N_sclass

I am buying a new S class. Is it worth it to spend the extra $ and get the s500 over the 430? I drive the car on short trips around town mostly, with occasional trips (twice a year) upto the mountains for skiing.

Thanks for your advice.

Dizzy

S500 will give you the bigger engine and also Xenon std.

But you can save a lot of $$$$ by getting an S430 w/ Xenon and most of the same options on the S500.

It really comes down to whether you think the car is fast enough. Take a test drive of the dealers S430 and S500 and then decide


Dizzy

vraa

Asking questions like that on this forum you will get results ALL OVER THE BOARD. From my side, S430 is a no-no. I'd rather get a LS430. S500 is the practical solution, S55 is just there for no reason what so ever. And the 600 is the right choice if you have the money.

Dizzy hit the spot right, it all boils down to personal opinion on each car. Find one that fits your spot right.

Dizzy

Also, keep in mind that Lexus recently trounced everyone in JD Power's latest stats.

I love my S430, but given a choice between a 2003 S430 or LS 430, I'd grab the LS430. Quality counts pretty high in my book and between all my trips to the dealer for repairs of things that shouldn't be breaking at only 40k miles, my patience is starting to wear thin.

Just my .02

Dizzy

Jaeger

The S430 is a bit slower, but remember, it is only very recently that a 275bhp V8 engine could be considered slow. For example, a 1970 Mustang Boss 302 "muscle car" had 290 bhp and 0-60 in 6.9 seconds. A standard Boxster is 6.4 sec. Today, everything is faster, faster, but it is all relative. We always wish we had a touch more power, but real drivers get the most out of the power they have.

As far as an LS430, there is nothing not to like about it except that you have to be at least 55 years old to drive one. It is an old man's car (or else a mid-40's female real estate agent). Can you imagine driving around in that tank? The only women who'd take a glance at you would be the ones using walkers. And I believe Sansabelt slacks are required while driving or the car won't start. They had to eliminate the senior citizen discount at the Lexus repair center as it was eating into revenues. Lexus is even offering optional seat coverings made by Depends. As long as I still have my teeth and I'm not ready to plow through a farmer's market, I think I'll pass.

vraa

And to think, that less than a year ago people used to think of the S-Class as the old person's car

So N_Sclass, what exactly are you looking for? What priorities do you have? Are you looking for gizmo's? Reliability? Comfort? Name?

sportlichE430

I'd rather have an S430 with Lorinser DTM kit and wheels for the $ difference, e.g. ericktu.
An S430 or S500 is not going to compete 0-60 with sports coupes but the S-class is a fine sedan, man.

1SICKLEX

That old man's LS 430 trounces the S430 performance wise.

ericktu

agree so much!

kkwhung

Go for a S430 4-Matic, especially if you live in an area with snow.

The major difference other than the engine is the interior, with different wood trim and leather, but both are options available for the S430. If you only plan to use it in the city most of the time, then the S430 is probably better, but I would also opt for the Parktronic, since it makes parking a LOT easier.

sportlichE430

BTW ericktu, about how much did you pay for the Lorinser DTM package?

Litespeeds

I would go with a S430 over the S500 and save yourself alot of money. Unless you need the Napa leather, 27 more horses and the status recognition, the S430 is a better buy. Actually if you drive the 2 cars, the S430 feels a little faster off the line because the gear ratios is lower than the S500. For normal driving, most people will like the feel of the S430 better.
As for the LS430, that is a better built car and Lexus's service is THE BEST! I personally do not like the style because it is not sporty enough.

vw2envy

yo you should get the new 760Li when it comes out because everyone has an S-Class. The new bimmer is really nice. Im gonna be buying another 7-series soon cuz they are very rare compared to the s-class but since you want to know which one to get you should go wit the 500.

sportlichE430

vw2envy,
maybe the reason new 7-series are so rare is because they're butt ugly and even a cyclops can see that

vraa

Why the 760Li? That's ALL name! I can understand if one got that Yacht Edition one or something, but don't give me crap that it's powerful and whatnot. If you wanted supreme luxo and power the S600 is the choice.

vw2envy

the new 7 series arent ugly at all. they look real nice especially the front with the angel eyes. with these cars you arent suppose to drive fast and all. all you do is chill. you want a fast car get an amg or M. all the amg's arent powerful at all. when it comes to power its Bimmer all the way. dont get me wrong i love benz's but when it comes to power its bimmer. Bimmer's V12 engine is used in one of the fastest cars which is the McClaren so dont get all hyped and want to say that benz is the fastest cuz its not.

vw2envy

and another thing, wait til im done workin on my 1.8T Jetta, it will be eating everything on the road

lorinsertuned

latest car and driver shows that in 04/05 there will be a new LS series coming out.

430-500 differences really are -

engine
leg spaces
trunk space
some standard options
the satisfaction of having a 500 over a 430

vraa

I know it isn't about going fast in these kind of cars. But with the 760Li, I see NO reason to get it over the 745Li. Maybe the V12, but that's a long way to pull it because if i wanted power I'd go S600. It isn't how it's powered, it's when it's across the line when your talking about preformance.

ericktu

15k with rims and grill....AND GROWING....i need lots more stuff on the car

medici78

Well, the V12 in the McLaren isn't the same engine that is in the 760Li. Also, the Benz DOES make more power than the Bimmer. I don't know where you're getting your numbers from. As far as I know, 493hp and 590lb/ft from Mercedes-Benz is more powerful than 438hp and 444lb/ft from BMW. The weight of the cars In comparison tests from the major car magazines, the 760Li is left in the dust by the S600. Combine this with the S600 lower weight (100lbs less than 760iL) and it should be obvious which is faster (at least by most people's definitions). Both are awesome cars, but you need to get the facts straight before you make such silly claims.

vw2envy

where in that last post did i make the comment about the McClaren's V12 engine is the same as the 760Li?? Ok ill give you the benefit of the doubt that the 600 is faster but in these cars you arent suppose to go fast!! Its a family car and you jus chill in it. Besides these 2 models, bimmer has out done every benz in performance. M3 will eat the C32, SLK32 and the CLK55 amg models and this is stock im talkin about, no bull**** tuners involved like brabus or anything and then wait til the new M5 comes out and that will out do the new E55 amg. man i know what im talkin about.

medici78

What do you mean by "chill"? Personally, I like to drive a car, not "chill". If I want to chill, I'll do it on my couch, not in the car :p . If I want to have a spirited romp, it's nice to know I have more than enough power for any situation. BTW, why dont you pick up any of the magazines comparing the acceleration of the 2003 760Li vs. S600? Regardless, let's get this thread back on topic: S500 vs. S430

apricotscrub

how about this bimmerfan, wait till the slr. sl65, cl65 and s65 come out... that should give the m5 a challenge.

vw2envy

hey medici78 its funny how your comparing the 760Li and the S600. the 600 has twin turbo meanwhile the 760 doesnt. wait til bimmers start throwing turbo's in their cars and then you tell me whats faster. and for apricotscrub when mercedes produces a faster car than the z8 then you come back and tell me. The damn SLR is super car 300,000 dollars or something like and the Z8 is only 130 or 140,000. nothing is gonna beat BMW's. Bimmer's are meant to be modified. Benz is more for old people except for maybe the SL or the CL. That M5 is gonna be one fast car. Put it this way, ///M is better than AMG. AMG cant handle it. and the Dinan out performs Brabus