Has BMW lost it?

I, Brian · March 5th, 2007, 04:05 PM

I know BMW's continue to be really popular - the sports and 4x4's I see everywhere on the road.

However, when I think of BMW I think of the 5 and 7 series, and the definitive "executive" look and association.

But is this still a strength for BMW?

Simply that these days I find people I talk to seem more interested in having an Audi or Lexus than a BMW.

Am I simply talking to a minority, or is BMW losing out on the executive car market?

Mikelb · March 5th, 2007, 07:09 PM

I really do think that they are losing out. I used to think of the Z3 or m3/m5(all of which are sporty) when I thought of BMW. Now I see a 745 everyday and it looks "professional", but not like it's much fun. I could see a "white-collared" hard ass driving one, not the everyday American (sry, just where I'm from). I don't really think they are fitting into the market real well at the moment. They could step back and revise their image and approach, and that would probably help them

search161 · April 27th, 2007, 09:43 PM

They're everywhere in Toronto. It's why I used to think about getting an Audi - same category of sporty sedan, but not on every second corner. Turns out THAT's no longer the case either, but not because they're loosing market share to BMW, imo. Seems like more and more ppl are buying upscale. And there are TWO RS4s that live around my area.... *drool*

Mikelb · April 27th, 2007, 10:00 PM

BMW isn't too up and up on some of their cars, not from the quality perspective... I was thinking about swapping an S50 Twin vanos engine into my 318Ti (E36 chassis), but I was forewarned against it. BMW released the E36 and E42 with subframe defects. The subframe can literally break apart in the E36's, and they put a cross member in the E42's to tighten things up, but that only made things worse. I really can't remember what happened, but it made things worse. I'll have to look up the info and post it.

RideEm · November 20th, 2008, 05:16 PM

BMW is the benchmark that other cars are compared to. Look at the competition and BMW has been a staple. The 3 series, 5 series and 7 series year after year are the best cars to drive. Say what you want about the new bodies..in my opinion they knocked it out of the park with the 3 series 2 door coupe. The 5 could take some notes from the older 5 series model and the 7 is sick! Now the most important factor is the handling and the experience you get when you drive one! Hands down thats why they have the title as the "Ultimate Driving Machine" so no they have not lost it...if you see a lot of them that is because people know they are great cars. I would start to worry when you don't see one on the road. I have driven the 335, M3, M5, X5 and been in all the rest and they are amazing cars. Take one on some curves and if you don't smile you are not alive.

March 5th, 2007, 04:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
I, Brian Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 165	Has BMW lost it? I know BMW's continue to be really popular - the sports and 4x4's I see everywhere on the road. However, when I think of BMW I think of the 5 and 7 series, and the definitive "executive" look and association. But is this still a strength for BMW? Simply that these days I find people I talk to seem more interested in having an Audi or Lexus than a BMW. Am I simply talking to a minority, or is BMW losing out on the executive car market?

March 5th, 2007, 07:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mikelb Adequate Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rocky Mount, NC Posts: 773	Re: Has BMW lost it? I really do think that they are losing out. I used to think of the Z3 or m3/m5(all of which are sporty) when I thought of BMW. Now I see a 745 everyday and it looks "professional", but not like it's much fun. I could see a "white-collared" hard ass driving one, not the everyday American (sry, just where I'm from). I don't really think they are fitting into the market real well at the moment. They could step back and revise their image and approach, and that would probably help them __________________ -Tuner by Desire, Racer at Heart- 1991 Eagle Talon Tsi and it's fast

April 27th, 2007, 09:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
search161 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 123	Re: Has BMW lost it? They're everywhere in Toronto. It's why I used to think about getting an Audi - same category of sporty sedan, but not on every second corner. Turns out THAT's no longer the case either, but not because they're loosing market share to BMW, imo. Seems like more and more ppl are buying upscale. And there are TWO RS4s that live around my area.... drool

April 27th, 2007, 10:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mikelb Adequate Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rocky Mount, NC Posts: 773	Re: Has BMW lost it? BMW isn't too up and up on some of their cars, not from the quality perspective... I was thinking about swapping an S50 Twin vanos engine into my 318Ti (E36 chassis), but I was forewarned against it. BMW released the E36 and E42 with subframe defects. The subframe can literally break apart in the E36's, and they put a cross member in the E42's to tighten things up, but that only made things worse. I really can't remember what happened, but it made things worse. I'll have to look up the info and post it. __________________ -Tuner by Desire, Racer at Heart- 1991 Eagle Talon Tsi and it's fast

November 20th, 2008, 05:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
RideEm Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 19	Re: Has BMW lost it? BMW is the benchmark that other cars are compared to. Look at the competition and BMW has been a staple. The 3 series, 5 series and 7 series year after year are the best cars to drive. Say what you want about the new bodies..in my opinion they knocked it out of the park with the 3 series 2 door coupe. The 5 could take some notes from the older 5 series model and the 7 is sick! Now the most important factor is the handling and the experience you get when you drive one! Hands down thats why they have the title as the "Ultimate Driving Machine" so no they have not lost it...if you see a lot of them that is because people know they are great cars. I would start to worry when you don't see one on the road. I have driven the 335, M3, M5, X5 and been in all the rest and they are amazing cars. Take one on some curves and if you don't smile you are not alive.


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