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2009 BMW 3-Series

278 messages,  Last post on Nov 04, 2010 at 12:41 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, BMW, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 18 of 29

#164 of 278 Re: Rats! [fedlawman] by roadburner

Nov 26, 2008 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 26, 2008 1:36 pm)
What they're doing with the M cars tarnishes the whole brand. It's like hearing a punk rock song from your favorite independent band in a TV commercial for maxi pads. It's a sell out, nothing more.
 
At the 2001 X5 4.6is press intro BMW NA's Martin Birkman told me why the hot X didn't wear an M badge:
"An M car typically has a manual transmission, rear wheel drive, and a high- revving engine."
So much for that...
On the other hand, I'm sure BMW realizes that the softer, low-revving M cars will attract more BMW wearers and poseurs. And it appears that the strategy is already bearing fruit...

#165 of 278 Re: Rats! [roadburner] by cdnpinhead

Nov 26, 2008 (8:29 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 26, 2008 8:18 pm)
". . .it appears that the strategy is already bearing fruit..."
 
Already?
 
Hasn't this strategy been in play since the '80's, when the "driver's car" became the must-have accessory of the upwardly-mobile?
 
It appears to have worked every time it's been tried, for going-on 25 years.
 
The fact that actual car guys have shunned the brand in recent years, for a variety of reasons, is beyond irrelevant in the land of the BMW marketing "team."
 
There's more at the door.
 
Oh boy.

#166 of 278 Re: Rats! [cdnpinhead] by roadburner

Nov 26, 2008 (9:01 pm)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Nov 26, 2008 8:29 pm)
Hasn't this strategy been in play since the '80's, when the "driver's car" became the must-have accessory of the upwardly-mobile?
 
Yes, but the M cars were the last refuge of the real enthusiasts. Now even more M driver seats will be filled by imbeciles who think that trailing throttle oversteer is a band that used to open for Kansas.

#167 of 278 Re: Rats! [roadburner] by fedlawman

Nov 26, 2008 (10:32 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 26, 2008 9:01 pm)
Here's what put the 3-series on the map...
 

 
Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald, and a 325.

#168 of 278 Re: Rats! [fedlawman] by circlew

Nov 28, 2008 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 26, 2008 10:32 pm)
The engine change aside, shorter term concerns exist.
 
They might need to do another movie quick...
 
CEO says BMW in “biggest crisis in its history;” rivals have similar concerns
 
BMW, which has seen it sales double since 1999, is now in the “biggest crisis in its history,” CEO Norbert Reithofer told Germany’s Spiegel. Like all automakers, BMW’s sales have been hit hard by the financial crisis, but the company’s reliance on leasing for a large percentage puts it in an even more vulnerable position.
 
Reithofer isn’t alone in his sentiment. Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche admitted the situation could easily be the “worst crisis since World War II.” If that’s the case, expect more job cuts and production slowdowns at Mercedes and BMW.
 
Even Volkswagen, which has a much broader brand and model mix, is concerned about its future. “We have never before seen this kind of a crisis,” chairman Martin Winterkorn said. He said it would be impossible for his company to avoid “difficult cuts” and “painful” measures.
 
According to the New York Times, luxury cars from BMW and Mercedes are beginning to pile up at U.S. ports. But they aren’t the only ones. Literally thousands of Toyota and Nissan models have filled acres of land at the port in Long Beach, California. In fact, Mercedes, Toyota and Nissan have requested to lease additional space at a 160-acre lot to park their slow-selling cars.
 
Recently, Toyota Executive Vice President Mitsuo Kinoshita characterized the current situation as “an emergency, of a magnitude we have never seen before.”
 
So is any automaker immune to the economic collapse in America, Europe, and Asia? Simply put: no. After all, Mercedes, BMW, VW, and Toyota are usually thought of as the most stable automakers in the world. Their survival will depend entirely on their ability to quickly adapt to slowing sales. Without the same rigid union and legacy costs of the Detroit Three, we’re hopeful they’ll all pull through.

 
Regards,
OW

#170 of 278 Training and MACO by xman7

Dec 07, 2008 (10:33 pm)

Does anyone know if 'Training and MACO' ($560) comes from BMW charge to dealer on every car?

#171 of 278 Re: Training and MACO [xman7] by kyfdx HOST

Dec 08, 2008 (10:26 am)

Replying to: xman7 (Dec 07, 2008 10:33 pm)
Training is $180... that is on every US delivered BMW.
 
MACO is a regional advertising charge, that varies by location.. Probably 90%-95% of dealers pay this. Averages $300-$500 in most locations.
 
regards,
kyfdx
Host-Prices Paid Forums

#172 of 278 Re: Training and MACO [kyfdx] by xman7

Dec 08, 2008 (10:41 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Dec 08, 2008 10:26 am)
Thanks, kyfdx.

Messages Page 18 of 29

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