MAN! I think I love this car! It's for my better half (he's actually looking for a 2000), but man was it ever beautiful. The engine and transmission were exceptionally smooth (it wasn't as eager as my 1st gen TL to downshift though), and the cabin was really well insulated from noise. The Bose sound system was amazing too! And the seats were so nice, it was really easy to get a good comfy driving position. The car really felt like it cost over $50000.

 

Think of it as a heavier 1st gen 3.2 TL with a (somehow) more excellent highway ride and fancy leather.

What did you think of the steering? Numb? Too much boost?

 

It was a little disconnected with regards to road feel through the steering. It didn't "engage" me like my 1st gen TL does. Although the overboosted steering (and yeah it is overboosted), was nice FEELING in my hands, it contributed to the overall smooth feeling of the car. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe not.

 

Its the steering that kills it for me. I'd probably replace the steering components with 1st gen TL parts for more road feel. I don't like it overboosted.

 

it def needs to have better steering, mine does not handle well, but it also could be the stock bichelins

 

Lots of body roll?

Lack of steering feel?

I've noticed both. The steering is a bit overboosted and has NO roadfeel.
The bodyroll I dont mind too much as I do mostly straight-line driving on the freeway.

I wish I could swap my TL's steering into an RL (it IS possible by the way), retain the road feel and have a GREAT cruiser car.

 

The Mercedes S-class is a great example of this...further, its suspension provides a great driver to road connection, while maintaining quite possibly the most serene ride ever. The way Germans do things...

I agree, the RL's steering is too artificial...though no where near as bad as other vehicles out there. I personally prefer a heavier steering feel, and I wish the suspension was stiffer. But the new RL solves these problems...it's great.

 

on and off ramps i have to slow down more than my other cars, the lack of steering feel is one i miss, and body roll isnt that bad.

i need to get teh wheels rebalanced, it vibrates a little, i had the dealership do em on the last service, but sometimes it seems like they don't do as good a job as other places.

i just started driving it again since the weather broke and roads are pretty clean, and man do i miss it, that baby just pampers you. i have noticed that my mileage is only about 15mpg in town.
i have searched for a k&n filter of some type but no luck

 

There is one out there, its the same as the Legend and 1st gen 3.2 TL's

 

thanks, but wait i still had problems finding one i guess i hevent looked hard enough yet

 

Is the fuel economy really that bad all the time? I was expecting more like 18mpg in the city.

 

well i drive 5 miles to work so the car really doesnt get a great chance to warm up properly. i would prob get 18 if i hada longer commute

 

I've had RL's as loaners and got around 17 in the city and 25 on the highway, which is consistent with the EPA numbers.