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Sedans 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
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.
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I've read several posts about the 300/E platform sharing. Let me say this first. The 300 does not use a DIRECT CLON E OF THE E-CLASS CHASSIS. Only the 5-link rear suspension is used. The 300's front suspension uses a similar setup, but here to it's all iron v. all aluminum on the E. The E-Class even uses MB's Airmatic air-spring suspension v. a traditional coil-over-shock for the 300. The wheelbase of the Chrysler is 120" long(3 longer than a '06 S-Class, 8 longer than a new E550). Platform sharing? Might wanna rethink that. GM, followed closely by Toyota, are the kings of all-out platform sharing. GM managed to sell 7 different variations of the GMT360(Trailblazer) platform. Folks this is what you call cheaping out, not being cost effective, especially seeing how the chassis was great for '02, but a year or two later, it was found to be old tech with onslaught of new competition. Toyota has this problem also. But to a greater extent because they do vice versa of what MB does. The lesser brand lends the more luxurious brand the platform: Highlander= RX350/400h Camry=ES350 Land Cruiser=LX470 Toyota 4Runner=GX470 And the following are based off of Japanese-market cars that we don't get GS LS IS True, platform sharing is a must in this business nowadays to stay afloat. But to say one brand is devaluing itself based on lending it's rear suspension geometry to a car that has sold 390k copies since it's '05 inception is flat out pathetic. Does BMW devalue itself by selling $20k Mini's? MB with Smart(albeit with a shaky start, questionable US stability)? Both makers posted bigger revenue's and profits over Lexus(not Toyota) this year. Interesting indeed.
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Replying to: blkhemi (Sep 02, 2006 6:48 am) GS LS IS Not anymore. Our IS, GS, LS is now Japan's IS, GS, and LS. When they had Toyota badges on them, they were the same car, just with a different name. Its not as if a "lesser" JDM Toyota was used to make our LS. Its the same with the Honda Legend and Nissan Fuga. Same car, different badge. |
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Replying to: blkhemi (Sep 02, 2006 6:48 am) 
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Replying to: houdini1 (Sep 02, 2006 9:57 am) Some of the people on this board that criticize Lexus/Toyota seem to be Audi fans.... Are they employing a double standard? OK for Europeans to share, not ok for Asians?
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Replying to: blkhemi (Sep 02, 2006 6:48 am) No. Because BMW does not share its platform with any Minis. And yes BMW's reputation would be diminished if they shared their platforms with Mini. The fact that BMW does not engage in platform sharing with non-luxury models is what makes BMW an exceptionally distinct auto company. True, platform sharing is a must in this business nowadays to stay afloat. BMW doe not only stay afloat but thrives without any platform sharing between luxury and non-luxury models. IMO that is the way it should be for any auto maker that manufactures exclusive luxury cars. |
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Replying to: hpowders (Sep 01, 2006 3:21 pm)
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Replying to: syswei (Sep 02, 2006 10:10 am) The new upcoming Audi MLP platform will not be shared with any Volkswagens. Despite Toyota being the best platform sharing company in the industry I would never consider a Lexus that shares its platform with a more humble Toyota. A Lexus LS, GS and IS are the only cars that I would ever consider seriously, otherwise I would save my money and buy a V6 Camry instead .
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Replying to: houdini1 (Sep 02, 2006 10:15 am) That guy Clarkson is a real sour puss too. Hardly likes anything. He calls the 535d " a true 155 mph car." Looks like he was having a lot of fun putting it through its paces at the track. |
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Replying to: dewey (Sep 02, 2006 10:17 am) 
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Replying to: syswei (Sep 02, 2006 10:10 am) Some of the people on this board that criticize Lexus/Toyota seem to be Audi fans.... Are they employing a double standard? OK for Europeans to share, not ok for Asians? Whether it's the domestics, Asians or the Europeans . . . it absolutely makes no difference. We've all seen different forms of platform sharing over the years, and we've even seen vehicles with engines from different manufacturers. Heck, my Lotus is a British Eurocar with a fabulous Japanese Toyota powertrain . . . so where's my double standard that you speak of? The point is that there are big differences in the methods used for platform sharing. Re-badging what amounts to no more than cosmetic changes is certainly one thing we've seen, but sharing engines with otherwise entirely different vehicles is another, and sharing the chassis and suspension is still yet another. It depends upon what is shared. I was joking the other day when I mentioned the idea of a Mercedes using the Dodge "Hemi" engine. So, the platform sharing can be at many different levels. The old Chevy Camaro / Pontiac Firebird thing comes to mind. So, tell me . . . the Chevy is like the Toyota and the Pontiac is the like the Lexus . . . right or wrong? TagMan
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