[Marty in NY]

At three times the price of the G05 X5 50i, there are a number of similarities between the two.

[wrickem]

Thank God they don't share the same wheels!

[MystroX5]

I noticed this too. All the fuss with showing features of a $300k Maybach and our new X5 BMW has those “extravagant” features and some the MB doesn’t.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

I noticed this too. All the fuss with showing features of a $300k Maybach and our new X5 BMW has those "extravagant" features and some the MB doesn't.

Maybach, like Rolls Royce is mostly for status and nothing more. I'm sure you've been in a RR and yes the materials are very nice, but aside form that, the super quiet, plush ride it's basically just another vehicle. With that being said I'd still like to be driven in one but the price is mostly for their name and being hand built (not sure if Maybachs are)

[thereef510]

I also just finished watching Doug's video and said all those things in my mind as well. I'm actually a bit surprised that Doug didn't make more mention that a lot of those features are available in other brands. I was also taken aback at how it doesnt have any new self driving or autonomous capability. Surely that's the ultimate luxury to just hop in and have the car do most of the driving for you

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by thereef510

I also just finished watching Doug's video and said all those things in my mind as well. I'm actually a bit surprised that Doug didn't make more mention that a lot of those features are available in other brands. I was also taken aback at how it doesnt have any new self driving or autonomous capability. Surely that's the ultimate luxury to just hop in and have the car do most of the driving for you

I am not that impressed with how the English top tier cars age. I have looked at a few with only 3 years old with low miles and the leather tends to show noticeable wear. The hand finishing and gaps start to open up as their durability isn’t there. Most all of these cars had a very pampered life and show their age quicker. The old days of timeless durability with these cars are gone.
The problem for the ultra high end in today’s high end auto manufacturing is that the gap between them and top luxury brands is so narrow now that most buyers wouldn’t be able to distinguish between the two. Once you have high grade parts, they all are assembled the same at the top level with bespoke options separating the ultra high tier. My guess is that the same ecco regulations with plastics, glue and paint as well as shared technology have leveled the playing field of build quality.

I love watching the “how it’s made” tv show when they are assembling a Rolls or Bentley and the parts have plastic base to the dash, clips, etc... You will pay twice as much with only a 2% upgrade in build quality. It’s all about brand image and reputation.

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

I love watching the “how it’s made” tv show when they are assembling a Rolls or Bentley and the parts have plastic base to the dash, clips, etc... You will pay twice as much with only a 2% upgrade in build quality. It’s all about brand image and reputation.

I mean you're completely right. It just comes to you buying something like that just to let people know how much 'fu' money you have. But it is nice that the tech gap is so much lowered now, that we can get those same features in a fairly regular price range.

[roadkillrob]

I can get most of the features my X5 has also on a Kia for half the price. It used to be you had to spend the money to get the technology, 7 series got it first 3 series years later, then honda 5 years after that, now you can mostly get all the tech stuff on almost any car.