BMW Tops Mercedes for First Time in 2017, Narrowing the U.S. Luxury Race

[BNA/LION]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-s-luxury-race

[Cru Jones]

What I see in the chart is quite a lot of sales for dressed up Toyotas and VWs....

[texex91]

Selling more isn't always the best thing from a quality or residual perspective...just saying.

[Rock]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

What I see in the chart is quite a lot of sales for dressed up Toyotas and VWs....

That would be because they represent good value for money.

[Runnin' Rebel]

I love my Touareg !!!

[Peter99]

My current BMW F30 320D M-Sport is now my third BMW.
Each time when I am in the buying mode I test drive Audi, BMW, Jaguar & Mercedes.
All have their good points but each time I have bought BMW.
Not that it's best for comfort more luxurious, cheaper, driven possibly by younger people, but it just feels better in the drive particularly on the bends and we have plenty of those in England!
The only problem I have is that the car always seems to drive even better when I am over the speed limit.
Motorways have a speed limit of 70mph in the UK, but in the outside lane traffic always seems to be moving at 80mph plus!
So one has to make the decision, keep to the speed limit or keep up with the outside lane?
Decisions, decisions one has to make in life!

[hugs]

Originally Posted by Peter99

My current BMW F30 320D M-Sport is now my third BMW.
Each time when I am in the buying mode I test drive Audi, BMW, Jaguar & Mercedes.
All have their good points but each time I have bought BMW.
Not that it's best for comfort more luxurious, cheaper, driven possibly by younger people, but it just feels better in the drive particularly on the bends and we have plenty of those in England!
The only problem I have is that the car always seems to drive even better when I am over the speed limit.
Motorways have a speed limit of 70mph in the UK, but in the outside lane traffic always seems to be moving at 80mph plus!
So one has to make the decision, keep to the speed limit or keep up with the outside lane?
Decisions, decisions one has to make in life!

I have noticed this too. On 2-lane motorways (which are common in the UK, we don't have 15 lanes) the inside lane moves at 60-65, and when you hop over to overtake people expect you to move at 80...there is nowhere for those of us who just want to travel as quickly as we can whilst still sticking to the limit.

[Tommyk]

I don't know how BMW has been able to keep their balance sheets happy with their residual values at levels much higher than actually market value. With economies of scale i guess the only way to stay profitable is to manufacture and sell as much as possible.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by Tommyk

I don't know how BMW has been able to keep their balance sheets happy with their residual values at levels much higher than actually market value. With economies of scale i guess the only way to stay profitable is to manufacture and sell as much as possible.

You hit the nail on the head.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by texex91

You hit the nail on the head.

Yep service is a big money maker for the dealership. Especially on cars from the other side of the pond.

[Spartacus]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Yep service is a big money maker for the dealership. Especially on cars from the other side of the pond.

You think? I've owned a few BMWs and my experience is most people in the BMW dealership are leasing.

I rarely see any older cars in service, and other than M cars, know of only a few people who actually keep their BMWs beyond the "free service" period ...which is really the no major service period.

I really enjoy my BMWs, the service, etc.

I think the ease at which you can get into BMW does hurt the luxury perception.

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

You think? I've owned a few BMWs and my experience is most people in the BMW dealership are leasing.

I rarely see any older cars in service, and other than M cars, know of only a few people who actually keep their BMWs beyond the "free service" period ...which is really the no major service period.

I really enjoy my BMWs, the service, etc.

I think the ease at which you can get into BMW does hurt the luxury perception.

I agree, well said...

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

What I see in the chart is quite a lot of sales for dressed up Toyotas and VWs....

What a fine, forensic analysis. Cheers for that.

[hugs]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

I think the ease at which you can get into BMW does hurt the luxury perception.

Same could be said for Rolex these days.

If you are buying something for this reason time to move up to another brand.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

You think? I've owned a few BMWs and my experience is most people in the BMW dealership are leasing.

I rarely see any older cars in service, and other than M cars, know of only a few people who actually keep their BMWs beyond the "free service" period ...which is really the no major service period.

I really enjoy my BMWs, the service, etc.

I think the ease at which you can get into BMW does hurt the luxury perception.

Originally Posted by hugs

Same could be said for Rolex these days.

If you are buying something for this reason time to move up to another brand.

Agree on both accounts. Still love bmw. Great daily drivers.