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Comments
Ride quality has improved greatly. The car's chassis is not upset by imperfections in the road and cacaphonous thudding that used to come through the cockpit from simple things like bots dots has now been muted.
The responsive nature of the car is far closer to my e46 ZHP. I move the wheel and the car reacts instantly. The e90's slow-to-respond dynamics have been erased.
Handling improved greatly. Suddenly corners come and go without any fuss. No more feeling the cruddy runflat tires flexing and bending in corners. no more muted feel through corners - you can now feel what the tires are doing. Most importantly, hitting a pavement junction or a dip at twice the speed limit no longer causes the car to skip sideways. It's a godsend to feel the road and yet not fear the hopping/skipping runflat tires create.
I can't say what my mileage will be like but much lighter rolling stock should help.
Additionally, the car just feels quicker and lighter on real tires.
Best money I've spent on a car in a long time. RFTs suck.
At the moment, a 3-series is in my future & my plan has been to buy real tires for it as soon as it gets back to the U.S. (ED).
My plan is vindicated.
But based on what I was able to sample, this may well have been the best car I have driven all year.
I have had a flat tire on the highway and I realized how handy the full size spare was. Replaced it and I was on my way.
I looked at the Acura TL/RL, Lexus GS300/350, Infiniti M35 and none of them have a full-size spare option. Its hard for me to think of buying a 40K car and not having a full size spare ... which is something so basic. I do not understand why auto-makers are doing this. Any thoughts ???
For many their looks and idrive, however unfounded these concerns may be to you, they're real for a lot of folks.
Mercedes' build quality has rebounded tremendously in the last couple of years, but the verdict on reliability is still out or lagging.
M
One reason is the unidirectional tires and staggered F/R tire sizes. Take a 550i sport for example. The front tires can't be interchanged with the rear, and the left and right sides are not interchangible since the tire tread is specifically designed to rotate in one direction. So, if you wanted to adequately cover all potential flats, you'd need to carry 4 full size spares.
Another reason is the increased size of wheels and tires. When that 550i starts wearing 18/19" wheels with 275 width rear tires, that makes the old spare wheel well in the trunk obsolete.
What is unfortunate is that several cars really don't have the credentials to wear high performance low profile unidirectional tires on oversized rims, but do so simply to look more impressive. I haven't driven the new Lexus GS, but unless it's a dramatic departure form the previous model, this is NOT a performance sedan and does not have a suspension or chassis that requires high performance tires to tap the last bit of handling prowess. Frankly, it's a waste of good rubber.
So would you recommend the new E320 Bluetec? I have a business associate who will be driving 30,000+ miles per year and asked my advice on something that he can have for 6-7 years (200k+ miles), with decent comfort and luxury, with decent fuel mileage and maintenance. My marketing director has a 2005 E320 CDI which she likes, but it has had more problems in two years than her former E300 Turbodiesel had in four years.
I always wondered on the high appeal level of some cars yet quality is lacking based on historical trend.
I'll take the chance on a flat over living with the uncomfortable ride and compromised handling of runflats.
As far as running a unidirectional tire "backwards", that is a no-no for both safety concerns and tire wear, from what I've read. A couple of years ago, a friend had his wheels balanced on a 545i and they accidentally interchanged the left and right front tires. He noticed that the car did not steer as precisely and track as straight on the highway, but kept driving on it for about two months (2,500 miles). When he then started noticing loader than usual road noise, he took it back to the dealership, where they realized the mistake. They gave him two new tires, without any prodding by him. Turns out that the wear going "agianst the grain" is considerably greater than going with the grain.
Unidirectional tires often have an arrow on the sidewall showing which direction they are supposed to roll. If you see that arrow and its pointing backwards, you could be headed for trouble.
What tires did you get (make, model, size, etc.)?
I ask because I have been pondering this question myself. Whatever is said won't change what the car is. I like the way it handles; that is enough for me. Just wondering where a car like this fits in the scheme of things.
The 5 series is what I would call entry level from BMW; A6 and Acura RL as well (although I find most Acura's just warmed-over versions of Hondas with slightly nicer finishes - the RL even looks like a slightly larger Accord)... but like everything, it's a matter of personal opinion.
/DA
Entry Lux performance sedan: A4, 3-series, C-class, IS, G and TL
Midsize Lux performance sedan: A6, 5-series, E-class, GS, M and RL
(Fullsize) Lux performance sedan: A8, 7-sereis, S-class, LS and Q
I would put the Mazdaspeed6 and Passat in the midsize sedan category (same as Accord, Camry...) but sportier.
Does anyone have first hand test drive experience? I'm in the market and would appreciate some input
Audi/BMW/Benz/Acura/Lexus/Caddy/lincoln/Infiniti are all luxury nameplates. mazda/honda/toyota/VW/Chevy/Ford/Suzuki/Hyundai/Kia/etc/etc are not.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Acura TL:
Audi A4:
BMW 3-series:
Caddy CTS:
Infiniti G35:
Lexus IS:
MB C-class:
My personal favorite: Acura TL
My personal least favorite: Caddy CTS
The IS is pretty classy looking, too, IMO. I agree with you on the CTS :sick: .
Great post.
JUST going by the pics alone, the MB looks the least inviting to me. The audi looks pretty bad, too. The red '80s looking displays HAVE to go, IMHO. I'd agree the CTS is down there, too, though.
I'd have to say the Infiniti looks the best to me, followed by the Lexus, then Bimmer, then TL (the acura has a nice layout, but the seat doesn't "look" very comfy).
Again, this is based purely on those pics.
I was going to grab a pic of a volvo interior and post it to add to the comparison ... but the inside shots make it look HORRIBLE by comparison. If it weren't for the fact I know the volvo is so darned comfortable, I would say they don't even belong in this group.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
One thing really hurting some of those above is that they aren't comparably loaded. The NAV screens go a long way towards the "oooh, aaahhh" factor, so the ones pictured above without NAV are at a distinct disadvantage, I believe.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Acura TL:
Audi A4:
BMW 3-series:
Caddy CTS:
Infiniti G35:
Lexus IS:
MB C-class:
Personal favorite: IS & G35
Personal least favorite: again the honor goes to the CTS
I basically like all the rest (I own a TL) although the MB center stack is too busy. The BMW looks better in pix, or maybe it has grown on me? Although I still don't like the "double-hood" look. An analog clock is always a welcome, classy touch to me. I prefer wood to aluminum, the TL uses real aluminum but both "Plood" and faux carbon-fiber. But, the IS makes good use of the aluminum.
Tops for me, well I bought the TL. But the Audi, Lexus and MB are right there, too, with the G coming on. But the CTS: :P
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
If you are talking about those tiny touches of aluminum around the shifter then yes, I think those are real. However, everything else is plastic with fake-metallic paint. :mad:
Least favorite in order from worst: CTS, IS, MB, TL
Same for interiors. Although I only like the bimmer interior in black and gray with aluminum. Wood in an interior = cheesey, pimp mobile.
Rocky
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Oh well.
As for the gauges, my rankings don't change. Infiniti, then Lexus, then Bimmer. The bimmer and lexus are very close, though. I like the classic chronometer look of the bimmer, but i also like the more modern and flashier lexus.
The CTS gauges are horrible. What the heck is with that font? I could see that in a Cavalier, not a Caddy.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
I am also not a fan to the use of red color for gauges. For some reason red gauges put me to sleep while driving at night. I personally like sharp crystal white color for gauges just like the IS's. I think TL's gauge is pretty decent too but I prefer white needles instead of TL's red. BMW has the most classic gauge, not as flashy as the others but it's easy to read. G's looks a bit busy to me but general layout is pretty good. Last but not least, C's gauge is just too blend, despite it looks like might be the easiest to read.
Oh yeah, and there's the CTS's...BTW, is that a clock at the left bottom corner on CTS' gauge? If that's a clock then where's the water temperature indicator? :confuse:
I did some research and since I do want Runflats these seem to be the best choice. Its a performance winter so according to people who have used it it does not give up as much in handling as other winter tires. The downside is that its not the best snow tire (its supposed to be good for moderate snow) out there. I plan to put these on 17 inch wheels (I have sport pkg on my 330i) and swap the wheels twice a year. Getting close to pull the trigger.
Rocky
P.S. Audi, having the best interiors is seriously IMHO overrated.
It's a daggoned good thing we have all these choices, isn't it!! :P
I don't know if I get to comment as I am mainly a lurker here (but a respectable lurker), but I think the TL and the IS are the most pleasing dashes - they are a little too lux for me, but they are soooothing. The Audi and BMW gauges are by far the best. There is something about no nonsense, somewhat retro teutonic guages that evoke high end machines to me. Wood interiors on these smaller German cars seem to clash with their bauhaus, glass and steel Messerschmidt effect.
Purple and baby blue colors on gauges just seem like sacriledge to me. Except they fit perfectly on the G. For the life of me, I cannot figure out Infiniti's love of flashy, old lady-oriented interior glitz (that clock looks like a women's watch). Infiniti interiors spell Liberace and Myrtle Beach retirement communities for me. The Cadillac. Yes my fellow Americans, we have met the enemy and he is us.
BTW, I think Saab fits here but you have to sit in the wrap around Saab interior to appreciate it's slavic modernism.
I've enjoyed the discussions of interiors & gauges, but didn't comment until now. I completely agree with what you posted.
And then, to top it off, I don't find the CTS interior so offensive as everyone else apparently does.
It's interesting to read about peoples preferences when it comes to cars.
My favoritest interior of all the cars made for model year 2007' is the Volvo S80's. Volvo, has arguably the best interior design I've ever seen with the new S80.
It is a real "eye-stopper" of modern art. :shades:
Rocky
The BMW interiors are classic, meant for driving, not lounging. No visual clutter, no visual distraction. Controls are easy to use, easy to find.
BMW, interiors lack a artistic design. Yuk !!!!
Rocky
Yes I would. The E has supposedly been gutted for 07 and should prove to be more reliable, but sadly the reality of buying a Mercedes is that reliabilty isn't a given anymore. That said........
My marketing director has a 2005 E320 CDI which she likes, but it has had more problems in two years than her former E300 Turbodiesel had in four years.
The main things I've seen about these is that people are getting "bad gas" according to service advisors. Last week while getting a service I was talking with a E320 CDI owner and she said the service adviser told her which stations to avoid. Despite this she said she would be getting a ML320 CDI.
M
M
Artistic design?
"Art is useless, so is a flower." - Oscar Wilde
I know car manus spend millions on exterior design and interior layouts. Yet not a single car in this class is even remotely attractive on the outside. As far as interior's the e46 had the best interior of all of them by a longshot. Now that it's gone we're stuck with the current faux pas that pass as interiors. Not a single one of the interiors shown above is driver-centric enough. They play to the rest of the car's passengers. The e46 with it's tighter design, titled-toward-the-driver dash, low beltline (god how I love riding in friends and family member's e46s) and controls right-at-hand epitomizes what these interiors should be.
Visually, I couldn't care less - as long as there is no wood anywhere. I just want everything of importance - gauges, controls, HVAC, stereo pointed at me. The passengers can look out the window. Function over form - the driver is king of the domain, so therefore all functions should be aimed at pleasing the driver.