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Its not FWD at all lol! Never has been, it's a true RWD platform and the basis for many of the ultra high ends including Bentley, Porsche, lambo, etc....the ASF was also the worlds first aluminum platform and forced many changes across other brands.
They have those things to be a drivers car, none of that is standard actually and you need to option it or buy an R8/S8/RS7 if you want it by default.
You are welcome to try it if you are ever in my area!
Well, there was FWD A8s for sale in earlier times. That is not up for debate. The current MLB EVO platform is also not a true RWD platform at all. You can get a FWD Audi A4 sitting under the exact same platform. It's worth noting that Porsche did not want to use MLB at all but Audi won out in the intense infighting that occurred last decade.
Originally Posted by AJT123
Wait, are we saying a VW W12 is more refined than a MB V12?
That's a tough sell. Just balance/NVH alone V12 wins without even having to do anything, it's just the design. Two I6s which are perfectly balanced off the bat.
Not knocking a W12 but it's not quite the same.
I have spent countless hours behind the wheels of various Bentley Continentals and Flying Spurs from all the generations. My grandparents became oddly obsessed with them and they overlapped with a R230 SL600, W221 S600, and W222 S600. I'm going to be honest - I can't tell you which one was smoother. The W12 sounded far worse but seemed no less smooth than the comparable V12. In any event, it's remarkable that the current Mercedes M279 V12 can trace its roots back to the naturally aspirated M137 V8 that came out in 1998. It's been heavily revised a few times between now and then but that's quite the run for a modern motor.
Originally Posted by patgilm
Speaking of Maybach I just saw one while I was walking around. I personally don’t get the draw to these since they are just a nicer MB but that’s just me. I swear I feel like I see more Bentleys and Rolls down here than I see Camrys.
That's Mercedes' sweet spot though. It's a more exclusive Mercedes. After the failed standalone brand experiment this really has been a ticket for huge profit for Mercedes and it keeps delivering.
Well, there was FWD A8s for sale in earlier times. That is not up for debate. The current MLB EVO platform is also not a true RWD platform at all. You can get a FWD Audi A4 sitting under the exact same platform. It's worth noting that Porsche did not want to use MLB at all but Audi won out in the intense infighting that occurred last decade.
I have spent countless hours behind the wheels of various Bentley Continentals and Flying Spurs from all the generations. My grandparents became oddly obsessed with them and they overlapped with a R230 SL600, W221 S600, and W222 S600. I'm going to be honest - I can't tell you which one was smoother. The W12 sounded far worse but seemed no less smooth than the comparable V12. In any event, it's remarkable that the current Mercedes M279 V12 can trace its roots back to the naturally aspirated M137 V8 .
Nice. 12 cylinders is fine any way you cut it lol.
In other news, more LS430 Lexus detail sweating I never noticed. I’m looking at real estate in a crappy part of town today so I pull over and lock my doors to check Zillow etc.. The car knows not to unnecessarily re-lock the doors when you slot it back into drive.
I keep meaning to get around to it, gonna take it Saturday. But I keep saying that.
I might be able to reach the fuse myself, possibly. I do miss the stereo lol but I just had that $400 interior detail done so it’s just a pleasure palace even without the music.
I may have posted in another thread but there is no power draw like I suspected there possibly was and what the aaa guy said—the car just needed to be driven around a couple hundred miles.
Wait, are we saying a VW W12 is more refined than a MB V12?
That's a tough sell. Just balance/NVH alone V12 wins without even having to do anything, it's just the design. Two I6s which are perfectly balanced off the bat.
Not knocking a W12 but it's not quite the same.
Have you driven them? The V12 is somewhat choppy until you tune it, the turbos don't always come in smoothly and traction is a constant issue under 80mph
Audi V8s have never been that smooth or quiet, the 4.0 is the best of them but it's nothing exceptional even when the active mounts are working. They are however most simple/compact and powerful of the TTV8s so it's a difference of priorities, the Mercedes engines have nowhere near the power outside of the AMG variants
Last edited by Striker223; Apr 11, 2023 at 12:14 PM.
Well, there was FWD A8s for sale in earlier times. That is not up for debate. The current MLB EVO platform is also not a true RWD platform at all. You can get a FWD Audi A4 sitting under the exact same platform. It's worth noting that Porsche did not want to use MLB at all but Audi won out in the intense infighting that occurred last decade.
I have spent countless hours behind the wheels of various Bentley Continentals and Flying Spurs from all the generations. My grandparents became oddly obsessed with them and they overlapped with a R230 SL600, W221 S600, and W222 S600. I'm going to be honest - I can't tell you which one was smoother. The W12 sounded far worse but seemed no less smooth than the comparable V12. In any event, it's remarkable that the current Mercedes M279 V12 can trace its roots back to the naturally aspirated M137 V8 that came out in 1998. It's been heavily revised a few times between now and then but that's quite the run for a modern motor.
That's Mercedes' sweet spot though. It's a more exclusive Mercedes. After the failed standalone brand experiment this really has been a ticket for huge profit for Mercedes and it keeps delivering.
Agreed on sound, the W12 doesn't really have one and at high rpm is too quiet/no character at all. It strikes me as a V8 sound that is "off" until you get to high rpm where it becomes a near continuous tone. Almost like a rotary in a way....
Agreed on sound, the W12 doesn't really have one and at high rpm is too quiet/no character at all. It strikes me as a V8 sound that is "off" until you get to high rpm where it becomes a near continuous tone. Almost like a rotary in a way....
12-cylinders are magical. I was a passenger in a Ghost a couple of times, and we could barely perceive the presence of that engine. It was incredibly smooth and quiet. Standing outside the car, even, it was quiet. Sadly, I think it's the only 12-cylinder passenger car I've been in.
It is kinda interesting having a V-8 nowadays. I remember thinking I hoped the IS 500 wouldn't be like the Genesis 5.0 with its quiet V-8, since a lot of reviewers had commented how the IS 500 is too quiet. However, I think that in practice, the IS 500 lets more sound into the car than most other things I've owned, even at low RPM. Granted, it is still too quiet. The Genesis's V-8, though, would totally fade into the background at low revs. It was extremely quiet.
I’ve never been in a 12 cylinder car. Would love to try one out. As for V8s…I love my 4.7 iForce. Silent at idle, I’ve got this re-start mechanism that won’t allow the starter motor to re-engage while it’s running. It’s cuts the radio out when you try to restart
Agreed on sound, the W12 doesn't really have one and at high rpm is too quiet/no character at all. It strikes me as a V8 sound that is "off" until you get to high rpm where it becomes a near continuous tone. Almost like a rotary in a way....
Yeah, the high-rpm sound is bizarrely monotone to me. I've loved the sound of VW's VR6 engines so I was surprised by how the W12 ended up. Great motor regardless although I've had no hand in maintaining one. I hope yours treats you nicely!
We were talking about how bad some display placements are, how about this one? On top of it, are they the only German cars that don’t have cruise controls on steering wheel? Where are they on new Lexus now?
We were talking about how bad some display placements are, how about this one? On top of it, are they the only German cars that don’t have cruise controls on steering wheel? Where are they on new Lexus now?
The screen doesn’t look good. The rest is pretty nice
The Genesis's V-8, though, would totally fade into the background at low revs. It was extremely quiet.
