Car & Driver Luxury Car Comparison
#27
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'12 ML350
Something's definitely weird though....The Audi A8 for example is virtually unchanged since its debut (04' model year) and then it jumps a place over the 7-series, which got an engine upgrade and styling improvements since the last comparison..... I'm happy with the results, but WTF is C&D smoking these days?
Eric....
this is a link to the previous comparison:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...ans-page7.html
![crazy](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/crazy.gif)
Eric....
this is a link to the previous comparison:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...ans-page7.html
Speaking as a fan of BMW, I have been sorely disappointed with its products lately. I've really tried considering the 750Li for my next car but after test driving it for an extended period of time (my folks got an '06 in August), I just cannot warm up to the interior and exterior aesthetics, not to mention the iDrive.
I've now test driven an S550 twice and spent much time at the dealer playing with the new Comand, I must say that it's closest to Audi's MMI in terms of a great execution of the user interface and is at least intuitive for most of its functions - judging that I figured most of it out without the need of a user's manual.
I'm about to order my car for March delivery and it is down to the S550 and the Audi S8 - the numbers will play a role in my decision, and I'll get them tomorrow.
#28
According to the results the LS460 is not as good as the LS430 considering it beat the BMW as well as others last year, yet somehow with no improvements to the competition the LS460 dropped 3 spots
According to a CNN.com survey last month 92% of people prefer reliability over excitement in a car, maybe someone should mention to the author losing touch with your readers may be the reason behind your decline in magazine sales.
Cant sell magazines without sensationalism, so hype up the excitement factor to get a few more 16 year old subscribers
to line your pockets.
![slap](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/slap.gif)
According to a CNN.com survey last month 92% of people prefer reliability over excitement in a car, maybe someone should mention to the author losing touch with your readers may be the reason behind your decline in magazine sales.
Cant sell magazines without sensationalism, so hype up the excitement factor to get a few more 16 year old subscribers
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
#31
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'12 ML350
According to the results the LS460 is not as good as the LS430 considering it beat the BMW as well as others last year, yet somehow with no improvements to the competition the LS460 dropped 3 spots
According to a CNN.com survey last month 92% of people prefer reliability over excitement in a car, maybe someone should mention to the author losing touch with your readers may be the reason behind your decline in magazine sales.
Cant sell magazines without sensationalism, so hype up the excitement factor to get a few more 16 year old subscribers
to line your pockets.
![slap](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/slap.gif)
According to a CNN.com survey last month 92% of people prefer reliability over excitement in a car, maybe someone should mention to the author losing touch with your readers may be the reason behind your decline in magazine sales.
Cant sell magazines without sensationalism, so hype up the excitement factor to get a few more 16 year old subscribers
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
The BMW 7-series now has a bigger engine than the 745i, along with a redesigned exterior and some detail improvements, including to the iDrive.
The Jaguar Super V8 now employs the supercharged engine as found in the XJ-R, and it has a longer wheelbase and body length than the 'normal' XJ, plus a higher level of equipment.
The Audi has a redesigned exterior plus a bump in power thanks for the FSI V8 now powering the car.
And the winning S-class is a new generation W221 with the new 4-valve 5.5 litre V8 powerplant compared to the W220 S430 previously tested in the last comparison.
In fact, all these cars, the Lexus included, are either improved or brand new iterations. So the yardstick has moved on, some further than the others in this case...at least according to the editors of C&D.
Oh, and if I was 16 again and had $80,000+ to spend on a car, I really don't think any of these saloons would make it near the top of my list!
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#34
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19 X3, 24 Tacoma Trailhunter, 25 CLE53
There's more than just 15hp - there's also improved EPA numbers 18/25. Nothing like more power and better economy at the same time.
I'd pick the S550 4m over the A8L, but the S8 makes for a much more difficult decision. Then again, the SL550 is sweet alternative to either sedan. Decisions, decisions.
I'd pick the S550 4m over the A8L, but the S8 makes for a much more difficult decision. Then again, the SL550 is sweet alternative to either sedan. Decisions, decisions.
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#35
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
The fact that Audi is even discussed here is a huge improvement for them. The previous A8 models never got this kinda of attention. This current A8 though deserves it, it really is a fabulous car inside and out. The S8 is a just hot.
M
M
#36
and they dare to launch it as competitor to S-class..... are they trying to embarrasse themselves or what? such a shame....
#37
if u guys remember street fighter 2 arcade video game back in 15 years ago... doesn't the lexus look like the car in the bonus stage where u have 30 something seconds to waste a car? i think they look exactly the same...
by the way... if i remember correctly, the exterior of the jaguar is pretty much the same as the model I saw 15 years ago... ?
by the way... if i remember correctly, the exterior of the jaguar is pretty much the same as the model I saw 15 years ago... ?
#38
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I wouldn't have expected the Lexus to be the heaviest of the lot...It's interesting how all cars managed an identical 13 mpg on the 475 mile trip... It's also interesting how slow the Jag was given that it has the highest hp/torque figures and weighed the least by a large margin... (600 lbs less than the Benz)....
Eric...
Eric...
#39
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2007 S550
According to the results the LS460 is not as good as the LS430 considering it beat the BMW as well as others last year, yet somehow with no improvements to the competition the LS460 dropped 3 spots
According to a CNN.com survey last month 92% of people prefer reliability over excitement in a car, maybe someone should mention to the author losing touch with your readers may be the reason behind your decline in magazine sales.
![slap](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/slap.gif)
According to a CNN.com survey last month 92% of people prefer reliability over excitement in a car, maybe someone should mention to the author losing touch with your readers may be the reason behind your decline in magazine sales.
On the reliability issue, the JD Power report itself says that MB has only 15% more reported problems than Lexus. That's a tiny difference. It seems to me that Lexus takes that 15% and through marketing hype convinces everyone that it's more like 150%.
#40
I dont base my reliability stats on magazine info, I base it on used car auction experience.I did find this on CNN.com today though.
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/reliable/4.html
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/reliable/4.html
#41
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S500/W220/2000
I dont base my reliability stats on magazine info, I base it on used car auction experience.I did find this on CNN.com today though.
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/reliable/4.html
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/reliable/4.html
#42
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
I dont base my reliability stats on magazine info, I base it on used car auction experience.I did find this on CNN.com today though.
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/reliable/4.html
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/reliable/4.html
#43
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'12 ML350
Of course, there is a rumoured Land Cruiser/LX replacement due out soon to consider too...
#44
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'12 ML350
Of course, if I can figure out a way to predict reliability using future data...uh, well, I would put CR out of business for good!
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#45
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
BTW...let's work together on putting JD Powers out of business...but then how would the public know what toaster to buy...
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Last edited by Nevada Jack; 11-28-2006 at 05:44 PM.
#48
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S500/W220/2000
Except for the GL450 - CR rated it very highly and I'm seriously considering replacing my wife's LX 470 with the GL when the Lexus' lease ends - the fact that the GL450 tows 7,500 lbs compared to the LX's 6,500 lbs. capacity is just icing on the cake.
Of course, there is a rumoured Land Cruiser/LX replacement due out soon to consider too...
Of course, there is a rumoured Land Cruiser/LX replacement due out soon to consider too...
#49
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S500/W220/2000
#50
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S500/W220/2000