You are here: Forums Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans

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

#9454 of 10006 Re: All-Season Tires for BMW 535xi [lynnminny] by bruceomega Sep 12, 2007 (3:22 pm)
Replying to: lynnminny (Sep 12, 2007 10:24 am) lynnminny,   When I ordered my 535Xi this past May, the sport package by itself still comes with the standard 17" wheels and all season tires you get without the sport package.   If you do order the sport package, then you can also order optional 18" wheels which come with run flat summer performance tires.   If you go with the 18" wheels and tires, then based on my own experience, I do not recommend using the summer performance tires in winter driving conditions, notwithstanding AWD.   Thanks Bruce Replies to this message: richardga73 (Sep 16, 2007 8:37 am) shipo (Sep 16, 2007 9:02 am) james27 (Sep 16, 2007 12:17 pm) lexusguy (Sep 16, 2007 3:30 pm) markcincinnati (Sep 17, 2007 4:16 am) and 1 more... bruceomega (Sep 17, 2007 11:54 am)
#9455 of 10006 Long test drive of MB S550 by topspin628 Sep 12, 2007 (3:54 pm)
So continuing my decision process, I took another look at the S550 (another poster earlier suggested that this would be the perfect car for me). It's beautiful and has a great presence. The interior quality is first rate and the car feels very substantial. As for the drive, it was very smooth and quiet but it's a car that I'd rather be driven in than drive. It felt a bit heavy to me and wasn't fun to drive. It's one serious machine and I think they did a great job but it's not for me. I prefer the way the Jag XJ handled and drove. It felt a bit sportier and was much lighter. The MB was like driving a limo. I also took a long spin in the LS 460. They did a great job on the body and I think everything is a half notch up from my LS 430 but they are still quite similar. Interesting that the salesman kept stressing that the "entire car is different" and that "nothing's the same as the last model." I got the idea that this was drilled into him as part of the speech. Maybe too many people feel that they are similar to the last model and therefore balk at paying 30% more (at least that's what the lease deal works out as). I mean, the last model is the epitome of smooth and quiet. How much smoother and quieter can it be? They aren't going for road feel. I would say that the brakes felt more responsive, the car felt a bit quicker, the ML stereo was a bit more powerful and the seats were more comfortable. And I like the new body style. But it's still evolution not revolution. They really over sold it when the marketing dept said that this intro would be as important as the first introduction of the LS400. They would be better off under-promising and over-delivering.
#9456 of 10006 Re: All-Season Tires for BMW 535xi [lynnminny] by markcincinnati Sep 12, 2007 (4:44 pm)
Replying to: lynnminny (Sep 12, 2007 10:24 am) If you are leasing a BMW, you should know that you must put ONLY BMW authorized rubber on the car. Now, of course, this does NOT mean you cannot use the tire you want.   What it means is that if you use a tire that is not on the approved list, you will be charged for the replacement of the tires to comply with "the list."   This strikes me as darn near absurd -- but there is some logic to this.   Digression: my wife's 2005 X3 WITH the sport package came with H rated, 50 series, all season tires (Mich MXV's in some flavor.)   The tires were OK but they were not at all what one would consider Ultra High Performance all seasons.   When the OE tires crapped out at 30K miles, we replaced them with "jen u wine" UHP All Seasons in the same size.   The handling was better, the look was better and the all season quality was fine for us here in SW Ohio.   Woa, dealer says, "when you turn in the car, you will have to buy NEW tires of the size and BRAND and model on "the list." Tread life remaining on the tires YOU bought? Yep?!? Tough nuggies (or is that noogies, Todd?) -- Bridgestones are NOT on the list, bzzzzzz you lose.   In the days (like now) of mass customization, specifying the tires you want from "the list" should NOT be an issue. God knows, we would have never chosen the Mich tires that came with this thing.   Be careful. Here is what you must do if you lease:   1. Buy the car 2. Buy the tires at the time you buy the car 3. Save the OE tires 4. Put your tires on the car the day you get it 5. When the tires you put on die, put the OE tires on 6. Live with it until you turn the car in   OR   Pay for an extra set of tires at lease turn in time.     Replies to this message: lexusguy (Sep 12, 2007 7:26 pm)
#9457 of 10006 Re: All-Season Tires for BMW 535xi [markcincinnati] by lexusguy Sep 12, 2007 (7:26 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 12, 2007 4:44 pm) Digression: my wife's 2005 X3 WITH the sport package came with H rated, 50 series, all season tires (Mich MXV's in some flavor.)   Why is it that so many new luxury cars come with those crappy Michelins? Some kind of pact? I don't understand why they would purposely worsen the ride, handling and grip of their cars with such lousy rubber.
#9458 of 10006 Re: All-Season Tires for BMW 535xi [lynnminny] by james27 Sep 13, 2007 (6:39 pm)
Replying to: lynnminny (Sep 12, 2007 10:24 am) I had some Nokian snows on my Audi and felt that they road and handled very good. I would have no qualms installing their all-season tire as it has a snow rating for areas that require it as well.
#9459 of 10006 Re: All-Season Tires for BMW 535xi [lynnminny] by jobie Sep 14, 2007 (6:08 am)
Replying to: lynnminny (Sep 12, 2007 2:41 pm) I have the 535xi SP with 18" wheel option...it does come with high-performance run-flats - 245's on the front and 275's on the rear...definitely not for winter. I'm planning to get a winter tire/wheel package from Tirerack. Replies to this message: circlew (Sep 14, 2007 6:56 am) jobie (Sep 14, 2007 12:08 pm)
#9460 of 10006 Re: All-Season Tires for BMW 535xi [jobie] by circlew Sep 14, 2007 (6:56 am)
Replying to: jobie (Sep 14, 2007 6:08 am) jobie, how does your car handle considering the extra we weight of theAWD option. I have the 330xi '06 and I swear it handles better than the non-SP rwd 330/335.   Can you shed any light from experiences you might have had?   Regards, OW Replies to this message: jobie (Sep 14, 2007 12:08 pm)
#9461 of 10006 Re: All-Season Tires for BMW 535xi [circlew] by jobie Sep 14, 2007 (12:08 pm)
Replying to: circlew (Sep 14, 2007 6:56 am) Coming from a 6000 lb SUV (LR3), of course I think the 535xi handles fantastic...same HP as the LR3 and weighs 2000 lb less! Seriously, before the LR3 I had two RWD BMW's, '99 323i and a '02 530i - I loved both of them. I really wasnt planning on an AWD, but my local dealers never had any RWD's on the lot to test drive, only AWD's. So I drove the xi a few times. The "client advisors" all said they felt the xi's are more "planted" than the RWD's and swore by the winter handling. I admit I didn't need AWD, but I bet it will be nice on a few snowy days this winter. The xi adds about 200 lbs - like driving with a passenger, no big deal - especially with 300 horses.
#9462 of 10006 550 sport vs 535 sport package by topspin628 Sep 14, 2007 (6:13 pm)
I tested a 550i with the SP. According the the brochure, the 550 has a different suspension than the 535 sport suspension. Has anyone experienced the difference or is it too close to tell or just marketing hype. I am considering the 535i or the xi. I like that I won't have to do the winter tire change for the xi but I really liked the way the sp 550i rode. To me it was not rough at all. I know that it had standard tires. Does the SP in the 535i come with standard or run-flats? Also, I know that active roll is only available on the 535, not the xi. Is that important? And last, has anyone tried the new auto sport transmission? Is there any difference besides the addition paddle shifters? The salesman said that it was a completely new transmission and said it was fantastic. Thanks
#9463 of 10006 Re: All-Season Tires for BMW 535xi [bruceomega] by richardga73 Sep 16, 2007 (8:37 am)
Replying to: bruceomega (Sep 12, 2007 3:22 pm) bruceomega or anyone who knows, excuse the ignorance but what would be the diffence between all season and summer tires? There seems to be a lack of knowledge about this especially at the tire store. I am told something different by unknowledged salesmen in every tire dealer. Summer tires I am told being more performance oriented, have softer tread (for smoother ride) but stiffer walls for cornering, thus fewer miles and rougher ride before replacement. All season having harder rubber (rougher ride) for more miles thus more noise but softer sidewalls which I would think would help with the ride. I know that there are T,S,V, and Z catagories which throws a monkeywrench in to the equation. So I guess I am posing a question, what gives you the softest quietest ride and which gives the roughest noisiest ride and the ideal in between? Replies to this message: shipo (Sep 16, 2007 9:02 am) james27 (Sep 16, 2007 12:17 pm) lexusguy (Sep 16, 2007 3:30 pm) markcincinnati (Sep 17, 2007 4:16 am) lexusguy (Sep 17, 2007 5:04 am) bruceomega (Sep 17, 2007 11:54 am)

You are here: Forums Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans