Vermillion
Member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2020
- Messages
- 51
- Reaction score
- 38
- Points
- 18
I'll just start by saying I have no bias in regards to brand and when looking for a "premium" all rounder with a fair bit of poke price between competitors falls within short distance around these parts. Does the Stinger have issues? For sure like every car on the planet but confusion stems from the most recited opinion whether debated with German brand owners or the ranks of its own community.
Let's begin with the most vocal complaints:
Lag: Okay, having access to a smorgasbord of ZF 8AT's throughout various manufacturers I'll say this BMW diesels mated to a ZF transmission equals perfect balance, meaning reactive power delivered whenever requested. Petrols however (Jag XE 250 / BMW B58 / B48) seem to hang revs on occasion and there's kick down delay, I've noticed a small kick delay on the ISG but for most part I couldn't tell the difference between Kia's implementation and a diesel ZF counterpart. So, where is this apparent "lag" coming from and why am I not experiencing it in any sort of meaningful manor? I'm receiving power in full whenever I request it at any pace.
Brakes: For sure the the Stinger is a heavy car but the massive rotors scream I'm capable, there's a major difference in pad performance and / or quality (apparently) where Euro specs are concerned but no other system besides M car ceramics (within a loosely relative MSRP) have been notably superior (if not worse). The amount of G's the stock brakes give under regular stopping scenario's are immense although they're fortunately far from "grabby" and I wouldn't change anything.
Power: I won't deny the Stinger runs out of steam in the upper echelons compared to competitors but on the road that's not where fun factor and / or useable prowess is important, some jokingly define the 335d / M340d as the "fastest car in the world" but with torque, gear ratio's and complimentary transmission their on the road prowess it's hard to deny their day to day strengths. I get the same feeling from the Stinger, lots of torque thrown in early to make progress powerful without it becoming completely unwieldy thanks to a limited slip. As a diesel fan used to 630NM / 464 lb ft + of torque let me say this engine can punch.
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The above aside let us focus on some noted issues, firstly suspension has on occasion become unsettled travelling over bumps at relatively innate progress. This issue would be exacerbated several times over when moving at a swift pace.
It is a large, heavy car. Yes, I know it's supposed to be a "GT" and the suspension uses advanced trickery to fool one into believing otherwise but they cannot deny physics. The amount of standard kit will have a natural bearing on weight but adept engineering focus could have lightened the car by a couple of hundred kilo's enhancing cornering performance, emissions and fuel economy.
The arm rest is a bit too stiff.
Not being able to close or open the window whilst the car is off or on intermediary power is a little annoying.
The service interval for Europe at best borders on overly cautious, most are 8 to 10K (at least)..
I like tactile buttons over all-in-one control display units, one should never be focusing on a screen when driving (due to safety) but some options seem convoluted for quick access. For example the speed limit function isn't quick or initially intuitive surrounded by other options, too many buttons in some instances..
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Ultimately I asked for many opinions after thoroughly showing others the car, even as a novelty one did remark some other similar model manufacturers should really take notice. The levels of standard kit, performance and comfort make this a car a thoroughly hard to dismiss option.
The interior was a marked step up from the likes of an F30 and in real life it's a subjectively interesting and good looking car. I've stated before I'm nit picking with some brands but with the Stinger any issue stated seems almost irrelevant, one of the best cars I have ever owned or driven and I hope to experience many more years of it.
I believe it would be extremely difficult to define what more one could want from a car?
Let's begin with the most vocal complaints:
Lag: Okay, having access to a smorgasbord of ZF 8AT's throughout various manufacturers I'll say this BMW diesels mated to a ZF transmission equals perfect balance, meaning reactive power delivered whenever requested. Petrols however (Jag XE 250 / BMW B58 / B48) seem to hang revs on occasion and there's kick down delay, I've noticed a small kick delay on the ISG but for most part I couldn't tell the difference between Kia's implementation and a diesel ZF counterpart. So, where is this apparent "lag" coming from and why am I not experiencing it in any sort of meaningful manor? I'm receiving power in full whenever I request it at any pace.
Brakes: For sure the the Stinger is a heavy car but the massive rotors scream I'm capable, there's a major difference in pad performance and / or quality (apparently) where Euro specs are concerned but no other system besides M car ceramics (within a loosely relative MSRP) have been notably superior (if not worse). The amount of G's the stock brakes give under regular stopping scenario's are immense although they're fortunately far from "grabby" and I wouldn't change anything.
Power: I won't deny the Stinger runs out of steam in the upper echelons compared to competitors but on the road that's not where fun factor and / or useable prowess is important, some jokingly define the 335d / M340d as the "fastest car in the world" but with torque, gear ratio's and complimentary transmission their on the road prowess it's hard to deny their day to day strengths. I get the same feeling from the Stinger, lots of torque thrown in early to make progress powerful without it becoming completely unwieldy thanks to a limited slip. As a diesel fan used to 630NM / 464 lb ft + of torque let me say this engine can punch.
----------------------------------------------
The above aside let us focus on some noted issues, firstly suspension has on occasion become unsettled travelling over bumps at relatively innate progress. This issue would be exacerbated several times over when moving at a swift pace.
It is a large, heavy car. Yes, I know it's supposed to be a "GT" and the suspension uses advanced trickery to fool one into believing otherwise but they cannot deny physics. The amount of standard kit will have a natural bearing on weight but adept engineering focus could have lightened the car by a couple of hundred kilo's enhancing cornering performance, emissions and fuel economy.
The arm rest is a bit too stiff.
Not being able to close or open the window whilst the car is off or on intermediary power is a little annoying.
The service interval for Europe at best borders on overly cautious, most are 8 to 10K (at least)..
I like tactile buttons over all-in-one control display units, one should never be focusing on a screen when driving (due to safety) but some options seem convoluted for quick access. For example the speed limit function isn't quick or initially intuitive surrounded by other options, too many buttons in some instances..
--------------------------------------------
Ultimately I asked for many opinions after thoroughly showing others the car, even as a novelty one did remark some other similar model manufacturers should really take notice. The levels of standard kit, performance and comfort make this a car a thoroughly hard to dismiss option.
The interior was a marked step up from the likes of an F30 and in real life it's a subjectively interesting and good looking car. I've stated before I'm nit picking with some brands but with the Stinger any issue stated seems almost irrelevant, one of the best cars I have ever owned or driven and I hope to experience many more years of it.
I believe it would be extremely difficult to define what more one could want from a car?
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