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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 1920 of 2473

#19185 of 24723 BMW Brakes.... by hpowders

Sep 25, 2006 (10:51 am)

When I drove the 330i in the spring of 2005, the brakes were so grabby, I immediately crossed the vehicle off my list.
 
 The 545 brakes on the other hand are not grabby.
Just impossible to modulate to a nice smooth stop.
Always a jerk at the end (not referring to me) which I find maddening.
 
The next vehicle I shop will definitely have nice smooth brakes. If it is not a BMW vehicle, so be it.
 
Looking forward to checking out the LS brakes when I get my "Taste" in November, although I cannot honestly see myself getting involved with this particular vehicle or the GS450h which I will also have the opportunity to drive.
 
Of all the cars I have test-driven over the last 2 years, the only one that had completely acceptable brakes was the Infiniti M. The worst belonged to the 330i and the GS430.
 

#19186 of 24723 Re: A Taste of Lexus....2006 [ivan_99] by dewey

Sep 25, 2006 (12:59 pm)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Sep 25, 2006 7:25 am)
No restraints was the real deal killer. Otherwise I would have found a real good excuse for owning a coupe instead.

#19187 of 24723 Warren Buffet will make another financial killing by dewey

Sep 25, 2006 (1:01 pm)

Buffett’s car goes for $73,200 on eBay
Money will go to nonprofit organization that helps young girls
 
You know the old saying: Never ever be on the other side of a transaction when dealing with Warren Buffett.
 
A price of $73,200 for a used Town Car .
 
Oh well at least the funds are going to a charity.
 
Buffett

#19188 of 24723 Head of Lexus questions whether the LS really was a HELM by dewey

Sep 25, 2006 (1:51 pm)

Even the head of Lexus thinks the current LS430 and prior LS models was not considered by buyers as a premium luxury car (in other words a HELM)
 
At Lexus for instance, Mr. Carter concedes that up until now, when wealthy customers considered their choices for premium luxury cars, "we weren't on those shopping lists" next to the segment defining Mercedes S Class and BMW 7 series
 
SOURCE WALL STREET JOURNAL Sept. 25, 2006
 
Ofcourse Carter claims the LS460 and the hybrid models will change things. Similar to his predictions that the Lexus GS and IS will be very competitive to the BMW 5 series and 3 series ( a highly debateable prediction at this point of time)

#19189 of 24723 Not Debateable by hpowders

Sep 25, 2006 (2:09 pm)

When I test drove the 2005 LS, it had a very thin slippery, wooden steering wheel with an uncomfortable driver's seat. My back began to hurt after a few minutes despite the lumbar support. It had very sensitive brakes which quite a few other posters agreed with me about. The vehicle had noticeable body lean.
Given all that, I felt it was overpriced as a HELM. I didn't feel there was much value there for the money.
 
When I test drove the 545 vs the GS430, it wasn't even close:
 
The GS had a slippery, thin, partially-wooden steering wheel, highly sensitive brakes, wishy-washy adaptive steering, a confining cabin, limited head room, an uncomfortable driver's seat, a ridiculously-placed utility tray containing needed switches and buttons and a very narrow trunk.
 
What the GS didn't have thankfully, was an iDrive type controller. In its place was a fairly easy to use touch screen.
 
I leased the driver's car, the awesome, impeccably-styled, 545 (even though the Lexus salesman came down to only a few bucks more than the BMW and people on the GS board were begging me to name the salesman).
 
Just don't ask me to change from FM to AM in the BMW.
I'm only a chemist, not a rocket scientist.

#19190 of 24723 Re: Not Debateable [hpowders] by dewey

Sep 25, 2006 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Sep 25, 2006 2:09 pm)
I leased the driver's car, the awesome, impeccably-styled, 545. Just don't ask me to change from FM to AM.
 
My idrive solution is to avoid listening to AM.
 
 Hopefully I will be able to master some functions of idrvie before I sell my car. So at least by then I can show the new owner how to handle the radio

#19191 of 24723 Re: Not Debateable [dewey] by hpowders

Sep 25, 2006 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 25, 2006 3:09 pm)
With my baseball team in last place, my football team 0-3 and the quarterback injured beyond repair, you are right.
There is absolutely no reason to switch to AM, which in my neck of the woods is all sports all the time.
 
iDrive is okay, Dewey (aside from radio band switching) once you program your initial settings. You set it and forget it.
There are the usual buttons and knobs on the wheel and dash that you will use after you customize the iDrive.
 
One possible problem: I dread taking my vehicle in for service because I fear the dealer will disconnect the computer and I will have to input the settings all over again. Hope it has stored memory!
 
Sooo..when you get your twin-turbo beauty, how about we go 10 laps around the Air Canada Centre?

#19192 of 24723 Re: A Taste of Lexus....2006 [tagman] by merc1

Sep 25, 2006 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Sep 25, 2006 8:33 am)
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the writeup.
 
If you were a buyer choosing between the LS460L and the S550 . . . does one car truly stand out, based upon your impressions and tests of both vehicles?
 
Both vehicles are very impressive, but I like the sturdier feel and more buttoned down nature of the S550 more than the lightness of the LS460L. Though unlike the LS430 I can see the appeal behind the LS460L, it is a very comfortable, extremely capable car. It is so much improved over the insipid LS430 it isn't even funny.
 
M

#19193 of 24723 335 event by dhamilton

Sep 25, 2006 (3:31 pm)

I did the 335 event in Houston on saturday afternoon. Much different than the Audi streets of tomorrow event. The 335 event was more driving oriented and sporty driving to say the least. Anyway, I would be like Dewey and have to go for the sedan as well, after seeing the coupe in person it's cool but has some lines that are ill-matched towards the back IMO.
This from a guy who for the most part puts styling towards the bottom of the list.
 Their is defiantly some lag but some of this could be the automatic factor, no manuals available to spool up rpm's on launch. When it does kick in it is noticeable, but smooth. It under steers a bit, but I'm sure that's a little bit of a set up thing for safety. They had G35's to compare directly against. These under steered like a [insert comment] I should have checked the tires to see if they were unevenly matched but I forgot to look.
 Anyway, BMW seems to do the "look how awesome our cars are"
Where Audi is saying, "look how classy our company is" some of that is marketing I'm sure. The Q7 is for families and the 335 coupe is for single guys. None the less, two different days, both entertaining.
 I will be at the Lexus "taste" next month and will post

#19194 of 24723 Re: Head of Lexus questions whether the LS really was a HELM [dewey] by merc1

Sep 25, 2006 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 25, 2006 1:51 pm)
Even the head of Lexus thinks the current LS430 and prior LS models was not considered by buyers as a premium luxury car (in other words a HELM)
 
Well this goes back to what I and others have said for years here, going just by the price and look of the old car it wasn't a true helm. It regularly sold for V8 E-Class/5-Series prices or a little above them, not S-Class or 7-Series prices, but that couldn't ever be accepted by the faithful. Well since things have changed here you won't get the usual go-behind and reinforcement of everything a Lexus official says, especially not this.
 
M

Messages Page 1920 of 2473

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