1.) A8 - best handling, best interior/tech, most efficient
2.) Jag - much faster than the others in a straight line, nice interior, though a little behind on the electronics
3.) BMW - kinda soft, not a driver's car, most expensive
Yea Snow
04-05-2011, 04:04 PM
Sorry, I don't have scans of the article yet....
1.) A8 - best handling, best interior/tech, most efficient
2.) Jag - much faster than the others in a straight line, nice interior, though a little behind on the electronics
3.) BMW - kinda soft, not a driver's car, most expensive
Could not have said (in bullet point terms) better. Re: #2: Even with the 8 speed, the 4.2 will just not get away from that initial hesitation without using the 's'mode and the shift delay points w/ higher rpm. That explains my 'real world' mpg far less than any official or Audi propaganda numbers: higher RPM = more fuel expenditure. How do we put a price on fun? My son in law just bought a fully loaded Lamborghini, a completely useless vehicle other than to putting a smile on your face while driving.
BigGrasshopper
04-05-2011, 08:16 PM
I've driven all 3 (and own an 09 BMW 750i)
I agree with #1 & #2, but not with the conclusion on the Bimmer as to it being soft and not a driver's car. Perhaps it is slightly soft in City driving, but I push it hard and it responds in true BMW form, albeit as a heavier car. It's handling is predictable and corners very nicely. It also has great throttle response when is "S" mode - very similar to a 650i.
I know the A8 has better skidpad numbers, so I'm not suggesting the BMW is superior.
But to make the bold statement that it is not a driver's car, i'd have to say that there must be a bias in the article (probably factoring in price). To me, the A8 vs 750 comparison is like comparing a Sports Illustrated model to a Victoria Secret's model and then asserting that one of the two is ugly.
irenesbob
04-06-2011, 05:42 AM
I am somewhat amazed and disappointed by the cool-ish comments in this car review labeling the A8's styling as dull or boring. I do not own one (I have a 2010 A6) but have seen several of them up close where I live. I think the car is stunning in person - a piece of sculpture and very exciting to look at. Not "bling" exciting, but the same excitement one gets when seeing a Rolls Royce in the flesh (metal). The other two cars in the comparison are IMHO far less dramatic and classy looking in person.
Let's compare the curb weight of the F10 550i to the cars in this comparison... BMW's own 7-series is dimensionally a much larger car than the 550i, but only weighs only 185 lbs more. The Audi has AWD, but is still lighter than the RWD 550i. The LWB Jag weighs 147 lbs less than a 550i...
LWB AWD Audi A8L DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 122.9 in Length: 207.4 in
Width: 76.7 in Height: 57.9 in
Curb Weight: 4,350 lbs
LWB Jaguar XJL Supercharged
Wheelbase: 124.3 in Length: 206.6 in
Width: 74.6 in Height: 57.0in
Curb Weight: 4,270 lbs
LWB RWD 750Li DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 126.4 in Length: 205.3 in
Width: 74.9 in Height: 58.3 in
Curb Weight: 4,602 lbs
RWD 550i DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 116.9 in Length: 193.1 in
Width: 73.2 in Height: 57.6 in
Curb weight: 4,417 lbs
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q3/2011_bmw_550i_automatic_and_manual-short_take_road_test
clembo
04-08-2011, 01:49 AM
BMW has lost its way. It is living on a powerful Brand instead of making great cars, I used to be a regular customer, no more interest.
darkop
04-08-2011, 02:37 AM
BMW has lost its way. It is living on a powerful Brand instead of making great cars, I used to be a regular customer, no more interest.
Same here... They just became plain rubbish on all accounts!
Gear Junky
04-08-2011, 03:00 AM
The BMW is well out of it's depth now, they have spent all the time and resources getting the M3 right that cars like the 7 series have lose ground to it's competitors and it shows. It's heavy, slow and consumes way too much fuel to win favour with anyone. Next to either the Audi or Jag and you wouldn't EVER consider it, rightly so because these two offer the best compromise between S-class luxury and sportscar ability without sacrificing too much to get such a fine balance.
Surprised they didn't place the XJL closer to the A8L. If anything I would prefer the Jaguar over the A8, it's better looking, everyone prefers it's front and side profile to any other in this sector and though not everyone likes the rear it'w way different from all others and is a talking point that gets it noticed in the crowd, it's got a more unique and exciting interior, it's B&W sound system is to die for and it's by far to most fun to drive.
Though it doesn't come in an AWD version yet, used to word 'yet' because it is coming soon. ;)
darkop
04-08-2011, 03:31 AM
Jag's sleek side profile doesn't help with back seat space which is a no-no for this class! You think Audi and other Germans are so stupid that they can't produce such thing?! There is a thing called ''functionality''.
If you seek for the ''sleek'' - go with A7! Leave a Limo to be just that!
Audi S5 TC
04-08-2011, 03:39 AM
The BMW is well out of it's depth now, they have spent all the time and resources getting the M3 right that cars like the 7 series have lose ground to it's competitors and it shows. It's heavy, slow and consumes way too much fuel to win favour with anyone. Next to either the Audi or Jag and you wouldn't EVER consider it, rightly so because these two offer the best compromise between S-class luxury and sportscar ability without sacrificing too much to get such a fine balance.
Surprised they didn't place the XJL closer to the A8L. If anything I would prefer the Jaguar over the A8, it's better looking, everyone prefers it's front and side profile to any other in this sector and though not everyone likes the rear it'w way different from all others and is a talking point that gets it noticed in the crowd, it's got a more unique and exciting interior, it's B&W sound system is to die for and it's by far to most fun to drive.
Though it doesn't come in an AWD version yet, used to word 'yet' because it is coming soon. ;)
Too bad Jaguar has much, much worse dependability, durability, quality, reliability, satisfaction and service than Audi. Not to mention, Jaguar's resale value is awful enough to make Audi's resale value (which itself is awful though it has improved a lot over the past few years) look top notch by comparison. All of this is from Consumer Reports (or CR for short) and True Delta (or TD for short). Screw what JD Power and Associates (or JD P&A for short) and especially Strategic Vision (or SV for short) have to say unless it 100% matches what CR and TD have to say.
Gear Junky
04-08-2011, 04:04 AM
Jag's sleek side profile doesn't help with back seat space which is a no-no for this class! You think Audi and other Germans are so stupid that they can't produce such thing?! There is a thing called ''functionality''.
If you seek for the ''sleek'' - go with A7! Leave a Limo to be just that!
Rear space is one issue with the XJ but it's not something that I found wanting with the long wheelbased version.
Too bad Jaguar has much, much worse dependability, durability, quality, reliability, satisfaction and service than Audi. Not to mention, Jaguar's resale value is awful enough to make Audi's resale value (which itself is awful though it has improved a lot over the past few years) look top notch by comparison. All of this is from Consumer Reports (or CR for short) and True Delta (or TD for short). Screw what JD Power and Associates (or JD P&A for short) and especially Strategic Vision (or SV for short) have to say unless it 100% matches what CR and TD have to say.
This is a surprise to find Jaguar having poor reliability, I always thought they did well in JDPower tests and on checking I see Jaguar as a brand finished third overall in 2010, is that wrong. In any case I much prefer some personal knowledge to more reliable when rating something and having had personal dealing with Jaguars in the past and found them to be both reliable and their dealer service to be top notch, good enough to make me consider buying one again at a later date. As for resale, each country will be different, if as you say is right in the US then maybe Jaguar isn't the one to buy but here in the UK it's similar to most of the premium German brands.
Lets say we agree to disagree on the merits of the XJ and leave it at that. :)
darkop
04-08-2011, 04:46 AM
What I meant with ''rear space'' was really a headroom back there, and that's something that was clearly noted in this C&D review! That's unacceptable for this class, but it's clear winner in terms of design. Design on its own is just not enough and A8 is having both, maybe not immediately recognizable but in long term will stay fresh and age well. Also it is clearly linked with previous D3 generation which is always intention with all Audis - to maintain that linkage! It pays dividends in long term as it's may not be obvious at first glance...
Cheers
Audi S5 TC
04-08-2011, 04:50 AM
Rear space is one issue with the XJ but it's not something that I found wanting with the long wheelbased version.
This is a surprise to find Jaguar having poor reliability, I always thought they did well in JDPower tests and on checking I see Jaguar as a brand finished third overall in 2010, is that wrong. In any case I much prefer some personal knowledge to more reliable when rating something and having had personal dealing with Jaguars in the past and found them to be both reliable and their dealer service to be top notch, good enough to make me consider buying one again at a later date. As for resale, each country will be different, if as you say is right in the US then maybe Jaguar isn't the one to buy but here in the UK it's similar to most of the premium German brands.
Lets say we agree to disagree on the merits of the XJ and leave it at that. :)
Consumer Reports and True Delta rate Land Rover the worst, Chrysler Motors the second worst and Jaguar the third worst. Simply ignore JD P&A and SV unless they 100% match CR and TD (which they don't so ignore them and just stick with CR and TD). Trust me on this as it is 100% true.
Gear Junky
04-08-2011, 09:38 AM
Consumer Reports and True Delta rate Land Rover the worst, Chrysler Motors the second worst and Jaguar the third worst. Simply ignore JD P&A and SV unless they 100% match CR and TD (which they don't so ignore them and just stick with CR and TD). Trust me on this as it is 100% true.
You do understand how these Quality rating reports work. Expected quality, reliability and service, the more premium the brand, the more people demand which is why much lesser brands quite often score highly, also certain brands appeal to a certain type of person, unfortunately some brands like Jag and Merc appeal to top executives who are very vocal if things aren't quite right compared to most normal people. Like I said before, from my own experience of the brand I rate them as good as the rest and in the UK it is rated in the consumer tests to be among the top.
Leslierc
04-11-2011, 04:47 AM
I tested the new A8 to compare with the 750xi this past February and did ultimately decide on the 7 Series. The A8 was more than impressive! I was particularly impressed with the A8's interior appointments and gadgetry. I was particularly surprised and pleased by the A8's power and handling. Frankly, the only minus for me regarding the Audi was the exterior styling...in my opinion, only the front view had distinctive appeal. At the risk of being stoned, I must honestly say that I found the rear view too reminiscent of the A4. Of course, I disagree with the article's opinion of the 7 Series as "soft". Mine is an `11 MSport (SWB) with the xDrive feature (BMW's all-wheel drive) and I came to this car from an M6; so, I have some perspective regarding power and handling. Regarding these cars I will say what I've always said...at this level of automobile is really boils down to personal preference and tastes. The bottom line is that we enjoy what we drive.