roblaw
Getting familiar with the group...
I have have monitored this forum since 2011 when I purchased a 2012 Genesis 3.8. Mostly I watched and read and posted a few times. I have seen a great deal of generosity, information, respectful discourse (some not so respectful but that is certainly in the minority) and was impressed by the people and their zeal for all things Genesis.
I was planning on replacing my Genesis some time in the winter or spring. Initially I wanted to see the new Audi A4 and the Buick LaCrosse as they promised different but interesting takes on today's mid-line luxury vehicles. I liked my Genesis and was looking for something similar with a better ride than my 2012 but otherwise similar.
As someone who likes to play on the internet I started to see people who were getting absurd year end discounts on the MB E350. Since I have USAA they usually pile on with a few thousand extra so I became intrigued as I really had not considered that as one of the options. However, my wife has a 2014 ML350 so I kind of had a feel for car and went for a test drive. I drove a Luxury version as the Sport ride is too stiff without a compensating improvement in handling. I, for one, do not know why so many people buy luxury cars with low profile tires and sport suspensions as they ruin the ride. Also, I simply do not live in an area where there a lot of empty, smooth roads to to drive in a way where the additional handling prowess can be enjoyed.
So I drove the E350. It road very nicely, had a decent drivetrain and had ample room. But I could not adjust the seat to my liking and the road noise (remember 7 year old design being replaced very soon) was much higher than the 2012 Genesis let alone the 2016.
So I drove a C300. Much more to my liking in most ways. Roomy enough, decent acceleration (very quiet 4 cylinder), very handsome exterior, pretty quiet and lovely interior for the most part. The interior surfaces were decent but if you tapped anything it felt very hollow and cheap (unlike the E350, the 2016 Genesis and the BMW 328, read on). For most people that would not be an issue (and it certainly not a deal breaker) but I noticed it.
I drove the 2016 Genesis AWD with the Sig and Tech packages. Very nice. Quiet, good ride, smooth powertrain, quality interior, amazing front seats. Yes, the weight and less powerful acceleration compared to the other cars I was considering was noticeable (but not a deal breaker). The blindspot monitor noise, however, was ear shattering and very aggressive. Again, that alone was not a killer but I did have concerns about whether I could tolerate that noise every day and this was something I think is a vital safety feature I would not turn off (unlike the lane assist which I would turn off because it was very, very intrusive).
On a whim I drove the 328 XDrive. You may ask why because it is pretty sporty compared to the others and I prefer a comfortable ride. The reason is I read about the great powertrain, the decent ride/handling trade off and it was near the MB dealer.
The 328 is not quite as quiet (but quiet overall) as the Genesis and definitely has a firmer (but still quite comfortable) ride. But the interior fittings are of very high quality, the seats are very supportive (if a bit firm in the newly standard sport seat form) and highly adjustable, the Infotainment system is top notch (even without the Harmon Kardon upgrade) and the powertrain is extremely responsive.
Not an easy decision here. All cars had their pluses and minuses. The E350 was gone because I could not get comfortable in the seat. And I really liked the cloud like ride.
I was down to the C300, the 328 and the Genesis. Between the MB and BMW it was really hard. The MB drove more luxuriously (again Luxury not sport), a bit less road noise and very slightly better ride than the BMW but the BMW drive train and infotainment was far better, had more rear seat room (neither compared to the Genesis there) and had all maintenance included.
Believe it or not cost became the primary determiner that knocked the Genesis out. This time I wanted to lease. BMW was giving back $1500 for end of year deals. MB giving back a similar amount. USAA gave me $500 for a 3 Series and $2000 for a C Class and both had solid lease terms and discounts from the dealer.
All cars were fresh 2016 models. The Genesis listed at $49,000.00. The 328 and the C300 listed at about $52,000.00 each with certain equipment tradeoffs but both very well equipped. Looking at 36/12 lease. The Genesis had no bank fee so it was $1000.00 less out of pocket but the lease price was $50.00 more per month than the C300 and $25.00 more per month than the 328 (Genesis was about $550.00 with the two packages but no Ultimate and just title, tags and first month due at inception). And that does not include the free maintenance on the BMW which is probably worth $30-40/month.
The kicker is the free pick up and delivery for service and free loaner from MB and BMW. At my hourly rate that is roughly $600-800 of lost revenue each time the car needs service. I assume I would see a dealer for something at least twice per year so that sealed the deal. While not everyone bills by the hour like I do, most people considering the Genesis are management level, professionals or business owners. Their time is worth money and anything that saves time saves money.
I got the 328.
Now size wise the Genesis is closer to a 5 series, I know. But pricewise it is spot on with a 3 series. And the 3 series has an adult size backseat unless everyone in your family is well over 6 feet. I really liked the ride and quiet of the Genesis and was really ready to strongly consider it (but for the godawful blind spot monitor noise) but since the new dealership system is not in place the service costs were the killer that made my decision.
I hope than in 3 years when the lease on the 328 is up, the TT V6 will be mainstream, the blindspot monitor will be a little less intrusive (and gas will still be cheap) and the new dealer network will be up and running with pick up and drop off for service. Then I will look anew at the G80 and hope it makes financial sense then.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year.
I was planning on replacing my Genesis some time in the winter or spring. Initially I wanted to see the new Audi A4 and the Buick LaCrosse as they promised different but interesting takes on today's mid-line luxury vehicles. I liked my Genesis and was looking for something similar with a better ride than my 2012 but otherwise similar.
As someone who likes to play on the internet I started to see people who were getting absurd year end discounts on the MB E350. Since I have USAA they usually pile on with a few thousand extra so I became intrigued as I really had not considered that as one of the options. However, my wife has a 2014 ML350 so I kind of had a feel for car and went for a test drive. I drove a Luxury version as the Sport ride is too stiff without a compensating improvement in handling. I, for one, do not know why so many people buy luxury cars with low profile tires and sport suspensions as they ruin the ride. Also, I simply do not live in an area where there a lot of empty, smooth roads to to drive in a way where the additional handling prowess can be enjoyed.
So I drove the E350. It road very nicely, had a decent drivetrain and had ample room. But I could not adjust the seat to my liking and the road noise (remember 7 year old design being replaced very soon) was much higher than the 2012 Genesis let alone the 2016.
So I drove a C300. Much more to my liking in most ways. Roomy enough, decent acceleration (very quiet 4 cylinder), very handsome exterior, pretty quiet and lovely interior for the most part. The interior surfaces were decent but if you tapped anything it felt very hollow and cheap (unlike the E350, the 2016 Genesis and the BMW 328, read on). For most people that would not be an issue (and it certainly not a deal breaker) but I noticed it.
I drove the 2016 Genesis AWD with the Sig and Tech packages. Very nice. Quiet, good ride, smooth powertrain, quality interior, amazing front seats. Yes, the weight and less powerful acceleration compared to the other cars I was considering was noticeable (but not a deal breaker). The blindspot monitor noise, however, was ear shattering and very aggressive. Again, that alone was not a killer but I did have concerns about whether I could tolerate that noise every day and this was something I think is a vital safety feature I would not turn off (unlike the lane assist which I would turn off because it was very, very intrusive).
On a whim I drove the 328 XDrive. You may ask why because it is pretty sporty compared to the others and I prefer a comfortable ride. The reason is I read about the great powertrain, the decent ride/handling trade off and it was near the MB dealer.
The 328 is not quite as quiet (but quiet overall) as the Genesis and definitely has a firmer (but still quite comfortable) ride. But the interior fittings are of very high quality, the seats are very supportive (if a bit firm in the newly standard sport seat form) and highly adjustable, the Infotainment system is top notch (even without the Harmon Kardon upgrade) and the powertrain is extremely responsive.
Not an easy decision here. All cars had their pluses and minuses. The E350 was gone because I could not get comfortable in the seat. And I really liked the cloud like ride.
I was down to the C300, the 328 and the Genesis. Between the MB and BMW it was really hard. The MB drove more luxuriously (again Luxury not sport), a bit less road noise and very slightly better ride than the BMW but the BMW drive train and infotainment was far better, had more rear seat room (neither compared to the Genesis there) and had all maintenance included.
Believe it or not cost became the primary determiner that knocked the Genesis out. This time I wanted to lease. BMW was giving back $1500 for end of year deals. MB giving back a similar amount. USAA gave me $500 for a 3 Series and $2000 for a C Class and both had solid lease terms and discounts from the dealer.
All cars were fresh 2016 models. The Genesis listed at $49,000.00. The 328 and the C300 listed at about $52,000.00 each with certain equipment tradeoffs but both very well equipped. Looking at 36/12 lease. The Genesis had no bank fee so it was $1000.00 less out of pocket but the lease price was $50.00 more per month than the C300 and $25.00 more per month than the 328 (Genesis was about $550.00 with the two packages but no Ultimate and just title, tags and first month due at inception). And that does not include the free maintenance on the BMW which is probably worth $30-40/month.
The kicker is the free pick up and delivery for service and free loaner from MB and BMW. At my hourly rate that is roughly $600-800 of lost revenue each time the car needs service. I assume I would see a dealer for something at least twice per year so that sealed the deal. While not everyone bills by the hour like I do, most people considering the Genesis are management level, professionals or business owners. Their time is worth money and anything that saves time saves money.
I got the 328.
Now size wise the Genesis is closer to a 5 series, I know. But pricewise it is spot on with a 3 series. And the 3 series has an adult size backseat unless everyone in your family is well over 6 feet. I really liked the ride and quiet of the Genesis and was really ready to strongly consider it (but for the godawful blind spot monitor noise) but since the new dealership system is not in place the service costs were the killer that made my decision.
I hope than in 3 years when the lease on the 328 is up, the TT V6 will be mainstream, the blindspot monitor will be a little less intrusive (and gas will still be cheap) and the new dealer network will be up and running with pick up and drop off for service. Then I will look anew at the G80 and hope it makes financial sense then.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year.
