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High End Luxury Cars

24723 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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 1786 of 2473

#17844 of 24723 Re: Die-hard BMW fans..... [merc1] by dewey

Aug 09, 2006 (4:35 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Aug 08, 2006 10:37 pm)
Nothing radically new about the X5 looks. It appears BMW is playing it safe with the styling of their newer models.
 
I saw a picture of what the new 2009 BMW 5 series may look like in the September Automobile Magazine. The styling of this car appears very conservative. Maybe Chris Bangle is under some kind of restraining order and is not allowed to enter any BMW design studios/premises?
 
Designman,
it appears BMW is reading your posts.

#17845 of 24723 Re: Die-hard BMW fans..... [merc1] by hpowders

Aug 09, 2006 (5:19 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Aug 08, 2006 10:37 pm)
The X5 has always had BMW's nicest interior and the most front leg-room.
 
The new one looks pretty much like the old one from the side.
 
Not a very exciting re-do, IMO.

#17846 of 24723 The Quietest Luxury Car in the World by dewey

Aug 09, 2006 (6:19 am)

The MB CL Class.
 
The pains MB takes just to make the audible experience of driving a joy goes beyond what any other car company would do. Over-engineered MBs may be derided here but there are definite advantages in this type of over-engineering.
 
The first-class comfort offered by the new Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is also an audible experience. Thanks to meticulous development work and the most modern testing procedures, the coupé is by far the quietest car in its class.
 
In addition to the noise configuration and sound insulation of the engine, exhaust system and chassis of the new CL-Class, it is the car’s good aero-acoustics in particular that make it a very quiet driving experience for drivers and passengers. As early as the conceptual phase, Mercedes engineers took pains to ensure that the bodyshell was optimally streamlined so that wind noise was reduced.
 
It was with this in mind that they designed the airflow-efficient A-pillars, developed a more rigid bodyshell with reinforced outer surfaces and achieved a new sealing concept for the doors, which is acoustically even more efficient than in the preceding model. This exemplary noise insulation is also helped by the side windows, which have a thickness of six millimetres in the new CL-Class coupé.
 
link title

#17847 of 24723 Re: Die-hard BMW fans..... [merc1] by lexusguy

Aug 09, 2006 (9:50 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Aug 08, 2006 10:37 pm)
I like it myself, particularly the interior. BMW has gone back to a gear shift lever, but a very trick one of course.
 
I like the interior as well. It reminds me a bit of the new 3 series, but without those cupholders that mess up the flow of the dash. Definitely better than the ML.

#17848 of 24723 Kumbaya by oac

Aug 09, 2006 (10:42 am)

For a time reading thro' HELM you'd think it was the ill-conceived, ethno-centric European HELM board ... what a laughable concept by some people here to carve themselves out just bcos....
 
Its all about BMW this, and MB that... Like I said, its cool with all these Euro talk cos Lexus is primed and ready to pounce. I'm taking some time sitting on the sidelines myself. I'll be back in full force after launch of the LS460. Then we'll see whose got the mojo to scoot through this class unscathed. I predict soon, all the Bimmer/MB fans are going to start talking/hyper ventillating about this new LS. Its gonna rock....
 
Any of you catch the MT short blurb on the LS460 and the 600hL ? Simply put, for the 600hL, MT stated that: "Lexus is about to change the automotive world. Again."
 
See what I mean about the LS series rocking...
 
I'll be seeing you all later.... My wedding anniversary beckons... Going away the rest of the week/weekend.
 
ps: Tag: How's that Elise treating you so far ? You are a lucky chap/bloke/mate/guy... just plunking down that kinda cash on an Elise. What do you do for a living again ?

#17849 of 24723 Re: Kumbaya [oac] by dewey

Aug 09, 2006 (10:59 am)

Replying to: oac (Aug 09, 2006 10:42 am)
I am trying to figure out the point of your post but your rhetoric keeps on getting in the way.
 

#17850 of 24723 Now for some BMW rhetoric by dewey

Aug 09, 2006 (11:06 am)

OAC,
 
I am trying to figure out the point of your post but your rhetoric keeps on getting in the way.
 
Although your rhetoric would certainly not be out of place in Lexus marketing brochures. Since you've enlightened me with the Lexus version of promo talk I shall do likewise and enlighten you with the BMW version right from the mouth of the BMW VP of Marketing himself:
 
Jack Pitney: Historically, if you look back at how different German brands market themselves, they have always tended to market the engine excellence. With the [hybrid] engine, when we bring a different concept to the market, it has to be uniquely BMW's interpretation of whatever product it is. [For instance, we call] our X5 a 'sports activity vehicle' versus an SUV . . . when we launched it, it was all about the drive. SUVs before that had been very practical but didn't drive so well on an existing truck platform. We positioned ours as a perfect driving machine and we've had tremendous success with it. So when we bring a hybrid power train to the market, it has to be the ultimate type of power train and has to remain true to what we do.
 
I must regretfully say that BMW rhetoric is almost as bad as Lexus rhetoric.
 
link title

#17851 of 24723 2006 JD Power VDS released by lexusguy

Aug 09, 2006 (11:20 am)

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.asp?ID=2006133
 
Interesting report. Lexus swept the premium segments with the exception of compact sports car (they dont have one), and full size lux SUV, which they lost to Cadillac. The Z4 and SLK were nominated, but lost to the S2000.
 
Cadillac, Jaguar and BMW all did very well. BMW actually slightly edged out Infiniti, which is surprising, as this VDS doesn't include the awful QX56.
 
Mercedes was below average, but well above Audi, and Porsche. Pretty large gap between Porsche's IQS and VDS data. As usual, Land Rover is embarrasingly bad.

#17852 of 24723 Re: Kumbaya [dewey] by oac

Aug 09, 2006 (11:20 am)

Replying to: dewey (Aug 09, 2006 10:59 am)
Ha... I figured those BMW-rose glasses are getting thicker these days, eh ?
 
More rhetoric for you... link title
 
Lexus winning 12-in-a-row car dependability honors.... in a survey of 47,000+ owners. Geez.. what a lame concept ! It surely doesn't drive as well as a BMW, eh ? How dependability doesn't factor into a car ownership beats me.. except for the Germancarfans who seem to live in their cars

#17853 of 24723 Re: 2006 JD Power VDS released [lexusguy] by dewey

Aug 09, 2006 (11:26 am)

Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 09, 2006 11:20 am)
Lexusguy,
 
the most interesting quote about the JD Power findings is the following:
 
 The gap in long-term quality between luxury and non-luxury brands has been cut in half during the past four years, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today.
 
In other words if long term quality is a top priority, then buying a luxury vehicle makes less sense than four years ago.

Messages Page 1786 of 2473

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