This interior is amazing

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by bawlin

I like it. Very reminiscent of the Honda S2000 interior. If only the exterior didn't have so many blemishes.

 

[gnatty8]

Here's my favorite..

 

[username79]

New ZHP interior:

As the above demonstrates, I think BMW has really widened the gap between themselves and their competitors lately. For example, look at the steaming turd mess in the G37:

+1 for BMW.

 

[nate10184]

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the modern BMW interiors though I think they look okay. I just rented a brand new Audi last week and the interior grew on me a little. I always thought the e39 M5 had the best interior I'd ever seen in a non-exotic.

 

[fossil8412]

Originally Posted by nate10184

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the modern BMW interiors though I think they look okay. I just rented a brand new Audi last week and the interior grew on me a little. I always thought the e39 M5 had the best interior I'd ever seen in a non-exotic.

Looks a lot like my e46 330i...

 

[Asterix]

The only car interior that is worthwhile to me.

 

[username79]

Originally Posted by Asterix

The only car interior that is worthwhile to me.

FAILcar did have a nice interior, I'll give you that.

 

[Brian278]

Originally Posted by nate10184

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the modern BMW interiors though I think they look okay. I just rented a brand new Audi last week and the interior grew on me a little. I always thought the e39 M5 had the best interior I'd ever seen in a non-exotic.

The E39, whether M5 or just a 540i sport or something will always be the gold standard for sport-luxury sedans in my eyes. Awesome comfort/handling balance for a car it's size and weight and stylistically a study in restrained elegance.

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by username79

FAILcar did have a nice interior, I'll give you that.

All but that huge V and W on the steering wheel..

Talk about a constant reminder..

 

[Asterix]

Originally Posted by username79

FAILcar did have a nice interior, I'll give you that.
lol.... it failed in the US under the VW brand but sold like hot cakes as a Bentley.......... how sad for the dumb badge whores who paid almost 100K extra to drive practically the same car with a different badge.

 

[Asterix]

Originally Posted by gnatty8

All but that huge V and W on the steering wheel..

Talk about a constant reminder..
A pride in their engineering accomplishment (thumbing their nose at Beemer and Benz) I'd take it to be especially since they released practically the same car (built of 80% identical parts on the same production line) for the brand whores later as a Bentley........... Now that is genius

 

[thekunk07]

^test drove a phaeton when i got my touareg. was totally blown away. was seemingly killed by brand whores who as you say preferred to overpay for more expensive buy equal or inferior cars.

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by Asterix

A pride in their engineering accomplishment (thumbing their nose at Beemer and Benz) I'd take it to be especially since they released practically the same car (built of 80% identical parts on the same production line) for the brand whores later as a Bentley........... Now that is genius

I was only kidding, from what I read, that was a pretty impressive car from an engineering perspective. I did remember being skeptical that VW could pull off a super premium luxury sedan, thought it was a huge risk.. It is a nice interior though..

 

[Asterix]

Originally Posted by gnatty8

I was only kidding, from what I read, that was a pretty impressive car from an engineering perspective. I did remember being skeptical that VW could pull off a super premium luxury sedan, thought it was a huge risk.. It is a nice interior though..

Gnatty8, I actually was just having fun enlightening folks about the highly unappreciated but superb gem that we briefly had in the US but is now only enjoyed by the rest of the world. The interior I posted (which has been slightly modified since inception) is from the 2010 model. Most Phaeton owners I know are having a hard time finding replacement cars that compare without having to resort to going the Bentley route.

 

[gnatty8]

So the Phaeton was only discontinued for the U.S. markets? Interesting. Wonder if that says anything about the immense power of brand in the United States?

I am a BMW man, and could never see myself in a VW, ever. I actually doubt I'd even give the brand a chance since I can't think of a situation in which I'd find myself test driving a VW to be won over. That said, BMW earned my loyalty through terrific performance, excellent service, and what I find is pleasant styling. I don't think VW has ever had a car at my point on the demand curve. The Phaeton is nice, but I could never see myself driving it, or its closest competitors. Not me.