So a few months ago I posted here asking opinions on the RX vs. LS to replace our GX 470. We decided to take the SUV route again as the honda pilot is up at college, and replace the GX 470 with an RX 400h. Now my car a 2006 BMW 750Li comes due July 31st and I am in between another flagship and a sporty convertible. This car is used to go 62 miles each way to work, 3 days a week, and also frequent trips into NYC usually on the other 2 days. Here are my choices, please weigh in on what you think.

MB
S 550
SL 550

BMW
750Li
650i convertible

Lexus
LS 460L (might consider the 600hL depending on when its released)

Audi
A8L

Porsche
911 Carrera 4

What are your thoughts?

 

i must say im quite disappointed on the response my thread has gotten. i posted this exact same thread on the mercedes site figuring both sites would be biased. the difference is people were replying on the mercedes thread, and i honestly thought id get more replys here, yet i havent recieved 1 and its been 22hrs. at mbworld i have had 8 replies over the last 22hrs. id really appreciate your input on these cars.

 

my thoughts - too many to choose from. do you want a convertible or a sedan? narrow it down and more will reply. too much thought involved right now.

 

that honestly is disappointing. the reason im posting here is to narrow down what i want, cause its going to be one or the other, im looking for thoughts on the cars assuming you have driven them, espcially the ls 460. its the one car ppl havent driven on the benz forums.

 

I'll comment on the BMW 750LI and the 650i. I owned a 2002 745i (the first year of the iDrive), and I heavily researched the 6-series about 2 years ago. The BMW 7 series is a nearly perfect car, and you can't go wrong. The big question is whether or not you can handle the iDrive. I didn't mind it at all, but I have a degree in computer science.

The 6-series is very sporty, but I found its interior a bit too bland for my tastes, and the electronics lacking compared to similarly-priced cars. If all you care about is the driving, though, you can't go wrong with any BMW.

 

if you can afford a S550. go for it.. no car compares to it..

 

indyjeff my last 3 cars have been 7 series, 740il, 745li, and my 750li so idrive is not a problem, im a little bored, but its still on my options. the 650i convertible intrests me the most of the convertibles. have you driven it?

joedaddy1 do you think the s550 is even better then the ls460? id get the 4matic version but money isnt a huge factor

 

Only a couple of test drives. It was wonderful.

 

thanks. yea i like the fact that it has 4 seats, but i agree the interior is not too good. im looking foward to the test drives in march.

 

The S550 or LS460L are probably your best bets. The Porsche and SL550 would certainly be fun vehicles, but they are not the most practical vehicles in terms of transporting passengers or cargo. The SL550 is a fantastic car, but surely it is due for a redesign in the near future, and it would be a shame for you to purchase it just prior to such. The 750Li is also rather outdated, and its interior does not stack up to those of its newly redesigned competitors--reliability may definitely also be an issue. The Audi will likely be a great vehicle, but it will likely not be as outstanding as the S550 or LS460L. The BMW 650i does not seem too outstanding to me. The interior is not particularly attractive, and the softop will likely allow more noise to enter the cabin than in any of the other vehicles. The advantage of the S550 and LS460L is that they are newly redesigned vehicles, and therefore they offer updated designs and the most advanced technology. Both cars drive absolutely superbly--my experience with them is that they are equally silent, quick, and smooth. Nonetheless, the S550 seems to be slightly more driver oriented with regard to the connection the driver can forge with the road. The LS460L, in my opinion, is slightly more neutral with regard to its relationship with the road. The reliability of the LS460L will probably be better than that of the S550. Either vehicle will be a fine choice--it will likely come down to personal preference.

 

In my opinion, the S Series is way too common on the road to be chosen, plus of the folks that I know who have them, the reliability compared to what they wree in the past is just not there.

I am less than a fan of I-Drive, and would not buy a car with it. That just knocks out BMW alltogether.

That leaves Lexus and Audi, and I prefer the Lexus to the Audi anyday.


Again, just my opinion.

 

If I were looking at the flagship sedan class...

IMHO the LS and S-class are at the top, followed by the A8 and the 7. I'm still not sure about the reliability of the new S-class, it's too early to see if it will not be abysmal like the previous generation. However, if you are willing to risk it and you find pricing/colors that you like, it is a fantastic-seeming vehicle. The A8 is quite beautiful though so you could risk it as well (also not reliable)...opulent and nice. You already leased a 7-series, do you want more of the same or something new?

I recommend either the LS or the S-class...IMHO both are very stylish vehicles, the LS more dignified and sleek, the S-class more sporty-looking from some angles and colors. It then comes down to the gadgets, what you want, how much trunk space you need, are you going to want the HDD, which both cars have, do you want the rear-seat package (LS), or front seat massagers (S-class), etc etc.

Of course I would be looking more favorably towards the LS 460 L, because Lexus I think does a better job at providing a luxury car experience. Plus this time around Lexus really went all-out and the new LS is a whole new standard in itself, from the technology to its integration to the overall sense of style. However, having lived with Mercedes vehicles for a long time, I like the S 550 as well...much improved interior, and metal controls. Indeed it comes down to personal preference...although IMHO the LS is a superior vehicle on the luxury/technology aspects, the S-class has a bit more panache in the prestige department, but both are fine vehicles...

 

well this is my third 7. ive switched around from the 3 brands over the years 90-95 all ls's. 97 740il. 99 an s430 2001 a 740il 2003 745li 2006 a 750li. i get a car every 2 years now because i do a 62 mile commute 3 days a week and do about 50k in the 2 years. so engima u hit it right on the head, im bored with the 7.

i have two concerns with the LS, 1) the driving dynamics is not up to par with the others, as im driving mostly highway and the handling and braking of a car is very important, and the 7 has shined for me in that category 2) is the fact that the ls 460 is cheaper than the 7 yet more expensive of a lease price, it dosent make the car seem practical. dont get me wrong i love the car, but lexus needs to do something about those lease prices for all their cars.

the s550 4matic would be great for the snow here in NJ. and the look has really grown on me. my concern with this is reliability, but i havent heard too much

the a8l, while the quattro is nice, the looks of the car never really got to me, theres nothing exciting and i hate the grill. the ride is also not the nicest.

the 650 seems to be the most practical out of the convertibles as it has the 4 seats, and if i get a bmw this will most likely be it, as im really bored of the 7 after 3 in a row. how does the ride compare to the 7 is my main question.

the sl is a sleek and sexy car, again reliability bothers me, and i dunno how the ride will be, for 120 miles 3 days a week, will it be tolerable.

the 911 C4 form what i was told its pretty much safe to rule the car out. this car will be my every day car, and a ride on all highway with this car is liable to be the death of my back. do you agree?

 

I have a 911 and LS460. If you get a C4S then you get the PASM suspension and although it's a firm ride it's not bone jarring. There is no comparison in the handling and driving dynamics over any of the cars you are considering.

If you are coming from a 7 series over to the LS460 then you will be disapointed in the driving dynamics. I have over 5K miles on mine now and have taken it on several long trips. You feel more body roll in turns and the steering isn't as sharp as a 7 series. The car will perform well if you have to push it hard but it just feels more floaty than other sports sedans that put the emphasis on driving dynamics. You won't beat the Lexus on quality and reliability though and the fuel economy is outstanding.

 

I agree about the A8 grille. I should qualify my comments, the A8 before the grille was beautiful. But the interior still is beautiful.

Have you test driven the LS 460 L? Perhaps the one with Touring/Air Suspension? Edmunds liked it, they were impressed by its stability etc. That seems to be the one to get if you want handling more on par with the Germans. Of course there is the leasing costs issue, not to mention the LS is pretty new and the leasing rates aren't so good...?

The 650 is my favorite looking BMW these days, and I like the interior too. Coupe or convertible? IMO if it is true as others have said, the SL being up for replacement soon, then the 650 would be better wouldn't it?