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Sedans 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
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.
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Replying to: drfill (Feb 09, 2007 9:06 pm) Doc, just because you didn't notice the brakes doesn't mean that there isn't something going on with them. The brake pedal on the LS is much more sensitive at the first light touch. This is something that can likely be gotten used to, as I mentioned in my post after driving the LS. Initially it means that the operator has to be extra careful or the pedal gets touched too hard, and then the brakes grab. It's perhaps more about the smoothness and feel of the response to the brake pedal that is the issue, IMO, although in addition to brake pedal feel, I understand that the road tests so far have concluded that the Mercedes S550 brakes deliver significantly better stopping distances than the LS's brakes. I never said the ergonomics were easy in the S, although the COMAND knob is as natural as can be, the way it sits directly in front of the armrest, just waiting for your right hand to use it. And the seat controls are as simple as apple pie. No searching blindly for buttons. The Mercedes buttons are actually the shape of the seat in full view. Easy enough for a toddler, for goodness sakes. I do think that the Lexus LS has good ergonomics, but there would be a learning curve with all the buttons and switches. Likewise, I also think the S550's COMAND system would take some time to get used to, but once that is accomplished, it would be instant fingertip control. The salesman who was of course familiar with the COMAND system, was able to do use it at lightning speed. It was impressive and I felt comfortable with the menu and interface. Again, I see the COMAND system as just a learning curve, and then the reward is clearly at the fingertips, as well as the voice commands. My impression of serious road testing of these cars is that most real-life driving is not really that demanding anyway. The Lexus LS will do fine for most normal driving. For the more spirited driver, however, the LS would be a disappointment, while the S550 would be more fulfilling. That said, the S550 provides more realistic feedback to the driver than the LS, while the LS steering is remote and disconnected. I am positive of this difference. It is real and it is absolute... whether or not that difference matters is a personal choice. I know that the LS has its merits, but I have always understood you to be a guy that seems to often talk the talk of a spirited driver... y'know about the stick shift and all, and the EVO, and the MazdaSpeed, etc... that's why I can't understand how you could not prefer the truly wonderful driving dynamics of the S550. Heck, the COMAND system shouldn't be the obstacle... it's not as important and it can be learned... even by an old retired Doc like yourself.  It's the drive that counts and I'm surprised that you don't go for it like a kid with his candy. TagMan |
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Replying to: tagman (Feb 09, 2007 8:13 pm)
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No surprises in your fine, COMANDing review of the Mercedes Benz S Class, tagman. Looking forward to your test drive of Edmunds top pick, the Audi A8, which would be the only HELC I myself would be interested in driving. Having driven the S Class already should prove a vital and interesting comparison.
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Replying to: tagman (Feb 09, 2007 11:05 pm)
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Replying to: tagman (Feb 09, 2007 11:05 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Feb 10, 2007 7:49 am) I tried to post that link yesterday and had a problem, then forgot it.  What do you think? |
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Replying to: lexusguy (Feb 10, 2007 7:49 am) After I test drive the Audi A8L and the BMW 7-series, perhaps the Q! Even though I'm not going to buy one of these cars at this point, I'm having fun driving them. I usually do make a point to eventually drive most cars, but I think I have Pat to thank for being the catalyst this time around. TagMan
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Replying to: mikeivan (Feb 10, 2007 6:51 am) You're welcome, Mike... you owe it to yourself to drive a Porsche. Also, I suggest that you drive the S-Class if you haven't done so. If you noticed the difference between the LS430 and the LS460, then you will definately notice the clear difference between the way the S550 drives and the way the LS460L drives... a difference I believe that most drivers would just naturally feel and appreciate. That said, there may be other reasons to still prefer the LS over the S550, so I'm not trying to start any debate here. I just highly doubt that the LS's steering would ever be one of those reasons to choose it over an S-Class. TagMan |
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Replying to: mikeivan (Feb 10, 2007 6:51 am) You're welcome, Mike... you owe it to yourself to drive a Porsche. Also, I suggest that you drive the S-Class if you haven't done so. If you noticed the difference between the LS430 and the LS460, then you will definately notice the clear difference between the way the S550 drives and the way the LS460L drives... a difference I believe that most drivers would just naturally feel and appreciate. That said, there may be other reasons for you to still prefer the LS over the S550, so I'm not trying to start any debate here. I just highly doubt that the LS's steering would ever be one of those reasons to choose it over an S-Class... the opposite would be more realistic. TagMan |
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Replying to: houdini1 (Feb 10, 2007 5:36 am) Yes, the system is actually called "COMAND"... spelled with one letter "m". Check it out on their website. I can see the SNL skit, too. The feature built for a total control freak... in total command... who goes crazy after he loses control. LOL. TagMan |
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