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Ken1951

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When I bought my W222 S-class (photo a few pages back!), my wife said "enjoy it until you trade it in for the next one, when I will ask you why didn't you just lease it?" Well, the W223 came out and she had to tell me I was right! The exterior is fine, IMHO, but the interior just is not suitable for an S-class. All flash, all gadgets, no buttons! Who is that car for? Certainly not the traditional S-class buyer.
I'm certainly not in that price range, but when we were looking to replace a 2019 Highlander Hybrid we owned a short time because my 4'10" wife couldn't see around the side view mirrors when driving around town we ran into a similar problem. We really tried to like the Outback, but one thing we require is both heated and ventilated seats. Well, rather than simply having buttons on either the dash or console, those "buttons" were buried several screens deep on their video display. A totally absurd "solution". I like technology, but sometimes an old-fashioned solution is the best.
 

PatentLawyer

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I'm certainly not in that price range, but when we were looking to replace a 2019 Highlander Hybrid we owned a short time because my 4'10" wife couldn't see around the side view mirrors when driving around town we ran into a similar problem. We really tried to like the Outback, but one thing we require is both heated and ventilated seats. Well, rather than simply having buttons on either the dash or console, those "buttons" were buried several screens deep on their video display. A totally absurd "solution". I like technology, but sometimes an old-fashioned solution is the best.
Yes!!! So agree. My father (from whom I inherited my interest in cars) was obsessed with Toyota Land Cruisers and 4Runners. Those things had the most straightforward, simple interfaces, and everything worked, all the time. From what I can tell, they are among the very finest made vehicles on the planet.
 

beefkabob

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I drove that bmw at 130 mph legally. Rides smooth like butter. But I still had to pull over for an Audi wagon going 140.
No autobahn here, I'm afraid. If there's an autobahn, model s and taycan are the only options.
 

beefkabob

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BMW currently just trashed all over their nice design traditions, even in the interior with those hideous rising speed and rpm gauges like on a 60s fintail Mercedes:

I used to love BMWs and own several ones like E34, E36, E46, E39 and when the bangle designed E60 came out I moved to a competitor, when Bangle left I liked and bought 2x F10 again but now have moved again to a competitor as I find all current BMWs damn ugly.

BMW customer department often calls them to ask me if I am interested in buying a BMW again and my answer currently is only when they change their design back to their classic values and not optimised for some weird cartoonish fantasies and export markets.
It's funny. I started buying BMWs with Bangle and the e60. I took a brake for the F10 on, and now I'm back.
 

pseudoid

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The 3.0CS and Z8 are two wonderful examples of what they can do... occasionally, but rarely do.
I'd nominate this as the best of what BMW offered:
202212_BMW-M1PaulWalker.png

(This photo is from the Paul Walker collection)
Although mastermind'd by BobLutz/JochenNeerpasch colob, it was the first vehicle 'design' by BMW Motorsport GmbH (for Group4 homologation).
It's wedge-shape came to life with heavy Italian involvement; Lamborghini developed chassis, Dallara-tuned suspension, and striking lines by Italdesign/Giorgio Giugiaro, who handled major aspects of production in conjunction with builder Baur[Marchese?].
202212_BMW-M1LogoX2.png

...Hence the need to double-identify its vehicle with double propellers in the rear bonnet.
202212_BMW-M1sSold.png

When my friends were still lusting after the Playboy/Penthouse center folds, I was horny for the BMW-M1.
I could not afford them then, and certainly could not even afford the FelixHolst's painting of a BMW-M1 today.
:)
 

pseudoid

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scheduled for 2023 ...
LOL! Let's talk about it in ?2025? if/when.:facepalm:
EDIT: I wish Tesla could figure out how to re-introduce the steering-yoke... which can also be used as the accelerator and the brakes... next step before autonomous class5.
 

Gorgonzola

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LOL! Let's talk about it in ?2025? if/when.:facepalm:
EDIT: I wish Tesla could figure out how to re-introduce the steering-yoke... which can also be used as the accelerator and the brakes... next step before autonomous class5.
"Steering -yoke"? You mean like this?

tesla-roadster-25-cars-worth-waiting-for-310-1527124385.jpg
 

thewas

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BMW and Mercedes styling increasingly seems to cater for the aggressive dreams of Russian kleptocrats and the like.
Unfortunately not just those, although imo the current Mercedes don't look that aggressive.

I'm certainly not in that price range, but when we were looking to replace a 2019 Highlander Hybrid we owned a short time because my 4'10" wife couldn't see around the side view mirrors when driving around town we ran into a similar problem. We really tried to like the Outback, but one thing we require is both heated and ventilated seats. Well, rather than simply having buttons on either the dash or console, those "buttons" were buried several screens deep on their video display. A totally absurd "solution". I like technology, but sometimes an old-fashioned solution is the best.
Fully agree, generic adaptive touch screens instead of dedicated buttons and rotary switches are horribly distracting while driving while the second you can operate without looking very soon, which together with the current design and the poor long term reliability and repairability from current cars making me be more and more just interested in old- and youngtimer cars.
 

beefkabob

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Just out of curiosity, which other cars did you own except BMW?
1982 Mercedes 300SD
1995 Dodge Neon
1997 Integra LS
2004 Scion xA
2009 528i
2008 550i
1995 Safari
*2013 FRS
*2014 Forester
2015 Fiat 500e
2017 Spark EV
2017 Ram 1500
*2019 I-Pace
*2021 Model Y
*2023 i4 M50

* = currently own
 

thewas

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1982 Mercedes 300SD
1995 Dodge Neon
1997 Integra LS
2004 Scion xA
2009 528i
2008 550i
1995 Safari
*2013 FRS
*2014 Forester
2015 Fiat 500e
2017 Spark EV
2017 Ram 1500
*2019 I-Pace
*2021 Model Y
*2023 i4 M50

* = currently own
Some nice cars there. :)
 

pseudoid

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"Steering -yoke"? You mean like this?

tesla-roadster-25-cars-worth-waiting-for-310-1527124385.jpg
No!
Nothing magical as far as the technology involved but the first intro into the consumer market was a flop:
202212_TeslaYoke.png
[rendered?]
This one happens to be the 1960's tech in military a/c:
202212_JoyStick2.png

My thinking is that we ween the driver-mentality of "2-hands on the steering wheel" by going to "single-handed" driving (steering/speed/brake) first!
Only then, can we indoctrinate them into the "no-hands (autonomous)" transportation.
Most younger drivers are familiar w/single-handed driving... while texting... already...:eek:
 

Blumlein 88

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GM once had this in a turbine powered semi-truck prototype.
1670437736301.png


There was also this joystick controlled concept car. Apparently the gas pedal was in the joystick too.
1670437832474.png


Ford had this twist steering setup (with manual transmission).
1670438018167.png


Video on the above Ford wrist twist steering system.

Early cars had tillers for steering, and the wheel replaced it.
 
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