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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1457 of 1609

#14557 of 16087 Re: Acura TL vs Acura TL [robr2] by flightnurse

Aug 01, 2012 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: robr2 (Aug 01, 2012 7:43 am)
My point is that the consumers in this market slice have typically sneered at anything that didn't offer a 6
 
Could this just be the big marketing machine making people think that if it doesn't offer a bigger engine then it not a luxury car? It appears that both BMW and MB are slowly ditching their V12 engine in favor of a twin turbo V8.
 
Ford took a big risk in their F150 by offering their EcoBoost 3.5L twin turbo engine, however, it has been a sales success for them. With CAFE # climbing quickly manufactures are being forced to offer engines they wouldn't have 5 yrs ago. MB offers more cars with Diesels then VW and they sell every one of them. BMW will be bring over a new 3 series oil burner for 2013 and I believe Audi will be doing the same.
 
The Germans imported the higher end cars because they knew they could sell the and make higher profits. I wish I could buy a 328i with cloth seats, 6 spd manual like the Germans can, I have friends who don't want power windows, and sunroof (this is not an option on the 328i.) but BMW doesn't offer that here...

#14558 of 16087 Re: Prices [flightnurse] by graphicguy

Aug 01, 2012 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Aug 01, 2012 3:32 pm)
FN...didn't know that about the higher HP/torque of the Audi 2.0. Sounds like they're getting ready to drop one of those in the A4 from what I'm reading.

#14559 of 16087 Re: Prices [graphicguy] by flightnurse

Aug 01, 2012 (5:42 pm)

Replying to: graphicguy (Aug 01, 2012 4:20 pm)
I hope so, like you I like the A5, now with 265hp, and about 280lbs of torque that could be a fun car.

#14560 of 16087 Re: Acura TL vs Acura TL [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Aug 01, 2012 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Aug 01, 2012 3:49 pm)
Ecoboost f150- good post, ford reported that 42% came in Eco form- should continue to gain traction as people realize they can still haul the boat with a 6

#14561 of 16087 328i M6 and no sunroof Re: Acura TL vs Acura TL [flightnurse] by rayainsw

Aug 01, 2012 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Aug 01, 2012 3:49 pm)
'I wish I could buy a 328i with cloth seats, 6 spd manual like the Germans can, I have friends who don't want power windows, and sunroof (this is not an option on the 328i.) but BMW doesn't offer that here...
 
I just built one on bmwusa.com with an M6 and no sunroof -
cloth, I admit, not available here....
- Ray
Happy with leather, DCT and a hole in the roof...
 
Build Your Own 2013 328i Sedan
PERFORMANCE OPTIONS
STEPTRONIC automatic transmission $0
Manual Transmission $0
Sport automatic transmission with shift paddles $500
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS
Heated front seats $500
Moonroof $1,050

#14562 of 16087 Re: Prices [billyperksii] by markcincinnati

Aug 01, 2012 (7:02 pm)

Replying to: billyperksii (Aug 01, 2012 7:42 am)
Warped rotors make a sound and usually a feel. The term that describes the feel is shudder or shuddering. The sound that is made will remind you of the sound you hear when your ABS brakes are activated. The ABS could be said to pulse rapidly -- typically the warp sensation although similar to the pulsing sensation of ABS is somewhat more violent.
 
The higher the speed the more the shuddering is noticeable and the louder it is too. As the warp becomes more and more severe, the onset of the shuddering is at lower and lower speeds. Mine was seemingly cured by the rotors being resurfaced or turned as it is called.
 
Some rotors cannot be turned without serious longentivity issues. Acura claims their rotors are thick enough to withstand up to three turns.
 
The price of the rotors at an Acura dealer (front pair) installed is about $350 for new Acura replacements.
 
Acura's brakes are fine for most normal driving, but they seem a bit delicate and are not fans of heat (not that any rotors are, it's just that Acura's seem particularly prone to disliking heat.) I can't imagine having this car in the mountains or living with mountains with brakes as intolerant of heat as these.
 
I have no idea why (other than $) a more durable or heat tolerant rotor is not used, especially when we're probably talking about a relatively small $ number to set the car up with bullet proof brakes.
 
My wife's BMWs and my most recent Audis had excellent brakes -- I know they're out there.

#14563 of 16087 Re: Prices [markcincinnati] by fedlawman

Aug 01, 2012 (7:23 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 01, 2012 7:02 pm)
I'm sure most of you have seen this, but I'll post it for posterity.
 
Warped rotors usually aren't...
 
http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/-warped-brake-d- isc-and-other-myths
 
"every case of "warped brake disc" that I have investigated, whether on a racing car or a street car, has turned out to be friction pad material transferred unevenly to the surface of the disc. This uneven deposition results in thickness variation (TV) or run-out due to hot spotting that occurred at elevated temperatures."

#14564 of 16087 Re: Acura TL vs Acura TL [sweendogy] by robr2

Aug 01, 2012 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: sweendogy (Aug 01, 2012 3:24 pm)
But even thou the tsx offers a 4 and a 6 does that make it Ellps? Fwd, slow, no awd option
 
In the proper hands, FWD can perform very well.
 
Driving a slow car fast is much more fun than driving a fast car fast.
 
When did AWD become a requirement for a vehicle to be a performance sedan?

#14565 of 16087 Re: Acura TL vs Acura TL [flightnurse] by robr2

Aug 01, 2012 (7:57 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Aug 01, 2012 3:49 pm)
Could this just be the big marketing machine making people think that if it doesn't offer a bigger engine then it not a luxury car?
 
The marketing machine has said a 6 is mandatory in this category and have not offered a 4 cylinder option for years. They are only doing so now because CAFE is forcing them to and IMHO, the vast majority of the customers won't even care as they don't buy C's, 3's and A4's for performance. They buy them to show their neighbors the label on the trunk without having to disclose the low lease payment.
 
Further IMHO a $50K 3 series is not longer an ELLPS. At $50K it better be much more than entry level.

#14566 of 16087 Re: Acura TL vs Acura TL [robr2] by fedlawman

Aug 01, 2012 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: robr2 (Aug 01, 2012 7:57 pm)
Agreed.
 
Personally, I wouldn't spend $50k on any car in this segment. I suspect that the only people who do are lease customers.

Messages Page 1457 of 1609

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