If you want a BMW 2 series with a stick, better order one now. - Page 3

JST · 07-01-2017, 06:58 AM

People like sitting high up.

rumatt · 07-01-2017, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

People like sitting high up.

Something else I never understood.

However. Ground clearance for snow is a real thing.

JST · 07-01-2017, 08:46 AM

Do these have that, though? What's the actual clearance on these?

wdc330i · 07-01-2017, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

Do these have that, though? What's the actual clearance on these?

Dunno, but feels higher up than my E91 sport.

Edit: Or are you referring to the X4, etc.?

bren · 07-01-2017, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

Do these have that, though? What's the actual clearance on these?

8.3 inches for the BMW's. For comparison, the Forester is 8.7", and a Wrangler is maybe 10.5" or 11".

Some googling says the xdrive 3 series is 5.7".

wdc330i · 07-01-2017, 10:58 AM

4.8 for the m240

SARAFIL · 07-01-2017, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

I never understood this either.

I figured BMW knew what they were doing, but given their sales figures maybe not.

Sales figures globally are fine. They've just stopped throwing out as much cash in the US to move metal (hard to find those crazy cheap lease deals these days) and that's definitely impacting sales volume here.

However they are starting to simplify the lineup - combining the Gran Coupe and Gran Turismo models into one for example. New 6er GT is a replacement for both 5GT and 6GC. And while it's slightly more attractive than the old 5GT, it's still quite ugly. The next question might be - why do they even offer this model, why can't we have a wagon instead, etc. Answer is this is what global markets want

rumatt · 07-01-2017, 12:55 PM

Right but I'm talking about the US market. They've been making the cars worse and worse over the years (according to us) and the argument in defense of it was "You can't blame a company for wanting to make money. This increases their profit."

But then we discover they're not selling well (here). Hence my conclusion that they have made some poor decisions and deserve what they get.

Make an awesome product that doesn't sell and I'll give you sympathy. Make a stupid product in an attempt to increase profits and fail in the process? I'm going to laugh at you.

SARAFIL · 07-01-2017, 01:00 PM

I don't know that we can say they failed. I don't know the profit margins by market at this point, but if margins are up to a higher degree than volume is down they could be "winning". Those cheap leases require a lot of subsidy so they really hurt margins.

SARAFIL · 07-01-2017, 01:31 PM

...not to say that I agree w everything BMW is doing these days. They are definitely watered down vs what we all liked 10-15 years ago (side note - wow). They made a decision that they could reach a broader (global) market w that strategy. Not sure how it's worked but their global sales continue to grow. Meanwhile, MB and Audi have also changed their approach and yes, they are making nicer cars these days. Retaining the manual option has been an advantage on BMWs end to this day, but if no one is buying them at some point it doesn't make sense for them to offer it.

07-01-2017, 01:00 PM	#29
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,787	If you want a BMW 2 series with a stick, better order one now. I don't know that we can say they failed. I don't know the profit margins by market at this point, but if margins are up to a higher degree than volume is down they could be "winning". Those cheap leases require a lot of subsidy so they really hurt margins. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

07-01-2017, 01:31 PM	#30
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,787	...not to say that I agree w everything BMW is doing these days. They are definitely watered down vs what we all liked 10-15 years ago (side note - wow). They made a decision that they could reach a broader (global) market w that strategy. Not sure how it's worked but their global sales continue to grow. Meanwhile, MB and Audi have also changed their approach and yes, they are making nicer cars these days. Retaining the manual option has been an advantage on BMWs end to this day, but if no one is buying them at some point it doesn't make sense for them to offer it. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

07-01-2017, 06:58 AM	#21
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,609	People like sitting high up.

07-01-2017, 08:46 AM	#23
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,609	Do these have that, though? What's the actual clearance on these?

07-01-2017, 10:58 AM	#26
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,292	4.8 for the m240

07-01-2017, 12:55 PM	#28
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Right but I'm talking about the US market. They've been making the cars worse and worse over the years (according to us) and the argument in defense of it was "You can't blame a company for wanting to make money. This increases their profit." But then we discover they're not selling well (here). Hence my conclusion that they have made some poor decisions and deserve what they get. Make an awesome product that doesn't sell and I'll give you sympathy. Make a stupid product in an attempt to increase profits and fail in the process? I'm going to laugh at you.