LovinMercedes

I actually hadn't even thought about that. I may be able to get that since I am doing a custom order and I am still in B0 status.

Does anyone have a picture of the 71U Black Nappa Leather headliner? Is this an upgrade or just a different look than the 61U Black Dinamica headliner?

aypues

why not just go S600 given all the options? yours will probably be like 160k with the designo interior. how much is the S600, like 165k?

LovinMercedes

I was thinking about that but decided against it for these reasons:

1. I now live in the city and the added power does me no good. I drive my friends S65 at times and his power is actually a problem in the city. Just too hot off the line. I realize the S600 does not have this problem because the torque comes at the higher RPM's but still, just don't need the power in the city. For the times I go on highways the S550 has plenty of power.

2. The standard interior of the S600 is no different than the Exclusive Nappa in the S550. The only difference is that it is an option on the S550 and standard on the S600. The Semi-Aniline interiors are options on both the S550 and the S600.

3. My custom interior would still be a custom interior in the S600 as well so it would still be an extra cost.

4. Other than the engine and badging, the cars in the end are the same from a luxury point of view as long as you get all the upgrades in the S550. This was not the case before 2014 but it is the case now.

Thus, given I don't need the power of the S600, why not save the money.

In my younger years my ego would have put me in the S600, but I've grown a little since then.

Wolfman

Just checked into this and couldn't find any pics in black, but here are a couple in a light leather. Definitely a nice upgrade over the Dynamica ultra suede and probably not that expensive.

It appears that it's not an available option for the S600, but standard for the S65. This may be different once available in the US but since you are ordering the custom interior, the rules don't apply anyway.

You might want to consider doing the headliner in auburn brown instead of black. With this rich brown leather I think if would step up the whole interior

LovinMercedes

Not happening on the U71 Black Nappa Leather headliner. MB said this is solely for the S65 and it is the differentiating point in the interior and I am not able to get it.

On another note, MB came back to me with more options on the interior leather layout and where I could put the custom colors.

Suffice it to say the earlier pictures posted will not be what my car looks like. I have made changes to the standard Exclusive Nappa leather layout and have gone to a different layout pattern on the doors, seats and center console that does not look like any of the interiors options on any of the S class models. I was happy to be able to accomplish that.

I am really happy with where we are and hope my car comes soon... not soon enough... I am sure.

LovinMercedes

Been negotiating with the Mrs. for the 399 - Executive Rear Seat Package PLUS.

It has been about a month now but I am happy to report I have been successful.

Have sent in the request to update my order. Don't have much time left as status changed yesterday to B1.

AppleFan1

Awesome that the wife came around on your rear seat package. The wait is SO annoying for this car. For me, the 2 and a half months felt like 2 and a half years.

Terminator2029

The worst part of life is waiting. The best part of life is having someone/something worth waiting for.

AppleFan1

You got that right!

jrpisha

I just placed an order for my S550 this afternoon. Not going to be as dressed up as LovinMercedes' car, but it should be super sweet all the same.

I appreciate the battling you guys have done here & with MBCorporate regarding the run-flats. I ordered the Sport Package with the 20 AMG multi-spoke alloys & armed with the research and what you guys have uncovered, I'm way ahead of the dealer on the run flat nonsense.

Mine will be a 2015. The 2015 pricing is just starting to filter into their ordering system, but the dealer is telling me there's a 1.5% increase in base price & no price increase on the options.

They're telling me a June build date, but they'll know more in May. Let the waiting begin...

John

LovinMercedes

I am sure your car will be gorgeous. What colors did you get?

Good luck with the wait. Not a fun thing and I've been doing it for a long time over the years and kinda gotten over it, but this one has me hooked again.

jrpisha

My exterior will be Iridium Silver Metallic, and interior will be the black nappa leather. One of my favorite color combos.

I agree with your hooked comment. I had already test-driven everything else in this class. I was ready to leave my current marque and, while I liked the look & feel of the new S class, I wasn't willing to ante up before I was able to drive one. Our MB dealers here don't have an S class inventory - everything is sold before they arrive on their lots. My dealer worked out a test drive & set it up for yesterday. My wife and I both had an opportunity to drive for a while. Our SalesPerson was very knowledgeable, kept up a talk-track outlining the technology & handled our questions as we asked them. I'm coming from a BMW 5 series with a sports suspension & tires and was concerned that the S class ride might be overly soft, disconnectd from the road - even "floaty". Not the case at all ! Combine that all with a warm sunny day... hook set !

Yeah, the waiting will be difficult. But, it does give me time to try and sell my trade-in outright.

Here's a question for you. You've ordered the Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound System. I had that checked on my configuration sheet, but my salesperson talked me out of it. Have you had a chance to listen to both the standard sound system and the 3D surround system? Curious on your impressions of both.

John

LovinMercedes

I actually have not heard the new Burmester High-End 3D so I am unable to give you my opinion on that.

I did however listen the the standard Burmester system and I can assure you, IMO, that system is far superior than previous standard systems. Frankly, when they demonstrated the standard system, I was amazed it was not the High-End system.

jrpisha

I agree. I've had a demo of the standard Burmeister system also & it was in the S550 we had a chance to drive around. I thought it was fantastic; plenty of fidelity for me.

LovinMercedes

Reading everything about the run flats I have been giving considerable consideration to the tires and wheels. Looking at the DOG and the wheel possibilities I was starting to really like the look of the 793 19 inch 5-spoke so I took off to the dealer to look at this wheel and the 769 20 inch multi-spoke which is what I have specified on my car.

I am glad I did because IMO, in person, there is no comparison. The 20 inch multi-spoke is much better looking in person than in the pictures. The turbine look this wheel has is absolutely gorgeous and it is by far the better looking wheel, of course, in my opinion only.

Now, for the next topic since I know I am getting the 20 inch. What to do with the run flats. I test drove the car and I must admit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be from the posts on this forum but... it wasn't great. The only thing I could compare it to was my existing W221 and I could tell the difference.

So I started thinking, in addition to the tire repair kit, could I use the existing donut that I have in my present car as a spare. I was told the offsets are not the same so, no. So I continued my thought pattern as I normally do and what came to my mind is whether or not one could have a donut custom made to fit this car. Has anyone thought about that? Is that even possible? Would anyone be interested?

Your feedback would be appreciated.

xxGenericSNxx

Wow that is so cool that you're doing a custom interior. Might I ask how you were able to go about doing that? I'm looking into a S212 build and would like to do some custom order elements if it's possible. I know it's no W222 in terms of choices but it doesn't hurt to try.

Also, they're finally offering designo paints for the 222 as part of the regular order?

LovinMercedes

I have been looking at the S class since they came out in 2014 waiting for the designo line-up from the W221 to come out.

That never happened. They changed their philosophy because the Exclusive Nappa Leather option is so much like the previous designo.

I contacted my dealer and he set things up with MB to be able to work out the custom interior.

Good luck.

LovinMercedes

Off to the dealer today to try to find an answer to my donut question.

I want to replace the run flats but the tire kit isn't making me feel comfortable.

My PA said there is a 20 inch donut listed under the 2014 S class. Part number 222 400 0700. It is listed as a spare wheel with a tire size of 185 55 20 which is a donut size.

He is checking to see if it is compatible with the 769 wheel.

Anyone have any information on this wheel and tire.

jrpisha

I'll be facing this same issue. Have you heard anything back from your dealer on this yet?

LovinMercedes

Nothing easy. First, you may need special permission to order this wheel. Still checking on that.

The second question that needs to be answered is that since this is a wheel for the AMG models because those cars do not come with run flats, do the 20 inch AMG wheels for the 550 have the same bolt pattern and offsets as the AMG 20 inch wheels.

I realize the 550 has the AMG wheels but if you look at the DOG, the 20 inch wheels that come with the S63's or S65's are not the same wheels.

Does anyone know if the S63 20 inches wheels and the S550 20 inch wheel have the same bolt pattern and offset. The bolt pattern looks the same but the question would be the offsets.

Simply put, are the S63 and S550 20 inch wheels interchangeable between the cars.

xxGenericSNxx

MB passenger cars (save G Wagen) all have the same bolt pattern. The offset I wouldn't worry about. There's no dramatic difference between an S AMG and regular S that would warrant a much different offset. People change their non AMG cars to the AMG spec rims all the time (and I don't just mean sport package but AMG rims made for AMG cars).

I would pull up the ET (offset spec) for you but the 222 is too new for my source to have it up. But take a look at this website and it shows you all wheels made for all Benzes and their offsets: http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mercedes_alloy_wheels You can see how similar the AMG wheels are compared to standard ones.

One reason that AMGs have different spare tires than standard cars is because of the large AMG brakes on the front wheels. They require a 19" rim to clear the caliper whereas standard cars can use a smaller wheel due to the smaller braking system.

jrpisha

I agree, most all MB wheels have a 5x112 bolt pattern. Most likely the offset for the AMG wheel is different, but should work fine as a temporary spare.

Do you have any idea of the cost of the AMG spare?

On the same topic, what are you going to do for a car jack?

I’ve downloaded the owner’s manual for the 2014 S550 & have been reading through it to learn about the car; assuming that my 2015 will be pretty much the same vehicle.

I was reading the Breakdown Assistance section last night. That section describes two different tool kits that can come with the car (page 364); either the TIREFIT kit or a more extensive tool kit that comes with AMG vehicles.

I’m assuming my 2015 S550 4MATIC will come with the basic TIREFIT kit. I've asked my salesperson whether I can change out the basic kit and add the AMG Vehicle kit (includes everything in the TIREFIT kit plus a car jack, lug wrench & a few other tools) to my build. Not sure of the price - but I'll post when I find out...

MTrauman

My '14 S550 4matic did not come with the TIREFIT Kit. The 550 with runflats do not come with a jack or the TIREFIT Kit. You would have to buy this on your own. I assume the '15 is the same. The reference to AMG is the S63/S65 cars I believe not the S550 Sport Package model.

jrpisha

Interesting - thanks for the info. I assumed that my 2015 S550 4MATIC would come with some form of a tool kit - at the very least a jack & a lug wrench. I did drive a 2014 S550 before I placed my order - and looked in every nook & cranny of it - but I never thought to look in the trunk for a tool kit and/or jack - or ask my salesperson if the car had one. Live & learn, right?

I ordered my 2015 S550 4MATIC with sport package one and the 20" AMG wheels/tires. I negotiated a deal with my salesperson for non-runflat tires to be installed by the dealer before I take delivery. If at all possible, I'd love to have a space-saver spare and a lug wrench / car jack - for that hope-to-never-happen flat tire in the middle of no-where scenario...

LovinMercedes

I heard back from my PA who has been in contact with MBUSA and they have stated that they will not sell the space-saver spare to anyone whose car did not originally come with that spare.

So much for that idea.

I wonder if I take out the refrigerator, with the 3D sound system, will a extra full spare fit. This would help for the long trips through "nowhereland."