Karl on Cars
BMW
November 3, 2009
This list isn't very long, but it's getting longer every year.
The first vehicle to earn the distinction of "Cars I Want to Hate...But Can't" was the BMW X5, and I still consider it the poster child for this category.
Why would I want to hate the BMW X5? Because it was slower, heavier, bulkier, thirstier, costlier and less space efficient than a BMW 5 Series wagon when it debuted in the late 1990s. The car made no logical sense on any rational level.
Then I drove one and quickly realized that, as slower, heavier, bulkier, thirstier, costlier and less space efficient 5 Series wagons go, the X5 was an awfully nice vehicle.
Since then I've experienced a similar love-hate relationship with several models, including the (new) Dodge Challenger, the Porsche Panamera and -- as of last Thursday -- the Honda Crosstour.
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- Karl Brauer November 3, 2009, 6:00 AM
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- BMW, Dodge, Honda, Porsche, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Honda Crosstour
July 16, 2008
As the ultimate expression of the ultimate sport sedan, the BMW M3 is among the most inconic of automobiles. Now entering its third decade, the 2008 M3 has twice the cylinders and over twice as much horsepower (420 versus 192) compared to the original. It also, in retractable hardtop form, carries about 50 percent more weight, ringing in at approximately 4,000 pounds (the original M3 weighed 2,800 pounds).
BMW has done a commendable job of hiding the car's weight. It still accelerates like an M3 (zero-to-60 in less than 5 seconds) and it still provides plenty of information through the steering wheel. But handling excercises bear witness to the two-ton weight, with slalom testing and real-world driving showing the convertible M3 to be noticeably less responsive than its sedan and coupe siblings (both of which are a few hundred pounds lighter).
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- Karl Brauer July 16, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- BMW
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- BMW M3 Convertible
May 23, 2008
I used to hate the BMW X5. I didn't hate it because it was an inherently terrible vehicle in any specific way. I hated it because in every measurable specification it was worse than a 5 Series wagon. Interior space. Fuel mileage. Handling dynamics. Rollover safety. Price. It was basically a slower, thirstier, pricier and less-space-efficient 5 Series wagon. Obviously a vehicle designed for egos first and logic last. But my hatred of the X5 has softened because, well, it's also a damn good driver -- particularly the current version.
Now, just as I've grown soft on the X5, BMW does it again. They've introduced a new SUV or SAV or CAV or whatever they are calling this one. Like the X5 before it, the BMW X6 is basically a slower, thirstier, pricier and less-space-efficent version of an existing utility vehicle.
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- Karl Brauer May 23, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- BMW
May 20, 2008
You may have already heard this, but BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter engine took home the International Engine of the Year award for 2008. If you've experienced this powertrain you know that title is well and properly earned, as the 3.0-liter's combination of horsepower, torque and even fuel efficiency make it one of the best engines in history.
But that got me thinking: What are the best engines in the history of the automobile? There are no internationally recognized test parameters to answer this question, so it's basically a judgement call. With that said, here are the 10 engines I would place in the annals of "Best Engines of All Time."
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- Karl Brauer May 20, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Automotive News, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Porsche, Vehicle Awards
May 19, 2008
Even with how good modern automobiles have become it's still a relatively rare vehicle that can inspire admiration within seconds of taking the wheel. As most of you may already know, the BMW 3 Series is one such automobile. But while the 335i happily gobbles up the accolades thrown its way (rightfully so, mind you), the lowly 328i also exhibits that singular Munich magic.
Having spent the weekend in a 328i equipped with only a single option -- the Sport Package -- I can confirm the value packed within this vehicle's $35,000 price. It's a common complaint that BMW's in general, and 3 Series in particular, "cost too much." True, buying a 335i and loading it up with luxury items can easily push the price toward $50K.
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- Karl Brauer May 19, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- BMW
April 15, 2008
Alright guys, I've got a new series I want to start with today's Talk Back Tuesday.
It's the first installment of Cars that Jumped the Shark, in which we discuss when a particular model topped out before beginning that inexorable slide into pathetic-ness. In some cases you may feel a car never jumped the shark and it is still getting better, which is fine. In other cases, you may feel a car never even got up on two skiis, but was fish food from day one, and that's okay too.
To start things off I'm going to ask about the BMW M3. With an all-new version now in showrooms, and a previous-generation M3 in our long-term fleet, it seems fitting to ask the question: When did the BMW M3 jumped the shark?
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- Karl Brauer April 15, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- BMW, Cars that Jumped the Shark, Talk Back Tuesday
March 25, 2008
I don't have one topic worthy of a full Talk Back Tuesday post, but I do have a few mini topics from the past week that, when added up, almost equate to one worthy discussion...hopefully. Here goes:
In the spirit of "perfect timing" comes a new Hummer H2 book: Yes, just as oil passes $100-a-barrel and gas hits $4-a-gallon we get a new book that, according to the press release:
"With unfolded centerfold the book reaches a width of 237 cm (94.5 inches), wider than the subject of the book, the HUMMER H2, itself. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is the biggest and most exclusive car book in the world and is published in a limited edition of just 999 sequentially numbered and signed copies. On 200 gloss-laminated pages German automobile journalist Hans-Jürgen Tücherer tells a great many entertaining and amusing stories that surround this spectacular American SUV. More than 270 fascinating pictures up to 43 x 237 centimeters (17 x 94.5 inches) in size depict the HUMMER H2 in all its glorious details and from many highly unusual perspectives. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is available for 999 Euros. The German edition is on sale now. The English version will be available online at www.h2book.com starting in April 2008."
Yes, for a mere $1,500 you too can pay proper homage to your H2 with a book as obnoxious as the vehicle itself! Better reserve your copy today!!
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- Karl Brauer March 25, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Audi, BMW, Bugatti, Hummer, Mazda, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
March 5, 2008
It's clear to anyone paying attention that Nissan's luxury division, Infiniti, has targeted those Munich-mavens of ultimate driving machines. And within the Infiniti line-up no model is more aggressive in its BMW-aping than the G35 sedan and G37 coupe. Both the G37 and the BMW 335i offer 300-plus horsepower, six-cylinder engines surrounded by sweeping body lines. Both offer aggressive suspension tuning and large wheels wearing performance tires (if you opt for the sport packages for either model). Both can be had with six-speed manual transmissions, and both portray themselves as high-grade premium performance machines.
Today I'm driving a 2008 Infiniti G37 with all the performance equipment, including the manual transmission, and there's no denying its power or luxury. The ongoiong complaints of plasticky interior bits have been quelled with this new version, and the 330 horsepower V6 can spin the rear tires at will (assuming you disable VDC). This car also possesses the cleanest, most effective iPod/iPhone integration I have ever seen. Not only does it equalize volume and allow for easy music selection through the car's native audio controls, but the display screen for artist, song title, play list, track time and play style (random, repeat, etc.) is rendered in the same soothing font and color scheme as the rest of the LCD screen's graphics. It's an automotive display almost on par with the iPhone's own high-quality pixels.
No, luxury, performance and quality are not issues with this car. Neither is price, as it beats the equivalent 3 Series by approximately $5,000. But is it the ultimate-driving equal of the 335i? No.
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- Karl Brauer March 5, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Infiniti
February 18, 2008
After 300 additional miles in the 2008 BMW 1 Series (driving between Monterey and Ventura County), as well as using it for some real-life errands, I can add a few more notes to the newest Bimmer's logbook.
First, it's extremely functional as a long-distance runner. The driving routes picked by BMW for the car's intro were the expected mix of low-to-medium-speed twisties, with almost no sustained high-speed highway travel. In contrast, my trip down the 101 after the event had the small coupe traveling at 65-plus mph for the bulk of the trip. Happily, I can report a combination of minimal wind noise, excellent ride quality and enduring seat comfort.
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- Karl Brauer February 18, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- BMW
February 15, 2008
If you've already been researching the new 2008 BMW 1 Series you already know one thing about this 1 -- it's pricey! I feel bad for BMW, because I'm certain they had a different pricing scale in mind when they started designing the 1 Series. I think the fluctuating dollar/euro situation only added to their hesitation in bringing it to the U.S., so I'm glad they finally committed...even if the MSRP feels a bit steep. The good news is that this is really the only bad news concerning the 1 Series.
And while $29,375 sounds like a lot for an "entry-level" BMW, the base 128i is powerful, fun and well equipped (not to mention the free 4/50 maintenance program and the 4/50 warranty coverage). Yes, the 135i is what has everyone buzzing, but a 6-second flat zero-to-60 time ain't slow, trust me. The fundamental principal of a light, nimble and entertaining BMW coupe is achieved with this model.
The 135i starts at $35,675, but here again you get a lot of performance bang for those bucks. Beyond the killer twin-turbo six you also get standard 18-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, xenon lights, a moonroof and automatic climate control. Basically, every 135i comes standard with a Sport Package, making the 135i's actual Sport Package (which only includes more aggresively bolstered seats, some exterior trim, higher speed limiter and M-sport steering wheel for $1,000) seem rather silly. So while you can make a 1 Series cost well over $40K, a 128i or a 135i with no options is a viable setup (though likely hard to find in the real world...).
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- Karl Brauer February 15, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- BMW
February 14, 2008
If BMW makes the M3 any easier to drive fast it's going to negate the need for actual driver training (or skill) in the world. Yesterday I drove the new 2008 BMW M3 at Laguna Seca and it is not only stupid fast and stupid fun, but stupid easy for stupid drivers who don't want to look stupid.
All the questions so many M-philes have asked can be answered easily: Does it feel heavy? No. Does a V8 really work in a car know for its soul-stirring sixes? Yes. Is $60,000 too much to ask for an M3? Only if you don't like beating up on $75,000-plus Porsche 911s while enjoying greater comfort, more interior space and higher at-the-limit confidence. Yup, this car is that good. It's got the visceral feedback of Zufenhausen's finest, plus room for four (or five if you get the sedan). The technical wizardry going on under this chassis is too much for me to follow (read the First Drive I've linked above if you want all the gory details), but I can verify that those engineering brainiacs got it right.
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- Karl Brauer February 14, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- BMW
February 12, 2008
I'm in Monterey, California for the next three days driving the all-new BMW 1 Series, M3 and Mini Clubman. The trip will include track time at Laguna Seca as well as plenty of public road driving around this picturesque local. Not a bad way to burn through a week.
However, while all three of these cars have piqued my interest, I'm not sure which one offers the greatest potential benefit to BMW. So I'm asking you: Which of these models is the most exciting new BMW product?
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- Karl Brauer February 12, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- BMW, MINI
February 7, 2008
I'm going to admit it -- I've always hated the BMW X5.
Well, maybe "hate" is too strong a word, but I was certainly annoyed by the concept of a slower, sloppier, thirstier, more expensive 5 Series wagon that offered less interior space. Trust me, I looked up all the specs in 1998 and confirmed that the X5 was worse than a 5 Series wagon in every measurable way -- except maybe ground clearance, which we all know doesn't mean squat to the target buyer.
But that was 10 years ago, when I could still question the need for tall station wagons meant to help parents deny their parental status. Today it's an undeniable fact -- parents want to look cool, even at the cost of functionality. So the minivan market wanes and anything with a tall profile and sloping rear hatch sells as fast as it's produced.
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- Karl Brauer February 7, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- BMW
January 24, 2008
BMW deserves high praise. I've driven cars I love, and I've driven cars I hate, but it's rare when one car can inspire both emotions over-and-over again.
This 5 Series' primary controls are a joy to use. The steering is perfectly weighted and properly responsive. The throttle pedal elicits a rapid-fire rev of the 4.8-liter V8, sending all 360 horsepower to the rear wheels while unleashing a throaty exhuast bellow. Braking confidence comes via the progressive stopping power with superb pedal feel. It would seem that, when it comes to man-machine interfaces, BMW can do no wrong.
Then it's time to manually tune a radio station...
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- Karl Brauer January 24, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW
November 19, 2007
Like so many Audis (and, really, so many modern luxury cars) you can't think too carefully about the price tag when considering the new 2008 S5 coupe. At a starting price of $50K, and a finishing price closer to $60K once you add a few choice items like nav and adaptive headlights, this car is pricey -- plain and simple. It's 354hp V8 gives it a leg up on BMW's 335i, as does quattro all-wheel drive (it does zero-to-60 in 4.9 seconds), but those factors alone don't justify the increased coinage. Of course it's cheaper than a $75,000 BMW 650i and quicker than that two-door as well, so maybe it's a bargain?
However, to possibly understand the S5 you have to step beyond spec sheets and price points and feature content. This sleek coupe has taken Audi's gift for gorgeous to a new level, with sweeping exterior lines and passionate interior panels that belie it's Teutonic heritage. A warm and welcoming cabin, with organic shapes to match its rich materials? What a concept!
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- Karl Brauer November 19, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Audi, BMW
November 15, 2007
Well guys, I made it to both meals, despite the urge to simply kick it in the Lexus LS 600's massaging rear seat on the show floor instead. I must get more comfortable "fancy" shoes for these damn auto shows.
The Ed Peper/Chevrolet lunch was great. There were only about 12 journalists, so each writer had plenty of time to ask his questions. Here's what I learned:
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- Karl Brauer November 15, 2007, 7:00 AM
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- Auto Shows, BMW, Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles
November 14, 2007
Alright guys, I've done this before and it's proven surprisingly successful, so I'm once again asking: Given the opportunity, what would say to the top guys at a major automaker?
Today I'll be having lunch with Ed Peper, General Manager of GM's Chevrolet division. I'll follow that up tonight by dining with BMW USA Chairman and CEO, Tom Purves.
I've got a few items to cover with these folks (listed below), but I'm always happy to hear more suggestions.
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- Karl Brauer November 14, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, BMW, Chevrolet, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles
October 19, 2007
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Honda is the BMW of Japan. Okay...well, maybe Mazda is the BMW of Japan, too. But between those two brands I'd ultimately give Honda the title, if only by a license-plate frame. See, there's a reassuring heft to BMW vehicles. It's not an overt heaviness (like Mercedes-Benz, or Toyota), but a subtle, confidence-inspiring heft that Mazda still hasn't mastered (even if Mazdas are more sporty, on average, than the comparable Honda).
Tug on the door handle, turn the steering wheel, row the shifter (along with a dozen-plus other actions) and you'll feel this suplime heft in every Honda vehicle. With cars as good as they are in 2007, these subtle nuances are all that's left to define a brand, and I continue to like the definition of Honda, particularly in this new Accord Coupe.
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- Karl Brauer October 19, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Honda
October 16, 2007
What makes a great car great?
That's a topic that's been debated for over a century -- probably from the moment the first car was created. And it would be easy to get caught up in a multitude of features and traits when discussing the topic. But I've come to realize there are basically two overriding characteristics of a great car.
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- Karl Brauer October 16, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
October 4, 2007
There's been various reports of this in the past, but The Wall Street Journal just published a great story on the rising euro versus the falling dollar, and how this will likely impact European model pricing in the coming years (at least for models not built in the U.S.).
Basically the article says, "if you're thinking of buying a European nameplate, do it now!" It talks about how the Euro has gone from roughly equal value with the dollar in 2002 to being $1.40 per euro today. In that same period the BMW 3 Series' base price has gone up 20 percent, and the Bentley Continental GT has gone up 13 percent (from $150,000 to $170,000) just since 2004. A few folks on this blog recently commended about the Canadian pricing for Mazdas and Subarus versus their U.S. price, so some of you are already watching this.
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- Karl Brauer October 4, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Future Vehicles
September 11, 2007
In our ongoing series of future product plan coverage let's take a look at what will be coming across the Atlantic in the coming years. Glancing through the Automotive News analysis it would appear Europe's focus will be on crossovers, small cars and increased fuel efficiency. Who'd a thunk it? But a return of Alfa Romeo and a "cheap" Rolls Royce should keep things interesting. I'm only covering half of the European brands today because, well, there's a lot of them!
Alfa Romeo: After years of hints and innuendos it appears Alfa Romeo may really be coming to America in 2009. Look for the 8C Competizione
(rear-drive coupe with 450hp V8), the 159 sedan (front- or all-wheel drive), the Brea (a 2+2 coupe) and the Spider (a two-seat convertible based off the Brea platform). Momma-mia!
Aston Martin: The DBS is debuting this week in Frankfurt, and it looks to be a worthy successor to the Vanquish. But the real test of Aston Martin's future will come with the launch of it high-end, high-performance sedan, the Rapide
(in 2009). With new ownership and a new product direction the future could be very bright for this British brand.
Audi: The redesigned A4 is practically here, and the redesigned A6 follows next year. But the big news for 2009 is a sleek new A7 sedan that goes up against the CLS, plus not one but two
new crossovers (one of which is the Q5
, pictured). An A5 convertible and redesigned A8 round out the fun in 2010.
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- Karl Brauer September 11, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Aston Martin, Audi, Auto Shows, BMW, Bentley, Ferrari, Future Vehicles, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover
September 6, 2007
I have a scary proclamation to make, but that's never stopped me before:
Cars are losing their "fun-to-drive" factor.
There -- I said it, and I feel better. Actually I feel better in having finally faced an undeniable fact, but worse that this is a fact of today's automotive reality. Yet after recent stints in the latest Dodge Viper and BMW 5 Series (to name just two) I can't deny the trend.
Sure, the Viper is still quick, loud, brash and bold -- but it ISN'T more fun to drive than before. In fact it's less. The steering response is too slow, the shift action is too clunky (yes, even for a "raw, manly car" like the Viper), and the driving position is not only uncomfortable but uncooperative when driving fast, which is supposedly the whole point of the car. And while the 5 Series is still luxurious, refined and stable around corners, it's also less entertaining on a twisty road than it used to be (I blame active steering primarily).
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- Karl Brauer September 6, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Cadillac, Dodge, Driving, Porsche, Toyota
July 6, 2007
Just drove the "all-new" Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and like the old C-Class, it's a fine automobile. Unfortunately, if you've been reading my blog for any length of time, and if you're up-to-speed on today's automotive marketplace, you know a "fine" rating isn't exactly high praise. Sure, it's better than the rarely-used "bad" rating (did I just hear someone say "Caliber"?), but nothing to concern Munich.
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- Karl Brauer July 6, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Mercedes-Benz
May 31, 2007
After yesterday's fawning about the 335i in comparison to the G37, it seems only fitting that I offer my take on the refreshed 2008 BMW 535i. Unlike the 3 Series, which remains the obvious benchmark in that segment, the 535i doesn't leave me with a "why bother" attitude about the competition. In fact, the A6, E-Class and M35/45 are worthy of serious consideration. It's not that those cars are better than the 5 Series, it's that the 5 Series is no longer clearly better then they are. I'm not sure if the 5 Series has gotten a bit soft or if the competition has simply gotten sharper. Probably a bit of both.
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- Karl Brauer May 31, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW
May 30, 2007
Let's get the most important information out of the way first (see, those years spent at CU Boulder's J-School, learning about the inverted pyramid, weren't a total waste of time and money). The all-new 2008 Infiniti G37 S coupe is a very good car. The BMW 335i coupe is better.
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- Karl Brauer May 30, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Infiniti
May 21, 2007
The first BMW 3 Series I ever drove was back in the summer of 1998, when the model had just switched from the E36 to the E46 series designation. The road test I produced after that initial test drive clearly reflected my amazing experience behing the wheel of that 1999 328i sedan, though to be honest I didn't have a particularly rich or varied background in vehicle evalutions at that point in my career. My teen years were spent driving mostly American muscle cars, and my first professional job had been at an import magazine (Super Street) where I drove mostly modified Civics, Integras and Eclipses. However, despite my limited experience with new models (particulary new entry-luxury sedans) it was inconceivable to me that another model in this segment could match the 3 Series' combination of refinement, luxury and pure, undiluted driving enjoyment. I still remember thinking the steering feel was as good as any exotic car I'd ever driven (I actually had some limited seat time in a 911, NSX, Viper and even a Diablo before driving that 3 Series).
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- Karl Brauer May 21, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW
April 24, 2007
I'm having lunch with Tom Purves today. Mr. Purves is the Chairman and CEO of BMW North America, and I'm visiting the corporate offices in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey to hand over the various Editors Most Wanted Awards for 2007
. BMW captured two awards for 2007, Sedan under $35,000 (3 Series) and Sedan under $60,000 (5 Series). Mini also captured the "Coupe under $30,000" category so I'll be presenting that award as well. In past years
BMW has captured as many as six awards, and that's when we had fewer segments to vote on. So why has BMW lost some ground to other makes, particularly Audi, in recent years? I think iDrive and Chris Bangle are two of the culprits, but I'd be interested in hearing your opinions. Of course I'm only talking in terms of Edmunds Most Wanted awards. In terms of sales, the company has never been stronger.
Also, if you have anything you want to say to Tom, and you get your comment posted by noon eastern time, I can try to pass on your thoughts.
And yes, I'll be humming The Sopranos theme song as I'm riding toward the Newark airport in the taxi.
Update on April 25: Read Tom Purves' responses to your questions!
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- Karl Brauer April 24, 2007, 6:08 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
April 18, 2007
Got my first quality seat time in the latest 3 Series. This is the one with the new 300 horsepower, twin-turbocharged engine. Our test car had the six-speed automatic, and it's telling that this is one of the few cars where, despite my L.A.-area commute, I actually get bummed when I slide in, look down and see an automatic shifter staring back at me. On the plus side, no iDrive!
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- Karl Brauer April 18, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW
January 25, 2007
As a follow up to yesterday's premium convertible post I've got some thoughts on the 2007 BMW M6 drop-top, a car I just drove. There's a considerable price difference between the SL65 and the M6 -- about $85,000. But one might argue that after crossing a certain price point the MSRP starts to matter about as much as the trunkmat design. So at $115,000 for the BMW versus $200,000 for the M-B there's certainly the potential for cross shopping. The obvious differences between these two vehicles (beyond $85K) are the retractable hardtop (SL65), electro-hydraulic manual tranny (M6), rear seat...sort of (M6) and engine design/power (604 hp bi-turbo V12 versus normally-aspirated 500 hp V10). As I said yesterday, the SL isn't particularly engaging from a "stir-my-soul-through-communicative-driving-dynamics" standpoint, but damn it's fast and stable and well executed.
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- Karl Brauer January 25, 2007, 7:42 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Mercedes-Benz
January 19, 2007
Once upon a time you only had to have what looked like an SUV sitting on a car (unibody) platform to earn crossover props (i.e. Lexus RX or BMW X5). But that thinking is so 2002. Now if you want to be part of the crossover in-crowd you must have a really-sporty-looking
SUV sitting on a car platform...
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- Karl Brauer January 19, 2007, 7:19 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Future Vehicles
January 3, 2007
In the past few days I've heard about two new in-car technologies that could have a major impact on the driving experience. The first is HD radio, which isn't really new but has had some new developments. Specifically, BMW just announced the first availability of multicast HD, which essentially means getting more than one channel from a single frequency. For instance, if you have HD television you already know that you can get multiple versions of a single channel...
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- Karl Brauer January 3, 2007, 9:53 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Car Audio and Technology
December 20, 2006
We've recently upgraded the Edmunds vehicle page structure to a system that provides far greater - and more convenient - information on individual models. Where previously our model information was split between new, used, future and "Generations" content (Generations was basically a full model history of a specific vehicle) we've now brought all this vehicle content together into a single, easily-navigated structure. Finding the content is easy because whenever you navigate to a single pricing page for a new or used vehicle you can use the breadcrumbs link at the top of the page to locate the other pages.
Here's an example...
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- Karl Brauer December 20, 2006, 10:21 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Ford, Honda, Internet vs. Print Publishing
September 14, 2006
Tired of treacherous gas prices? Looking to power your car with the most abundant (and theoretically cheapest) element in the universe? BMW just announced a full production car powered by hydrogen.
Based on the 7 Series luxury sedan, this one is called the Hydrogen 7 and it will feature both a hydrogen drivetrain and a conventional gasoline system...
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- Karl Brauer September 14, 2006, 8:05 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles
August 23, 2006
The idea of starting with a CR-V, affixing some Acura badges, and calling it a BMW X3 competitor struck me as, well, I'll use the word "unrealistic." It's not that I'm over-the-top in love with the X3 or anything, but I simply didn't see Honda pulling this one off. After all, the X3 begins with a 3 Series. The CR-V starts with a, um, Civic. But I took the RDX home last night, and on my way I made a quick detour along Mulholland Drive. Suffice to say, I was wrong.
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- Karl Brauer August 23, 2006, 8:09 AM
- Categories:
- Acura, BMW, Mazda
August 10, 2006
The manual transmission is dead in America. Well, not dead (yet), but certainly on the wane. Current take rate on manual transmission vehicles is around seven percent. The reasons range from increasing traffic congestion to decreasing automotive enthusiasm (and talent?) on U.S...
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- Karl Brauer August 10, 2006, 8:04 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Traffic Safety
July 25, 2006
Standard automotive journalist position: iDrive sucks!
Standard BMW response: You just don't get it.
The simple truth here is that iDrive offers a tremendous level of vehicle customization through an incredibly sophisticated and inefficient interface. Okay, maybe that wasn't so simple. Here's another way of saying it: You can do a lot of amazing things with iDrive, but many of them could be done better without it...
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- Karl Brauer July 25, 2006, 8:29 AM
- Categories:
- BMW
June 22, 2006
Having just driven our brand-spankin'-new RAV4, and our new R500, in the past few days I am acutely aware of new-car smell. And not just new-car smell as a general concept but the variations in new-car smell based on both brand and interior materials.
Now, the tricky thing about your sense of smell is that it can become highly associated with thoughts, memories and emotions. So the question becomes -- Do my feelings about certain new car smells reflect my feelings about the cars themselves, or can I successfully separate my feelings about a car and my feelings about a car's smell? I'd like to think that even "stinky" cars can score well with me from a purely automotive sense, and I'd hope that just because a given car smells good it doesn't make me give the car undue credit in terms of design, functionality and value. With those concepts laid before you I offer the following opinions of how various new cars smell:
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- Karl Brauer June 22, 2006, 8:26 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Cadillac, Ford, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota
June 15, 2006
In case some of you don't already know, we have a 2006 BMW 330i in our long-term fleet
. We've had it since December and it's at just over 10,000 miles now. We've also just switched our long-term vehicle reporting over to blog format
, meaning you can now read almost daily updates on the 15-plus cars currently in our fleet. Anyway, our 330i is truly a fabulous vehicle on every level...
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- Karl Brauer June 15, 2006, 8:53 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Porsche
May 30, 2006
In 2006 it's harder than ever for a car to break out of the pack. Everything is so good that even mediocre cars look bad, and a quite a few borderline great cars can be overlooked. The Audi RS4
(which I was lucky enough to have possession of over Memorial Day Weekend) need not worry about being overlooked. From its torque-monster engine to its racecar-like handling, this is one of those vehicles that makes you question all your previous benchmark cars...
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- Karl Brauer May 30, 2006, 11:35 AM
- Categories:
- BMW
May 23, 2006
I'm back in the real world today, but I have some great images from my 2,200-mile M6 journey (with no speeding tickets!). Since I started out at Elkhart Lake I was going for a bit of theme. See if you can figure it out...
Lake Michigan: I got this image the morning I started driving west. That's Lake Michigan in the background, and the cold wind that was blowing made it difficult to keep the camera still. First and last time I used the car's heated seats, as I had great weather for the rest of my trip.
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- Karl Brauer May 23, 2006, 5:03 PM
- Categories:
- BMW
May 19, 2006
I don't know if the 2006 BMW M Coupe is better than the Porsche Cayman, but it's damn good and it will take back-to-back drives in both for me to decide. Between my Road America experience and driving it on the public roads in Central Wisconsin, I can verify that the structure is super-stiff, the steering is immediate without being twitchy, and the power is a combination of V8-like torque and VTEC-like free-revving ability. It also looks better than the Z4 (which I'm still not a fan of). A worthy successor to the current M3 drivetrain, indeed!
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- Karl Brauer May 19, 2006, 7:10 AM
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- BMW
May 18, 2006
I'm on my way back to La-La land via a BMW M6. It's over 2,000 miles, which makes for an interesting calculation based on this car's horsepower and top speed. But of course I'll be obeying all traffic laws during my trip, so such calculations are purely theoretical. I'm actually planning on hitting a few landmarks along the way, so I'll try to post as I go...
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- Karl Brauer May 18, 2006, 2:25 PM
- Categories:
- BMW
May 17, 2006
Today I'm at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, to drive the new 500-horsepower M6 around this legendary four-mile circuit. Having experienced the stupid-fast M5 on public roads a few months ago, I can only imagine what this vehicle will feel like on a race track. But don't worry, I'll get plenty
of on-road seat time as well. In fact, I'm driving one of the press cars from central Wisconsin back to Los Angeles after the press event ends...
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- Karl Brauer May 17, 2006, 1:32 PM
- Categories:
- BMW, Traffic Safety
May 12, 2006
One doesn't normally associate 3.0-liters, 215 horsepower, all-wheel drive and a roof rack with fun driving, but BMW has a habit of injecting fun where it traditionally has no business existing. I've often compared BMW horsepower figures to Harman/Kardon amplifier figures. In both cases, the object in question doesn't look too impressive on a spec sheet. But when you put them both through their paces it's clear that numbers and performance don't always equate...
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- Karl Brauer May 12, 2006, 12:40 PM
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- BMW
March 2, 2006
I just drove the "Saab" 9-7X. So the obvious question is: Why would Saab slap their badge on a Chevy Trailblazer and try to pass it off as one of their own? The supposed answer is: Without taking such action there would be no Saab.
The argument has some merit -- just look at Jaguar. They've never come out with any sort of SUV (heck, they didn't even want to bring their X-Type wagon to the U.S. -- not that it saved them when they finally did) and I think the leaping cat's current financial predicament is clearly related to the lack of "SUVinating" Jaguar. But there is a theoretical upside, that being a lack of any Jaguar-badged SUVs. Confused yet?
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- Karl Brauer March 2, 2006, 9:50 PM
- Categories:
- BMW, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Saab, Volvo
February 21, 2006
I spent the weekend with our long-term Audi A4
and was left with two strong impressions.
1. This is an extremely well-executed car. Everything from steering feel to seat comfort to ride quality and interior materials is superb...
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- Karl Brauer February 21, 2006, 6:33 PM
- Categories:
- Audi, BMW
January 24, 2006
The stupid-fast aspect of the BMW M5 didn't surprise me, but the way it conceals that speed did. The over-used bit about "It feels like it's going 60 when it's going 90" doesn't begin to address this car's high-speed nature. In the M5, if feels like you're going 30 if you're going less than 80. Seriously, the first time I got on the highway I was simply giving it a healthy amount of gas and working through the SMG, and before I knew it I was doing over 100 mph -- at which point I immediately slowed back down to a legal speed. And then I felt like I was going 30. More than any other car (Mercedes' AMG products are also like this) the BMW M5 requires you to look at the speedo regularly -- otherwise you'll be looking at the cage separating a police cruiser's rear seat from the front.
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- Karl Brauer January 24, 2006, 10:26 AM
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- BMW
January 9, 2006
The new BMW M Roadster: Lots of pomp and circumstances surrounding the unveil of this one, but at the end of the day it looks like a Z4 with M badges. If you like the look of the regular Z4 that's good. If you don't the addition of M badges and a powerful six-cylinder engine probably doesn't move you any closer to buying it. You can guess where I land on this one...
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- Karl Brauer January 9, 2006, 7:59 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, BMW
December 22, 2005
I don't know if any of you have been over to this run-flat tire discussion
in the Forums area, but apparently there are several 2006 3 Series owners who are unhappy with the Bridgestone run-flat tires that come standard on the new BMW. I've been driving our long-term 3 Series for the past two weeks (in between test cars) and have found no tire noise or ride/handling issues (issues asserted by many owners in said discussion). There are also claims of horrible cold weather traction as well as premature wear. Living in Southern California, and with the car's odometer at only 800 miles, I can't comment on those last items...
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- Karl Brauer December 22, 2005, 9:15 PM
- Categories:
- BMW
December 19, 2005
As much as we all yell about Bangle styling (and I'm one of the loudest screamers), it hasn't hurt BMW's total sales, where the company surpassed Mercedes in the global luxury spot this year.
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- Karl Brauer December 19, 2005, 12:47 PM
- Categories:
- BMW
November 24, 2005
The announcement we all knew was coming arrived yesterday. BMW will build the Z4 coupe (sarcastic gasp!). It will go on sale in June and utilize a 255 horsepower inline 6. An "M" version will also be available, this one with the 3.2-liter from the M3.
I saw two of these driving up PCH about three months ago...
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- Karl Brauer November 24, 2005, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- BMW
