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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 739 of 2473

#7374 of 24723 Re: [princeabubu] by oac

Jan 30, 2005 (5:53 pm)

Replying to: princeabubu (Jan 29, 2005 3:57 pm)
I am re-visiting the link provided by Merc1 re the 2006 7-series
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050127.007/page/1/l- ang/eng/bmw/1.html
 
and providing a couple excerpts that are just too funny to ignore:
 
BMW’s iDrive control concept, the ergonomically sensible combination of single-button control and display monitor introduced in 2001 and much copied since then, has now been further refined....
 
Huh ? The idrive is now "much copied" ? By who ???
 
All BMW 7 Series now feature BMW’s two-stage Adaptive Brakelights: Whenever the driver applies the brakes harder than usual, motorists following behind are warned by the larger brake light area.
 
I am supposed to keep my eyes glued to the rear of the Bimmer just to see that *larger brake light area* when brakes are applied too hard. Huh ? What a feature ???
 
The optional CD changer is now MP3 CD-capable
 
An optional CD changer on a $80K+ car ? Geez... You can get a CD changer standard on $30K cars, but not on a BMW 7-series ?
 
What would they think of next ???

#7375 of 24723 Oac by designman

Jan 30, 2005 (6:41 pm)

Once again, BMW buyers put up with a lot. A guy in one of the 7-series threads admits that he hates the look, but he can't buy anything else because of the ride. RIDE, think RIDE.
 
I really like what they did with the derriere—added a lot of horizontal detail to camouflage the trunk lid, kind of like Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. And your wife is right about it looking solid—like a metamorphic mountain of stainless steel—impervious to nuclear blasts.

#7376 of 24723 by princeabubu

Jan 30, 2005 (9:29 pm)

The info from GermanCarFans is straight from BMW NA, so it's no surprise that they are hyping all this stuff that really isn't that big of a deal...

#7377 of 24723 by merc1

Jan 31, 2005 (2:34 am)

Yeah you have to read press releases with a big (*) in mind. I think BMW might be referring to the knob/controller in the new RL and I think they probably know the next S-Class' interior layout, considering they are both German companies. GM and Ford have moles in each others companies as do Toyota and Nissan, hell any company worth their salt spies on whoever they think is competition.
 
M

#7378 of 24723 Moneypenny, what's my itinerary? by designman

Jan 31, 2005 (5:14 am)

I read somewhere that many of the staff designers know each other having gone to the same schools. They allegedly share ideas when they hobnob. Not sure I believe this but it could happen as there are so many curious similarities among brands. In my business it doesn't happen—we'd be shot if we did that sort of thing. Everyone is protective of their work. Then again, the MO in auto manufacturing is probably quite different. Industry cultures vary considerably.

#7379 of 24723 Mercedes 4th in US in 2004 - Cadillac 3rd by footie

Jan 31, 2005 (6:12 am)

Per Autoweek, Mercedes low sales in the U.S. allowed Cadillac to push them into 4th place in the Luxury market in the U.S. Lexus and BMW were 1st and 2nd.
 
Mercedes also announced continuation of the employee discount plan for Chrysler workers. Now those workers and up to six family members (hope remains supreme) can get a discount of 12.5% off sticker. I can just imagine that all of those UAW folks are gonna step right up and save the company by taking home a new S600 for $109K and change.

#7380 of 24723 Re: Mercedes 4th in US in 2004 - Cadillac 3rd [footie] by paldi

Jan 31, 2005 (6:57 am)

Replying to: footie (Jan 31, 2005 6:12 am)
I am considering offering myself up for adoption to any Mercedez Benz employee.

#7381 of 24723 Re: Oac [designman] by oac

Jan 31, 2005 (10:17 am)

Replying to: designman (Jan 30, 2005 6:41 pm)
like a metamorphic mountain of stainless steel—impervious to nuclear blasts
 
That, imo, is an excellent marketing caption for the 7-series. BMW execs, hello ?? Are you reading this ???
 
And designman, Lexus owners put up with a lot as well. Like exterior design that is conservative (some call it bland and vanilla), electronics that work as intended, and the RIDE that is, well, CUSHY and PLUSH ! See, we do suffer the same indignities of our chosen brand as well.
 

#7382 of 24723 Re: Oac [oac] by designman

Jan 31, 2005 (10:46 am)

Replying to: oac (Jan 31, 2005 10:17 am)
Well, I'm starting to see that you are not the typical LS buyer. You've got a bit of the BMW disease. I remember how enthused you were about your friend's 330.

#7383 of 24723 Re: Oac [designman] by oac

Jan 31, 2005 (11:18 am)

Replying to: designman (Jan 31, 2005 10:46 am)
I LOVE the 330. I've driven it quite a few times (have 2 friends with identical 2001 330ci). I've always said that the only alternative for me not buying a 330ci would be an IS350 coupe/vert, assuming the latter is comparable in ride, handling, and performance, and with higher reliability and better pricing. Who wouldn't take the Lex under such conditions ?

Messages Page 739 of 2473

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