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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 863 of 2473

#8620 of 24723 ljflx by merc1

Mar 17, 2005 (11:23 pm)

I can't believe it. One of my wishes has come true!
 
Mercedes-Benz has just decided to sell a S350 Sedan here for the final run of the current S-Class! Very interesting move.
 
You know what this means right? They're getting buyers ready for the next-generation S350 as the entry level S-Class.
 
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/models/main.jsp&modelCode=S350V
 
I can't believe it! It is a short wheelbase model though. The S65 AMG has also been released too.
 
The 2007 S-Class will include a 268hp S350, a 325hp S450 and 380hp S550, according to this most recent discorvery about the current S350 and the rumor mill about the new V8s.
 
Not since 1993 has Mercedes done a one-year engine/bodystyle model in the U.S.
 
I wonder if this will prompt BMW to send us a 740i and Jaguar an XJ8 with the smaller 3.5L V8? Maybe an Audi A8 3.7L V8?
 
M

#8621 of 24723 Re: ljflx [merc1] by denaliinpa

Mar 18, 2005 (4:24 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Mar 17, 2005 11:23 pm)
i feel their is a market for a swb S that MB
has not been chasing in the US. in the swb the V6 should be enough to allow the vehicle to perform equal or better than the 4.3L V8. the new engines really put MB on top in the HP battles. in the end there will probably be 5 different engines, rwd or awd, and 2 wheel bases to choose from. definately not a one size fits all approach.

#8622 of 24723 denaliinpa by merc1

Mar 18, 2005 (4:56 am)

Well I'm reading something very curious on MB sites right now. They're speculating that the new DOHC direct injection V8s won't be ready at launch so the first two S-Class models will be the S350 with the new generation V6 that made its debut in the SLK350, and the S550 that will use a modified version of the current naturally aspirated AMG 5.5L V8 from the CLK/SLK/C55 models, tuned to 380hp. This will be the first model year production it seems according to various MB sites. Then in for MY2007 in Europe and sometime early 2007 in the U.S. a next generation 4.5L 325-340hp V8 will appear in the S450 and then a re-engined S550 with a 400+ hp 5.5L V8 both with all the tricks, direct injection, dohc/32v etc. will appear for the 2008 model year. Interesting. I've seen this theory tossed around before. This makes some sense considering they're selling the S350 again in the U.S. All will be revealed come Sept.
 
M

#8623 of 24723 Cripes - the S350 is a V6 by footie

Mar 18, 2005 (6:37 am)

Pass the smelling salts! I feel faint.
 
I can't believe that Mercedes would stoop to offer a V6 for this luxury class. Everybody knows how awful it is to have a luxury car without a V8. That's why the RL has been beat up so long by so many.
 
What could MB be thinking? Are they opening the door for Acura or was it the other way round.
 
Maybe the ridiculous price they ask for the S class is the real problem, multiplied by the Euro's strength against the Dollar.

#8624 of 24723 Re: sv7887 [merc1] by bobp7

Mar 18, 2005 (6:53 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Mar 17, 2005 10:30 pm)
merc1:
sorry if i misunderstood your post. i just feel the very fine execution of the phaeton tends to get mixed up with the totally bungled vw marketing and dealer network.
i don't have time right now but i will try to get back to you with some info on the differences between what i have been informed are, different platforms. i originally thought they were the same too.
bobp7

#8625 of 24723 Comparing the S350 and the RL by footie

Mar 18, 2005 (7:00 am)

That got me thinking, so I did my own comparo between the S350 and RL and can't figure out where the S's extra length and wheelbase went.
 
The inside compartments are virtually identical in volume and leg/head room. The cars are the same width, yet the S is 5 or so inches longer in length and wheelbase. They weigh the same.
 
Since the RL is SHAWD there's a power train down the middle like the Benz, so it's not the FWD layout is it?

#8626 of 24723 Re: ljflx [merc1] by ljflx

Mar 18, 2005 (7:59 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Mar 17, 2005 11:23 pm)
Did BMW have a 6cyl 7-series at any time when MB had the S-320? I don't remember. Was MB the only large sedan with 6cyl? I also don't remember how well that S-320 sold either or what reasons they gave for discontinuing it here. But discontinuity drives me nuts. The six cyl S dies and comes back. The A8's SWB dies and comes back. The S8 hibernates and comes back. All those things would malke me afraid to buy those cars. Leasing is different as the Mfr. bears the risk.

#8627 of 24723 Re: ljflx [ljflx] by michael_mattox

Mar 18, 2005 (8:55 am)

Replying to: ljflx (Mar 18, 2005 7:59 am)
It sounds like a desperate company grasping at straws...
 
Could a 6cyl. Mercedes be competitive with an Acura with it's much lower price and superior reliability...I doubt it...

#8628 of 24723 Re: ljflx [ljflx] by merc1

Mar 18, 2005 (9:02 am)

Replying to: ljflx (Mar 18, 2005 7:59 am)
Yes there was a 6-cylinder 735i at one time from 1988-1992, just before the last S320 came out. The previous S320 made up 40 percent of S-Class sales during certain years from 1992-1999. The Audi S8 is/was performance model and doesn't "die" like you say it does. Its the same has MB not having an E55 from 1996-1998, or BMW and M5 from 1997-1999, those models always come a few years after the basic car appears. Like there is no M5 due until the end of this year as a 2006 model, while the new 5-Series has been around since the 2004 model year. Hardly anything to worry about like you making it out to be, its a normal practice. For the SWB A8 and 6-Cylinder S-Class maybe so if you were buying - you're worried about resale value?
 
M

#8629 of 24723 7-series and sixes by designman

Mar 18, 2005 (9:17 am)

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I think the 7s from 77-91 were all six cylinder. They were all V8 from 92 to 95. In 96 they came back with a six in the 728. Don't know long that lasted but it's easy enough to find out. I recall reading that there was supposed to be a six in the new platform but 2006 doesn't have it.

Messages Page 863 of 2473

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