BMW falling in sales, might be a good thing

[robspeed325i]

i dont think they are "pulling the plug on performance"... the new F01 7 has a 400hp/450lbft twin turbo v8...

[Holland]

Adding a diesel range would be smart, kind of like what they were doing. A few years ago maybe not, but now more Americans would be willing to buy a diesel car with things the way they are. I think though that BMW should stop making everything for everyone and make their cars a bit more like they did. Instead of status symbols they should be bought to be different.

[smonkbmw]

This thing has been sitting on CL for 2 months while they reduced the price 3 times.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/1012115569.html

No takers.

BMW DIESEL= FAIL

oh, lol, i thought you were gonna show me a TDI that had been sitting for a long time. honestly who wants a early 80s diesel? those are the cars people think of when they think of a diesel car, loud, smoky, smelly. the current "green" driver thinks of his co-worker with his beetle TDI and thinks "wow that doesnt act anything like that old 1984 524td i had (not to mention early 80s Benzs), im gonna look into one of those"

up here in the NW TDIs maintain their value very well and sell fast. i saw a 98 jetta tdi sell for $10k on CL not to long ago...... i would think in the Bay Area (assuming your in Marin county) they would do the same with all the hippies down there.

[87e30]

The X3 is actually a high volume seller.

Don't forget that they are also pulling the plug on high revving performance engines for the new F code generation of cars. I'm seriously considering the Audi S5 as my next car.

Interesting on the x3 and sad on the no more r3vs.

Would it not be more economical for BMW to go back to the old days though? Do they really need/want high volume sellers? Relative to other lux brands they do, but truly I don't think they do.

[robspeed325i]

even toyota is struggling to sell cars. hyundai is offering to buy it back if you lose your johb. the german cos are all in line for handouts from the german govt just like the american companies are here. Ford is holding their own for now, but they just posted a $6b loss last quarter so its just a matter of time.

[mrsleeve]

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

Wow good one noob, that was original did you think of that all by your self??? Nice rebuttal to my points.

I was in a hurry when I typed that, this is the interwebz man I don't have time and don't want to proof every thing I type on a fucking car forum like its being considered for a Pulitzer.

Try again and respond to the content of my post rather than try to be funny.

[tjts1]

if just cheap tight wads want diesels then why is there a 8k dollar premium on the diesel power train. Why are there non sitting on lots you ask, because they sell out of them as fast as they can be made.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

if just cheap tight wads want diesels then why is there a 8k dollar premium on the diesel power train. Why are there non sitting on lots you ask, because they sell out of them as fast as they can be made.

[einstein57]

Is it possible that prices will go up and that they will offer fewer models.

Fewer models might be a good thing though, even if it meant the removal of the (x6 what the fuck is that) and the x3. I think they should refocus what they do best, the 3 series and their high end product line. Not trying to offer a car for everyone.

Just like honda is doing, removing nsx (was under developement) and the s2000 and focussing on what they do best, the civic and accord.

The X3 is actually a high volume seller.

This is a very good point!

I believe, like I'm sure many do, that BMW has gone soft. They try to be everything to everyone now with things like the X6, X3, etc. They have poor execution of a 'supercar' they call the M1 Homage. They have been diluting the ///M Motorsport division for years by slapping badges on every second model in their lineup. They have been sourcing cheaper and cheaper materials to offset their margins while returning a lower quality to the consumer and so on. I won't even get into my rant about their stying now.

Then take a company that has been nipping at their heels. This company creates a real supercar, wins 24 LeMans - with a diesel, Wins multiple awards for design, safety, etc. Has a solid lineup. I know who I would be considering if I was in the market for a new, premium automobile - and it wouldn't be BMW.

Don't forget that they are also pulling the plug on high revving performance engines for the new F code generation of cars. I'm seriously considering the Audi S5 as my next car.

[tjts1]

orly? i wont even go into cummins, powerstroke and duramax sales. ever try shopping for a TDI car? try it and tell me what you find and at what cost, then tell me diesels are not popular.

Diesels are not popular. TDIs represent less than 5% of vw NEW car sales in America. Go to your local VW or mercedes dealer right now and count the number of new diesels sitting on the lot. The only people that want to buy diesels are cheap tightwads unwilling to pay new car prices. The new BMW diesels will fail America. Nobody wants an expensive diesel car or a BMW diesel for that matter. Not in this country anyway.

This thing has been sitting on CL for 2 months while they reduced the price 3 times.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/1012115569.html

No takers.

BMW DIESEL= FAIL

[mrsleeve]

orly? i wont even go into cummins, powerstroke and duramax sales. ever try shopping for a TDI car? try it and tell me what you find and at what cost, then tell me diesels are not popular.

Beat me too it. I DD a diesel as well as about 90% of my friends and people I work with.

[smonkbmw]

...
Diesels will always fail in America.

orly? i wont even go into cummins, powerstroke and duramax sales. ever try shopping for a TDI car? try it and tell me what you find and at what cost, then tell me diesels are not popular.

[87e30]

Then take a company that has been nipping at their heels. This company creates a real supercar, wins 24 LeMans - with a diesel, Wins multiple awards for design, safety, etc. Has a solid lineup. I know who I would be considering if I was in the market for a new, premium automobile - and it wouldn't be BMW.

I'm going to go with Audi. I'm young, and not in the market for a premium car. But my whole life (pretty much) I've read C&D or Motor Trend. All I ever wanted was a high end BMW. No longer the case, the newest generation of Audi's are remarkable.

[Collin]

Isn't the 335d rated at 425 ft-lbs? I would drive that over a 335i anyday.

[tjts1]

I would like to see a gasoline 4 cylinder in america. 318i, 320i etc...

Diesels will always fail in America.