Comparison: 2011 Executive options to look at

Looking at the present offerings against 2011- Mercedes Benz E 350, BMW 535i, Jaguar XF and  2010 Audi A6 3.0TSFI, these cars should range from N10- N16 million. But which of can we look at as a better option for comfort in the Nigerian daily life on road. Before we start looking at our option […]

Looking at the present offerings against 2011- Mercedes Benz E 350, BMW 535i, Jaguar XF and  2010 Audi A6 3.0TSFI, these cars should range from N10- N16 million. But which of can we look at as a better option for comfort in the Nigerian daily life on road.

Before we start looking at our option let’s also have in mind that these cars are built for comfort and performance but achieve that in many different ways. So instead of have our own test we went making assessment from other motor editors of various magazines.

BMW 535i: Still keeping its brilliance

On top of our list as usually will always be the 5 series for certain reason. One of them is setting itself as a sport saloon for comfort in its purest sense. In fact the out going model was very good for its mid cornering. It inspires confidences its got good handling with twisty roads very quick easy response to throttle kick down.  But from the Daily telegraph Newspaper the Peter Hall doesn’t seem impresses with the axle-active steering being introduced. My worries go to the dumping of the front struts for a multi-link suspension. Don’t get me wrong it’s a very good thing but it could take the fun of drive away by too much holding. Even Vicki Butler- Henderson from Fifth Gear wasn’t fish tailing easily. Mind you it is still our top choice because it still delivers and it just has it own benchmark to beat.

Mercedes E350: the strongest contender

Yes, we did say the strongest contender and perhaps for some reason you may have a re-think on your values on comfort. To have comfort is good but extreme comfort is the best thing to experience, which is what most editor allude to. One thing Mercedes has always made well is the steering feel which is very cream for a daily driving even in heavy traffic. But there is one concern, since we are talking about sport saloon performance is vital and braking is not very inspiring. In fact it behaves like a car for older people someone who has retired or a business just as Nate Martinez states from Motor Trend Magazine. That exactly how Mercedes want the E350 to be and they ve done it.

Jaguar XF: stylish and very graceful

This is the cheapest V8 car under the range of price tag earlier mentioned. When we first spotted it early this year in Coscharis Showroom we were so impressed with Jaguar re-invention of this sector. So far it’s doing well and my God its beautiful in heavy traffic. Its Graceful. The chassis is well composed according Scott Mortara of Motor Trend Magazine but the suspensions are soft- which could make it float a bit. It looks very entertaining in very attractive modern looks and it road manner when performing stunt like drifts. We reckon it could hold the longest drift in this category.

2010Audi A6: missing target

The 2011 model has not been seen yet but 2010 still remains a strong rival. While this car has been armed with brand new direct-injected V6 and revised suspension and AWD system, it makes real challenger to the Mercedes and the BMW. The revised all-wheel-drive system which splits the torque in a bias 40/60 front to rear is a great improvement to the cars overall dynamics. There is a lot of grip because of the AWD and very strong engine.  But Edward Loh discredits the steering feel. My fear is that it may have a lousy handling because this is a heavy car. In the interior is very beautiful and the controls and dials don’t look intimidating.

Infinit M37: still has got there

When Jason Camisa of Automobile Magazine tested the M series of infinite he was actually measuring it with the BMW 5 series benchmark it had to beat. It is still a very practical car with supportive seats and comfortable. But it suffers on refinement heavily because of the intrusion of engine noise which comes through loud and clear. This makes the car tiring on long journeys. What it needs is a mute growl the will thrill and inspire the drive to keep going on and on.