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Comments
me too!!!
-Dave
The course for the E320 was definitely more fun, so I actually spent more time there. I think I only drove the E500 twice. It was noticeably quicker and the air suspension was a little better sorted. Even the steering felt better for whatever reason, though I bet they are the same. Tires, maybe?
I lost it on my 2nd run with the E320 and plowed a row of cones. Just went in way too hot on a sharp, 90 degree turn. At least I can blame my bad back!
Had to redeem myself so I drove later with Hutch, plus we started using the Shiftronic (same name Subaru uses BTW) mode and they were much more fun that way.
My review of the E class, Cons first:
* still feels kind of big, heavy (better than last gen)
* auto tranny is slow, starts in 2nd
* brake feel not linear (it's by-wire)
* ABS did not cycle as quick as most
* steering boost ran out on transitions
* doesn't feel that fast, like a WRX does
The instructor said the steering was actually switching from high-assist to low-assist, but it didn't feel natural. Felt more like power assist running out of boost to me.
The Pros:
* styling, comfort, luxury
* love that dual moonroof, like the C Coupe
* shiftronic helps the tranny a lot
* fabric lined A-pillars, even
* gorgeous wood and leather
If I had to nit-pick, I noticed a few odd things, like gooseneck hinges on the sedans, some unfinished edges in the carpets in the trunk, and too many buttons on the dash.
Took us a while to figure out the buttons on the seat are for the seat ventilation (!). Some times less is more.
So I left impressed, but wished I could drive the E500 on the E320 course instead, or even my own cars. :-)
Best part was I can say I was quicker than Loosh {voice down to a whisper} when he was stuck behind that Granny.
-juice
Bob
Bob
-mike
Bob: that is dang fast for a mainstream sedan. Competitors had better get with the program, including Subaru, whose VDC is in the 8s.
AWD only makes up for half (or less) of that difference. They need 240hp or at least a 5 speed auto to keep up.
-juice
Bob
BTW - I have a buddy who works for MB. He gets the cars for traveling back and forth to work. Nice.
Greg
3400lbs+
230/230
3.3 H6
Bring back the 3.3 H6!!
-mike
At the dinner meet a few weeks ago, my head was spinning as he was going through everything the car has.
-Dennis
-juice
It seems like GM and Subaru and GM are finding it hard to come up with a vehicle that either can live with. First the GM/Subie 7-passenger crossover is now going to be a Subie-only effort, and just the other day came a news item stating that future GM and Subaru joint products may be on hold, due to conflicting points of "brand" interest.
So, does this GM/Subaru alliance make senses? There have been some costs savings in terms of parts buying. There is the (dumb) OnStar thingy with the Outback H-6s, but that's about it, as far as I can see.
I still think Subaru should have partnered with Porsche. At least these two companies have much in common in terms of philosophy and engineering.
Bob
Imagine what the Customer/Dealer Service Department went through during the "rabbit crisis" a couple of months ago.
So, like I say -- if your happy and you know it, clap your hands on that e-mail button and tell Subaru of America that you like your Subaru and how much fun you're having.
-Brian
Or their strategy changed after Lutz arrived - he wants nothing rebadged (thankfully).
-juice
-mike
-juice
-mike
Ed,
I read "Where the Suckers Moon", a fascinating read for this Subiholic. It's a behind-the-scenes look at selecting an advertising agency and the creative process. SoA happens to be the case study. Unless marketing interests you (like me), car nuts may find the bulk of the text dry. A small section recounts Subaru's pre-WW II history and how it started and remains a company of engineers, not a company of marketers.
Apologies for the late reply, I just caught up here.
..Mike
..Mike
-juice
1) The E320 also has the Sensotronic brake-by-wire system, exactly like the E500.
2) The transmission does not start out in 2nd gear, unless you're in the selectable Winter mode.
3) MB's ABS only cycles as fast as necessary to keep stopping distances to a minimum; MB is on their 7th generation ABS, and 4th generation stability control system, so I think they know what they're doing! Because of the brake-by-wire system, what you're feeling in the pedal is engineered in feedback solely to let you know that ABS is active. Remember that there is no physical connection between the brake lines and the brake pedal, as with a traditional braking system (the pulses that one feels in the latter setup is the brake fluid returning to the master cylinder).
4) The transmission is adaptive and adapts to each driver. Given the short distances and times that you all drove, it is no surprise that it wasn't exactly optimised for each driver.
5) Gooseneck hinges go into covered compartments and don't squash any luggage in the trunk. They are necessary because of the auto open spring loaded trunk setup that MB has; press the button and the trunk releases upwards all of the way up. Can't do this with struts.
6) Buttons on the dash are necessary to control all of the functions. The more features you have the more buttons you have/need obviously.
I'm not sure of his name in real-life but the guy who won the raffle has an iClub handle of IMPREZIV. He used to have a turbo RS at some point in the past if I remember correctly.
-Colin
..Mike
..Mike
It really, really felt like it wasn't in 1st gear. Does the throttle use a more conservative mapping at first? In manual mode, it was much quicker off the line.
Toyota has similar hinges in the Camry. But Benz put struts on the drop-tops, and they seem to pop up, so I wonder why only sedans don't get that? The SLK's seemed spring loaded too.
-juice
All MBzs have long travel throttles/brakes for better control. Being in manual mode makes absolutely zero difference since it's like shifting your auto transmission lever into "1". Note that the E-class has a driver adaptive throttle pedal as well, so it needs a little while to adapt to your driving style, similar to the transmission.
Bimmers have the struts, so do VW Passats, but I was shocked to see even the Hyundai Sonata uses them.
Well, we did drive in manual mode later in the day, so perhaps by then the throttle had adapted to the quick driving most people were doing. I didn't use the auto mode except for my first and maybe my second ride.
The E500 is deceivingly quick, it did not feel like 300+hp. Smooth delivery of power, I guess.
-juice
They're going to sell well, the styling is the biggest improvement IMO.
-juice
A few months back, I had a rental Optima that had struts. Never heard of that model before. It was a Kia with a V6.
Jim
The part of the dash layout that got my attention was the "5.2 mpg". Of course the cars were being flogged, and idled lots, so we should not expect any different.
Optima is a clone of the Sonata, so it inherits that neat feature. Funny that the low-end Koreans offer stuff that Accords, Camrys, and yes, Legacy sedans don't.
-juice
Handling is extremely neutral and it just stays planted on pavement. Body roll is minimal, and the 225 tires stick like glue. It's an amazing piece of machinery. Can't wait to get the brakes done.
-mike
Greg
A reasonably accurate measure is generally 5 minutes after the water temp gauge reaches the normal range.
-Colin
I know there are some techies among the Crew so I had to ask, but what's a good router+AP combination that performs well but won't damage the wallet? Any recommendations? D-Link? Linksys? What do you all use?
Ken
All works well within the four floors (4 PC/Mac computers) of the house.
-Dave
disclaimer: Brother is the techie
-Brian
4k miles in a year? Get out there and drive the thing! :-)
-juice
-mike
I'm afraid I don't know squat about wireless. My extreme tech solution is a home grown, FreeBSD-based firewall and 100BaseT hardwired network. I use dedicated servers for Windows Active Directory controllers, email (Exchange 2000), and web (IIS). This may help:
http://www.dalantech.com/review-menu.shtml
http://desktopengineer.com/article.php?story=20001203225732107 (old)
http://www.labmice.net/
..Mike
..Mike
-mike
..Mike
..Mike
Bob: that long wheelbase makes for more rear passenger space and a wider rear door bottom for easier entry. Question is, will they go IRS, or keep the live axle? Given how many of these go off road, I hope they go indy.
-juice
Bob
Bob