High End Luxury Cars

24697 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 3:09 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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#20951 of 24697 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [merc1] by blkhemi Nov 13, 2006 (2:57 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 11:01 am) Why MB opted to give the new GL an optional active damping system tied to an off-road system that no one is going to use, which is standard elsewhere? Why did they feel compelled to just offer the 335hp 4.7L V8 standard, but the only engine? No 5.5L is even planned, only the Bluetec and a possible 6.3. There are a lot of things tha MB did with it's biggest ever US offering that is sort of interesting. But one thing is for sure, they didn't skimp on the refinement and dynamics, which makes an '07 Escalade look like a '34 Buick, all for the same money(as a matter fact, the MB starts 1800 bucks less). And it has a 3rd row that borders on Surburban-expansive. Couple that with it's relatively low weight(for the class) and some real athletic moves, and you have one SUV that is unphased in this class. Ok, the Q7 does compare nicely, which happens to be it's closes competitor. Replies to this message: merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 5:38 pm) tagman (Nov 13, 2006 6:00 pm) merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 9:06 pm) and 37 more...
#20952 of 24697 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [dewey] by blkhemi Nov 13, 2006 (3:10 pm)
Replying to: dewey (Nov 13, 2006 2:24 pm) "The latest CR ratings for various Audi models have been very positive. Unfortunately these one year results will not transfrom Audis into Lexuses in terms of reliablility. Lexus has earned it reputation for quality by being consistent throughout the years. Audi, MB, BMW, and even Porsche have still a long way to go." Welcome back from your short hiatus, Dewey! But, as I see it, regarding Audi, very few owners report the problems that are so purported with German cars. I had the most technology-driven, most powerful and biggest Audi of them all, yet that car never saw one unscheduled visit. The same can be said for many other German cars. The 3-Series for instance(using it as a point, PAT) is enjoying record breaking satisfaction scores. I don't think these people are very happy to know the service manager by first name. This car is now as reliable as it's Japanese/American comp. And the latest MB's are absolutely stellar, mainly the E and S, with the E having 75% less problems than the 96-03 model it replaces. And it's not all cake and ice cream over at Lexus. Several problems have aroused about the LS' 6-speed autobox and the previous 5-speed. The LX470 has not been the model of reliability that most will lead some to believe, right along with it's LC platformate. Diddo the GX. Replies to this message: dewey (Nov 14, 2006 3:00 pm) syswei (Nov 14, 2006 3:13 pm) tagman (Nov 14, 2006 3:18 pm) and 23 more... dewey (Nov 14, 2006 3:28 pm) and 66 more...
#20953 of 24697 I liked by dhamilton Nov 13, 2006 (3:10 pm)
the GL when i drove it. It was smooth, and powerful, very quiet. My problem with it is the ergonomics. They are a disaster IMO. The ML doesn't offer anything in terms of driving dynamics, fit and finish, or hushing road noise over the new MDX. My wife loves the look of the ML, but I doubt it will win her over if she drives it. My guess is that it's gonna come down to the Q7, and the X5, with the X5 winning by a small margin when she's due for another ride. Replies to this message: blkhemi (Nov 13, 2006 3:32 pm) tagman (Nov 13, 2006 4:13 pm) dewey (Nov 14, 2006 7:46 pm)
#20954 of 24697 Re: "I guess no one wants to talk anymore, huh?" [merc1] by houdini1 Nov 13, 2006 (3:26 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 10:49 am) You know, I thought that is what it sounded like.
#20955 of 24697 Re: I liked [dhamilton] by blkhemi Nov 13, 2006 (3:32 pm)
Replying to: dhamilton (Nov 13, 2006 3:10 pm) True to most upper-end MB's, the dash controls are the result of an F5 tornado making landfall. But I must confess, the new S-Class controls are by far and away the most intuitive I've seen from MB in a while. I've seen the MDX, both inside and out, and I came away not all too impressed, especially with the downmarket interior, looking rated under an Explorer Limited's interior. And that exterior, is well let's just say uninspired. I'm now convienced the Honda/Acura designers post-TSX/TL are completely moronic. The new CRV looks like something off of the cartoon movie Cars(and not in a good way), and the new RDX is even worst. On the X5, I've heard glowing reviews on it. Everything from the improved driving dynamics to the newly embossed interior is said to be of first-rate. I can tell you the Q7 is more than competitive. Replies to this message: tagman (Nov 13, 2006 4:13 pm)
#20956 of 24697 Re: I liked [blkhemi] by tagman Nov 13, 2006 (4:13 pm)
Replying to: blkhemi (Nov 13, 2006 3:32 pm) Since we're talking SUV's (of a HIGH END nature, Pat, as promised) the Porsche Cayenne deserves a mention, as does the Range Rover. I will be looking at the '07 X5, the '07 Range Rover, and the '07 Cayenne. They will make for an interesting comparison. (The GL diesel is a seperate consideration at a future point in time, so I can not consider it now, as it does not yet exist.) TagMan
#20957 of 24697 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [blkhemi] by merc1 Nov 13, 2006 (5:38 pm)
Replying to: blkhemi (Nov 13, 2006 2:57 pm) Well a member on another board I post on asked MBUSA about the GL550 and the V8 GL420 CDI and he got: "Thank you for your recent internet inquiry. We anticipate the release of a GL320 CDI at some point in the first quarter of 2007 as a 2008 Model Year vehicle. At this time, we do not have any information regarding the release of a GL550 and the V8 Diesel engine will not be available for the US Market. We would encourage you to periodically check our website. This would be the best source for news on all our models, and can be accessed at www.mbusa.com" So I'd say that for 2008 we might, might get the GL550 (GL500 that is running around Europe now), but no to the V8 GL420 CDI. There will be no GL63 AMG, one of the AMG bosses has already stated this. M Replies to this message: tagman (Nov 13, 2006 6:00 pm) merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 9:06 pm) brightness04 (Nov 14, 2006 9:50 am)
#20958 of 24697 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [dewey] by merc1 Nov 13, 2006 (5:45 pm)
Replying to: dewey (Nov 13, 2006 2:24 pm) I think we can stick of fork in the W220 S-Class and possibly the W211 E-Class as far as JDP and Consumer Reports are concerned. I really believe that once a car gets a bad rep for reliability with them there is no saving the design. We'll have to see what the 07' E-Class will do next year since it no longer has the SBC brakes and has been revamped. Ditto for the new S which is all new and judging by the owners here and there and word of mouth it seems to be an about face when it comes to reliability. There is no way I'd ever let these surveys dictate what type of car I buy. Never. There are GL450 owners who are reporting that their GLs are making a slight hissing noise when parked, i.e. the airmatic is just leveling the car or lowering it after it is parked, but I'm sure some have reported this as a "problem". M
#20959 of 24697 blkhemi by dhamilton Nov 13, 2006 (5:59 pm)
I totally agree. I'm a big Honda/Acura guy, but the first time I sat in the new MDX I said to myself, this interior isn't up to German standards. I had hoped that they would step it up a little and be more competitive. I guess in order to hit their price point, they have to cut somewhere. All that to say, the driving dynamics are pretty competitive IMO. I have driven the Q7 extensively and I love it. I think [hope] my wife will to. The S class interior is very clean and modern. I can't speak to how intuitive it is, or isn't.
#20960 of 24697 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [merc1] by tagman Nov 13, 2006 (6:00 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 5:38 pm) Well a member on another board I post on asked MBUSA about the GL550 and the V8 GL420 CDI and he got: "Thank you for your recent internet inquiry. My personal experience with contacting manufacturers has typically been a waste. It is nothing more than a lesson in public relations. The primary interest of MB is to sell cars. Almost every time there is internal knowledge that an upcoming model could canabalize existing sales, the information is somehow non-existent, not up-to-date, or is totally incorrect. I completely understand how it is in MB's interest to suggest that there will be no upcoming diesel GL for the US market, because there are lots of current units to sell, and those sales are mission critical. But there have been other indications that there will be a diesel GL, and it just makes too much darned good obvious sense. I still believe that there will be a diesel GL for the U.S. market announced or available within 2 years. BTW, I read your post about the ML quality issues that seem to emerge from the Alabama assembly plant. I found that to be very interesting. TagMan Replies to this message: merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 9:06 pm) merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 9:37 pm) and 33 more... brightness04 (Nov 14, 2006 9:50 am)