The grill and lines are similar, especially with the new Audi's. Just pick up a Consumer Reports and you can see how well Audi, BMW, and Mercedes fair now. Considering Audi is ranked higher overall then Lexus I don't think they are anything to laugh at when it comes to owner satisfaction and good reliability. The 8 in all 4 engines offered is very well rated. I know it can be hard to let go of old days and old reps but it's just not the case anymore. Especially if you are going the CPO route. I would pick up a used A8 all day before a new G90. Less money and a lot more car. No other large sedan is as rewarding to drive in my opinion. Except the Panamera.

 

Well just speaking for Audi I can tell you the rep I was talking with said the NEWER Audi's have come a long way - that the guys at the dealers aren't fixing them anymore, just maintenance, that they're all starting to get worried about their income now. But this same guy a few years ago told me that they were pretty reliable before, but now is claiming timing chains and rings are a big problem...that stuff hadn't started happening yet at the time a few years ago. So I'm a little skeptical still. As for BMW, the factory rep said they're absolutely garbage, total junk, a disgrace. Said the same thing five years ago...he said now they're even worse. I have no idea about Mercedes. But it's funny listening to a BMW guy tell you to stay away from the car, don't buy them.

 

?? Every reliability reference I see from CR still shows MB near the bottom of the list (26th out of 28 manufacturers), while BMW falls about mid-pack. That's not good. Audi indeed has climbed the list, but I'd still be gun-shy until I see a few years in. Conversely, KIA and Hyundai/Genesis still place far higher than ANY of the German brands except Audi.

 

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a modern Audi, hey really have come a long way. As for a used A8 vs a new G90, nope. Ain’t buying no used cars.

 

Here is a little screen grab from the new CR. S550 has the worst predicted reliability.

 

Mmm, the 2017 LS did not even make the list? That’s weird... I would guess it would fare well in these comparisons.

 

that is a sick looking car

 

<br /><br />Those lists were just for ratings "in general"....so driving satisfaction, braking, acceleration, etc. Reliability was only mentioned as a side-note. When you look at STRICTLY reliability, the Lexus's place at the top along with Toyota, Audi and (I believe), Porsche.

 

Newer 14 and up LS's have excellent reliability except in-car electronics. I would not be surprised if the LS500 makes the list next year.

 

Yes the new Audi's are beautiful cars, they'd be a great choice if they really are improved. Personally I'm not willing to give it a chance and find out, but if a couple years from now reports are solid, I'm in.

 

As I recall, the reason for the lower rating on the electronics, was due to failure of ML amps.

 

I believe the individual ratings also include owner satisfaction as well as ease if use. I could be wrong but the 460's infotainment system has never been raved about...

 

I have put 14k miles on mine (71k miles now) in the past 11 months on terrible NJ / NYC roads and the only repair has been a failing passenger side motor mount. I have a CPO so I don't have exact numbers on cost. Cost me $85. Really the only advice I would say is to avoid the dealer if not under warranty. If you think Lexus dealers are expensive try an Audi or Mercedes... lol Probably would have been about $600 - $800 to replace at an independent mechanic.

 

Or perhaps it could have been the poor durability of the ML speakers. I've had to replace five and the subwoofer on mine in the last few months.

 

Thats the first I've ever heard about failure of the speakers...