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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 552 of 1034

#5510 of 10338 Re: bmw . . . Audi squandered its key differentiator. . . [lexusguy] by markcincinnati

Dec 14, 2005 (7:30 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Dec 14, 2005 6:40 pm)
I believe both 5th and 6th gear are overdriven on the 6spd tip.
 
To peat and repeat: this transmission coupled with the 3.2L V6 in this Audi is the best automatic transmission I personally have ever experienced.
 
It NOW has virtually no lag -- especially since I drive it in "S" mode.
 
The issue and some folks LIKE this, is that the transmission retains second gear when slowing down but NOT completely stopping a bit too long during those times when you may need modest to moderate acceleration. The engine seems to be "comfortable" creeping along, before a complete stop, in second gear.
 
A slight depression of the accelerator then produces virtually no pick up in speed. The sensation is that the car actually lags -- sort of the opposite sensation (if you have ever felt this) of pressing on the brake pedal and having a full system brake failure. In this extreme case, pressing the brake pedal with NO reduction in speed whatsoever feels as if the car accelerates when in reality it does not.
 
Tip lag may be at least partially a perception of a lag from the time you press the accelerator until there is actually the expected acceleration. What I almost always do when such a sensation happens is to press hard enough on the accelerator to cause a kick down into a lower gear which results in a lunge forward -- not cool.
 
In "S" mode, the transmission will downshift to the next lower appropriate gear a bit sooner, then when the slight call for acceleration is called for the car seems to accelerate "normally."
 
My last PREVIOUS Audi with a tip was a 2001 A6 4.2 -- "it trained me, I adapted to it." The tip lag COULD be induced much easier with that transmission for several reasons, number of gears, programming, 295 pound feet of torque and NO "S" mode. I replaced the 2001 A6 4.2 with a 2003 allroad 2.7T 6spd manual. The new A6's transmission is much much improved -- but for reasons that other folks probably can explain much better than I it is still a manumatic that "thinks" and it "thinks" it is smarter than a good driver with a decent manual.
 
It isn't.
 
It is for most folks brought up on automatics probably among the best there is and almost certainly better than what they had last. Perhaps only the Mercedes 7spd "tip" would be better. For my money, I'd bet the DSG, if it can be made to work with the A6 engine layout, torque, etc, would make most folks forget about both conventional automatic and manual transmissions.

#5511 of 10338 Re: bmw . . . Audi squandered its key differentiator. . . [markcincinnati] by lexusguy

Dec 15, 2005 (4:56 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Dec 14, 2005 7:30 pm)
SMGs are definitely the way of the future. Whenever I can, I stop by the Philadelphia Ferrari\Maserati shop, and drive either a Quattroporte or the coupe. I've been driving the coupes since the first '02s, and have been really impressed as Maserati continues to improve gearbox year after year. The full-auto mode in the initial year wasnt so hot, when coming to a stop you basically had to put the car in neutral to not have the car jerk badly after every downshift. Now, particularly in the Quattroporte sedan, the transmission is almost as smooth as a conventional slush-box.
 
I really like the Quattroporte, in terms of driving dynamics it embarrasses everything else in the class, including the 750i, and the interior is better than the A8 and the new Benz S. Its what the new XJ8's interior should have been. Really the only thing stopping me is concerns about reliability.
 

#5512 of 10338 Re: bmw . . . Audi squandered its key differentiator. . . [lexusguy] by merc1

Dec 15, 2005 (10:24 am)

Replying to: lexusguy (Dec 15, 2005 4:56 am)
I really like the Quattroporte, in terms of driving dynamics it embarrasses everything else in the class, including the 750i, and the interior is better than the A8 and the new Benz S. Its what the new XJ8's interior should have been.
 
Generally you know I agree with this, but do you really think the Quattroporte's true competition is the S-Class/7-Series market instead of the M5/E55 segment? I think it kinda sits in between the two size classes in most ways. I like the interior too, with so many custom options available, but better than the new S-Class? In what way? Design/appearance?
 
You know I say go for it, you already have your perfectly reliable transportation car, the Quattroporte is just to awesome to be cut on reliability concerns when you have another car for that, of course IMO. What you be getting rid of the Jag for this?
 
M

#5513 of 10338 Re: bmw . . . Audi squandered its key differentiator. . . [merc1] by lexusguy

Dec 15, 2005 (10:55 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Dec 15, 2005 10:24 am)
Actually, the Quattroporte is bigger than the 7. It rides on a 2" longer wheelbase, and is .5" longer than the 750i overall.
 
I think the new S is more modern in terms of interior design, but the look and feel of the Quattroporte interior is just on another level from anything else in the $90-100K class. It compares with the Flying Spur.
 
I have no need for two big luxury cars. If I bought a Quattroporte, it would be the Lexus that would go.
 

#5514 of 10338 Re: bmw . . . Audi squandered its key differentiator. . . [lexusguy] by merc1

Dec 15, 2005 (11:04 am)

Replying to: lexusguy (Dec 15, 2005 10:55 am)
I think the new S is more modern in terms of interior design, but the look and feel of the Quattroporte interior is just on another level from anything else in the $90-100K class. It compares with the Flying Spur.
 
I see, no argument from me there. I don't know how the new S "feels" just yet, but the Quattroporte's interior does have a unique feel that has exudes more individuality than any of the German cars. Germans never really could do interiors like the British or Italians, not even Audi which comes very close.
 
If I bought a Quattroporte, it would be the Lexus that would go.
 
I'm stunned. Really don't what to say to that.
 
M

#5515 of 10338 Re: bmw . . . Audi squandered its key differentiator. . . [lexusguy] by anthonyp

Dec 15, 2005 (3:47 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Dec 15, 2005 10:55 am)
I too have been on edge after getting the a8 to replace the Lexus after many years with Lexus...So far the Audi has been trouble free and certainly `over the top` with the interior..The Quattroporte is in a league of its own with the many different combinations, but my concern is that there aren`t enough dealerships around---and certainly not in my neck of the woods...Tony

#5516 of 10338 Open question by docnukem

Dec 16, 2005 (12:51 pm)

Due to various circumstances in the past, I had always had cars that were somehow "settled" on. That is, until my latest car, I never actually got a car that was pretty much exactly what I wanted. When I think about it, though, even this car was somehow dictated to me by my stage in life and other circumstances. Don't get me wrong; this is the exact car I would choose because of these circumstances. My question to all LPS fans out there is this:
 
If there were NO outside circumstances or influences (e.g. physical limitations, practical matters, need for prestige, etc.), would you all choose an LPS car? Let me make it easier. If it was just YOU, and you were guaranteed sunny skies and dry pavement, and you had no "baggage" (I'll leave that to your own interpretation...for me, it means luggage), and you were making a cross-country trip. What would you drive? I doubt that I would choose an LPS...maybe a Miata, Elise/Exige (if my back could take it), G35 coupe, or M3.
 
Edit: Thinking about it further...this is pretty much like asking what one would buy as a "third" or "extra" car.

#5517 of 10338 Re: Open question [docnukem] by cdnpinhead

Dec 16, 2005 (1:02 pm)

Replying to: docnukem (Dec 16, 2005 12:51 pm)
OK, I'll bite. As I posted a bit earlier on this board, I'm going to be in the market sometime in the next 6-30 months. I've had the luxury of buying exactly the car I've wanted for the past decade or so. This next purchase will be similarly unencumbered.
 
I want a manual transmission, rear-wheel drive & enough room to carry my bicycle inside the vehicle, plus as much completely reliable luxury as I'm interested in using. I've given a cursory (or so) look at nine vehicles, and from these, three have emerged as favourites.
 
None are LPS, but all qualify as "entry-level" luxury. If you want full-up luxury, leave your requirement for a manual transmission at the door. The A6 used to be a contender, and the 5-series still is. Having owned a couple of Miatas and a number of other vehicles, light weight trumps "luxury." No 5 for me, and nothing else meets my objectives.
 
FWIW

#5518 of 10338 Re: Open question [cdnpinhead] by warthog

Dec 16, 2005 (1:10 pm)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Dec 16, 2005 1:02 pm)
Don't keep us in suspense--what are the three? And the nine, for that matter.

#5519 of 10338 Re: Open question [docnukem] by markcincinnati

Dec 16, 2005 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: docnukem (Dec 16, 2005 12:51 pm)
The new Audi S8 probably does it all (for me) based on your "open question."
 
My second choice would be a full-on, max everything - Cayenne (I assume sunny skies can also mean all the teething issues of "my" Cayenne would be history.)
 
= = = = =
 
Based on practical considerations, today, it would be a 530xi, followed by an Audi A6 followed by an Infiniti M35X followed by a Cadillac STS V8 AWD (if the price has come down to earth one way or another.)

Messages Page 552 of 1034

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