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Luxury Performance Sedans

10007 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM

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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

#8360 of 10007 Re: Manumatic Re: Changes in latitude, changes in attitude. [markcincinnati by lexusguy Sep 15, 2006 (11:57 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 15, 2006 7:18 am) The instructors were high on BMW's (and AUDI's and PORSCHE's) steering wheel mounted paddle shifters for the "current breed" of auto trans, too.   Paddle shifters are definitely much better than the various flavors of "buttons" that preceded them. I like them most when they are attached to the column and don't move with the wheel, so that left is always down, etc.
#8361 of 10007 Re: Manumatic Re: Changes in latitude, changes in attitude. [markcincinnati] by knowspinzone Sep 15, 2006 (5:48 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 15, 2006 7:18 am) Ms. Stick Shift, forever, Auto Shift never, is morphing into an Auto-Believer.   Eventually as she gains more skill, she'll be a believer.
#8362 of 10007 Re: Manumatic Re: Changes in latitude, changes in attitude. [markcincinnati by purplem46 Sep 15, 2006 (8:27 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 15, 2006 7:18 am) M cars do not have steptronic tranny's. Only SMG or manual. No slush boxes. Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Sep 16, 2006 5:37 am)
#8363 of 10007 Re: Manumatic Re: Changes in latitude, changes in attitude. [markcincinnati [purplem46] by markcincinnati Sep 16, 2006 (5:37 am)
Replying to: purplem46 (Sep 15, 2006 8:27 pm) From what I can tell, SMG is the worst of both worlds, and BMW, reluctantly is or soon will abandon it for DSG, even though they are probably loathe to have to adopt what Audi had several years before them.   Our instructor prefered SMG as #3 on a scale of 1 - 3.   A point and one that is not YET entirely there, is that there is a hell of a lot less SLUSH in the current 6 and 7 speed "tronics" than in the generation that was on the market just 1 - 2 years ago.   I would call BMW's step tronic 5 speed, stutter tronic it was so bad. Likewise, Audi's tip tronic was the founder of the name "tip lag" due to some mighty strange programming.   The current DSG is perhaps the best of all worlds, but it is offered on so few cars produced by anyone anywhere that it remains a virtual novelty.   This is changing.   Yet, reviews of Audis S8 which still uses a tiptronic are, darn near, glowing.   Seven speed DSG transmissions will soon be widespread in this class of cars (from Audi and BMW), when that happens, I suspect the stick shift will be special order only, if it is even certified for NA sales.
#8364 of 10007 2009 BMW 5 Series by dewey Sep 19, 2006 (6:26 am)
The British mag Car has some of the rumored details and pictures(certainly not official) of the upcoming 5 series.   This picture looks alot like the current e90 3 series:     And the rear-end of this 5 series looks a lot like a Hyundai Sonata:     The most interesting specs are the following:   BMW hasn't forgotten about environmental initiatives, though. The diesel engines should get urea injection – as Mercedes is pioneering – to cut nitrogen oxide emissions. A stop/start system and upshift indicator for six-speed manual versions will help reduce fuel consumption, and the engines should be biofuel- and synfuel-compatible. Brake energy-regeneration, in combination with adaptive alternator control, should also save up to 10 percent more fuel too.   Link below for more 2009 5 series specs:   2009 5 Series Replies to this message: shipo (Sep 19, 2006 6:53 am) cdnpinhead (Sep 19, 2006 7:18 am) dewey (Sep 19, 2006 7:42 am) carnaught (Sep 20, 2006 5:20 pm)
#8365 of 10007 Re: 2009 BMW 5 Series [dewey] by shipo Sep 19, 2006 (6:53 am)
Replying to: dewey (Sep 19, 2006 6:26 am) I'm liking the engine choices too. Hopefully most of them will cross the pond.   Model - Engine 520i --- 218bhp 2.5-litre 525i --- 238bhp 3.0-litre 530i --- 272bhp 3.0-litre 535i --- 306bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo 540i --- 367bhp 4.8-litre V8 550i --- 408bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 520d -- 175bhp 2.0-litre four 530d -- 204bhp 2.5-litre six (Typo? Maybe a 525d?) 530d -- 245bhp 3.0-litre six 535d -- 300bhp 3.0-litre six   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: cdnpinhead (Sep 19, 2006 7:18 am) dewey (Sep 19, 2006 7:42 am)
#8366 of 10007 Re: 2009 BMW 5 Series [shipo] by cdnpinhead Sep 19, 2006 (7:18 am)
Replying to: shipo (Sep 19, 2006 6:53 am) I'd settle for just some of them (including at least one diesel).   Anything is better than (at least for the 3 series) two choices. The 5 has three, exactly 30% of the available universe outside of the U.S.
#8367 of 10007 Re: 2009 BMW 5 Series [shipo] by dewey Sep 19, 2006 (7:42 am)
Replying to: shipo (Sep 19, 2006 6:53 am) I'm liking the engine choices too. Hopefully most of them will cross the pond.     My hope is that we will at least be seeing two of them:   530d -- 245bhp 3.0-litre six 535d -- 300bhp 3.0-litre six
#8368 of 10007 Re: 2009 BMW 5 Series [dewey] by carnaught Sep 20, 2006 (5:20 pm)
Replying to: dewey (Sep 19, 2006 6:26 am) And the rear-end of this 5 series looks a lot like a Hyundai Sonata   BMW really does design the worst derriers in the business.
#8369 of 10007 BMW rear-end by sfcharlie Sep 21, 2006 (10:28 am)
Beauty must really be in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I have found the rear-end designs of the 3 and 5 series, during the 1990s and up to 2004, to be both simple and visually compelling. In addition, my take is that it has been widely copied, including by Hyundai. BMW shouldn't treat it as off-limits because it's now found on many other cars.   If those photos predict what the next chapter will be in the life of the 5-series, I'd assume BMW marketing believes the change back toward previous rear-end design will please the marketplace.

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