xxGenericSNxx

On the MBUSA site I can get the S63 over $200K. You have to make sure you select the most expensive interior upholstery, carbon ceramic brakes, exterior carbon fiber, Burmester High End, all the rear seat packages, etc. as those are the highest dollar options. But you can definitely get the S63 up there. $174 is slightly over halfway there from base.

F1BHP

The 600 does not have 4 wheel drive due to the size of the v12. This would lead me to think that the v12 will not be around much longer as they are not developing chassis to handle all the options.

I love the v12 however i don't think that it is a good new purchase as the depreciation hit is huge. Buy a low mileage second hand s600 and enjoy.

pmb600

Chris,

For what it's worth, I have had the opportunity to drive both 222 S63 and S600 for extended periods. Go with the 600 100%. The 63 is nice, but the MCT transmission will get tiresome after a while especially if you are coming from the silky smooth V12. The 4MATIC in the S63 also adds a certain amount of shudder is the only way I can describe it. Nothing beats the V12 for comfort and insane understated power and torque. The ride quality is also a lot better in the 600 vs the 63.

cjf_moraga

Thanks for sharing your experience! I am now pretty much with you in thinking that I will go with another S600. It is just so refined. The difference when I drove both back to back was quite notable and I am pretty sure I would miss it once the novelty of the S63's acceleration wears off. The S600 is even a bit "cheaper"! (Well a few thousand anyway)

One brief doubt is whether the S600 will be even more heavily deprecated by the S600-Maybach, but that latter seems a heavier and slower vehicle, more oriented to being driven in than driving. I still like to drive my S600 and do not want to lose any performance.

Chris

usctrojans1

Chris,
I think you will have made a wise decision to go for the S600. You will love the quiet refined elegance of a V12!

MBZSW221

I would like a new 63 but I just don't understand why the 63 does not have MBC or RWD. I would however get a 550 with 20in 5 spoke S63 Rims.

Mitch Alsup

MBC because the 4-Matic takes up the room where that system would reside.
RWD because MB wants to sell a lot more 4-Matics than they have been selling (thus removing it from the options list).

MBZSW221

Do RWD S63s have MBC?

Wolfman

Coupe yes, Sedan S63 RWD doesn't exist...

Wolfman

There is no technical reason or due to the lack of space. We know that because the coupe has both options while the sedan doesn't.

I believe this is strictly marketing, matching customer interests and sports sedans like this are used for bragging rights by the manufacturers.

With the Panamera and Audi S8 in AWD, the S AMG in RWD simply can't match the performance.

xxGenericSNxx

MBC and 4matic cannot be ordered together on any car.

Unless I'm missing something I don't see MBC as an option for the S550 or S63 coupe (in the US).

jenz

This is correct. There was an article that is consistent with what another person wrote about how both cannot physically fit, i.e. on the S550, you can spec MBC or 4m but not both. I suspect maybe by the next redesign, you'll see it integrated.

xxGenericSNxx

I'm not that optimistic. ABC hydraulically controlled suspension has never been compatible with 4matic cars dating back to the W220 S-Class. I wouldn't hold my breath that the W223 would have both either.

Wolfman

Please read the question to my response first. The question was why the S63 was not available with RWD and MBC, not MBC and 4matic...

I simply stated that the S63 coupe is available in RWD/MBC while the sedan is not...

Mitch Alsup

A) there could be a packaging/space issue preventing both options at the same time
B) there could be a marketing issue preventing both from being available at the same time

My bet is on A.

Wolfman

Just to make sure that you are referring to the S63 sedan not being available anywhere with RWD and MBC...

It is B. Marketing. IMO Mercedes needed a flagship sedan pulling sub 4 seconds... The S65 couldn't...

The reason why it's not a technical issue is that the coupe's engine bay is the same size as the sedan and all components fit.

Mitch Alsup

Specifically, I was talking about MBC not being available with 4-Matic,
Rather than talking about 4-Matic being forced on V8 buyers,
Or 4-Matic not being available on V12 cars.

Wolfman

Got it. ABC/MBC was never available with 4 matic, AMG or not and never will... Assuming it's a space issue as well. 4matic will never be available with a V12 either. Space is a show stopper. I had to had the engine pulled just to replace motor mounts. Plus torque will be an issue and the manufacturing numbers will be so low that development costs could not be recouped...

cjf_moraga

OP back. I actually test drove the S63 one more time today (and for an extended period over a variety of smooth and bump and curvy familiar roads) just to "get it out of my system".. and I have. The engine/transmission felt a little lumpy at times when changing down or at low speed. (Probably the "shudder" another poster reported) The Comfort setting also still felt pretty firm and it is a bit noisier in the cabin than in my S600. What above all I realized was that I was constantly switching suspension settings back and forth from S to C to see what was most agreeable which really shows where my inclinations lie. (C) It's still super nice though!

So now onto ordering an S600.

Choice of interior colors is pretty limited. The porcelain/black and silk/beige two tone combinations are really attractive, but not convinced I can keep such light seat leather clean for the 7-years or so I will probably own this vehicle. (Until the W223) The seats are either very light or black with not much in the middle except nut brown that I am not keen on, and deep sea blue which looks weird to my senses.. Look like I will probably end up with a black interior. (again) Exterior either Silver or perhaps Palladium Silver.

The price of a standard S600 is $166,900 and I am considering the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus at $1,950. That takes me to around $168,850. Not much else I actually want or need. I asked what actual price the dealer would sell it for. (I have bought an S600 and E55 from this dealer before and would appreciate a gesture) I received a "this is a "pull car" sold at MSRP response. (It seems a 5-month wait which will probably make it a MY16) I asked whether they would throw in a 7-year extended warranty and they seemed willing to discuss that if we come to terms. As that is I believe around $7K in value and I would not buy this car without one anyway, that seems a reasonable gesture. Any opinions on what purchase price I should aim for?

Chris

Red Marko

Congratulation on your new 600! Right decision, imo.

I'm surprised that the dealer doesn't want to play numbers with you. Especially that you purchased 3 cars from them. I bought 4 cars from mine and the 1st one I have to admit I paid sticker, the rest ... invoice.
Maybe it's the time to switch dealers?

jenz

...

thomas311

When I ordered my S600 back in July it was a "pull car" as well and I ordered it without any additional options (the executive packaged basically only adds the folding tables at the cost of losing a potential middle seat in case you end up being 5 in the car). I also skipped the fridge as I really don't have a need for it.
Bottom line: i told him that I'm signing for 160K plus 3 years service included right away (I simply don't pay MSRP - period). He came back with 160K without the services included and we closed the deal.

Regarding color: I have obsidian black with, black interior with walnut and it looks great. I think especially at night with the interior LED lighting, black is an excellent choice.
In case you are not audiophile like I: my dealer offered me to take the extended Burmester system out. I wanted it, so I kept it, but it sure sounds you could remove it for the standard Burmester if you wanted to.

thomas311

And regarding the wait: I had to wait 3 months from order to delivery.

absent

I had the 65 before, would love one as my new DD but unfortunately in Chicago all that power is mostly for bragging rights.
Poor quality surfaces, snow, ice or just dirt and other debris kill the traction so much that it makes all that torque completely useless.
Had 2015 S63 rental in LA for a week, no issues at all with the smoothness of the transmission.
Tune it with Renntech and have all I need, ALWAYS accessible performance and comfort adequate for me (better then another AWD in that size, Bentley FS).
600/65 may ride a bit better and smoother but in this weather a Civic will blow their doors off at lights.

jenz

I'd agree depends on where you live. If you need AWD, then there's no choice. If the roads were perfect and no bad weather, I think everyone would chose the 600 with maybe sportier styling.