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Thoughts on current model BMW cars?

Sharky said:
I would disagree insofar as my experience with my 350z (which is a 2006). The thing has been stone cold reliable and the fit/finish is just fine. There was some talk about oil consumption problems with that year motor, but most were replaced under warranty.

Infinity versions of the 350 (G35 and other 35 variants) don't have any notable digs either.

Not exactly scientific, but if forums are any indicator, there hasn't been much bitching with respect to the 3.5 motors or cars with them.

Pathfinders, not so much. Crappy mileage and expensive replacement parts.
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Biggest problem is the atrocious exhaust tone. Sounds like a wheezing old man with emphysema.
 
TripleSeven said:
I've owned 3 different C5 vettes. One was a Zo6. I never could make it burn out because at the time I was not aware of what traction control was. So like an idiot I'd try with it engaged and it would not let me. I was like this car sucks.

Where do I turn in my man card? :laughing
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Dude. Damn.

[YOUTUBE]ARois3M9qlo[/YOUTUBE]
 
Ever since I was a kid, I desperately wanted a BMW 850. Now that they are in a reasonable price range, I recognize they are so old and weird that I may as well shoot my wallet in the head. The eternal tragedy of the beemers.
 
new turbocharged BMW have very sophisticated engine management.

it is very good at detecting knock and will dial back timing advance.

owner's manual states 91 octane is recommended but can use 89 as minimum.

87 octane will just make sure timing advance and boost is limited. you'll get worse MPG so it is pointless.

black box also records "bad fuel' events so just be aware of this.

BTW, F80/82 suggests using 93 octane with 91 being minimum. I mix it E85 to run 5-7 psi over factory.
 
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Abacinator said:
Biggest problem is the atrocious exhaust tone. Sounds like a wheezing old man with emphysema.
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There are things you can do to change the exhaust note, but it sure will never have that nice V8 sound. I have a cat back exhaust on my car and it's not too bad. It doesn't have the weird drone like some of the systems do. It would sound better with that LS1 or 2 swap. :laughing
 
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fast4d said:
new turbocharged BMW have very sophisticated engine management.

it is very good at detecting knock and will dial back timing advance.

owner's manual states 91 octane is recommended but can use 89 as minimum.

87 octane will just make sure timing advance and boost is limited. you'll get worse MPG so it is pointless.

black box also records "bad fuel' events so just be aware of this.

BTW, F80/82 suggests using 93 octane with 91 being minimum. I mix it E85 to run 5-7 psi over factory.
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Are you on stock tune? If so, I want to try it on my M3.
 
my car is 100% oem except for drop in air filters.

using JB4 map 2 with 4 to 4.5 gal of E85 per tank of 91

I tried map 7 but heard some brief knocking once. found out you need to mix in 5 gallon of 100 on top of E85 to run map 7 so ECU can run a nice timing advance curve.

BMW star spec PS2 are horrible I run plus size BS re-71r

adding meth kit this winter....
 
fast4d said:
my car is 100% oem except for drop in air filters.

using JB4 map 2 with 4 to 4.5 gal of E85 per tank of 91

I tried map 7 but heard some brief knocking once. found out you need to mix in 5 gallon of 100 on top of E85 to run map 7 so ECU can run a nice timing advance curve.

BMW star spec PS2 are horrible I run plus size BS re-71r

adding meth kit this winter....
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Nice. where do you have PS2s?? Aren't those ancient. My car came with PSS, but I will go PS4 next.

[edit] you are probably talking about pilot cup 2?
 
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TheRobSJ said:
Forget the quality aspect. What the hell has happened to Infinity? Seems like ever since they went Q this and Q that for every model they make, they just don't seem relevant anymore. Or is it just me? But it seems like I hardly ever hear anyone talk about them, say they want one, or whatever.
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The new Q50 is actually a really good car...but no one buys them. I think they're some of the better looking cars at that price point as well. Totally irrelevant is a perfect description. The reason I suggest Infinity for certain people is, buying them used they are excellent value because no one really wants them and they're well equiped.

One answer: brand cache. Infinity has near zero. Show up to a friends house in your new infinity and its like you bought a Nixon instead of a Rolex.

AbsolutEnduser said:
For Infinity, could it be customer base and perception?
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I'm not sure infinity even knows who their core customers are anymore. Their products are all aimed at under achievers who want a loaded maxima or pathfinder and don't want to leave the brand...or something. They're in Formula 1 and yet they never pivot off that investment. They have no flagship super car (which would be easy to do with the GTR powertrain) and they missed the boat on offering a brand of specialized go-fast everything which is where they were headed with the design of the 2003 G35. It seems like they went the safe route and decided to appeal to soccer moms and dudes who's balls have been surgically removed with a hobby knife.

I still like their products, but I don't feel "special" driving one. Ever. And THAT is the key to selling a car: make drivers feel special. It's why the Jeep Rubicon and Chevy Corvette are two of the most emotional demanded vehicles on the used market.


Eldritch said:
Ever since I was a kid, I desperately wanted a BMW 850. Now that they are in a reasonable price range, I recognize they are so old and weird that I may as well shoot my wallet in the head. The eternal tragedy of the beemers.
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Haha! But the 850CSI is cool like the SR71.
 
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What's with the 3.5 Nissan hate? I've owned two so far and both haven't had a single problem.

Used to drive a Nissan Murano in Russia, no issues at all.

Bought a lightly used Infiniti EX35 when moved to USA almost 4 years ago, not a single problem with this one either with over 100K miles during my ownership.

I don't really get the negative brand stigma behind Infiniti. I always thought Infiniti is a brand for intelligent people like doctors and the like, whereas lots of BMWs are bought by posers.

In Russia and Europe BMW isn't really anything super special, lots of their cars don't even come with leather seats as standard - I never really found BMW attractive.

Alfa Romeo sucks. Traditionally they are unreliable, slow, uninspiring, always broken. Is the Giulia supposed to be any different or did Alfa go into USA since nobody in Europe is buying that garbage any more?
 
I can say that Lexus has some really nice high end leather. Though I hear top of the line Volvo's interiors are amazing as well. The last BMW I was in was a 2010 750L and the leather was cheap feeling for a car with a sticker price around $100k.
 
Holeshot said:
The new Q50 is actually a really good car...but no one buys them. I think they're some of the better looking cars at that price point as well. Totally irrelevant is a perfect description. The reason I suggest Infinity for certain people is, buying them used they are excellent value because no one really wants them and they're well equiped.

One answer: brand cache. Infinity has near zero. Show up to a friends house in your new infinity and its like you bought a Nixon instead of a Rolex.



I'm not sure infinity even knows who their core customers are anymore. Their products are all aimed at under achievers who want a loaded maxima or pathfinder and don't want to leave the brand...or something. They're in Formula 1 and yet they never pivot off that investment. They have no flagship super car (which would be easy to do with the GTR powertrain) and they missed the boat on offering a brand of specialized go-fast everything which is where they were headed with the design of the 2003 G35. It seems like they went the safe route and decided to appeal to soccer moms and dudes who's balls have been surgically removed with a hobby knife.

I still like their products, but I don't feel "special" driving one. Ever. And THAT is the key to selling a car: make drivers feel special. It's why the Jeep Rubicon and Chevy Corvette are two of the most emotional demanded vehicles on the used market
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Yeah I dunno what Nissan is doing what the Infiniti brand. Seems like they're just phoning it in and hoping Infiniti gets hot without actually stoking the fire.

They've done something the Chrysler tried and failed at. Taking a Mercedes vehicle (the GLA), changing the appearance, and actually having a better vehicle after it's all said and done. But...people would still rather buy the GLA.

Because you're right. The cache of a M-B is in another league from Infinity.

What's really hilarious though is a lot of what you said could really be said of Acura too. Until a year ago, we had no flagship halo car. A dozen years and our best car was the Legend/RL/RLX. Nicer than a TL but still a far cry from a Lexus LS. If Acura didn't have some pretty successful SUVs, we'd be just as irrelevant as Infiniti right now.
 
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