2012 BMW 550iX and MB E550 4-matic
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From: Washington, MI
2011 E350 4-Matic Sport
(Off topic)
K-A : I've seen your sig picture a bunch of times but i can't help but notice (while im laying on my couch bloated from thanksgiving turkey and surfing my I pad) that your car would look sick with a blacked out grille and a flat hood badge.
(Happy Thanksgiving guys....back to your discussion lol.......)
K-A : I've seen your sig picture a bunch of times but i can't help but notice (while im laying on my couch bloated from thanksgiving turkey and surfing my I pad) that your car would look sick with a blacked out grille and a flat hood badge.
(Happy Thanksgiving guys....back to your discussion lol.......)
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Could no disagree more on most of the above.
IMO, while new A6 now has a very exciting exterior, its interior disapoints (as compared to W212). Yes some interior design elements from the previous A8 (not current), but execution is far short - the seats are a joke (flat and ugly looking), cheap front storage center console (and even cheaper center rear console on even more expensive A7).
Powerful V6? Are you kidding me? Yes it has horsepower, but typical Audi low torque figures. It maybe better than 2012 MB V6, but to compare it to MB's bi-turbo V8? Its nowhere close to my 5.5 NA V8 in C207.
All above are based on my extensive (2 day) A7 testdrive - a car almost $10K more expensive than A6. Was sold on A7's exterior, but could not overcome shortcomings of V6 performance nor very disapointing (for Audi) interior compared not only to current A8, but even to my much less expensive W212.
IMO, while new A6 now has a very exciting exterior, its interior disapoints (as compared to W212). Yes some interior design elements from the previous A8 (not current), but execution is far short - the seats are a joke (flat and ugly looking), cheap front storage center console (and even cheaper center rear console on even more expensive A7).
Powerful V6? Are you kidding me? Yes it has horsepower, but typical Audi low torque figures. It maybe better than 2012 MB V6, but to compare it to MB's bi-turbo V8? Its nowhere close to my 5.5 NA V8 in C207.
All above are based on my extensive (2 day) A7 testdrive - a car almost $10K more expensive than A6. Was sold on A7's exterior, but could not overcome shortcomings of V6 performance nor very disapointing (for Audi) interior compared not only to current A8, but even to my much less expensive W212.
---
Oh and I found where I saw that 5.2 second rating from 0-60...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/2...dCN_story.html
If that is indeed true, it is what it is. I love the acceleration of my 550 with the NA V8 but if in fact what is in the Washington Post article quoted above is true, I have to say it is impressive and in that case the facts in this situation are contrary to what you seem to believe.
As for the interior, that is all subjective so some might like it better and others might not so whatever someone likes, good for them
Overall I feel the 2012 Audi is a more formidable competitor to the E class than the last generation, which I would never have even considered.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
(Off topic)
K-A : I've seen your sig picture a bunch of times but i can't help but notice (while im laying on my couch bloated from thanksgiving turkey and surfing my I pad) that your car would look sick with a blacked out grille and a flat hood badge.
(Happy Thanksgiving guys....back to your discussion lol.......)
K-A : I've seen your sig picture a bunch of times but i can't help but notice (while im laying on my couch bloated from thanksgiving turkey and surfing my I pad) that your car would look sick with a blacked out grille and a flat hood badge.
(Happy Thanksgiving guys....back to your discussion lol.......)
Yeah, I considered a black grille, but to me, the stock chrome grille with black inside slats is just the best face on a Benz, and black looks cool with the right setup for sure, but cheapens the look a bit IMO. As for the flat badge, I'm such a sucker for the stand up Star, it separates the car from so many others with generic flat hood badges or no badges, I just couldn't swap it!
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
I thought I read somewhere that the new A6 V6 can do about 5.2 seconds from 0-60 and if that is true, that is indeed 550 territory. Something I especially like about the new A6 interior is how you can spell out the names of who you want to call with your finger. What a great feature. I have 1000+ contacts in my phone and this would be such a convenient way to make calls... And I make quite a few of them in my car....
---
Oh and I found where I saw that 5.2 second rating from 0-60...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/2...dCN_story.html
If that is indeed true, it is what it is. I love the acceleration of my 550 with the NA V8 but if in fact what is in the Washington Post article quoted above is true, I have to say it is impressive and in that case the facts in this situation are contrary to what you seem to believe.
As for the interior, that is all subjective so some might like it better and others might not so whatever someone likes, good for them
Overall I feel the 2012 Audi is a more formidable competitor to the E class than the last generation, which I would never have even considered.
---
Oh and I found where I saw that 5.2 second rating from 0-60...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/2...dCN_story.html
If that is indeed true, it is what it is. I love the acceleration of my 550 with the NA V8 but if in fact what is in the Washington Post article quoted above is true, I have to say it is impressive and in that case the facts in this situation are contrary to what you seem to believe.
As for the interior, that is all subjective so some might like it better and others might not so whatever someone likes, good for them
Overall I feel the 2012 Audi is a more formidable competitor to the E class than the last generation, which I would never have even considered.
As far as interior. Personally, I do not buy car for the easyness of phone or navigation use. The most important for me is design (which I do agree is subjective, but I do not like A6/A7 while love A8) and quality of the materials (which A6/A7 is nowhere close to A8 and not as good as W212).
I'm not bashing Audis. As a matter of fact I like them at least as much as MB if not more, but I have to keep my wife happy (she loves everything MB and dislikes most Audi except R8), otherwise I would have an A8 instead of E350. But its a 2 way street, I'm sure you understand.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
What is beyond discussion is the fact that Audi has regularly received awards for the quality of their interiors and has long been considered the standard that others aspire to.
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^^ I never understood that really. To me, Audi interiors were never too warm or inspiring. The newer gens actually have their best yet, IMO, but many critique the A4's for being a step back.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Again, I ignore all "car of the year", "interior of the year", etc. awards. I do not care what they say. I have my eyes and my sences.
IMO, Mercedes interior (except W203 and pre facelift W204 C-classes) were always reacher looking and feeling than corresponding Audi interior. The exception was/is A8 line but only when outfitted with extended leather option. Having said that, I (in most cases) like(d) Audi exterior more than corresponding Mercedes exterior.
IMO, Mercedes interior (except W203 and pre facelift W204 C-classes) were always reacher looking and feeling than corresponding Audi interior. The exception was/is A8 line but only when outfitted with extended leather option. Having said that, I (in most cases) like(d) Audi exterior more than corresponding Mercedes exterior.
Last edited by threeMBs; Nov 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Audi was the first to really worry about interior feel and fit and finish. I know that they spent millions to tweak the feel of switches and to improve the feel of interior bits. The problem may be that the others improved and Audi stood still.
OTOH, Audi was just voted the best car in Germany by ADAC (the German version of AAA) ahead of MB and BMW - in that order. The US is the only market where BMW is held in higher regard than Audi.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Audi, especialy A8/S8 line, was/is number one in Germany for quite some time now. After all they use(d) "basic" MB E-class for taxis for as long as I remember. Number one executive car? A8L since late 1990s.
Does it mean anything for our discussion? IMO, not a thing.
Does it mean anything for our discussion? IMO, not a thing.
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From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
I thought I read somewhere that the new A6 V6 can do about 5.2 seconds from 0-60 and if that is true, that is indeed 550 territory. Something I especially like about the new A6 interior is how you can spell out the names of who you want to call with your finger. What a great feature. I have 1000+ contacts in my phone and this would be such a convenient way to make calls... And I make quite a few of them in my car....
---
Oh and I found where I saw that 5.2 second rating from 0-60...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/2...dCN_story.html
If that is indeed true, it is what it is. I love the acceleration of my 550 with the NA V8 but if in fact what is in the Washington Post article quoted above is true, I have to say it is impressive and in that case the facts in this situation are contrary to what you seem to believe.
As for the interior, that is all subjective so some might like it better and others might not so whatever someone likes, good for them
Overall I feel the 2012 Audi is a more formidable competitor to the E class than the last generation, which I would never have even considered.
---
Oh and I found where I saw that 5.2 second rating from 0-60...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/2...dCN_story.html
If that is indeed true, it is what it is. I love the acceleration of my 550 with the NA V8 but if in fact what is in the Washington Post article quoted above is true, I have to say it is impressive and in that case the facts in this situation are contrary to what you seem to believe.
As for the interior, that is all subjective so some might like it better and others might not so whatever someone likes, good for them
Overall I feel the 2012 Audi is a more formidable competitor to the E class than the last generation, which I would never have even considered.
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I can't argue with logic like that
Last edited by WEBSRFR; Nov 25, 2011 at 11:35 AM.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Read what I wrote. I had A7 (not A6) for 2 days to "test" when it came out. Same engine/drivetrane as new A6 (weight penalty is negligable). My personal comparisons were to E550 coupe, not sedan. Some "publications" put E550 coupe 0-60 numbers at 4.6 (IMO, 0-60 1/2sec difference is segnificant). Official MB number was 4.9 for NA V8 coupe, official Audi A7 3.0 V6 engine number is 5.4 (A6 - 5.3). The most important - it feels more than 1/2 second difference. MB pressed me into my seat, Audi did not.
Both A7 and A6 have same interior. And I do not like it. You like it? Great power to you. This is America - freedom of speach.
Unlike many others, I do not come to these boards with question "which one to choose?". I do my own decission based on real world feel, not "book" numbers or others' estetics opinoin.
Both A7 and A6 have same interior. And I do not like it. You like it? Great power to you. This is America - freedom of speach.
Unlike many others, I do not come to these boards with question "which one to choose?". I do my own decission based on real world feel, not "book" numbers or others' estetics opinoin.
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AFAIC any figures that show a E550 doing 4.6 unmodified seems hard to believe without a a foot roll-out. I have a 550 and I love it but it is not that fast. Mid 4 second acceleration is AMG territory.
Also FWIW the MB Published figure for the new E550 engine is 5.2 for the sedan and 4.9 for the coupe. I was of course talking about sedans here when comparing the A6 sedan to the E550 sedan and apparently from what other posters have since corroborated, the A6 sedan with the V6 engine is apparently as fast as the E550 sedan with the V8 engine.
That's exactly what I said a few posts earlier. I am so glad that you agree with me completely. Isn't it great to live in America with free speech and everything? Thanks for pointing that out 
Also FWIW the MB Published figure for the new E550 engine is 5.2 for the sedan and 4.9 for the coupe. I was of course talking about sedans here when comparing the A6 sedan to the E550 sedan and apparently from what other posters have since corroborated, the A6 sedan with the V6 engine is apparently as fast as the E550 sedan with the V8 engine.
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From: Chicago and NorCal
Titleist
Please allow me to assist in reading what he wrote because he has a point to make and with great authority:
1. drivetrane = drivetrain
2. negligable = negligible
3. segnificant = significant
4. speach = speech
5. decission = decision
6. estetics = aesthetics (I believe that was the intended word)
7. opinoin = opinion
And comparing a V6 A7 (not A6, mind you) to a V8 MB coupe is more appropriate because the MB fairs more favorably in lighter coupe to sedan and 8 cylinder to 6 cylinder configurations.
I believe that is what he is trying to say.
Now that you understand, you must know which is the better car!
1. drivetrane = drivetrain
2. negligable = negligible
3. segnificant = significant
4. speach = speech
5. decission = decision
6. estetics = aesthetics (I believe that was the intended word)
7. opinoin = opinion
And comparing a V6 A7 (not A6, mind you) to a V8 MB coupe is more appropriate because the MB fairs more favorably in lighter coupe to sedan and 8 cylinder to 6 cylinder configurations.
I believe that is what he is trying to say.
Now that you understand, you must know which is the better car!
Last edited by golfster; Nov 25, 2011 at 12:45 PM.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Golfman, are you a gramma teacher? English is not my first language. Spellcheck sucks here, so I don't use it. Often, when typing fast, one hits incorrect key. Happens to me all the time. People with better manners (smarter) understood me well.
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From: Chicago and NorCal
Titleist
I'm sure it was a missed key, or two, or three. And no, I'm not a grammar teacher, but do recognize that when someone doesn't agree with you, you get all bent out of shape.
Last edited by golfster; Nov 25, 2011 at 01:23 PM.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Might I offer some suggestions to the group
Don't post mad. If you do, then there is a good chance that you'll make all sorts of mistakes.
Use Firefox- it has its own built in spellchecker that seems to work quite well regardless of the forum.
Don't post mad. If you do, then there is a good chance that you'll make all sorts of mistakes.
Use Firefox- it has its own built in spellchecker that seems to work quite well regardless of the forum.
Out Of Control!!
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I've test driven an A7 and can attest that the S/C'd 6 Cylinder motor Audi uses has *****, and feels much faster than 300 HP suggests. It feels much faster, more linear, and smoother than BMW's 300 HP Turbo 6. It's either underrated or a masterpiece in efficiency, i.e putting the power to the ground without the "Marketing Aspect" of high HP statistical figures.
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2012 CLS63
Thread Starter
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Volvo S80 T6
Please allow me to assist in reading what he wrote because he has a point to make and with great authority:
1. drivetrane = drivetrain
2. negligable = negligible
3. segnificant = significant
4. speach = speech
5. decission = decision
6. estetics = aesthetics (I believe that was the intended word)
7. opinoin = opinion
And comparing a V6 A7 (not A6, mind you) to a V8 MB coupe is more appropriate because the MB fairs more favorably in lighter coupe to sedan and 8 cylinder to 6 cylinder configurations.
I believe that is what he is trying to say.
Now that you understand, you must know which is the better car!
1. drivetrane = drivetrain
2. negligable = negligible
3. segnificant = significant
4. speach = speech
5. decission = decision
6. estetics = aesthetics (I believe that was the intended word)
7. opinoin = opinion
And comparing a V6 A7 (not A6, mind you) to a V8 MB coupe is more appropriate because the MB fairs more favorably in lighter coupe to sedan and 8 cylinder to 6 cylinder configurations.
I believe that is what he is trying to say.
Now that you understand, you must know which is the better car!
Now, kind and experienced guys and gals at the MB forum, will you please recall the name of this thread and how it started? Do you want me to switch to Audi A6 now? 
Last edited by Tonvic; Nov 27, 2011 at 02:09 AM.
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S560
I agree, on anything but reliability and ride, the BMW wins hands down - but - BMW has taken a huge downturn in reliability with their inability to first acknowledge, then resolve the high pressure fuel pump issue that plagues every turbo BMW sold in the US. These problems continue with the E90 and are also evident on the F10. The 328/528 were reliable, but anything with a HPFP should be avoided at all costs if you live in the US/Canada. The sulfur content in our gas doesn't play well with the HPFP and the effects of that sulfur content on catalytic converters with start/stop is completely unknown.
I love driving my 335 and I'm not sure if the modern Benz experience will be similar, but I'm tired of driving Enterprise loaners instead of my car.
I love driving my 335 and I'm not sure if the modern Benz experience will be similar, but I'm tired of driving Enterprise loaners instead of my car.
I had a 2010 W212 and currently drive a 2011 550ix M sport. My new car is hands down the smoothest, quietest car I have ever been in. I saw a comment made referencing how unbearable harsh the M sport cars drive. This could not be further from the truth. My S550 was a brick next to my new car. I also cannot get over how quiet it is, most mag tests show it 3-5 dbs quieter than other cars and I can attest it is super quiet. All in all it has been the best car I have ever owned. I can't say it has been the most reliable, but neither was my 212 or 211. I also wish they kept the weight down, but for it's heft the car is amazing.
All in all I don't think you can wrong with either car, it's just a matter of preference....
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Just to set things straight- The HPFP problems that plagued the 3 series has not shown up in the 5 or 7 series cars. In fact I can not find one reference anywhere to a 550i or 750i having a fuel pump go. Keep in mind this is the 6th model year for the twin turbo V8 BMW is using. I would think by now you would see some form of a thread somewhere with two people saying they had one go bad.
I had a 2010 W212 and currently drive a 2011 550ix M sport. My new car is hands down the smoothest, quietest car I have ever been in. I saw a comment made referencing how unbearable harsh the M sport cars drive. This could not be further from the truth. My S550 was a brick next to my new car. I also cannot get over how quiet it is, most mag tests show it 3-5 dbs quieter than other cars and I can attest it is super quiet. All in all it has been the best car I have ever owned. I can't say it has been the most reliable, but neither was my 212 or 211. I also wish they kept the weight down, but for it's heft the car is amazing.
All in all I don't think you can wrong with either car, it's just a matter of preference....
I had a 2010 W212 and currently drive a 2011 550ix M sport. My new car is hands down the smoothest, quietest car I have ever been in. I saw a comment made referencing how unbearable harsh the M sport cars drive. This could not be further from the truth. My S550 was a brick next to my new car. I also cannot get over how quiet it is, most mag tests show it 3-5 dbs quieter than other cars and I can attest it is super quiet. All in all it has been the best car I have ever owned. I can't say it has been the most reliable, but neither was my 212 or 211. I also wish they kept the weight down, but for it's heft the car is amazing.
All in all I don't think you can wrong with either car, it's just a matter of preference....
How many tires have you gone through?
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From: Huntington NY
S560
Lol, you mentioned 3,4 or 5 times that they are still having major fuel pump issues and then fine? You are correct, the tires on the M sport pack have been a major problem. It is a Goodyear problem though, the Michelins and Bridgestones have had virtually no problems (aside from normal reality that all tires can get bubbles). I do blame BMW for using GY, but by switching to the other manufacturers that problem is fixed....
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Lol, you mentioned 3,4 or 5 times that they are still having major fuel pump issues and then fine? You are correct, the tires on the M sport pack have been a major problem. It is a Goodyear problem though, the Michelins and Bridgestones have had virtually no problems (aside from normal reality that all tires can get bubbles). I do blame BMW for using GY, but by switching to the other manufacturers that problem is fixed....
