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Luxury Performance Sedans

10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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 933 of 1034

#9320 of 10338 Re: Comments on E-350? [jobie] by habitat1

May 11, 2007 (5:38 am)

Replying to: jobie (May 10, 2007 12:42 pm)
I don't have personal experience with either car, but an associate of mine is turning in his 2002 540ia sport off lease and we went out to test drive an E550 last weekend. Although it is at least as powerful in stright line acceleration as the BMW, it didn't feel as tight in handling or in structural integrity as his 5 year old 65,000 mile 540i. It is definitely a noticable difference.
 
My friend is in your dilemma. He likes BMW driving dynamics, but does not like the interior/exterior style changes and the i-drive. He is considering a pristine low mileage 2003 M5, but his wife doesn't drive a stick, so he'll probably pass.
 
Another factor to consider is build quality / reliability. One of the service managers I deal with at my Porsche dealership (they sell Mercedes as well) insisted on moving over from Mercedes to Porsche because he was dissapointed in the deterioration of Mercedes quality over the years. He had been with Mercedes for over 30 years, of which he claims the last 8-10 went downhill.
 

#9321 of 10338 Re: Comments on E-350? [jobie] by lexusguy

May 11, 2007 (6:07 am)

Replying to: jobie (May 10, 2007 12:42 pm)
'm looking to get out of my SUV soon and back into a sedan; I've been a BMW fan for years but am having trouble warming up the current generation 5.
 
Tried the Infiniti M? It's about as close as you can get to the performance of a 5 without actually buying a 5. The A6 is also excellent.

#9322 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [markcincinnati] by erickpl

May 11, 2007 (7:44 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 11, 2007 5:17 am)
Yup, an Audi A6, BMW 530d, or MB E320CDI is what my wife will drive when she graduates college...
 
-Paul

#9323 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [erickpl] by qbrozen

May 11, 2007 (9:50 am)

Replying to: erickpl (May 11, 2007 7:44 am)
wow! can i be your wife? (although i warn you i don't look good in a dress)
the first vehicle i bought out of college was a compact pickup truck.
and even that that took a huge chunk out of my paycheck.

#9324 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [markcincinnati] by fonefixer

May 11, 2007 (3:54 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 11, 2007 5:17 am)
Mark:
Do you think Audi will remain a competitive "player" in the automotive marketplace with virtually all of their offering s claiming 14~17 mpg (except maybe some of the A4's) when fuel reaches $4/gal+ by Labor day?

#9325 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [markcincinnati] by fonefixer

May 11, 2007 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 11, 2007 5:17 am)
Mark:
You need to take a Sunday afternoon drive over to Marysville, Ohio where it is claimed that the world's largest Lamborghini dealer is open for business. Now where in Ohio would you have a chance to use the full potential of 500 + hp at 9 mpg?

#9326 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [fonefixer] by kamdog

May 11, 2007 (6:20 pm)

Replying to: fonefixer (May 11, 2007 4:05 pm)
Just some thoughts. The 535 has certain benefits, as does the E350 and the M. You need to just put it all down and see what really matters after you might own the car for a while. The iDrive problem seems to be much bigger among those who drive it to rate it rather than those who own it and learn it. The M seems to bother longer term owners who hate the short gearing on the highway and who never get a gas mileage break. Some E people seem to lament the loss of road feel, others enjoy that isolation. So, where are you? Are you technical enough to master the iDrive and enjoy the better road manners and economy? Do you want a more isolated and luxurious ride of an E350? Do you want a bit simpler, rougher around the edges car and can deal with it being a bit thirsty? The entire choice will be made clear when YOU decide what is important. The BMW, MB, Infiniti are all great cars, it is just a matter of YOU deciding what attributes you value most. Me, Im with BMW. I am a techincal kind of guy and will have no problem with iDrive. The Infiniti bothers me too much in being piggish with gas and being rough, and the E doesn't give me the right feel. But that is me. What is you?

#9327 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [fonefixer] by kyfdx HOST

May 11, 2007 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: fonefixer (May 11, 2007 4:05 pm)
Hey.. the VRTC test track is only about ten miles from that Lamborghini dealer... 7.5 miles long, I think..

#9328 of 10338 Re: 535Xi [kyfdx] by fonefixer

May 12, 2007 (9:04 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (May 11, 2007 7:59 pm)
It is amazing how big the US economy really is with 25 Lamborghini dealers across the country selling $200,000+ cars.

#9329 of 10338 Bump by kgary

May 19, 2007 (3:37 am)

Messages Page 933 of 1034

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