BMW 550i GT - $74,000 of "just useful"
#47
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Yup.....they released these too and well, they don't make them anymore. So lets not act like they haven't misjudged the market.
I think 800 or so of these were sold last year. Guess what, they are not bringing it to us anymore
There is no doubt there is utility and it can appeal to those that want a SUV/wagon/sedan thing. It also could not have cost much to develop since it uses the 7 platform and 5 parts. So it is possible with low sales, it can be profitable especially at the asking price. Udel though brings up a good point this just adds to image dilution. It is not sexy, it is not really aspirational and its ANOTHER SUVish thing from them.
I have not seen sales goals yet (need to find).
I think 800 or so of these were sold last year. Guess what, they are not bringing it to us anymore
There is no doubt there is utility and it can appeal to those that want a SUV/wagon/sedan thing. It also could not have cost much to develop since it uses the 7 platform and 5 parts. So it is possible with low sales, it can be profitable especially at the asking price. Udel though brings up a good point this just adds to image dilution. It is not sexy, it is not really aspirational and its ANOTHER SUVish thing from them.
I have not seen sales goals yet (need to find).
#48
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Official sales goal from BMW is 4000-5000 a year. It's quite a range, so averaging it out BMW expects to sell between 333-416 per month. Somewhat realistic, but sales could end up being quite lower than that, especially given the fact the 5 GT in the US is V8-only and has a higher MSRP than the X6.
#49
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BMW, and also Mercedes to a certain extent, are exceptionally arrogant and delusional.
Once they come up with an idea and put it into production, they do not admit failure or otherwise make adjustments, no matter how much criticism is lobbed at them. Oddly, criticism seems to make them even MORE stubborn.
Recently, it was first Bangle styling. Then iDrive. Then colossally stupid and/or uncompetitive products like the X3, X6, and now this GT. They really just don't care. As long as they sell even just 1 new GT, they'll probably be happy because to them it will CONCLUSIVELY PROVE that they made a product that SOMEONE wants and they have FILLED another **imaginary** "niche" in the marketplace.
Based on their latest offerings, I think BMW conceives their products during Oktoberfest competitions. Naturally, in a drunken stupor, the most ridiculous idea wins. Then when they sober up they present the idea as if it were a stroke of real genius and get it approved for production. I mean really, they can't mess with the 3 Series or 5 Series too much, so what else is there for them to do??
#50
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BMW is always right because they are BMW.
BMW, and also Mercedes to a certain extent, are exceptionally arrogant and delusional.
Once they come up with an idea and put it into production, they do not admit failure or otherwise make adjustments, no matter how much criticism is lobbed at them. Oddly, criticism seems to make them even MORE stubborn.
Recently, it was first Bangle styling. Then iDrive. Then colossally stupid and/or uncompetitive products like the X3, X6, and now this GT. They really just don't care. As long as they sell even just 1 new GT, they'll probably be happy because to them it will CONCLUSIVELY PROVE that they made a product that SOMEONE wants and they have FILLED another **imaginary** "niche" in the marketplace.
Based on their latest offerings, I think BMW conceives their products during Oktoberfest competitions. Naturally, in a drunken stupor, the most ridiculous idea wins. Then when they sober up they present the idea as if it were a stroke of real genius and get it approved for production. I mean really, they can't mess with the 3 Series or 5 Series too much, so what else is there for them to do??
BMW, and also Mercedes to a certain extent, are exceptionally arrogant and delusional.
Once they come up with an idea and put it into production, they do not admit failure or otherwise make adjustments, no matter how much criticism is lobbed at them. Oddly, criticism seems to make them even MORE stubborn.
Recently, it was first Bangle styling. Then iDrive. Then colossally stupid and/or uncompetitive products like the X3, X6, and now this GT. They really just don't care. As long as they sell even just 1 new GT, they'll probably be happy because to them it will CONCLUSIVELY PROVE that they made a product that SOMEONE wants and they have FILLED another **imaginary** "niche" in the marketplace.
Based on their latest offerings, I think BMW conceives their products during Oktoberfest competitions. Naturally, in a drunken stupor, the most ridiculous idea wins. Then when they sober up they present the idea as if it were a stroke of real genius and get it approved for production. I mean really, they can't mess with the 3 Series or 5 Series too much, so what else is there for them to do??
i own bmw, and i like what i have. but unlike some i wouldn't love everything just because of the brand
#51
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well to be fair, i would say my statement applies to all manufacturers, not just bmw or mb. so that includes lexus as well for all i care. i am sure every decision they make have some kind of marketing effort behind to back them up, but that's far from saying they are all correct.
i own bmw, and i like what i have. but unlike some i wouldn't love everything just because of the brand
i own bmw, and i like what i have. but unlike some i wouldn't love everything just because of the brand
I don't think your statement can be applied to all car makers, though. Some, like Subaru, seem to be much more in touch with customers and are able and willing to respond to criticism and enact change (see the debacle with the 2008 WRX for an example).
#53
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Official sales goal from BMW is 4000-5000 a year. It's quite a range, so averaging it out BMW expects to sell between 333-416 per month. Somewhat realistic, but sales could end up being quite lower than that, especially given the fact the 5 GT in the US is V8-only and has a higher MSRP than the X6.
MSRP means nothing as they lease very low and BMW leases more than anyone in luxury.
well to be fair, i would say my statement applies to all manufacturers, not just bmw or mb. so that includes lexus as well for all i care. i am sure every decision they make have some kind of marketing effort behind to back them up, but that's far from saying they are all correct.
i own bmw, and i like what i have. but unlike some i wouldn't love everything just because of the brand
i own bmw, and i like what i have. but unlike some i wouldn't love everything just because of the brand
Mercedes admits R-Class was a failure
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/m...was-a-failure/
#54
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I was exaggerating for effect of course, but I was also being half-serious. It really does seem like they take a design first, sell later approach to some of their models.
I don't think your statement can be applied to all car makers, though. Some, like Subaru, seem to be much more in touch with customers and are able and willing to respond to criticism and enact change (see the debacle with the 2008 WRX for an example).
I don't think your statement can be applied to all car makers, though. Some, like Subaru, seem to be much more in touch with customers and are able and willing to respond to criticism and enact change (see the debacle with the 2008 WRX for an example).
by comparison, i definitely don't hear as much from bmw about listening to customers and make changes accordingly. they tend to drive more from themselves and tell people this is what the future is. maybe, but i am not sure
#55
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lol i guess it's learning curve for us. for some it's just harder to realize every brand has their goods and bads and try to be objective. we have plenty of people here who thinks lexus is the best and everything else is crap. same with some on bmw, mb, etc... it never hurts to open up and try to enjoy what it's worth
#57
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I admit to being against the 5GT till one day I was at my local BMW and thought *I have to just look at one* ... so I did, I even sat in it ... IF I were a remotely practical person AND the price wasn't so close to a FFRR which essentially needs nothing added (well, if I option the 5GT my way the price is close in Canada anyhow) I would probably definitely conside a 5GT ... but that's one massive IF as well as a huge AND for me.
#58
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Why does BMW deserve to be praised or commended for such a vehicle? It is nothing more than a raised 5 Series wagon with uglier styling meant to look "cool" and to attract people who didn't buy regular 5 Series wagons. The whole idea is ridiculous, especially since the 5 GT will be sold alongside the regular 5 wagon in Europe.
People see different things and advantages in different cars. You might not find the 5er GT appealing but there are people out there for whom this car fulfills a need and that's the deciding factor.
How is the 5 GT an "excellent" car for it's price class? It starts at 64K! For 64K, there are much better vehicles you can get for safety, space, and comfort. I used to think the X6 was a pointless, redundant vehicle, but the 5 GT now holds that title. The X6 actually seems like a much more useful vehicle compared to this 5 GT.
Off road?
The difference with the Lexus HS is, despite the less-then-appealing styling of it, at the moment it is outselling the R-Class and X6 by far, and it will no doubt outsell the 5 GT by far in the US. The HS at this point even remains supply-limited, as huge demand for the car exists in Japan, which limits the US supply.
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German quality and reliability surveys give the current ML a very good score. And these are not based on nationalism but facts. Real people reporting their experiences over years with the car. I have one of these reviews lying around my place somewhere. Will scan it once I find it and post it here for your benefit.
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To be fair Dustin, post 33...(I am guessing that is why he brought up the HS)
I read that it doesn't have much if any more cargo room than a 5 series wagon (looking for article).
To me if Audi knows not to bring the A5 5 door hatch here as Americans scoff at them for whatever reason(s). BMW is taking another chance here and as you stated, we shall see how it sells. (I hope they separate sales instead of including it in the 5 series figures).
To me if Audi knows not to bring the A5 5 door hatch here as Americans scoff at them for whatever reason(s). BMW is taking another chance here and as you stated, we shall see how it sells. (I hope they separate sales instead of including it in the 5 series figures).