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Luxury Performance Sedans

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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

#7712 of 10007 M35 Gas Mileage by pearl Jul 07, 2006 (4:59 pm)
While this issue has been beaten to death on this forum, it is worth noting that (apparently) the 07 M will NOT get the newly revised VQ engine. It seems that the "80% new" VQ will only go to the new G, where it is claimed that both power and efficiency will be improved. If so, and if Nissan has done nothing in the current climate (actually going back almost a year) to improve at least the cruising MPG of the M, shame on them, and they will likely take a hit on sales as a result. The new GS350 is likely to be a 20/28 MPG/EPA car vs. the 18/25 of the M, with the real results probably another MPG or two in the GS's favor. Maybe the new VQ would have helped this situation?? Many people on this board have discussed this subject and believe that Nissan could have, a) put a six speed auto in with a higher OD top end to improve cruising MPG; or, b) at least changed the gear ratio in the existing five speed to accomplish some of the same. Not apparent that this happened. If not, too bad. M sales are slipping already and if the 07's don't offer some improvements, particularly in MPG, then expect the sales to slip further. While these are luxo/performance cars, other than the ultra top end machines, no one can totally ignore MPG these days. Replies to this message: hpowders (Jul 07, 2006 7:27 pm) carnaught (Jul 09, 2006 7:50 am) shipo (Jul 09, 2006 8:58 am) and 13 more... rich545 (Jul 08, 2006 9:12 am) markcincinnati (Jul 08, 2006 11:18 am) sfcharlie (Jul 09, 2006 2:50 am)
#7714 of 10007 Re: JUNE SALES? [markcincinnati] by lexusguy Jul 07, 2006 (7:22 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 07, 2006 4:16 pm) Relax. . .nothing we say, certainly nothing I say is any cause for defensiveness.   I wasn't being defensive, just making an observation. In the LPS class, I'm sure there are many sales that go to team Japan that may otherwise have gone to team Germany had the buyers been able to afford the extra monthly payment. In the midsize and fullsize classes, the Germans are usually more expensive, often substantially so at the LS vs. S level.   My point was there are cases where the German badge is similarly priced or even more affordable, (Audi A3, for example) and yet there are still plenty of buyers going to Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus.
#7715 of 10007 Re: M35 Gas Mileage [pearl] by hpowders Jul 07, 2006 (7:27 pm)
Replying to: pearl (Jul 07, 2006 4:59 pm)     BMW 545 V8 automatic 18/26 MPG/EPA.   Infiniti M 35 V6 automatic 18/25 MPG/EPA. Replies to this message: carnaught (Jul 09, 2006 7:50 am) shipo (Jul 09, 2006 8:58 am) carnaught (Jul 09, 2006 9:45 am) and 12 more...
#7716 of 10007 Re: M35 Gas Mileage [pearl] by rich545 Jul 08, 2006 (9:12 am)
Replying to: pearl (Jul 07, 2006 4:59 pm) So much for the M being the 5 Series killer huh? 5 Series sales continue to soar while M sales are sliding in what, its second year? I'm sure the M did accomplish a fair number of conquest sales over the German competitors, but certainly in the case of the 5 it has been anything but a killer. I think there is more to it than MPG too. Most buyers that I know in this segment (myself included) don't worry too much about it (whether right or wrong). Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Jul 08, 2006 11:18 am) sfcharlie (Jul 09, 2006 2:50 am)
#7717 of 10007 Re: M35 Gas Mileage [rich545] by markcincinnati Jul 08, 2006 (11:18 am)
Replying to: rich545 (Jul 08, 2006 9:12 am) Credence is further lent to the notion I overheard and presented a few posts back -- if you can't get a German car (for whatever reason), you may tend to "settle" on one of the American or Japanese "wannabee's."   Like I said, I am not totally convinced that is the entire story -- in my case, I just would not pay $829-ish for an Audi when the M was in the $6's. The moment Audi seemed to get it leasing program in line with its MSRP, well -- I came back to the Audi.   I guess, come to think of it, with 14 months of hindsight, perhaps I was one of those who was 'bout to settle on a Japanese LPS -- and I even flirted with getting an STS as a "settle" car when the Audi was "outrageously" priced.   The leasing deals on BMW's from what I can tell are still quite stimulative (at least here in Zinzinnati -- "vas you ever in Zin-zin atti? Ja?!?")
#7718 of 10007 Re: M35 Gas Mileage and M as BMW-killer [rich545] by sfcharlie Jul 09, 2006 (2:50 am)
Replying to: rich545 (Jul 08, 2006 9:12 am) Yes, I believe the fantasy of M as BMW killer was an artifact of a few auto magazine and newspaper reviews. Often in comparative reviews, the cars are selected by price range. The BMW model used is always the lowest HP engine available and the review often says that the BMW would have finished first, if it had more power. So, when the lowest price in class M35/M45 appeared, it did "kill" (in the sense of accelerate much faster) the BMW.   So many of the articles, when about the new BMW engines, rave about the amazing combination of new (more powerful and refined technology) combined with better mpg. But the comparative reviews tend to give great weight to whichever car can accelerate fastest for the least money.
#7719 of 10007 Audi dealerships by sfcharlie Jul 09, 2006 (2:53 am)
Where you live might make a difference in how excited you get about the prospect of an Audi "ownership experience." In my area, it's a VW-Audi dealership (in fact, many nearby are) and there is none of that "hey Joe, great to see you, how are the kids, join us at the Audi refreshment bar, etc -- more like "we can get you in for service in two weeks, unless the car has broken down on the side of the road). And the same dealer owns the BMW dealership down the road. Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Jul 09, 2006 6:16 am)
#7720 of 10007 Re: Audi dealerships [sfcharlie] by markcincinnati Jul 09, 2006 (6:16 am)
Replying to: sfcharlie (Jul 09, 2006 2:53 am) And hopefully posts like yours are read by Audi (and all the mfrg's, indeed) -- for it is places like this forum where opinions ARE formulated, purchase decisions swayed and attitudes shaped.   Edmunds in some respects may be a strong player in the perception is reality sweepstakes.   Now, we have two Audi dealerships in Cincinnati -- and I have only actually purchased from one of them, but I have shopped both.   I didn't buy from the other dealer for one reason -- they housed both Volvo and Audi sales in the same building and when I went to look at an Audi there, the sales staff (supposedly neutral) spent all their time telling us the advantages of Volvos (over Audis.)   Of course, these days, only the legacy dealers seem to be able to get away with such "dual dealerships."   Heck, my Audi dealership was "forever" an Audi Porsche outlet -- no more, nope -- neither Audi nor Porsche will stand for that on a forever ongoing basis these days.   It kinda makes sense -- one would perhaps have to compete for purchase dollars with the other one.   Of course the Cadillac dealer is also a Hummer dealer, maybe that gets a pass since they're both GM brands.   Anyway, if there is not a well educated, marketing aware/savvy, well-read and ear to the ground kind of person who is passionate about Audi's (employee of AoA) monitoring these posts, well -- sign me up.   Your post, were I Audi of America would be a call to arms to "fix" the situation.   As the phrase is so often defined: Audi means, "we listen," [sic].   Never Follow, indeed.

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