Topic: BMW M6 & 535Xi Touring

[ovr50]

Thanks, evil, the 535xiT with the MSport pkg (in Deep Sea Blue with the darker brown leather) would be a primo choice for me. That 535xiT is an awesome-looking wagon.  

[ghost]

stunning! I always liked the M6! A bit big but such a looker.

[airbalancer]

Question about the radios
Does it have a HD setting?
If so is there any station you can get?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Question about the radios
Does it have a HD setting?
If so is there any station you can get?

I'm curious too.

Automakers 'putting their dollars behind' HD radio
Laura Clark Geist
Automotive News
September 3, 2007 - 12:01 am EST
 
High-definition radio is the next weapon in traditional radio stations' battle with satellite radio and other technologies for listeners, including vehicle owners.

Within the next two years, an estimated 55 car and truck models will offer HD radio, which provides digital technology, high-quality sound and the ability to broadcast several channels from the same dial position, without charging subscription fees.

Peter Ferrara, 56, is CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance, a trade group that is overseeing the national rollout of HD radio. He spoke with Special Correspondent Laura Clark Geist about HD radio's potential appeal to automakers.

How many stations are broadcasting in HD?

We are up to 1,350 stations on the air in 198 markets, reaching 82 percent of the U.S. population.

How many of those stations have multicast or HD2, which adds a secondary station to the dial position?

The current count is 646. Broadcasters are doing brand extensions and new, innovative formats.

How does this enable you to attract automotive advertising dollars?

If (an advertiser) is looking for young men between the ages of 18 and 20, there is probably an emerging HD2 station targeting that audience.

What types of auto ads is HD radio getting now?

The HD2 channels on the air under the auspices of the Alliance are being offered commercial-free for the first couple of years. Automotive is really just beginning to ramp up. As OEMs come to market, they are putting their dollars behind it.

How many automakers offer HD radio as factory equipment?

Those that have announced include BMW, Jaguar and Hyundai. We expect eight other OEMs in the next 18 to 24 months.

I don't think HD radio is looking to create a revenue stream from automotive. But there is and always will be a love affair between radio and the automobile. To the extent that HD helps that flourish, we may be the beneficiary of additional advertising.

Does HD have text capability?

It has full data capability. If General Motors is running an ad on the radio, you can have the GM logo appear. There will be an opportunity for two-way communication with HD radio in the future, where it can have a "buy now" button.

Is there a marketing campaign for HD radio that stands out?

BMW was one of the very first to source, design and produce HD radios for their vehicles. They have overlaid that with some great creative.

For instance, BMW is the "ultimate driving machine," and HD is the "ultimate listening machine."

[airbalancer]

I listen to HD on the internet all the time
http://www.fox951.com/cc-common/hdradio/
http://www.fox951.com/cc-common/hdradio/player1.html?thestation=http://mfile.akamai.com/21875/live/reflector:40924.asx?bkup=58268&currPos=-1
great tune, much better then XM

[dave]

Ummmm....I haven't even turned on the stereo in either car.  It sounds better with the windows down and the radio killed.

 

[ovr50]

Ummmm....I haven't even turned on the stereo in either car.  It sounds better with the windows down and the radio killed.

 

Why would you, just listen to the sweet engine sounds. Stereo, bah, who needs it? 

[mdxtasy]

Ummmm....I haven't even turned on the stereo in either car.  It sounds better with the windows down and the radio killed.

 

Why would you, just listen to the sweet engine sounds. Stereo, bah, who needs it? 

That's how I drive the Porsche....it's got a CD player in there somewhere.

[Mitlov]

Amazing cars!

I'm not surprised to hear that the salesman was helpful and professional.  If I was about to get the commission for selling an M6 and a 535xi, I would be too

[ovr50]

Ummmm....I haven't even turned on the stereo in either car.  It sounds better with the windows down and the radio killed.

 

Why would you, just listen to the sweet engine sounds. Stereo, bah, who needs it? 

That's how I drive the Porsche....it's got a CD player in there somewhere.

Likewise when I had the GT/CS, sounds of the engine are too sweet to drown out with some head-banger screaming his butt off. 

[Giant Dwarf]

Ummmm....I haven't even turned on the stereo in either car.  It sounds better with the windows down and the radio killed.

 

PFFF... admit it, Dave, you just don't know HOW to turn on the stereo.  Figured out the HUD yet?   

[dave]

Ummmm....I haven't even turned on the stereo in either car.  It sounds better with the windows down and the radio killed.

 

PFFF... admit it, Dave, you just don't know HOW to turn on the stereo.  Figured out the HUD yet?   

HAHA, yeah, I found it.

By the way, Willis, I'm still waiting to see your pics...

[inco]

Willis    - hmmn, care to fill in the blanks here Dave. Gossip is good.

[Giant Dwarf]

Whatchoo talkin' bout, Dave?   

[ovr50]

Been doing more test drives lately and I have to say that BMWs are one car where what you see on paper as to hp, torque, weight, etc compared to what the car feels like when you actually drive it are quite disconnected. What I mean by that is I just drove a 528xi sedan today, and on paper, the 3L in-line 6 with no turboes, and a car weight of about 3800 pounds, 230 hp, 200 lb/ft sounds like it might be touch unpowered. NOPE, that sucker can fly and feels so darn good going down the road. The car's perfect balance, and gearing (especially in Sport mode) make it tres enjoyable to drive. Does the 535xi with the twin-turbo go faster? Of course, but the difference is not so great as you would assume just reading about the specs of the two cars. Sometimes it just doesn't matter if you get to 100kph in 7.9 vs 6.4 secs (for example). A second and a half really means nothing unless you are drag racing.

I guess my point is that many cars, particularily domestics and some Japanese, the hp/torque/weight ratios are more critical. In a BMW, these stats are made to feel less important due to better balance, easily high revving engines, and superior drivability. 

[Julie]

Interesting Ovr....

Ovr, did you test the manual or automatic?

[ovr50]

Interesting Ovr....

Ovr, did you test the manual or automatic?

Six speed auto with Steptronic. Has "D" mode (regular, more conservative shift points) and "DS" mode (sport, has much higher shift points).

Also drove a 335i with Steptronic with paddle shifters. That thing bangs off a 0-60 in about 5.9 secs, shifting automatically in DS mode. I think some of the new automatic trannies shift faster than just about anyone except professional racers.

I drove the 335i vs the 528xi back to back, twice. Didn't drive a 535xi or i yet. 

I'm doing "research" for a friend, and it's raising hell with my regular job....