alloutmk23

(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.......)

WEBSRFR

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.

K-A

Hah, nice.

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!

threeMBs

Well I do not make judgements nor offer my opinion just based on some publication. Instead, I offer it through my own experience. The best actions for anyone is to take an extensive test drive. If you would, I have no doubts you will change your mind.

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.

CEB

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.

K-A

^^ 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.

threeMBs

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.

CEB

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.

threeMBs

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.

SolidGranite

I can confirm these claims for the new A6 acceleration. It easily sits in the low 5s and feels every bit as fast as my 550.

WEBSRFR

Ah. So it is based on your seat of the pants analysis as opposed to hard facts published on paper. I understand now where your analysis of the new A6 performance is coming from

I can't argue with logic like that

threeMBs

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.

WEBSRFR

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

golfster

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!

threeMBs

Try pre 2012 E350, especially 4matic.

threeMBs

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.

golfster

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.

CEB

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.

K-A

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.

hyperion667

Tonvic

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?

emilner

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....

CEB

Right. The "new HPFP" on the 5 series appears to be the wheels and tires fitted to the cars - something else bolstering my claim that BMW lives on the bleeding edge of technology and doesn't take US conditions into consideration.

How many tires have you gone through?

emilner

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....

CEB

I'm not convinced that the HPFP issue is resolved. The N55 engines are having HPFP issues in the 3 series and in the X5. I'm not sure why the 5 series should be immune. I suspect we'll see HPFP problems cropping up soon.