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Sedans Luxury Lounge
21284 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 11:17 AM
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Replying to: circlew (Jan 02, 2009 12:16 pm) The dollar index has actually held its own since early in the week and has actually strengthened somewhat. I may be in the minority, but I am not as pessimistic about the dollar as many so called experts. Let's face it. The entire world is dependent on the U.S. economy. About a month ago, I painted a rather gloomy picture about our economy, but I am starting to feel I bit more optimistic. Yes, there will be some very difficult times ahead over the next year or two, but I do not believe some of these doom and gloom guys that say that gold is headed to $2,000 or $3,000 and the dollar is going to zero. I REFUSE to believe that this nation will "die". If the gold reaches these sort of levels than we are all in the same boat anyway and everybody will be suffering terribly. I doubt that gold will do you much good. There would be anarchy. This article, however, does remind us all that the situation in the Middle East can explode at any moment and BINGO. Everything changes. |
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Replying to: louiswei (Jan 02, 2009 11:20 am) An A4 2.0T Sport /w ADS IMO is a much better car than the C300 with its el-cheapo materials and bland driving experience, and the IS250 which can get its doors blown off by a V6 Camry. The AWD version in particular is so underpowered it could be considered dangerous. While Audis aren't as cheap as they used to be, a loaded up A4 2.0T still undercuts a loaded 328xi by around $3,000. As with every version that came before, the V6 A4 doesn't have enough power and can't compete with BMW. If Audi offered an A4 3.0T S-line, it would be an easy choice over a 335xi and G37x. With the 3.2 though, I'd probably end up with the BMW or Infiniti.
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Replying to: lexusguy (Jan 02, 2009 1:29 pm) Audi 2.0 TSFI Prestige: $40k(base) / $47.3k(loaded) BMW 328xi: $35.6k(base) / $47.3k(loaded w/ automatic) / $45.9k(loaded w/o automatic) If Audi offered an A4 3.0T S-line That's call the new S4 as it'll come with the SC 3.0 V6.
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Replying to: louiswei (Jan 02, 2009 4:05 pm) While the 2008 S4 is rated by the EPA at just 16 mpg combined, thanks to its TFSI V-6 Audi estimates the new model will yield a fairly impressive 24-plus mpg highway -- close to the 3.2L A4. Enthusiasts may be less concerned with fuel economy than the average commuter, but with the current instability of gas prices, no doubt many will welcome the improvement. At staring price in the mid $50k range (est.) this is an interesting change from the V-8 version. Will BMW do the same with the M3?? Regards, OW |
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Replying to: circlew (Jan 02, 2009 5:34 pm)
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Replying to: louiswei (Jan 02, 2009 5:48 pm) Regards, OW
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Replying to: circlew (Jan 02, 2009 5:54 pm) BMW M Engines Going Turbo Enlarge PhotoCiting tougher emissions regulations, better fuel efficiency, and greater torque production from a smaller package, "well placed Munich insiders have said" that naturally aspirated BMW M engines will gradually give way to turbocharged units, said the U.K.'s Autocar. The new M engines will be based on the current twin-turbo inline six and twin-turbo V-8 engines in the BMW lineup, but will make more power than their regular-duty brethren and significantly more torque than the M engines they are set to replace. Currently, M engines are a 4.0-liter V-8 in the M3 and a 5.0-liter V-10 in the M5 and M6. Both engines favor very high RPM horsepower over big torque numbers, consuming plenty of gas along the way to their peak outputs. According to Autocar, the newest M model, the xDrive M, based on the BMW X6, will have a twin-turbo V-8 that should match the M5's V-10 at 500 hp, while making considerably more torque than the V-10 (rumored at up to 516 pound-feet). This should give the newest M model, even with its considerable heft, a 0-60 mph run of under five seconds. A BMW official said that the new turbocharged engines should match or exceed current M performance, while delivering "much better consumption." The M division is also testing stop/start functionality, regenerative braking, and a gas/electric hybrid drivetrain for installment on future models.--Colin Mathews Source: http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1016515_bmw-m-engines-going-turbo |
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Replying to: cyclone4 (Jan 02, 2009 9:05 am) IMO - pure reaction to Russia and an over-reaction to the middle east. Did you see how out of sync expectations were of build vs usage on Wednesday. Build was substantially higher than expected last week as US demand continues to sink. Oil was headed under $37 on that data when the Russian nat gas cutback was announced and that reversed the trend. But come contract month end who in the trade is in need of buying that oil given the continuing build each week? Folks will either have to stockpile it or cut price heavily to dump it. I actually paid my lowest premium price yet today - $1.63.
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Replying to: louiswei (Jan 02, 2009 4:05 pm) BMW 328xi: $35.6k(base) / $47.3k(loaded w/ automatic) / $45.9k(loaded w/o automatic) Those BMW prices are lower than I saw. I got $47.3K for the Audi with standard paint, 19" Sport package, wood trim, ADS, and NAV. Ticking literally every box brings it up to a bit over $50K for ACC and the rear sunshades. Setting up the BMW with the same equipment as the Audi will cost you $49.3k with the AT, or $53K with ACC and the rear sunshades, and 19" wheels are not available at any price. Genuine BMW 19" wheels will cost several thousand dollars I'm sure, and you'd have to spend at least $1500 for aftermarket wheels. What I'd like to see from Audi is a 300hp/310ft.lb A4 3.0T, the same engine from the updated A6, priced the same as the current 3.2. That would allow them to compete directly with the 335i and G37. I have to assume that the A4 3.2 will be replaced by a 3.0T version, the current engine just doesn't cut it.
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Replying to: louiswei (Jan 02, 2009 5:48 pm) Because the M3 sedan loaded will be mid-upper $60. This is how Audi operates, the S cars perform and are priced below M and AMG, and the RS cars perform and are priced above M and AMG. It's a somewhat weird system and it might help them to get rid of it and go directly at BMW and Mercedes model for model, but they don't seem to want to change. The new RS4 will probably hit $70K, but it will be a monster. Whether a 335xi is a better choice than an S4 depends on your definition of "almost the same". |
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