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Spent some time in a BMW 7 series the other day ...

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Old Jul 10, 2015 | 09:31 AM
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Spent some time in a BMW 7 series the other day ...

My friend has a 2013 BMW 7 series, and we were out for the day in it. This car is obviously a significant step up from the C-Class, but I was curious how it compared to my W205 as far as ride and interior noise levels.

The interior is very large compared to my C300 Sport, but certainly no more luxurious. In fact, I thought the interior of my car was actually nicer. The interior noise level seemed more muted than my car, but I could still hear road noise and external wind noise. The wind noise was very similar to what I hear on my car ... outside only with nothing coming through the glass. The tires were not RFT's and did not generate as much noise as mine did.

Over railroad tracks and potholes, the ride was not as sharp as mine. I did notice that the BMW did not have low profile tires, in fact they seemed huge but I did not check the size. The pavement breaks were felt, but they were not as abrupt as in my C300 Sport.

Overall, the 7 series had a more subdued interior environment, but it was not dramatically different than my little C-Class. I could hear outside wind over the car, I could hear some road and tire noise, and I could still feel the bumps and breaks on the road. I think the C-Class held up very well in comparison ... somewhat harder riding and not quite as hushed, but not bad at all.
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Old Jul 10, 2015 | 01:06 PM
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Thanks for this comparison Stan. The "base" 740i comes with 245/50-18s, which isn't exactly a low-profile tire. Optional sizes are 245/45-19 (front), 275/40-19 (rear) or up to 245/35-21 (front), 275/30-21 (rear).

The more composed feeling is also likely due to the larger wheelbase - longer tends to provide a more comfortable ride. Vehicle weight is also a factor too.
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Old Jul 10, 2015 | 01:57 PM
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Good to read this comfort comparison (often times reviews are only in context of agility and sportiness) i hope with Airmatic C drives smooth like an S-class, wishful thinking i know
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Old Jul 10, 2015 | 04:57 PM
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I'm sure it gives a comfortable ride, but I could never own a 7 Series BMW simply because of it's size & weight...land yacht for sure!


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Old Jul 10, 2015 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by StanNH
My friend has a 2013 BMW 7 series, and we were out for the day in it. This car is obviously a significant step up from the C-Class, but I was curious how it compared to my W205 as far as ride and interior noise levels.

The interior is very large compared to my C300 Sport, but certainly no more luxurious. In fact, I thought the interior of my car was actually nicer. The interior noise level seemed more muted than my car, but I could still hear road noise and external wind noise. The wind noise was very similar to what I hear on my car ... outside only with nothing coming through the glass. The tires were not RFT's and did not generate as much noise as mine did.

Over railroad tracks and potholes, the ride was not as sharp as mine. I did notice that the BMW did not have low profile tires, in fact they seemed huge but I did not check the size. The pavement breaks were felt, but they were not as abrupt as in my C300 Sport.

Overall, the 7 series had a more subdued interior environment, but it was not dramatically different than my little C-Class. I could hear outside wind over the car, I could hear some road and tire noise, and I could still feel the bumps and breaks on the road. I think the C-Class held up very well in comparison ... somewhat harder riding and not quite as hushed, but not bad at all.
agreed . had a loaner in Dubai for a day and I think the noise level and ride comfort were only marginally better than my C class coupe
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Old Jul 10, 2015 | 09:44 PM
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Keep in mind the 7 series you rode in was using engineering that's over 6 years old compared to your newly redesigned C class on a brand new chassis. I know you said it was a 2013 7 series, but that generation 7 series came out in 2009.


There are people in Hyundai forums that are amazed people would spend $10,000-$20,000 extra for a C class when they believe the new Sonata in Limited trim is just as good, if not better.
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Old Jul 10, 2015 | 11:45 PM
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For fairness, I do think Sonata drives very well. That said, call it whatever (class or whatever), I dont want a Hyndai to sit in my driveway. I'm a luxury buyer and require the ultimate luxury look. In my case, at this stage in life, the only brands that qualify are Mercedes, Maserati and Rolls Royce.
I had went to buy an E-class, but when I saw the C-class right next to an E, I would have even paid extra to get into a C ... the 2015 C300 Luxury was beyond words.

Originally Posted by jumpman726
Keep in mind the 7 series you rode in was using engineering that's over 6 years old compared to your newly redesigned C class on a brand new chassis. I know you said it was a 2013 7 series, but that generation 7 series came out in 2009.


There are people in Hyundai forums that are amazed people would spend $10,000-$20,000 extra for a C class when they believe the new Sonata in Limited trim is just as good, if not better.
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Old Jul 12, 2015 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by True101
I'm a luxury buyer and require the ultimate luxury look. In my case, at this stage in life, the only brands that qualify are Mercedes, Maserati and Rolls Royce.
I had went to buy an E-class, but when I saw the C-class right next to an E, I would have even paid extra to get into a C ... the 2015 C300 Luxury was beyond words.
You must have a different C-class to me then. Mine is nowhere near as luxurious as the Jaguar I had before it, and pretty much on par with the Ford Mondeo I had before that.

It's a prestige segment car, but far from luxurious.
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Old Jul 12, 2015 | 10:29 AM
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Agree w/ Bensales. I find the W205 interior extremely overrated and will never--ever--purchase a Benz with that cartoonish non-integrated screen.

I recently went to a local auto show and was very impressed with the newer Lexus interiors. Their exterior styling is polarizing (I'm not a fan) but even the ES has a nicer interior than the W205, IMHO.
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Old Jul 12, 2015 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by MoneyVSOP
Agree w/ Bensales. I find the W205 interior extremely overrated and will never--ever--purchase a Benz with that cartoonish non-integrated screen.

I recently went to a local auto show and was very impressed with the newer Lexus interiors. Their exterior styling is polarizing (I'm not a fan) but even the ES has a nicer interior than the W205, IMHO.
So don't plan on buying a new Audi or BMW because they both have the "cartoonish non integrated screen". I actually HAVE a W205 and while I wasn't sure about the screen at first I don't even notice it now except for the great crisp graphics over the tiny W204 screen.
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Old Jul 12, 2015 | 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackjackM
So don't plan on buying a new Audi or BMW because they both have the "cartoonish non integrated screen". I actually HAVE a W205 and while I wasn't sure about the screen at first I don't even notice it now except for the great crisp graphics over the tiny W204 screen.
Consistent with my experience. I definitely found the screen ugly in pictures, but first time I actually sat in a W205 I found it was fine.
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Old Jul 12, 2015 | 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by True101
For fairness, I do think Sonata drives very well. That said, call it whatever (class or whatever), I dont want a Hyndai to sit in my driveway. I'm a luxury buyer and require the ultimate luxury look. In my case, at this stage in life, the only brands that qualify are Mercedes, Maserati and Rolls Royce.
I had went to buy an E-class, but when I saw the C-class right next to an E, I would have even paid extra to get into a C ... the 2015 C300 Luxury was beyond words.
oh jesus.

ultimate luxury look huh? And you think a car just above entry level that can be leased for $450 a month is the ultimate in luxury?

Nice that you skipped bentley, porsche, aston martin, etc. And to include maserati is a joke.
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Old Jul 12, 2015 | 10:05 PM
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Well like I said, I didn't go to buy a C300, but when I saw it, it just stole my heart ... I had to repeatedly ask the Sales gal, 'wait, is this a C or an S'.

No offence, these plastic everywhere vehicles Hyndai or India made Jags) are nice for "others", but as for me I am too pretty to sit in them. Thanks .

Originally Posted by Quadcammer
oh jesus.

ultimate luxury look huh? And you think a car just above entry level that can be leased for $450 a month is the ultimate in luxury?

Nice that you skipped bentley, porsche, aston martin, etc. And to include maserati is a joke.

Last edited by True101; Jul 12, 2015 at 10:12 PM.
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Old Jul 13, 2015 | 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by True101
Well like I said, I didn't go to buy a C300, but when I saw it, it just stole my heart ... I had to repeatedly ask the Sales gal, 'wait, is this a C or an S'.

No offence, these plastic everywhere vehicles Hyndai or India made Jags) are nice for "others", but as for me I am too pretty to sit in them. Thanks .
You are clearly delusional.

enjoy your day.
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Old Jul 13, 2015 | 11:41 AM
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If I was buying a India Tata luxury vehicle Jaguar, I would start with Tata's entry class. I'm sure its sporty and agile too ...



Originally Posted by Quadcammer
You are clearly delusional.

enjoy your day.

Last edited by True101; Jul 13, 2015 at 11:44 AM.
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Old Jul 13, 2015 | 01:10 PM
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that is freaking funny
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Old Jul 13, 2015 | 01:21 PM
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And clearly know nothing about Jaguar either. They own Jaguar, they don't make Jaguars. Jaguar Land Rover have one factory in Pune, India, which makes the XF and a couple of LR models to exactly the same spec as the ones made in the UK. And they're a lot better than the C-class.
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Old Jul 13, 2015 | 01:45 PM
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And I think Audi and BMW got it wrong too. The screen is definitely clearer, but it's not mind-blowing and markedly clearer than any other competitive offerings. Touchpad interface is useless and laggy. There's a reason it's integrated in the S...it just looks better and is much more luxurious.
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Old Jul 13, 2015 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by getto
that is freaking funny
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Old Jul 15, 2015 | 12:30 PM
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LOOL
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Old Jul 18, 2015 | 01:17 AM
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Originally Posted by MoneyVSOP
And I think Audi and BMW got it wrong too. The screen is definitely clearer, but it's not mind-blowing and markedly clearer than any other competitive offerings. Touchpad interface is useless and laggy. There's a reason it's integrated in the S...it just looks better and is much more luxurious.
I have read that the purpose of the touchpad is for the input of asian characters: Japanese, Indonesian, and (the largest market) Chinese.
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Old Jul 18, 2015 | 10:40 AM
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The touch pad is there if you like it. If you don't, the wheel is right under it. I use both, but prefer the wheel in most cases simply because it's more accurate. Use whichever input device you prefer ... MB gave you a choice.

Regarding the "iPad" screen ... it happens to work well and is very practical. I prefer it to every other screen I've seen in any car. I'm glad it is not a touch screen, since the pad/wheel works well and is right under your hand. The screen lets you use it without looking down or to the side and losing eye contact with the road. My Porsche has a touch screen integrated into the dash. It works well and I hate it, because it's impossible to use while maintaining concentration on the road. In a world of electronic distractions in cars, I think Mercedes got this one right.
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Old Jul 18, 2015 | 11:35 AM
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Agreed

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