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Alex_TA
·Easy peasy. Too much fiat money, people are looking for something real for the times when shit will hit the fan. Something with resale value. Rolex and Patek, their prices are like a self-winding machine.
I don't understand the recent Rolex SS craze/shortage. What am I missing?
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Bizcut1
·It will end soon.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI went through this with my love/hate for BMW 13 years ago. I had been a die hard BMW lover since I first layed eyes on a 3.0cs (and later owned one). After 2006 the company lost their way, changed their styling and “driver” oriented focus- decided we didn’t need ignition keys, dipsticks or throttle linkage...they went from the “Ultimate Driving Machine” to the “Ultimate Status Symbol” for the middle class. I still own my ‘93 M5, the last of the hand-built. The last car they made worth owning in my book was the ‘06 M3. Like Rolex, they alienated their base- but their market share grew insanely with a completely different market...and that was a total win for them.
My 2007 Z4M Roadster had both and ignition key, and a dipstick to check the oil. I think it was the last model to be so equipped.
I'm actually quite fine not having an ignition key - fob and pushbutton are just fine. Slightly less enthusiastic at not having a dipstick to check the oil - not that it was ever an issue, but more of a ritual thing I suppose.
I would agree that the cars are quite different now, but I don't agree that there isn't anything in the current line up worth owning. My M2 is a very different car from the Z4M, but it's still a lot of fun to drive. The road feel isn't the same for sure, and I'm going to be test driving the latest version soon in the hopes that it's a little more connected. Between my wife and I we have had 10 BMW's ranging from late 80's models to 2017, and so far we have not found a reason to go to another brand, or to go backwards and buy previous models.
I think it's human nature to think of the good old days as being better, but we also tend to remember the good and not the bad.
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JwRosenthal
·My 2007 Z4M Roadster had both and ignition key, and a dipstick to check the oil. I think it was the last model to be so equipped.
I'm actually quite fine not having an ignition key - fob and pushbutton are just fine. Slightly less enthusiastic at not having a dipstick to check the oil - not that it was ever an issue, but more of a ritual thing I suppose.
I would agree that the cars are quite different now, but I don't agree that there isn't anything in the current line up worth owning. My M2 is a very different car from the Z4M, but it's still a lot of fun to drive. The road feel isn't the same for sure, and I'm going to be test driving the latest version soon in the hopes that it's a little more connected. Between my wife and I we have had 10 BMW's ranging from late 80's models to 2017, and so far we have not found a reason to go to another brand, or to go backwards and buy previous models.
I think it's human nature to think of the good old days as being better, but we also tend to remember the good and not the bad.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerFor me it’s not nosltogia or brand allure, I factor many things pragmatically. Not being able to monitor my own engine oil, knowing these cars burn and drip from every seal (those who own BMW’s know the rear mail seal leak) makes me uneasy. Relying on a sensor just doesn’t do it for me. Cars that can be hacked isn’t urban legend, if your car can be started and unlocked remotely (and I don’t mean with the fob), then what’s to say it can’t be done nefariously. I’m not some Luddite who hates all technology, I just resent not being given the choice, and tech for the sake of tech. Answers to questions that nobody asked.
If these things were specific to BMW, you might have a point, but they aren't. For the record I never said or implied you were a luddite...
In speaking with my mechanic, who is both a Jaguar master technician and at the same level for BMW, he has not indicated that the sensors for the oil level are prone to failure. Again I would prefer to have a dipstick as I've already said, but if the technology is reliable, then I don't really see the harm. I tend to take a more balanced view, and the fact is the vast majority of car owners don't check the oil using the dipstick, so this does answer a problem for them, if not for you...
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JwRosenthal
·If these things were specific to BMW, you might have a point, but they aren't. For the record I never said or implied you were a luddite...
In speaking with my mechanic, who is both a Jaguar master technician and at the same level for BMW, he has not indicated that the sensors for the oil level are prone to failure. Again I would prefer to have a dipstick as I've already said, but if the technology is reliable, then I don't really see the harm. I tend to take a more balanced view, and the fact is the vast majority of car owners don't check the oil using the dipstick, so this does answer a problem for them, if not for you...
My mechanic is like yours- master tech BMW & Jag. He has seen failures on many of the more recent systems- including the push button starts and keyless fobs (if your fob dies, the car needs to be towed to the dealer to be reprogrammed- WTF?? -and that’s not just BMW).
When I was shopping for my M5 I drove both the e34 and e39 (the later was just out of production). The e39 was a wonderful car- luxurious, fast, very powerful, but felt like my dad’s big Benz’s back in the 80’s- like a fast leather couch. I went for the e34 becuase it was a far more connected and mechanical driving experience- 5 speed with linkage, 6 throttle bodies with linkage, steering with linkage.... all with great drivers feedback. It was light years ahead of the e28 which felt like driving a tractor in comparison (I had one- I know) and had all the creature comforts I could want-
dual climate with mechanical controls, ass warmers, remote locking, sensational stereo system, power everything but all controlled with relays and not computer. Just enough tech to be practice but none that are complicated.
Back to the thread- I feel the same way about Rolex. The newer models do nothing for me-like the e34 vs e39 comparison. The new ones are lovely, but I prefer the styling and design of the older models- so I see no point in cueing up to buy a new one. Some Rolex lovers want the new ones so have no problem with the protocols of obtaining one. I guess some of us who have no fascination with the new models (or tech), don’t get it, but I appreciate that some are willing to jump the hurdles to have the newest and most advanced.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerWhen I was shopping for my M5 I drove both the e34 and e39 (the later was just out of production). The e39 was a wonderful car- luxurious, fast, very powerful, but felt like my dad’s big Benz’s back in the 80’s- like a fast leather couch.
Well, despite the fact my e39 540 was the only BMW out of the 10 we've owned that ever had any real problems with, I still loved it...
Camshaft position sensor failed several times (that's a "need a tow" situation), light control module replaced several times (kept telling me a light was out when it wasn't), yaw sensors failed at least once after some spirited driving (SA asked me if I had been doing slalom courses with it - nope just having some fun on back roads!), and at one point the entire instrument cluster had to be replaced.
Other than that, it was a great car. But then again my perspective was owning this previously...
5.3l V-12, and more problems than you can shake a stick at...still loved it though for the ~7 years that I owned it.
For me personally, I'll take a lot of the modern safety features that these cars offer.
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JwRosenthal
·Well, despite the fact my e39 540 was the only BMW out of the 10 we've owned that ever had any real problems with, I still loved it...
Camshaft position sensor failed several times (that's a "need a tow" situation), light control module replaced several times (kept telling me a light was out when it wasn't), yaw sensors failed at least once after some spirited driving (SA asked me if I had been doing slalom courses with it - nope just having some fun on back roads!), and at one point the entire instrument cluster had to be replaced.
Other than that, it was a great car. But then again my perspective was owning this previously...
5.3l V-12, and more problems than you can shake a stick at...still loved it though for the ~7 years that I owned it.
For me personally, I'll take a lot of the modern safety features that these cars offer.
The XJ6’s were wonderful cars but like most things British tech....what were they thinking! Always know where a Jag was parked by the transmission leak.
My e34 has been one of the most reliable cars I have owned surprisingly, only second to my 3.0cs (once you dialed in the carbs- heaven). My Ex-wife’s Subaru WRX was a nightmare, constantly in the shop for stupid shit- she drove her e30 most of the time when that Subie was down (the Subie was to keep the long highway commute off her lovely little e30). My daily is an Audi A3, it has all the features I want but some tech that’s just failure prone, and some has failed. It’s a fun car for the commute but is an appliance and I don’t care what happens to it (city car).
Of course everyone’s experience is different and nobody is “right” or “wrong” on these topics (the OP Rolex topic included), we all just have different priorities- and that’s what makes the world an interesting place.
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JwRosenthal
·The traction control for the 340hp is knowing how to use your right foot. The dipstick came free with the car.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerThe XJ6’s were wonderful cars but like most things British tech....what were they thinking!
Not an XJ6...
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JwRosenthal
·Not an XJ6...
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MRC
·
5.3l V-12, and more problems than you can shake a stick at...still loved it though for the ~7 years that I owned it.
I have taken a few tows from one of those.
Into the air in Puchacz glider. That was the launch method at Connel/Oban. I was due to get instruction and hopefully signed-off on driving car-tow launches but the weather clamped down on us, no flying for 3.5 days.
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Qwertyqaz
·This a car forum now?
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JwRosenthal
·This a car forum now?
Here we go-back on track- no wait list for a 47 year old Speedmaster.
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MRC
·
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GarethS
·I assume the demand is driven by a combination of strong brand value and a strong growth in wealthy people - about 6% CAGR.
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pIoNeErOfThEnILe
·What do you call the guy (like me) who hears about the new SS Pepsi ceramic GMT and goes to the AD the day after the announcement, but can’t get one and is placed on “the list”, and then after waiting for an eternity caves in and buys from a flipper at well over MSRP?
i would call you passionate. i wish i was never wired for trying to get better prices on things.
All this therefore begs a question, is a Tudor Black Bay 58 closer to a 'true Rolex' than a new Submariner?
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Eve
·I visited two different Rolex boutiques (in Austria) recently, not looking for anything particular, just wondering around to see if what i read on the forum is also the reality 😀
Both had plenty of SS OPs and DJ in all kind of variations (colors, sizes) readily available. Both didnt have any Sport SS models on displays (but i didnt ask, since i am not really interested in those). Since i somehow only like the Explorer 1, i politely asked them if they had any to try on. To my surprise both had one piece in store available. Maybe just a coinsidence, but reading about a waiting list of 6-9 months sounds kind of crazy.
