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Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
10007 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Here is a interesting comparo of the European "Honda Legend" and the A6 and 5-Series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=260KL9nls30 M |
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A little bit off topic here, but you guys were talking about diesel, well here is an Audi diesel to end all diesels:  Audi is proud to present a world first – the first twelve-cylinder diesel engine in a series passenger car. This six-litre V12 makes its debut in the Audi Q7. It produces a colossal 500 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. With this engine Audi has opened a new chapter in diesel history. The V12 TDI is reminiscent of the engine featured in the new R10 Le Mans racing car – it catapults the driving performance of the Audi Q7 into the echelons of top-class sports cars. The car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds, and has an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h. Maximum torque is available from just 1,750 rpm. The high-tech diesel engine, with the world’s first 2,000 bar Bosch Common Rail system, provides the high-performance Audi SUV with superior power reserves in any situation. The impressive sound of the new Audi is provided by the ultra-modern piezo-injection system. The V12 TDI transmits this power through a new six-speed tiptronic gearbox to the quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. Good Lord is all I can say! Full Article M |
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. . .and, hopefully, you know the next part of the song. From Thursday morning until Sunday noon, my wife and I spent most of our waking hours at the BMW Performance Driving School near Greenville, SC (Greer, SC.) Some of you may know my personal passion for manual transmissions -- and BMW makes some of the best, of that there is much consensus. But, some of you may have gleaned that my wife is beyond passionate about manuals. She switched brands, from Audi to BMW -- for at the time (mid 2005) there were no new A4 Audis with stick shifts (Audi's loss.) I watched (and participated) in two days of driving exercises in a class with two instructors and only 6 students -- and I watched my wife actually announce to the class (after having noted before the class the opposite) that an automatic BMW is NOW on her list. The auto has come a long way, baby, for this to happen. Imagine, if you will, there were NO manual transmission BMW's to be found in the entire performance center (or if they were there, they were certainly off limits to students.) I expected the auto to dominate in quantity here in Auto-America, but NO sticks?! Now, nearly a year a half later with my 6 speed tiptronic experience and [now] two days worth of driving BMW V8 equipped cars with autos -- I am (and my wife is too) ALMOST to the place where I can imagine an auto trans equipped car is not some sort of punishment for some past misdeed, or almost feel that nothing is being given up with an automatic. They could've drugged us, but I doubt it. As I gather my thoughts and let the excitement wear down a bit, I will post the review of the experience over on the X3 forum. Just like with the Audi driving experiences, though, I can't wait to go back to SC to drive someone else's cars doing things I would never imagine I could do in a car. P.S. Saw the new X5's pretty much up close and personal. P.P.S Our primary instructor spent the first 10 minutes of our classroom experience explaining his recent experience with BMW's turbo diesel motor and explaining that we would see a lot of the BMW lineup offer diesel motivation. The small but enthusiastic crowd cheered. 
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 11, 2006 4:33 am) Now THAT is excellent news. Any timing? |
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Based on the R & T October edition there is no mention of an upcoming twin turbo 535i series? I find that somewhat strange especially when there is a twin turbo BMW 335 coupe and sedan?
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 11, 2006 4:33 am) When? "In the not too distant future." If I said anymore, I'd have to make it up. |
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 11, 2006 4:33 am) Sounds like that was a lot of fun anyway ........ one of these days my wife will be giving me one of those for my birthday!
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Replying to: knowspinzone (Sep 11, 2006 1:33 pm) Full disclosure: the first four were actually IN Germany/Austria. I mean, c'mon, they are BMW's -- and I am of the [former]persuasion who would [past tense] remark: why get a BMW if you are NOT getting a manual? Before you attack that remark, do recall that I am driving an A6 6speed tiptronic. However, at THAT time, I woulda got a stick would one have been offered in that class car WITH AWD. Alas, no 530xi was "on sale" on June 23rd, 2005. NOW, however, I think I am either a kool aid drinker or the new breed of 6, 7 and 8 speed autos have all but banished the problems I can all well attest to with EVERYONE's 5 speed autos (at least everyone's from Europe!) Sorry if you own one, it is one person's opinion. My 2003 allroad was quite possibly my last stick shift. On the bright side -- I am becoming of a mind where I can actually think I might NOT even miss it other than for completely "joy of driving" (via shifting) reasons. Other benefits may -- probably -- offset the drawbacks.
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 11, 2006 3:10 pm) Infiniti's rev matching 5-speed is VERY good for an autobox. The new TL TypeS also offers a 5-speed, paddle-shifted rev matching automatic. I don't think its the 5-speeds thats the problem. |
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Replying to: dewey (Sep 11, 2006 6:01 am) I find that somewhat strange especially when there is a twin turbo BMW 335 coupe and sedan? That will likely have to wait until the 5-Series facelift, probably next spring as early 08' models. M |
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