Child/infant car seats have become mandatory virtually everywhere now. I'm not sure when it got that way, but hey, its still a good idea (God knows how we all survived our childhood!) The problem it creates though, is that they take up alot of room, particularly for rear facing installations (children under ~20 lbs). Ever try putting a rear facing child seat in the middle of the back seat and then adjust the driver seat? I'm of average height (5'10") but I couldn't move the driver seat back far enough without interfering with the child carrier in the 5 series. If I had opted for the 5 series and lived with sitting closer to the steering wheel, I wonder what would happen if the air bag deployed! Child seats and small cars are not mutually compatible if the driver wants to maintain a safe distance from the wheel. The only option then becomes forcing the front passenger to move their seat fully forward, and placing the child seat on an outboard seating position (which is less than ideal).
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!
Well, that wasn't a problem in the 6er, and by the time I got the Club Sport I had managed to obtain a "Verboten in US" BMW child seat good for ages 1-12. Frankly, we like smaller cars so we were actually looking at 3ers and A4s. Couldn't find a 3er we liked and the Louisville Audi dealer was a jerk; it just turned out that the 5er was simply too good a deal to pass up(I'm also addicted to the BMW inline six). I'd like to see Lincoln build a 3er competitor on a shortened DEW98 platform -about 175 inches long- with the Mustang SOHC V8 and a six speed. Price it under $35,000; make gingerbread like a sunroof optional if possible. Think that wouldn't generate some long term enthusiasm for the marque? One more bit of advice for L-M: load all the Blackwoods onto a barge(along with the product design team) and sink it off the coast of FL to provide an artificial reef. Take the money and spend it on the LS and other non-geriatric DRIVER-oriented products.
I agree with lola42 with regard to the Blackwood. I was invited to the LM dealership to preview this thing. The dealership had mexican food to eat and corona's to drink. I think they wanted to get everyone as intoxicated as they possibly could so they would see the Blackwood as LM pictures this car.....truck..or whatever it is.. Well the hour or so that I was there the observations and or opinions were all about the same...This vehicle serves no purpose...I do not think anyone would haul sand or gravel in the bed (for one thing it's not big enough) and I do not think you could possibly impress anyone driving it up to the country club. I mean, really guys what the hell is it.......Is it luxury car, suv, truck....In my humble opinion what a waste of time, effort, and funds that could have gone into what lola42 says...a vehicle that has meaning and spirit. And by the way in the hour or so I was there I did not see anyone pull out their checkbook.
Hold on folks, I have never commented on the merits of the Blackwood, so please don't attribute someone else's comments to me.
While I may not be in the market for a vehicle such as this, I know plenty of people out here in the Phoenix metro area that love it. Lots of wealthy horse owning folks out here that tow their Arabians and Quarter horses regularly . . . I'm just not one of them ;-)
Load all the Blackwoods on a barge along with the design team and sink it off the coast of Fl to provide an artificial reef........Come on lola42 tell us what you really think of the Blackwood and the design team.!@#$%^&
Albert: Please spend a moment to understand how these messages work. lolaj42 did NOT make the comment denigrating the Blackwood. Look back at the messages and see if you don't agree with me. Here's a hint: You wrote msg 2910. Notice the color of your name?
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'.
Does anyone know what package the 3.58(V8)axle came with? My car has 3.31s and I am curious about whether a swap is in my future. I'm thinking somewhere in the 3.7x range. Thanks
I own a 2000 LS V6 with 9k on it. It has the sport package, premium package, etc... I owned a 1999.5 Audi A4 before this. The LS is a nice vehicle, do not get me wrong, but the Audi was extremely more of a carefully built vehicle. My LS has had its head liner replaced, exterior trim, interior trim... and the list goes on. The Audi was nice... just a PAIN to service in Northern VA, hence why I got rid of it. The LS servicing has been better but I have still had problems at times. The LS handles better than my A4 did but with a few mod's (chip, intake, exhaust) my A4 would ruin any LS, even the V8. Oh well, I really think Lincoln needs to rethink its "plastic" theory on stuff... the center console just is cheap looking, that and the interior light fixture which looks as nice as a Ford Focus. Like I said, the Lincoln is not a bad car at all, but they REALLY need to improve some areas.
Sorry.....I was wrong...I identified the wrong person on my last post.....I would like to personally apologize to lola42....However my opinion has not changed.....So lets move beyond the world of Blackwoods and Beamers and focus on LS's......Again sorry lola42.
Nuf said, if people will buy that, then there are probably people to buy the Blackwood. And they only want to build 10,000 of them, not a lot, but if they had to do minimal changes to the Navigator to make it, then go for it. It is called consumer surplus in economics. There's always a market for something, you just have to find out how to service it. Pontiac did, but that thing is uggggly. I just saw another one today.
I believe that the 3.58 came in early V-6 manuals. But don't quote me on that. Some of the more adept gearheads on the board should be able to correct me if I'm wrong
came in early V8s (first few months of production). Was replaced by the 3.31 sometime around the end of summer/beginning of fall 1999. Mine was built in october and they had already switched. I think it was to help Ford's CAFE numbers, but that's just a guess. Halfway through the year it was reported that Ford wasn't on track to make their CAFE numbers. Coincedence? Hmmmm. I can't think of any other reason to change it - 3.58 was certainly the first choice of the engineers. The new Tbird supposedly has a higher (numerically speaking) rear gear so I would assume it's the 3.58.
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)
For 2001, the V6 manual LS has a 3.07 rear gear, the V6 automatic has a 3.58, and the V8 has a 3.31. Akirby is correct about the T-Bird--it has the 3.58 axle. The 'Bird also has the same 3.9 V8 as the LS, with 252 horsepower and 267 lbs.ft. of torque.
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. (Call that J.Linc's personal disclaimer.)
I am considering having my windows tinted and would like some good advice from some of you who have had this done. I have a black LS with light graphite interior. Please advise whether to go with the titanium, or the non-metallic tint, and any other information you think would be helpful.
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.
I have a white LS and I had mine done with the Llumar brand titanium medium-legal tint for all the windows except the front windshield. A black car will look pretty sharp with the titanium since it has a slight bluish tint to it.
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 prototype Manuals had a 3:31, but all production went to 3:07. It's still too deep for the 1:1 fifth gear Getrag 221, for the cruise rpm at 75 mph is 3000 rpm. The Manual needs the six-speed Getrag with about a .70 sixth gear overdrive ratio. Then the 3:31 or even the 3:58 would give both economy AND performance. 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!
Thank you all for the info. My car is still a baby (less than 1k), so I haven't really put it through it's paces. I just remember what the axle swap did for my 93 Mustang (ret)
Sorry I am late with these comments but I have been out of town.
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?
See Mark's post #2881 re T-Bird trans.calibrations.
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!
Well yesterday I had some time to kill and I went to drive a 540. I was not very impressed by everything. The fit and finish on the inside is nice but not that much better than my LS...Sure they have nicer leather, and plastic, however the wood is not better. Also I was really turned off by the size of the Trunk. The 6 speed was nice but I did not have enough open space to run it. Only got into sixth gear once, since I didn't get on the Highway.
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.
Since a number of us are making comparisons of the LS to other cars in the market, I'll toss in this comment. 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.......
Speaking of interiors my LS has light graphite. On my Mark VIII after a couple of years I started noticing the leather starting to wrinkle ( I don't want to say cracking because the cracking was surface only). I did not do anything about it other than wipe it clean when I washed the car each week. However when I was in the dealership the other day the service writer told me there are cleaners that would eliminate this issue. Does anyone know of a brand of cleaner to keep the seats smooth....Reason being I would like to start treating the seats now rather than later.Thanks.
I am sure there are many products on the market but I like Lexol. They have a cleaner and a conditioner - two separate bottles. I use both about every 3 or 4 months. After two years and 32,000 miles, my interior looks like new. You can get more information from their website. I think I got Lexol at Checker Auto Parts. I don't recall ever seeing it in department stores but it may be.
Personally I can't tell any difference. If you never touch it, who cares? La-Z-Boy makes recliners with the same options: fake leather, leather seating surfaces or full leather. As long as it looks good and holds up I'll take the cost savings. Same with the Wud.
Acutally, "leather seating surfaces" is what you get with most cars/vehicles these days. Why waste leather on the parts you arent sitting on, is their motto, I guess. But the LS is not alone in using vinly on the seat sides/backs. As far as care, its pretty easy. Get a dedicated leather cleaner, like Lexol and follow the directions. Follow up with a dedicated conditioner, to keep it pliable/avoid cracking. Its important to keep the leather clean, as you are washing away the salts and oils from your skin/body. Conditioning is just as important. I usually do a thorough clean/conditioning once per month, twice per month on the drivers seat as that gets much more use than any other seat. 20 months and 34,000 miles later, my leather is still as good as new.
Car and Driver also has a test but with all of the relevant technical details. It is a 3.58 rear end just like the early V8s. 0-60 7.0 just like MT. They were puzzled why it wasn't faster compared to the LS given the weight advantage. They also didn't understand why 2nd gear was so short. They guessed that Ford did it on purpose to help low end acceleration. They apparently have no clue how the 5-speed auto works and that 2nd gear is a product of 1st gear and OD. I suppose we could tell them that the .75 rear ratio was not optimal (.71 would be) and that it was forced on the LS and Tbird by the Explorer (how can you compete with a model that sells over 400K/yr). Then I realized that A) they won't really care and they probably wouldn't understand it anyway. Just like Oldham at Popular Mechanics and Wardlaw at Edmunds (who didn't believe that stroke affected displacement). Just take a few deep breaths and let it go......
I'm getting one on the x-plan. That coupled with the ridiculously cheap financing, Lincoln taking care of the first payment, and my Citibank Ford rebate equals a pretty good deal. I took the 3 hour trip to Dallas yesterday to find exactly what I wanted: V-8 Sport Silver Frost/Charcoal interior with a moonroof. Nothing more, nothing less. None of the 4 dealerships I visited had it on the lot, but one dealer had one already ordered and "on the train". It'll be mine in a week and a half.
An assortment of new engines is promised, starting with a 3.3-liter/250-horsepower V-6 to be shared with Ford family members Lincoln and Volvo. A 4.3-liter/300-horsepower V-8 and a supercharged 400-horsepower counterpart will provide additional go power for frisky Vanden Plas and XJR models.
2003 Lincoln LS: V-8 engine topped with a supercharger.
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.
Airwolf, interesting you werent impressed with the 540i 6-speed. Maybe if you had more open road to open her up, you would have been more impressed. YOu are correct in that 282horses for a 4.4 isnt tremendously impressive, especially when you factor in the LS's 3.9 V8 makes 252hp. But you do have to factor in the fact that the 4.4 liter engine in its current form went into production in the 1997 540/740 cars. Thats 3 full production years (a lifetime in car production years) before Lincoln came into play with the 252hp for the LS. 252hp, coupled with the relatively low gas mileage/premium fuel requirement combo, would have been quite satisfactory for 1997, but for 2001, it's a bit lacking.
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.
My lease payment came in the mail this week and it suprisingly said "$0.00 balance due". To my amazement, I guess since the recent promotion for the first payment getting done by Lincoln and I just purchased in April, I think I got a pre-pay, that's what it said on the invoice. I don't know if that was the reason, but zero due is zero due. Just hope that they don't renig on me and if they don't, then thanks to Lincoln for being oh so kind! That's customer service, I didn't even have to ask if I could get the deal. Normally like at retail, you buy something and 30 days later it's on sale and you have to fight to get the difference. Not the case here. Yippie!
I have a 2001 LS v8 Sports and even though I am using premium fuel 92-93 octane there is an occasional engine pinging. I hve tried using different brands of premium unleaded such as Texaco, Shell,Exxon, the condition still exists. Has anyone else experienced this and what has been the cure. Of course, the dealer service department has no fix for this condition. Please let me hear from you.
The rear window on the drivers side went belly up this afternoon. It will not roll down. I guess I'm lucky it was up went it went on the fritz. Any of ya'll seem to remember what the fix for this was? I remember several owners had this same problem awhile back.
Congratulations on your decision to purchase an LS. Just remember to bring a sandwich with you when you go for that "quick run" to the store for milk, always plan for a long trip home. We LS owners are finding out that we are racking up more miles then we ever did before. Have fun!
As usual I have been traveling but doing this time some interesting driving. Drove the new T-Bird: very nice cruiser, when you drive it much like the LS in dynamics but softer and less stiff; clearly not a sports car but lots of fun for relaxed touring. Also drove the Jag X type at the Land Rover track ( a very nice road track in the UK). Very different from the LS and in my opinion, branding aside, aimed at a different target market than the LS. It is a nice looking car, fast in the 3 liter manual form, and very stable in the wet. This time I drove it flat out (for me) in the dry.Handling at the edge is more like a front wheel drive than a rear drive. Understeer followed by snap oversteer if you lift off to try to correct the understeer. I think it will be a case of different cars for different people, as it should be.
It's always sad to see another long-running nameplate bite the dust, but I think it's a good move for Lincoln in today's market. I don't think the Conti fits in with the "New" Lincoln and the direction we'd like to see them heading in. Every comparison test I've read over the past few years in which the Conti competed came to the same conclusion. The car was just not competitive in the target market. The best feature was the slightly detuned Mark VIII 4.6 V8. After that, nothing special. After all, the car is based on the Taurus/Sable platform, itself getting long in the tooth. Makes a very nice mass market family sedan, but a luxury car in today's market, uh-uh.
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!
sized 4 door that can be a nice car, if they would give it 300 HP and a suspension that doesn't ride like slush...stay away from air suspension, a good set of springs, shocks, and thick sway bars will do the trick...when air suspension breaks, it costs a mint to repair, and no advantage over all metal...give it all the storage area that is missing in the LS, and don't make it look like an overgrown tank like the Town Car...the Conti is dying because it has a little of everything, but is special in nothing...also, Lincoln's usual target market, the seniors from WWII, are getting older, and the "new seniors" could care less about the American heritage of the Conti if it is junk compared to its competition...Lincoln (and Caddy) better wake up and realize that their traditional market, those Americans who would buy any junk as long as it said GM or Ford, is dying off, and its replacement market wants performance, and will not buy any old product just because someone says "Buy American"...my two cents
I am not surprised at the impending demise of the Conti, but I am disappointed. Lincoln really needs a model for LS buyers to upgrade to. A stretched DEW 98 platform with unique styling and the 4.6 DOHC engine would make a great Conti.
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.
"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...
Has anyone purchased the mud guards that are available from Lincoln? I was wondering what they look like on the car. I live off a gravel road and have fears of chipped paint over time.
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......
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