Phantom Phantom Roadtest

[Merc1]

Ah, yet again one of my favourite automotive debates - albeit one that I usually refrain from participating in - resurrected with undiminished enthusiasm.

You want my left field opinion? The Maybach fails in the character war with the Phantom because, simply, it's just too Teutonic. Whilst the Germans can do luxury with consumate ease, they simply fall flat when it comes to intangible concepts like opulence and ostentatiousness. Stuff, it seems, that got cast aside after WWII.

The RR might be German in its engineering but its image and character are infused with olde school aristocratic English excess and charm. It's the genuine, old money item: a car for royalty, nobility and 5th generation family empires. Herein the Phantom succeeds and the Maybach fails. The Maybach's luxury is indisputible but the execution thereof just isn't in good taste. It lacks decorum, period.

I was expecting you to say something truly "left field", but you more or less see it the same way Roberto and I do. Maybe a little harsher with the "no taste" part, but you're still in the same ballpark.

M

 

[SDNR]

Ah, yet again one of my favourite automotive debates - albeit one that I usually refrain from participating in - resurrected with undiminished enthusiasm.

You want my left field opinion? The Maybach fails in the character war with the Phantom because, simply, it's just too Teutonic. Whilst the Germans can do luxury with consumate ease, they simply fall flat when it comes to intangible concepts like opulence and ostentatiousness. Stuff, it seems, that got cast aside after WWII.

The RR might be German in its engineering but its image and character are infused with olde school aristocratic English excess and charm. It's the genuine, old money item: a car for royalty, nobility and 5th generation family empires. Herein the Phantom succeeds and the Maybach fails. The Maybach's luxury is indisputible but the execution thereof just isn't in good taste. It lacks decorum, period.

What can I say....pure brilliance martinbo - beautifully expressed - I agree whole heartedly.

 

[martinbo]

I was expecting you to say something truly "left field", but you more or less see it the same way Roberto and I do. Maybe a little harsher with the "no taste" part, but you're still in the same ballpark.

M

True, the point I was trying to make though Merc1, is, have we ever before accused the Maybach of simply being too German?

 

[RikfromBelgium]

Reclining seats. At least in the 62.

nope, the Rolls has those aswell. You can chose between the sofa or individual seats. Not an option in the maybach

 

[SDNR]

nope, the Rolls has those aswell. You can chose between the sofa or individual seats. Not an option in the maybach

Actually that's not absolutely true Rik - the Maybach can have a middle seat.

....it ain't beautiful though

..and neither is this

 

[Merc1]

True, the point I was trying to make though Merc1, is, have we ever before accused the Maybach of simply being too German?

Oh ok. Well that isn't the first time I've missed the point of something.

M

 

[sif]

Martin I think you hit the nail on the head.

 

[SDNR]

http://www.exoticsonroad.de

 

[martinbo]

I just love how the RR motif in the wheel hub centres stay upright when the car is stationary. Fully cool...

Amazing attention to detail.

 

[SDNR]

That blue MM62 I posted above looks quite good in those colours I think.

Also martinbo, those self-leveling hub centres are optional - you have to wonder why

 

[martinbo]

Also martinbo, those self-leveling hub centres are optional - you have to wonder why

I didn't know that Rob. Thanks for informing me... Dang! As options go (and it shouldn't be an option imo) self-leveling wheel hubs is pretty much a mandatory inclusion in the spec-sheet checking exercise.

 

[SDNR]

The RR might be German in its engineering but its image and character are infused with olde school aristocratic English excess and charm.

However, the only thing "olde school" about the Phantom, is it's image -- as I have said on numerous occasions, the Phantom is, in reality, more "high-tech" than the Phantom -- and now I have the info to prove it.

http://www.germancarforum.com/showpost.php?p=75428&postcount=14

 

[SDNR]