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I just got rid of both my BMW's. I had a 3 series and a Z3 Roadster. I loved both cars. The 3 series handled so well. The steering was incredible. The braking was awesome. What I didn't like was that it took so much of my time and money just to keep it running. I spent $4k in 2 years and it needed another $3k when I traded it. It was at the shop every 3 months. But, when it was good, man, was it good!
What did I get? An Infiniti G35. It handles okay. The steering is over boosted. Its brakes are fair. The engine is strong, but not as refined near red line as a Bimmer. The materials are more middle of the road. Mine is the last body style. I have driven the new ones, and they are pretty equal in handling to the E46 3 Series (1999-2005). Even though I have for sure lost something with this transition, what I have gained is a car that has gone 6 months without needing anything! ( Plus it is fun to blow the doors off the 325s.....well, in a straight line!)
BMW's are still my favorite car. I would love to have another, but when this one's time is up I will get the new G35 again. I just don't have the patience nor the money to do any more BMW's.
The brand's global sales were down -26.4% in December 2008 (Source: BMW Group). In the US, they were down 15% for the BMW brand, 10% for all brands (Source: Reuters). North American sales of the 3 series dumped 21%, coming up short about 4500 units against December 2007 figures (Source: BMW NA).
I'm struggling to see the record sales figures for December, unless it's a record decline in sales figures for December.
For the entire year, Rolls Royce and Mini reached an all time high (Source: BMW Group). The M3 apparently had a very good year in terms of overall 2008 sales figures. Also, BMW NA reports that their market segment increased in 2008.
Interestingly, Mini brand's sales in the US posted an increase over Dec 2007.
You said: "BMW just had record sales for 3 Series and M3 sales in December - I don't think he is correct."
If you read what I wrote, you would see that I said the M had a very good year, but December sucked for the whole brand. Since you were the one who said "December 2008", I pulled the December figures because December was a miserable month for the auto industry, and I had not heard that any records were set for BMW in that month.
Extending sales figures across the year of 2008 for all manufacturers paints a significantly different picture than relying only on December sales numbers.
BMW's are classy, cool looking rides. The lexus, infinities, are but ugly, and subpar interiors, performance, ride, and just feel cheap in comparission to the BMW's. But I have heard people having issues with the BMW that I've not heard of with the infinities. Lexus are just over rated including price & reliability. If I had the money to buy one of the 3? BMW. I've delievered all of them to dealers, so I have gotten some seat time in them all too.
While Bimmers are still very nice cars for the 'enthusiast' they have become increasingly trite and expensive to buy and maintain. In today's world not the best attributes for sales growth.
IMHO, young professionals that have class and good taste and a sense of individuality and uniqueness don't drive BMW's they drive either an Audi A4, A5 or S5.
just sold mine and gota toyota.
people kept plowing into me when parked.
Yeah, that had to be because you had a BMW...
No one has ever hit my BMW. Maybe it's you, not the car?
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