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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 2132 of 2473

#21304 of 24723 Merc by drfill

Nov 24, 2006 (8:27 pm)


   I see the problem with your test drive and Topspin's both of you are comparing a 2007 Benz to one that was designed in the 80's (1995 E420) or even earlier in the case of Topspin's test drive. To sit here and say that Lexus has influenced Mercedes is a ridiculous if you can't see where the LS' series entire being is due to Mercedes. A few cues from Lexus for Mercedes pales, doesn't even compare to a lifetime of envy and up until now blatant copying.
  
A S-Class is supposed to be plusher than a E or ML, no matter what year they are.
 
   No, apparently you don't see the problem, since I spent now 2 days with the S550 and LS at the same time.
 
   The leather was nite and day better than a 90's E420, which is no excuse for having leather less appealing than a Geo Prism Lsi!
 
   C&D made mention as much of the LS' influence, when they tested the 2000 S430 against the LS, in one of the LS' wins over the S-Class, as the 1999 model developed a "tropical" interior, with colors and textures reminiscent of the LS. Too bad the interior didn't function like an LS.
 
   I have no problem saying the last S-Class was clearly better-looking than the LS was. But that script has flipped. "My Humps" is not even really close to the LS on that front now.
 
   So I guess your point is because the LS was inspired to meet, or exceed, the S from the satrt, that Mercedes couldn't possibly learn a new trick from the LS? Keep repeating that until someone believes it. That class is still in session.
 
   Tag
 
   Sorry the LS doesn't impress you, but the New S has the same effect on me. It's rear end is GM-bad, and it's interior is no better in materials or appeal than the LS, plus it is still harder to use.
 
   For a car asking $86k to start, it better be impressive. VERY impressive! I don't see anything there to be impressed by but a legendary badge.
 
   I guess those saddlebags remove any slab-sided design, but, on second thought, maybe a slab-side wouldn't have been such a bad idea?
 
   DrFill

#21305 of 24723 Re: Merc [drfill] by tagman

Nov 24, 2006 (9:18 pm)

Replying to: drfill (Nov 24, 2006 8:27 pm)
Sorry the LS doesn't impress you, but the New S has the same effect on me.
 
It is interesting to me how we see this so totally opposite one another, but that's what makes the world go 'round.
 
Let me tell you that I do appreciate that you and I can have a difference of opinion without getting personally insulting (unlike some of these other posters) . . . you've got class, Doc.
 
TagMan

#21307 of 24723 Re: Merc [drfill] by esf

Nov 24, 2006 (11:06 pm)

Replying to: drfill (Nov 24, 2006 8:27 pm)
The LS460 doesn't really impress me, either. It looks unendingly boring on the road- an LS460L drove right in front of my face, and when I glanced at it I thought it was an ES. But then it kept going, and going, and going... so I finally saw the back and it said "LS460L".
 
If you have the means, the S550 is the only way to go in this class. It's dazzlingly beautiful. To say the interior isn't more appealing than the LS's is like saying the Audi A8's interior isn't nicer than the 7 Series's. The S-Class has a beautifully executed interior, whereas the LS460's looks almost identical to any other sedan in Lexus's lineup. A flagship sedan is supposed to be special, different, exclusive. The S-Class, A8, 7er and even XJ all fit this rule. The LS seems to be the only one that didn't get the memo.
 
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330

#21308 of 24723 Interior Design by tagman

Nov 25, 2006 (12:12 am)

Let's compare the interiors of the LS to the S-Class.
 
Here's the LS: Extremely common and typical dash/center stack/console layout, old stale idea in use for years. Nice, well-executed and functional, but nothing unique ... as these 3 pics show ...
 

 

 

 
And now here's the S-Class interior: Much less typical and less common, contemporary, unique, representing a new modern appearance and fresh theme. Very graceful as shown by these 3 pics ...
 

 

 

 
 
 
TagMan

#21309 of 24723 Esf by drfill

Nov 25, 2006 (6:45 am)

   Continually throwing the ES into the converstaion is irrelevant, since the C-Class has aped the S-Class for generations, and nobody brings that up. Does the C-Class cheapen the S' looks? That plane flies both ways.
 
   I enjoy the New ES' looks too, (finally)!
 
   Tag
 
   The S-Class interior borrows from the 7 HEAVILY. More than the LS does from the 7 on the outside. I think I've seen this movie before (and didn't like it).
  
   So what was "unique" 4 years ago (uniquely bad) in the BMW is now the hot stuff in the Benz?
 
   When you are running to BMW for interior design ideas, your walking blind without a cane, my friend!
 
   Apparently Mercedes doesn't like it's own interiors too much, since they radically change with every generation. Maybe their customers are saying "Try Again, please!"
 
   How about doing the same with the 7 and S?
 
   Thanks for illustrating my point so well!
 
   'Ppreciate dat!
 
   DrFill

#21310 of 24723 Re: Interior Design [tagman] by 2001gs430

Nov 25, 2006 (7:06 am)

Replying to: tagman (Nov 25, 2006 12:12 am)
And now here's the S-Class interior: Much less typical and less common, contemporary, unique, representing a new modern appearance and fresh theme.
 
I know this is subjective, but it looks off-balance to me.

#21311 of 24723 Re: Esf [drfill] by tagman

Nov 25, 2006 (9:03 am)

Replying to: drfill (Nov 25, 2006 6:45 am)
The S-Class interior borrows from the 7 HEAVILY.
 
I disagree. The 7's interior dash is basically a straight line from driver's to passenger's side, while the S's is curvaceous. The 7's has seat controls on the sides of the center console, not the S, and the 7's central dash is illogically littered with buttons, switches, and knobs... nothing like the S-Class's very clean layout at all.
 
Apparently Mercedes doesn't like it's own interiors too much, since they radically change with every generation. Maybe their customers are saying "Try Again, please!"
 
Oh, now I understand... that's why manufacturers change the exterior... customers are saying "Try again, please."
As you should know, sarcasm doesn't get any point across at all.
 
Your sarcasm aside, in real life most folks appreciate and eagerly anticipate new body styles with every new model cycle... or even a mid-cycle refresh.
 
So, it also makes sense to re-style the interiors of cars as well. Not an easy accomplishment, but Mercedes rose to the occasion. Lexus only tweaked the same old interior dash/center stack/console layout, while Mercedes S-Class interior represents a more recent and contemporary restyle.
 
TagMan

#21312 of 24723 Re: Esf [tagman] by houdini1

Nov 25, 2006 (9:12 am)

Replying to: tagman (Nov 25, 2006 9:03 am)
Gotta agree with drfill here. All very subjective but the Lexus looks much more modern and tasteful to me. Different strokes.

Messages Page 2132 of 2473

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