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Luxury Performance Sedans

10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 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 305 of 1035

#3033 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [bondguy1] by markcincinnati

Jul 18, 2005 (11:39 am)

Replying to: bondguy1 (Jul 18, 2005 10:38 am)
For several years now, Audi's interiors have been lauded as "the ones to beat."
 
Some of the folks posting here on the LPS board will not quarrel with your (or my) assessment of the Audi's fit, finish and style.
 
Most of the issues folks here (and elsewhere) have about Audis have to do with the "R" word -- reliability. Although I would consider my Audis over the years to successively improve on the reliability of previous models, I am told (by some of my fellow posters here on ETH) that Audi, in essence, has so lowered my expectations that I put up with "issues" that people with Acura/Honda, Infiniti/Nissan and Lexus/Toyota would not tolerate.
 
Since I did not end up with the M35X, as I had thought I would, I can only continue to suggest that the Audis that are in my garage at this moment (a 2003 TT 225HP coupe and a 2005 A6 3.2) have been trouble free (of course I just turned 2,000 miles on the A6; but, the TT has 42,000+ miles on it and the only issue with it has been the battery life in the key fob.)
 
The new A6 has won many "impressive" awards over the past 9 months or so. One award that has eluded it, however, is to finish in the top three of "sales success" of the LPS cars. Indeed, month after month, Audi battles tooth and nail with Acura's RL for last place. BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti and Lexus all outsell Audi in the Premium Class.
 
IMHO, the Audis are Premium cars, without question. Having said that, however, doesn't erase the overall spotty reliability issues that have plagued them -- regardless of my personal experience to the contrary.
 
I'm enjoying virtually everything about this new A6.
 
I have one issue with it: the Bose Surround Sound system settings revert to "normal" if the car is not started for two days. It is a small adjustment, but it has to be done for the CD and the Satellite radio. This issue may be my fault for all I know -- I haven't bothered to look it up in the manual and if this is the extent of my issues with this car, hip hip hooray.
 
Thus far, despite what I just said, this is the best car -- of any brand -- we have ever had; but, my wife's new BMW X3 also would qualify for that exact sentiment.

#3034 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [bondguy1] by ksoman

Jul 18, 2005 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: bondguy1 (Jul 18, 2005 10:38 am)
Thought i'm not going to speculate about how solid an A6 is compared to the M35 (i currently have an A6 in my garage that i'm literally trying to dump due to cost of ownership issues), i've to say that the "thud" of the door has nothing to do with how solid or hollow the car is built. It is easily possible to engineer a lovely solid thud sound irrespective of the quality and quantity of material put into the thudding door.
 
Overall I'll say that the A6 is an amazingly pleasing car to sit and ride in, when there are no headaches to worry about, of course.... but then on that quotient, my bmw 3 convertible is the same, a car that'll consistenly make me grin while driving, given i can get past the other ownership irritations.
 
ksso

#3035 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [bondguy1] by docnukem

Jul 18, 2005 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: bondguy1 (Jul 18, 2005 10:38 am)
Well, technically, it outscored the M on the side test with all "good" ratings for the Audi and mostly "good" with 2 "acceptable" ratings for the M (and these are the only two large sedans that have been tested with the side test). The M edged it in the frontal test (all "good" ratings for the M with one "acceptable" rating for the A6). The intrusion measurements on the frontal are all better on the M. (They didn't list intrusion measurements for the side).
 
The point of the article was that both cars are extremely safe, not that the doors of the A6 slam with a more solid "thunk". I believe others have discussed this before saying that the aluminum alloy in the doors of the M contribute to a different sound than the steel in the Audi. Someone please correct me if I am recalling this wrong. Remember, both Audi and Infiniti asked for these tests. They wouldn't ask for the side test unless they knew they were going to get high marks. I don't think the side test is performed unless requested.
 
Don't get me wrong, the A6 deserves praise for the double best pick. If only I could learn to not stare at that grille...

#3036 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [docnukem] by bondguy1

Jul 18, 2005 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: docnukem (Jul 18, 2005 12:15 pm)
Mark....have you seen any previews lately in the movie theaters that show the new Audi A8 up close in the opening shot and show the guy driving it, rolling it and just abusing the heck out of it. I can't recall the name of the movie.
I think that what's really interesting is that this test shows that both Audi and Infiniti know that they are the ones to beat in this price segment and feature for feature, the best two cars out there. Now, I won't deny that BMW has great performance...but, for thousands less, you could get a new M35. Or, if you prefer the European style ride, go with the Audi. I happen to like the new grille on the front of the A6. And, as for how many they are selling, that's OK with me too. I enjoy having a car especially when it's a new style that is less seen on the road. I can't even believe that this car has all the bells and whistles it does (the A6).
Years ago, German cars were all about performance and no bells and whistles. Now, you get the performance, style and a lot of gadgets (voice command, NAV, satellite radio). Some manufacturers will sell a car that is pre-wired for satellite radio (like the LS 430's my parents got last year) and then charage you $1,000++ if you actually want the system installed. Well, who's doing that on a leased car.Also, as someone else pointed out about the thud when slamming the doors, it's not just the sound of the thud when you slam the doors on the Audi, it's a really heavy door and this car has an eerily quiet ride...no rattles or squeaks even on uneven pavement. I was cruising at 90MPH this weekend and didn't feel like I was even doing 60. Much quieter than my 02' A6. It seems that a lot of the cars I was looking at (including the one I leased) are now discounting heavy. I remember looking at the Lexus GS when it first came out and they were talking about $700/month area for a lease...Now they are probably doing them in the mid 5's. I think all this competition in this class of cars is going to be great for the consumers...think about when the last time all these manufacturer's came out with relatively brand new models all in the same year...it's great!!!

#3037 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [bondguy1] by markcincinnati

Jul 18, 2005 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: bondguy1 (Jul 18, 2005 2:16 pm)
The movie trailer is TRANSPORTER 2 -- the first movie had the star driving a BMW, this time he uses an A8.
 
My two faves, at this time, in the LPS crowd are the Audi and the Infiniti in alphabetical order -- and FOR ME in order of preference.
 
I wouldn't pay a big premium for the Audi over the Infiniti, even though I think it is a better overall package.
 
If someone stole my Audi on Tuesday and gave me an M35X, I would be OK with that. But, given a choice, my first pick is still the Audi.

#3038 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [markcincinnati] by gohorns1

Jul 18, 2005 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 18, 2005 2:46 pm)
I've read the great reviews of the A6. However, a family member has a 2002 A6. Beautiful car but in the shop way too often. His salesman (and I realize the source) is trying to convince him that Audi has addressed this issue and the new model should be much better. I am having a tough time accepting this. Does anyone have any info to support this. I don't have time to run back and forth to the dealer, and frankly if I did I would hate thinking I should have known better.
Any thoughts?

#3039 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [bondguy1] by garyh1

Jul 18, 2005 (10:41 pm)

Replying to: bondguy1 (Jul 18, 2005 10:38 am)
Audi A6 and Audi A4 are two of the four cars currently rated a Double Best Pick for safety. It outscored the M35 which is what I was saying all along. Slam the doors on a new Audi A6 (which are extremely heavy and solid) against slamming the doors on a new M35 and you can absolutely hear as well as feel the difference.
 
I saw the NBC Dateline show the other night about this. The testing official stated and showed that the Audi did slightly better on the side crash test because it had a small airbag on the side of the seat bolster that protected the hip of the crash dummy from a slight touch that happened in the Infiniti. In fact, it had nothing to do with the body strength; they both were considered equally excellent on that score.
 
I have to say add me to the list of folks who are turned off by the Audi's front grille. At least on the Chrysler 300 the oversized vertical grille goes along with some of the other visual cues of the design. To me, it doesn't fit at all with the rest of the Audi's design.

#3040 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [garyh1] by dphi

Jul 19, 2005 (3:34 am)

Replying to: garyh1 (Jul 18, 2005 10:41 pm)
Check out both the J. D. Powers and Consumer Reports (for both editors and consumers) ratings. There are NO top ranked european cars at all. Of the group BMW does better. In short, you are right, they are hangar queens. JDP had the groups as Japan #1, US #2, Europe a distant #3.

#3041 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [garyh1] by newaudilover

Jul 19, 2005 (5:37 am)

Replying to: garyh1 (Jul 18, 2005 10:41 pm)
I hear sooo many people complain about the front grille of the new A6. Here is one solution that might help some people accept the new design.
 
My dealer in Scottsdale paints ALL the front grilles (the portion where the license plate holder belongs) to the same color as the car. This breaks up the appearance of the huge grille and give it a very subtle look. I get compliments all the time about how appealing it is and how it accents the the original design intent in a very pleasing way.
 
So now not only is it a safe bumper, it is a visually pleasing bumper.

#3042 of 10338 Re: Verdict Is Out [gohorns1] by lexusguy

Jul 19, 2005 (5:45 am)

Replying to: gohorns1 (Jul 18, 2005 5:44 pm)
The previous A6 usually did ok in IQ scores, but tanked in the mid-term test. All of those recalls certainly didnt help. Interestingly, the 2005 A6 managed just average scores for IQ, scoring lower in two catergories than the 2004 A6. Obviously there is no long term data for the new car yet, so its hard to say wether its going to be as bad as the previous car.
 
Edmunds consumer reviews for the car are generally pretty positive, though about 6% of people complained of major transmition or electrical problems.
 
Leasing the car is probably pretty safe, but as with any Audi, I wouldnt recommend keeping it out of warranty.

Messages Page 305 of 1035

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