Most reliable super saloon?
Discussion
quote:
Looking at the list there I think just about any of them would be perfectly adequate for crossing numerous continents in one sitting but with the service package offered on the new 7-series that I feel offers peace of mind above the others.
Matt.
Shame it just looks butt ugly and has that Ergonomic disater called i-drive...
quote:
quote:
Looking at the list there I think just about any of them would be perfectly adequate for crossing numerous continents in one sitting but with the service package offered on the new 7-series that I feel offers peace of mind above the others.
Matt.
Shame it just looks butt ugly and has that Ergonomic disater called i-drive...
You know, I thought that for a long time until one went past me on Friday afternoon. Its a HUGE car, I had no idea how big the damned thing was. The slab front is a bit how the Mini Clubman would look these days but apart from that I think its just future styling and like most Alfa's its a design that will become good over time.
As for I-Drive the jury is still out on the for me, I like the idea of no gears and no handbrake on a battleship but it seems like they have tried to make it too encompassing.
Matt.
Agree - it's a big car, and is undoubtedly well engineered. Styling is personal taste... and can't really say I agree with you on that score...
The i-drive is a disaster waiting to happen... I'm pretty sure using it could be catagorised in the same unsocial behaviour as using a mobile (without hands-free kit).
Something else that people seem to have forgotton is that the i-drive was designed to be operated with the right hand... hence the organisation of the controls will appear somewhat disjointed... added to which only around 1 in 10 people are left handed, so may find tactile adjustments difficult. Interesting, yet ultimately flawed.
The i-drive is a disaster waiting to happen... I'm pretty sure using it could be catagorised in the same unsocial behaviour as using a mobile (without hands-free kit).
Something else that people seem to have forgotton is that the i-drive was designed to be operated with the right hand... hence the organisation of the controls will appear somewhat disjointed... added to which only around 1 in 10 people are left handed, so may find tactile adjustments difficult. Interesting, yet ultimately flawed.
I do wonder though how much of the styling exercise is for brand halo effect and aerodynamics and how much is to alter it from the last car. The new 7-series is obviously a completely new car with a completely new approach. Compare that to say the big Merc SEL, now that got a lot smaller (it had to though) but it didnt have anything dramatically different about it, it was just a new big Merc, same with the A8 and the Jag.
I think BMW, to secure their engineering excellence moniker have released a car in the new 7 series that is fit for purpose in being the best engineered car on earth and they had to make it substantially different looking to prove that point. I do wonder however that if it is a halo effect styling exercise what the new 5 series will look like.
Matt.
I think BMW, to secure their engineering excellence moniker have released a car in the new 7 series that is fit for purpose in being the best engineered car on earth and they had to make it substantially different looking to prove that point. I do wonder however that if it is a halo effect styling exercise what the new 5 series will look like.
Matt.
quote "Anyone out there ever driven a decent saloon?"
I used to own an Audi A8, however I don't think I had a terribly good one (read about it in my profile). All I would say is based on my experience, huge running costs and I personally would think twice about running a s/h 50K (new) motor car. But it drove well.
davidy
PS I wouldn't buy a new A8/S8 now with a new one being launched in UK Q1 2003.
Also if your putting your own fuel into most of these I would consider an oil burner (though the lesser A8s are exceptional)
I used to own an Audi A8, however I don't think I had a terribly good one (read about it in my profile). All I would say is based on my experience, huge running costs and I personally would think twice about running a s/h 50K (new) motor car. But it drove well.
davidy
PS I wouldn't buy a new A8/S8 now with a new one being launched in UK Q1 2003.
Also if your putting your own fuel into most of these I would consider an oil burner (though the lesser A8s are exceptional)
I fancy a big lazy cruiser for long euro trips that's still ok across the B roads. What do you think about a low miler E55AMG? The soft lines, auto box and relatively unstressed 5.5 V8 appeal. No 4x4 or superchargers to maintain either. Another option maybe the BMW Alpina B10 (M5 with auto).
quote:
I fancy a big lazy cruiser for long euro trips that's still ok across the B roads. What do you think about a low miler E55AMG? The soft lines, auto box and relatively unstressed 5.5 V8 appeal. No 4x4 or superchargers to maintain either. Another option maybe the BMW Alpina B10 (M5 with auto).
Going back to your original question I know nothing about the reliability issues but I think the E55 and the M5 are the best two out there.
The S500 doesn't cut it as a sport saloon (I own the previous model, my father drives the current model with sports suspension etc.....A lot better), even though the new model is 200kgs lighter it is still too big and doesn't feel sporting.
If you were making the choice on which to buy I would be thinking along the following lines:
If you have a weekender manual sportster go for the E55 auto to compliment it.
If it's going to be your only car go for the M5 (They use M5s to Taxi people around the Nurburgring, so they must be good!!), it as quicker.
DAZ
Waiting for the prices of ML55s to drop through the floor.
quote:
I fancy a big lazy cruiser for long euro trips that's still ok across the B roads. What do you think about a low miler E55AMG? The soft lines, auto box and relatively unstressed 5.5 V8 appeal. No 4x4 or superchargers to maintain either. Another option maybe the BMW Alpina B10 (M5 with auto).
Second hand Bristol, coming from me that won't surprise PH regulars but in reality and VFM nothing comes close. Pitty they're not pretty though.
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Anyone out there ever driven a decent saloon?
Driven new 745i, XJR, S-Type R, 540i and S320, and the S was the best of them (well i would say that) as it was the best compromise between luxury, sportiness and refinement. For reliability, the Lexus is top, new & series is pants, worse than the Jags/Mercs (ask JD power), i-Drive keeps falling over and it was designed for LHD market, doesnt work in RHD form, as i have driven both (right handed, mouse control, screen location etc)
Value for money you cant go wrong with a used XJR or S-type V8, great mile munchers
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