Financial Concerns Causing BMW To Cut Corners On Next Gen 5 & 7 Series?

an all steel frame would be nice but i hope the performance doesnt get hindered.

The new frame is a technical advance which makes the chassis even stronger and more rigid while continuing to control weight. (The headline is just flamebait).

"As far as the new all-steel chassis, some special techniques are used by processing the steel - a multi phase steel (tubes are made of thinner steel layers reinforced with some other composites - making them lighter yet stronger than classic steel tubes)."

"At least they should try to get their reliability up and improve those cheap interiors to Lexus standards."


Improve interiors to Lexus standards? David, please tell me why BMW would want to DOWNGRADE their interiors? Lexus interiors are practically the most overrated interiors in the business. I personally find them to be bland and way too plasticky.

I don't see what's so great about Lexus interior design...you can get the same or better interior in a Maxima or Toyota Avalon.

Willis, Need4Speed,
Don't get sucked-in by the dope pretending to be me.

I hope BMW doesn't have to dip to the cheap toyota lexus interiors god knows I'll get a rash if they use that cheap shit in their future cars.

I would boost Need4Speed's comment about the Lexus interior design 100x if I could. Lexus's interior design is the ultimate form of cutting corners if you ask me.

Yet Audi seems to be doing quite well with aluminum. Go Figure.

Who cares about this car anyway, Jaguar's XF would be my choice in this class any day, the XFR is close to driving perfection!

XF wouldn't be my choice. Unless I wanted to over pay for a vehicle.

Umm hello, BMW's been cutting corners since like 20-30 years ago! look at the disco era interiors :) look at the flimsy seats, faux leather, no spare tyre, thin unibody sheet metal, no LSD, cheap oil pumps, oil coolers on selected models only, cheap cupholders, strut suspensions, no dipstick... and options list longer than a Maybach's (but shorter than Mini's)

it's time to take off those BMW-kool-aid-coke-bottle glasses :)

+1

Have you ever driven a BMW? if so which one?

To have an electronic sensor checking the oil for you instead of the old fashion oil dipstick, is cost cutting to you? LMAO...these Japanese fanbois are so silly...

Yes. There is some serious BMW cheerleaders here that need to pull their skirts back up from the floor. Even the Lexus ES350 embarrasses the the "higher-end" BMW interiors. Last time I checked, "Pleather" was not an option for any Lexus model. I don't care about shiny aluminum, try offering leather that doesn't feel like roadkill.

No pleater is an option, there barley used paper thin leater is standard. Take a look at a 20k mile Lexus it's leather is already showing wear. BMW used a thick leather and its the whole seat not just the seating surface(Lexus).

Anthony,

in most of the reviews the flagship Lexus LS is criticized for having a cheap a** interior. In general Lexus cars ARE KNOWN for having cheap, poorly put together interiors that rattle like the interiors of a 15K econobox.

Show us ONE from a credible source that says an LS Interior has a cheap quality interior.

You have 12 hours or you will be banned for life if you do not find it.

001

The LS interior isn't cheap, but its materials appear "slightly inferior" to its competitors. Also, the LS interior lacks elegance and class. I know I will sound like a Euro-fanboy but I like the simple, yet elegant designs of the A8, S-Class and 7-Series. The LS comes across as bland, characterless and the design is too busy, which destroys any form of elegance the interior could have achieved.

Again, MY opinion.

I am still hung up on these "opinions." The much-lauded-only-when-it-works-in-your-favor Car and Driver called the current LS... well here: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/sedans/2006_jaguar_super_v_8_vs_2007_m_b_s550_2006_audi_a8l_2007_lexus_ls460l_2006_bmw_750li_comparison_test+page-2.html

Click over to page 4 to see Car and Driver call the previous 7's interior "not that elegant."

Agent001,

still a Lexus fan?

I got this from a site called "Autospies". I'm not sure if it is a credible source(LOL)but here it is....ENJOY!

http://www.autospies.com/news/Autobild-BMW-750i-vs-Audi-A8-4-2-Quattro-vs-Mercedes-S500-vs-Lexus-LS460-39503/

from Autobild article:
"
Verdict: The LS lacks the agility of its European rivals and furthermore falls behind in overall comfort. The brakes are weak and need improvement. On the plus side it comes well equipped and is very quiet.
+Good value
+Refined and powerful engine
+Roomy interior
-Extremely poor resale value
-Cheap interior
-Low payload and trunk capacity
-Poor brakes
-Confusing cockpit ergonomics
-Navigation system not accessible during driving
-Fuel economy "

It's funny. To ask "TurboSpyder" for help was the first thing that came in my mind when asked to provide a proof for my claims. It is not the first time when I find myself surrounded by angry Japanese cheerleaders after making a comment that contains nothing but the truth(about cars) and have "turbospyder" provide written proof that what I'm claiming is not something I made up. Thanks "Turbospyder".

Those aren't credible sources. Sorry!

"You have 12 hours or you will be banned for life if you do not find it.

001"

What about this one... from time magazine...

"The 50 Worst Cars of All Time"

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658544_1658541,00.html

"Show us ONE from a credible source that says an LS Interior has a cheap quality interior.

You have 12 hours or you will be banned for life if you do not find it.

001"

Well, surprise surprise. Glad to finally see the moderators trying to step up and get rid of people who purposely fan flames and don't add anything consgtructive to the site, thus making it impossible for actual enthusiasts to talk.

Since you're picking on Star (deservedly), I expect to see similar warnings issued to Teknik, Sector, etc. shortly. They deserve it just as much, and you can't play favorites.

One doesn't even need eyes to know that Lexus interior leather quality is supeior to BMW. Simply use the old schnozola...like we do when shopping for a leather jacket or leather furniture. The scent tells the story. Not that BMW is that bad, just not as pleasant. Now on the other hand, the smell of Mercedes leather is the world's worst...kind of like 10 day old road kill on a hot summer day with a little vomit and a few rotten potatoes thrown in...or more simply, it smells like the dead cow that it is.

Don't know about Benz, but BMWs and VWs really stink after 4-5 yrs... :(

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=377458

http://www.vwfixx.com/forums/index.php?s=42fcaa0070dfd732a6e1af2b3cc2de3a&showtopic=45508&st=0&p=426386&#entry426386