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 1973 of 2471
1
...
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
...
2471
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#19715 of 24700
Re: Finally a threat to BMW? [maxhonda99] by hpowders
Oct 10, 2006 (4:16 am)
Reply

Replying to: maxhonda99 (Oct 10, 2006 3:50 am)

Disappointing in the sense that the braking was 30 feet worse in the new LS than they found in the old LS 430. The word they used to describe the LS 460 brakes was "pitiful."
Disappointing in the sense that a 0-60 mph time of 6.0 seconds is unacceptable for a sedan with a big V-8.
 
Powerful braking and quick acceleration are important to me, and they should be a given for anyone spending in excess of 60 large.
#19716 of 24700
Re: BusinessWeek on BMW - Great Article [merc1] by tagman
Oct 10, 2006 (8:24 am)
Reply

Replying to: merc1 (Oct 09, 2006 10:16 pm)

While I believe that Lexus has BMW in their sights, I only see them going so far with it. This isn't easy to explain, but a Lexus just isn't built like a BMW.
 
No explanation is necessary. I understand. Of course, BMW has its own unique, and special, build-quality and performance attributes.
 
It's been a while now since I first brought attention to the reality of Lexus placing BMW in their crosshairs. There has definately been a greater acceptance of this now on this board, but there is a need for clarity.
 
You might as well get used to the fact that Lexus will continue to strive to compete with BMW, as well as Mercedes, of course. While Audi and others are in the arena, I do not believe that Lexus has directly targeted them as they have Mercedes and now more recently BMW.
 
Lexus is certainly not BMW, and with regards to all my posts about this topic, I think this needs to be clarified. I have never said, nor am I saying that Lexus is equivalent to BMW in any way. Lexus has their own credits, and they are different than BMW's.
 
While I maintain that Lexus is not equivalent to BMW, I do think they could close the gap, over time. And, Lexus will take some increased market share from those buyers that are not as brand loyal, and from those that do not fully appreciate the special nature of BMW vehicles.
 
Additionally, Lexus will market itself to be more of a performance vehicle than it really is. We already see these types of commercials with racing Lexus vehicles and slogans like "you can't lose". There should be no doubt that people will be swayed. I am concerned about some of these commercials, as I find them on the border of misrepresentation. The slogan "you can't lose" is very clever, and almost misleading, IMO.
 
None of this makes a Lexus as good as a BMW, IMO. It just means that Lexus can improve the performance of their vehicles enough to satisfy a segment of the market and increase their share.
 
The future concern is that Lexus could decide to invest in greater performance, especially if they see themselves making serious inroads into BMW territory. Also, there is the risk, but unknown yet, that BMW will take their latest technology direction too far down another iDrive-type path, and frustrate too many purists with overly complicated technology.
 
I never underestimate Lexus, and try not to overestimate them either. For BMW, Mercedes, and others, it would be foolish to ever turn their back on Lexus, however. It would also be foolish to let Lexus overly distract or derail them (BMW, Mercedes, etc.) from their own directions.
 
Overall, I have very strong faith and confidence in BMW, and I was glad to read that Reithofer keeps a concerned eye on Lexus, as he should, but mostly has his eye on the future of BMW, where it truly belongs. Let's just hope his vision of BMW's future is 20/20.
 
TagMan
#19717 of 24700
I purchased the Audi S8 by scottphillip
Oct 10, 2006 (9:38 am)
Reply
So far, I am loving the Audi. It rides a little stiffly, but not for a performance car. Also, the V10 is quieter than I expected. It lacks the rumble of the AMG cars. I posted photos of the Audi in Car Space.
#19718 of 24700
Re: I purchased the Audi S8 [scottphillip] by designman
Oct 10, 2006 (9:49 am)
Reply

Replying to: scottphillip (Oct 10, 2006 9:38 am)

Nice, enjoy! I like the water sleds in the background too
#19719 of 24700
Re: BIG DIESEL NEWS!! [merc1] by petrie3
Oct 10, 2006 (12:01 pm)
Reply

Replying to: merc1 (Oct 09, 2006 10:19 pm)

That's interesting since I understand the Bluetec isn't yet available in CA since it hasn't met CA emissions standards! (this is according to the mbusa.com website).
#19720 of 24700
Re: BIG DIESEL NEWS!! [petrie3] by dewey
Oct 10, 2006 (12:18 pm)
Reply

Replying to: petrie3 (Oct 10, 2006 12:01 pm)

They should arrive in California . Although timing is not yet definite. At least dont expect any within a year.
#19721 of 24700
Re: BusinessWeek on BMW - Great Article [tagman] by dewey
Oct 10, 2006 (12:23 pm)
Reply

Replying to: tagman (Oct 10, 2006 8:24 am)

OK Tagman your posts are getting far too hard to disagree with.
 
Cant really argue with any of your points.
#19722 of 24700
Re: BIG DIESEL NEWS!! [merc1] by dewey
Oct 10, 2006 (12:24 pm)
Reply

Replying to: merc1 (Oct 09, 2006 10:19 pm)

The more things change the mroe they stay the same, Mercedes-Benz showing the way!!!
 
Ok, Merc dont let it get to your head.
 
Remember there is also a company called Honda that has solved the bladder problems that MB is currently afflicted with
#19723 of 24700
Re: BusinessWeek on BMW - Great Article [dewey] by tagman
Oct 10, 2006 (12:41 pm)
Reply

Replying to: dewey (Oct 10, 2006 12:23 pm)

OK Tagman your posts are getting far too hard to disagree with.
  
Cant really argue with any of your points.

 
There's always the "other" board, if you're looking for trouble. (Of course, I'm just kidding, but someone could think otherwise, as you know.)
 
BTW, blkhemi did respond to my question about whether or not BlueTec was recently improved enough to eliminate the need for the urea additive (in the 5 most restrictive states, including California, where I reside).
 
I believe he indicated that he heard it on a car show on the Speed channel, and inferred that Doc Z (Dieter Zetsche) himself provided the information.
 
I have been trying tried hard to corroborate that, but so far I can not find anything whatsoever to support that.
 
I hope it is true. If you come across something that can verify the accuracy of that information, that would be cool, as I know you are also interested in this.
 
Otherwise, as you indicated, Honda will have the edge, while MB will be stuck with "bladder problems".
 
TagMan
#19724 of 24700
Re: BusinessWeek on BMW - Great Article [tagman] by ivan_99
Oct 10, 2006 (2:04 pm)
Reply

Replying to: tagman (Oct 10, 2006 8:24 am)

While I maintain that Lexus is not equivalent to BMW, I do think they could close the gap, over time. And, Lexus will take some increased market share from those buyers that are not as brand loyal, and from those that do not fully appreciate the special nature of BMW vehicles.
 
I see the inverse happening.
 
With new technologies such as adaptive suspension, new tire compounds, variable rim sizes etc, I see BMW taking sales away from Lexus (eventually).
 
If you can have a BMW hand like BMW's do, but at slow speeds (or when the desired) have a soft mushy luxury ride...why not choose it over the Lexus
 
Once you have developed a solid vehicle that handles superbly...I see it being an “easier” task to make it luxurious than making a mushy car sporty.
 
The only problem with this theory is it assumes that the “mushy” people care at all about the sporty side.

Messages Page 1973 of 2471
1
...
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
...
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