[Bimmer Nerd]

I've owned numerous BMW's over the years and was planning on leasing the new 335i or 340i, but besides the fact that they simply don't look as appealing as they used to (subjective), they have horrible incentives when compared to their competition.
I am leasing a brand new Lexus IS F-sport with 46K sticker price w/ heated & cooling seats, sat radio, great interior with a lot of features for half the price of BMW quoted me for their equivalent. I think they need to be more aggressive with their incentives to stay competitive with Lexus, Infiniti & MB.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by Kief

Aside from the true ///M series (and some of them are questionable), BMW has lost its edge, have gotten softer to appeal to more buyers. Nowadays, BMW seems more interested in being the sales king instead of sporty and exclusive like in years past.

The competition is getting better, if not already having exceeded BMW. And I'm a diehard BMW fanboy, but just bought my first non-BMW (Jag) in recent memory. Driving my F-Type R brings back that feeling of excitement/emotion I had when I bought my first E46 many moons ago. I've been very loyal, wife still has an F15 MSport w/MPPK & MPE, but I've got my eye out on an F-Pace within the next few years if the status quo continues

I think you F Type R may be more an exception to the rule rather than indicative of what other companies are offering.

[VO_1M]

Originally Posted by kevinlevrone

BMW needs to realize that their latest cars are simply ugly.

1 - series - I couldn't believe they could build a 1-series that is uglier than the previous generation. Even the facelift (which could easily fix it by adopting the 2-series front end), did not fix the ugliness.

F30 3-series - they took all the good things from the e90 LCI and ruined them. That front nose, that side profile...it's just sad The C-class and A4 easily look better.

F10 5-series - unnecessarily heavy and large, looks bland and doesn't have any personality whatsoever.

G11 7-series - frankly it looks uglier than the facelifted previous generation 7-series.

New X5 - easily looks worse than the previous generation

New X6 - front end looks worse than the previous generation

i3 - hilariously ugly.

What is the common denominator here, for the F30, X5 and X6: front-ends are ruined by two design elements: headlights merging into the front grille, and headlight shapes that resemble some random lines drawn by someone with Parkinson's disease.

BMW really needs to change something in their designs. They need designs that look great right from the first sight, instead of controversial designs.

I stepped into a BMW dealership a few days ago and there was no car that I would have spent my money on, except the F30 M3 which somehow manages to look really good despite its F30 design roots.

F30 M3 :

[VO_1M]

Might have seen maybe 3 i3's on the road since release. No one wants that garbaje

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by RVS

People have too much stigma against BMW on this forum. If you don't like the current line up then get something else lol. Stop complaining.

Exactly. If line up doesn't appeal to you don't buy it.

[antzcrashing]

Or maybe the 3 series of today is overpriced and the x5 is properly priced? People are tired of paying 40k for a sad 4 banger, 50k for a slightly less sad 4 banger, and 60k for a good 6cyl

[NightStalker]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Exactly. If line up doesn't appeal to you don't buy it.

Yes.

Article clearly states other brands sales have went down. And people talking about differentiation..

BMW m performance line up as done enough IMO

Next gens cars are around the corner anyway.

In business terms/perspective BMW hasn't lost no touch they are being acceptable according to today's times and regulations. Just like a brand has to be culturally acceptable.

Anywho I picked up a new latest Audi but I still love and prefer my BMW coupe.

Looking forward to picking up a model 3 soon as well

[autopal]

Originally Posted by RVS

People have too much stigma against BMW on this forum. If you don't like the current line up then get something else lol. Stop complaining.

That's what I did! I am a BMW fanboy for many years, and I loved my E90, but I couldn't stomach the interior of the 3 series anymore, so now I'm driving a C450 AMG.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by autopal

That's what I did! I am a BMW fanboy for many years, and I loved my E90, but I couldn't stomach the interior of the 3 series anymore, so now I'm driving a C450 AMG.

Good. You voted with your wallet.

[BoosTonian]

Originally Posted by VO_1M

F30 M3 :

Lol lost all validity with the "f30 m3"

The 3 series is almost 7 years old..same with the 5, x3, the lci x5 is coming out (big changes in the works)...I mean, you can't compare "cars that just came out" to these BMW models. Compare it to the G generation of bmws. The competition has had years to compare, test and some "trump" these models.

I've driven the new C. It's not sporty lol a lot of people getting out of them if they are looking for a sport drive.

Same with people comparing the new Q7 to the current X5. Everyone that has driven them back to back (people I know in person) have said the same thing. The Q7 feels and drives like a luxury large minivan, the X5 you feel like you have something you can push

[Ghetto2315]

The sales program that BMW financial provides to dealers to base the lease/finance offers is not good right now. Money factor went up and residuals went down. Until BMW financial gives better sales support, inventory will sit. For now, certified pre-owned is increasing as a result.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Good time to lease a 3 series or i3!

It's an ok time to get a 3er. It's an amazing time to get an i3.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by kevinlevrone

BMW needs to realize that their latest cars are simply ugly.

1 - series - I couldn't believe they could build a 1-series that is uglier than the previous generation. Even the facelift (which could easily fix it by adopting the 2-series front end), did not fix the ugliness.

F30 3-series - they took all the good things from the e90 LCI and ruined them. That front nose, that side profile...it's just sad The C-class and A4 easily look better.

F10 5-series - unnecessarily heavy and large, looks bland and doesn't have any personality whatsoever.

G11 7-series - frankly it looks uglier than the facelifted previous generation 7-series.

New X5 - easily looks worse than the previous generation

New X6 - front end looks worse than the previous generation

i3 - hilariously ugly.

BMW has history in designing ugly cars. Ugly, but very consistent designs. Easily identifiable and functional. Also, don't knock the old 1er, at least it looked different, rather than just 15 feet of some car, just some car, which is what the 3er looks/looked like. Old 5er and 6er were distinctive as well until the silhouettes got lifted by the Japanese manus.

On another note, I've got my eye on the Jag XE.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

The sales program that BMW financial provides to dealers to base the lease/finance offers is not good right now. Money factor went up and residuals went down. Until BMW financial gives better sales support, inventory will sit. For now, certified pre-owned is increasing as a result.

Exactly. BMW's programs push CPO's though.

[autopal]

Originally Posted by MThree_driver

Lol lost all validity with the "f30 m3"

The 3 series is almost 7 years old..same with the 5, x3, the lci x5 is coming out (big changes in the works)...I mean, you can't compare "cars that just came out" to these BMW models. Compare it to the G generation of bmws. The competition has had years to compare, test and some "trump" these models.

I've driven the new C. It's not sporty lol a lot of people getting out of them if they are looking for a sport drive.

Same with people comparing the new Q7 to the current X5. Everyone that has driven them back to back (people I know in person) have said the same thing. The Q7 feels and drives like a luxury large minivan, the X5 you feel like you have something you can push

How do you then explain the brand spanking new 7er being outsold by 2 to 1 margin by the old S class? C not sporty? Have you driven the C450 AMG? I drove it back to back with the 340, and I really don't see how anyone could say the C450 is not sporty.

[dkhm3]

lease rates suck til the end of june for their x5 models. not sure when they expect to start this policy.

btw- look at sales of lexus, it is flat or slightly negative ytd. audi too. cadillac is down really bad. mb is slightly up with their new models.

luxury market is over saturated. too many models. definitely good times up ahead for shoppers.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by RVS

People have too much stigma against BMW on this forum. If you don't like the current line up then get something else lol. Stop complaining.

Shit, I might take the oppty to trade "up" the lease on the F30 335i xdrive for a refreshed 340i xdrive. For the same money or less...hopefully.

[ShocknAwe]

Also just saying, Jag moving to I6 engines in 2017, V8 F-Pace coming, and crazy rumor mill starting about two different 5.0L V8 versions of the XE one NA and one S/C (I think). Hm. BMW, who?

[BoosTonian]

Originally Posted by autopal

How do you then explain the brand spanking new 7er being outsold by 2 to 1 margin by the old S class? C not sporty? Have you driven the C450 AMG? I drove it back to back with the 340, and I really don't see how anyone could say the C450 is not sporty.

Can you explain how the tesla model s is outselling the s class, 7, and a8 altogether?

I blame lack of sales on the program's more than anything. Audi programs have been killer in recent months. There has been great interest in the 7 series, but then they get figures compared to other cars in its class and all of a sudden they choose the other cars.

What I don't understand is we have some people here saying BMW "isn't exclusive" anymore, and some saying "oh we need better programs to sell more". Which is it people? Do you want exclusivity or a luxury car everyone has?

Keep the programs bad. Shows commitment to the actual brand versus people who buying with their wallet. I'd rather have a brand full of people who know how to use the cars and enjoy them without complaining versus having everyone and their mother driving them complaining that the engine ticks to loud or there a weird hum when the AC turns on.

It's why Ferrari won't do awd nor will it do an suv. It's an exclusive brand. Keep it that way, and look at all the people staring when one drives by.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by MThree_driver

Can you explain how the tesla model s is outselling the s class, 7, and a8 altogether?
...
It's why Ferrari won't do awd nor will it do an suv. It's an exclusive brand. Keep it that way, and look at all the people staring when one drives by.

Ferrari does AWD

[zenmaster]

What percentage of non-ordered cars does BMW produce?

[E90M3JETS]

My dealer still has 2015 MY units of almost all models, but primarily i3s and i8s. My sales person actually confessed that last week the dealer took a $18,000 loss on a 2015 i8 just to got rid of the car. It is actually funny that the same sales person told me that they were asking 5,000 over MSRP when the car launched. Pretty dramatic turn for people who bought the i8 at launch as they may looking at 30-40k depreciation in just one year.