its begining to look a lot like a 7-SERIES YEAR!
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
If you are upset about the C class looking like the S, how do you feel about the new 7 series getting its entire design language from the 3 series. At least MB made the base model look like the flagship, BMW made it the other way around.
Have you ever had a BMW before? If not- I can't wait to hear the loud complaints first timers have. Such as:
To shut of the car you press the stop button. Then take your foot off the brake then hit he stop button again. Every. Single. Time. God forbid you forget to remove your foot from the brake because you will just restart your car. Even the most seasoned BMW loyalist will sheepishly admit to this.
To leave the car you have to pull the door handle twice. Nope, that's not a joke. The first pull of the handle unlocks the door. The second pull opens the door. Try to never have a passenger in the car, they will invariably ask you what's wrong with the car.
You will absolutely love the auto wipers that are manual. Because with BMW in order to use the auto wipers you have to turn them on. Every time you drive. Only BMW can redefine automatic as really manual. Kind of like how it was faster to mail in your Obamacare application than do it online in the beginning. Only the U.S. Government could make snail mail faster than the web. Sorry I digress.
How about not being able to close your trunk with the remote? Nope, hands only baby- we at Bavarian Motor Werks want you to touch and feel your car as much as possible. We love her, I mean really really love her. You should too. I mean you will, or else.
How about not being able to control the rear side shades from the front. Nope, that's not your window so you should leave your grimy hands off. Leave the car wash with one shade up? Pull over, get out and fix it. Because at Bavarian Motor Jail we want you to see just how nice your back seat is. You know you never get to see it, I mean you haven't done THAT since college. Now a days you have to put it on your calendar, much less spontaneously exploring the generous space we have given you in the back seat.
At Bavarian Metal Jail we feel you should be safe. But just in case you ignore our supreme knowledge we will make you read a legal disclaimer. Every time you get in the car, in case you forgot. Oh, and in order to use the nav screen you will have to sign a legal waiver by hitting agree. Every. Single. Time.
One more thing. At BMJ we insist you do not know what temperature you want the car to be. So we have turned your automatic climate control into a manual one (see, you already consider this normal). The center vents will blow ice cold air in winter and heat in summer no matter what temperature you select. Unless you take our orders to touch your car again. Love your car, caress it. We love it and so will you. So we make you turn a manual dial from hot to cold to confirm what temperature you wish to have. And it will stay at that temperature until your next glorious experience touching your car again.
Oh, and because we know you love us at BMJ more than your family, community, country and your God, we will have you visit us as often as possible. Unexpectedly too. Don't worry though, after your first year or two you will consider this totally normal. You will look forward to your visits and all of the things I have mentioned here. Because this is the ultimate driving machine. Say it again, believe it, chant it. And whatever you do please never drive a Cadillac. For some unexplainable reason people have dissapeared from our world after doing such a dastardly thing.
Have you ever had a BMW before? If not- I can't wait to hear the loud complaints first timers have. Such as:
To shut of the car you press the stop button. Then take your foot off the brake then hit he stop button again. Every. Single. Time. God forbid you forget to remove your foot from the brake because you will just restart your car. Even the most seasoned BMW loyalist will sheepishly admit to this.
To leave the car you have to pull the door handle twice. Nope, that's not a joke. The first pull of the handle unlocks the door. The second pull opens the door. Try to never have a passenger in the car, they will invariably ask you what's wrong with the car.
You will absolutely love the auto wipers that are manual. Because with BMW in order to use the auto wipers you have to turn them on. Every time you drive. Only BMW can redefine automatic as really manual. Kind of like how it was faster to mail in your Obamacare application than do it online in the beginning. Only the U.S. Government could make snail mail faster than the web. Sorry I digress.
How about not being able to close your trunk with the remote? Nope, hands only baby- we at Bavarian Motor Werks want you to touch and feel your car as much as possible. We love her, I mean really really love her. You should too. I mean you will, or else.
How about not being able to control the rear side shades from the front. Nope, that's not your window so you should leave your grimy hands off. Leave the car wash with one shade up? Pull over, get out and fix it. Because at Bavarian Motor Jail we want you to see just how nice your back seat is. You know you never get to see it, I mean you haven't done THAT since college. Now a days you have to put it on your calendar, much less spontaneously exploring the generous space we have given you in the back seat.
At Bavarian Metal Jail we feel you should be safe. But just in case you ignore our supreme knowledge we will make you read a legal disclaimer. Every time you get in the car, in case you forgot. Oh, and in order to use the nav screen you will have to sign a legal waiver by hitting agree. Every. Single. Time.
One more thing. At BMJ we insist you do not know what temperature you want the car to be. So we have turned your automatic climate control into a manual one (see, you already consider this normal). The center vents will blow ice cold air in winter and heat in summer no matter what temperature you select. Unless you take our orders to touch your car again. Love your car, caress it. We love it and so will you. So we make you turn a manual dial from hot to cold to confirm what temperature you wish to have. And it will stay at that temperature until your next glorious experience touching your car again.
Oh, and because we know you love us at BMJ more than your family, community, country and your God, we will have you visit us as often as possible. Unexpectedly too. Don't worry though, after your first year or two you will consider this totally normal. You will look forward to your visits and all of the things I have mentioned here. Because this is the ultimate driving machine. Say it again, believe it, chant it. And whatever you do please never drive a Cadillac. For some unexplainable reason people have dissapeared from our world after doing such a dastardly thing.
You forgot that the tire pressure was also shown only in green/yellow/red. Never mind actually seeing the actual tire pressure. BMW figured US 7 series driver don't want to be bothered with useful information.
Or folding the mirrors when locking the car? BMW didn't think the US needed that either.
But if you are good with the computer, you can somehow obtain the BMW service software and coding cable (normally meant for technicians) and "code" the proper functionality of these features.
Would have been too confusing for US drivers to actually makes them selectable choices in iDrive...
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From: FL & MA
'14 SL550
emilner - great post. I used to be a loyal BMW customer until they started to make very boring cars with poor quality. I forgot about all of those nagging things that also were part of the compromise required to drive a BMW. Maybe they will get back on track with this new 7, but it seems like their own press releases are touting the new parking system, and the gesture control, not the driving experience and overall quality.
All of us as buyers of expensive cars win when competition is strong, hopefully BMW will get back in the game.
All of us as buyers of expensive cars win when competition is strong, hopefully BMW will get back in the game.
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Various
emilner - great post. I used to be a loyal BMW customer until they started to make very boring cars with poor quality. I forgot about all of those nagging things that also were part of the compromise required to drive a BMW. Maybe they will get back on track with this new 7, but it seems like their own press releases are touting the new parking system, and the gesture control, not the driving experience and overall quality.
All of us as buyers of expensive cars win when competition is strong, hopefully BMW will get back in the game.
All of us as buyers of expensive cars win when competition is strong, hopefully BMW will get back in the game.
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Mercedes W220 issues were mostly electrical and paint and quite systemic. Took them some years to get this under control.
BMW's issue was primarily the V8TT engine. That is a bigger deal.
The engine had received small updates in 2013 and is going unchanged into the new 7 series, so time will tell if the problems have been resolved.
That said there are plenty of nice BMW's in their lineup but reliability and quality scores below mercedes. Even our BMW service manager told me that....
BMW's issue was primarily the V8TT engine. That is a bigger deal.
The engine had received small updates in 2013 and is going unchanged into the new 7 series, so time will tell if the problems have been resolved.
That said there are plenty of nice BMW's in their lineup but reliability and quality scores below mercedes. Even our BMW service manager told me that....
Also you're completely ignoring the terrible ABC and Airmatic issues the W220 suffered. Also what about the torque converter issues in early W221's? Granted the W221 was otherwise great.
And again, just because the current quality score is under MB doesn't mean the G11 is going to be some unreliable disaster. That's the whole point of me bringing this up- a brand's immediate history doesn't automatically determine the outcome of a vehicle that hasn't even come out yet.
Of course it does. The M-sport model looks great.
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Ha! Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. 
For the record, I vastly prefer the S-class' sense of style but I can certainly appreciate what the 7-series is bringing. It's like the difference between my brother and I- I vastly prefer traditionally-styled homes while he's all about the ultra modern look.
For the record, I vastly prefer the S-class' sense of style but I can certainly appreciate what the 7-series is bringing. It's like the difference between my brother and I- I vastly prefer traditionally-styled homes while he's all about the ultra modern look.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
The engine isn't going completely unchanged into the new G11. I can guarantee you there will be small refinements as thy continue revising part numbers.
Also you're completely ignoring the terrible ABC and Airmatic issues the W220 suffered. Also what about the torque converter issues in early W221's? Granted the W221 was otherwise great.
And again, just because the current quality score is under MB doesn't mean the G11 is going to be some unreliable disaster. That's the whole point of me bringing this up- a brand's immediate history doesn't automatically determine the outcome of a vehicle that hasn't even come out yet.
Also you're completely ignoring the terrible ABC and Airmatic issues the W220 suffered. Also what about the torque converter issues in early W221's? Granted the W221 was otherwise great.
And again, just because the current quality score is under MB doesn't mean the G11 is going to be some unreliable disaster. That's the whole point of me bringing this up- a brand's immediate history doesn't automatically determine the outcome of a vehicle that hasn't even come out yet.
Not speaking in general terms but having had that happen to me. Car was less than 2 years old.
Also, this was not rare event and ALL engines of 4 manufacturing years require component updates.
Since the new 7 series is not released yet, I can only go by the press info which states that the V8TT is unchanged from the old model...
I never stated the G11 is an unreliable disaster but it I would proceed with caution on the first model year of a brand-new platform which is loaded with new manufacturing processes (carbon core) and a less than stellar engine.
If you look at the 7 series forums, nobody would buy one approaching 60K miles. Very different with MB...
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I think you are missing the point on BMW's engines. I am talking about components failing on their V8TT engines in under 20k miles and assuming engine failures in as little as 60k miles.
Not speaking in general terms but having had that happen to me. Car was less than 2 years old.
Also, this was not rare event and ALL engines of 4 manufacturing years require component updates.
Since the new 7 series is not released yet, I can only go by the press info which states that the V8TT is unchanged from the old model...
I never stated the G11 is an unreliable disaster but it I would proceed with caution on the first model year of a brand-new platform which is loaded with new manufacturing processes (carbon core) and a less than stellar engine.
If you look at the 7 series forums, nobody would buy one approaching 60K miles. Very different with MB...
Not speaking in general terms but having had that happen to me. Car was less than 2 years old.
Also, this was not rare event and ALL engines of 4 manufacturing years require component updates.
Since the new 7 series is not released yet, I can only go by the press info which states that the V8TT is unchanged from the old model...
I never stated the G11 is an unreliable disaster but it I would proceed with caution on the first model year of a brand-new platform which is loaded with new manufacturing processes (carbon core) and a less than stellar engine.
If you look at the 7 series forums, nobody would buy one approaching 60K miles. Very different with MB...
Anyways, we will see!
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W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
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2013 S550 4matic (AMG sport package), 2016 Corvette Stingray.
Can't wait to see this car in person. Something tells me that it will look a lot better and the Msport will deliver as it always have. I'm not a fan of the rear but overall, the cars wide body and the sportiness of the M Sport package looks MEAN!
Last edited by wilassasin; Aug 12, 2015 at 01:01 AM.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
I think every car can have a different experience. I had a 750 Individual and it was gorgeous and frankly, not too bad for service. I had a few problems, but nothing too big.
The car itself was stunning and yes, it did have all the attributes described above, but really, it was no big deal. You get used to it. Every car has its plus and minus attributes but overall, the car was great.
I suspect the new 7 series, especially in the Individual, will be gorgeous. That being the case, I am sticking with my MB.
The car itself was stunning and yes, it did have all the attributes described above, but really, it was no big deal. You get used to it. Every car has its plus and minus attributes but overall, the car was great.
I suspect the new 7 series, especially in the Individual, will be gorgeous. That being the case, I am sticking with my MB.
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GS 450
It's amazing to read the posts on here. Hahaha. You can definitely see the folks who are being objective, and the Merc fan boys. Personally I've never been loyal to any brand, I've owned quite a few, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Audi. I have a 750 LI, and I love the car. I know about the engine issues, but that was updated with the 2013 model. I haven't had any issues with my 7, now you don't want to hear my experience with Mercedes. It's to the point where my wife would never consider another Mercedes, but I digress.
I'm in the market for a new car, and considering the New 7, an S550 and a panamera. I feel like i can get a better deal on the S550 that's why i'm looking into it.
My point is, these cars offer different things for different folks. I have a friend who thinks the world of the S550, but to someone else it's just another big blob.
I'm in the market for a new car, and considering the New 7, an S550 and a panamera. I feel like i can get a better deal on the S550 that's why i'm looking into it.
My point is, these cars offer different things for different folks. I have a friend who thinks the world of the S550, but to someone else it's just another big blob.
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From: Pensacola
2018 S560 4Matic Anth Blue
Love your write-up!! Funny how quickly one forgets the things I cursed every time I drove the car.
You forgot that the tire pressure was also shown only in green/yellow/red. Never mind actually seeing the actual tire pressure. BMW figured US 7 series driver don't want to be bothered with useful information....
You forgot that the tire pressure was also shown only in green/yellow/red. Never mind actually seeing the actual tire pressure. BMW figured US 7 series driver don't want to be bothered with useful information....
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
The W222 gas gauge is clearly too limited for my taste. I can understand moving to percent from liters/gallons; makes sense in a gas/hybrid/EV landscape, but I like more detail.
Like percent (single increment)/remaining range ie. 51%/224mi without having to press buttons or swipe the trackpad...
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S560
Good one
The W222 gas gauge is clearly too limited for my taste. I can understand moving to percent from liters/gallons; makes sense in a gas/hybrid/EV landscape, but I like more detail.
Like percent (single increment)/remaining range ie. 51%/224mi without having to press buttons or swipe the trackpad...
The W222 gas gauge is clearly too limited for my taste. I can understand moving to percent from liters/gallons; makes sense in a gas/hybrid/EV landscape, but I like more detail.
Like percent (single increment)/remaining range ie. 51%/224mi without having to press buttons or swipe the trackpad...
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
That said, a digital display doesn't mean that the actual fuel measurement is any more accurate. Just makes it feel that way...
What annoys me is that when the car runs low, the range info disappears and replaces that with a fuel filler symbol. That's when range info is more important to me.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
With the S-class and the new BMW, it's outdated and end of life. Wait for the next one coming (17 MY?). The tech is quite interesting, especially the nav based cruise control that will even the exits by itself if part of the route... Wait. I never use cruise control (unless in stop-n-go traffic)! It's very cool though...
Anyway, the plus feels like the last edition before the model change.
I am not sure about Audi's design language. Looking at the new Q7, Audi seems to become the new Volvo (all box, zero curves)...
Last edited by Wolfman; Aug 18, 2015 at 09:43 PM.
