Anyone else get banned from the G8X section for making fun of its looks?

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Nice, you are almost there!!!! Jealous/happy for you!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by minn19

Nice, you are almost there!!!! Jealous/happy for you!

Thanks bro! I'm so darn anxious. I'm hoping I have it by Sunday.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Thanks bro! I'm so darn anxious. I'm hoping I have it by Sunday.

Awesome, then their better be pics pics and more pics!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by minn19

Awesome, then their better be pics pics and more pics!

Oh there will be. I have my whole story post already typed.

[GrussGott]

Just cause it's Sunday ...

One or two of you, noticing that Tesla's 2022 EV business is about to be = or > than BMW & Mercedes entire ICE+EV business, might be wondering ...

WTF Happened to the Legacy OEMs???

I mean for the last 10 years we've heard, "just wait until the OEMs start making EVs! They'll DESTROY Tesla!" yet most have never looked weaker.

So what happened?

(1.) Compliance cars
In the 2000s & 2010s the OEMs, to avoid those regulatory fees made "compliance cars", i.e., junk EVs produced simply to meet fleet emission standards. Things like the Fit EV, Bolt & others. There were exceptions like the Nissan Leaf and, of course, the BMW i3/8 led by Diess which had legit tech like CFRP tubs.


(2.) Things That Sound Pleasing But Are Wrong
Everywhere you look these days some yahoo is saying something that sounds like it makes great sense, but on examination is actually really stupid. Unfortunately most people skip step #2.

In the case of the OEMs & EVs it was this: "if we just use the same platform for ICE & EVs we can simply swap out the drivetrains, build on the same assembly lines, and save a shit-ton of $$$!!"

The problem there is, if you do that, then:

(a.) The EV contains engineered "scar tissue", i.e., a bunch of parts it doesn't actually need but has because they're common to the ICE variant. That means it's heavy, which is a killer for EVs.

(b.) The EV is expensive to make because EVs take fewer parts but if they're built on the same assembly lines as ICE they take longer to build!

So "same platform=lower cost!" in reality meant heavy, expensive, shitty EV. DOH!

This is why VW, Ford, BMW, Mercedes, et al (with new CEOs!) are scrambling to build new factories and design EVs from the ground up: to fix The Great Engineering Fuck-up of the 2010s. The exceptions to this are

* Porsche: They designed the Taycan in 2015 & the assembly lines dedicated to it (and the follow-on Audi GT) - and SURPRISE! They're out-selling Tesla!
* GM: They designed the Ultium platform & Factory ZERO, but I can't figure out what's taking them so long as those things are done.

So while Ford is getting a lot of media love, the truth is they're WAY behind.


And, for all you ICE lovers (like me!), prepare for the shortages & expense to continue. As the global supply chain shifts from ICE to EV, all of the ICE parts cost advantages ICE auto manufacturers have enjoyed for decades are about to evaporate.

For example, let's say Toyota used to buy gas tanks from Supplier X which they paid for 90 days after assembly into a Tacoma and at a super low, high volume unit cost, and only for what they used ... well, going forward Supplier X is going to want a guaranteed volume paid for in advance thus pushing the cost risk to Toyota as well as locking in a set # of units ... which means the ICE Tacomas will be limited ... which means wait times ... which means higher prices.

I don't see a way around this happening - maybe OEMs will come up with some type of customer order in advance system but ... eventually the new EV supply chain will overwhelm it.

So get your ICE for cheap now is my point.

[swagon]

GrussGott you got BMW Individual leather dash in your cars, right? What have you used to clean and protect the leather?

AFAIK, G20 Individual dash and door uppers are a combination of Walknappa and Merino leather. Steering wheel leather in Alpinas is their own Lavalina material, which I should take greater care of probably too. I was thinking of trying out Swissvax or Colourlock this time round... I've only had Dakota and Nevada barely-leather.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by swagon

GrussGott you got BMW Individual leather dash in your cars, right? What have you used to clean and protect the leather?

AFAIK, G20 Individual dash and door uppers are a combination of Walknappa and Merino leather. Steering wheel leather in Alpinas is their own Lavalina material, which I should take greater care of probably too. I was thinking of trying out Swissvax or Colourlock this time round... I've only had Dakota and Nevada barely-leather.

Isn’t it Corinthian?

[NSX2M4]

Originally Posted by jmg

I personally don't find that color combo attractive, but obviously the new owner does. Looks like he has a loving family that's going to enjoy their new toy!

Indeed. The perfect marriage, a child, and a car that resembles a pb&j sandwich.
But, I was talking about the owner, his family, or anything else but the car. ;-)

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by jmg

It's just unmistakable as anything but a BMW, which I think is the goal.

That's why they had to put the enormous roundel on the rear because it's so unmistakable as a BMW right?

Had you said Lexus I would have agreed. The whole back end is a straight up Lexus rip off, and the tail lights are terribly disappointing considering how great the LCI/OLED tails were on the prior car.

[Sedan_Clan]

I just saw a monochrome wrapped G80 on the 76 in Vista, California. I wish I could've snapped a photograph as it passed.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Are you ready for ltr!? Planning a ceremony?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Mavus

Are you ready for ltr!? Planning a ceremony?

My ceremony involves sleeping in the driver's seat the first night. I've done it with just about every car. It's my good luck tradition.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

My ceremony involves sleeping in the driver's seat the first night. I've done it with just about every car. It's my good luck tradition.

Well I guess its a good thing you don't have bucket seats then

[Arcades]

Second Benz EQS+ I saw.

This time I was up close and personal!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Well I guess its a good thing you don't have bucket seats then

That would be one uncomfortable night since they don't recline like the G8X carbon fiber buckets.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Second Benz EQS+ I saw.

This time I was up close and personal!

probably one of the best i.e. normal/traditional ev designs and I like integrated screens

[minn19]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Well I guess its a good thing you don't have bucket seats then

You beat me to it.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

My ceremony involves sleeping in the driver's seat the first night. I've done it with just about every car. It's my good luck tradition.

serious bonding right there unexplainable to non-enthusiasts

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Mavus

probably one of the best i.e. normal/traditional ev designs and I like integrated screens

While I'm not a fan of the exterior, I will say it's probably the best EV I've driven purely because it masters a lot of the pros of EV's. Its incredibly quiet, comfortable, quick enough, and very well isolated, as well as really efficient, many MB World posters are reporting high 300 to low 400 mile ranges. I find that EV's excel at luxury but not sport, even the Taycan didn't impress me in that area too much. MB is gonna have a hit on their hands with the EQS SUV which will be revealed next month, the first non-Tesla EV to enter the market with 7-seats (Rivian is still unavailable and not mass produced) and the design is more traditional due to the SUV shape.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

While I'm not a fan of the exterior, I will say it's probably the best EV I've driven purely because it masters a lot of the pros of EV's. Its incredibly quiet, comfortable, quick enough, and very well isolated, as well as really efficient, many MB World posters are reporting high 300 to low 400 mile ranges. I find that EV's excel at luxury but not sport, even the Taycan didn't impress me in that area too much. MB is gonna have a hit on their hands with the EQS SUV which will be revealed next month, the first non-Tesla EV to enter the market with 7-seats (Rivian is still unavailable and not mass produced) and the design is more traditional due to the SUV shape.

I’m with you on the Taycan. I test drove a 4S and thought it was massively overhyped. Super nice car and surprisingly sporty for what it is, but still left a bit underwhelmed. Plus the trunk space sucked, which was really disappointing for such a large sedan.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by minn19

I'm with you on the Taycan. I test drove a 4S and thought it was massively overhyped. Super nice car and surprisingly sporty for what it is, but left underwhelmed.

Agree, competent and composed but lacking in feel/engagement. On top of that, the cabin is not my favorite either, very tight inside, and the price is eye-watering. If I'm spending six-figures on a Porsche, it better have an engine in the middle or rear.

[RugbyBro]

The gene pool is strong