An automatic transmission is just that- automatic, consequently most people tend to pay very little attention to it until a major problem rears its ugly head.
Picture the scenario- you are driving along in the lap of luxury, the satellite radio blaring and the heated seats on. You have become accustomed to the comfort level and great driving experience brought to you by BMW.
You decide to stop at the local convenience store on your way home to grab some ice cream for the kids and a bottle of water for yourself. Upon returning to your car, you start it up, check your rear view mirror, put the shifter in reverse and then the unthinkable happens- the engine just revs as if it is in neutral and the car goes nowhere!
This article deals with the reasons behind an unexpected loss of reverse in certain BMW automatic transmission equipped vehicles, specifically the 3 series and 5 series vehicles that use the ZF5HP19 or steptronic transmission. This includes the popular 323i, 323ci, 325i, 328i, 330i, 525i, 528i, 530i, X3 and X5 models well as some others built in the 1999 to present model years.
To eliminate confusion, this does not apply to vehicles equipped with the GM 5L40 E transmission, just the ones with the sometimes problematic ZF5HP19. The 5L40 E has some issues of its own that are beyond the
Thursday, October 14, 2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Review
Pros:
- Elegant and stylish
- Loaded with every possible luxury amenity
- Spacious and comfortable cabin
- Superior driving experience for highway cruising
Cons:
- Very complex to operate
- Underpowered and heavy
Mercedes-Benz is one of the best known automotive brands in the world and can claim to be the oldest automotive brand that is still active. In the US, owning a Mercedes has long been a mark of success, showing that you have arrived in the world. A few years ago, however, the shine on the distinctive three-prong star has been a bit tarnished by some manufacturing quality issues and a user control interface for the onboard computer that has was panned in the automotive press. Mercedes is known for their strong engineering strengths and historically sound quality, so I expected the cars to bounce back to their former glory. With a chance to review the S400 Hybrid, I looked forward to see how they had recovered from those mishaps as well as see how they had embraced the new environmentally green movement with a hybrid luxury car.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Cadillac – what do you think about when you hear the name?
From its inception until the 1970s, Cadillac was definitely the car for Americans who “made it” in life. It was a car that defined class, elegance and success. Of course, the 1970’s disco era and the oil crisis really wreaked havoc on the Cadillac brand. Ever drive a 1976 Eldorado with the 7L V8 and 180 hp?‘God awful’ about sums it up.
The eighties were no better, with hunks of crap like the Cimarron, which was simply a rebadged Chevy Cavalier.
The nineties saw glimmers of hope for the brand, especially when the 300 hp Northstar V8 was introduced – a terrific engine even today.
With the success of Northstar-powered V8s in the Allante, Eldo, Seville, and DTS, people slowly started coming back to the brand because Cadillac was no longer a slovenly, gutless anchor weight that only appealed to fans of Glen Miller and Ensure. They were still big, but at least they were more powerful.
My opinion of Cadillac didn’t change until the CTS and XLR were introduced. I never put Cadillac in the same category as a BMW, Mercedes or even Lexus for that matter. But now I do. Why? Because Cadillac trimmed the fat, started offering cars in manual transmissions, endorses a Cadillac branded racing team and has cars like the CTS-V which can eat an M5 for lunch…which is one hell of an achievement. For the first time, they’re successfully balancing performance with luxury, and hence, attracting a younger buyer.
2011 Volkswagen Jetta Review – More car and more affordable
Likes:
- Interior space (especially back seat)
- Highly intuitive touchscreen interface for stereo/satellite radio/navigation
- Rear end looks more luxurious than flat rear of previous generation
- Ergonomic positioning of driver controls (signals, cruise, sound, etc)
Dislikes:
- Lack of power at lower rpm’s
- Center arm rest is too far back and angled downward to be functional/comfortable
- Phone connectivity non-intuitive and non-functional (in my case)
- Noisy fan at highest setting
The People’s Car
Volkswagen has been in the United States since the 1950’s, and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers in the world. With the sixth-generation Jetta that is now less expensive, lighter and larger (almost 3” in length) than the previous version, VW is targeting buyers of the Civic and Corolla with the base price of the Jetta S at $16,755. Incidentally, the base is almost $1k less than the 2010 Jetta S. The model I drove was the Jetta SEL which starts at just over $22,000. With the in-laws in town, I was eager to test out the new Jetta over a few days.
Volkswagen has been in the United States since the 1950’s, and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers in the world. With the sixth-generation Jetta that is now less expensive, lighter and larger (almost 3” in length) than the previous version, VW is targeting buyers of the Civic and Corolla with the base price of the Jetta S at $16,755. Incidentally, the base is almost $1k less than the 2010 Jetta S. The model I drove was the Jetta SEL which starts at just over $22,000. With the in-laws in town, I was eager to test out the new Jetta over a few days.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
2011 Volkswagen Jetta Review – More car and more affordable
Likes:
- Interior space (especially back seat)
- Highly intuitive touchscreen interface for stereo/satellite radio/navigation
- Rear end looks more luxurious than flat rear of previous generation
- Ergonomic positioning of driver controls (signals, cruise, sound, etc)
Dislikes:
- Lack of power at lower rpm’s
- Center arm rest is too far back and angled downward to be functional/comfortable
- Phone connectivity non-intuitive and non-functional (in my case)
- Noisy fan at highest setting
The People’s Car
Volkswagen has been in the United States since the 1950’s, and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers in the world. With the sixth-generation Jetta that is now less expensive, lighter and larger (almost 3” in length) than the previous version, VW is targeting buyers of the Civic and Corolla with the base price of the Jetta S at $16,755. Incidentally, the base is almost $1k less than the 2010 Jetta S. The model I drove was the Jetta SEL which starts at just over $22,000. With the in-laws in town, I was eager to test out the new Jetta over a few days.
Volkswagen has been in the United States since the 1950’s, and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers in the world. With the sixth-generation Jetta that is now less expensive, lighter and larger (almost 3” in length) than the previous version, VW is targeting buyers of the Civic and Corolla with the base price of the Jetta S at $16,755. Incidentally, the base is almost $1k less than the 2010 Jetta S. The model I drove was the Jetta SEL which starts at just over $22,000. With the in-laws in town, I was eager to test out the new Jetta over a few days.
Paris Motor Show News: Porsche 911 Speedster Returns
Reports came in just yesterday that Stuttgart was planning an ultra-hardcore GT3 RS, but the German automaker has now announced an altogether different variant of its iconic sports car: the 911 Carrera GTS, which will make its official debut at 2010 Paris Motor Show.
Created by the Porsche Exclusive department, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the 911 Speedster honors the 1953 classic from which it draws its inspiration, with only 356 examples to be built. The unique shade of French racing blue comes standard, and continues on the rather, um… interesting two-seat interior, with Carrera White available at no extra charge.
Adopting the styling cues of the very first Speedster, the new model receives a flamboyant appearance with a unique “chopped” windscreen that has been lowered by 2.4 inches and is more extremely raked than that used on other 911 models. It also gets the wide-body rear end of the 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet.
The 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster is powered by the latest version of its 3.8-liter flat-6 cylinder engine. As recently confirmed for the 911 Carrera GTS, it delivers 402 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The only gearbox available is a seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox with a locking rear differential.
2011 Infiniti M56x Review – Your personal Learjet for the streets
Pros:
- Prodigious power
- Impeccable materials and craftsmanship
- Game-changing luxury and technology
Cons:
- Computer-controlled powerplant
- No V-8 growl, just a exhaust note that sounds manufactured
Infiniti’s new M-series luxury sports sedan has the brains and the brawn to compete with Bavarian and German luxury car manufacturers. Under the spotlight Infiniti has used its M56x as a showcase to illustrate how technology should be put to use in everyday life; abundant and ever-present, but imperceptible and noninvasive. The M56x offers power, luxury, and technology in ways that you didn’t know you needed, but once you experience them, you won’t want to live without them.
Driving Impressions
I’ll jump at the chance to drive anything with big horsepower. In this case, it was a 420 hp luxury sedan. I had envisioned being rewarded with wheel spin upon mashing the gas pedal, yet gritting my teeth under braking and cornering. Upon taking delivery of the test car and seeing its size and heft first-hand, I was sure my initial impression was justified as I thought to myself, “all-aboard the USS X56m!” At about 4,200 pounds, I figured the acceleration would be brisk, but it would drive like a boat. I was so wrong.
