Did you ever drive a V12 car in your life?

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
No for me.

If we're talking V-12s, then the brands we're talking about are pretty much exclusively European for the newer cars. BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Aston Martin, etc.

Now some of the older American cars did come with V-12's just because the car companies were going for power and designers were thinking more cylinders = more power. Companies like Cadillac, Packard and Hudson I think all had V-12's. They were all massive cars though, so the horsepower gains for the increased number of cylinders didn't net much as far as performance. These were most likely built in the 20's and 30's though. I can't think of any American cars built in the 50's-60's with V-12's. By that time they had realized displacement gave better bang for the buck when it came to developing more HP.

If only Cadillac would have produced the Sixteen. Power is one thing, but the smoothness of such an engine would be a dream.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
No for me.

If we're talking V-12s, then the brands we're talking about are pretty much exclusively European for the newer cars. BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Aston Martin, etc.

Now some of the older American cars did come with V-12's just because the car companies were going for power and designers were thinking more cylinders = more power. Companies like Cadillac, Packard and Hudson I think all had V-12's. They were all massive cars though, so the horsepower gains for the increased number of cylinders didn't net much as far as performance. These were most likely built in the 20's and 30's though. I can't think of any American cars built in the 50's-60's with V-12's. By that time they had realized displacement gave better bang for the buck when it came to developing more HP.

If only Cadillac would have produced the Sixteen. Power is one thing, but the smoothness of such an engine would be a dream.

It would not have been as smooth as a V12. A V12/i6 does not require any additional balancing like a V16/V8 would.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: mariok2006

It would not have been as smooth as a V12. A V12/i6 does not require any additional balancing like a V16/V8 would.

afaik, naturally balanced engines are:

flat 4, 6, 12
inline 6
v - 12

 

[Black88GTA]

I test drove a couple before I bought my current car. Although the V12s were nice, I ultimately settled on the V8 for a variety of reasons.

 

[DarkThinker]

Nope....still dreaming.....but one day...I will own this rare treat one day....ahhhhh

 

[PeteRoy]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
I test drove a couple before I bought my current car. Although the V12s were nice, I ultimately settled on the V8 for a variety of reasons.

What V12 cars did you test drive? How were they? Were they too expensive?

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: PeteRoy

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
I test drove a couple before I bought my current car. Although the V12s were nice, I ultimately settled on the V8 for a variety of reasons.

What V12 cars did you test drive? How were they? Were they too expensive?

I am going to take a guess and say he tested the BMW 850 but settled with an 840

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster
I've ridden in an older Jag V12 but never driven one.

Still love those old XJS's.

Me too. It was owned by my boss. He offered to let me drive it, but I turned it down.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: PeteRoy

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
I test drove a couple before I bought my current car. Although the V12s were nice, I ultimately settled on the V8 for a variety of reasons.

What V12 cars did you test drive? How were they? Were they too expensive?

I am going to take a guess and say he tested the BMW 850 but settled with an 840

ding!

The V12s were slightly up on HP / torque, smoothness, and e-peen++... but WAY up on complexity, maintenance, parts cost, weight, and overall hassle compared to the V8, plus they are kind of a bitch to work on in comparison. The V8 also has much greater parts availability, higher resale value, and far lower overall production numbers (in the 8 series, anyway) than the V12s.

All else being approximately equal, the V12 cars were actually cheaper overall than the V8 versions.

 

[SonicIce]

My grandpa had a V16 Cadillac. Man if we still had that thing it would sure be worth alot. I wonder what it sounded like? Probably like a gentle hum.

 

[Abel007]

1993 MB SEL - Not entirely sure thats what you were after but it is a V12! Its sitting in the parking lot right now. Damn gas guzzler.

 

[RichUK]

I?ve been a passenger in a BMW 760IL (6L V12).

 

[GTaudiophile]

Yes, Mercedes CL600.

 

[RbSX]

I've driven a few

 

[secretanchitman]

driven an E55 AMG...5.5L supercharged V8 with either 469HP or 500HP (dont remember)...damn that thing was freaking FAST.

 

[dug777]

I saw a young chick in a red 850 yesterday, looked immaculate but I'd hate to think what the maintenance costs are like...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: BlackTigers
I've sat shotgun in a Viper SRT-10 for a strip run and some fun in a parking lot, but never have I driven it.

I'd die hahah.

That's not a V12.

No way!

I was just stating the largest I've ridden in.

Thank you for answering a question nobody asked.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: SearchMaster
I've ridden in an older Jag V12 but never driven one.

Still love those old XJS's.

Me too. It was owned by my boss. He offered to let me drive it, but I turned it down.

You didn't miss much. Those cars were heavy, underpowered (by today's standards) and horribly unreliable. They are nice touring cars and very comfortable but the high cost of ownership and the unreliability far far outweigh any of the positives.

My Mom-In-Law had an XJ6 and I worked for a guy who had an XJS with the V12. Both were horribly unreliable and cost their owners many many thousands of dollars every year in maintenance and upkeep.