2004 Audi A8L vs. BMW 745i, Jaguar XJ8, M-B S430, VW Phaeton - Comparison Tests

 

"Nothing upsets this car, although it does get tentative, even nervous, at speeds nearing three digits."

Has anyone else experienced this?

Can't believe they picked the LS430 over the others. It's a nice car, very well built, but it's bland like no other!

 

I have Alan, actually I think it gets a bit floaty over 70 on some roads, I see they mention on that 6 car test " long brake stroke it gets serious".

On a dif note...look at the seats pic on the third page of this test..

2004 Jaguar XJ-series - First Drive Review

I never have never seen red and black like that.

 

They also have some PDFs of the actual scores in individual categories. It's interesting that the XJ wins best on very few things, but still manages to pull off second place!

About the color of the seats, it must've been a concept/promotional shot! Although I have seen cranberry interiors, which had cranberry bolsters as well.

 

It was an option on the earlier cars (in the UK anyway). I have seen a few advertised over the years.

 

I have the print issue of this C&D...actually, I have them back to 1980...just can't seem to part with 'em, even though they've traveled from TX, to CO, to OR, and back to TX, but it was this article which caught my eye when I was new(er) luxury car 'shopping'.

My wife has an '02 RX300, and she's tried to steer me towards an LS400 or 430, but they're just not my thing.

The Super V8 is, IMO, just about perfect. Good styling, driver-oriented, cushy, yet very warp-drive capable.

There still aren't a whole lot of sedans which can 0-60 in 5 seconds flat.

 

I've had my XJR up to 105mph and and it was rock solid and headed for the moon.. That's about 5 mph faster than I wanted to go anyway. I suspect the R's "sport suspension" accounts for the difference but I would not discount the tires for those of you who have float at sub 100 numbers.

 

I have driven the R for a w/end and there is a huge handling feel dif at speed.
I have also noticed that my reg XJ8 feels and handles crisper by upping the tire pressures to the highest settings with little sacrifice in comfort.