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.

Outline

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#4350 of 24700 Designman by shipo Mar 05, 2004 (12:41 pm)
There is a lot to be said for the idea of replacing my 530i (when the time comes, and none too soon at that) with something like a Dodge Stratus for under $20K and then a 1995 911 for $35K. Then again, we still have our old 1998 Caravan as a third car so maybe I'll just skip the Stratus and get a lightly used 2000-2002 911, or even a 2003 M5. Best Regards, Shipo
#4351 of 24700 vcheng - would you look at an Infiniti M45 by footie Mar 05, 2004 (1:27 pm)
If you can stand the bland styling the M45 is quite a bargain in this segment. Edmunds gave it a very positive review, particularly in the performance and handling. Lexus-class reliability and quality, class leading 340 hp V8 333 ftlbs torque VVT w/32 titanium valves. ABS/EBD/TRAC/VSC, 18" wheels, 5 speed sport / automatic. You can get it without the moonroof, nav, etc. but you are stuck with leather, though the seats are ventilated and highly bolstered. Should sticker out around $45,000 and given its lack of popularity, probably can be had for a substantial discount. It's probably one of the best car buys in this category if you are more interested in how it drives than how it looks.
#4352 of 24700 M45 by edspider1 Mar 05, 2004 (3:08 pm)
That does fit vcheng's requirements. I went to the web site. It is well priced. I'm suprised it isn't selling better. I didn't notice a manual tranny option.
#4353 of 24700 Bingo: No manual tranny. by vcheng Mar 05, 2004 (7:13 pm)

#4354 of 24700 Manual tranny by footie Mar 06, 2004 (6:50 am)
Just for clarification vheng, do you think that the automatic tranny's with the + / - up / down sport shifting are significantly different from the manual transmissions with shift pattern and a clutch? It seems like to me that these newer autotranny's offer the best of both worlds - without a clutch to bother with! If you want to select gears you can. If you want to run through the gated notches you can. If you want to put it in drive you can.
#4355 of 24700 Audi A8 Service History by davieboy1 Mar 06, 2004 (11:55 am)
I am seriously considering lease/purchase of an A8. Loved the car when I test drove it at the dealer, but I have been reading about service and reliability issues and poor residual values. An extended warranty seems to be a must in this car but I cannot have a car in the shop that long. One person had theirs in the shop 17 days since October. Is this a major concern. Should I again look at the 745i with its quirks like idrive but better reliability and residuals. Thanks.
#4356 of 24700 Footie by shipo Mar 06, 2004 (12:03 pm)
While I cannot speak for VCheng, I can opine for myself. An automatic is an automatic is an automatic. No matter how many do-it-yourself shifter devices they invent, it's still an automatic. IMHO, nothing can replace a conventional manual transmission with a third pedal style of clutch, nothing. What's the difference you ask? After all shifting is shifting, right? Nope. With a true clutch (as in foot operated), you have an infinitely variable speed of engagement ranging from feathery soft to slammin' so hard that the glove box involuntarily egresses its entire contents on the passengers' seat (or lap as the case may be). Done right, a car with a manual transmission is smoother or faster or both, depending upon the mood of the driver. Then of course there is the mileage to consider, not that buyers of "High End Luxury Marques" pay too much attention to mileage. That said, I kind of like the fact that my 530i 5-Speed gets about 31mpg on road trips and has averaged a little over 25 mpg in its first two years with me. So, for my money (and I suspect for VCheng's as well) only a transmission with a stick and a third pedal need apply. Best Regards, Shipo
#4357 of 24700 Davieboy by michael_mattox Mar 06, 2004 (3:07 pm)
Just guessing but I think your chances are the Audi A-8 will be as or more reliable then the BMW 745.
#4358 of 24700 Thank you Shipo, my thoughts exactly! by vcheng Mar 06, 2004 (7:22 pm)
You said it all, more eloquently than I could've myself.
#4359 of 24700 Davieboy by ksurg Mar 07, 2004 (10:02 am)
Hands down you will get a better lease deal on the 745i. Why? Mostly because the relatively low residual on the A8L as compared to the 745i. Other factors to consider include a more comprehensive scheduled maintenance program on the BMW and higher insurance premiums on the Audi( due to its aluminum construction). Intellichoice rates the 745i as excellent and the A8l as average in terms of cost and reliability. Even Edmunds has the A8L as having a higher true cost of ownership. From an option standpoint the BMW doesn't have four wheel drive but the A8 is not yet available in a SWB model. Lastly its hard to talk about reliability and get trustworthy info, especially since the A8L is so new. My personal experience having owned an A6 4.2 and 540i was that the Audi had far more problems but most of them were not serious and were fixed promptly by the dealership. I recently was in your position and went with the 745i because the deals were to good to pass up. So far I love the car. The whole quirky idrive thing is beyond me... everything seems intelligently if not intuitively designed despite what you read on this page( keep in mind that idrive before '04 may have been a different animal). IMO MMI is no different. Good luck with whatever you decide they're both great cars!