Comments on: BMW Dealer’s Hope (BS?) Springs Eternal

By: ZCline

ZCline — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:43:30 +0000

I don’t have a car, but I use zip car, and they recently got a few 328i’s in stock. I had to take a friend home, so I rented one for a few hours, and maybe it was because I simply don’t normally drive anymore, but this thing was a hoot. It had “only” 230hp, but it felt plenty fast, revved to 7k and had a 6speed auto gearbox that actually shifted pretty quickly. It was great through the corners, although the steering was a bit weird. Sure, I’d probably never own one myself (335i coupe please) but I can easily see why you’d want one.

By: findude

findude — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:33:08 +0000

I am still looking for my 1988 M5, the only BMW I’m interested in.

Am I the only one here old enough to remember the nausea-inducing wannabe BMW crowd of the 1990s? Many people buy BMWs because of the image, I know more who won’t buy them because of the image. This has nothing to do with the quality of the cars, mind you, just the risk of association through ownership.

By: Kendahl

Kendahl — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:23:56 +0000

There are two and a half reasons why I bought something other than a 328i coupe last year. Reason one was the run flat tires and no room for a spare. Reason two was that the local dealer refuses to stock manual transmission cars. The half a reason was that the current cars’ styling is nowhere near as elegant as that of the previous two generations. If I were shopping now, I would look at a 128i coupe, but the same 2-1/2 reasons would still be in the way.

By: Ptrott

Ptrott — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:08:16 +0000

OMG, some of the writing skills here are horrible. Any comments blowfish? :)

By: Voice of Sweden

Voice of Sweden — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:36:11 +0000

Regarding car dealerships: I don’t know how you run car dealerships in the US, but here in Europe loosing sales volumes only poses a risk in the long run for a profitable dealership. The most profit from a “brand” dealership comes from repairs and selling parts and accessories. You have to sell cars to have those incomes, but you only notice your losses after some years.

By: blowfish

blowfish — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:17:55 +0000

Even if u’re totally immuned to this subprime flu, toxic Mortgage syndrome u dont wanna to flaunt your wealth by go all out to buy another Luxury car at this trying time.
Especially when several houses on your block are on bank/fire sale.
No question ther’re folks still very loaded but also bring in the lantern thats all.

By: Matthew Danda

Matthew Danda — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:16:27 +0000

SherbornSean:

I would love a BMW if…

- The corporate parent of my current employer didn’t just hint of layoffs in 2009

Until then…

By: guyincognito

guyincognito — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:08:28 +0000

I look forward to the fire sales.

By: SherbornSean

SherbornSean — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:08:08 +0000

JJ, I would love a BMW, if…

- they made a manual transmission as well as Honda or Mazda
- the interiors weren’t so depressing
- their crossovers weren’t so goofy looking, and they didn’t call them “SAV”s
- paint that isn’t white or black didn’t cost $500 extra
- iDrive was aborted

Until then…

By: bill h.

bill h. — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:06:34 +0000

I know I want one…but I think they’re clean out of those nifty 2002 Tiis.

By: JJ

JJ — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:21:57 +0000

Come on. Everyone wants a BMW…Some people just don’t want to admit to it yet.