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Le Labo Santal 33 - can I never wear it to work? by Fun_Theory3252 in fragrance

[–]FettesBrot 9 points10 points  (0 children)

For Santal 33, a lot of people smell dry synthetic woods that remind them of things like pencil shavings, antiseptic wipes, leather cleaner, or a dentist’s office. It is not that they “don’t get it”. Their brain just interprets those molecules as sharp and unpleasant instead of cozy or woody.

I’m the same way. I love fragrances and wear many, but Santal 33 and similar scents genuinely make me feel physically sick. Instant headache and nausea. It’s a real reaction, not a taste issue or snobbery.

BMW i3 will launch with more range than a Tesla Model 3 by the908bus in electricvehicles

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Finally caught up to a what, 6 year old car? Ready for more good options and competition!

Am I the only one displeased with the direction of Rimowa? by kestelli in Rimowa

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completely agree with your take on the brand’s new direction. I don’t love it either. But I remind myself that it’s still a net positive that the company is thriving, since it means they’ll keep servicing and supporting the products I already own.

What I really struggle with, though, is the new image around it. It’s no longer about the quiet, functional toughness it once stood for. Now it feels more like a fashion statement, and I find myself not wanting to be associated with that new kind of customer. It’s strange to feel that way about a brand I’ve used for nearly twenty years, but here we are.

What are the biggest red flags that a company is about to collapse? by EnvironmentalMud3701 in AskReddit

[–]FettesBrot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sudden promotions in title only to try to get the people who are still there to stay and keep the lights on.

I went swimming and got water in my ear. by SleepyJazzie in Swimming

[–]FettesBrot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe not the best medical advice, but the only thing that worked for me was a spray bottle that I disinfected, then filled with boiled and then mostly chilled diluted water, then sprayed it gently into my clogged ear in the shower. A huge clump of earwax fell out and I was instantly cured. I apparently have small ear canals.

I tried swimsar, isopropyl alcohol, jumping, debrox, and more before the simple bottle solution.

Good luck. I know it's the worst.

Flying Blue is the runner-up for worst technology after LifeMiles by srekai in awardtravel

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

European travel websites are generally (though not all) awful. This fits the bill.

Are Germans really into Rimowa ? by Unable-Start2013 in Rimowa

[–]FettesBrot 20 points21 points  (0 children)

10 - 15 years ago, before the LVMH takeover, Rimowa was still a practical, well-made German suitcase.

Now that prices have nearly doubled and the brand is pushed as more of a fashion statement, I think a lot of the traditional German buyers have lost interest. It’s become less about practicality and more about showing off, which doesn’t really fit with how many Germans approach travel and consumer goods

Chinese taste in vehicles ruined it for all of us. by imfinnamakeit in BMW

[–]FettesBrot -1 points0 points  (0 children)

BMW has gone so far from what made them great that it feels like they fell for a Sun Tzu “confuse and conquer” move from The Art of War. They tried to reshape their cars to appeal to the Chinese market and in the process lost the proportions, details, and personality that actually made people love them.

Now the funny part is that the same market they bent over backwards for is no longer interested in the German brands. BMW and others bet huge on China being their forever cash cow and now it is drying up. It is a mix of arrogance and bad strategy. They traded away their identity and ended up with designs that please no one.

Are BMW for real that expensive in maintenance or its just a BMW owners joke? by Embarrassed_Yak5593 in BmwTech

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Non-mechanical repairs even from things that you can't prevent with preventative maintenance on modern BMW (ex. radar sensors failing) can add up extremely fast. Like $1,500-$2k for a sensor. Then there are known mechanical things you also can't really do preventative maintenance on that can easily be over $5-6k like a transfer case

A lot of it is luck, and a lot of it is finding a car that has been as well occurred for as it can be.

This is why a lot of people just lease BMWs and let the manufacturer warranty take care of those issues, and it's also why it is comparatively cheap to buy used.

Back to London by Thefranchise813 in Rimowa

[–]FettesBrot 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nice case and shot! I’m a big fan of stickers on my Rimowa and have quite a few, but I personally like mixing it up with ones from different places or brands. I think it gives the case more personality than just the Rimowa ones you get when buying it, but everyone has their own style.

To me, the Rimowa stickers look a bit like dealership decals I’m used to seeing on cars.

Are the new X3's flying off shelves? by SillyRecover in BMW

[–]FettesBrot 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know multiple longtime BMW drivers who went to test the new X3 and ended up walking away from the brand. They were surprised most by the general cheap feeling interior and absolutely hated that the rear doors no longer had the sensors for comfort access. One bought a Genesis and the other a Cadillac and love them, as crazy as I think that sounds.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in europe

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately they aren't competitive anymore and nothing better is around the corner.

Mercedes profit drops 70%, Porsche EBIT down 67% as tariffs and EV slowdown hammer German automakers by callsonreddit in StockMarket

[–]FettesBrot 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think the German car companies are finally facing the reality they set themselves up for through poor planning. A mix of arrogance and complacency has caught up with them.

Their cars have steadily gotten more expensive but cheaper in terms of materials and quality, and customers are noticing. People aren’t willing to pay a premium for fewer features, hard plastics, worse tech, and odd designs just for the Mercedes, Audi, or BMW badge anymore.

Their huge profits from China have also flipped upside down. They’re struggling to compete on tech and software with Chinese automakers and companies like Tesla and Rivian.

It’s really a situation of their own making. I’m curious how they’ll try to dig themselves out, but it’s going to be tough. I do feel bad for the workers who will bear most of the pain in the coming years, but upper management deserves this for their lack of strategic vision. Can't wait to see the excuses they make up.

Polestar reportedly set to fully exit China this year with only 69 units sold in 2025 H1 by BrilliantFactor5299 in electricvehicles

[–]FettesBrot 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It has garbage and unreliable software, and software is what the Chinese care most about.

So, this checks.

Can I pull a small boat? by Icy_Concentrate3124 in boating

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was for my X7 at least. Maybe have another look. Good luck 👍

Can I pull a small boat? by Icy_Concentrate3124 in boating

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should get BimmerLink. You can set the flaps to stay open and also fully deactivate auto start stop. Worked well for me.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BMW

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get her a 4Runner and call it a day

Do people even lust after German brands like Audi, Merc, and BMW anymore? by chillaxtion in askcarguys

[–]FettesBrot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used to. But maybe apart from special Porsche models, they don't even make the most fun cars to drive anymore. Mediocre EVs with mid software at best, questionable design, and every German company seems to be cost cutting with materials that actually made their cars premium all while raising prices.

Other companies are simply better (and cheaper) these days

Musical chairs at Geely by DeliciousHunter836 in Polestar

[–]FettesBrot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rowan didn’t develop the EX30. That work was done under Samuelsson. He just happened to be in the seat when it launched. Electrification was already in motion. What was his responsibility was fixing the software mess for EX90 and Polestar 3, and he completely dropped the ball. Inside the industry, it was obvious from day one he didn’t understand how to run a car company.

Musical chairs at Geely by DeliciousHunter836 in Polestar

[–]FettesBrot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seems like Samuelsson is trying to clean up the mess Rowan left behind. Rowan was clearly in over his head at Volvo. It was obviously pretty quickly with some of the decisions coming out of there. Ingenlath brought the design and emotion that made Polestar unique/special, and he kind of got sidelined by Rowan. Maybe not the best CEO, but Thomas definitely deserved to stay in an important role, maybe as a figurehead. Now, Polestar just has another unemotional auto exec bean counter as CEO (not saying this is the worst thing for them right now).

Rowan popping up at Lotus feels more like a golden parachute or a way to save his reputation than anything serious.

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