Heads Up!!! Car and Driver May Issue
04-14-2003, 12:29 PM
#26
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E55
It seems that C and D just did not like hte brakes during their short trial. They could not give it a score lower than 8 perhaps with an eye towards not offending MB. So they used a subjective scale to but the E55 third even though the totals of their own score has E55 beating M5 and just 1 point below the Audi.
If the brakes are in fact fine, then WE know the car should have been on top or at least tied there.
This is not all bad. The C and D article will affect demand and may be may be we can get better deals than otherwise.
If the brakes are in fact fine, then WE know the car should have been on top or at least tied there.
This is not all bad. The C and D article will affect demand and may be may be we can get better deals than otherwise.
04-14-2003, 07:37 PM
#27
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The C&D article will have zero effect on demand and zero effect on price.
Most people who appreciate higher end cars know better than to take any of the subjective car mag articles too seriously.
While it's easy to compare 0-60 times, stopping distances and hp, it's an altogether different issue to assign value to the various attributes of different cars.
Example: I find the new Rolls Royce Phantom ugly, the interior of the RS6 spartan and un-luxurious, the ride/manners of an LS430 boring, etc etc. Many car magazines rave about each of these.
That doesn't help me any.
Better example: some people find Angelina Jolie very attractive. Not my style at all. Sorry, but all the hot press clippings in the world wouldn't make her any more suitable for my taste. And that's all the car mags amount to in the end--they're simply press clippings to stir up interest in product.
Most people who appreciate higher end cars know better than to take any of the subjective car mag articles too seriously.
While it's easy to compare 0-60 times, stopping distances and hp, it's an altogether different issue to assign value to the various attributes of different cars.
Example: I find the new Rolls Royce Phantom ugly, the interior of the RS6 spartan and un-luxurious, the ride/manners of an LS430 boring, etc etc. Many car magazines rave about each of these.
That doesn't help me any.
Better example: some people find Angelina Jolie very attractive. Not my style at all. Sorry, but all the hot press clippings in the world wouldn't make her any more suitable for my taste. And that's all the car mags amount to in the end--they're simply press clippings to stir up interest in product.
04-14-2003, 07:54 PM
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally posted by amg55
The C&D article will have zero effect on demand and zero effect on price.
Most people who appreciate higher end cars know better than to take any of the subjective car mag articles too seriously.
While it's easy to compare 0-60 times, stopping distances and hp, it's an altogether different issue to assign value to the various attributes of different cars.
Example: I find the new Rolls Royce Phantom ugly, the interior of the RS6 spartan and un-luxurious, the ride/manners of an LS430 boring, etc etc. Many car magazines rave about each of these.
That doesn't help me any.
Better example: some people find Angelina Jolie very attractive. Not my style at all. Sorry, but all the hot press clippings in the world wouldn't make her any more suitable for my taste. And that's all the car mags amount to in the end--they're simply press clippings to stir up interest in product.
The C&D article will have zero effect on demand and zero effect on price.
Most people who appreciate higher end cars know better than to take any of the subjective car mag articles too seriously.
While it's easy to compare 0-60 times, stopping distances and hp, it's an altogether different issue to assign value to the various attributes of different cars.
Example: I find the new Rolls Royce Phantom ugly, the interior of the RS6 spartan and un-luxurious, the ride/manners of an LS430 boring, etc etc. Many car magazines rave about each of these.
That doesn't help me any.
Better example: some people find Angelina Jolie very attractive. Not my style at all. Sorry, but all the hot press clippings in the world wouldn't make her any more suitable for my taste. And that's all the car mags amount to in the end--they're simply press clippings to stir up interest in product.
ITTO!!!!
04-15-2003, 04:34 PM
#33
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E55 AMG
I found it very interesting that it was the same finishing order for both the heavy weights and middle weights. Coincidence?
1. RS6 2. M5. 3. E 55
1. S4 2. M3 3. C 32
I was a bit perplexed, because C&D have been so in love with both the M5 & M3 in the past. Both articles seemed a bit contradictory to their former views. Marketing $$$'s or is the Audi really better? Can't judge 'till I drive em myself.
Also, C&D stated that Audi's demographic research indicates your typical RS6 buyer as being aged 45-50 with an income of ~$250K. One can make the assumption that this would be the case for all the cars in the test. Now I'm a little younger and a little poorer, but within spitting distance to have an idea of how this demographic thinks. For me the E 55 wins. Why? Because your average middle aged speed junky just wants blow people into the dust on the highway or from a stop light. And when we're not doing that, we want to be in the lap of luxury and style. For this the E 55 is tops. Also, Mercedes is still image leader for this "executive" demographic. Your average Joe would never think an Audi would cost $80K, and BMW still has the yuppie new money spoiled kid image.
Anyway, I came away thinking that the 3 cars are basically a wash, and it's really just a matter of personal taste. I felt this way about the M5 and w210 E 55 as well. I gotta admit though, I'm impressed with the RS6 too, and I can't wait to see what the next M5 is like.
1. RS6 2. M5. 3. E 55
1. S4 2. M3 3. C 32
I was a bit perplexed, because C&D have been so in love with both the M5 & M3 in the past. Both articles seemed a bit contradictory to their former views. Marketing $$$'s or is the Audi really better? Can't judge 'till I drive em myself.
Also, C&D stated that Audi's demographic research indicates your typical RS6 buyer as being aged 45-50 with an income of ~$250K. One can make the assumption that this would be the case for all the cars in the test. Now I'm a little younger and a little poorer, but within spitting distance to have an idea of how this demographic thinks. For me the E 55 wins. Why? Because your average middle aged speed junky just wants blow people into the dust on the highway or from a stop light. And when we're not doing that, we want to be in the lap of luxury and style. For this the E 55 is tops. Also, Mercedes is still image leader for this "executive" demographic. Your average Joe would never think an Audi would cost $80K, and BMW still has the yuppie new money spoiled kid image.
Anyway, I came away thinking that the 3 cars are basically a wash, and it's really just a matter of personal taste. I felt this way about the M5 and w210 E 55 as well. I gotta admit though, I'm impressed with the RS6 too, and I can't wait to see what the next M5 is like.
04-15-2003, 05:45 PM
#34
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Originally posted by mikE55
For me the E 55 wins. Why? Because your average middle aged speed junky just wants blow people into the dust on the highway or from a stop light. And when we're not doing that, we want to be in the lap of luxury and style. For this the E 55 is tops. Also, Mercedes is still image leader for this "executive" demographic. Your average Joe would never think an Audi would cost $80K, and BMW still has the yuppie new money spoiled kid image.
For me the E 55 wins. Why? Because your average middle aged speed junky just wants blow people into the dust on the highway or from a stop light. And when we're not doing that, we want to be in the lap of luxury and style. For this the E 55 is tops. Also, Mercedes is still image leader for this "executive" demographic. Your average Joe would never think an Audi would cost $80K, and BMW still has the yuppie new money spoiled kid image.
04-15-2003, 06:26 PM
#35
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'22 Alpina B7,'21 G63 Renntech obviously (wife), Wrangler(kids)
RS6 is not bad looking,but it is the last year of production,will be replaced soon with all new body.
If it wins over E55 on the styling merit ,it is solely in the eyes of the C/D testers.They have the car for a day or two,I will for at least a year.(April prod.,late May in my hands)
If it wins over E55 on the styling merit ,it is solely in the eyes of the C/D testers.They have the car for a day or two,I will for at least a year.(April prod.,late May in my hands)
04-15-2003, 07:32 PM
#36
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2016 C300
C & D have always prefer M(or anything with manual) over AMG. So any comparison involving M, AMG, and other cars, AMG will not score very high with the bias test drivers.
04-17-2003, 05:01 PM
#38
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Originally posted by 6.3
How did the RS6 get 10 for styling?
How did the RS6 get 10 for styling?
Well, keep in mind that someone married and impregnated Roseanne (Barr).
Same for Madeleine Albright and Phyllis Diller.
And some sizeable contingent of administrative personnel thought the AMC Pacer was beautiful enough to bring it to market.
And who the heck invented the leisure suit?
Has anyone seen what Wyclef Jean did to a perfectly fine, brand new Bentley? Painted it bright pink inside and out, pink leather seats, pink fur steering wheel, pink fur dash. Man. Like putting rice-burner accessories on a Ferrari.
No accounting for taste sometimes.
04-18-2003, 11:55 AM
#39
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On a related note, Car and Driver TV will be replaying the test drive of the W211 E55 on April 19(1:00PM) and April 20(12:30PM). Both times are eastern and pacific.
04-19-2003, 01:50 AM
#40
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E55
To those who may not have noticed it, there is another comparison of the same cars as in the C&D comarisons in
//www.fastsaloons.com/cardetails.php?carlist=288,21,105,121
Would appreciate any comments.
//www.fastsaloons.com/cardetails.php?carlist=288,21,105,121
Would appreciate any comments.
04-24-2003, 08:23 AM
#41
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2003 mercedes C230 coupe
MY opinion is that c and d, rates the best on whoever pays for the most ads. last year every c and d mag was riddled with bmw ads, and behold every test they did, bmw won! this year audi paid them off. benz is not about paying people off, they dont have to. they are THE BEST car on the road right now. sure ferrari, and porsche are faster but no practicallity! benz. oh, and if anyone wants to donate a 03 e55 to me in order to get the 04, just pm me!
