My dealership has just informed me that the firm price for standard model is $58,900. Quite a bit higher than I had expected. The upgrade model is $65,900
My dealership has just informed me that the firm price for standard model is $58,900. Quite a bit higher than I had expected. The upgrade model is $65,900
My dealership has just informed me that the firm price for standard model is $58,900. Quite a bit higher than I had expected. The upgrade model is $65,900
Unfortunately, much of the technology seems state of the art 2008, but it's now two years out of date. The engine is already being replaced, as is the transmission; the front passenger seat lacks the luxuries of other top vehicle's front seats; the reclining back seat still lacks adequate room to fully function unless the front seat is pushed forward to such an extent that it can't be used by a passenger; the audio system sounds like it's exactly like the Genesis, complete with iPod limitations and no A2DP bluetooth audio streaming that's a standard in other vehicles of this class; the tires seem to be remarkably mundane for an upper-class vehicle, and the different wheel sizes for front and rear are going to complicate matters of rotation and tire wear; the lack of hard drive music storage puts the vehicle behind mid-line and entry-level vehicles from other manufacturers in this regard; and the reliance on increasingly antiquated XM traffic and weather puts it way behind the Ford/Lincoln line. Add to that the absence of telemetrics and Onstar-like services, and the vehicle ends up sounding far more mundane than it should be if it's truly an entrez into the upper-class car market.
I fully agree.Unfortunately, much of the technology seems state of the art 2008, but it's now two years out of date. The engine is already being replaced, as is the transmission; the front passenger seat lacks the luxuries of other top vehicle's front seats; the reclining back seat still lacks adequate room to fully function unless the front seat is pushed forward to such an extent that it can't be used by a passenger; the audio system sounds like it's exactly like the Genesis, complete with iPod limitations and no A2DP bluetooth audio streaming that's a standard in other vehicles of this class; the tires seem to be remarkably mundane for an upper-class vehicle, and the different wheel sizes for front and rear are going to complicate matters of rotation and tire wear; the lack of hard drive music storage puts the vehicle behind mid-line and entry-level vehicles from other manufacturers in this regard; and the reliance on increasingly antiquated XM traffic and weather puts it way behind the Ford/Lincoln line. Add to that the absence of telemetrics and Onstar-like services, and the vehicle ends up sounding far more mundane than it should be if it's truly an entrez into the upper-class car market.
Unfortunately, much of the technology seems state of the art 2008, but it's now two years out of date. The engine is already being replaced, as is the transmission; the front passenger seat lacks the luxuries of other top vehicle's front seats; the reclining back seat still lacks adequate room to fully function unless the front seat is pushed forward to such an extent that it can't be used by a passenger; the audio system sounds like it's exactly like the Genesis, complete with iPod limitations and no A2DP bluetooth audio streaming that's a standard in other vehicles of this class; the tires seem to be remarkably mundane for an upper-class vehicle, and the different wheel sizes for front and rear are going to complicate matters of rotation and tire wear; the lack of hard drive music storage puts the vehicle behind mid-line and entry-level vehicles from other manufacturers in this regard; and the reliance on increasingly antiquated XM traffic and weather puts it way behind the Ford/Lincoln line. Add to that the absence of telemetrics and Onstar-like services, and the vehicle ends up sounding far more mundane than it should be if it's truly an entrez into the upper-class car market.
The current engine is more than adequate as the S350 has 270hp approx and the 740i has 300 approx. Both are way more expensive than the base Equus and have far less standard equipment. BMW is just getting around to putting the 8 spd full line, MB "only" has 7 speeds and Lexus has the 8 spd. Staggered size tires are common on most BMW models, they are Continental tires that everyone raves about and beyond black and round what more exciting things can you say about tires on a luxury car. Unless the rear passenger is in the trunk it is not realistic to imagine that the left rear seat can fully recline without some displacement of the seat in front of it, otherwise the car would have to be several feet longer. Onstar just plain sucks, I have had it in a Saab and a Denali and see no reason to pay GM $150 yr to have someone tell me when my car needs service or I have collided with someone. I can figure that out for myself. Ford Sync is one area that is cool but it will be a while before that trickles to other manufacturers. If I feel the need to have every song ever recorded so I can go a lifetime in the car and never hear the same song twice, I will plug a large solid state drive in to the console USB port and save myself $15k at least. BMW and the rest do not have anything like Sync yet either. It seems to me that everyone here is picking the fly s**t out of the pepper, finding some imaginary fault with a first effort car that the motoring press has pretty much praised. The car is a superb value and it will go toe to toe on features per dollar with any of the luxury imports, bar none.
The current engine is more than adequate as the S350 has 270hp approx and the 740i has 300 approx. Both are way more expensive than the base Equus and have far less standard equipment. BMW is just getting around to putting the 8 spd full line, MB "only" has 7 speeds and Lexus has the 8 spd. Staggered size tires are common on most BMW models and all of them have the hard riding runflats that are unrepairable , Equus gets Continental tires that everyone raves about and beyond black and round what more exciting things can you say about tires on a luxury car. Unless the rear passenger is in the trunk it is not realistic to imagine that the left rear seat can fully recline without some displacement of the seat in front of it, otherwise the car would have to be several feet longer. Onstar just plain sucks, I have had it in a Saab and a Denali and see no reason to pay GM $150 yr to have someone tell me when my car needs service or I have collided with someone. I can figure that out for myself, besides AAA does more for less. Ford Sync is one area that is cool but it will be a while before that trickles to other manufacturers. If I feel the need to have every song ever recorded so I can go a lifetime in the car and never hear the same song twice, I will plug a large solid state drive in to the console USB port and save myself $15k at least. BMW and the rest do not have anything like Sync yet either. It seems to me that everyone here is picking the fly s**t out of the pepper, finding some imaginary fault with a first effort car that the motoring press has pretty much praised. The car is a superb value and it will go toe to toe on features per dollar with any of the luxury imports, bar none.
My dealership has just informed me that the firm price for standard model is $58,900. Quite a bit higher than I had expected. The upgrade model is $65,900