Luxury Performance Sedans

janssen · August 2005

These aren't really in the same price category.

And obviously you do care about other items besides road feel, control and balance. How else would you explain the radio, which would distract from the concentration needed to drive at the limit, or the A/C, which would certainly steal from the power of the car, and alter the handling because of the extra weight?

rich545 · August 2005

Well put and I think it's something we miss too often. It benefits all of us to have better cars in the class in which we choose to shop. No question that the competition in the segment is much more intense, and I couldn't be more happy about it. It will only drive BMW and all of the others to do even better. The way I see it, BMW and MB created this segment and they have both continued to make fine additions to it. Now they both faced much more pressure to put out quality products. People have been hard on the E60, but it was one of the first to get redesigned and many of the other cars in the class that were redesigned after it incorporated the good things about it (specifically the M). So BMW will face-lift it in 2007, and I would guess completely redesign for 2010? I'm sure they will consider everything people have said and everything their competition has done over the lifecycle of the E60. So what I'm saying is that the next generation 5, and even the present E60 will benefit from increased competition.

mnjoe · August 2005

Mark: Been too busy yet to post it, but I'll give you a review of my new STS AWD shortly. Have had the car 10 days/1000 miles. Love it so far. Went through the analysis of all of these cars and more. Agree with your comment about affording the AWD STS. I had eliminated it early but found the employee pricing and subsidized lease made this $66k car comparable with these other 50-55k cars. Like you I had made a down payment on a M35x (you may recall those posts from earlier). Full report to follow.

janssen · August 2005

No matter how many times you repeat that motto, you can't make it so.

Perhaps BMW could change it to:

The "Ultimate Driving Machine". In our price category. Well, not actually, but if you would like to give us 10 to 14 thousand more dollars, then we ARE the ultimate driving machine. As long as you also eliminate all those sports cars more expensive than us, like that OTHER German manufacturer, or that Italian fella. Then in that window, more money than our class, but less than the other cars that are better performers that cost more, we are really, REALLY, the ultimate driving machine. So let's just say we are the ultimate driving machine that has the BMW nameplate, and after the less expensive and more expensive driving machines have been eliminated.

hpowders · August 2005

In this particular price category I found that the ultimate driving machine is the 545i.
Pure driving pleasure. No doubt about it.

hpowders · August 2005

As you indicated, the BMW slogan is a marketing ploy but within the price framework, for many of us, it is dead-on accurate.

rich545 · August 2005

I guess that all I can say is that my experience with the two BMW dealers (one in suburban NY and one in suburban IL; both large volume) was been different (better) than your's was. So given that fact alone it is obviously more a dealer-by-dealer situation. I'm sure there are "bad" Infiniti dealers as well. Face it, car dealers in general aren't know for being fun to deal with. That's why when one exceeds our low expectations even by a little bit we laud them like the second coming of Christ. It is pretty unbelievable that they didn't let you take the 545 out on the highway. That's where it really would have shown you what it's all about. But I was in a Mercedes dealership to get my wife's ML appraised for trade-in and I was asking about a car on the showroom floor (CLK55 AMG convertible). Now, the salesperson knows what I drive and I was practically begging him to try to sell it to me. He just told me what it cost and left it at that. If I was him I certainly would have gotten one driven around front for a test drive. Hell, the car is so hot it practically sells itself. I could already picture the "discussions" I would have had with my wife trying to justify trading in my 1 year old 545 for it. But he dropped the ball. Oh well, maybe he REALLY thought the car would sell itself sitting on the showroom floor. I doubt it for $80K, but that's just me. Anyway, no I don't think anyone that has a attitude about their car, be it BMW, Mercedes or Infiniti, is justified and certainly not "better" than anyone else. In fact they are worse. I would just say that there are many forms or attitude and they certainly aren't limited here or elsewhere to BMW or Mercedes drivers.

hihomike · August 2005

"We must be in the golden age of LPS cars -- there are, practically speaking, no bad cars in this bunch"...

Interesting assessment - never really thought about it that way, but I guess you are right. Considering all the competition for luxury performance vehicles, there are really no such things as "bad cars" out there. Thinking back when I was a kid, there were lots of bad cars out there, but we were too ignorant back then to realize how unsafe and how gas-guzzling cars used to be. Quality build was a car that was built at the factory on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, never on Friday or Monday because of the workers' lack of technology and precision. Now-a-days, robots and computers have standardized the build quality for most of the cars in this market segment (I still question the poor build quality on american cars since I've had my fill of them and their planned obsolescence).

The only real disagreement I would have with your statement above is that Mercedes Benz IS NOT building the quality car they used to build.

But, I guess you're right - there are really no BAD CARS out there in this luxury performance category when compared to what used to be out there.

lexusguy · August 2005

Its just a marketing slogan. GM is much more guilty of slogans that were frankly outright false. Perhaps they mean ultimate driving LPS? You could give them that one... until the Panamera comes out anyway.

"Ultimate driving" is frankly very subjective. "Ultimate" doesnt necessarily mean the fastest car, or the most expensive. One could argue that a Lotus Elise is more Ultimate driving than any cushy Porsche.

janssen · August 2005

Which price category would that be?

hpowders · August 2005

You know what? They can even take out the bloody radio and I would still take the 545i.
Just leave me the ac(must have in Tampa) and the hard-wired Valentine One.

rich545 · August 2005

Aren't we taking this slogan issue just a little too far? I mean, it really doesn't mean anything to me. BMW could choose to call their cars The Greatest Things Since Sliced Bread, and I wouldn't even pay attention to it. All the car companies come up with catchy marketing slogans for their cars. It's not really surprising that all of them think their cars are the best is it?

kyfdx · August 2005

This discussion is about the specific cars listed at the top..

If you want to discuss the luxury marques in general, there is a discussion for that specifically (which I no longer subscribe to.... to avoid long-winded diatribes about non-specific generalities.. not that I'm naming any names here.. )

So, anyone got anything to say about the cars listed above?

regards,
kyfdx
(not the host)

rich545 · August 2005

I have to say that for all of the MB bashing, I think they are actually getting much better. The new ML is a great truck; much better than the previous version in every way. I honestly think they are getting past their reliability problems. They've spent millions upgrading their factories to address quality issues. Sure, it's bad that they got so complacent, but at least they're dealing with it now. I have to say that I like a good number of their offerings now whereas I didn't 5 years ago. The CLS is hot, the entire AMG line-up is awesome and the ML500 is a truly impressive truck. Seems to me they are headed in the right direction.

janssen · August 2005

I OWN a late model 5 series. It is a great driving car.

Funny thing is, it is not perfect, and the ownership experience has been far from perfect. I wish all the beemer owners here a very different experience, hope that all have a great time! But facts are facts-the segment has become quite competitive, and just repeating the mantra over and over and over gets boring.

We are here to share our opinions. I have learned a lot here, albeit not from those who just repeat the slogan, and I guess I just don't want to hear some guy bragging how he has the best car ever, bar none (expect those that are better!), and flaming those who bring up valid points to discuss. There are many intelligent posters here, from whom I have learned a lot.

I bought a new M45 Sport, almost $60K of my own money, knowing it wasn't a perfect car. I am happy to list the pros and cons (I did), but don't particularly like some flamer saying something based on a marketing slogan that should replace all my research and test-driving. I hope my input can help some other person in a small way when they are deciding what to try and buy.

And the BMW ain't perfect. No car is.

I agree with you, that there are different needs and priorities. The Elise did very well in a recent track competition against Porsche and Mercedes and the Viper and the Corvette, but it is not an everyday car. The Corvette actually ended up on top.

So I just don't like the mindless, "Forget everything-The Ultimate Driving Machine-The Ultimate Driving Machine-The Ultimate Driving Machine-The Ultimate Driving Machine-The Ultimate Driving Machine-The Ultimate Driving Machine..." ad infinitum. I guess that is a lot easier to say than to address the facts.

hpowders · August 2005

Some criticisms of my new 545i after one day:

BMW needs to take a serious course in cup-holders.

I do prefer the window switches on the center console. Reaching over with my left hand is awkward for me.

When you open the trunk, you can get a concussion. That thing springs open with a lot of force and unfortunately, needs a lot of force to close it.

The automatic rain-sensing wiper switch turns off when shutting the car down and must be re-set each time you start the car again. Not a lot of effort but annoying all the same.
Same thing with that obnoxious parking sensor which can beep you into a severe migraine. I can
turn it off but when the ignition is turned back on the next time, there it is, almost giving me a heart attack. It's almost like somebody is shouting "MayDay! MayDay!"

One good thing is I can disable the parking sensor through iDrive permanantly.

Not a perfect vehicle. None of them are. Nor are any of them bad choices.
Anyone having an A6, GS, M or 5 in their garage has made a good choice.
It is only human nature that we tend to defend the brand we went with.

msu79gt82 · August 2005

You know what? They can even take out the bloody radio and I would still take the 545i.

Those twisty mountain turns that look like a blast to drive on that all car companies (not just MB) use for advertising are so far from reality to be worthless for most of us. Sadly most of us drive our cars to work and back, to the mall, to a movie/play, etc in the flat drab asphalt jungle of suburbia

The closest most of get to those fun roads is a vacation once a year. I believe that to most folks (maybe not on this board) its the L in LPS (not the P) that matters the most. An LPS w/o a great radio :surprise: - thats a mandatory necessity in the daily rush hour traffic of the real world.

lexi300 · August 2005

Thanks for the kind comments, but don't worry about losing me. I like a good, spirited discussion. Any chick who plunked down all this money for a car JUST based on looks would be loco in my book too.

But, for most of us all, looks do count for something.

You know, when I went looking around Memorial Day, I did NOT check out the Audi. I have a friend who drives an Audi, but it's not a brand new one, and the interior didn't phase me much. I didn't see it among the cars I wanted to check out. After reading the forum, now, I surely will check out Audi in another 5 years or so when I'm in the market again for a new car.

But, for that matter, I also didn't check out the Infiniti. I've never been much of a Nissan fan. My Toyotas (a Celica and two 4Runners) have had a radiator and an oxygen sensor between them in about 15 years. Reliability matters a LOT to me. I'm not saying that Audi or Nissan couldn't match this -- I'm sure many of their cars do -- but for me I wanted to stick with a known quantity. I checked out Mercedes, BMW, and Acura because I was new to the LPS segment and wanted to see how some of the other brands were. I was almost going to get the RL until I really spent some time with the GS. Now I wish I had looked at Inifinity and Audi too, but I'm very satisfied with my choice.

(I bought my GS300 with cash. I gather I'm in the minority. I don't trade my cars in every 3 years, instead, for me it's more like every 5 years, when they're pushing about 90,000-100,000 miles.)

On the GS and performance, I'm sure Lexus' upcoming engines in the GS will make me envious. And the GS300 surely isn't for towing or repetitive mountain driving. But it gets me quickly around obsticles, and most of the time I find myself fighting to slow down to 9 miles over the limit so I won't get a ticket. I'm almost never running over 2800 rpm. So, practically for me, more hp just wouldn't matter. The AWD was much more important.

Enjoy!

msu79gt82 · August 2005

So, anyone got anything to say about the cars listed above?

I want one :shades:

janssen · August 2005

"These road tests mean SOMETHING"

Yes, they do. Then leave the editorializing about subjective matters out of the equation. Most people who drive the "Ultimate Driving Machine" understand it's about road feel, control and balance and luxury second. It's this same road feel and control which helps it win at the track -- even though the competition might post better numbers in other performance measurements.

As soon as you ask us to leave out the 'subjective editorializing', you talk about "road feel, control and balance". So which is it? Do you have numbers to measure these?

You are contradicting yourself. If the BMW can't beat the others with numbers, you use subjective terms. Then you ask us not to do the same.

And you can drive yours at the track. Most of us don't do that. When I go to the track I will drive my Carrera 4S. Wanna race?

msu79gt82 · August 2005

But, for most of us all, looks do count for something. ... Reliability matters a LOT to me.

Couldn't agree more :shades: Due to the reliability issue I was never even interested in Audi, BMW, or MB. I did however get to attend a Lexus Taste of Luxury Event as well as a BMW VIP Grand Opening Event. After driving the MB and the BMW their Performance did not even come close to overcoming their dreadful appearance and pitiful reliability records. :sick:

I have had very favorable ownership experiences with Acura, Infiniti, and Toyota so the RL, M, and GS has been the primary focus of my current search. :shades:

janssen · August 2005

All very, very good points. In particular, what you said about setting the bar low for dealer satisfaction.

My personal dissatisfaction is probably worsened by the multiple contacts I have had with corporate BMW (at least in this country). In business, the complaining customer is your best friend. I would think you would like to know when something has occurred in your business, so as to address it before it happens on a regular business. Not so with BMW, at least in my experience.

This might be true with other manufacturers. I have not had the pleasure of dealing with others on this level.

You made me laugh with the idea of convincing your wife. So I guess the salesperson knew that, and was saving you the cost of marriage counseling...;)

I think what is worst for me about my whole experience with BMW was the following: After working for a very long time to be modestly successful, I bought my first nice new luxury car. A special experience, I thought. That was taken from me (right after my money was) by a bunch of careless, arrogant, snobby interactions, all the way up the ladder. And to top it off, the car is great. I didn't even get upset with fifteen visits to the dealer in two years-I mean I didn't blame the car. These are complex machines, after all.

But being blown off about things like brakes and air bags is inexcusable. And BMW NA knew about it, did nothing. Made excuses.

So I may have set the bar too high, expecting to have one of those special luxuries of life that I had worked so hard for. This did not have to be so, but BMW made that choice.

But I really hope that others who buy these cars get that experience. It should be special, and the obvious pride some here have for their cars says that it CAN happen. Enjoy! I am hopeful that I will find the same fun and pride of ownership.

Cheers!

hpowders · August 2005

You have been undecided for quite a while now. What's your current favorite?

hihomike · August 2005

Sorry if you took my comments about MB "bashing" when in reality I used to love MB. I had a 1985 300E, 1987 420 SEL, 1989 300D, and a 1991 300E. All were excellent vehicles, almost problem free.

What I was referring to was what my friend, who is the GM at a MB dealership on the west coast of Florida commented on. He told me he has been taking back more and more cars on lemon law complaints.

As for the ML series, I was not referring to that line, but the sedans. My brother leased a new 05 600 SEL, and had to take it back after 3 months of having it in the shop more than in his garage. My dad had a 2005 E320, and had to activate his lemon law rights after MB could not correct problems with his navigation system and his engine's refusal to stop stalling on hot days.

Reliability has been an issue with MB, as with BMW, and many non Japanese models, however what keeps people buying them? Style, status, maybe. In my case, it's handling and comfort. We all have our reasons which are different. Resale value, for me, has also been a big issue - and BMW's hold their value almost as well as the luxury Japanese makes.

Again, my apologies for sounding like I was "bashing MB". Quite the contrary, I wish their build quality would improve so I could again consider MB as a vehicle of choice for me.

kdshapiro · August 2005

You are correct in your comments based on the way my post was written. What I meant to say is: these journalists have a very tough job. I for one do not buy cars the way they rate them. I could care less about cup holders. So putting a specific vehicle on the bottom of the list because of lousy cup holders doesn't relate to the way I think.

Specific measurements back up by specific observations to the specific measurements work best for me and I can relate to them, but then come to my own conclusions. When it comes to car shopping I take the road less traveled. The mags and statistics purveyors have zero influence on my purchase decisions. I make very heavy use of first hand experiences with cars and dealers. That strategy has served me very well in general.

janssen · August 2005

Ah, an independent thinker!

Good post. I agree with part of what you say, but I will admit I read some of the press first. Mostly, I use it to see what weaknesses or strengths others find, to allow me to ask myself intelligent questions. Then I can decide if the reports are even true, then whether they are important to me at all. Better cupholders or better road-holding? Easy to prioritize that one!

Then a lot of road testing, reading forums like this and asking questions, and prioritizing what is most important to me after my research is done.

I think that last step, as you described well, is the most important. Until the day there is a perfect car, a car with everything for everybody, the step you described would be the best way to find the perfect car for you.

rich545 · August 2005

I actually wasn't specifically responding to you; just the general disdane many on this board seem to have for MB. As with anything else, our own experiences tend to dictate how we feel about things. My wife had tons of trouble with her first ML, the second was better, and I've read that MB put a lot of money into addressing quality concerns specifically regarding the plants in the US where the ML's are built. Anyway, why do people continue to buy MB and BMW (and Audi for that matter)? Just the back-and-forth discussion here answers that question. For lots of reasons. I take issue with people assuming that we buy them for status alone. While there are some people that know nothing about cars that I'm sure buy them for that I would say that most here do not, and no one I know that's smart enough to make enough cabbage to afford these cars goes into buying them thinking about the way others will perceive them. They just honestly like how the cars drive and they like the creature comforts they provide. The fact is, if you really have "status" you don't need a car to confirm it. A truly confident person doesn't need to be boastful. It's the people that are insecure that have to prove it to themselves that are boastful and would buy cars to help them deal with their insecurities. As I said before though, what came first, the chicken or the egg? Do people buy MB and BMW because they feel like they have more status with them or do other people that don't have the cars "give" them that status that they may desire? Speaking for myself, when I pull up next to a nice car I would say, "Hot car" to myself and leave it at that. I don't know the person driving the car at all so who am I to judge them one way or the other? I honestly don't even think about the driver or why they may have bought the car.

markcincinnati · August 2005

For Pete's sake, let's not bring facts into this discussion. What fun would that be?

msu79gt82 · August 2005

You have been undecided for quite a while now. What's your current favorite?

I really want to like the RL, I've had a great relationship with my dealer and very positive experieces with the MDX (and my old TL-S was OK as well). Overall I'm happy with the exterior and liked the interior at first. However the longer I sit in the interior the more it gnaws on me :confuse: Also the RL has a few "missing" features that are important to me, most notably a rear-view camera. Also due to quality issues with the '05 I have pretty much decided against an '05. I may wait until the '06 RL is out however.

I first began searching "seriously" in March (obviously not in a hurry) and had almost made up my mind for the RL, but I felt it was overpriced (it did not posses that "best-bang-for-the-buck" feel that the MDX and TL-S had). Funny how research and test drives can change one's opinion. Discovered the M35 in late March and was not all that impressed at first. However unlike the RL the M has continued to grow on me. If I were to buy now it would be the M35.

I bought a loaded '04 FX35 last September and was unwilling to take the trade-in beating I was getting back in March. The RL was over-priced then and Infiniti wasn't budging much either. Since then the trade-gap between my FX and the LPS is getting more acceptable. By the way there is nothing wrong with my FX; I would rather be in an LPS :shades:

janssen · August 2005

Here in the SF Bay area there are SO many BMW's and Mercedes. I felt like I wanted to join that exclusive club...

Right on about status.

One other thing-given the decades-long development and advancement of the BMW chassis (the one I am familiar with) to achieve the best possible mix of handling and ride, how many people really try to push these cars, to get that thrill of driving through corners, of accelerating out of one turn, braking into the next, and then ripping through it with the throttle...woohoo!

But I think most like the look, and the name, and the accomplishment of being part of that club. That is what allows some of these dealers and/or companies to coast a bit, or be less than responsive to customers. No specific brands. It could happen to any company that gets successful and fat.

As to your last comment, if I see a discordant appearance, like a 25-year old driving a 750 il (last weekend), I do think something about that person. Usually something like jealousy/rich parents/trust fund...you get the picture!

hpowders · August 2005

I saw an RL on the highway Monday. Looked nice. I do believe you can get a good deal on this particular vehicle.

kdshapiro · August 2005

Maybe this forum should be called the Performance Luxury Sedans instead of Luxury Performance Sedans.

BTW I do appreciate the quality of your posts on this board as I do a number of others.

hpowders · August 2005

I do!

rich545 · August 2005

Ah see, but that's the point. You may be dead-wrong to judge that 25 year old. For instance, for my honeymoon this winter I went on a cruise to Tahiti and my wife and I hung around with a 21 year old guy and his new wife. He started his own personal training company and now has 20 people working for him. I'm sure he could easily afford a 750il, and he can because he earned the money through hard work and smarts. So if you looked at him in that car and assumed he was a spoiled rich kid, you'd be wrong. That's why I try to stay away from generalizations and prejudices. I realize they are human nature, but more often than not they make the person that judges look foolish rather than the person they judge. And it's no more justifiable to judge people with money driving nice cars than it is for them to judge people riding the bus.

hpowders · August 2005

That's why you have a GS430 and a 545i both out there.

janssen · August 2005

Right. Reflects on the judge more than the subject. I was actually making fun of myself...

Geez...maybe I should be jealous of you instead, hanging out in Tahiti with a new wife...Did you work for that???

Cheers, and congrats!

markcincinnati · August 2005

Here is the only reason, beyond entertainment, I can find to consult with the Car Magazines -- and even this reason may be invalid since I really can't prove it.

Having had ONLY Audis, BMW's and VW's (and one AMC Eagle) over the past 30 years, I can tell you they morph (I am speaking only of the German cars, BTW) over time. The first morph is around 5,000 miles, a second morph again happens around 10,000 miles. My gut (and my butt) tells me that further morphing happens later on as well, but I'd be hard pressed to be so clear in my recognition of it.

The German cars my wife and I have had (and several company cars that also were German) seem to "get more powerful" and they even appear to handle better about the time 6 months or 5,000 miles (whichever comes first) have passed.

Also "characteristics" that are difficult to pinpoint, let alone articulate, often don't come to the surface, so to speak, until some time has passed (and some miles.)

When people who drive cars for a living and write about them test cars, they often have some super "spider sense" that let's them get down to a particular characteristic that I completely overlook even on multiple test drives.

I hate to admit I lack this fine tuned ear, eye and butt -- but I often find that some trait that I missed completely on the test drive that is described by the hot shot writer du jour at Car and Driver eventually does come to the surface.

Sometimes the editor will write about a trait in a way that spins it as undesirable, sometimes the same trait in another magazine is lauded. The point is, they noticed it -- when I read about it, I do find that I am able to focus on finding that trait and determining if it is -- in my subjective bizzaro world -- a positive or a negative trait.

I have read here on edmunds that folks can't feel the torque steer of the otherwise lovely car -- the Acura TL. Now this one was easy -- but, before I took the TL out for a nice long drive, I read the reports in at least two popular automobile editorial/test type magazines (probably Car and Driver and Automobile, for example.)

Now in this case, I felt the torque steer as I attempted to pull out of the parking lot of the dealer (BTW, I tested the stick shift version which probably exacerbated the torque steer over the auto version.) It was raining that day and it was even more blatant as the car would spin its inside tire for a moment before the trac control took over -- much as I liked the TL, it was impossible to see getting one with torque steer that bad. The car magazines had reported this and they were dead on.

OK, so it is a bad example, because this "characteristic" was so in your face, even I could "pick it out" first try. Yet, there are many far more subtle (and they can morph into annoying or satisfying) traits (and yes most of them are subjective in the way they are presented, but they are based on something that can be objectively described -- then interpreted by the editor's whim du jour.)

Here, too, the comments are almost entirely subjective (OK, prices, HP, monthly payments and 0-60 times are FACTS) -- but most of us are capable of discriminating -- between the facts and the spin that each and every one of us puts on those facts.

I think the BMW 7 and even the 5 are not exactly attractive; yet I really like the 3. The Lexus and Infiniti seem derivative of something, sometimes it looks good (the new GS is pretty much OK, the Infiniti hasn't quite grown on me -- and one more, the Acura looks like an accord that swallowed something big that hasn't yet been digested [like the snake with the pig in its belly], but these are entirely subjective.)

I care not to argue the styling of the BMW, Audi or even the art and science of Cadillac. I'd rather find out what makes you happy.

Little nit: the Infiniti M did not have automatic door locks. I didn't find this out until after I ordered it. I didn't like that, but it was hardly enough to make me cancel my order. But I learned about that "fact" here and I would have had to own the thing to find that out under normal (pre blog) circumstances.

Why the Audi comes with heated front and rear seats but this is fairly rare on the other LPS also blows my mind. But why the Audi doesn't offer the power articulated steering column unless you buy the V8 is beyond me too.

The practical performance of these cars, the features and options, too are trending closer and closer to each other (it is like ERP software packages, they all come with the kitchen sink anymore) -- it is the subtleties that make them special (either positive or negative) -- the car magazines often point these things out.

As do "we" in the Internet community here on edmunds and "elsewhere."

The ONLY problem I can find to share with y'all about the A6 (besides the tiptronic -- which I believe is a problem all these smart transmissions carry along as baggage) is with the Premium Sound System (which is fantastic).

The Audi comes with surround sound and it has to be turned to "normal" "surround front" or "surround rear" -- and then the "surround level" has to be set and the Audio Pilot has to be engaged. Top it off there are equalizers (aka tone controls) that can be set.

Well, about every two or five days (beats me) the system resets itself to"normal" which sounds good, but nowhere near as good as surround rear mode (to me.)

So, each and every time I get in the car, I "reprogram" the audio system (just in case.) It is like the last generation 5 speed tiptronic which I basically reprogrammed everytime I started the car to attempt to minimize tip lag.

The smarter these cars get the more there is to flub up (a technical term). I guess if this little radio flub up is all I ever have wrong, I should count myself lucky.

This is the kind of stuff that makes sense to me at least to use this forum and the car magazines for -- and that is to in some small respects "vet" the process, rather than find out 6 months or 5,000 miles later.

Now, having said all of this, I completely ignore CR, since they just don't provide me with any useful information.

Your mileage may differ. :shades:

rich545 · August 2005

Worked for it everyday, and now I pay for it everyday as well! Just kidding! Kudos to you for being able to have a sense of humor about yourself. I know I crack myself up all the time!

hihomike · August 2005

I tend to agree with you, rich545. I don't buy cars for "status" at this point in my life. Perhaps I should turn States Evidence (come clean, that is) that when I was younger and less secure, status meant alot to me. When I was younger, I was immature. I'm old(er) now, and more mature, and thus don't look at possessions from a status mode perspective, but rather in terms of what I want because of "what I think", not what others think.

I drive a new 06 530i because it meets MY NEEDS, not the needs of the world at large. I could care less what others think of what I drive, and more of what I want to drive.

What appeals to me about a luxury performance vehicle may or may not appeal to others. That's why Audi, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, Aston Martin, Bentley/Rolls, Jaguar, etc., etc., etc., build cars. If everyone desired a BMW 5 series, all the manufacturers would tear one down and rebuild it with their own badges on the exterior. Now wouldn't that be boring??? If my needs, desires and tastes change in the next two years, I'll probably be driving one of the above competitors of BMW. If not, then I'll buy another Bimmer, maybe the M5, who knows. I drive what I desire NOW, and tomorrow I'll drive what I desire THEN. And none of it will have thing to do with STATUS!!!

However, we all have to be flexible in our thinking, knowing that there are many out there who buy for status alone, while others do not.

As for the ML series, I am not as familiar with that model as I am with the sedans. Mercedes is well aware of the problems they are having with their sedans as a result of an increase in lemon law claims against their vehicles. I just hope I live to see that day when all manufacturers can build an almost trouble free vehicle that drives, feels and performs as well as the BMW so I can get back to buying American again. Nothing would give me more self-satisfaction than being confident enough in American made vehicles so I can stop investing in foreign countries and start investing in American products again. Unfortunately, I'm 60 years old this month so I don't think I'll live to see that day.

hihomike · August 2005

"I really want to like the RL, I've had a great relationship with my dealer and very positive experieces with the MDX (and my old TL-S was OK as well). Overall I'm happy with the exterior and liked the interior at first."

I got a chuckle after reading your opening few sentences on your post, msu79gt82.

To tell you the truth, I really wanted to like my first wife, as I've had a great relationship with her, but..."

hpowders · August 2005

How refreshing to read a couple of posts that get away from the mutual stroking society!

Hey, it's never too late to enjoy the many pleasures of driving the "Ultimate Driving Machine." hihomike!
I hope your dealer experience was as good as mine. Not only did I get a great deal, but everytime I came in to test drive a 330i, 545i and X5, the dealer would just toss me the keys and when I told him I would be back in 10 minutes, he would say take as long as you want, wherever you want and have fun.

I am delighted to say that I have enjoyed the "Ultimate Driving Experience."

Enjoy your new 530i!

msu79gt82 · August 2005

I can tell you they morph ... over time.

I will drive no "LPS" before its time!

msu79gt82 · August 2005

I got a chuckle after reading your opening few sentences on your post,

Yep there is a reason I don't own one.

markcincinnati · August 2005

. . .I read with some disappointment the July sales figures posted here on edmunds for the LPS group. Audi's A6, once again, was at the bottom of the list (in fairness, it is sometimes above the Acura's RL, but be that as it may the Acura and the Audi are lagging behind other German and Japanese players.)

So, with my tail tucked between my legs, I got fired up [again] at Audi of America's poor marketing and advertising. I cannot remember the last time I saw an Audi automobile advertisement on my TV. But you can't throw a stone without hitting your hi-def 58" 16x9 screen whilst it is displaying a BMW ad, an Infiniti ad, or the Led Zep er, Cadillac ad.

What the heck, I surf the web while watching TV with my nifty little 802.11 set up and lo and behold I come across this little URL:

Cliky Here

Essentially Audi is on a roll -- a big time roll. They are thinking they will, for the first time ever sell 800,000 cars worldwide. They are also beating their chests on their increased German market share and proclaiming this will be the 12th YEAR(?) of gains in a row.

But sales in the US are actually lower this year.

Someone had posted that Audi outsells BMW in Germany -- I know this was a target (is a target) every year, as Audi and BMW in Germany are much bigger rivals than they are here. Several years worth of sales demonstrated that Audi would be #1, then BMW then Audi and so on. Yet it appears that Audi is outsold about 3 to 1 here.

The entire first 6 months report, which tells a very positive story (worldwide) can be accessed here:

Cliky Here and You're a Winner

Here is a distillation, more or less, if you care NOT to cliky:

"Audi achieved sales records in the first six months in 12 of 20 markets in Western Europe. Great Britain, the biggest European export market, with sales of 45,107 vehicles (41,805, up 7.9 percent), Spain with 28,674 vehicles (23,742, up 20.8 percent), Italy with 27,534 vehicles (26,688, up 3.2 percent) and France with 22,571 vehicles (18,451, up 22.3 percent) deserve a special mention.

Compared with the prior-year period, vehicle sales in Germany rose by 10.4 percent in the first six months to 126,093 (114,169) vehicles. At the same time Audi increased its market share to 7.5 percent (January - June 2004:
6.9 percent).

Sales in Western Europe were up in the first six months by 12.4 percent to 320,598 (285,160) vehicles. At 4.2 percent (January - June 2004: 3.7 percent), Audis market share in Western Europe is at an all-time high. New sales records were set in 28 markets worldwide in the first half of 2005." -- Source Audi AG

I wrung my hands for months when I was about to pull the trigger for a new car about Audi of America's lousy (apparently) "go to market strategy."

Clearly whatever they're doing elsewhere resonates with the customers.

My wife muses (proudly) about the "little angles" that fly along side her BMW X3 -- now that is the advertising campaign that worked (for her at least) as did the wet tongue, frozen pole campaign.

This Lead Follow current campaign just doesn't resonate with 'Merican's apparently -- or if it does it just isn't "out there" enough to get folks to stop by and take a test drive.

The "Lexus Lady" says she didn't even consider the Audi -- and she apparently has no "reliability" issues with Audi in her experience base that kept her away.

As the saying goes, one million (or in this case 800,000) flies can't all be wrong!

Check out the links -- kinda rounds out the story.

hpowders · August 2005

That's a good line!

hpowders · August 2005

Yet Audi does much better in Europe. Go figure.

hihomike · August 2005

Yes, I had a great experience with the dealership I bought my 530i at. I went in on a Sunday afternoon, just looking at an 05 530i, when a calm, relaxed young man greeted me, shared with me that the 06's would be out in a few weeks and that he had one coming in in the color and equipment I wanted. I told him what I wanted to pay and ended up getting the 06 at MY PRICE, not his. And yes, he gave me the keys, said to me, "have fun for a few hours" and when I got back, I was sold.

But not all dealers are like that - just read back through the postings on the "5 series buying experiences and pricing". You'll see what I mean. And by the way, I'm loving every minute and every mile I drive it. Can't say I've said that about many cars I've owned in my life.

lexusguy · August 2005

I'm somebody that buys, rather than leases, my daily driver as well. I keep my daily car 5-6 years, and put a good 150K+ miles on it. My '96 LS400 had 156,840 miles on it when I finally sold it, and it never had a single unscheduled service visit. My current '01 LS430 recently passed the 90K mark, and its still tight as a drum. I plan to keep it for at least another two years, unless the '07 LS460 really knocks my socks off. The GS may not have moves like the M, but it offers peace of mind long after the warranty has run out, which is something you dont get with German cars.

jjacura · August 2005

Just returned from a pleasant overnight trip to our state capital in Madison, a great university town with supurb hills, lakes, and narrow roads which put the driving skills through a few tests. The RL was supurb and my sweetie stayed calm as we blasted around a few hairpin curves testing the SH AWD. The car stayed on the road like glue. A fun little trip to a great town.
_________________________________________________________________________
New thought:
I couldn't help but think about all those potential Audi buyers in the USA who were following the lead of one of their staunchest long time buyers a few monthe ago and when he threw them a head fake pursuing the M35 sales came to a standstill at Audi. They will get back on track soon enough!

hpowders · August 2005

Everyone who has shopped at least 2 dealerships can probably attest to at least one bad experience.
My best experience was several months ago at a Lexus place. I didn't like the car(GS430) but the man I was assigned couldn't be nicer. It was like I was talking to an old friend. No pressure at all. My experience with him was so good, I recommended a friend to him who eventually bought a GS430 from him. Last week, this wonderful salesman sent me a check for $100 out of the blue because I set up the sale for him. Even better was the terrific letter he enclosed with the check.
I will be seeking him out in a couple of years as my first stop in that complicated search for my next vehicle. I just hope next time, I like the car as much as the salesperson!

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