|
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
05-28-2009, 10:20 AM | #23 | |
First Lieutenant
11
Rep 354
Posts |
Quote:
Just because I "can't afford a 5er and bought a 3er" (which isn't necessarily true) doesn't mean I want a big luxury sedan. I want something that isn't over 4000lbs (although 3600lbs for a 335i is still heavy) and I don't need super comfortable rear seats. Different cars for different markets. Just because I have the money for a bigger BMW, doesn't mean I need the additional size.
__________________
10 Porsche 911 C2S - Cream White / Natural Brown
09 335i E92 LeMans blue M-sport 6MT SOLD: 08 335i E90, 07 335i E92 AW/CR, 93 RX-7 464 rwhp |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-28-2009, 10:48 AM | #24 |
Major
92
Rep 1,209
Posts |
I was stating marketing. What I stated is in use for most marketing plans regardless of product. Will it work on everyone? Of course not. But it is what it is because it is highly effective.
Funny how people get p!ssed and defensive when they find out a company is playing a marketing game on them. They go into denial and reject the thought of ever being manipulated.
__________________
2011 535i
2008 VW GTI |
Appreciate
0
|
05-28-2009, 01:04 PM | #25 | |
Unindicted co-conspirator
67
Rep 1,734
Posts
Drives: to work, mostly.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Detroit, Michigan
|
Quote:
I'd think that given the new regulatory climate in the USA, BMW would be eager to use off-the-shelf technology to increase its fleet fuel economy levels. Is there really that much of a stigma against 4-cyls in the USA? Audi certainly has had a great deal of success with its 4 cylinder A4s and A3s. And the Acura TSX has done quite well. And the MINI is definitely a premium product. I hope that BMW isn't still assuming that because the 318ti failed, therefore Americans are not interested in four cylinder BMWs. Last edited by jkp1187; 05-28-2009 at 01:21 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-28-2009, 01:32 PM | #26 | |
Major
92
Rep 1,209
Posts |
Quote:
The problem is most options have trickeled down to Accords and Camry's that the only way the premium cars can distinguish themselves is with horsepower. A M3 is basically identical to a 335 yet folks will pay $20k for 50 more horsepower. (The 335 is really closer to 350HP but BMW sells it as 300HP so it won't compete with a 400HP M3). But I think the day will come where we will be back to 3/4/5/6 cylinder engines and the V8/V10 will be gone for the most part.
__________________
2011 535i
2008 VW GTI |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-28-2009, 02:58 PM | #27 | |
Unindicted co-conspirator
67
Rep 1,734
Posts
Drives: to work, mostly.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Detroit, Michigan
|
Quote:
There will always be people willing to pay more for a higher-output engine, but there are still quite a few who would be willing to pay less for a smaller engine that came with BMW handling. I think BMW is (wrongly) a bit gunshy over 4-cyls because of the 318ti, but that was a 4-cyl released in the midst of cheap gasoline and a growing horsepower war and, I might add, at a time when BMW's vaunted straight sixes in their 3-series were still rated at, what? 184 HP? Less than what a 3.8L V-6 in a Chevy Lumina was rated. I am not arguing in favor of 4-cyl gasoline engines, either. Instead, I maintain that a high output, torquey, fuel-efficient turbo diesel mated to a BMW chassis would go over quite well as long as they could get past the EPA. (Of course, if BMW is holding back on turbo diesels because of the environmental regulatory mess, then that's something I can understand.) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-28-2009, 08:01 PM | #28 | |
Brigadier General
303
Rep 4,479
Posts |
Quote:
What might make it even odder will be if BMW introduces the next gen 1 series hatches at the same (as they are reportedly planning to). To me, that would make the X1 even more surpurfluous.
__________________
135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-28-2009, 09:06 PM | #29 |
Enlisted Member
3
Rep 31
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-29-2009, 10:27 AM | #31 | |
Unindicted co-conspirator
67
Rep 1,734
Posts
Drives: to work, mostly.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Detroit, Michigan
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-30-2009, 05:37 AM | #32 | |
Major General
5381
Rep 5,824
Posts |
Quote:
Audi launched their R8 in 2006 at the Paris motor show , back then the economy was not as bad as it is now, especially for cars like the R8. The R8 was spawned from the Le Mans Quattro Concept Car shown at the 2003 IAA. So Audi were well within the boundaries when times were good to develop and produce the R8. If they were to do so now then the outcome would not have been so great . Cars that are just coming to launch now have been in years of development , had they been conceived now there would be no chance of a majority making production. That is why it is not feasible to develop a Supercar in the current climate. That is why BMW are progressing their "Efficient Dynamics" and "Project-i" programmes because these are relevant. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-13-2009, 09:32 AM | #33 | |
Lieutenant
59
Rep 503
Posts |
Quote:
I agree with you. I hope BMW doesn’t keep using the 318ti as the basis to make all of their future decisions on 4 cyl cars. That would be ignorant. The 318ti failed because it was a cheap looking, rear hacked off, odd looking, base model material looking car. Not because of the engine. Mercedes had the same issue when they released the 3 door hatchback. It also was hideous and sales were dismal. Make an appealing car, give it a fuel efficient, sporty engine and sell it at a fair price and you will have your new bread and butter car segment. It's that simple. BMW needs to get their head out of their a$$ and start rethinking the US market. The current 1 series sales expectations were not met due to the financial situation in the US. Also, the 135i was a bit expensive when you started to add on pkgs. Again, if you sell it at a reasonable price, you will draw in the buyer segment you seemed to think was impossible to reach. If bmw keeps holding out on sending the diesel to the US, I will go elsewhere for my next car.
__________________
MM
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-13-2009, 08:04 PM | #34 | |
Unindicted co-conspirator
67
Rep 1,734
Posts
Drives: to work, mostly.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Detroit, Michigan
|
Quote:
Oh well, I won't be in the market for a new car until the 2012 model year at the earliest I expect; I do have some high hopes that BMW's stand will have changed somewhat by then. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|