Sign In Join 



High End Luxury Cars

24700 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Sedan



Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.

A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.

Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.



Messages Page 1588 of 2471
1
...
1585
1586
1587
1588
1589
1590
1591
...
2471
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#15869 of 24700
Re: diesel-hybrids and Audi LeMans [lexusguy] by tagman
May 30, 2006 (9:23 pm)
Reply

Replying to: lexusguy (May 30, 2006 2:13 pm)

I was at the local MB dealer just this past Friday and you are right that the CLS looks better in person, but it's still not my cup of tea even though it has quite striking lines. Frankly, I just like the S-Class better.
 
I was actually in to look at the SL and the GL. I am still impressed by the HP improvement in the newer 550 engine over the 500 it replaces. My local dealer was trying hard to make quite a deal on the '06 SL500, and it's no wonder with the '07 SL550 offering so many more ponies.
 
TagMan
#15870 of 24700
Re: BMW 7 AND Harley,Its all image, thats all [reality2] by hpowders
May 30, 2006 (11:33 pm)
Reply

Replying to: reality2 (May 30, 2006 6:30 pm)

As previously posted, I would like to see BMW discontinue the 7.
I like the 7-series but I am partial to BMW.
Most buyers here want to bathe in luxo-barges with rich Titanic-like interiors. This has never been what BMW is about.
Many posters here care more for air-freshioned vibrating seats than the Ultimate Driving Experience.
BMW is out of its element here.
Since it loses all the HELM comparos, I believe the 7 has become a useless vehicle in the BMW stable-call it the BMW's Lexus GS.
 
BMW should stick to where they dominate: the 3, 5 and incomparable M's.
 
I am looking forward to driving the LS 460 this Fall to see if I notice an improvement in the vehicle's handling.
I wish they would get rid of that cursed gated shifter too.
#15871 of 24700
Hpowders by drfill
May 31, 2006 (4:13 am)
Reply
You seem to be developing a fetish for Lexus-bashing, with noticable signs of delusion and/or misrepresentations!
  
   If the 7 is "useless" because of it's mediocre standings in competitive comparisons, what would that make the E-Class, or A6, or 5-series?
 
   They were all beaten by the Lexus GS in C&D's last comparison of this class.
 
   The Lexus GS record is comparisons is rather impressive, and it will only get better when the new engines get here in less than 6 months.
 
   So let's concentrate on bashing one model at a time, since you seem to get mixed-up when you try to go "Two-for-Tuesday".
 
   DrFill
#15872 of 24700
Re: BMW 7 AND Harley,Its all image, thats all [hpowders] by tagman
May 31, 2006 (7:40 am)
Reply

Replying to: hpowders (May 30, 2006 11:33 pm)

hpowders - you and I often agree on many topics that have come up on this forum. And while I understand your point about BMW being "out of its element" with regards to the 7, your suggestion that BMW drop the 7 is not a good idea, IMO.
 
As a premier German manufacturer, it makes very good sense to offer an upper tier sedan like the 7. From a pure business standpoint it is important, but from the perspective of pure performance vs. luxury pampering, I think that the 7 accomplishes more than you are giving it credit for. Certainly if Mercedes did not introduce the new S, folks would be saying that MB is asleep at the switch, and if Lexus were not introducing the new LS460, folks would also be saying that Lexus is not keeping up with the competition. But . . . there is in fact a new S and a new LS is forthcoming . . . both remarkably improved vehicles.
 
So as time goes, the 7 will ultimately find the sweet spot in its quest for the best combination of performance and luxury. For some, it already provides that, but you know very well what BMW is truly capable of and you expect more from them.
 
Perhaps you remember a number of months ago, I asked the question on the forum which cars deliver the best combination of performance and luxury in a single vehicle. It was an interesting discussion, because they (performance and luxury) are often opposing forces. If my memory serves me, lexusguy suggested the Quattroporte as the best combination.
 
Frankly, I think BMW is in a better position than most to ultimately combine performance and luxury in a single vehicle . . . and the 7 series may one day prove to be such a vehicle. I vote to keep it and let it continue to evolve over a long, healthy, and hopefully improving, life.
 
Not too surprisingly, I know a number of guys who love their 7's (but what do they know? )
 
Never give up on BMW! Even if you do buy a Lexus.
 
TagMan
#15873 of 24700
Re: BMW 7 AND Harley,Its all image, thats all [hpowders] by lexusguy
May 31, 2006 (8:06 am)
Reply

Replying to: hpowders (May 30, 2006 11:33 pm)

I am looking forward to driving the LS 460 this Fall to see if I notice an improvement in the vehicle's handling.
I wish they would get rid of that cursed gated shifter too.

 
Dont hold your breath on that one. The LS has had a gated shifter from '95 on, and since the '04 RX330, all Lexus automatics have them.
#15874 of 24700
Top Gear S550 review by lexusguy
May 31, 2006 (9:14 am)
Reply
Apparently they like the car quite a bit. It was interesting to see how flat the car remained even when Clarkson was pushing it sideways, especially for a non AMG car. Quite different than the Fifth Gear XJR.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZWf8xk5Y5w&eurl=
#15875 of 24700
Re: BMW 7 AND Harley,Its all image, thats all [tagman] by oac
May 31, 2006 (10:04 am)
Reply

Replying to: tagman (May 31, 2006 7:40 am)

The reality about BMWs is that while they are good driving cars, they are poor substitutes for real performance sport cars. They thrive on the marketing mantra of the Ultimate Driving Machine... far from it... Bimmers drive real well, no doubt, but ultimate driving machine ? Puleaze... The only ultimate driving machines in the BMW arsenal are the Ms. These are for real driving machines per excellence. Otherwise, the mainstream BMWs (non-SP) excel in rugged good looks (debatable sometimes), good performance inline engines, well balanced, sport-ish handling and excellent braking, all wrapped up in Bavarian-inspired marketing zeal. Buyers lap it up in droves, many of whom are poseurs who'd never take these cars to their extremes, in order to really test their ultimate in driving capabilities.
 
I do not buy into hype... altho' I hope to one day own a Bimmer, probably a convertible, but not bcos of the hype, but bcos I like it for what it is... a good driving car.
#15876 of 24700
HELM Awards by oac
May 31, 2006 (10:16 am)
Reply
I'd like to launch the inaugural HELM Awards for many of the regulars on this forum. Yes, I know its not about us, but without us, this forum would not exist. So its all about us, our enthusiasm, our interests, our time, our presence and contributions to this forum on Edmunds that has made it one of the very best here.
 
Without further ado, I'd like to hand out a few awards. Please feel free to critique, comment, re-award, re-arrange, etc... these awards. Mine are based on my personal observations after more than 3 years on this forum. For those not *winning* any awards, do not be offended - simply try harder next time
 
1) Longest HELM poster award:
Merc1
2) Anything MB award:
Merc1
3) Business-savvy poster:
Ljflx
4) Anything Audi-esque award:
 Blkhemi (the man with the most cars around here)
5) Porsche/VW poster award:
Designman (my personal fav poster, along with Len, btw)
6) Anything Lexus award:
DrFill (tough choice, tho')
7) Most diverse HELM knowledge award:
Lexusguy (hands down)
8) Most legalese award:
GaryH (ok, I may need his legal argument someday, who knows )
9) Least spoken, but most impactful award:
Sam
10) Most impactful recent poster award:
Tagman (Steve was too far off the wagon to even come close)
 
Well, there you have it folks.... Hopefully, this will catch on somewhat and we can revisit these awards on an annual basis.
 
Oh before I forget, one last award:
 
11) Most tolerant Edmunds' host:
Pat_Host
#15877 of 24700
Re: Hpowders [drfill] by hpowders
May 31, 2006 (10:53 am)
Reply

Replying to: drfill (May 31, 2006 4:13 am)

What fetish? I look forward to driving the new LS this Fall. I hope its handling is better than the last one I drove this previous summer.
If I find it to my liking, which admittedly would be a real long shot, I would order the basic car. All those fancy schmancy frills are unnecessary, IMO.
When you guys criticize BMW, I don't deliver cheap, condescending psycho-analysis.
I uh... beat my wife instead!
The fact that you feel YOU must, says a lot more about YOU than it does me.
#15878 of 24700
"I hope To by hpowders
May 31, 2006 (11:12 am)
Reply
one day own a bimmer."
 
Bash the car, and then say you want one?
Gee, sounds like the same thing this poster criticized me for a while back!

Messages Page 1588 of 2471
1
...
1585
1586
1587
1588
1589
1590
1591
...
2471
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement