Cars and Other Driving Machines

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by dc_chef
I must have watched that 20 times last night, with the sound on the computer turned all the way up. Anyone know how to download the video?

That engine note is SEX. Damn...


BTW, you can adjust your quicktime setting to save movies.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by dc_chef
http://www.fordvehicles.com/fordgt/m...er=true&bhcp=1

(Ford GT commercial)

Sweet. BTW, did you note the text at the bottom?

"Clearly a professional driver on a closed track"

[dc_chef]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
That engine note is SEX. Damn...


BTW, you can adjust your quicktime setting to save movies.

Awesome. I just watched it again and saved the movie this time. No matter how many times I watch it, when the narrator says, "In what gear do you realize...that a car is everything it's supposed to be?" I get chills.

If I owned that car, I would live in it.

[dc_chef]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Sweet. BTW, did you note the text at the bottom?

"Clearly a professional driver on a closed track"

I saw that the first time that I saw the commercial -- on a big plasma screen (at Elliot in the Morning's Big Ass Football Bash). They should make a DVD of that commercial.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by dc_chef
I must have watched that 20 times last night, with the sound on the computer turned all the way up. Anyone know how to download the video?

The ad, along with a five minute "making of" video, showed up on the optional promotional video section of my DirecTiVo. It sounds real good on a home theater, although I don't think it was broadcast in Dolby 5.1 or anything.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by dc_chef
Awesome. I just watched it again and saved the movie this time. No matter how many times I watch it, when the narrator says, "In what gear do you realize...that a car is everything it's supposed to be?" I get chills.

If I owned that car, I would live in it.

It's funny, I showed that ad to Mrs. dL. When it was through, she asked something along the lines of "what's so special about that?" I said that the ad gave me chills, that's what's so special. She's obvioulsy doesn't reallyc are about cars.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by dc_chef They should make a DVD of that commercial.

I'd hit it.

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I'd hit it.

Wonder who did the voiceover.

[mmm3587]

Damn, there are some really good lease rates for Z4s right now. I keep getting e-mails from BMW for $3,000 down, $349 for 36 months (I think). That's tempting. But, when I add in the options I would want, the lease rate is more like $500. Why is that? Is the residual value poorer on optioned-out cars? Are they just not as willing to deal and remove all the sexy low lease rate savings from the teaser rate? I mean, the base is pretty nicely optioned, but I don't think that I would buy a new car without navigation these days.

Also, has anyone here driven the SMG versions of the Z4 or M3? When stopped, do you (i) still have to have your foot on the brake, since you can't shift to neutral, (ii) have to shift to neutral if you don't want to have your foot on the brake or (iii) enjoy some funky Mercedes-type system where the car brakes for you until you engage the throttle, so that you don't have to keep your foot on the brake?

Also, does anyone know if there are any hardtop options for Z4s for the 6 months in Chicago where I know I wouldn't be taking the top down?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Damn, there are some really good lease rates for Z4s right now. I keep getting e-mails from BMW for $3,000 down, $349 for 36 months (I think). That's tempting. But, when I add in the options I would want, the lease rate is more like $500. Why is that? Is the residual value poorer on optioned-out cars? Are they just not as willing to deal and remove all the sexy low lease rate savings from the teaser rate? I mean, the base is pretty nicely optioned, but I don't think that I would buy a new car without navigation these days.

Also, has anyone here driven the SMG versions of the Z4 or M3? When stopped, do you (i) still have to have your foot on the brake, since you can't shift to neutral, (ii) have to shift to neutral if you don't want to have your foot on the brake or (iii) enjoy some funky Mercedes-type system where the car brakes for you until you engage the throttle, so that you don't have to keep your foot on the brake?

Also, does anyone know if there are any hardtop options for Z4s for the 6 months in Chicago where I know I wouldn't be taking the top down?

1) The residual is only a percentage of the MSRP, so options shouldn't affect that, other than a larger nominal spread. I would ask your dealer (any dealer) why the calculations come out this way.

2) I haven't driven one, but my understanding is that it shifts into neutral for you when you come to a stop. I.e., it's depressing the clutch for you.

3) I assume BMW sells one as an option. Do they not? I'm pretty sure they do exist, and I know for the 3er convertible it's cheaper to get it as a factory option than a post-installed one, because they have to install some hardware that the charge you for later, but's free if put in at the factory.

ETA: I think this is the reason:

"Special lease rates and pricing may not be reflected throughout www.bmwusa.com. "

Try putting in their figures for the exact same car they offer on their lease calculator. I came out with $460 or something. In other words, you're comparing a promo rate with the non-promo rates built into their calculator. Nothing in the ad suggests its so limited, which is why I would go talk to a dealer if you're serious.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Damn, there are some really good lease rates for Z4s right now. I keep getting e-mails from BMW for $3,000 down, $349 for 36 months (I think). That's tempting. But, when I add in the options I would want, the lease rate is more like $500. Why is that? Is the residual value poorer on optioned-out cars? Are they just not as willing to deal and remove all the sexy low lease rate savings from the teaser rate? I mean, the base is pretty nicely optioned, but I don't think that I would buy a new car without navigation these days.

Also, has anyone here driven the SMG versions of the Z4 or M3? When stopped, do you (i) still have to have your foot on the brake, since you can't shift to neutral, (ii) have to shift to neutral if you don't want to have your foot on the brake or (iii) enjoy some funky Mercedes-type system where the car brakes for you until you engage the throttle, so that you don't have to keep your foot on the brake?

Also, does anyone know if there are any hardtop options for Z4s for the 6 months in Chicago where I know I wouldn't be taking the top down?

The problem is that you basically get no residual on the options, so the price gets packed into the lease. So with only 2 options SMG and nav, you're looking at over $100/month over and above the regular lease rate. Get the manual. It's way more fun.
I don't see a hard top option for the Z4 like they had on the Z3, but the 4 has a glass rear window that the 3 didn't have. Maybe they'll come out with the option late summer. They're late sometimes. The Sirius radio is still not available on the 5 series.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
The problem is that you basically get no residual on the options, so the price gets packed into the lease. So with only 2 options SMG and nav, you're looking at over $100/month over and above the regular lease rate.

That is WAY fucked up. The afterlease market takes those options into account, so you're giving all that value to the bank. They might as well admit the real cap reduction is actually "X plus all options." I smell consumer fraud.

There have got to be lease packages for BMW that take into account the actual value of the car you're giving back to the bank.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
That is WAY fucked up. The afterlease market takes those options into account, so you're giving all that value to the bank. They might as well admit the real cap reduction is actually "X plus all options." I smell consumer fraud.

There have got to be lease packages for BMW that take into account the actual value of the car you're giving back to the bank.

Math is hard.

You don't pay for ALL of the options over 3 years, but they "lose value" in the calculation of the residual at a faster rate.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch


There have got to be lease packages for BMW that take into account the actual value of the car you're giving back to the bank.

NFH is wrong; you are right. I've discussed this with salesmen, and the BMW residual calculation is simply a percentage of the MSRP of the car you lease, as equipped. They don't have an accelerated depreciation schedule for options or anything like that.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Math is hard.

You don't pay for ALL of the options over 3 years, but they "lose value" in the calculation of the residual at a faster rate.

Math is hard, but English is apparently harder. The above post strikes me as somewhat different from "you basically get no residual on the options." Here's a hint: "basically" is closer kin to "literally" than it is to "figuratively."