saw a new mini and the new 7 in person today....

1216 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Yipper, Mar 22, 2002

31st330i

Discussion Starter · Mar 21, 2002

7 series:
I agree that it does look better in person than in pictures. but that's still just a lesser degree of unatractive IMHO. the inside looks like an Ikea lover's wet dream. well, I liked it too.

the one thing that did strike me as a flaw was natural wood trim (no varnish). over time, I bet that part of the car gets beat up the worst.

mini:
they apparently arrived yesterday. I just happened to walk in as the owner of the dealership (whom I know) was test driving the first one. cool car but not for me. big waiting list so good luck to those who want one.

new headlights 2002 3 series:
I haven't been fond of this change (pleased with my car as-is) but I saw an alpine white 2002 330i on the show room floor and I really like how the alpine car looks with the new headlights. there were a few others with the new headlights but I didn't find them (darker colors) as attractive as they are on the alpine model. I thin kpart of is that the alpine white car has the silver colored bezels around the lights.

just thought I'd share.

See less See more

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

nate

· #2 · Mar 21, 2002

31st330i said:
7 series:
I agree that it does look better in person than in pictures. but that's still just a lesser degree of unatractive IMHO. the inside looks like an Ikea lover's wet dream. well, I liked it too.

the one thing that did strike me as a flaw was natural wood trim (no varnish). over time, I bet that part of the car gets beat up the worst.

Never noticed the wood issue, but there should be no reason to rest your hands on the dash anyway...

See less See more

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 21, 2002

Re: Re: saw a new mini and the new 7 in person today....

nate328Ci said:
Never noticed the wood issue, but there should be no reason to rest your hands on the dash anyway...

actually, I was think ing more like sunlight and just normal wear and tear. it *will* get touched and bumped over time. only time will tell for sure, though. the car *IS* cool.

See less See more

The HACK

· #4 · Mar 21, 2002

I'm sure the wood IS varnished but not polished. There's no way they'd be retarded enough to put natural wood without some sort of protectant.

nate

· #5 · Mar 21, 2002 (Edited)

About the persistent trunklid issue, Bangle's defense of the high trunklid is valid. I parked next to an E28 yesterday (actually took a picture). I noticed just how much higher the trunklid on my car was, despite that it is a lower overall car and even has less ground clearance. The trunklid of the E46 is also raised slightly off the beltline, as was the E36. I have driven an E28 533i to its top speed, an indicated 127. The car supposedly had a top speed of 130, but this car was tired. Damn! Talk about rear end lift. My car had no noticable lift even at 150. The 7 probably has a top speed of above 165 if ungovered (for sure the V-12). Very slippery and tall gearing with a stong motor. The solution to this aerodynamic problem would have been either to make the car even longer, add a wing (very inappropriate on a luxury sedan), or raise the trunklid. Wing or high, flat trunk, which is preferrable? :dunno:

See less See more

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 21, 2002

honestly, I could live with the trunk lid. the headlights are the worst part IMHO.

nate

· #7 · Mar 21, 2002

31st330i said:
honestly, I could live with the trunk lid. the headlights are the worst part IMHO.

Yea, the "eyebrows" can look funny on some colors. If they are smoked or clear, they can look pretty good. I can overlook these issues because it is a good car with great performance :thumb:

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 21, 2002

I thought I saw a merc s-55 and that looked hot.

pps-325xit

· #9 · Mar 21, 2002

Hmm, I saw one the other day too, but...

I liked the front but did not the rear lid. To each his own, I guess...
:thumb:

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 21, 2002

on the mini....

I was told this morning that the dealership already had a huge number of orders that tops their previous all time high of orders. the previous all time high was apparently in 1977 when the 320i came out. perhaps Jon Shafer can verify these statements.

rost12

· #11 · Mar 21, 2002

I too saw both yesterday, and liked both

My father liked the new 7 sooo much, that for him that's the car he's going to get next. Current S-classe doesn't stand a chance

The seven we saw was Tit. silver, black interior and with light non-glossy wood. It rocked! I'm looking forward to being his occasional chauffeur when he get's it

And I got the same reaction to Mini...Cool car, but not for me

See less See more

Plaz

· #12 · Mar 21, 2002

31st330i said:
perhaps Jon Shafer can verify these statements.

Unfortunately, Cutter is not (yet) a Mini center.

ALEX325i

· #13 · Mar 22, 2002

nate328Ci said:
Yea, the "eyebrows" can look funny on some colors. If they are smoked or clear, they can look pretty good. I can overlook these issues because it is a good car with great performance :thumb:

Alex B. posted a pic of an (Alpine?) white (or was it silver?) E65 with 20" Alpina wheels and clears some time ago. That car looked GORGEOUS! :thumb:

See less See more

GTI

· #14 · Mar 22, 2002

31st330i: Where?? East Bay BMW??

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 22, 2002

in pleasanton. look at their website for the address. it should be:

www.eastbaybmw.com

Yipper

· #16 · Mar 22, 2002

E65 color comparison - side by side

easier to compare light vs. dark...

See less See more

Yipper

· #17 · Mar 22, 2002

Re: E65 color comparison - side by side

light...

See less See more

Yipper

· #18 · Mar 22, 2002

Re: Re: E65 color comparison - side by side

dark...

See less See more

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.