Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

There are 2 stupid reasons/ways u can convince yr other half u shld buy the BMW.

1. Buy her a diamond ring this Xmas and say all the nice things she wants to hear

2. Tell her if the guages are too chio, the driver will keep staring down at them and not look at the road infront...no no for ultimate driving machine.

But actually I also hope u dont buy BMW because my estate is full of them now:nehnehhh:

 

[centurion]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

But actually I also hope u dont buy BMW because my estate is full of them now:nehnehhh:

The recent affluence afflicting a lot of Singaporeans, has ensured that there're a LOT of luxury marques around, too many for most brands, save the Grade A supercars like Ferraris, Lambos.

Even then, I'm beginning to see more and more Lambos on the road.

BMW, for sure, I've never seen more of them than now. It's REALLY so many. The interesting thing is that, even the niche cars like Z4, 350Z, Miata, 911, Box, Cayman, RX8 (tons), are so many also, many many many more than ever before.

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Fortunately in a way.....the BMWs in my estate are 523i, 630i, and some E46s. Luckily no E90/E92s so far...heng ah. But in my GRC, got a lot leh, same colour somemore....&&%#$^*I$#^)$

 

[Racebred]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

if one were to buy a car with the most beautiful instrument cluster ever built, it'll be an aston martin. it's so beautifully and classily done up, the aluminium face of the gauges is shaved so thinly cool blue light can shine through it to illuminate. the rev counter that runs anti-clockwise needs some getting used to though.

recently i rented a peugeot 807, a big MPV and the speedo really takes the special cake. The needle is actually behind the number markings, which is printed on the plastic covering of the gauge itself. The whole thing looked like it was a made by an ikea and fisherprice joint venture. Damn funny. looked like a kids toy.

 

[centurion]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

You want the worst instrument cluster in the world, the Estima Aeras cluster can be a good candidate. Just one thing - the steering wheel blocks everything, you can't see jack!

 

[mrericlee]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Guys.. I am of course not picking the car based on the instrument cluster. I am just saying that it's something BMW should improve on to keep up with the latest designs.

Again, don't flame me about what other areas BMW is ahead of other marques... I am just referring to the instrument cluster only...

 

[delrosa81]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

For myself, my Wife and I had tried and tested, looked and relooked at the following 3 cars recently.
1) Mercedes New C-Class
2) Lexus IS250
3) BMW 320i

Both Merc and the Lexus had excellent looking Instrument CLusters, especially so in the Lexus. I was so mesmerised by the instrument cluster that I almost, and I really mean almost booked the Lexus right on the spot. Nice creamy engine, powerful V6, really good looking instrument clusters and littered all over with gadgets here and there. The merc was much more straightforward but I found it abit too old for me, Im only 26 and I seriously find the C-Class although an entirely new fresh design, it was still a tad "old" looking.

Now comes the exciting part. I went back to Performance, took a seat in the Monetgo Blue 320i which is currently on display and I was instantly disappointed in the interior and especially the instrument cluster. I requested for another test drive, drove the car out, within mins, I fell in love with the car again despite it being a rather not so smooth 4 potter and only having 150 german horses pulling it. But I still love it. The drive was very good, handling, feel, brakes, steering, etc was exactly just what I wanted. Within the 20mins drive, I began to slowly appreciate the simplicity of the simple and straightforward interior as well as the instrument cluster. BMW's instrument cluster gets more and more beautiful the more u look at it. Meaning you don tire of it easily.

I'm currently driving a Civic FD 2.0, which has the space age interior and instrument cluster, such fancy instrument clusters can only capture your attention only for that short while only, after awhile you get tired of it. Now I fully understand the Phrase, Simplicity is Beauty.

Currently I can only afford an entry level 320i but I still love the ride and I hope you guys don't mind the long post. I was just sharing my inner most tots and how I made my decision to go for this bimmer which I am still eagerly awaiting to take delivery next week. Hope to meet up with the rest of the bros and admire their souped up Bimmers!

 

[mrericlee]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Congrats on your purchase!

Yeah, I have to agree the IS250 has more niceties.... even seat got air con. But it's a Toyota. I really wish the Beemer had a nicer instrument cluster.

I still aiming for the 325i in 6-9 months time.

Cheers!

 

[Mockngbrd]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

the cool thing about the BMW's instruments is that no matter which generation u drive, when u get into the car and start it up, u'll be able to instantly recognise the familiar orange glow with BMWs

 

[centurion]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

mrericlee, `it's a toyota' is a great compliment. I mean, the Toyota way is touted nowadays like it's the gospel - the way the staff find their own positions in the company, the great worker satisfaction, the incredible incremental improvements in quality control etc.

Also, Porsche boss Wendelin Wunderkid, a real engineer by training, after he took over Porsche, he said that his legendary Zuffenhausen operations suck eggs, lousy quality, too much spent time with useless unproductive things. He hired Toyota engineers to come into Porsche, to fix up Porsche plant to Toyota standards, to replicate Toyota plant in Zuffenhausen.

And today, Porsche and Lexus, the 2 best quality cars in the world. And Porsche freely admits - the reason for their incredible quality increase = it's Toyota.

When you see Toyota, don't take the lowest common denominator, which is the Toyota Vios. You see funny quality BECAUSE it was made to a cost. Nobody could have done better save Honda. But of course, Honda doesn't make as much money as Toyota Vios on the Fit.

 

[centurion]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Delrosa, you have an open mind and a respect for yourself. What I mean by respect for yourself, is that you trust your own feel. I like that so much, and it's rare - a man who trusts himself.

You don't even ask for our opinions!!! Because you know that nothing we say will influence your own unshakeable belief in yourself. And that's a great quality in a man.

In any case, when you get your 320, post your comparison with your Japanese ownership experience. I think a lot of us will need reminding of that.

 

[mrericlee]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

I have no doubt that Toyota makes great quality car for the masses...... and it's got a great system. Plus, it's going to be the world's largest auto maker because of that.

So, Toyota may make a lot of cars, builds them well, super reliable, makes a lot of money, and many people buy...... but there is one thing it doesn't do yet.... is to build the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Until then, it's just a Toyota for me.....

 

[centurion]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Actually, BMW has not used the UDM moniker for more than a decade. BMW has shifted away from making UDMs to more mainstream, something you can see from the `soft' M3 etc. But no matter, the point I'm trying to make, is that globalization has relegated `it's a ricer' statements to the dark ages. Today, you gotta look at the cars and their capabilities, in fact, no longer simply look at just the brand.

make your decisions from fact, not branding.

 

[mrericlee]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Actually, BMW has not used the UDM moniker for more than a decade. BMW has shifted away from making UDMs to more mainstream, something you can see from the `soft' M3 etc. But no matter, the point I'm trying to make, is that globalization has relegated `it's a ricer' statements to the dark ages. Today, you gotta look at the cars and their capabilities, in fact, no longer simply look at just the brand.

make your decisions from fact, not branding.

Brand will always makes a difference in buying cars. I do not believe anyone would buy a car looking at the spec sheet alone and ignoring branding.

Even buying a simple toaster, I am willing to choose a "better" brand (just cause it clicks better when I depress my bread into the toaster) for a couple bucks more although all of them will make my bread crispy brown.

So, although it sounds practical to just choose based on fact sheets, in reality, that's just not the case.

 

[centurion]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

not just fact sheets, but the actual drive and inspection of the cars, plus expert reviews and comments, and JD Power satisfaction surveys. Make use of all the information.

Brand - it is irrelevant by right. The brightest shining star of the 20th century, Mercedes Benz, has dropped in quality so much - those who bought an E-class for the brand, sure regret.

 

[mrericlee]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Some tow kays buy Merc's for the 3 pointed star image. BRAND. Not because they think quality is the best. They dun really care if it breaks down earlier than a Vios as long as it has a Merc logo. They dun even care if that large E200 sedan comes with a puny 1.8L engine.

On top of this, some will even buy from PI's to save a few thousand dollars. Their aim, is simple. To drive a Merc. It's come to a point that I have no doubt someone would still buy it if Merc was bold enough to put a 1.6L in that big barge - behold, the E160.... what people will do? Tear away the E160 badge.

Some of us may be, but the many car buyer will always be not 100% rational. There is no way people won't look at branding.

 

[centurion]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

sure I agree that people look at branding.

As to `why people spend more on a car' there are 2 reasons other than the rational reasons:

1) To show off
2) To buy reliability

Both are brand related but different considerations.

 

[delrosa81]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Delrosa, you have an open mind and a respect for yourself. What I mean by respect for yourself, is that you trust your own feel. I like that so much, and it's rare - a man who trusts himself.

You don't even ask for our opinions!!! Because you know that nothing we say will influence your own unshakeable belief in yourself. And that's a great quality in a man.

In any case, when you get your 320, post your comparison with your Japanese ownership experience. I think a lot of us will need reminding of that.

Hi Centurion bro, thanks for your compliments

Yup I will definitely post my comparisons about differences between Continental and japanese cars.

 

[avatar]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Bro Delrosa81,

U getting Montego Blue too??? Must feel sad to let ur civic go....it is a good ca too!!!
But sure won't regret...like me!!! :nehnehhh:

 

[delrosa81]

Re: Will BMW's ever introduce Optitron Gauges?

Bro Delrosa81,

U getting Montego Blue too??? Must feel sad to let ur civic go....it is a good ca too!!!
But sure won't regret...like me!!! :nehnehhh:

Bro Avatar,

I'm getting the Titanium Silver. Erm sad, actually not really, cos my civic gave me quite some problems and alot of money wasted on repairs.The warranty sucks. Have to pay from my own pockets from outside workshop.

Yup hopefully the Bimmer doesnt give me problems like the civic. I'm keeping my fingers crossed haha. But to be fair, the civic is a great car, nice interior, revolutionary instrument cluster, etc. If not for these problems, I would not have considered changing so early.