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Motor Trend compares four "S" Class challengers

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Old 01-29-2018, 05:07 PM
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Motor Trend compares four "S" Class challengers

The March Motor Trend has an article on four cars that challenge the M-B "S" Class. I know this is "E" Class forum, but still interesting. They compared BMW 7, Lexus LS, Lincoln Continental and Genesis G90 and used the top models in each. G90 won.
The implication for M-B is that MT promises a comparison later between G90 and M-B "S" Of course M-B "S" ranges in price from $80,000 to almost $200,000.
Many of the factors in play are applicable to all M-B vehicles: cost to own; safety features without expensive options; reliability; actual ride comfort; features; infotainment systems; etc.
It was a good article and fairly fair comparison.
Old 01-29-2018, 05:14 PM
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link to MT comparo
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Old 01-29-2018, 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by El Cid
The March Motor Trend has an article on four cars that challenge the M-B "S" Class. I know this is "E" Class forum, but still interesting. They compared BMW 7, Lexus LS, Lincoln Continental and Genesis G90 and used the top models in each. G90 won.
The implication for M-B is that MT promises a comparison later between G90 and M-B "S" Of course M-B "S" ranges in price from $80,000 to almost $200,000.
Many of the factors in play are applicable to all M-B vehicles: cost to own; safety features without expensive options; reliability; actual ride comfort; features; infotainment systems; etc.
It was a good article and fairly fair comparison.
I love my G90. Bought it 2 months ago and I drive it most of the week. Everything works flawlessly.
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Old 01-30-2018, 12:07 AM
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Can't stand the front ends on the new Lexus models. Grill looks obscene. Plus I can get a 2 year old S Class with under 15K miles for around 70K that will smoke any of these posers in performance and comfort. Stuttgart has it down cold when it comes to big bruiser sedans.
Old 01-30-2018, 09:38 AM
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OK so MT writes an article about 4 cars that COULD challenge the S-class WITHOUT actually challenging the S-class.
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Old 01-30-2018, 11:01 AM
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I feel vindicated! Some of you may have read my review of the G90 5.0 V8 model that I posted a few months ago, after having it for an extended test drive. I raved about the car, but as expected, many here poo-pooed it. After reading this article, I am reminded of all the good in the G90. No, it’s not an S Class. Yes, Wolf, it is “less for less,” but I feel it is only somewhat less for WAY less. I am thrilled that the G90 was built, as it is cars like this that kick the established brands in the *** and get them looking in their rear view mirror. The G90 is a magnificent car, built by a company that recognizes what a big, luxury sedan should be: comfortable, silent, elegant and NOT sporty.
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Old 01-30-2018, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by rediesel
OK so MT writes an article about 4 cars that COULD challenge the S-class WITHOUT actually challenging the S-class.
As I said, they compared four challengers to the "S" and plan to compare the G90 to the "S" in the future.
Old 01-30-2018, 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Streamliner
I am thrilled that the G90 was built, as it is cars like this that kick the established brands in the *** and get them looking in their rear view mirror.
imo, MB will feel its *** has been kicked only if the G90 proves to be a sales success. I haven't seen numbers but my guess is that in unit terms it may not have made much of a splash, at least not yet.

Last edited by syswei; 01-30-2018 at 06:11 PM.
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Old 01-30-2018, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by syswei
imo, MB will feel its *** has been kicked only if the G90 proves to be a sales success. I haven't seen numbers but my guess is that in unit terms it may not have made much of a splash, at least not yet.
2017 G90 4400 S Class 15900
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Old 01-30-2018, 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by syswei
imo, MB will feel its *** has been kicked only if the G90 proves to be a sales success. I haven't seen numbers but my guess is that in unit terms it may not have made much of a splash, at least not yet.
S Class sales have been dropping since 2014, 10,000 fewer in 2017 than 2014.
Genesis sold 3,498 in 2017 (1st year on market) and S sold 15,888. While 3,498 may not sound like much, that is a new car for a new make that barely has their dealer network sorted out.
Nobody said Genesis was going to kick M-B's ***, only that it was rated better than the other four "challengers" in the MT comparison. However, it will be studied by the people in Atlanta and Stuttgart.

http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales...-benz-s-class/
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Old 01-30-2018, 10:51 PM
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Looks like a good discount on a leftover 2017

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=461462594&zip=45223 &referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D45223%26startYe ar%3D1981%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceASC%26incremental %3Dall%26firstRecord%3D0%26endYear%3D2019%26modelC odeList%3DGENG90%26makeCodeList%3DGENESIS%26search Radius%3D0&startYear=1981&numRecords=25&firstRecor d=0&endYear=2019&modelCodeList=GENG90&makeCodeList =GENESIS&searchRadius=0&makeCode1=GENESIS&modelCod e1=GENG90

Last edited by MBNUT1; 01-30-2018 at 10:55 PM.
Old 01-31-2018, 08:15 AM
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Looks as if Genesis creators agree with MB that buyers of higher end cars only want boring interior and exterior colors. Most listings are black, silver and gray.
Old 01-31-2018, 12:32 PM
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Even though we knew this was coming, this is an interesting article: https://www.thecarconnection.com/new...wn-dealerships
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Old 01-31-2018, 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
Looks as if Genesis creators agree with MB that buyers of higher end cars only want boring interior and exterior colors. Most listings are black, silver and gray.
Well, in many ways, you can’t blame them from not wanting to reinvent the wheel. However, I personally like some of the Genesis colors more than those on the W222. But, give Genesis time. Unlike MB, the Asians tend to LISTEN to their customers and respond to their desires and criticisms.

Last edited by Streamliner; 01-31-2018 at 02:34 PM.
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Old 01-31-2018, 12:41 PM
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Old 01-31-2018, 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Streamliner
Even though we knew this was coming, this is an interesting article: https://www.thecarconnection.com/new...wn-dealerships
Not sure when, but the Genesis dealership network has been up for several months now. The problem is there are too few of them presently. In this area of the several Hyundai dealerships, only one has been willing to also set up a stand alone Genesis facility. Per website, it is co-located with their Hyundai dealership. As of now, you can still purchase a G80, but not G90, at a Hyundai dealership and they are supposed to have the luxury experience, but not sure how that will work.
Another problem is that all the valet service, car exchange, etc. ends after three years. So then you would have to take your G90 to an actual Genesis dealership.
Personally, not sure I want a driver to drive my car 50 miles mostly on a very crowded interstate to get it serviced and then drive it back 50 miles to me. Then after 3 years, I have to get it there myself.

I'm sure Genesis will get it worked out. They seem to be pretty good about executing their plans and doing their homework.
Old 01-31-2018, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by MBNUT1
2017 G90 4400 S Class 15900
Originally Posted by El Cid
S Class sales have been dropping since 2014, 10,000 fewer in 2017 than 2014.
Genesis sold 3,498 in 2017 (1st year on market) and S sold 15,888. While 3,498 may not sound like much, that is a new car for a new make that barely has their dealer network sorted out.
Nobody said Genesis was going to kick M-B's ***, only that it was rated better than the other four "challengers" in the MT comparison. However, it will be studied by the people in Atlanta and Stuttgart.
http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales...-benz-s-class/
Thanks both of you for the numbers. I agree that 3500-4400 is a very respectable number, and perhaps Stuttgart will take notice. One way that I hope they WON'T respond would be emulating Genesis when it comes to limiting customer choice. That is one way that Genesis' costs are be kept down, after all. Some of us complain about MB's lack of choices, but the G90 takes this to an extreme, for this price point...7 exterior choices, 2 interior choices, and no choice at all when it comes to wheels. Let us hope that MB doesn't "learn" anything from Genesis on that score.

Originally Posted by El Cid
S Class sales have been dropping since 2014, 10,000 fewer in 2017 than 2014...
http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales...-benz-s-class/
That has a lot to do with the product cycle, and I don't think is a sign that S-Class sales are in trouble in any sense. A better read on the long term trend would be 2014 vs 2007, or 2014 vs the first year of the W223, whenever that is. 2014 vs 2007 is down -3%, but without gathering industry numbers, my guess this has more to do with SUV vs sedan popularity than market share loss within large lux sedans.
Old 02-01-2018, 06:32 PM
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Hopefully I won't suffer the same fate I did with the Volkswagen W12 Phaeton back in 2004. They only sold 2500 of them in 3 years, then it flopped in America. Other parts of the world , the Phaeton is doing OK.
Old 02-01-2018, 07:39 PM
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Just to reiterate from prior threads related to the Genesis, I think the car is a fine car, competent and represents a very good value. The styling is conservative with many "European design elements" unlike the Lexus which now looks just like any other Asian model (plus the offensive looking grill). That's a good thing.

That said, the car simply isn't equal to an S-Class, doesn't have the quality, technology, brand and also the support network. I also prefer the safety record of Mercedes because I trust German cars more for their crash safety. That is a priceless attribute IMO.
The Lexus comparison of the 1980's is being brought up time and again but it simply doesn't apply anymore. If the German are slow, it has been on the EV side, nothing else.
Sorry Stream, for me it is still less for less. That that doesn't mean its a bad thing though. It still means good value.
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Old 02-12-2018, 09:22 PM
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Sat in the G90 at our local car show and thought it was a very nice car. I could see why somebody would buy one given the price and the likelihood of significantly lower maintenance costs relative to the S Class. My problem would be if I owned one every time I saw an S class.....
Old 02-13-2018, 08:12 AM
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You'll waste your money either way you go.
Old 02-13-2018, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by hyperion667
You'll waste your money either way you go.
Ah, that’s not how one should look at it. My father would have looked at it like that. To him, a car got you from point A to point B, period. To me, (and probably you, Hype) cars are a form of entertainment and enjoyment. If I can’t motor from A to B in a car I like, that’s no fun! I feel that these amazingly safe, fast, beautiful and comfortable cars are an investment in the safety of myself and my family, a decadant gift to my senses, along with a perk for my decades of hard work. A waste of money? Maybe to some folks, but not to me.
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Old 02-13-2018, 12:03 PM
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Hyperion confused me

Originally Posted by Streamliner


Ah, that’s not how one should look at it. My father would have looked at it like that. To him, a car got you from point A to point B, period. To me, (and probably you, Hype) cars are a form of entertainment and enjoyment. If I can’t motor from A to B in a car I like, that’s no fun! I feel that these amazingly safe, fast, beautiful and comfortable cars are an investment in the safety of myself and my family, a decadant gift to my senses, along with a perk for my decades of hard work. A waste of money? Maybe to some folks, but not to me.
Hyperion's response confused me so much I didn't even respond.
However, I agree with you that it primarily is about what pleases us and makes us happy as we drive along.
For some people,driving a car with a star or roundel or L on the front makes them feel better. Personally I think that is a part of all luxury car purchases. To follow up on MBNUT's comment, in 2009 I spent about six months studying and test driving "luxury" sedans. But, when I was driving my very nice medium-price car, every time I saw an M-B, BMW, Lexus, Acura, etc., I thought: Hey, I can drive a car in that class also. That's why I got an M-B "E" Class. Looked at "S", but a little too pricey for me. Ironically, I came close to getting a Lexus LS, but the E was a better fit.
For others, knowing they got a good deal or got a really good car for less money will please them as much.
Happy Motoring!
Old 02-13-2018, 12:58 PM
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Yes, I mostly agree with you, but lately, as I age, (hehe) I have been reconsidering these luxuries we enjoy......it's wearing thin on me, and I'd like my money more than fancy cars It will be tough to trade my S, but I'll feel better when it's done.......I do want to keep driving my AMG however: for the reasons you mentioned Stream
Old 02-13-2018, 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by hyperion667
Yes, I mostly agree with you, but lately, as I age, (hehe) I have been reconsidering these luxuries we enjoy......it's wearing thin on me, and I'd like my money more than fancy cars It will be tough to trade my S, but I'll feel better when it's done.......I do want to keep driving my AMG however: for the reasons you mentioned Stream

So with all that saved money from not buying high end cars what will you then turn around and spend the money on? Unless you plan to hide it under the mattress all day?


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