"Ryan A." (rba)
02/02/2015 at 12:05 • Filed to: None
3
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"Ryan A." (rba)
02/02/2015 at 12:05 • Filed to: None | 3
| 7 |
I recently ditched my multi-blade Gillette razor for a safety razor. A bit unfamiliar to single-blade shaving, I decided to visit The Art of Shaving on a trip to the mall. Upon entering, you're greeted by an overeager salesman with patchy stubble who tries to sell you a product using words like "premium" and "luxury", without describing actual characteristics. From what I could tell, a majority of the products were simply Gillette products with fancy-looking handles. The products are designed to make users feel like they're high-quality products made by the craftsmen of yesteryear.
Unimpressed, I left en route to Chick-fil-A for a spicy chicken sandwich. I stopped on the way to look at a BMW X4 that was on display, mostly because I didn't know the X6 had spawned a slightly-smaller but just-as-ugly twin. There were a few bits of literature with many roundels and the world "ultimate". The only piece of literature to mention any aspects of the drivetrain was the Monroney.
Being a new and unique body style, I was expecting that some of the advertising materials would explain the why this car is any good. More importantly, what makes it an ultimate driving machine ? What does this vehicle do better than any other? Can it take you through terrains that others cannot? Can it handle the the 154 turns of the Nordshleife with ease? Can it take five passengers in comfort? Or is it simply a good value for money?
These are questions that should be answered, especially when you use the word "ultimate" to describe a product and dare to ask potential buyers for fifty thousand hard-earned dollars. In the era where BMW was a brand that I liked and respected, these questions would have certainly been answered.
Until driving an E46, I wasn't able to appreciate or even understand why BMW did claim make the ultimate driving machine. Sure, I thought they looked nice; very elegant and subtle. Wood and leather made the it a pleasant place to be a passenger. Hop over one seat to the left and you're in for a real treat.
Every single review I've read of the X6 and the X4 indicates that these so-called Sports Activity Vehicles have very little in common with the E46 (and E39) that I respect (and want). It seems that they were designed by a committee based on the answers to surveys. Surveys that were answered by people who might even tell you that their 5-series has a V-6. I get the feeling that whatever consumers said they liked, the designers and engineers tried to incorporate, without considering if they were qualities that worked well together.
I get the impression that twenty years ago, a few Bavarian men and women drove their test mules around and smiled as they tried out the handling capabilities and ride comfort. Now, I get the impression that some marketing folks look at a spreadsheet through designer eyeglasses and are delighted when they can tick off as many boxes as possible.
The Art of Shaving and modern BMW do not strive to sell excellent niche products; they strive to sell the experience of a crafted, specialized product to the mass market. It's nothing more than a facade; just a pseudo-ivory handle or a blue and white roundel. Chick-fil-A, however, does exactly what they advertise: sell damn-good chicken sandwiches at a reasonable price.
Appendix A: reasons to still respect BMW
BMW refuses to make a V6; the straight-6 is superior.
BMW is one of the few manufacturers to offer a diesel option for some of its vehicles.
BMW still sells a proper wagon!
BMW will still let you configure nearly every model (except those diesel wagons!) with a manual transmission.
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Cé hé sin
> Ryan A.
02/02/2015 at 12:09 |
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BMW offer all of their models with a diesel option, including the Mini, but only in selected markets. Ditto manual diesels.
TheHondaBro
> Ryan A.
02/02/2015 at 12:10 |
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Oh, I think he needs to have that bheem checked out by a doctor.
Tapas
> Ryan A.
02/02/2015 at 12:33 |
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I've seen this increasingly with everything being sold in the US.
Thankfully, most technical/engineering products are an exception. Apple, Samsung, etc sell products by boasting unique features and processor capabilities and what not. Comparisons are made with quantifiable information.
But cars are sold like Starbucks. Pictures, meaning less descriptions and how people feeeelll .
Like Ford adverts that describe how their customers feel when they drove it and ERRMAGARD that lady said its soooo much better than Honda. They describe the car with positive and exciting descriptions that are intentionally vague, to gloss over technical details that can actually show their product is inferior.
They also use amazing adjectives, even though the adjective may not match their product's capability at all - ad nausea. This is done to a point where people start believing the word means something else. Like BMWs tag line. Now people think ALL BMWS ARE ULTIMATE SPORTY PERFORMANCE CURRS HUR DUR
Some times, they simply name their product something that it isn't. For no fucking reason.
Example, Macchiatos at Starbucks are a coffee drink. Its not an Italian Macchiato - which it should be, because same name?ITs like going to a cafe, ordering bagels and finding out that they actually call croissants "bagels".
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j…
FromCanadaWithLove
> Ryan A.
02/02/2015 at 13:30 |
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But, but, but!
CallMeTURBO
> Ryan A.
02/02/2015 at 15:19 |
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yeah I thought most of the re-handled shaving stuff there was a little cheesy. I went in intending on buying a straight edge razor and ended up with one of their smaller straight style ones that you can use regular safety razor blades with. Im pretty happy with it cause I've always wanted to learn.
I also agree with you on older bimmers, I got to sober-drive a friends e46 for a fraternity party for a night and a month later I found myself in my garage building an e36
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Ryan A.
> FromCanadaWithLove
02/02/2015 at 16:04 |
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Yeah, I kind of want an M2 when they come out (if I could afford it).
computiNATEor
> Ryan A.
03/09/2015 at 14:53 |
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If/when you buy a used BMW, get one from an enthusiast. They will have taken care of a pretty maintenance-intense car.
Put another way, when they are new, the stupid stuff broke on my Bimmer. When it was middle aged, the stupid stuff failed on my Bimmer. Now that my e39 is downright old , the stupid stuff is still breaking on my Bimmer.
Case in point: the VANOS seals. Cheap, $10 seals that were swapped for $8 seals for cost savings that deteriorate 7 years into the car's life.