348 of 10007 Re: BMW Product-line [tayl0rd] by lexusguy Sep 12, 2006 (7:11 pm)
Replying to: tayl0rd (Sep 12, 2006 5:42 am) Not to mention a 300HP 530i would severely cannibalize 550i sales at this point.   At least in BMW's case the 550i would still have more horsepower. The 2007 GS430 has 290hp with the new SAE spec. The GS350 has 303hp. According to Lexus, 0-60 is identical between the two, 5.7 seconds, and 1\4 mile times are also an identical 14.2 seconds. The GS430 starts at a little over $8K more. For that you get... uh.. Replies to this message: merc1 (Sep 12, 2006 9:26 pm)
#8349 of 10007 Re: BMW Product-line [dewey] by merc1 Sep 12, 2006 (9:25 pm)
Replying to: dewey (Sep 12, 2006 8:26 am) No need yet for such a face lift with the 5 series outselling the E Class.   Ha, ha Dew!   Also I would like to point out that we are soon approaching the deadline for our E Class vs. 5 series sales bet. I am kind of disappointed that this was only a gentlemen's bet with no legal tender wagered.   Yeah can you feel me sweating? I'm starting to cringe as I read the sales reports, but I won't lose faith until Jan 1 and the sales figures are released!   M
#8350 of 10007 Re: BMW Product-line [lexusguy] by merc1 Sep 12, 2006 (9:26 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Sep 12, 2006 7:11 pm) That makes me think there will be a 2008 GS460 on sale around Jan 2007, there has to be IMO. The GS lineup doesn't make sense as it stands for "2007".   M
#8351 of 10007 Good article on transmission trends by purplem46 Sep 13, 2006 (6:07 am)
CNN Money has interesting article on trends for both auto and manny transmissions. Very favorable comments on Audi's DSG.   CNN Tranny
#8352 of 10007 BMW Perf Center by erickpl Sep 14, 2006 (4:46 am)
I drove a manual there in the Z4 M roadster.   Stupid fast comes to mind, along with an ear to ear grin. Now if there were some way to justify it.   As for LPS wheels, looking at wheel choices, I agree with Mark that many of us would like to upgrade our wheels to those offered on the sportier (M, AMG, S-Line, etc) versions. I'd LOVE to put M5 wheels on a regular 5 as the other wheel choices leave me less than happy. Things like this can make or break how a vehicle looks.   Not an LPS vehicle, but consider the BMW 6 Series. The ellipsoid wheels on the Sport package look rather goofy. I can take or leave it. Slap some M6 wheels on there and the look of the vehicle changes entirely.   A la mode ordering would be sweet, but I suspect the technical workings and relationships between some features dictate that other things need to be there. Not that that is an excuse, just an observation and guess.   -Paul Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Sep 14, 2006 6:28 am) markcincinnati (Sep 14, 2006 6:43 am) erickpl (Sep 14, 2006 7:17 am)
#8353 of 10007 A la mode? by markcincinnati Sep 14, 2006 (6:28 am)
Replying to: erickpl (Sep 14, 2006 4:46 am) Uh, yea, I'll have my Bimmer with vanilla, French Vanilla, ice cream.   You meant, perhaps, a la carte?
#8354 of 10007 Re: BMW Perf Center [erickpl] by markcincinnati Sep 14, 2006 (6:43 am)
Replying to: erickpl (Sep 14, 2006 4:46 am) Seriously, I can see very few instances where one feature or option depends upon another, especially in the areas of wheels, tires, ground effects, colors of paint and colors of the interior.   Now, I do understand WANTING to keep some degree of exclusivity with the high zoot wheels and full-on RED leather ONLY being offered in the M versions.   Yet, I can't help but wonder, if there would be an offset of MORE than the lost sales of an M car with an increase in the sales of a "regular" 3 or 5, were BMW to offer that snazzy red leather interior (for a price with a profit, of course) in a more pedestrian 530 or 330, etc?   Let's say I am willing to pay an additional $1,000 (and I made that amount up) over the cost of the Premium Package for Red leather and Black Pearl Paint (for an additional premium paint charge of another $500 over the upcharge for metallic paint, etc.)   Let's say, however, that I am not able or willing or even if both able and willing, my spouse says "no M5 for you, baby cakes!" And I say, "I'd be a happy camper with a 530 with sport package, premium package, technology goodies, pushbutton start, M5 wheels, red leather sport seats and black pearl paint for a total up charge of perhaps $2999 over the 530 otherwise normally equipped.   Why not allow me to "give you my money?"   I look at Audi, now, and I'm starting to understand their S-Line grouping. S-Line for those who are not deep into Audis, is a combination trim and suspension, tires, wheels and even some ground effects (and some badging and a glitzy steering/sport/wheel, bla bla bla.) It adds less than $3000 to the price of the car, which is somewhat of a bargain considering that the sport package alone used to be priced at $1250, so this is about a $1600 upcharge which, as far as I can tell is probably quite profitable.   I don't think I will confuse or reconsider an S6 simply because there is an S-Line A6 3.2. I know the difference, I know the $20,000 upcharge for the S6 includes the V10, the brakes and a whole host of other stuff that even an S-Line A6 4.2FSI doesn't even rival.   But, the S-Line A6 is, if you already like the looks, a "real looker" in the A6 family.   Likewise, the M5 is a "looker" and an M-Line 530 should drive additional revenues overall for BMW. I would think the M5 would not suffer one whit.   Packages are great ideas, don't get me wrong. It is just that for some folks wanting a backup camera and being forced to spring for a sunroof just doesn't compute. Replies to this message: erickpl (Sep 14, 2006 7:17 am)
#8355 of 10007 Re: BMW Perf Center [markcincinnati] by erickpl Sep 14, 2006 (7:17 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 14, 2006 6:43 am) Nah, I want my BMW, and cake, and ice cream too.   I meant ala carte, but it was early. heheh   My dependencies was more from a technical standpoint, like needing MMI for certain features or iDrive to enable others. Other than that, I agree, single options would be a great way to get those niche buyers who want a specific configuration.   Is boutique buying a future opportunity for car makers? Who knows, but it would sure be fun to do! I could imagine the level of service could be upped a bit too to offer a VERY personal car shopping experience.   BMW now offers active steering as a standalone option, so there are some VERY small signs of progress.   -Paul

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