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10339 messages,  Last post on May 30, 2013 at 3:26 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan

Messages Page 1003 of 1035

#10015 of 10339 Re: Not a popular sentiment, but here goes. . . [lexusguy] by markcincinnati

Dec 29, 2009 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Dec 29, 2009 2:47 am)
My perception or comparison, if you like, was from this perspective:
 
I got out of a 2005 Audi C6 A6 which was pretty well loaded and walked over to my new 2009 Audi B8 A4 (about 15 months ago). The switchgear, the steering wheel (although my A6 did not have paddle shifters), the console, the wood, the feel of the leather, the seat's firmness, the instrument cluster, the soft plastic on the dash, the a/c vents, every knob, button, leaver, etc -- had been "transplanted" or copied from the A6 (my previous A6.) The look, out the windshield, virtually everything about the B8 was taken from the A6. The volume knob, the sat nav, the voice recognition, the bluetooth, etc etc etc -- at least 97% the same as the outgoing A6.
 
I was not -- indeed I cannot -- compare the B8 to a new G37x, I haven't been up close and personal to a G for 1.5+ years. Since my wife has a 2008 BMW, we do spend a fair amount of time loitering at the BMW Store -- and I do believe that the B8 still has a much nicer interior than the current 3 series (and 5 series even).
 
I did look at a 2008 and, as I recall, a 2009 Infiniti G (but not the 2010's) and AT THAT TIME, the G's interior had been updated from the first gen's cheapo look, but, AT THAT TIME, I still felt the Audi interiors were ahead of the game. Today, you may well be correct.
 
Another way to look at this -- the 2009 A4 uses an A6 design first brought to the market in 2004 on the C6 when it first hit the market as the brand new generation of A6's. I have not spent any time, period, looking at 2010 A6's, so although I assume there have been some interior upgrades, I also assume they are not as significant as the replacement A6's will be when the C7 generation comes out.
 
Hope this clarifies.
 
P.S. I did conclude, too, with my own out loud doubts about the VALUE prop of the A4 (and, frankly, every other European car) when for less money you can get a new 300HP AWD sport lux optioned CTS (which does have a pretty nice interior treatment, too.) TODAY, based on the local paper here in Cincinnati, the CTS would be the "biggest bang for the buck," even after reading the fine print on the deals offered.

#10016 of 10339 Re: Not a popular sentiment, but here goes. . . [markcincinnati] by lexusguy

Dec 29, 2009 (3:15 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Dec 29, 2009 12:57 pm)
and I do believe that the B8 still has a much nicer interior than the current 3 series (and 5 series even).
 
Mmmm.. I'm not sure on that one. I haven't spent any time in a new 3 or 5, but at least as far as appearance is concerned, I think the 2008+ 5 series looks significantly richer and more upscale than the B8 A4. I didn't like the initial '04 interior at all, but BMW made significant improvements as part of the '08 freshening, and I think the current 5 now gives the A6 a run for its money, and beats it in some areas. The 3's center stack is on the cheap side, though BMW is rather more liberal in doling out the wood trim than Audi is in the A4, which sort of makes up for it. Overall I'd probably give it to the B8 over the current 3, but its not a total knock out as with the B6 over the previous gen 3 series.
 
Audi improved the start button in the C6, and the gray trim piece that surrounds the instrument cluster and NAV screen was painted silver, but that's pretty much the end of it. Other than the rear lights and the new engine, the C6 really hasn't changed since '05.
 
BMW has stepped up their game that much further on the 2011 5, which has a look nearly identical to the X5 and 7 series. It embarrasses the new E class on the inside, and Audi is going to have their work cut out to beat it with the C7 A6. The 2011 M has by far the best interior Infiniti has ever done, so there's challenge from that too.
 
The new A8 and the A7 concept still have that old Audi "surprise and delight" interior magic, and I hope some of that makes its way into the C7.
 
The CTS just doesn't appeal to me. I've never liked the blocky "Art & Science" look, and while the interior does look nice at first glance, when you actually get up close it's a lot more Acura than Audi. I like it better than the C-class (I like pretty much everything better than the C-class), but IMO the G is the much better value champ.
 

#10017 of 10339 Re: Not a popular sentiment, but here goes. . . [lexusguy] by markcincinnati

Dec 29, 2009 (3:43 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Dec 29, 2009 3:15 pm)
An Infinit M almost became mine back in '05 -- and, for me, Infiniti still stands as the Japanese BMW. The way folks here are praising the new G37, I guess I'd better check one out before I succumb to the Art and Science's low price allure.
 
I did test the latest CTS -- and I have NOT tested a recent Acura, so your observation is probably right on. In any case, the CTS seems, today, to be a lot of car for the money.
 
Now, having said that, I thought the M I almost bought was also a lot of car for the money compared to the Audi (but then Audi gave me a super deal that leveled the playing field.)
 
I have been so loyal, so almost blind, I wonder if I am just stuck with the "nothing even comes close" to a German car mentality that it will take a lot of pulling to not re-up again. But, OWWW, $50K for an A4 2.0T, even with all the toys, it seems a lot.
 
As I recall, it is damn near impossible to get a G UP TO $45K -- although maybe that has changed, too.
 
This recession has just made me think more of bang for the buck -- as if "I've been spending too much on cars for too long, 'specially when I can get what SEEMS to be the same for less." Now, having said that, I simply ASSUME that all the accolades the CTS gets are pretty well deserved and, if that assumption is valid, well, why pay more unless you really do get more?
 
Then, I wake up and remind myself I still hold on to the notion that you generally get what you pay for.
 
Oh hell, maybe I'll just get a Jeep.

#10018 of 10339 Re: Not a popular sentiment, but here goes. . . [markcincinnati] by lexusguy

Dec 29, 2009 (11:54 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Dec 29, 2009 3:43 pm)
As I recall, it is damn near impossible to get a G UP TO $45K -- although maybe that has changed, too.
 
The G37x is pretty much all out of ideas at $43K. That gets you tech, premium, sport, and NAV, including active cruise and headlights, sport seats, BT, the top level sound system, and all the rest. And from what I hear, Infiniti dealers are not exactly asking sticker for these.

#10019 of 10339 new blackberry trying to use with my E350 by backstreets1

Jan 25, 2010 (4:30 pm)

I just got a new Blackberry 8530. Took my car to the dealership and was told Blackberry's are tricky with the MB bluetooth system. Can't transfer my contacts into the car. Anyone have a similar situation? Anything I can buy to help transfer contacts? thanks.

#10020 of 10339 Blackberry with MB by lynnminny

Jan 25, 2010 (8:21 pm)

You might try the website for Blackberry. In the past they have had updated software for some cars that are having difficulty pairing with the Blackberry.

#10021 of 10339 Re: new blackberry trying to use with my E350 [backstreets1] by lynnminny

Jan 25, 2010 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: backstreets1 (Jan 25, 2010 4:30 pm)
Try this link:
 
http://na.blackberry.com/eng/support/

#10022 of 10339 Re: new blackberry trying to use with my E350 [backstreets1] by m4m

Jan 26, 2010 (5:19 am)

Replying to: backstreets1 (Jan 25, 2010 4:30 pm)
... and there is always another choice is to get rid of underpowered and overpriced E350 and get Infiniti M...

#10023 of 10339 bmw 5, Mercedes E, Jaguar XF, Cadillac CTS vs M35 by ghstudio

Jan 26, 2010 (7:30 am)

My 2008 M35 lease is almost up....time to look for a new car. I lease because I never keep a car over 3 years (prefer 2) and the infiniti deals have been so good. Now it's time to find another car.
 
My choices....The BMW 530, Jaguar XF premium, Cadillac CTS, Mercedes E350 (maybe diesel) or a 2011 M35. My wife has eliminated the Audi. The local Lexus dealer just doesn't deal so I eliminated them and I consider the 350 overpriced....and poor resale on GS350's. After 2 M35's, I'm ready for a change even though it will be the least expensive choice due to loyalty dollars and dealer pricing.
 
The BMW is low on the list due to, of all things, the fixed seatbelt anchors on the door posts which make it undriveable by my 5' tall wife. The CTS has very short seat bottoms so they lack support of my legs. The Mercedes has less than a stellar service track record and everyone seems to have them around here....so I'm seriously considering a Jaguar XF( probably a premium).
 
This doesn't seem to be a popular choice...I see few XF's on the road. Am I making a mistake? What am I missing.
 
I should mention that the car will be used in southwest florida where there are no winding roads or hills.

#10024 of 10339 Re: bmw 5, Mercedes E, Jaguar XF, Cadillac CTS vs M35 [ghstudio] by jayrider

Jan 26, 2010 (7:51 am)

Replying to: ghstudio (Jan 26, 2010 7:30 am)
I would suggest buick lacross but leasing domestics is usually a bad deal. Honda Accord exl is a great lease. MB E class are bad leases. Check out ridewithg.com for info across the board.

Messages Page 1003 of 1035

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