4matic models in the UK poll

[glojo]

Please confirm whether you wish me to forward your comments on to the relevant department as all feedback from customers are valued by Lexus in their Pursuit for Perfection"
Are these guys using the same hymn sheet as "DaimlerChrysler UK????

Great post and hopefully you allowed them to forward your letter. This is the only way car manufacturers will listen and perhaps give us what we want.

I stand by my post though about the transmission tunnel, but to my non technical mind this is purely an engineering problem that might perhaps be easily resolved.

Don't forget the US does NOT import the E320CDI estate????? Americans moan at Germany for not making this model.

John

 

[grober]

Conspiracy theory!

I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that Mercedes,BMW, Volvo (couple of obscure models accepted) and Lexus have come to an unwritten agreement not to market 4x4 versions of their mainstream saloons in the UK. I know they always come out with " there is no market for 4x4 saloons in the UK" but they NEVER back up their statement with hard facts or survey results only responding with meaningless "corporate speak phrases". Perhaps in economic terms its better for them to sell UK customers bigger more expensive SUVs from their model range?? Maybe the government with its desire to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions should be looking at this more closely? Just another example of the British motorist being short changed and denied what's routinely available to our EEC partners.

 

[glojo]

I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that Mercedes,BMW, Volvo (couple of obscure models accepted) and Lexus have come to an unwritten agreement not to market 4x4 versions of their mainstream saloons in the UK.

Yet Volve produce 4 x 4 estates? I bet if BMW were to produce a 4 x 4 saloon then Mercedes would not be far behind. Audi of course were leaders in this field.

John

 

[grober]

Hi John,
you are right Volvo do market 4x4 estates in the UK.

BUT-- The V50 T5 AWD estate is only available with SE spec and the top turbo engine.
-------The V70 AND XC 70 at least they can be bought with a D5 diesel engine. So why not the cheaper V50???

the saloons
USA
S40 T5 AWD AVAILABLE!
S60 T5 AWD AVAILABLE!
S60R AWD AVAILABLE
S80 T5 AWD AVAILABLE!
no diesel but it is the USA.

the saloons
UK
S40 not available
S60 not available except as S60R priced at £34,000!
S80 not available
to summarise volvo have
a) the 4x4 technology in RHD.
b) a good turbo diesel 4x4 powertrain.

So why dont they market a medium spec/ priced turbodiesel 4x4 saloon or estate in the UK? You might be left with the impression they dont really want to!! I know from recent conversations with a volvo rep that they are desperate to get a good diesel automatic version of the s40 but volvo as yet dont make one.
Update!! I have just heard that a 2wd auto diesel engined version on this chassis MAY be available soon but only in the v50 estate

 

[grober]

Subaru cutaway.

Just thought I would post this rather elegant cutaway of the Subaru Legacy 4wd saloon I found on the New Zealand Subaru website. Very popular out there I believe. I,m still looking for a diagram of the Jaguar 4wd system to post.

 

[grober]

subaru 4wd

Here's another view of Subaru's very compact 4wd system from their Malta website. I think its from an Impreza?

 

[jeremytaylor]

I saw a brand new 4-matic at my dealer yesterday.

It was an R350 4-matic. They have obviously resurrected the 4-matic badge for this M-class-in-sheeps-clothing.

 

[grober]

smaller 4x4 saloons due to tax??

Things might change on the smaller 4matic saloon front if this comes to pass. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,16849-2071718,00.html

 

[glojo]

I saw a brand new 4-matic at my dealer yesterday.

It was an R350 4-matic. They have obviously resurrected the 4-matic badge for this M-class-in-sheeps-clothing.

Hi Jeremy,
What were your first impressions when you saw the R-class in the flesh? The review on Motors TV did not have me sitting on the edge of my seat, and sadly it reviewed the vehicle I would be interested in...the 320CDI

I believe it was also the shorter wheelbase version, was the one you saw the same length wheelbase?

John

 

[jeremytaylor]

John,

Didn't think much of the 2-tone paint (actually it was just the protective plastic sheets over parts of the body!).

I've seen them before in Stuttgart, but first impressions of the short-wheelbase one I saw are:

1. The wheels look too small (i.e. there was a big gap between the wheels and the wheelarch), and they were at least 17", possibly 18".
2. There's appears to be stacks of space inside, including a massive gap in between the two middle row seats. Er, why not put a third seat there? Headroom in the rear-most row might be an issue.
3. Overall shape nice - hints of B-Class and (new) ML-Class in the proportions and details.

BTW I was there to have my first 'warning light issue' on my E320CDI looked at - after only 3 months and 3,000 miles. The SRS (airbag) light - apparently it's a known problem, even on mid-2005 build models and requires a wiring mod. Have you have this problem with yours?

 

[jhunt412]

Not related but need help!

Hey guys - Am trying to post a classified to sel lmy gorgeous 500sec (new baby = economical family car). Unfortunately it won't work - I have insufficient priveleges. Any ideas what I can do?
Thanks.
James

 

[jhunt412]

need more posts

sorry to take up space!

 

[jhunt412]

sorry to take up space!

 

[Howard]

Thats cheating James and not in the spirit of the forum ...

If the mods catch up with you you will be in trouble.....

 

[jhunt412]

Fair enough..

Ooops, that's another!

 

[glojo]

The SRS (airbag) light - apparently it's a known problem, even on mid-2005 build models and requires a wiring mod. Have you have this problem with yours?

Unfortunately No... The only one we suffered was the leaking battery (volts not contents ) The warning that gave was the frightning SBC failure warning. Nothing at all to do with SBC, just a flat battery)

Ooops, that's another!

Hi Howard,
Looks like your friendly comment was ignored Red blobby to him I say

Regards
John

 

[Howard]

You can't blob anyone any more John .....

the mods saw to that as well .....

 

[glojo]

You can't blob anyone any more John ......

I just did it

In reality I have only ever given one person a red blobby. That special forces, green beret, 23yr old?? trained killing machine aka 'Rottweiller' I still feel guilty about it. I am aware of the withdrawal of the blobbies but this new member not only failed to take heed of your very polite comment.... He kicked sand in your face.

I am the politest of the polite, but will publically say when wrong is wrong and I put my name to what I say... So there (humour in abundance)

I look on you as family and this new member was being rude! So poo to him and :bannana: to you.


Take care and are you interested in buying a car?

Kind regards
John

 

[grober]

New S550 4matic

Heres an article on the new S550 class 4matic. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=109579#2
I have extracted a section especially for you John If you're still monitoring this thread.
Not much new under the skin
There are a few changes to the S550 4Matic's chassis versus the two-wheel-drive version. The steering rack was repositioned, redesigned suspension arms were swapped in up front and the air springs were retuned. A smaller rear differential is used since there's less power sent through it and there are minor revisions to the brakes. The wheels and tires are exactly the same.

In addition to a center differential, 4Matic adds a front driveshaft to feed power to the front axle. It used to be an awkward setup that required carving out extra room next to the transmission, which ate into the front-passenger foot well. A more compact design of both the driveshaft and the differential allows this 4Matic system to fit within a standard two-wheel-drive chassis with no modifications.
So they can do it if they want. Whether this applies to the smaller E and C class remains to be seen??

 

[glojo]

It used to be an awkward setup that required carving out extra room next to the transmission, which ate into the front-passenger foot well. A more compact design of both the driveshaft and the differential allows this 4Matic system to fit within a standard two-wheel-drive chassis with no modifications.
So they can do it if they want. Whether this applies to the smaller E and C class remains to be seen??

Well done Miro,
Thanks very much for the link, totally agree with every word you have said. It also highlights the very point I have continually harped on about.. grrrrr why, why why was it allowed to be there in the first place?

John