Comments on: Top Nine Things that I envy and don’t envy about BMW http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html Saab 9-1, 9-3, 9-4x, 9-5, 9-7x News Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:34:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Teddy http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55663 Teddy Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:03:59 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55663 Very Interesting in the past I have owned BMW's and though they were nice, I have owned two SAABS back to back a 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO Sedan and currently a 2008 SAAB AERO Convertible and I must say they have been some of the most enjoyable cars I have owned. I love driving them long distances and also love the looks I get because of the rarity of them on the roads here (Atlanta,GA.) When I purchased the vehicle I lived in Michigan and they were very popular there sort of the same way BMW is popular here in GA. I have to admit BMW has done a much better job than SAAB has of spreading it's message here in the south but when dealers or the manufacturer don't do any advertising of any sort it just makes you wonder what is the future of the brand but when people see my car they are quite curious and I always have questions about what kind is it do I like it etc. I also have to admit I have not been crazy about the dealerships in this area just not quite what I expected. The only thing that would probably push me to another brand when it is time to get a new car is the service from the dealership and I probably would get a Mercedes. BTW...I find it also amusing that in Europe you can get 18. in wheels for the AERO that are not available in the states and the dealers also can offer HIRSCH edition SAAB'S that are not available here, I would love to have factory apporved tuner modifications I do can do to my car without voiding the factory warranty...That AMG CLS is looking real sexy right about now.. Very Interesting in the past I have owned BMW’s and though they were nice, I have owned two SAABS back to back a 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO Sedan and currently a 2008 SAAB AERO Convertible and I must say they have been some of the most enjoyable cars I have owned. I love driving them long distances and also love the looks I get because of the rarity of them on the roads here (Atlanta,GA.) When I purchased the vehicle I lived in Michigan and they were very popular there sort of the same way BMW is popular here in GA. I have to admit BMW has done a much better job than SAAB has of spreading it’s message here in the south but when dealers or the manufacturer don’t do any advertising of any sort it just makes you wonder what is the future of the brand but when people see my car they are quite curious and I always have questions about what kind is it do I like it etc. I also have to admit I have not been crazy about the dealerships in this area just not quite what I expected. The only thing that would probably push me to another brand when it is time to get a new car is the service from the dealership and I probably would get a Mercedes.

BTW…I find it also amusing that in Europe you can get 18. in wheels for the AERO that are not available in the states and the dealers also can offer HIRSCH edition SAAB’S that are not available here, I would love to have factory apporved tuner modifications I do can do to my car without voiding the factory warranty…That AMG CLS is looking real sexy right about now..

]]> By: PGAero http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55365 PGAero Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:15:28 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55365 PT, That Acura TL came out in what, 2004? So, who's copying who? Put that profile next to an e36 (3-series '92-'98), e46 (3-series '99-'06?), e39 (5-series '98-'04?) and you'll see what Eggs is talking about. And James, I agree with you completely. Best handling car I've driven is the e30 M3. An SPG/Aero might be faster in a straight line (although I bet the Bimmer would keep up), a properly set up e30 (i.e. M3) is magical. Then again, that was before BMWs had luxurious pretenses... and weight. I haven't driven my dad's 89 M3 in way too long. Gotta hit it again. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The best and worst thing about my e30s were that they were BMWs. Great because of how they handled, and terrible because of the assumptions people made about me. One guy called me a spoiled prick to my face... after he had just explained that his stereo cost $5000... which happened to be more than my entire car (He obviously didn't know how much my car cost). In fact, the only people who ever seemed to give me a hard time about my car had spent a bunch more for their own... Then again, I drive my car precisely because I don't care what people think of it or me. I got over driving a BMW pretty quickly... and pretty easily whenever I was actually driving it. Funny, now I drive a 9000 Aero (A what? Most people ask.) and I RIDE a BMW. '94 R1100RS. ~Peter PT,
That Acura TL came out in what, 2004? So, who’s copying who? Put that profile next to an e36 (3-series ’92-’98), e46 (3-series ’99-’06?), e39 (5-series ’98-’04?) and you’ll see what Eggs is talking about.

And James, I agree with you completely. Best handling car I’ve driven is the e30 M3. An SPG/Aero might be faster in a straight line (although I bet the Bimmer would keep up), a properly set up e30 (i.e. M3) is magical. Then again, that was before BMWs had luxurious pretenses… and weight. I haven’t driven my dad’s 89 M3 in way too long. Gotta hit it again.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The best and worst thing about my e30s were that they were BMWs. Great because of how they handled, and terrible because of the assumptions people made about me. One guy called me a spoiled prick to my face… after he had just explained that his stereo cost $5000… which happened to be more than my entire car (He obviously didn’t know how much my car cost). In fact, the only people who ever seemed to give me a hard time about my car had spent a bunch more for their own… Then again, I drive my car precisely because I don’t care what people think of it or me. I got over driving a BMW pretty quickly… and pretty easily whenever I was actually driving it.

Funny, now I drive a 9000 Aero (A what? Most people ask.) and I RIDE a BMW. ’94 R1100RS.

~Peter

]]> By: James http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55364 James Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:56:35 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55364 How the E30 M3 didn't make it onto the first list is befuddling. Best 80's car ever. How the E30 M3 didn’t make it onto the first list is befuddling. Best 80′s car ever.

]]> By: Nate 9-3 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55362 Nate 9-3 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:39:10 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55362 I love them, I hate them...sounds like a lot of you feel the same. They are a dime a dozen which turns me off to them. Several people who drive them get an instant arrogance. It's all the more enjoyable when I pass them on the highway and leave them in the rearview mirror :) I love them, I hate them…sounds like a lot of you feel the same. They are a dime a dozen which turns me off to them. Several people who drive them get an instant arrogance. It’s all the more enjoyable when I pass them on the highway and leave them in the rearview mirror :)

]]> By: PT http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55332 PT Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:02:21 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55332 Nice post EnG. I'd have to agree with you on most of those too. A couple of points to add: My wife ( who loathes BMWs but admits they are great to drive) claims that BMW stands for Bachelors Mistresses & Wankers. That picture looks a lot like a Turbo X to me. Seriously. Check the exhausts for starters. The biggest issue I have these days is that BMW are definitely seen as luxury items first and foremost. To me they are all about being <strong>great to drive</strong> and that is what separates them from Lexus & MB for example. This seems to get lost in the advertising glitz which is a shame. The reasons the company has risen to its current heights is mostly the same reason we all love Saab - great cars. Nice post EnG. I’d have to agree with you on most of those too. A couple of points to add:

My wife ( who loathes BMWs but admits they are great to drive) claims that BMW stands for Bachelors Mistresses & Wankers.
That picture looks a lot like a Turbo X to me. Seriously. Check the exhausts for starters.

The biggest issue I have these days is that BMW are definitely seen as luxury items first and foremost. To me they are all about being great to drive and that is what separates them from Lexus & MB for example. This seems to get lost in the advertising glitz which is a shame. The reasons the company has risen to its current heights is mostly the same reason we all love Saab – great cars.

]]> By: Paul Humpage http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55330 Paul Humpage Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:09:11 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55330 Yep, Richo. Bashed crab with a touch of turd. There's only ever been one good looking BMW and we all know what that is:>) Yep, Richo. Bashed crab with a touch of turd. There’s only ever been one good looking BMW and we all know what that is:>)

]]> By: Richo http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55329 Richo Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:26:51 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55329 "Sorry, ugly as a bashed crab. Take Ms. Piggy, please! EnG" hahahahahahahaha, uh huh. “Sorry, ugly as a bashed crab. Take Ms. Piggy, please! EnG”

hahahahahahahaha, uh huh.

]]> By: MarkS http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55315 MarkS Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:48:14 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55315 Who gives a rip about the BMW 2002 when you have the Saab 99 for comparison?? Who gives a rip about the BMW 2002 when you have the Saab 99 for comparison??

]]> By: Bernard http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55314 Bernard Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:45:58 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55314 BMW precission is more a product of their marketing department than their engineering department. There are few things as sad as BMW's "biodegradable" wiring loom, or doors that sound sturdy but have hinges that wear out prematurely. BMW precission is more a product of their marketing department than their engineering department. There are few things as sad as BMW’s “biodegradable” wiring loom, or doors that sound sturdy but have hinges that wear out prematurely.

]]> By: Andy Rupert http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/11/top-nine-things-that-i-envy-and-dont-envy-about-bmw.html#comment-55309 Andy Rupert Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:56:55 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=9612#comment-55309 #10. Trees tend to fall on them for no reason. #10. Trees tend to fall on them for no reason.

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