Karma

Hi guys,

I just wanted to know which one you would go for. Why and/or why not? Thanks!

Karma

Caliz_Finest

AMG cause of the AMG rims, suspension, exhaust, seats, etc...

Karma

Caliz_Finest,

Is it safe to say that you prefer performance over luxury? It's the main difference that I felt when test driving both. I mean both cars are super luxurious and powerful but the S55 was more rugged and more "felt." I'm personally leaning more towards the S600 but I'd like to hear more opinions.

Karma

Paul Le Corre

The S600.
It keeps its value better than the S55. AMG have big depreciation in general.

awiner

I don't agree, at least here in the United States. AMG's have historically held their value better compared to their counterparts. I am very familiar with the CL-Class obviously. The 2001 - 2002 CL55's have been selling for well over $10,000 more than a comparably equipped 2001-2002 CL600.

Paul Le Corre

Perhaps that US has a different market.
I don't know where Karma is located, that's why I spoke from what I see in Europe (there's a big difference in France, England and other country for example..)

Karma

Oh I'm from Northern California (just added that in my profile).

Speaking of AMG, will the S55 remain the "flagship" of the AMG class or will there be another one? I read something about a 12 cylinder version. Can anyone confirm this?

Karma

hmrdwn

Personally, I would much prefer the new S600 with the twin turbo 12 cylinder engine with ALL the options including the sport package with AMG rims and body fairings. I don't think it will have any trouble holding its value for quite a few years to come.

And it will surpass or match all AMGs sold in North America, especially if you chip it like Treynor did.

Taurian

Karma,

This is a crazy thread! The S55 and S600 are in different galaxies! I saw another 2003 S55 in black yesterday (Long Island, a haven for MB) and it is awesome. The car is bold, has mega *****, and is very aggressive. The S600 is more refined, very plush, and powerful.

If you want luxury/power go for the S600. If you want a high performance sedan, the S55 is for you.

Are you buying or leasing?

MercManiac

Comparing the current versions of the 55 and 600........the 600 is a much faster car in all realms 0-60, 1/4 mile etc.....even without RennTech chip. If you read Treynor posts you'll see emperical data for both 600 configurations with and without RennTech chip. The RennTech chip just brings the 600 engine back to MayBach specs.......with upgrade you keep the engine warranty.

ABC suspension is standard on both (which accounts for 98% of all handling characteristics). The AMG is marketed as having stiffer thicker sway bars than a regular S....but what they don't tell you is that the 600 has the sportier sway bars also...it's just not mentioned in US literature. You can order 600 with standard wheels that are staggered at no extra cost.....exact same size as AMG wheels on 55. The 55 does have "padles" on steering wheel....hooked to exact same trans as 600 which can be shifted just as efficiently on stick.

In Germany the 600 stands for the "Flagship" the fastest and most luxurious sedan produced. In America, MBUSA tries to differentiate by making the 55 sound sportier.......but in reality the 600 is the "Beast".

Karma

MercManiac,

Thanks for the great information. I honestly thought that though the S600 has more power/torque, it's actually slower and performs poorer because of its extra weight. I also thought that it had inferior performance parts. I'll keep all this in mind.


"DJ" Taurian,

You're right, the S600 is more refined, very plush, and powerful. Though I did notice that it was a tad heavier. I've always favored the S600 but the S55 was so fun to drive.

I still have a couple weeks before making my decision so I hope there'll be more opinions.

Karma

P.S. Taurian, do you spin?

P.P.S. I will be buying.

Taurian

Karma,

Yes, I spin. Great stress reliever. I ask if your buying or leasing because if your buying, resale MAY be a factor. But my opinion is that those who are buying these cars don't care as much about a $10 difference in any direction.

I LOVE the new S55, it is just a bad bad bad car. Nasty. I was going to lease a used 2002 S55, but chose to get a new 2003 S500 instead. I didn't feel at the end of the day I needed the extra horses in a sedan. And, as I drive a lot, I wanted a plush ride, so I didn't opt for the sport package or new rims. But, everyone is different. Good luck no matter what you choose. I don't see either car being a bad choice. My vote? S55. Love the rims, love the shift buttons, love the chicks.

Taurian

benznut

If you want a fun-to-drive car, then should not go with the S55, but rather with the SL55. Frankly, the S55 AMG does not make that much sense to me, because it does not stand too much for what the Ses regularly stand for. Especially, the interior is lacking, compared to the S600 at least. No leather dash or wood steering wheel (makes the interior look very cold and plain). Plus, for all the sport seats that you get, and the quad echaust, the S600 has got it beat in every performance aspect. As for suspesion and the like, none of them are Porsche 911s, and comfort does make more sense, since you will not be cornering all day with a S55.
I say go for the 600, as it is the most suitable trim for the S. It looks like the S55 won't be the flagship for longer, since the S65 is going to be introduced soon - and do not bother putting your name on the list for that one, because it is likely to cost around $200Gs, and it is going to be very rare, not to mention there is a very slim chance that it will make it at the states.

Karma

Are you saying that an S500 is more comfortable than an S55 AMG? Also, are you saying that the Sports Package and new rims make the ride more harsh? It's obvious that an S600 is more comfortable but an S500? Maybe I'll test drive one of those as well...

By the way, what do you spin?

Karma

Taurian

Karma,

I agree 100% with Benznut. Re-read his statement, it makes sense. When you add low profile tires, it makes a major, not minor impact on the suspension. Test drive both if possible, you will see the difference.

I am buying the S for the luxury, the quality, and the feel. Now, the S600 has ABC standard, the S500 does not. My feeling: If you have to have it, get it. But, I feel the S500 is good enough. Here is the extra's in the 600:

Xtra horses
ABC
more wood
4 zone climate control (how often do you need?)
Power rear seats
Parktronic (A must to me!)
Motorola phone

Now, you can add all those options (except the horses) to the S500. Why you need power read seats and 4 zone climate is a wonder, as the climate system automatically notices who is in the car by which seatbelts are connected, and sends fresh air to that seat. I added the wood package, Parktronic, Multicontour seats and phone to my S500. I don't see the need for Dynamic seats. Are you driving on the track?

Again, this is all my opinion, and it's just that.

Good luck,

Taurian

PS - Trance, House, Progressive. check out www.masterbeat.com. Great CD's.

MercManiac

One admission I will make as an S600 owner. The Airmatic on the 430 and 500 is much more comfortable than the ABC....even with the ABC sport mode turned off....the ride of the 430 and 500 is much smoother. The early write ups when new S was first released, raved about the smoothest ride (airmatic equipped models) they ever experienced in a car.....period.

BTW, you can order the light colored Designo edtion in S500 and it has the exact same interior in every aspect as the 600.

Taurian

Merc,

Designo is HOT. I saw the graphite S500, wow. What a car.

The reason I chose not to add the sport package was to take full advantage of the ride and feel of the Airmatic. Again, I spend so much time in the car, I want to drive my couch.

As a S600 owner, if you had to buy a new car tomorrow, and your choice was a S500, S600, or S55...what would you choose?

MercManiac

My personal taste is to always go for the S600. The feel, sound and torque of the V12 just can't be matched. Plus, the interior is just awesome. The blending of luxury and ability now to beat out anything that Porsche, Laborghini, BMW, Aston Martin, Viper, Ferrari, etc. in a 0-60 sprint is just too awesome of a combination (new twin turbo 600 with RennTech ECU) does 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. Also, with RennTech ECU upgrade the limiter is taken off and top end speed attainable is around 230mph....but I'd never try that given there's no tire that can handle the speed 100% safely for sure on such a heavy car. Now, that being said, the 600 is not the ultimate car for the "twisties" that is the realm for true sports cars.

When I want to "run" in the mountains I take my Z8 BMW.

lorinsertuned

i would take the S55 AMG no questions for multiple reasons. the s600 is the big daddy of mercedes but is almost 20grand more than the amg. its got a detuned maybach engine but the AMG still outperforms it. the AMG has got the f-1 style gear shifters behind the steering wheel and i think youll enjoy it more. thats just my opinion.

benznut

you also get about 20Gs worth of aditional material, features, and specs (that added torque certainly speaks for itself).
I am not sure the engine is completely detuned. If you read the posts from Treynor elsewhere in this forum, you will see that the V12TT are underrated by a significant margin, and generally more potent than the supercharged V8.
Paddleshifts don't necessarily represent an advantage point. MB is soon going to introduce a 7 speed which will be introduced on all MB's (save for the AMG's at least in the beginning), and it is most likely going to incorporate steering shift buttons.
As far as I have heard from others (no experience with either of them yet) the S600 consitently produces figures that are better than that of the AMG counterpart (read, outperforms). If you got the chance to see the comparing video between an SL55 and an SL600 in the SL55 forum, you will see what I mean. Handling is where the 55 may have a very slight edge, which however means that 99% of the time it is in reality a ride disadvantage.
However, different people may view it differently. I personally would not prefer a harsher riding S, with less performance, less features and lower quality materials, and an exhaust note that belongs in a Panoz. I would take the SL55 or 65 AMG, or - if i have the finances - wait for the SLR.

wmak8

I would go for the S600 after seeing Treynor's dragstrip and dyno videos. However, I have a buddy who is a salesman for Mercedes Benz and he says he would get the S55 because its "hand made". How much of the car is "hand made"? Does anyone know if it's just the engine or the whole car?

benznut

I am almost sure that the engine alone is handmade in the S55. I believe the whole car is put together at the MB factory, then trucked at AMG to intall the engine, and other AMG components, such as brakes, suspension pieces, and any transmission logic.
Personally I do not see any added benefit in the "handmade" part, because MBs are impeccable to start with - at least that is what my experience, and my family's, has been over all these years.

Karma

OK, just got back from another test drive...drove an S600, an S55 AMG, and an S500.

The S500's ride IS smoother than the S55 AMG's but I thought it was just AS smooth as the S600's, not so much smoother (could be just me though). Performance is nice but my main concern is comfort and I thought that the two top S's would be the most comfortable ones. I guess I was wrong. I will do more research on the S500 but right now it seems like the car I really want.


MercManiac,

About that 7 speed transmission, do you know when MB is coming out with it? Is it better for me to wait for the 04 model? Plus I'm guessing that the cars will be more economical.

Anyway, please keep the opinions coming!

Karma

P.S. Taurian, nice site you got there. You spin exactly what I like!

vraa

If i recall correctly the SL350 will have the seven speed stock.

PS: I'd go for S600. V12, V12 Twinturbo, V12 Twinturbo with enough power to take of my pants!

///MB

Well depending if the S500 had the sport package and ABC, the ride would be different. Both the S55 and S600 come with 18 inch wheels, which alone will produce a little harder ride. Also, the ABC suspension is tighter than the standard airmatic on the S430/500s. I suppose if you wanted the most plush ride, get a non-sport package standard airmatic S500. But, you'll also have to sacrifice handling and performance.