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G35 w/ sport pkg (18'' Eagle NCT's)
Audi A4 3.2 q (17'' Eagle F1's)
BMW 330 (18'' Potenza RE050's)
The Audi had the best exhaust note, the slowest acceleration, the most body lean, and ok room inside.
The Infiniti felt quickest, had the most room inside, understeered slightly more than the BMW, and was more "point and squirt".
The BMW felt solid, oversteered enough to be fun, was tight inside, and had uncomfortable, hard rear seats.
There was a big bump on the course that really upset the cars, with the BMW tracking the best over it.
On the street, the 325 felt great in normal driving, but the tight interior convinced me that I made the best choice for myself and my family by buying the G35.
Oh well, there's my .02!
P.S.: On the street, the 540 was nice and roomy, but the only word that comes to mind when describing the interior is "sterile". I'll take an M35 or 45 any day. The Z4 just seemed like a toy; not my cup of tea.
I like sterile when I drive. Less is more.
I like sterile when I drive. Less is more.
Maybe that wasn't quite the right word to use. I also feel that the E90 does not have as attractive a view from the driver's seat as the E46, with its more cockpit-like feel. The E90's interior is less unique, more generic, less "traditional BMW". It seems more similar to what you might find in an Audi (not that that's bad -- just not distinctively BMW). Even the C&D review mentioned something about not caring for dash design.
Drivetrain/Chassis considerations are what drives into showrooms! Styling is somewhere below my 25 top priorities in buying a car!
Or a few years ago when many would never think that a Korean Samsung can outwit Sony in consumer electronics?
Well here is something more current. Hyundai will be introducing a 3.5L RWD luxury sedan and should be on our shores early 07!
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107396
15 years from now will Hyundai be the new Lexus? I wouldn't count them out. They've gone from 1980s joke (much like Toyota was a joke in the 60s) to strong value contender in the 00s (much like Toyota in the 80s). It's not beyond the realm of possibility for the 2020 Hyundai AL760 Entry Luxury Sport Sedan with 1500 hp to be the big contender aiming to knock off Infiniti and Lexus' aging but still popular platforms.
Although it seems crazy now, I'm sure that Korean cars will be generally accepted by the public within 10-15 years. Yeah, it's hard to imagine Suzuki and Hyundai as mainstream cars.... but they said the same thing about Japanese in the 70s. The American Big 3 laughed... and then proceeded to get run over in their complacency.
Dumont
05 Acura TL AT Navi
The MB test drive was fantastic - smooth ride, effortless and quiet acceleration, very responsive steering, rich interior (interior/exterior looks are much better than the 2006 BMW 3 series). I had test driven the BMW 325 in tight corners at about 40-50 mph (as I did with the MB), and did not notice any "significant/superior handling" that the beemer-fans rave about. I tested the BMW just hours before the MB, and soon as I got into the MB I could see the superior appointments - the different can be instantly felt. It was love at first sight! The BMW had very bland interior, and a straight black front panelling that I disliked (old Corolla look). Plus, I found the driver seats a bit tight for my comfort. Both BMW and MB have horrible cup-holders - the rear ones are too shallow for comfort.
On a price comparison, loading the comparable BMW 330 with the same options as the c350 gave me a price higher by about $400 for the 330. So the beemer did not have price advantage over the MB (except when you factor the free-maintainence for 4 years offered by BMW versus the $300/year needed for the MB).
The Lexus ES 330 was cool, but a bit elephantine for my needs. Same with the Avalon, which I found smoother/quiter than the Lexus. Good thing about the Avalon was the new engine (260 hp plus) and the flat flooring in the rear seat (very cool for the center seat). Also, the Lexus/Avalon looks very Camry-ish to me, and I wanted to stand out from the crowd (heh! heh!)
I did not notice significant difference between the C and S modes (Comfort/Sport) in the feel of the car, except during startup, when it starts in 2nd gear in C mode for a smooth start.
I love the 21/29 mpg rating since most of my driving is on freeways to work.
I will opt for Michelin tires though (instead of the standard all-weather Continental). I also plan on getting the wheels chromed. MB's look best when they shine!
And hesitation is terrible.
I did not want the AWD models (saving on mpg!) and did not test drive the BMW 330i (nor the c350 sport, nor the MB 4MATIC options). I got disinterested mostly (pardon me pls if anyone is offended !) by the interior of the 325, and hence did not try out the 330.
Ah, yes. The cupholder. The absolute pinnacle of a cars worth for any driving enthusiast worth his salt.
Driving should be about driving. Period. Alas, in the U.S. this is becoming less and less so. Actually operating the vehicle has become a tertiary activity at best.
Consuming beverages, solving crossword puzzles, applying makeup, etc. is best left for times when one is not operating a motor vehicle.
I'll take the car that performs on the road over one that best holds my beverage any day of the week.
Just my two bits worth. :shades:
End of rant.
Not only do I want a cupholder for water bottles I may take around, I want a nice and convenient felt-line sunglass holder so I don't have to always put it in cases and then in glove compartments.
Also want iPod support too as well as good wind and engine noise control.
Doesn't have to be either or. No reason a luxury performance sedan can't have amenities and be a good drive.
It is pretty sad. People don't want to drive cars these days. They want to drive their living room.
Sure. As long as something like cupholders is not the reason you reject a luxury performance sedan.
To each his own. I have no use for MB. Sorry. It could be worse, it could be a CTS...gag.
I think MBs are some beautiful cars and quite nice to drive. I also think BMWs are some beautiful cars (crazy about the new 3) and the 3 is a blast to drive. :P
I just recently attended a driving event where I drove the MB E350 and C350 and the BMW 325i on a closed course. Both MBs handle quite well. But, imo, neither MB came close to matching the road grip, turn handling and general "tossability" and pure driving fun of the 325i. I've also driven the 330i Sport pkg on a closed course recently and with its extra power it's just that much more fun.
I absolutely love the tight, "right on" steering of the 3s. BMWs just feel like they are built to be driven.....fast!!
.02
That car is a beast.
That car is a beast."
I wouldn't call E55 AMG entry-level luxury.
For the money I'd get an E39 M5, and maybe spend the price diff on S3 treatment.
Personally, I wouldn't buy a MB without the AMG kit-
C55- AMG
E55- AMG
S55- AMG
Those are the ones I would buy; for my wife the E350 4MATIC would suffice.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I thought all AMGs (regardless of country) have slushbox.
Best Regards,
Shipo
The C55 and Audi's S4 (manual) are neck and neck in a recent car magazine article.
I have test driven the E55 and that autamatic is something special.
But I see your point- a real driver always leans towards a manual.
While I absolutely believe that folks should be able to buy and drive what suits them the best (and should never be criticized for said choice), from my personal perspective at least, Automatic transmissions should be limited to MiniVans and other such pedestrian transportation. Said another way, every car that is covered by this discussion SHOULD offer a three pedal manual transmission as at least an extra cost option. Period, full stop, the end. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
[paste everything Shipo just said here]
Is it as hot as I think it is in the summer
If so, I am really conflicted because I'm trying to stay as cool as possible within my two ideal color combinations for an 06 6MT....
Now that I have waited 3 years to get my TL (when they finally offer WDP w/ Ebony for 2006 - got to love it
Any opinions from any of you that have had previous cars w/ these general color combos?
Is a dark exterior/light interior a cooler temperature combo than light exterior/dark interior?
Logic would tell me that this is not the case, but I have searched these forums for a while now and haven't found anything definitive on this so far.....
There are some things that you can do. Use a metallic sun shade, leave the windows open a crack, and the sun roof popped up. When you come back to the car, open all the windows and wait a minute before getting in. Also leave them open for a few minutes after driving off with the a/c running.