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PS My partner bought has a CL500 and loves it but did not like dealing with the dealer you bought your 600 from...FLETCHER JONES!! so he ended up going to "house of Imports" ha.
Then I wanted a set of wheels to mount snows on. Salesman offers a new set of 16" S500 wheels, assuring me they fit my 600, even after repeated questioning by me. So six weeks later, after two written letters and a dozen phone calls, I get the 16s. They don't fit. I have to return the tires I bought and send back the wheels. Then they send 17" S600 wheels, two weeks later, no longer winter after two months of waiting! The wheels show up filthy with brake dust, used, and scratched from poor packaging. Hows that for customer service? I buy the most expensive car on the lot, and it is a big lot, and they spend two months fullfilling their part of the deal. I wrote to MBUSA as well. Nobody cares anymore. Fortunately my dealer in MN is a good place. Too bad they never have the top cars in stock. But those are just SOME of the issues I had with F-J. Avoid them like the plague.
True Cost to Own (TCO): Revealing the Hidden Costs of Car Ownership
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/specialreports/articles/59897/article.html
kirstie_h
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Edmunds.com
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How has the ML been? That thing is a great value. I came close but can't give up my G-wagen.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
M
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Colt.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
They made it an option for the long wheelbase in 2001. I'm surprised there was a demand for it, but evidently there was...I like the sport package, but I think it looks goofy on the long WB. And while the sport seats are appropriate for the car, I expect that the majority of 7-series buyers would not like the extra effort needed for exit and entry.
Conversely, I think the comfort seats (option) are the best in the world.
DB
On my 750iL the "sport' wheels were a stand alone option. My car has them with the standard chrome window trim and comfort seats. I absolutely love the look of the 18" M-parralell wheels, they look great on any 7.
3.15:1 instead of the usual 2.81:1 rear axle ratio; (324 ft-ls torque @ 3700 rpm)
Heavy duty torque converter with higher stall speed;
Steptronic 5-speed ZF transmission (has 3 modes - normal, sport & manual);
Springs 10% stiffer front, 25% stiffer rear; Shock absorbers are twice as firm (100%) both front & rear; self levelling suspension;
22mm front stabilizer bar vs. the standard 20mm, .8" lowered suspenion - this is essentially the M suspension package.
A co worker of mine had his black '99 740i past 155mph, so the electronic limiter is definitely not the usual 128/130mph but I am not willing to confirm this on my own. LOL !! Keep in mind the drag coefficent on this 740 is lower than 540 6 Speed drag coeff which is critical at high speeds... The performance & handling is indeed amazing for a car weighing 4200+ lbs..its an executive hot rod.
Whenever I'm bugged by a new design,I recall what bruno Sacchi(sp),he was head of Mercedes design,said about a car;s design. He felt if we are too immediately comfortable with a car's design,that hints that it will date too redily.
He said this in reference to the 1977 E-class when it came out. I can't believe it today,but I remember when it came out,I actually thought it far too rounded! The previous E was exceptionally square,and therefore very space efficient. Now,of corse,most would say the '77 itself is pretty boxy. But at the time,I wasn't ready for it.
http://mbspy.bacosys.be/notw221.htm
M
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Jeannine Fallon
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It boggles my mind that all the magazines write about is the design and the i-drive (which I didn't even really touch). The merits of the car are entirely elsewhere. Most top sedans feel like faults, but the new 7 feels like the Swiss central bank's vault.
As to the i-drive, I think car vendors (and not only BMW) are totally missing the boat with their electronic craze. If they're halfway serious about user interfaces... put an optional wifi port on the car, and give users a CD-ROM with PC and MAC versions of a control program. Proceed to control all those gimmicky car functions you never change anyway with a real graphic interface.
HAS BMW UPGRADED THE NAV. SYSTEM WITH THE NEW I-DRIVE ADDITION? I KNOW THAT BEFORE, THE GPS USED A CD VERSION INSTEAD OF THE MORE IMPRESSIVE DVD VERSION. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF BMW HAS DECIDED TO CATCH UP WITH THE LEADERS IN NAVIGATION SYSTEMS.
THANKS
It drives as you'd expect. Quite and well balanced. They moved the gear shift to the column and made room on the console for the joy stick and other accutraments.
The last time I had to make this decision, it was fairly easy. I suspected that the 7 was about to change and it seemed like such an old man's car. This time maybe it's me but it doesn't have such a Frankfurt banker look. I guess the new 5 is coming out this fall, that according to the salesman. It's a great car, but I guess I'm a little tired of it.
I didn't get down to the nut cutting, but whatever it's worth, he hinted that he would take something less than a $2,000 markup. It's just like my 5. If I buy, I can see what's coming on the boat or what's being manufacturered in the near future and select anything that isn't already sold. The nice thing about the 7 is that there really aren't many expensive options. It's really easy to put $20,000 worth of options on a S class.
Please tell me what kind of deals you guys have been getting on this car. I notice that there are no subvented leases like on my 5.
I guess the Europeans have finally given in to the auto transmission. If they offer one in Europe, what you they do they do with the joy sitck?
Have you seen the Letter from the Town Hall Manager on the Town Hall Welcome page? If not, you might want to follow that link to have a look.
And hang on to your seats. Change is never easy - for any of us - but resolving the Search problems we've had will be worth the pain.
Pat
Sedans Host
Many Thanks.
Hope BMW fix these nagging problems and recalls because their styling will not do them justice since it is being heavily criticized. The only thing worth mentioning is their compact sports car-like handling, technology, and comfort.
J "CaddyLac"
M
Thanks
FaustoMD
Thanks in advance,
FaustoMD
No big executive luxury sedan on the road looks and drives better than a 740i. Too bad I'll never dream of a 7-Series again in the "after Bangle happened" era. Wonder how the 'event' of the 745i launch has impacted 740i values.