- #151 of 160
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Re: FYI [hpmctorque]
by fintail
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Aug 01, 2009 (10:19 am)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 31, 2009 10:14 pm)
I look at Packard also as maybe occupying the same position in the US market that MB has - especially with the E-class sized cars and above. Usually conservative styling, lots of cachet.
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- #152 of 160
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Re: FYI [fintail]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Aug 01, 2009 (11:31 am)
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Replying to: fintail (Aug 01, 2009 10:19 am)
True, but maybe without all of MBs over-engineering. Packards in their time were not technically complex vehicles. I suspect their vision was "to be ahead of one's time but not very far ahead, so as to suffer for it".
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- #153 of 160
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Re: FYI [Mr_Shiftright]
by fintail
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Aug 01, 2009 (5:46 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 01, 2009 11:31 am)
Maybe over-engineered like a W124 or W126 rather than a W220.
The embrace of V12s and the embrace of a specific radiator shell/grille theme is a nice coincidence, too.
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- #154 of 160
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Re: FYI (Mr_Shiftright) [fintail]
by hpmctorque
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Aug 02, 2009 (7:09 am)
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Replying to: fintail (Aug 01, 2009 5:46 pm)
For most luxury car buyers, over engineering is a positive. For me it's a negative. I appreciate the high quality, luxury, style and driving dynamics associated with luxury models, but don't care for excessive features, some of which detract from, rather than enhance, the driving experience. The new German luxury brands have gone beyond my needs and desires in terms of features. What would get me to take out my wallet would be a decontented A-4, 3-Series or 5-Series, or C or E-Class. Keep the basic quality and goodness, but spare me such things as backup-up and lane change alerts, to name just two of many things I'd delete. I'm not holding my breath.
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- #155 of 160
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Re: FYI (Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque]
by fintail
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Aug 02, 2009 (11:44 am)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Aug 02, 2009 7:09 am)
Amenities can be fun, but they have to be durable and reliable. Nobody likes a car with a defective air suspension or goofy electronics.
An interesting new MB would be this - E-class size, high output diesel, manual, high quality cloth or Tex interior, manual windows and seats, maybe a manual sunroof - kind of like a new old car. But given MBs marketing schemes, especially in NA - it's a pipe dream.
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- #156 of 160
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Re: FYI [fintail]
by hpmctorque
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Aug 03, 2009 (1:23 pm)
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Replying to: fintail (Aug 02, 2009 11:44 am)
The only item I'd add to your imaginary E-Class is power window. They're hardly high tech. A somewhat decontented C-Class would work for me too.
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- #157 of 160
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Re: FYI [hpmctorque]
by fintail
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Aug 03, 2009 (8:05 pm)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Aug 03, 2009 1:23 pm)
I don't mind manual windows - but they have to be a quick crank ratio, no more than 3 from up to down. MB has always had a few issues with power windows - at least through the W210, where regulators are not 100% reliable. If new ones have that solved, I am all for them - esp one touch up and down.
I don't see a return to a 4cyl C until higher output small engines are in production.
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- #159 of 160
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Re: FYI [fintail]
by hpmctorque
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Aug 05, 2009 (12:32 pm)
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Replying to: fintail (Aug 03, 2009 8:05 pm)
I have a question for you, fintail, about the new E-Class, which I'll post in the 2010 E-Class discussion of the Future Vehicles forum, since it doesn't belong here (but I thought I could catch your attention here).
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- #160 of 160
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Re: FYI [hpmctorque]
by fintail
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Aug 05, 2009 (1:11 pm)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Aug 05, 2009 12:32 pm)
got it
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