My review after a 24-hour test drive. Please note I am not a pro driver nor a pro reviewer. Cars I have owned are M3, S4, M5, G37 Coupe, various others, etc.
I have already mentioned that I had an encounter with a new C43 AMG off a stop light and that I beat him out. Turned into a big fiasco. I also mentioned that I pulled over with the guy at a Home Depot afterwards and chit chatted. He tried...I tried...it was fair...I beat him. Throw magazines at me...I don't care...is what it is...I was there...you were not. I will also repeat that per manufacturer...the MB is 4.6 and the G70 is 4.5. Don't waste your time with trivial magazine clippings or quotes...b/c the G70 was a bogus test IMHO since it was using crap gas and and high heat, etc, etc.
Next...I used to own an E92 M3...dual-clutch. Rated at 4.4. The non-DC was rated at 4.7. My friend actually purchased the car from me. We met up...had multiple runs together in a few undisclosed areas in Burlington
Neck and neck...every time. Again...spare me magazine details. He is a good driver...as am I. No stick shifting...so it is mash the pedal and go. Not rocket science.
With all that out of the way. This car is FAST. It is fast and it keeps being fast. I cannot even fathom it with a piggyback. But...this is not all about off the line speed.
This stuff is off the top of my head...my first impressions, etc. It has been several days now...so I might miss some stuff.
Pros...
- the exterior is stunning. No photos do it justice. Every crease...every line...walking around and inspecting the angles and curves. It is gorgeous man. I got nothing but looks...driving or sitting. Dropped my mom off so she could get some stuff...and I had 2 peeps literally tap on my glass and start talking with me. Loved it.
- the interior is stuffning. Ha. Seriously...so well crafted...everything is aligned. The stainless steel everywhere...the knobs...everything. Love the way the door handle is flat finish...then the surround is brushed...then the surround below that is brushed again. Someone said they screwed up or something...but it was intentional and a brilliant detail.
- the leather is of the best quality. Feels like a high end leather sofa. I kept touching it to remind myself how awesome it is. No other car I have sat in has had leather like this...S4/M3...not talking $100k+ cars here. Perhaps the same...who knows.
- comfort is fantastic...the front side of the cabin is just perfect. More on the back below. The center console has that slight angle to the driver...great feeling. Dials are simple, etc...all that has been reviewed. Screen is awesome. No glare...nice matte finish...very responsive, blah, blah.
- sound system rocks. I couldn't even get it to half volume...started to sound like a night
club. Brilliant. I have a B&O system in my A4 now and it is just as good if not better.
- electronics...it has it all...holy crap. Played a bit with lane departure, etc...works...fun. All is easy to get to, etc, etc. One thing that was not mentioned is that it has a system that learns how you drive. If it starts to sense that lane departure is kicking in more...or other "odd" stuff is happening that is not normal to you...it assumes you are drunk or passing out...or both. LOL. So it brings up a coffee icon...essentially to tell you that you need a break, etc. BUT...it ALSO pumps oxygen into the cabin to help wake you up !!! C'mon now...who else does that?!?!?!
- trunk is good size. Smaller than my A4...but not by much. Golf clubs fit...4 carry-ons fit, blah, blah.
- if you walk up to the trunk with your key in your pocket, etc...and stand there for a few seconds...rear lights blip and then the trunk opens automatically. It assumes you are standing there and need trunk access. Very slick. No it doesn't close automatically with a button. Lift some weights...get back some of that muscle (if you ever had any) and just close it with one quick pull with your hand. Sheesh.
- love the alcantara head liner. I had that in my S4 (including the seats) so I am very used to it. Great thing is...cleans up great.
- it drives amazing...just like everyone else says. Love they way you can switch the drive modes, etc. I kept it in Sport the whole time essentially...other than to show my wife and my mom how it can ride more gentle
- wife loved it...mom loved it...daughter demands I buy it.
- feel free to ask me specific questions if I missed anything
Cons...
- back seats are comfy...leg room SUCKS. Did not think it would be this bad. I have one child that would ever sit behind the passenger...so not worried about it. But...I am 6'1" and with the driver seat where I like it...I could not get in the back. Literally...I could not get in. Once I wedged in...my legs were spread eagle. I can sit comfortably behind myself in my A4. I moved the driver seat up to where I was still comfortable...but not preferable...and I was able to get in. I was comfortable...but feet would not fit under the seat. Even barefoot. Yeah I could lift the driver seat, etc, etc. They really f'd up on the back seat room leg-wise. All they needed is 2-3 more inches somehow, etc.
- So used to the center console operation hub like in the BMW's and Audi's. Love being able to do stuff without looking. But I can get used to it since everything is so nicely laid out and the screen is nice and responsive.
- outside entry. Hate I have to touch the button to unlock. Should just touch the handle. Pressing to lock is ok.
- the darkened chrome is very slick looking. But...since the handles have that as well...they get fingerprints crazy fast. Annoying. But...looks good !!!
- dumb-ass music when the car shuts off, etc. What tard thought of that one?!?!?! Wish it could be silenced. My wife's comment..."now that is pretty gay". Nuff said.
- wish the headrests were adjustable other than up and down.
- wish there was some modern
ambient LED lighting...anything...even a tiny bit. No biggie though.
- wish people would stop looking at me. Nah...just kidding...felt f'ing fantastic !!
- feel free to ask me specific questions if I missed anything
That's all for now. If I think of anything else I will simply reply to myself, etc.
Hope this was helpful for someone...anyone.
I will end with this. There is NOT ONE SINGLE car that can touch this thing for the price point. Nothing. It performs...feels like a million bucks...they killed it with this one.
I will 100% hold out for it. Unless...it goes really wrong and is released in 2019 or something. I simply cannot wait that long.
Cheers...B.
