The Car Thread ... !

[0388631]

Insurance happy to pay more for OEM?

I have heard more stories of people having to fight their insurance company( mainly Geico) to get OEM parts because the insurance company wants to put Chinese crap replacement parts to reduce costs. Heck you have to pay more in your premium with Nationwide if you want OEM parts.

In the case with Lexus, insurance keeps paying for resprays or more car rental for the customer. Whatever the case may be. Some dealerships have their own spray booths operated by professionals. And even those people can't get it quite right. I can only speak of the Lexus dealers here, though. Some of Lexus' colors are very unique and it's impossible to get an accurate blend without respraying the entire car or as I said, it's highly visible where it was sprayed. They're about the most difficult manufacturer to replicate when it comes to paint.

Most of their paints are multi stage, relying on metallic flake, translucent coats of various shades, not including clear coat between layers. The result is stunning. Lexus dealers that have paint booths and have professionals can't replicate a lot of the colors. Even pearl white tends to have a blue or yellow tinge to it.

It's easier for insurance to swallow $6K than spend money on resprays and sand downs amounting to much more.

Compare that to say MBZ. They have some interesting colors up for grabs, but shops can get them down fairly accurately. It gets more difficult and expensive with custom colors. Also, this is what you'd call a nanny state that tends to ride insurance carriers to get them to bend over.

At some point, OEM goes the way of the dodo, and parts are licensed out to various authorized manufacturers that make it to spec.

 

[44267547]

Insurance rules may be different in the States, but do you guys not have bodyshops that are affiliated with dealerships that are insurance company approved? .

I'm Assuming if that's where the owner and Insurance company decide to have the vehicle repaired at which dealership. But It would it also be dependent on where the owner wants the vehicle repaired if they have a preference of the body shop. I know if some dealerships cannot repair the vehicle in a timely manner or if they are backlogged with other vehicles to be repaired, then you (Pending the insurance company) would have that option of taking your vehicle elsewhere to other body shops that maybe not affiliated with your insurance company.

 

[Alphazoid]

Bingo. Some bodyshops can do the work and have the skill. Most do not. Lexus paints are very hard to reproduce. In most cases, a dealer may opt for ordering panels from the factory. Which is what our Lexus dealer does when it comes to their difficult paints.

Agreed. Scuffed my bumper last year and luckily i had cosmetic insurance on it. But the first guy the company (affiliated with Lexus) sent to work on it botched it and got the paint horribly wrong. They then had to send a senior technician who spent 7 hrs working to get the paint mix (Cerulean Blue which is supposedly 3-stage)/blend into existing body work right.

They told me if it the bumper had even a slight rip on it they'd have opted to order a new one and just do full repaint. But because the scuff was relatively mild it didn't fit criteria.

Funny I prefer the exterior to the interior.

To me front-end looks like a depressed old man. Back-end looks like a Kia.

 

[SactoGuy18]

It will be VERY interesting to see if they keep that front dash on the A-Series sedan that will be sold in the USA market starting very late this year. Would have preferred a less garish-looking A/C vent, though.

 

[0388631]

They then had to send a senior technician who spent 7 hrs working to get the paint mix (Cerulean Blue which is supposedly 3-stage)/blend into existing body work right.

They told me if it the bumper had even a slight rip on it they'd have opted to order a new one and just do full repaint. But because the scuff was relatively mild it didn't fit criteria.

Sounds about right. Even though it's 3 layers, it's not as simple as a-b-c.

It will be VERY interesting to see if they keep that front dash on the A-Series sedan that will be sold in the USA market starting very late this year. Would have preferred a less garish-looking A/C vent, though.

There's a few screen options in terms of sizing. The most basic option is the standard, which means analog gauges, a small digital screen, and a very small screen to the right. Note this is base, and it's something you'd have to order specifically in the US. Dealer lots rarely carry more than 2-3 examples. If any reason, it's to show customers how awful it is and opt for a better car. With options, it should sit about 10-15 above sticker. It isn't a bad car per se, but it's also not the wisest choice.

My honest opinion as a longtime MB customer? Steer clear and buy an Infiniti Q30 (S available) if you really want it. It's the same car. With an Infiniti badge. And arguably a nicer interior albeit slightly traditional. Besides, the US won't be getting the hatch version. Of friendly cousins north of us will have access to it.

On the other hand, volume sellers like this will mean more interesting cars on the higher end of the spectrum.

Or you can opt for a tune.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Agreed. Scuffed my bumper last year and luckily i had cosmetic insurance on it. But the first guy the company (affiliated with Lexus) sent to work on it botched it and got the paint horribly wrong. They then had to send a senior technician who spent 7 hrs working to get the paint mix (Cerulean Blue which is supposedly 3-stage)/blend into existing body work right.

They told me if it the bumper had even a slight rip on it they'd have opted to order a new one and just do full repaint. But because the scuff was relatively mild it didn't fit criteria.



To me front-end looks like a depressed old man. Back-end looks like a Kia.

The A-class from the door panels to the trunk looks almost identical to a Kia and maybe even a Ford. If only they would fix the atrocity that is the CLA so I have to stop vomiting in my mouth when I see this bent looking Mercedes with 12” wheels and a glowing logo driven by some hooligan that thinks they’re cool driving a $33k Mercedes.

Years ago my mom owned a 2009 ES350. She was parked underneath a skywalk at her hospital after many snow storms on a day where it randomly shot up to 60 degrees and ice came crashing down on her car (from the roof of the skywalk). It dented in the roof (into the headliner), cracked the windsheild, cracked the sunroof, and destroyed the sunroof mechanism. They ended up having to replace the entire roof. The paint turned out perfect. I suppose even if they screwed it up a little it’s the roof, so you can’t reallt see it against the other body panels directly. If I remember correctly the dealer ended up sending her elsewhere as they didn’t have much confidence in their own body shop for such complicated damage.

 

[0388631]

I'm trying to decide what color combo I want. I have a prelim order sheet, and if I order now, I'm told it'll be at least eight to nine months before I even see the car. I'm also reading rumors there may be a quilted dash option with the Designo package, which I think would look nice. Quilted or traditional seats are another lingering choice. There are two options I do want for sure. Debadging, because I find the amount of badges to be obnoxious. I'm already buying the car, I don't need more marque advertisements. And the acoustical reduction package. Front windows are covered in a film at the factory. Thicker base carpeting, and more sound deadening material in the frame. I believe a slightly thicker firewall, but that's some member reports on MBW. I don't think that's true, though. The acoustical package reduces low speed sounds and pebbles due to the stiffer suspension setup. I'm probably going to upgrade from the base Burmester system, too. Dealer says they'll introduce more wheel choices and maybe colors by Q4 2018.

Right now, the guys with the initial back of the wagons are dealing with some minor software issues. The guys or I guess women too, are dealing with a plethora of issues on their Editions 1s. I'm buds with two guys on different sites and their Edition 1 sedans running older software that needs to be reflashed. Edition 1s are limited production, have a bit more doodadds and have custom interior options a customer can order. Pretty embarrassing for MB. The C251/CLS Edition 1 slots are mostly sold out according to the dealer. For the moment, we're teeter-tottering between the C251 and the new Panamara. Honestly, I like Porsche, but I don't like the new or the old Panamera. New one is nicer, but the haptic controls and everything else is too much for me. I like the wagon thing, but it's too small for me and well, women don't like wagons apparently.

Honestly, though, nothing is set in stone when it comes to the C251. We might look into the A7. It's got the same styling the CLS and really any four door coupe sedan whateverthingamjig they want to call it. It's got the new haptic touch crap, but I'm also a fan of the A7s styling since it's the only Audi with some soul in its design. I'll miss the car, though. It's too easy to get the ass hanging out with traction still enabled and not going through the lengthy process to disable it.
[doublepost=1517729613][/doublepost]

Years ago my mom owned a 2009 ES350. She was parked underneath a skywalk at her hospital after many snow storms on a day where it randomly shot up to 60 degrees and ice came crashing down on her car (from the roof of the skywalk). It dented in the roof (into the headliner), cracked the windsheild, cracked the sunroof, and destroyed the sunroof mechanism. They ended up having to replace the entire roof. The paint turned out perfect. I suppose even if they screwed it up a little it’s the roof, so you can’t reallt see it against the other body panels directly. If I remember correctly the dealer ended up sending her elsewhere as they didn’t have much confidence in their own body shop for such complicated damage.

Yeah I remember this happening a lot when I was a little kid back overseas. Spot on with the melting. On the other hand, is your mother sure that Frosty the Snowman didn't simply jump off the roof of the hospital and dive head first into her Lexus' roof? Just some food for thought.

Makes you almost wish Saturn still made cars so people had a winter vehicle they could use a suction cup to remove dents from.
[doublepost=1517729956][/doublepost]Speaking of, I had this bookmarked. I can finally use it for something. 20 years ago this movie released and it starred Michael Keaton, a brilliant actor. It was a hit with my nephews. As in they wore out the VHS tape. This is a fan edit of the original trailer to make it seem like a horror movie. Funny enough, a movie did come out at around the same time, also called Jack Frost, and that movie was an actual horror movie.

 

[D.T.]

Speaking of, I had this bookmarked. I can finally use it for something. 20 years ago this movie released and it starred Michael Keaton, a brilliant actor. It was a hit with my nephews. As in they wore out the VHS tape. This is a fan edit of the original trailer to make it seem like a horror movie. Funny enough, a movie did come out at around the same time, also called Jack Frost, and that movie was an actual horror movie.

Going OT, but I love re-edited trailers that completely change the tone/genre. One of my favorites - The Shining as a feel-good, family comedy:

 

[0388631]

Going OT, but I love re-edited trailers that completely change the tone/genre. One of my favorites - The Shining as a feel-good, family comedy:

Man, that one's a classic! I mean, the movie is great, too. I can't remember where I spotted that and the one in my post, but I want to say AV Club or AVS. In fact, I posted that video knowing you'd respond since you're a movie buff. There's a lot of cool stuff on YouTube once you begin digging deep into the site. I love YouTube for the most part. And Vimeo. I discovered YouTube long before Google bought them out. It's funny to say this now, but I thought it was the holy grail of websites. Just recall that time period in history when independent video sites were rare, and you often had to visit a server directory to watch videos like the ones above.

There's a lot of recut trailers on YouTube. Great stuff. Film shorts. Actual shows with decent quality. Vimeo is a bit more technical and professional. I sometimes watch reels from people and studios. Just insane to see how people can make a world out of nothing. I want to say the coolest recent find are indie developers working on games using the Unity engine. They go from nothing to something really fancy in just a year or two if they work hard at it.

 

[AustinIllini]

Turns out the Model 3 is a poorly built vehicle. At least from fit and finish point of view.

 

[44267547]

It's never good when Sandy Monroe compared the flaws to something you would find in a "90's Kia". I found the "cats paw" area he referred near the driver side mirror to be sloppy, aside from the paneling issues. Overall, I just find that specific model Tesla hideous.

 

[Alphazoid]

Clearly struggling with production, and consequently taking corners. Some of the design choices are truly mind boggling to begin with.

 

[0388631]

I knew who Sandy was and I loved some of the comments from the Tesla fans I've read online in the past week or so. The majority of Tesla owners I've come across are reasonable people who picked electric because it was cool, and didn't actually believe ICE was going anywhere anytime soon. Of course, you have a small minority of Tesla owners who are effectively douchebags and keep protesting how ICE will die soon.

There's some heady rumors that Tesla is exporting more vehicles than they sell for the domestic market to get their total vehicles shipped quota up, and not use up the tax credits afforded to US customers, which at the current rate will expire by the end of this year, and it'll go on a slow decline. By 2020, I believe no tax credits will be available for new buyers.


Ari brings up a good point in every Tesla conversation about the average Model 3 being around 48K in build, it's actually very cheap in a state like California with all the rebates afforded. It won't be after the credit period ends.

I personally would have problems spending $75,000 at the very least on a Model S, when I'd have no problems spending it on a German import. So, the German import may lose value faster, but no car is an appreciating asset. The used Model S prices have sunken over the last 2-3 years as more models get on the road. By 2022-2024, the depreciation should be in line with most luxury vehicles, and I hesitate calling the Model S a luxury vehicle, despite our past debates on what makes a luxury vehicle a luxury vehicle.

That said, I'd feel safer with MBZ or Audi autonomy tech over Tesla. And I'd actually feel like I'm getting my money's worth with good interior materials, and not the NVH of an older vehicle. Some say the Tesla air suspension is great. It's not new tech. I'm not against EVs, but I'm against offering a sub par quality vehicle and charging for the tech and alpha grade software behind it. The biggest hold-back, IMO, outside of those issues, are the battery packs. They overheat quickly once you gun the car for a while. How many cars can achieve heat-soak in under 50*F cold weather? Referring to my employee who bought a P100D. His money. He can decide what to do with his paycheck. I will admit the instant torque is very addictive, before heat-soak, of course.

Bit like trusting a condom made in China with pin pricks in the packet going through and through the latex, and dusted with a generous dose of asbestos.

 

[AustinIllini]

Audi Autonomy in the A8 is incredible now. Much closer to fully autonomous than anything out of Tesla right now.

 

[0388631]

Yes. As I said many pages ago, the safety features on the new A8 are staggering. Well thought out and engineered the right way. Audi put their head down and did work while Mercedes and BMW were having a circle-jerk of stupid features.

I've seen a few people in the new 7s with the hand twirl audio system. They look like a knob for the most part. It's right up there with that infamous Sarah Palin photo with the "air -----" if you know what I'm talking about.

 

[2298754]

New MMI looks pretty cool

 

[AustinIllini]

New MMI looks pretty cool

It looks cool but I'm a bit concerned about touch screens

 

[0388631]

I am, too. It's why I'm not so hot on the Panamara. It's not that it's difficult to use. It's "unnatural" to me after having spent my life using knobs and metal rockers. Or using a main control knob for some stuff. I'm not sure how complex the system is in terms of less controllers or more.

On a modern luxury car, there are probably 50 controllers connected to the main computer. It cuts down on wiring and complexity, thus saving weight in the process. This... way out out of my understanding.

I wonder if the new interiors will gracefully age like some of Audi's older interiors (which I find boring). BMW takes the cake in evolutionary interior design. If the 8 is anything to go by, they're going to change a lot in the coming years, and possibly alienate more people.

 

[senseless]

A7s and A8s are relative bargains coming off lease. I can't imagine what the lease payments must be on these cars when new.

 

[0388631]

If you get it CPO, it isn't bad. With the newer VAG cars, I say down the line as things mature, there won't be as much worry in problems because of how much concept, platform and parts sharing they do. You'll pay full retail for unique parts to the car, like rotors or a special module for the car. Granted, German quality is better now than it is was in the 90s and most of the 2000s. That said, I've never ran into issues with German cars and I've owned my fair share.

And sometimes when brands work together, you're better off getting one version that may seem awful at first. The Q30 and the A Class are more or less the same car. I don't like Infiniti and they're far from where they once where. If I were forced to choose between the two, I'd say the Q30. It looks better. It's nicer inside. It's got better sound deadening. Smoother ride. To me, it's the epitome of Infiniti at their prime when they had some great rides going on.

I'll put it this way. If you offered me the choice of a free Q400 S Red Sport or a decked out Q30 with AWD, I'd take the Q30. The Q400 is a mess. A mid range costly mess.

Honestly, if you want to lease a luxury car and keep it under $600, you've got some decent choices. Including Italian. It's a lease. You'll turn it in 2 or 3 years later. At some point a lease doesn't make sense.

 

[Apple fanboy]

If you get it CPO, it isn't bad. With the newer VAG cars, I say down the line as things mature, there won't be as much worry in problems because of how much concept, platform and parts sharing they do. You'll pay full retail for unique parts to the car, like rotors or a special module for the car. Granted, German quality is better now than it is was in the 90s and most of the 2000s. That said, I've never ran into issues with German cars and I've owned my fair share.

And sometimes when brands work together, you're better off getting one version that may seem awful at first. The Q30 and the A Class are more or less the same car. I don't like Infiniti and they're far from where they once where. If I were forced to choose between the two, I'd say the Q30. It looks better. It's nicer inside. It's got better sound deadening. Smoother ride. To me, it's the epitome of Infiniti at their prime when they had some great rides going on.

I'll put it this way. If you offered me the choice of a free Q400 S Red Sport or a decked out Q30 with AWD, I'd take the Q30. The Q400 is a mess. A mid range costly mess.

Honestly, if you want to lease a luxury car and keep it under $600, you've got some decent choices. Including Italian. It's a lease. You'll turn it in 2 or 3 years later. At some point a lease doesn't make sense.

For me a lease never makes sense. If you can't afford it, buy something else.

 

[44267547]

For me a lease never makes sense. If you can't afford it, buy something else.

I understand how leasing can be beneficial in some respects and for those who don't have intent of wanting to own a car, etc. But I feel the same way, I would rather much have the advantage of owning my car. To me, There is just more sense of pride that it's actually "My car" and I can treat it as such, and I'm not required to follow any terms or obligations or binded under contract. And I just prefer to own things out right And choosing to sell or modify at my leisure.

 

[0388631]

For me a lease never makes sense. If you can't afford it, buy something else.

Maybe. But in most cases, the lease is rarely that cheap. As the value of a car climbs, it gets tighter. I ran the math a while ago for large sedan with everything and the difference at the end of a 3 year term was less than $10K total. The only argument financing has is if you're fine with sending in large payment chunks from time to time. Leasing is also great if you do want a new car every 2-3 years and don't want to be burdened with a car for a few years. To lease a new IS or to finance it, the price difference is less than $70 (using our dealer). You just pay for more years, but they hand out lease to own on their cars once people realize Lexus cars are great.

I've leased cars a few times in my life. I leased because the reliability outlook was ridiculous. An MS6 is a great car to drive 3 days a week. Wasn't terribly fast, but pretty good handling for what it was. But those were during the Ford days, and those cars get expensive to repair out of warranty. If I were looking to get a Jeep Wrangler or an Alfa, I would lease. It's simply smart to lease either one. Jeep doesn't care if you take it offroading, so as long as it isn't crumpled up. And Alfa, well, I love to bag on Alfa. I have for most of my life having driven some of their ****-shows in the past. I'd never finance one. I won't deny the new ones are fun to drive. When they work. Provided the engine doesn't fall out.
[doublepost=1518164420][/doublepost]

I understand how leasing can be beneficial in some respects and for those who don't have intent of wanting to own a car, etc. But I feel the same way, I would rather much have the advantage of owning my car. To me, There is just more sense of pride that it's actually "My car" and I can treat it as such, and I'm not required to follow any terms or obligations or binded under contract. And I just prefer to own things out right And choosing to sell or modify at my leisure.

Except when you finance, you don't own the car until that final payment. Financing makes sense for almost all our cars because I can get a better interest rate through my bank than whatever the dealer or another lender is offering. With my GL, I did a trade in of my previously paid off car, 20K down and I just sent in chunks of payments once I realized I loved the car (I still do). It was paid off during my 2nd year of ownership. It's going to be hard to say goodbye. Our dealer is considering using it as an in-house loaner car. I can't think of a single issue I had with the car in the time I've had it.

 

[0388631]

Too late to make popcorn for the impending debate. Damn it.

 

[44267547]

Except when you finance, you don't own the car until that final payment. Financing makes sense for almost all our cars because I can get a better interest rate through my bank than whatever the dealer or another lender is offering. With my GL, I did a trade in of my previously paid off car, 20K down and I just sent in chunks of payments once I realized I loved the car (I still do). It was paid off during my 2nd year of ownership. It's going to be hard to say goodbye. Our dealer is considering using it as an in-house loaner car. I can't think of a single issue I had with the car in the time I've had it.

When I purchased my 14 GT in December, I completely paid it off, which I thought made more sense being it's not going to be driven year round, as it's a spring/summer car and I don't want to make payments for something just being parked in storage. (Minus the comprehensive insurance for being in storage.)

What year was your GL?