Back in the 1980s, BMW was all about the compact, performance-oriented 3-Series. They also offered the 5 and 7, but these were greatly outsold by competing Mercedes. Seeking to expand well beyond its driving enthusiast base, BMW made its cars ever more stylish, luxurious, and laden with technology. Despite mixed reactions to the Bangled exteriors and iDrive, sales of the larger sedans grew even faster than their curb weights, and in recent years they have often outsold the E-Class and S-Class. A redesigned 2011 5-Series recently arrived at dealers. With the new car, has BMW further lost the plot, or rediscovered it?
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LeeK - I’ve always wondered why are Americans so enamored with a car with a trunk, rather than a hatchback. I know that hatchbacks don’t sell...
ttacgreg - The Manta has such beautiful understated sublime styling. One of the few cars whose styling is timeless. Most certainly today’s...
thelaine - bfb, I never even heard of the Manta until today, but after looking at the photo in the story and then more online, I very much agree. Bad...
Compaq Deskpro - Why do gay people drive such shit cars?
Xeranar - It sounds like it was an issue of two people who weren’t interested in building electric cars as much as building a company that builds electric cars....
blau - Oh yeah, I remember that car. It’s been a couple of years, I think, since I’ve seen it. Maybe it migrated to New York?
thelaine - “Studies had shown that there was a niche-market of around 80,000 units for such a car, and that it would be popular mostly among older...
billfrombuckhead - I thought the Manta was aimed at the Capri and I loved how the Manta looked. I’m sitting out in front of a bar in Helen Georgia...
Onus - Duuuude Look at my V DUBB its got RIIMMMZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Puke. Fantastic Article as Usual. I have fond memories of mk 1 or mk 2 Jetta that a neighbor...
doctor olds - @HDC- I agree with you that the UAW costs were the 800 pound gorilla on top of all the other issues. My statement is that there is a lot more to GM than just one...