Sign In Join 



Luxury Performance Sedans

10006 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 6:59 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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 924 of 1001
1
...
921
922
923
924
925
926
927
...
1001
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#9229 of 10006
Re: Used vehicle choice, MB 320 CDI vs BMW 530 vs Audi A6 3.2 Quattro [habi by pat HOST
Apr 03, 2007 (4:56 am)
Reply

Replying to: habitat1 (Apr 03, 2007 3:30 am)

The RL has been a very tough sell for Acura, so good deals should be available.
 
I just noticed that there's a $3500 dealer incentive on the RL through the end of this month. That should make for some very attractive pricing.
#9230 of 10006
Re: Used vehicle choice, MB 320 CDI vs BMW 530 vs Audi A6 3.2 Quattro [bria by lexusguy
Apr 03, 2007 (5:24 am)
Reply

Replying to: briantucson (Apr 02, 2007 5:53 pm)

I'll very soon be in the market for a vehicle, but my pockets aren't deep enough for either of these three vehicles new. However, an '05 320 CDI or '05 530, or '06 A6 does fall within my budget, and I'm looking for suggestions.
 
A certified used car is an absolute must with one of these. When the certified warranty runs out, its time to get rid of the car. You'll be much better off putting your money towards the next CPO car than taking the car to the dealer for its fifth $3K vacation of the year. CPO warranties should get you 5-6 years and somewhere around 100K miles of vehicle ownership. Beyond that, I'd say you're asking for trouble.
 
The RL hasn't done amazingly well in quality surveys, and as its only two years old, nobody can really say yet how a 10 year old one will hold up. Even the GS doesn't have a great record. There's no guarantee that any of the Japanese models will outlast the Germans. I'd do the exact same thing with an Infiniti as I would an Audi in your shoes, buy CPO, get rid of it when the warranty is gone.
#9231 of 10006
Re: 535xi vs 350 4matic [djkidoc] by kivi
Apr 03, 2007 (5:26 am)
Reply

Replying to: djkidoc (Apr 03, 2007 4:43 am)

Prior to test driving and comparing I was pretty sure we were getting the 535xi. The E-class was ruled out almost immediately after exploring it, because it just felt too much like an old folks car in styling, and certainly did not have a sporty feel to me.
Initially I did not even entertain the Infiniti m35x, but after driving all the competitors, and finally trying the M35x ... we ended up ordering the m35x. I would encourage you to try the Lexus GS350awd, or the M35x. You may find yourself pulled in an unexpected direction. (The lexus did not have enough head room for me 6'2", but otherwise was a very nice car).
If it is only a choice between 5 series or the E. I would choose the 5 series in a flash. No hesitation at all.
#9232 of 10006
Re: 535xi vs 350 4matic [djkidoc] by uglybear
Apr 03, 2007 (5:54 am)
Reply

Replying to: djkidoc (Apr 03, 2007 4:43 am)

Get BMW but skip sport package. This way you'll get BMW handling but cushier ride. Sport package comes with stiffer suspension. If you like larger wheels, you can buy them later, separately, without having to take sport suspension along with them. And remember, BMW sits higher than MB in the quality / reliability list. BMW is not the best, but I will take 'average' reliability over 'much worse than average' any time. See JD Power and Consumer Reports.
#9233 of 10006
Re: 535xi vs 350 4matic [uglybear] by tayl0rd
Apr 03, 2007 (6:05 am)
Reply

Replying to: uglybear (Apr 03, 2007 5:54 am)

If you skip the sport package, you might as well skip the BMW altogether. A non-sport BMW is not one bit better than every other car in the segment when it comes to handling. It's pretty bad, actually. I've driven a non-sport 530i and was amazed at how terrible the handling was compared to what I was expecting of "The Ultimate Driving Machine."
#9234 of 10006
Re: 535xi vs 350 4matic [tayl0rd] by uglybear
Apr 03, 2007 (6:33 am)
Reply

Replying to: tayl0rd (Apr 03, 2007 6:05 am)

I did feel difference between 530xi and 530i, but not that much to say it is no longer BMW. 530xi sport package does not include active stabilization or stiffer coil springs. Still, it handled much better than Lexus or Acura RL. I never drove M35x, so I don't know about Infiniti. If one is to buy the car and keep for a long time, it is alwaysis possible to put aftermarket coils like Hamann later and/or put on bigger rims with lower profile tires.
#9235 of 10006
535xi vs 350 4matic with sport package.. by djkidoc
Apr 03, 2007 (6:51 am)
Reply
oh, i'm definitely considering the E 350 4matic with the sport package. does it make it a better competitor with the 5 series if that is the case? btw. thanks for the replies..
#9236 of 10006
Re: 535xi vs 350 4matic with sport package.. [djkidoc] by tayl0rd
Apr 03, 2007 (10:21 am)
Reply

Replying to: djkidoc (Apr 03, 2007 6:51 am)

Tough call there. I've also driven the E-class with and without the "Sport Package." (I've driven everything in the segment.) Not much difference in the E-class with or without Sport Package; both are fairly pedestrian. The difference between a 5-series with and without Sport Package is quite large. It doesn't even feel like the same car. The difference between the Infinity M with and without Sport Package is only noticeable at the extreme limit. If all you do is occasional higher than average cornering, the difference between the two is imperceptible. If you drive like a madman around turns (me), then the non-Sport Package will let you know you don't have the Sport Package with lots of protest from the tires and straying across the line.
 
But back to the BMW. Without the sport package, I'd say it's on par with the Lexus GS and Acura RL. No, even with SH-AWD, to me, the RL is merely adequate. I wouldn't call it sporting. Many owners have, though. Just a difference of driving styles and what's acceptable to the individual.
#9237 of 10006
Re: Used vehicle choice, MB 320 CDI vs BMW 530 vs Audi A6 3.2 Quattro [bria by aflc
Apr 03, 2007 (10:24 am)
Reply

Replying to: briantucson (Apr 02, 2007 5:53 pm)

In terms of reliability, Audi has moved up quite a bit, #12 overall, better than any of the other German brands. This upward trend may be a predictor of future build quality.
 
If you want a stable ride with both comfort and sportiness, I think Audi offers both, packaged together, to a greater extent than the other two brands.
 
If you were to get the Air Suspension you would be able the better adjust the ride comfort to suit your needs. Dynamic mode for the times you're in the mood for some fun. Comfort mode for those bumpy roads.
 
Also, you have the option of standard Drive mode, for regular driving, vs Sport mode, which allows for quicker down shifts and slower up shifts. And don't forget the Sports Seats, added comfort along with better support.
 
But, I've notice that most of the Audis out there come with Standard Suspension. Which really does a disservice to the Audi brand. Do try to find one with Sport or Air suspension. To quote tayl0rd :
If you skip the sport package, you might as well skip the BMW altogether
I would somewhat agree for the Audi as well, w/ and w/o Sport Package is like driving two different cars. Although one does have the added benefits of having Quattro in the Audi.
 
I think for your needs, you will be very pleased with the A6. Not too hard, not too soft... just right.
#9238 of 10006
Re: 535xi vs 350 4matic with sport package.. [tayl0rd] by designman
Apr 03, 2007 (11:06 am)
Reply

Replying to: tayl0rd (Apr 03, 2007 10:21 am)

A non-sport BMW is not one bit better than every other car in the segment when it comes to handling. It's pretty bad, actually.
 
But back to the BMW. Without the sport package, I'd say it's on par with the Lexus GS and Acura RL.
 
Blasphemy. What you're saying is akin to a pro golfer telling a 5-handicap golfer that he's the same as a 20-handicap. It's inaccurate. You just have no tolerance for anything less than a BMW sport suspension.

Messages Page 924 of 1001
1
...
921
922
923
924
925
926
927
...
1001
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement