Is BMW still a 'luxury car manufacturer'?

[threebikesmcginty]

I disagree, they're churning out some really nasty shitboxes, Quasquai, Juke, Murano and mucho-macho 4x4 nastiness. Couple of the small cars are acceptable, and the jury's out on the Prius' credentials as an eco-vehicle.
Nul points in my book.

I'm picking up a vibe that you're not part of the Nissan marketing department.

 

[Muddyfox]

For an affordable driver's car I would always pick a Beemer.

Mrs Mort's 330d is a superb car and everything else I ever drive is always a poor reference compared with that.

I'm not a big BMW fan but i have driven the 330d and the new 535d and i have to say that they are both a superb drive and build quality is right up there at the top

One of the nicest (non German) cars i've driven is the Volvo S60 diesel

Simon

 

[Bollo]

I'd like to think that somewhere on a petrolhead forum there's a Campag vs Shimano debate raging.

 

[Keith Oates]

Some months ago I was walking down the street and saw a boy talking to his girlfriend and he was holding his BMW Bicycle. I stopped to look at the bike as I'd never seen a BMW one before but the finish and quality looked very good, which is the same impression I have when looking at their cars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'm picking up a vibe that you're not part of the Nissan marketing department.

I'm awaiting their call...

 

[Fab Foodie]

[QUOTE 1197415"]
I'd love to know which Renault boss persuaded Nissan to go in the direction they have. Out went the previous Micra, excellent Primera, some decent 4x4s and the practical Tino, and in come a bunch of cars that look like they've been designed by Sylvester Stallone and aren't practical in the slightest.
[/quote]


Unfortunately, Renault's boss will get a decent bonus, cars like the Quasquai are selling like hot-cakes.
The Sly Stallone/Judge-Dread fiddle-tank look triumphs over-all else.

 

[jimboalee]

I drove a Beemer 750 once, as a 'competitive assessment'. It was a big heap of squeaky plastic.

 

[Arch]

My bro-in-law's company car is a Beamer, an estate, although the boot seems barely larger than my Mum's Corsa's. The Beamer is the one car that consistently makes me feel travel sick within minutes of getting into it - just going into town for a takeaway last week had me queasy, despite sitting in the front and looking ahead and so on. Odd.

 

[Fab Foodie]

My bro-in-law's company car is a Beamer, an estate, although the boot seems barely larger than my Mum's Corsa's. The Beamer is the one car that consistently makes me feel travel sick within minutes of getting into it - just going into town for a takeaway last week had me queasy, despite sitting in the front and looking ahead and so on. Odd.

Not really, Arch. Your well developed eco-lifestyle sensors make you allergic to Beemers. I'd see that as a good thing!

 

[Plax]

I sold my BMW a few years ago when every Tom, Dick and Harry seemed to have aquired one. It was a saloon so not very practical for load carrying and I had enough of it getting either keyed or driven into. Naturally nobody ever bothered to leave their details and parts are very expensive. I could have bought 5 Corsa headlights for the cost I had to pay for 1 BMW headlight.

 

[MacB]

[QUOTE 1197428"]
I spent some time in the 90s driving for a company that did deliveries and collections for lease-hire companies.

Oddly, out of all the saloons we drove (inc. BMW) the favourite amongst the drivers was the Vauxhall Cavalier.
[/quote]

On a similar note I remember people at the time preferring a Cavalier to a Sierra and then switching allegiance when they were replaced by the Vectra and the Mondeo.

 

[Fab Foodie]

On a similar note I remember people at the time preferring a Cavalier to a Sierra and then switching allegiance when they were replaced by the Vectra and the Mondeo.

As a 50,000 milesa year road warrior of the day I recall exactly what you describe... except I went for a Diesel 405 estate, still one of the best handling cars I've ever driven.

 

[Over The Hill]

Mercedes have gone well down in my estimation of build quality - so many older (6 years plus) ones going RUSTY...... what's that about.... See loads.................. the Jap stuff is far superior.............

I had a C Class that went rusty - but Merc took it back, stuck four new wings on and resprayed it. Lent me a car for the duration and it was all done under warranty. Not sure if other makers would do the same for a 6 year old car.

I agree with the posts- luxury is a peculiar British thing. Perhaps a class thing, we break our car makers into classes.
Working Class - Ford Vauxhall Renault Nissan etc
Middle Class - BMW Audi Mercedes Volvo etc

No matter how good a Working Class car is it will still be looked down on. And no matter how ordinary the Middle class (and the likes of Audi do make some boring crud) the driver at least still thinks he is a cut above the rest.

French just look how stylish it is and Italians how fast it is.

 

[byegad]

I think you get to be a mass luxury car maker when the Top Gear team say they are all driven by cocks. So they have been one for the last 30 years.

 

[chillyuk]

It's all badge nonsense

I need a car for occasional use therefore I shall stick to my Skoda Felicia estate.

By modern standards it's a "banger" but the seats are comfortable, it has a good heater and/or demister, it starts first time even if left for weeks, and it's a basic car, almost untainted by volkswagen meddling, and if it goes wrong it's not £1000 for a new microchip.

It will reach any speed limit on any UK road.

I got one of them. X reg, £500 off Ebay. Superb little car, and I can get a bike in the back without dismantling it.
Doesn't cost hundreds to have a timing belt changed either because it's got a chain.
Does me.