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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 2099 of 2473

#20977 of 24723 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [merc1] by dewey

Nov 14, 2006 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: merc1 (Nov 13, 2006 10:37 pm)
I've read where a lot of German suppliers opened up shop here back in 1998, but my nose told me otherwise when I sat in the first ML.
 
Good professional wine tasters will smell the bouquet of a bottle and tell you whether it is a good wine or not.
 
Apparently you are uniquely endowed with a nose that can tell the quality of a car from the residue of its wood, leather and chemicals. I am very impressed
 
But seriously it is not only American built Benzes that fall short in quality. When I sat in a BMW X3 I was shocked at its low quality interior. Is it mere coincidence that the X3 happens to be built in Austria by a Canadian auto supply company (Magna Steyr) ? I dont think so!
 
It makes me wonder if Chinese built Audis have the same high quality fit and finish as the Audis that are built in Germany? It is possible that a supplier of Chery(Chinese Auto company) supplies some parts for a Chinese-made Audi?

#20978 of 24723 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [syswei] by tagman

Nov 14, 2006 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: syswei (Nov 14, 2006 4:13 pm)
Do you think that any of the cars at this point are actual maintenance "nightmares"?, Or would you agree with my perspective that only by comparison, do the EXTREMELY reliable cars stand out, and that most of the rest are still more than adequate in terms of their reliability, with only a possible few exceptions?
 
TagMan

#20979 of 24723 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [dewey] by merc1

Nov 14, 2006 (4:22 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Nov 14, 2006 4:16 pm)
Apparently you are uniquely endowed with a nose that can tell the quality of a car from the residue of its wood and chemicals. I am very impressed
 
Yep..lol! Seriously though a Mercedes has a distinctive aroma as do most European luxury cars.
 
But seriously it is not only American built Benzes that fall short in quality. When I sat in a BMW X3 I was shocked at its low quality interior. Is it mere coincidence that the X3 happens to be built in Austria by a Canadian auto supply company (Magna Steyr) ? I dont think so!
 
Well here is the difference between BMW and Mercedes, BMW is more aggressive. Didn't the 07 X3 get a mild interior revamp to address this issue? Mercedes likely won't do much to correct this right away with the ML/R, they'll wait until the facelift and that will be a couple more years. Judging by what they've done at facelift time regarding the E and SL there is hope for the ML/R interiors.
 
M

#20980 of 24723 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [syswei] by dewey

Nov 14, 2006 (4:28 pm)

Replying to: syswei (Nov 14, 2006 4:13 pm)
Not important because you think the numbers are wrong? Or because a true enthusiast shouldn't care about reliability?
 
Wrong and wrong again.
 
The numbers may be correct and I do care about reliability. But the differences between average reliability and excellent reliability in cars is far too subtle for me to care about. This is not the 1970s of exploding Pintos. IMO the most important diffence between cars is how they drive. And usually that difference is more than subtle.

#20983 of 24723 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [dewey] by tagman

Nov 14, 2006 (4:42 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Nov 14, 2006 4:16 pm)
Is it mere coincidence that the X3 happens to be built in Austria by a Canadian auto supply company (Magna Steyr) ? I dont think so!
  
It makes me wonder if Chinese built Audis have the same high quality fit and finish as the Audis that are built in Germany?
 
It is known fact that different assembly plants have different results in quality. Merc's recent indication about Mercedes' Alabama plant having quality concerns is a real issue. Interestingly, I learned from a friend of mine who owns a Honda dealership, that their Hybrid model is DELIBERATELY assembled in Japan to assure its quality. What does THAT say?
 
No surprise here, IMO.
 
TagMan

#20986 of 24723 Re: Quality is Job One Again for MB [dewey] by houdini1

Nov 14, 2006 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Nov 14, 2006 4:28 pm)
Then that explains why the Europeans do not make cars with excellent reliability. They don't have to if it is not a buying critera for their customers.
 
Until their customers become more discerning regarding reliability issues the customers will just have to settle for "almost as good".
 
Reliability usually means that the cars are just made better...closer tolerances, better materials, more modern mfg. plants etc., etc., etc.

Messages Page 2099 of 2473

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