Phaeton. To be or not to be

[MaxDriver]

Do you have any driving experience of Phaeton? No? It is the basic reason of your errors and negative impressions in the relation to Phaeton. My friend has MB S500 4matic. He is very pleased with his car, except for the moments when something unexpectedly fails. So, when we have made test-drive of Phaeton, he is very long nothing could tell. On the one hand it was a pity of the spent money to him MB , and on the other hand he in any way could not understand, why VW has left such good impression from driving, feeling of the superiority, excellent feedback with a road, stability and unique comfort. Phaeton it is not that automobile which it is possible correctly to compare with MB. The degree of quality and performance is higher, from trivialities, up to an adjustable suspension and extremely pleasant motor. And how BMW 745i, you ask? It is a lot of snow and ice more than 4 months lay on roads of my country during the year. Road conditions are very difficult for drivers, because the road surface is very slippery and rough. Whether it is necessary to speak what advantage has Phaeton (with a AWD and pneumatic suspension) from BMW? Phaeton is a great automobile. I would like to congratulate the designers, engineers, managers for creation of such miracle. "If only not a badge VW...", - My friend very silently has told, sitting in his MB, - "Nobody will understand me correctly, if I buy it... " (sorry for my Engl.)

[Mihai]

Hey, I agree with you. Vw phaeton is the best in its class. And I know how it drives.

[thepolarfoxqx]

It is slower, and lacks the hanling of A8, XJ, 7, and S. Its fit and finnish, as well as road feedback cannot possibly be better than A8. It is a different sort of car, and makes a good impression upon first driving (most VW/Audi cars do). I just don't think it will stand up to a straight on comparison against S, 7, A8, or even the 2004 XJ. It seems to me, that they put too many features that you won't use in it.

[MaxDriver]

Dear Mr. Fox.
In first, my wife and I we want to congratulate you on purchase of the new Land Rover.
In second, I want to tell that you deeply are mistaken about opportunities of BMW 7, MB S.
Even 7, S owners very positively respond about the Phaeton. And your negative perception of Phaeton has not any bases. I with confidence can tell, that BMW and MB S much more slower and clumsy in comparison with Phaeton on an ice and snow road. Simply you do not want to believe and understand, that there has come new time of the relation to VW brand. Good luck.

[thepolarfoxqx]

on contrare, i have for a long time said that the VW marque was going to stretch up market so as to cover the entire spectrum of automotive oppurtunity, they have the luxury bread and butter vw line and sporter bavarian "bahn-storming" audi line. VW is capable of an amazing car. I am a big advocate of all wheel drive - as you can see from cars - (though my rwd volvo is very capable on snow), but S class has started offering the very potent Steyr-Puch 4Matic system in S class, which should make it an equal in poor weather to a Phaeton or A8. I think there is potential in phaeton, and know it is a very compotent luxury sedan, but my impressions upon seeing one (especially when I got in and felt the controls) is that it wasn't a sports sedan. I think it certainly has a place, but it is very heavy, and i think on a good weather day, 7 series and S class (a8 in general) has it beat in the fun to drive. Overall i think it is a very competent car. I just don't feel it is toe to toe with A8 and 7 in terms of handling at the edge.

I like my Land Rover quite a bit (though it is not my personal daily driver). I always liked the land rovers, but until this year with the 4.6, they just struck me as being a bit underpowered, and I couldn't justify one. I must say I have been nothing but happy with that car.

[MaxDriver]

Thank for your opinion. I respect your point of view, but if to be correct, it is impossible to name BMW 7, MB S and A8 a sports sedan. As well as VW Phaeton.
It is not sports sedans. Certainly, it is very pleasant to drive in any of them. But usually nobody speaks about sports advantages of these automobiles. Speak about other things not interesting for me to discuss. What such a sports sedan? I think, that I shall be right on 100 %, if I shall tell, that the really sport sedan is Subaru Impreza WRX STI (or Mitsu EVO if you don't like product of Fuji Heavy Ind. ) When you take a driver place and start the engine, just play with throttle, and the question about sports properties of BMW 7, MB S and A8 does not exist any more. Improbable acceleration and brake dynamics perfected in rally battles, very nice balance of handling and feedback... And the price is less twice or even more.
P.S.
But everything, even the experts of a German magazine "Auto Motor und Sport" have recognized, that VW it is better, little bit better, than MB S. :roll:

[Mihai]

I saw the article about the phaeton in auto motor und sport.
bmw 7er and a8 are the sport cars of the luxury class, and the phaeton and s class are the traditional cars of the luxury class. I think phaeton is better than the s class.

[thepolarfoxqx]

the phaeton is offered with all-wheel drive, so is the S class

The phaeton offers a V6 (240hp), a V8 (330hp), and a W12 (404hp)

The S offers two V8s, a 5.0L (302hp) and a supercharged 5.4L (493hp), and a Twin turbo V12 (also 493hp)

It appears that the S class has the advantage in power, while the Phaeton does have some unique features MB doesn't have yet. On paper it is a toss-up (well, except for price and brand prestige), so I think it is a matter of taste really. I know S class owners who have driven a W12 Phaeton, and have been displeased, although I know that many S an 7 drivers have been impressed, it comes down to what you most care about in a car.

[izzyloveslizzy]

I'd ove to own the 404HP V12 Phaeton. I'd certainly take that over an A8. Besides it's something new. And anyway don't feel too sorry for it. It's gonna be a huge success if VW has it's way like it always does.

[Mihai]

the phaeton w12 actually has 420hp.