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Comments
The LS and the A6 both allowed me to keep the child seat in the middle of the rear seat while permitting me to position the driver's seat to my preferance. And like you, my wife and I also transport parents (and other full size adults) frequently enough to seek out additional space.
Notwithstanding the seating accommodations, I still did not feel the BMW was a better handling/performing sedan than the LS. I think my choice was one of the few that one ever gets to make that allowed me to have my cake and eat it too!
While I may not be in the market for a vehicle such as this, I know plenty of people out here in the Phoenix metro area that love it. Lots of wealthy horse owning folks out here that tow their Arabians and Quarter horses regularly . . . I'm just not one of them ;-)
Re: Blackwood. I think it's quite an interesting vehicle. A really comfortable, good-looking 4 seat luxury vehicle with a HUGE trunk. Lincoln will sell all they can make. BTW, Cadillacs' version promises even more versatility as the passenger area can open up to the 'trunk'.
See, don't we play nice on this board. Just don't ask me to kiss and make up! ;-)
Brian
I think Stan has all the details on a potential swap. The unique size of the differential limits your choices IIRC.
Allen (not a gearhead, just an information junkie)
That would seem to indicate that the 3.58 could be swapped into a 3.31-equipped LS8, but I'm NOT suggesting that anyone do it.
As information, I recently completed an 1800 mile round trip vacation. My LS8 averaged 24.2 MPG for the entire trip, which included about 75% highway miles. Car performed great. I especially liked the way the car accelerates, even running 70-75 miles per hour on the interstate, to get around slower traffic and to avoid potential trouble.
Don't know if you are in SoCal Orange County area. If you are I can recommend a guy that comes to your location to put the tint in.
The other thing that you will notice is that you will see the rear defroster grid more defined than without the tint. It doesn't affect the radio that I've noticed. Make sure when you clean the windows that you only use water and not an alchohol-based or ammonia-based window cleaner. Those will discolor the film over time.
The early V-8s had the same ratio (3:58) as the V-6 autos but it was changed to 3:31 early in the game. I think the 0-60 cited for the V-8 was with the 3:58 and I would like to know how much it changed with the 3:31. There should be a difference, however slight. No matter what model LS, with the right overdrive ratio, one should get both economy and performance. The Manual is the model that needs ratio work. I have yet to break 20 mpg around town on Calif gas. But the Manual will climb hills in fifth without downshifting. At the same speed on the level, it really is over revving (producing more revs and NVH than is necessary to produce cruise power). Maybe I could switch the rear to a 2:56, go to one of those truck supply places, and have an "under/overdrive" gear box added onto the back of the Getrag!
I might suggest that it IS a strange environment ;-) It'll still feel that way after 4 MORE years (if you can stand it that long).
Our 1979 Peugeot 504 diesel station wagon was like that too! It had its good points, but it was WIERD!
I am puzzled with Motor Trend's comment of the T-bird transmission's "too soft" shifts. I realize the calibration should be the same as my 2000 LS with the latest reflash.
Prior to the reflash, I, too, would characterize the shifts as "soft." Not as soft as most other Fords but not really crisp, either. However, after the reflash, manual upshifts at WOT are FIRM. If they were any firmer, the Consumer Reports set would call them harsh. Shifting from 1-2 or 2-3 at 6200 RPM does as striking imitation on powershifting a manual. Your head will pop against the headrest. At part throttle, the shifts are very smooth, in keeping with the character of a luxury/sport sedan.
Also, MT mentions interference by the engine management system. Again, I am puzzled. Unless exceeding redline is eminent, the transmission will give a downshift when you move the lever - right now. In the first three gears, you will get an upshift when you move the lever - right now. You can start in and stay in any of the three first gears without interference.
I wonder if there are production variations between cars with supposedly the same calibration. Comments?
Bruce
As for their comments about engine mgt. system, I think they were frustrated over the combination of absence of SST and trying to shift manually. Lack of SST on T-Bird really has me talking to myself. I know they're trying to project a "cruiser" image, but nowadays, anything with even a hint of sportiness has some form of manumatic shifter. It's even available on some Chrysler minivans. C'mon, Ford, it's in the parts bin!
I'd really like to know their reasons.
By the way the 540 only makes 282 from a 4.4 Liter engine. I say the LS does well the way it is with the 3.9 Liter V8. I am sure with a Lincoln 4.4 we would be making the same numbers. I was talking to the salesman about how we are all disappointed about Lincoln not making the V8 Manual with a 6 speed and I was telling them how the Lincoln LS is not getting deployed world wide or at least with such and emphasis and it made sense to me. If the LS was deployed in Europe as originally conceived they would have to put a Manual in the V8 for Europe to buy it. However, since it is not going to be deployed in Europe there is no incentive. The BMW Dealer said here in Dallas they sell 150 cars a month and only about 12 are manual.. I think I finally see why Lincoln Doesn't have or want a manual 6Speed V8 for the LS.
BMW has a manual by default for Europe so they just have to ship them over here. I think the shift in focus for deployment of the LS in Europe is part of what killed the V8 6 Speed Manual.
Back to the BMW.. I believe the appointments of the LS are comprable to those of a BMW 540/530. While the 530 is more comprable to the LS Pricewise and Performancewise, since there is no real gain except for maybe a little fit and finish to the Tune of $7K more and a serious loss of space in the trunk and the back seat, I don't think I would do it.
Now the 540 does offer the performance we all want for the LS. But at the tune of $17K extra? Trust me the Ride in the 540 in regular city driving did not feel that much different from my LS V8. At least that is the feeling I walked away with. Got in my LS didn't notice any jarring feeling of getting into a lesser car. Both have plenty of power, and a solid feel.
I don't know. Sounds to me like the Law of Diminishing Returns....That being said though the LS still has room to grow. Without increasing the price too much please...
Regards,
Airwolf1000
P.S. The warranties and the scheduled maintenance are the same to.
As much as I enjoy the LS, there's one area that really disapoints me, and that's the upholstery. Unless I'm really blind, and therefore incorrect, the part of the seats that we sit on is genuine leather, while the rest of the seat is vinyl. I find that to be kind of cheesy, since the 1993 Caprice that we owned prior to the LS had leather completely covering the seats. My 1996 Z-28 Camaro has leather covering all of the seats. In fact, even the upper door panels in both cars is leather covered.
I realize that it was an extra cost option in both of the cars, but at least for your money, you got a "Full Leather Package". And, neither one of these cars was in the LS's price bracket.
End of whining, I'll sign off for now, but it's just something for the "Product People" to keep in mind.......
Bruce
Thanks to everyone here for the valuable info I've been able to pick up over the past few months.
2003 Lincoln LS: V-8 engine topped with a supercharger.
Source MT
http://www.carcareonline.com/leather_care.html Just keep in mind that they are in business to sell their product lines, however, their advise is sound. BTW, I run a weekend detailing business so I would be happy to answer questions anyone may have.
BMW's current 4.4 liter engine is due for a revision next year, if I recall. I have read nothing about it, but rest assured BMW wont shoot for par for the course. Like someone else said, it must be tough for Jim Rogers and others at Lincoln trying to push the LS for what it is (a great performance sedan) when its stablemates are Town Cars and Blackwoods.
Signed
Another happy LS owner!
Tom....
with the new level part so that a repeat trip for repair can be eliminated.
http://www.auto.com/industry/eldo7_20010607.htm
I'm sure L-M has some trepidations about walking away from the FWD sedan market, but I think it has to be done. Maybe they can reintroduce the name in the future using the X-type Jag platform. That should make their FWD customers twice as happy.
In a bizarre sort of way, I think it will help LS sales. Not that I think that there will be that many "crossover" customers, but I believe it will help to solidify the LS' identity. I've mentioned this is in past posts, but when I volunteered for LLSOC at the NY Auto Show, I couldn't believe how many people asked me if this was the new Continental. The name is just so ingrained, that it's become almost generically applied to various Lincoln products over the years. Just last week, an ad for a 00 LS appeared in my local Sunday paper. Under a picture was the caption "2000 LS Continental." And this was from a new car dealer! (not Lincoln) ARRGH! I still see Mark VII LSC's advertised as "LSC Continentals"
I'll be a little sad to see it go, but it's time to kill it.
JR-thanks for your driving impressions. It's always good to hear from you!
Bob
I wanted to replace my 94 T-bird in late 1998 and after the demise of the Mark VIII, I was planning on a Conti in spite of it's "geezer" reputation. I drove several - took one home for the weekend - gave it a "Giowa-style" test drive. The fact was that for me, the car was lacking in many areas. Overall feel, handling, ride, and noise isolation were not competitive in the market. That is when I decided to wait for the LS. I am certainly glad I waited.
Bruce
"By the way the 540 only makes 282 from a 4.4 Liter engine. I say the LS does well the way it is with the 3.9 Liter V8. I am sure with a Lincoln 4.4 we would be making the same numbers."
Actually, Ford/Lincoln #'s would probably be better, considering the S class 4.0 Jag puts out 280hp. If it were bored out to 4.4, we'd probably be looking at 310hp or so...
Good to hear from you. Regarding the Engine. You are correct about everything you said. And I would agree Lincoln would make more out of 4.4 nowadays. I i just meant at bare minimum we could match 282 and without VVT. Add VVT and the HP goes up. Now by unimpressesed, I meant that I did not leave with a feeling of WOW, after I drove the car, but mostly by looking at it or sitting in it, or any of its appointments. I am sure if I opened it up I would be going WOW! But then again I also said WOW when I was going into the turns at LS Mania! Now theres WOW and then theres a WOW but, I think the BMW and LS WOWs are similar. Now about that extra $17K......
Regards,
Airwolf1000