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.

Outline

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#19547 of 24700 Re: More diesel news [tagman] by blkhemi Oct 05, 2006 (2:39 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Oct 05, 2006 9:50 am) And that estimate of 9% may prove a little on the conservative side, as automakers now are making alliances on improving and innovating new ways of making diesel the renewed source for internal combustion. On one side, you've got automakers that now have conjured up ways to get even cleaner diesel engines without the need of urea tanks. Thanks to piezo injectors(these are used in the race-versions of diesels), the atomazation of the diesel fuel is delivered to the cylinder more precise, thus elimanating back-burn, which causes the high Nox levels and the lovely aroma of SOOT!!! And then on the other side, the automakers have actually been able to keep costs down, even tho this new technology does cost major bucks to be mass-marketed. You've got Audi, MB, and now BMW all making clean diesel some way or another. MB just announced that they had good reason on holding off on the urea tank for the Bluetec, they've found a way to get the clean stuff without it. Audi recently announced that the new TDI's will meet EVERY emission requirements in the world(altho most countries don't have them). The new 5.0L TDI V10 will be twin-turbo'd and has been tested for durability over 500k miles. And of course everyone knows what BMW is doing with the diesel-electric. This thing has just began.... Replies to this message: tagman (Oct 05, 2006 2:55 pm)
#19548 of 24700 Speaking of alliances by blkhemi Oct 05, 2006 (2:44 pm)
Nissan's stocked surged 3% yesterday as the company has halted 3 months worth of talk with GM in hopes of forming an alliance. Well, honestly, I didn't think that was going to work. As I've eluded to before, that company isn't even out of the dark yet, as witnessed by the many quality woes that still plague their American made vehicles. And Renault? Need I say anything about the absolute most unreliable mass-marketed brand. Replies to this message: tagman (Oct 05, 2006 2:56 pm) blkhemi (Oct 05, 2006 4:16 pm)
#19549 of 24700 Re: More diesel news [hpowders] by tagman Oct 05, 2006 (2:52 pm)
Replying to: hpowders (Oct 05, 2006 10:48 am) The emergence of lawful cleaner diesels in the USA should create a sensation in several years, and should render the hybrids to deserved obsolescence. These diesels will be cheaper to buy than hybrids and get much better mpg. Sounds like a no-brainer. A great link. Very exciting stuff! Glad you liked it! My initial enthusiasm for gas/hybrid technology has faded away fast. I am 100% behind the re-emergence of the diesel, as many of you know by now, and I look forward to purchasing a diesel powered vehicle in the near future. I agree with you that it has been frustrating to read the great reviews, only to discover that they won't ever be hitting our shores. Well, all that's about to change, my friend, and it's about time. TagMan
#19550 of 24700 Re: More diesel news [blkhemi] by tagman Oct 05, 2006 (2:55 pm)
Replying to: blkhemi (Oct 05, 2006 2:39 pm) that estimate of 9% may prove a little on the conservative side This thing has just began Absolutely. TagMan
#19551 of 24700 Re: Speaking of alliances [blkhemi] by tagman Oct 05, 2006 (2:56 pm)
Replying to: blkhemi (Oct 05, 2006 2:44 pm) Nissan's stocked surged 3% yesterday as the company has halted 3 months worth of talk with GM in hopes of forming an alliance. Today's news reported that they have now turned towards Ford. What do you know about this? TagMan Replies to this message: blkhemi (Oct 05, 2006 4:16 pm)
#19552 of 24700 Um, folks? by pat HOST Oct 05, 2006 (4:02 pm)
This is supposed to be, check the title, a discussion about High End Luxury Marques. Could we drop the Hondas, Nissans, Fords, Hyundais, etc. and get back on topic? Replies to this message: houdini1 (Oct 05, 2006 6:25 pm)
#19553 of 24700 Re: Speaking of alliances [tagman] by blkhemi Oct 05, 2006 (4:16 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Oct 05, 2006 2:56 pm) Getting back on topic, but first I'll answer your question. I don't know much about it, but I do know that they had a better chance with GM. Maybe they're trying to get a bargain English deal on Aston, Jag, and Range. More to the point: Today, I actually for the first time attracted a crowd at the local Mobil filling station. It seems there is a huge fan base for Audi's S cars, particularly the new S6 and S8. One guy was driving a pristine previous generation RS 6, and I ended up making small talk with him over why so many people look over Audi's big car. Conversely the A4 and A6 do very well here. Long story short, here in the NE at least, these cars are highly desireable as you can't even get a Sport-pkg equipped A4/A6 3.2 because of the dealers are out. And the RS 4? fuggadoboutit. S6? Fat chance. S8? Better luck in '08.. But I did here that Audi is really serious about getting the 550hp RS 6 over here next year, as it has just overthrown the M5 in a 3 way G'car comparison test between them and the E63 in a recent German pub.... And Audi is now talking with the big folks(VW) about bringing the A8L TDI in time for the eventual MB S320 CDI.
#19555 of 24700 Re: Um, folks? [pat] by houdini1 Oct 05, 2006 (6:25 pm)
Replying to: pat (Oct 05, 2006 4:02 pm) Pat, here is my theory on why this forum strays off topic from time to time. Most of the folks here are VERY knowledgable about cars...all cars. So, when a regular here has a question or a bit of interesting info about an off topic subject or auto, etc., they come here because they value the opinions here. So thanks for letting it stray from time to time.
#19556 of 24700 Joined the Mercedes-Benz ranks.... by merc1 Oct 05, 2006 (8:43 pm)
Finally, there is a Mercedes-Benz in my garage! Tuesday I picked up a 2003 CLK430 Cabriolet. It is Brilliant Silver over Ash (grey) with an Ash top. Four things come to mind when driving it over the last couple of days; fast, comfortable, stylish and solid. Everything clicks and thunks, from the doors being closed to the windows doing their little drop down/raise up routine everytime a door is opened. The doors on this car are so heavy and the controls all thack and click when used. The ride is of the magic carpet variety, it isn't a sports car and speed is deceptive. I've found myself doing 90 mph when I thought I was doing about 75 at best - dangerous $$$. Handling is also deceptive too, sometimes the car feels as if it isn't going to handle a corner to well, but once you take a set it does just fine and the body doesn't lean as much as you feel it would. If that makes sense. In short there is no BMW-like turn-in here, but it isn't unresponsive either. When you actually push it you find that it can handle, it just doesn't relish the task like say a BMW does. I should have some pics up shortly. M Replies to this message: syswei (Oct 06, 2006 2:32 am) pat (Oct 06, 2006 2:33 am) hpowders (Oct 06, 2006 3:21 am) designman (Oct 06, 2006 5:41 am) blkhemi (Oct 06, 2006 6:51 am) tagman (Oct 06, 2006 7:15 am) houdini1 (Oct 06, 2006 11:39 am) anthonyp (Oct 06, 2006 12:06 pm)