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Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
10007 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM
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Replying to: mobiusf1 (Apr 01, 2009 2:42 am) Very good write up on the various current mid-sizers. I agree with almost all of your points, but I've never been a fan of the current 5. I really liked the old 540i Sport and the old M5, but the current 5 just leaves me cold. Curious, were the A6 models you tested equipped with the sport/S-line package? The standard suspension setup on the A6 has always been a bit dull, but it's much better with the sport suspension. Prior to '09, neither A6 engine choice was great. The 3.2 was underpowered, and the 4.2's weight over the nose dulled the responses and still wasn't amazingly quick. The S-line package is gone, but the 3.0T offers a 19" Sport package which makes it more competitive with the M35 and 5 series. You can also finally get a power tilt/telescope steering wheel if you opt for the Prestige version. The next generation 5 series will face stiff competition from the upcoming M37, which will have as much as 350hp, a much nicer interior, and hopefully improved NVAH. Audi's next gen A6 will move to their new modular platform, and will offer much better balance, and a sportier feel with Audi Drive Select. Lexus, Mercedes, and Acura seem to offer little threat at this point.
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Replying to: vavavavolvo (Apr 01, 2009 4:53 pm) The current 5 did reasonably well in EuroNCAP's side impact test. It's not the best car in the segment for safety, but it's not what I would call an unsafe car. Also, the 5 can easily out handle and perhaps more importantly, out brake the RL. Honda brakes are almost universally bad. So the 5 is more likely to avoid accidents in the first place. |
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Replying to: mobiusf1 (Apr 01, 2009 5:39 pm) Almost bought it, but after I tried out the Acura RL, and being able to discount the RL for the price, better ratings on safety, and ride which is also fun, exciting at 120 mph, I decided for the RL. Both are excellent vehicle and choices. Either way a buyer will enjoy his/her choice. And yes I like to drive fast, just don't do it over 80 mph in my own vehicle unless I have too. Good luck to all and stay safe. jensad |
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I just got my 2002 530i stick Does anyone know how to set up hands free link? I dont have book on it and is this bluetooth feature or something else?
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Replying to: lexusguy (Apr 01, 2009 8:47 pm)  I've definitely heard people say its cold, but to be honest, I don't get that same vibe. I love the exterior design, I always have, its edgy and aggressive. That's not to say I don't love the previous generation 5 series look, its just different. And the interior is fantastic (except for interior storage space) with excellent quality materials and superb attention to detail. You need to spend quite a bit of time in the car to appreciate the attention to detail. AND what an amazing steering wheel. I agree, its not really warm and fuzzy like some other cars but that doesn't really matter to me. I don't really feel that coldness about the interior some people feel. Quality, authenticity and driver oriented design are the most important things to me... and any little feelings of coldness about the interior went away once I put my foot on the pedal. Yea agreed, the standard suspension on the A6 is dull, I drove the last model A6 with the S-line and the sport suspension definitely made the car enjoyable. That's why I'm hoping the new A6 will have an S-line pack at some point. I haven't driven the 3.0T 19" Sport pk model your talking about though. Hopefully the next-gen A6 will be much improved, I've always wanted to like the car but when driving it I always can away with a very "blah" feeling. I can imagine that the new 5 will certainly face stiff competition from the M37. I love the 5 series but I definitely have respect for the M. It performs very well, quite fun to drive. Just didn't have some features that I liked (ie split folding rear seats) and the interior quality wasn't the best, and bad gas mileage. But other than that I really liked it, and I'm sure the M37 will be a pretty sweet performer and have made improvement in those other areas. Lexus doesn't seem to offer any threat at all which I'm not surprised about.......unless they design a F model GS, a driver's GS, similar to the IS-F but without the garish looking fake tailpipes and at a competitive price. But that won't happen, haha. Don't forget that while Infiniti and Audi will be improving the M and A6, the 5 series will without a doubt be even better so Infiniti and Audi was still have a very, very tough time on their hands if they want to overtake the 5 series. While I'm not biased in my driving opinions, I won't lie, I'm definitely a BMW fan but there is no bias when I say I think the 5 series is the best car in the segment.
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Replying to: galama (Apr 02, 2009 11:57 am) Not to divert traffic from these forums, but for that kind of question you might be best looking in the bimmerfest.com forums or something like that. There would without a doubt be someone there who could answer that. |
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Replying to: mobiusf1 (Apr 03, 2009 3:55 pm) I'm not sure what the future of the F program is at this point. The LF-A was supposed to be an F car, but that may or may not ever be built. It's a sure bet that there will not be a GS-F for this generation. Lexus seems to be moving away from their performance experiment and towards greatly expanding their hybrid offerings. F-sport accessories will probably continue, but special F variants may not. In any case, as an S6 owner, I'm much more interested in the next gen S6 which will have twin turbo V8 power and most likely the S4's torque vectoring "QuattroSport" AWD system. I also really want to take the XFR for a spin. I came close to buying an XF SC, but went with the Audi in part because I knew Jag had a much more powerful engine waiting in the wings.
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Replying to: lexusguy (Apr 03, 2009 10:44 pm) I really don't think Lexus has any intention of trying to duplicate a 5 series any more than BMW wants to duplicate a GS, so likewise, I don't see any threats to the GS from BMW. Both cars have their pros and cons with Lexus leaning more toward luxury and reliability and BMW toward austerity and performance. Neither one is right or wrong, just different. Some people like chocolate and some like vanilla. IMO most people buy cars that fit with their own self image and/or to project an image of how they want others to perceive them. Psychology 101.
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Replying to: houdini1 (Apr 04, 2009 5:37 am) As much as we're all taking about great performance and this and that, the fact is a lot of people do buy cars based on psychology. Being honest, even if Lexus made some amazing performance car to compete w/ the 5 series I would still have trouble thinking about purchasing it because of my image of Lexus. I definitely wouldn't feel right in it. |
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Replying to: mobiusf1 (Apr 04, 2009 10:31 am) I also think our preferences can change over the years. For a long time it was either BMW or Mercedes for me but for the last 10 years or so it has been mostly Lexus, with a 2002 RL (very nice car) thrown in. I have never owned an Audi but that might make a nice change. I would not rule one out in the future. It seems like sort of a compromise between BMW and Lexus.
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