D2-AUTOSPORT Project Vehicle (GS400 Replacement)
01-19-06, 03:22 PM
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D2-AUTOSPORT Project Vehicle (GS400 Replacement)
Hey Guys,
As many of you know the GS is a goner, so a we had to get another vehicle to consistently represent D2-AUTOSPORT, (everywhere I went, the GS went) and also generate consumer intrest in our target market (premium luxury primarily).
After weighing in a few factors, we were left with the following choices:
Mercedes Benz S-CLASS
Mercedes Benz CL-Class
BMW 7-Series
Kia Sportage on 24" spinners
The Mercedes cars are great but the w221 S-Class is on the streets now and its tough to make a statement when there is a ground up redesign parked right next to you. The CL is one of the most beautiful cars on the planet but they have terrible reliability (electrical) and short warranties (not like the 7 is perfect but it has a 100k bumper to bumper warranty including maintence!) So this left us with the 7series and the KIA and the DAMN KIA DEALER wouldn't make a deal so we settled for:
BMW 745LI
ALPINE WHITE / SAND
CONVENIENCE PACKAGE (Auto close doors, Auto up/down trunk)
LUXURY SEATING (16way heated / cooled / massage seats)
PDC (beep beep beep before you bump another car parking)
The vehicle is truly impressive, I picked it up from HABBERSTAD BMW yesterday and my initial impressions are:
EXTERIOR - The white paint really makes a statement, you normally see these cars in black / silver / gray or some funky brownish color. The white is very classy and will be a great platform for Aero-enhancements. The styling has really grown on me, that being said I think the foglights are the smallest, dumbest things I have ever seen on a 203.5" long car, and the 18" wheels are running a close second! Other than that the styling has grown on me (however large diameter wheels and lowering are MANDATORY). The exterior lighting (LED tails, door handle LEDs, etc) are nice.
INTERIOR- The overall decor of the interior is seriously gorgeous!! The matte silvers, polished wood, and preforated leather are a great team. Its hard not to feel "important" when behind the wheel!! lol The interior is immense, I can sit behind myself and relax (I'm 6'4"), if you leave your CDs on the backseat, you need to get out to get them!! For all of those that bash iDRIVE, its really not all that bad. I never picked up the manual and within 2-3 hours I could navigate the system well enough to save presets, change the system clock, program the navigation, and select the "display menu option details" on it. I think if you accept the system for what it is and leave the pre-conceived notions at home you are fine. You can assign alot of primary functions to steering wheel presets, or voicecommands anyway. The voice prompts are very detailed!
PERFORMANCE- This is a big-girl that can DANCE!! The engine, suspenion, steering and brakes are all very precise. The car really does "shrink" at speed. You can easily forget how large the car is when driving it at a spirited pace (until you look over your shoulder and realize you cant reach those damn CD's on the back seat!)
Of course we have some great things planned for the vehicle and we will be sharing with our ClubLexus family every step of the way. Whether I drive a Lexus or not dammit I'M STAYING!! (this includes meets and all, so if you dont like it......too bad
)
If you guys have any questions or want a honest BMW vs. Lexus opinion from one of "your own" please feel free to ask!
If you have seen one stock car you have seen them all, so here's a few quick shots for reference.
As many of you know the GS is a goner, so a we had to get another vehicle to consistently represent D2-AUTOSPORT, (everywhere I went, the GS went) and also generate consumer intrest in our target market (premium luxury primarily).
After weighing in a few factors, we were left with the following choices:
Mercedes Benz S-CLASS
Mercedes Benz CL-Class
BMW 7-Series
Kia Sportage on 24" spinners
The Mercedes cars are great but the w221 S-Class is on the streets now and its tough to make a statement when there is a ground up redesign parked right next to you. The CL is one of the most beautiful cars on the planet but they have terrible reliability (electrical) and short warranties (not like the 7 is perfect but it has a 100k bumper to bumper warranty including maintence!) So this left us with the 7series and the KIA and the DAMN KIA DEALER wouldn't make a deal so we settled for:
BMW 745LI
ALPINE WHITE / SAND
CONVENIENCE PACKAGE (Auto close doors, Auto up/down trunk)
LUXURY SEATING (16way heated / cooled / massage seats)
PDC (beep beep beep before you bump another car parking)
The vehicle is truly impressive, I picked it up from HABBERSTAD BMW yesterday and my initial impressions are:
EXTERIOR - The white paint really makes a statement, you normally see these cars in black / silver / gray or some funky brownish color. The white is very classy and will be a great platform for Aero-enhancements. The styling has really grown on me, that being said I think the foglights are the smallest, dumbest things I have ever seen on a 203.5" long car, and the 18" wheels are running a close second! Other than that the styling has grown on me (however large diameter wheels and lowering are MANDATORY). The exterior lighting (LED tails, door handle LEDs, etc) are nice.
INTERIOR- The overall decor of the interior is seriously gorgeous!! The matte silvers, polished wood, and preforated leather are a great team. Its hard not to feel "important" when behind the wheel!! lol The interior is immense, I can sit behind myself and relax (I'm 6'4"), if you leave your CDs on the backseat, you need to get out to get them!! For all of those that bash iDRIVE, its really not all that bad. I never picked up the manual and within 2-3 hours I could navigate the system well enough to save presets, change the system clock, program the navigation, and select the "display menu option details" on it. I think if you accept the system for what it is and leave the pre-conceived notions at home you are fine. You can assign alot of primary functions to steering wheel presets, or voicecommands anyway. The voice prompts are very detailed!
PERFORMANCE- This is a big-girl that can DANCE!! The engine, suspenion, steering and brakes are all very precise. The car really does "shrink" at speed. You can easily forget how large the car is when driving it at a spirited pace (until you look over your shoulder and realize you cant reach those damn CD's on the back seat!)
Of course we have some great things planned for the vehicle and we will be sharing with our ClubLexus family every step of the way. Whether I drive a Lexus or not dammit I'M STAYING!! (this includes meets and all, so if you dont like it......too bad
)If you guys have any questions or want a honest BMW vs. Lexus opinion from one of "your own" please feel free to ask!
If you have seen one stock car you have seen them all, so here's a few quick shots for reference.
01-19-06, 04:10 PM
#4
Speaks French in Russian
Nice car. I've only seen one or two White 7-series, and that is one of my favorite colors. The one I saw had some nice all chrome rims and heavy tint. Looked outstanding. Can't wait to see what you have planned for this car.
And a KIA??!!
And a KIA??!!
01-19-06, 04:22 PM
#5
Awesome D2 
As a minority here, I like the 7. When my brother bought one (blk on blk), I took it for a test drive. Man, that big girl can dance 
Considering MB did away with their free maintenance, BMW was a better choice with their maintenance warranty.
I didn't think the idrive was that bad, but I do prefer touchscreen!
So what kit and wheels are you putting on????????
As a minority here, I like the 7. When my brother bought one (blk on blk), I took it for a test drive. Man, that big girl can dance
Considering MB did away with their free maintenance, BMW was a better choice with their maintenance warranty.
I didn't think the idrive was that bad, but I do prefer touchscreen!
So what kit and wheels are you putting on????????
Last edited by GS3Tek; 01-19-06 at 05:03 PM. Reason: Changing "love" to "like"
01-19-06, 04:59 PM
#6
Originally Posted by GS3Tek
Awesome D2
As a minority here, I love the 7. When my brother bought one (blk on blk), I took it for a test drive. Man, that big girl can dance
Considering MB did away with their free maintenance, BMW was a better choice with their maintenance warranty.
I didn't think the idrive was that bad, but I do prefer touchscreen!
So what kit and wheels are you putting on????????
As a minority here, I love the 7. When my brother bought one (blk on blk), I took it for a test drive. Man, that big girl can dance
Considering MB did away with their free maintenance, BMW was a better choice with their maintenance warranty.
I didn't think the idrive was that bad, but I do prefer touchscreen!
So what kit and wheels are you putting on????????
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01-19-06, 08:33 PM
#10
Originally Posted by Neo
Nice Derrick. D2 must be doing well. 
That's great.
Oh, and you better have been kidding about the Kia. 
So how long until we see what this car will really look like?
That's great.Oh, and you better have been kidding about the Kia.
So how long until we see what this car will really look like?
Great car Derrick...
I can't wait to see the transformation of the 7 series... Great choice to...
01-19-06, 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by chuckb
very worthy replacement. sucks you couldn't get the KIA, but oh well.
I have a Lexus to BMW question....does it feel faster than the GS400?
sucks you couldn't get the KIA, but oh well.I have a Lexus to BMW question....does it feel faster than the GS400?
LOL I kept saying Kia when I was being asked about the replacement so it just stuck!
As far as a comparison, its hard to say in the lower ranges since I have not driven a bone stock GS400 in ages! However I think the 7 is stronger in the 120-150mph range. Also a large part of speed is the confidence that you have to carry speeds into corners and such and stock vs stock, the 7 handles better (I can still remember the first time I floored my stock GS400 and then got to a curve!!
)The thing about Lexus cars, even the "mid level" GS vs the "flag-ship" 7 series is, LEXUS CARS ARE SMOOTHER!! Everything in German cars is more brash, the seats are harder, the suspension is stiffer, etc. I do not think any company can beat Lexus for smoothness (seriously)
01-20-06, 07:16 AM
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Welp you werent kidding about getting the big boy 7 series huh D? Congrats bro you always loved German vehicles and now you will make one shine. I am excited about seeing it transformed to your style. Damn ya hadda get white? lol Car is serious congrats again
