vladfrenkel

Hi,
As some of you may know, I did upgraded my ride in last days of 2008.
It took me some time to fully explore my new vehicle in order to obtain overall user knowledge of some of the gadgets and qualities.
Anyway, cause some of you, but not all, fellow acurazine members might be interested, I've posted an overall overview/comparison document on the web, rather than fully publish it on this very forum. Pls note, these are my own observations and point of views, which could be different for some of the members.
Anyway, all I wanted to say, is that I've enjoyed owning my RL, and was very pleased with that. But, not for a moment, I regret my decision to switch. Couldn't say the same for my wife though
If you're interested in overall apples and oranges comparison (cause in reality those are 2 very different vehicles), pls enjoy.
Here is the link:
http://img.ui-portal.de/gmxcom/files...4B5BDFA35ACE7B

neuronbob

The site at the link doesn't work.

vladfrenkel

Thanks a lot for a feedback neuronbob.
Just double checked it again - works OK for me from multiple computers using IE and Firefox, simply takes long time to load. BTW did you click on GMX File Storage Guest Access button to access the file? Once the button clicked it takes from 30 sec to 1 min to bring it up.

vladfrenkel

For some of you who trying to access and still experience problems accessing the file, here is an alternative location:
http://cid-cb4ec6f0953beee9.skydrive...79MCPc1ZaMk%24

neuronbob

Figured it out. It's not Safari compatible on Mac. It works fine in Firefox on Mac.

vladfrenkel

Great.
I'm glad it was resolved.

ssim3

Great review sums up my feelings with my Merc. I live is South Ga. on an island and do not need awd. Give me V8 torque rwd any day of the week. I also get better mileage so that rules out any arguement for a V6. The Acura does have better functionality in the vav as you said, but I only use mine every few months when I travel so that is no deal breaker. The 2.5 command in the 2009's is superior & on par with Acura's too bad you have to totally rewire every system in the car to swap it out.
One thing the Merc has is airmatic suspension so it can cruise or you can tighten it up fore more spirited driving. Enjoy your 550, I would have gotten a 545 or 550 when I got my E, but all of them available at the time in my area were either black or had black intereior which is a deal breaker in the summer down here.

vladfrenkel

Thanks a lot.
If I'd not have pulled the trigger on 550i, I've had 2007 E550 on my list as next best. Actually my wife preffer Merc suspension as well.
Ebony interior would always be my #1 choice . With my 2yr older, light interior is not very practical... and with average temps of 65 degrees it is given.

neuronbob

Finally read through your long analysis. That's a very thorough review, thanks for sharing.

I wish I had a heated steering wheel.
It would be nice to be able to recharge the key fob while driving.
I'm very impressed with your mileage. If I had a 550i, mine would be lower as I have an addiction to the loud pedal.

It's a nice upgrade from the RL. I'm not ready to spend that kind of money yet, though.

037

Well...I don't feel so bad anymore with my mileage. Someone posted average speed for once. I get 10-14mpg with average speed give or take 20mph.

vladfrenkel

Thanks a lot, neuronbob.
Actually, I'm too having a very heavy right foot, so these are give or take on average semi-aggressive driving style numbers for both RL and 550i. Of course if you fully "step" on it, I've seen as lowest as 13.3 mpg for very aggressive Sport mode driving - but this is so rare, where you'd want all 360 hourse to wake up, so I've not even included those numbers.
With respect to upgrade it was only 6K+ differential with respect to price I've got from my RL. If depreciation wouldn't hit that hard (I'd suspect cause of 2009 TL introduction, those differential numbers would be even lower).
It's very pity, I do have a full Cold Weather pack - and it's useless mostly in "sunny" NorCal.

vladfrenkel

10-14mpg are very real world numbers for 20mph and below (I did some browsing around the neighborhood helping my little one to get asleep while owned an RL and 1st-2nd gear stop and go traffic would give me on average 13mpg easily)
I still do that sometime in 550i, number may drop to 15.3 instantanious (usually 15.7-16.5 is the range) - but that as lowest I've seen w/o stepping on it (I'd assume cause ZF Transmission holds you on the second gear for 4-5seconds even after full stop has been achieved, so you always accelerate from 2nd gear

037

you'd be surprised that my 20mph average includes highway driving. It's just that we have so many red lights and stops it's impossible to get any sort of speed on a 20mi drive.

and obviously, as soon as I have a chance the needle passes 3k rpm as if it was the starting point.