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

[CT_M3]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Again, you guys have to consider my office is a car that I'm in 10-16 hours a day, literally watching traffic patterns on surface streets and freeways (…when I'm not dealing with the burglaries, robberies, murders, etc.). I see everything….

Agreed. But I think nothing all of us opine here really matters; it really is just a sample of a certain market (California). We won't really know about the success of the G8x platform. The question we're trying to answer here is:

1) Is BMW's departure from traditional design lines offend enough buyers, overcoming the new buyers drawn in by the 'lifestyle' approach?

and at the same time:

2) The car's performance is pretty good from a numbers standpoint; possibly with a little more feedback. A true gearhead looks in the details and sees issues with missing DCT, weight, size etc. Do the people in (1) care about (2)
i.e. the details?

My guess? Wash or near wash. It probably likely not the best selling M ever, but it should hit decent numbers. A dud would only occur if they messed up (2), though unclear how the recent engine recall would affect the perception.

For me, its not just the (1) or (2). Its the continued departure from their roots with design/M focused design. Sure, its faster, etc, but the whole M division has a general dilution feel. At issue is margins and leadership. If your margins aren't fat, the need to be operationally efficient is the usual recipe. Sharing of architecture, engine platforms etc. and a move away from anything bespoke. The use of M badges to upsell base models etc.

Are we seeing that from BMW across their product line? I leave that each of us to answer. I do think that the F8x line is probably the last serious product that attempts to be bespoke with respect to M3/M4.

I think overall, the general public might not care. What we value here, isn't exactly what the average Joe/Jill consumer cares about. Am I right? I don't know. I hope I'm right or BMW might see more margin squeeze, which continues this vicious cycle we're seeing i.e. platform sharing etc. etc.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by CT_M3

My guess? Wash or near wash. It probably likely not the best selling M ever, but it should hit decent numbers. A dud would only occur if they messed up (2), though unclear how the recent engine recall would affect the perception.

Honestly we will never know with the market we are in. The lack of inventory and reduced production is making almost any decent vehicle have a wait period. Towards the end of the G8x life cyle and if the market has returned to normal. Maybe we will get a glimpse of reality. Will they be sitting on lots getting offered with huge discounts, who knows? Right now production numbers are so messed up, you simply can't compare anything to make a conclusion how successful this generation is.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by M3WC

Honestly we will never know with the market we are in. The lack of inventory and reduced production is making almost any decent vehicle have a wait period. Towards the end of the G8x life cyle and if the market has returned to normal. Maybe we will get a glimpse of reality. Will they be sitting on lots getting offered with be huge discounts, who knows?

I don't think that'll happen no matter what - I don't think BMW will let it. They'll simply use tons for marketing, be that youtuber leases, charity, or whatever ... if all of us, and someone likes Chris Harris are all saying, "I don't see any around" ... honestly, it's been long enough and we have our answer. That said ...

The ultimate test is always the simplest: Does BMW do more of this, or less of this?

If less, then we know it was a fail.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

I don't think that'll happen no matter what - I don't think BMW will let it. They'll simply use tons for marketing, be that youtuber leases, charity, or whatever ... if all of us, and someone likes Chris Harris are all saying, "I don't see any around" ... honestly, it's been long enough and we have our answer. That said ...

The ultimate test is always the simplest: Does BMW do more of this, or less of this?

If less, then we know it was a fail.

I don't know if that's the most sound argument. When the F8X first came out, I rarely saw any. I thought I was the only one with an F8X in SoCal for at least 2 years (…and I surely was the only YMB too……jokingly). Granted, I knew that to be untrue, but anecdotal evidence isn't really the barometer of reality.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I don't know if that's the most sound argument. When the F8X first came out, I rarely saw any. I thought I was the only one with an F8X in SoCal for at least 2 years (…and I surely was the only YMB too……jokingly). Granted, I knew that to be untrue, but anecdotal evidence isn't really the barometer of reality.

Yesterday I saw 3 new 992 Turbo S (1 of which was a cabriolet) and new 992 GT3. That is way more than I have seem G8x in one day. I think the owners maybe too modest to show such a expressive design, so they prefer to park them in the garage and only drive them in the dead of night!

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

anecdotal evidence isn't really the barometer of reality.

Well, that's true, but only if it's truly anecdotal, ie., a few people here & there ... BUT

When the anecdotes start adding up globally, then individual anecdotes become crowd-sourced estimates which happen to be some of the most reliable & accurate observational estimates available ...

You've heard about the whole estimate-the-gumballs-in-the-jar thing right?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Well, that's true, but only if it's truly anecdotal, ie., a few people here & there ... BUT

When the anecdotes start adding up globally, then individual anecdotes become crowd-sourced estimates which happen to be some of the most reliable & accurate observational estimates available

Lol! You crack me up.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

You've heard about the whole estimate-the-gumballs-in-the-jar thing right?

This just gave me "How many golf balls can you fit on a plane" PTSD

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

This just gave me "How many golf balls can you fit on a plane" PTSD

ha, consulting or tech?

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

ha, consulting or tech?

Consulting with a tech book lol!

[icegrill]

I remember my first f80 sighting was in 2015 of a ymb. It was in Portland and I was awestruck by how muscular and captivating the cars presence was. Now I own the same car #blessed😂😂😉 I'll go back through my roll to find the pic…. Maybe it's Mexico blue actually!?

[stein_325i]

Browsing Bring A Trailer is not healthy, look at how gorgeous this E34 is

1990 Alpina B10 BiTurbo

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Browsing Bring A Trailer is not healthy, look at how gorgeous this E34 is

Similar interesting story I'm stealing & summarizing:

IN the 1970s BMW had the 1600 and 02 series, but also a nice inline-six engine, so they put together lots of stuff including the 3.0 series E9, which began as a 2.8-liter version with the 1968 2800 CS. Then came 3.0 CS, introduced in 1971, and then BMW developed a lightweight 3.0 CS, the 3.0 CSL, a homologation model for racing.

Interestingly this progressed when Bob Lutz came on board as head of sales in 1972, he created BMW Motorsport, enlisting engineer Jochen Neerpasch to further develop the 3.0 CSL for competition in the European Touring Car Championship. The lightweight construction, deeper wheel wells for the 7-inch Alpina alloy rims, and aerodynamics applied to the race cars earned them the “Batmobile” nickname.

Debuting in 1971 with 180 hp and weighing 500 pounds less than the CS at 2,800 pounds thanks in part to thinner sheet metal, aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid. The final iteration, introduced in 1973, delivered 206 hp from a 3,153 cc engine.

Anyway, here's a largely original and unrestored 1975 3.0 CSL, number 49/57 produced after 1973, one of only 4 painted Day-Glo Taiga:

[Arcades]

Got behind the wheel of a 981 Cayman GTS today. Sounded great.

Ship is almost at San Diego Port already. Soo close.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Similar interesting story I'm stealing & summarizing:

IN the 1970s BMW had the 1600 and 02 series, but also a nice inline-six engine, so they put together lots of stuff including the 3.0 series E9, which began as a 2.8-liter version with the 1968 2800 CS. Then came 3.0 CS, introduced in 1971, and then BMW developed a lightweight 3.0 CS, the 3.0 CSL, a homologation model for racing.

Interestingly this progressed when Bob Lutz came on board as head of sales in 1972, he created BMW Motorsport, enlisting engineer Jochen Neerpasch to further develop the 3.0 CSL for competition in the European Touring Car Championship. The lightweight construction, deeper wheel wells for the 7-inch Alpina alloy rims, and aerodynamics applied to the race cars earned them the “Batmobile” nickname.

Debuting in 1971 with 180 hp and weighing 500 pounds less than the CS at 2,800 pounds thanks in part to thinner sheet metal, aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid. The final iteration, introduced in 1973, delivered 206 hp from a 3,153 cc engine.

Anyway, here's a largely original and unrestored 1975 3.0 CSL, number 49/57 produced after 1973, one of only 4 painted Day-Glo Taiga:

Nice one. I'd also add that BMW poached some Ford guys to develop the E9 CSL racing car. Ford was winning back then with their Capri.

There's a great documentary on BMWs racing history called Adrenalin.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Got behind the wheel of a 981 Cayman GTS today. Sounded great.

Ship is almost at San Diego Port already. Soo close.

I'm watching you and Thescout13 very closely in terms of how fast your respective cars get from port to dealership, and if there are any hang-ups.

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I'm watching you and Thescout13 very closely in terms of how fast your respective cars get from port to dealership, and if there are any hang-ups.

Since I have my PECLA date set for 12/10 it's not going to be an accurate measure. While the boat gets here on November 8th it won't be on a truck to PECLA until the week of my delivery. As they hold it at the port

[No Boost]

The continual onslaught of G8x posts on the front page is nauseating.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I'm watching you and Thescout13 very closely in terms of how fast your respective cars get from port to dealership, and if there are any hang-ups.

Originally Posted by Thescout13

Since I have my PECLA date set for 12/10 it's not going to be an accurate measure. While the boat gets here on November 8th it won't be on a truck to PECLA until the week of my delivery. As they hold it at the port

From what I understand. The boats are still getting to the States on time. So for us on the West Coast, it is still going to be a month and that hasn't changed.

The problem lies with port logistics and if that is worse or not. We, at least with Porsche, are lucky as we aren't docking at Port of LA or San Pedro as those are so backed up its not even funny. San Diego, from what I can see, isn't suffering from this nearly as much but some lack of drivers are there apparently.

If you are Benz and ordering, then you're probably screwed because they dock at LA and San Pedro, unless they changed that because of the backlog. I know so since I used to drive past the ports on my way to one of the company hotels in San Pedro. I used to see Benz and Nissan (?) at this lot, all the time actually.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I'm watching you and Thescout13 very closely in terms of how fast your respective cars get from port to dealership, and if there are any hang-ups.

Bring me up to speed - what is everyone getting and when?

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I'd say even the "normal" PDK in the 911 is quite sharp in its dynamics...

Have you tracked a 992 yet? Curious to know how it compares to M4/718 GTs.

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Bring me up to speed - what is everyone getting and when?

Carrera S with only performance options and cloth seats, PECLA delivery 12/10 for me.