What would you ask Satch?

[snitzer]

I was looking through my old Roundels from the 80's yesturday and noticed a "Current Model" pricing chart. The 635csi was the most expensive-- $44k in '87. How does that compute to 2008 dollars, if someone knows the conversion?

Fred is right, they are giving a lot of bang-for-the-buck now compared to back then.

What cost $44000 in 1987 would cost $82331.23 in 2008.
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2008 and 1987,
they would cost you $44000 and $23560.17 respectively.

[Hallen]

Ask him why the hell he wimped out and moved out of Oregon for San Diego???:p


Seriously, those questions about small, light cars, proliferation of the models, doing trucks as M cars, and losing touch with the heritage are things that Satch deals with and talks about all the time in Roundel.

There's easy answers to part of it and you'll just get a stock answer. The weight is just a reflection of the safety requirements for the cars. Yes, they could do better than they are if they would give up a few ponies, get rid of the 36-way electric uberleather seats, and the nav computer, but still, the car is going to be heavier than an E30 no matter what way you slice it.

We know that BMW is going after the upscale market here in the US. The upscale market wants bling, power, attention, power, gizmos, power, and creature comforts. And they want it in a BMW because it is a BMW. They have no idea why BMW is good, they just know all the cool people have a BMW. (yes, yes, I know that there are a ton of people who are enthusiasts that do buy new BMW's and they do know why BMW is good. But the majority don't)

Ask Satch what he thinks of the Northwest PRO3 racing phenomena and if he is going to showcase it in Roundel at any time.

Ask him what he thinks the car manufacturer landscape will look like in a few years after the dust settles.

[m3_eater]

Ask him:

1. Why does BMW suffer so badly from mission creep?

Not even the 135i is true to the spirit of BMW. Too heavy, too many gizmos, can't get an OEM cloth interior and limited options even if you're willing to pay MORE for it, etc etc.

Actually, never mind. I know the answer - because the customer demanded it. Thank you everybody for turning my favorite automobile manufacturer into yet another producer of something I wouldn't dare try to own outside of bumper-to-bumper warranty.

[funcrew]

Like something that isn't $30k+ just to get in the door?

I'd be all over that.

Although I guess they already do that with the Mini..........

E30's were $30K 20 years ago...

[CleanAzzE30z]

"Is it true that there is a spot on a mans head that when you punch it, it blows up?"



Mariano

[CleanAzzE30z]

E30's were $30K 20 years ago...

Hmm I dunno man. Maybe a fully loaded '89+. My eta was fully loaded in 1986 and was only 24k. I imagine with inflation, they are about the same.



Mariano

[DarkWing6]

Article is finally up!

http://www.inmygarage.com/?p=1018