Why I sold my flawless '12 BMW X5 xDrive35d...

Originally Posted by Kief

Well of course "AutoUnion" would be excited!

The F31 330d could serve our wagon needs, but if Audi brings this beast over...I'll be all over it! This morning I actually sent Audi of America an email expressing my interest (like anyone there fielding those inquiries cares)

The odds of an RS4 Avant on our shores is slim to none. American's don't "get" wagons...

Interestingly enough, I sat down for coffee with Wolfgang Dürheimer (Audi's new worldwide CEO) just a few months ago. We had a long one-on-one conversation about vehicle performance and the future of Audi. I pushed him for a true M3 fighter, but without all of the heavy equipment (think RS4 but in a lightweight version). I also asked for an entry level Audi sports car (think RS3 hatchback), but at a much lower pricepoint to draw new enthusiasts to the brand. We even discussed rear-wheel drive.

The good news is that I have had recent conversations with both Wolfgang and his counterpart Ludwig Willisch (Chairman and CEO of BMW). They are both very passionate car enthusiasts - nothing makes me happier - there is good reason to have plenty of confidence in the future of each brand.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Emission

The odds of an RS4 Avant on our shores is slim to none. American's don't "get" wagons...

Yeah I know what you mean, but then why even show the 2013 RS4 Avant at an informal Cars and Coffee event just outside of Audi's US headquarters in VA?

Originally Posted by Kief

Yeah I know what you mean, but then why even show the 2013 RS4 Avant at an informal Cars and Coffee event just outside of Audi's US headquarters in VA?

To gauge interest.

Truth is, if a few hundred buyers put checks down at their local retailers Audi would have a case... it is simply too expensive to certify engines for small volumes.

- Mike

sorry for your problems

Originally Posted by Kief

Yeah I know what you mean, but then why even show the 2013 RS4 Avant at an informal Cars and Coffee event just outside of Audi's US headquarters in VA?

There was a guy around Audi HQ tooling around in a C6 RS6 Avant a couple years ago. They brought it over to gauge interest in NoVA. I got it to see it. What an epic car that was

Originally Posted by Kief

Well of course "AutoUnion" would be excited!

The F31 330d could serve our wagon needs, but if Audi brings this beast over...I'll be all over it! This morning I actually sent Audi of America an email expressing my interest (like anyone there fielding those inquiries cares)

It could work. Audi had a similar marketing strategy for the TT-RS. They had a couple running around Audi HQ in NoVA. Audi set up a FB page for the car and they said they would bring it if enough interest was shown. Well, you know the rest of the story. It's here.

Originally Posted by Emission

The odds of an RS4 Avant on our shores is slim to none. American's don't "get" wagons...

Interestingly enough, I sat down for coffee with Wolfgang Dürheimer (Audi's new worldwide CEO) just a few months ago. We had a long one-on-one conversation about vehicle performance and the future of Audi. I pushed him for a true M3 fighter, but without all of the heavy equipment (think RS4 but in a lightweight version). I also asked for an entry level Audi sports car (think RS3 hatchback), but at a much lower pricepoint to draw new enthusiasts to the brand. We even discussed rear-wheel drive.

The good news is that I have had recent conversations with both Wolfgang and his counterpart Ludwig Willisch (Chairman and CEO of BMW). They are both very passionate car enthusiasts - nothing makes me happier - there is good reason to have plenty of confidence in the future of each brand.

- Mike

Any teasers about the upcoming Audi-Porsche sedan platforms? If the next A8 and A6 went RWD/AWD, BMW is in serious trouble because Porsche knows how to tune a chassis

Wolfgang and Ludwig -- both "passionate car enthusiasts"! That is why the domestics languish -- we get bean counters, they get "passionate car enthusiasts". As Pogo would say, "we have met the enemy and he is us"! Sad days indeed. Where is the next Zora Arkus-Duntov when we really need him!

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Wolfgang and Ludwig -- both "passionate car enthusiasts"! That is why the domestics languish -- we get bean counters, they get "passionate car enthusiasts". As Pogo would say, "we have met the enemy and he is us"! Sad days indeed. Where is the next Zora Arkus-Duntov when we really need him!

I had dinner with Ralph Gilles (CEO of SRT) last night up in the Bay Area, after spending all day driving the all-new '13 Viper on- and off-the track (strict embargo prevents me from saying anything more about it until this Wednesday). Ralph is about as good as it currently gets for the domestics — the guy is bright, personable and really likes a fast car. Great conversation about the effort that went into the new Viper. Plus, he is not too proud to ask for opinions or suggestions.

- Mike

Nice review on the 35d, it seems most forums have nothing but negative or problem stories on the 35d.

Originally Posted by deenx

any downside to the 35d? I don't understand why more people don't go for the diesel engine? I have no experience with it.

no, once you go diesel, you never go back...addicting torque

Originally Posted by Emission

I had dinner with Ralph Gilles (CEO of SRT) last night up in the Bay Area, after spending all day driving the all-new '13 Viper on- and off-the track (strict embargo prevents me from saying anything more about it until this Wednesday). Ralph is about as good as it currently gets for the domestics — the guy is bright, personable and really likes a fast car. Great conversation about the effort that went into the new Viper. Plus, he is not too proud to ask for opinions or suggestions.

- Mike

How long has he been ceo of srt? My biggest problem is that he runs the enhanced edition of the car. It would be nice to see improvement on all Chrysler Dodge brands.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by henrycyao

How long has he been ceo of srt? My biggest problem is that he runs the enhanced edition of the car. It would be nice to see improvement on all Chrysler Dodge brands.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Bimmer App

Ralph is the one reason I respect Chrysler/Dodge/SRT these days. Without him, the brand is flat. My review of the new Viper is below.

BTW, expect a diesel-powered Jeep soon.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Emission

Ralph is the one reason I respect Chrysler/Dodge/SRT these days. Without him, the brand is flat. My review of the new Viper is below.

BTW, expect a diesel-powered Jeep soon.

- Mike

Nice write up. The profiles make it look like a Ferrari & a Toyota Supra mated. Sounds like you rated this better than the new vette?

Originally Posted by ndabunka

Nice write up. The profiles make it look like a Ferrari & a Toyota Supra mated.

Thanks.

Interestingly enough, all impressions about the Viper were under strict embargo until tomorrow... but someone leaked the story so we are all allowed to run our stories.

It's a damn fun car to drive, but I'm still a Porsche guy inside.

- Mike

Glad Ralph is a car guy and not a bean counter (one of the few back there) perhaps he can turn that new Alfa based Dart into a fire breathing rocket ship with an SRT version. I might actually get one of those -- being a frustrated Alfisti (GTV6) and all. Nice write up on the Viper -- I love that car but it is over the top!

Originally Posted by Emission

Finding a private buyer to come up with $47,000 is rather difficult, especially today. Only a dealer (or CarMax) is able to get that type of person behind the wheel.

Considering its MSRP was $62,375 and I only put 10,200 miles on it... not a ding, scratch or flaw... spotlessly clean and without any service issues... it was a steal.

- Mike

Hey Mike!
How about down payment? We looking right now for X5 and and you can't get in with out almost $5K out of pocket drive off.

Originally Posted by Emission

BTW, expect a diesel-powered Jeep soon.

- Mike

I'm not sure how this will turn out. I remember the old Benz-powered JGC. What a pile of crap that was.

Do you really think this new diesel will match up well with the Germans?

It's a motori so should be okay, was a decent option in the baby jeep a couple years ago.

Jay

Originally Posted by MB330

Hey Mike!
How about down payment? We looking right now for X5 and and you can't get in with out almost $5K out of pocket drive off.

You must mean for a lease, right? Others here are getting into leases under $3K. As far as a purchase, there are a LOT of mfg incentives & I think BMW finance will finance pretty darned close to 100% of these X5's. If you can't afford $3K or $5K downpayment, you probably don't belong in one of these vehicles anyway, right?

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Glad Ralph is a car guy and not a bean counter (one of the few back there) perhaps he can turn that new Alfa based Dart into a fire breathing rocket ship with an SRT version. I might actually get one of those -- being a frustrated Alfisti (GTV6) and all. Nice write up on the Viper -- I love that car but it is over the top!

Okay, this is pretty cool... Ralph wrote this in the comments section of my Viper story:

“We had 48 Journalist thru the Viper last week, some drove it harder than others...Mike drove it especially well and was literally tossing it around the autocross and clearly having a good time! Nobody spun out, wrecked a car or even put 4 wheels off ( we had some creative curb slicing). I have been to dozens of Viper event and rides over the years...that has never happened! I also saw drivers pushing the car (more than I normally see from Viper newbees) and speeds getting faster all day. That is what a driver's car is suppose to do...help you find your depth and have some itself to spare. Have a Happy Thanksgiving enthusiast, without you there is no us!” - Ralph Gilles

Like I said, he's great for the brand.

- Mike

Originally Posted by ndabunka

You must mean for a lease, right? Others here are getting into leases under $3K. As far as a purchase, there are a LOT of mfg incentives & I think BMW finance will finance pretty darned close to 100% of these X5's. If you can't afford $3K or $5K downpayment, you probably don't belong in one of these vehicles anyway, right?

Good point, and this is why I gave the car back to CarMax and not a dealer. There are so many dealer incentives to move new vehicles, that a $50,000 used X5 doesn't appear very attractive. They really didn't want my X5 35d back, regardless of how nice it was.

- Mike

"Mike drove it especially well...." Ralph is not only a car guy he is a great PR guy as well -- always nice to keep the scribes sweet! Interesting that he thought it noteworthy to mention that they had no major incidents with the press rides -- leads one to assume that previous rides were not as successful and the flat bed had to come and take something away!

Originally Posted by UncleJ

"Mike drove it especially well...." Ralph is not only a car guy he is a great PR guy as well -- always nice to keep the scribes sweet! Interesting that he thought it noteworthy to mention that they had no major incidents with the press rides -- leads one to assume that previous rides were not as successful and the flat bed had to come and take something away!

True true. The previous generation vipers were known to be difficult to handle as well. So perhaps Ralph was commenting on how well the stability control system works.

Originally Posted by Emission

I sold my beloved '12 BMW X5 xDrive35d on Monday of this week as there was really no reason to have it anymore. That is about as blunt as it gets.

As many of you know, I am an automotive journalist. This means I get free cars (free gas, free insurance and no mileage caps) dropped in my driveway on a regular basis. Most of my peers don't own a personal vehicle, as they simply wait for the next "press car" to arrive. I was the exception to the rule, owning three cars and making payments on two of them!

Then I looked at my calendar and realized that I am booked back-to-back press cars/events through mid-January of 2013 (with more to follow):

• American Expedition Vehicles Brute Double Cab
• SRT Viper
• Airstream Interstate Mercedes-Benz Motorhome
• Hyundai Azera
• Aston Martin Vanquish
• Kia Sorento
• Subaru WRX
• Volkswagen Passat TDI
• Audi A4
• Audi A5
• Audi Allroad

With that in mind, the X5 would be parked in my garage unused until mid-January but I would still be paying for it.

No question about it, I absolutely loved the X5 (I still maintain it is the best five-passenger SUV on the planet). However, it was costing me $700/month on a lease and I was limited to just 833 miles/month (10,000 year) — keep in mind that my press cars are free/unlimited. The kicker was that California registration of $410 was also due this week.

Long story short, I didn't "need" the X5 and it was going to cost me $1,120 ($700 + $420) to keep it in the garage this month. I called BMWFS on Monday and my payoff was $46,450 (the vehicle had 10,204 miles on it and was literally in "mint" condition). I tried to trade it into two BMW dealers, but they would only offer me $44,000. On a suggestion, I drove over to a CarMax. They offered me $47,000. I smiled and gave them the keys. They cut a check to BMWFS for $46,450 and a check to me for $550 — yes, I walked away with cash in hand!

So, now I have a slew of free press cars. My wife is driving our '10 Audi A4 2.0T and I have my Porsche 930 for kicks. Plus, I have an additional $700+ in my pocket each month. I miss the X5 dearly, after just two days, but it can always be replaced... it is just a machine.

Oh, for the record... we owned the X5 35d for one full year and put 10,204 miles on it:

• Overall average fuel economy: 20.66 mpg
• Best fuel economy on a full tank: 32.25 mpg
• Worst fuel economy on a full tank: 18.22 mpg
• Best range on a fuel tank: 518 miles
• Cost of service: $0
• Oil consumed: 0 quarts
• Trips to dealership: None
• Problem areas: None

- Mike

Hi Mike -

Is this yours?

http://bit.ly/V2OXCl