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Luxury Performance Sedans

10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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 1029 of 1035

#10274 of 10338 Re: 2012 Mercedes E350 [dino001] by carolinabob

May 11, 2012 (5:26 am)

Replying to: dino001 (Jan 17, 2012 1:32 pm)
The problem with MB and most European cars is that quality, reliability and dependability are far too inconsistent. This is especially so when you consider how long they have been in the business and how much they charge for the cars. The BEST German cars only rate an average on reliability and very few of them.
In truth, MB probably never has been the reliability/dependability icon it is supposed to be. Their maintenance plans also call for replacement of many parts every 24,000 miles that other manufacturers expect to last 100,000 miles or more.
Within 5,000 miles my 2010 E350 was recalled, the tilt component of steering wheel had to be replaced (2.5 days! after part came in), leather on $850 optional steering wheel shredded, etc.
 
As for Chrysler fiasco, it could have worked but MB management in Germany tried to run the company to supplement MB products and make money for DAG. Sent Germans over here to run it. Fiat is letting the American automobile professionals run the company with input, assistance, money and products that complement Chrysler.
 
BTW, a major factor in why people buy Lexus, BMW, MB, Audi, etc. is for the badge/name. They may deny it, but's its true. No star on front and back of my car and I would not have purchased it. Same thing for Lexus, Audi, Acura and Infinitis that I looked at.

#10276 of 10338 Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [lexusguy] by michael0137

Jul 02, 2012 (8:31 am)

Replying to: lexusguy (Feb 23, 2009 11:23 pm)
We bought a 2008 RL used in March 2011 with 18,700 miles on it from an Acura dealer in Tucson, AZ for $26,000. It was not certified - we got an extended warranty. We have had it over a year and it is a GREAT car. Bought it after our son bought a used '05 with 28K on it in January 2010. We were so impressed - the AWD, sound system, Navi, back up camera, power rear window shade(great if you have little ones in car seats - especially backward facing ones), adaptive xenon headhlights, etc etc. - there is nothing missing on this car in terms of luxury. Performance? My husband had a guy in a Dodge Hemi Pick Up challenge him at about 35MPH. The Acura blew his doors off - the VTEC kicked in and the guy's jaw dropped! LOL! This car is no performance slouch - and we get 29-30 MPG at 75-80 on long trips. Styling?? Look at a 2005 - a 7 YEAR OLD CAR - and then look at a 2012 ES350 or a Hyundai Genesis - see any resemblance?? I do not understand maligning the RL. IT IS A GREAT CAR. Looked at a BMW 5 series lately? 4 cylinder engine standard??? Pulllease. We have had 3 1st Series Legends, a '94 6 speed Coupe, then a couple of Accords(kids were in college) and now back to Acura. The legends all went 175K plus without any drivetrain problems whatsoever. This car is the Legend all over again - but better in SO many ways. Buy one - you'll love it!

#10277 of 10338 Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [michael0137] by qbrozen

Jul 02, 2012 (8:59 am)

Replying to: michael0137 (Jul 02, 2012 8:31 am)
I don't like to do this normally, but since you brought it up...
 
Racing a pickup truck? Really??
 
TL SH-AWD 0-60 = 6.4s; 1/4-mile = 14.9s; mileage = 16/24
4-cyl 528i 0-60 = 6.0s; 1/4-mile = ?; mileage 20/30
 
The 528i is still estimated, but the reality won't be far off. Clearly, the 4-cyl is not a hindrance if you want to compare to the Acura.

#10278 of 10338 Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [qbrozen] by michael0137

Jul 02, 2012 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Jul 02, 2012 8:59 am)
I am Michael's wife posting under his account - so don't anyone get confused when I said "my husband"! It was a bit juvenile, but hey it was a recently new Dodge HEMI V8 - 0-60 in 6.8 according to road tests.
 
As for the BMW?? I don't care WHAT they do to the engine with turbo charging - it is a 4 banger. Acura has been constantly criticized for having a V6 versus a V8 - standard - and now BMW has a twin turbocharged 4??? Why aren't they being destroyed in the press? Advertising $$$$$$$ - that's why.

#10279 of 10338 Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [michael0137] by qbrozen

Jul 02, 2012 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: michael0137 (Jul 02, 2012 1:12 pm)
As for the BMW?? I don't care WHAT they do to the engine with turbo charging - it is a 4 banger. Acura has been constantly criticized for having a V6 versus a V8 - standard - and now BMW has a twin turbocharged 4??? Why aren't they being destroyed in the press? Advertising $$$$$$$ - that's why.
 
That's not completely true. Acura has been criticized for not having a V8 as an option. All the competitors had 6-cyls in the base models, so that was never a criticism toward Acura.
 
In other words, the competitors had optional models that were significantly faster than the Acura. So someone wanting more power had to look elsewhere. It has definitely cost them those sales.

#10280 of 10338 Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [qbrozen] by houdini1

Jul 02, 2012 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Jul 02, 2012 2:10 pm)
Does BMW have 6-cyl options for the 3 and 5 series? I have just never liked 4 cyl engines, turbo or not, especially in upscale cars. Just too harsh and rough at idle and at start up.
 
Love the BMW 6 cyl. I think BMW is making a mistake. Also interesting to note that Acura is doing the opposite in their RDX by going from a turbo 4 to a 6 cyl.
 
Maybe BMW is trying to meet mpg goals?

#10281 of 10338 Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [houdini1] by ghstudio

Jul 02, 2012 (3:21 pm)

Replying to: houdini1 (Jul 02, 2012 2:57 pm)
You might want to test drive a lotus....makes you think about 4 cylinder cars a bit differently

#10282 of 10338 Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [houdini1] by qbrozen

Jul 02, 2012 (5:56 pm)

Replying to: houdini1 (Jul 02, 2012 2:57 pm)
Maybe BMW is trying to meet mpg goals?
 
Oh, absolutely. That's why everyone is scaling down and adding turbos.
 
Interestingly, I don't find my twin-turbo BMW I6 to be any smoother than my VW 2.0T was.

#10283 of 10338 Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [houdini1] by james27

Jul 03, 2012 (6:23 pm)

Replying to: houdini1 (Jul 02, 2012 2:57 pm)
Certainly...BMW makes both 6 and 8-cylinder versions of the 5-series, as well as the 3 and 7 series. So, you get to determine the amount of power you want available. But, with the turbocharger making so much torque at low RPM's (and it is torque that gets you moving), it makes most of the other engines look like porkers off the line. The BMW make max torque at around 1200rpm. Do you know where the Acura needs to turn to achieve its max torque? That's what allows it to go up a hill without downshifting, not Hp. That's what allows it to accellerate at low rpm, not Hp. And, with all that torque, it can cruise at really low rpm, saving fuel and lowering noise. How fast is your engine turning at 80mph? The BMW (6) turns less than 2K. That saves wear and tear and makes for a much more comfortable cruise.

Messages Page 1029 of 1035

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