W221 vs w220
05-05-2013, 08:57 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
W221 vs w220
I promised this thread awhile back. I just finished a 1000+ miles trip in the w221 and after deep thought I figured it was time to right my unbiased comparison. The W221 is a 07 S550 and the W220 is a 02 S500
1. Comfort: W221 From an interior perspective is more comfortable. The seats and window controls are better and in better positions for access. The steering wheel is easier to turn. I understand this car is bigger but it feels 500 pounds lighter. There is also quite a bit more room inside both for the front and rear passengers in the W221. Even little things like the armrest sitting a little higher was noticed as this help me when im on the phone and can lay my arm on it. No offense, I have to say hats off because interior wise the car is more comfortable all the way around
2 Styling: Parking both cars next to each other the w220 does look older. there are styling cues and sharp edges on the W221 that just give it a more modern look. However, I will say the W220 has a classier, more dignified look to me. The W220 just has a certain elegance with its design that the W221 doesn't. This is exterior only by the way. Interior wise the W221 kills it. From the analog clock to the sweeping front and rear interior lighting. The inside of the W221 makes you sit down and admire it.
3 performance: S550 kills the S500in terms of power and smoothness. You don't feel the 7G trans and power is there at all speeds. Better gas mileage in the S550 also, this car can out pace and out perform the S500 in almost everyway.
4 handling: S500 has a better sport mode however. The S550 doesn't have separate modes for the trans and suspension and plus there are only two options, comfort and sport, while I have that option for the trans, the S500 gives me 3 choices when it comes to the suspensions. soft , middle, & hard. The really isn't a super sport or hard setting on the S550. If I have to do some spirited driving I rather be in the S500.
The S550 and S500 aren't really that different. Sure, they may be a few more tech toys but I believe the S550 is more of a evolution than a revolution. That being said. If I had to choose between and them both I would pick the S500 and let me explain why
Yes, the S550 is a superior car in almost every way. But, it is missing something. in the w221 you hear and feel nothing, no shifts of the trans, no noise from the engine, not even an exhaust tone. Its scary quiet. People say BMW is the drivers car and Mercedes is all about comfort. But, the w220 had a perfect blend of both, the W221 is ALL comfort. I like to feel the road once in while. even with the paddle shifts on the steering wheel I never felt connected to the road in the W221. The W221 is a great car, I will even say its a proper successor to the W220 and clearly its a S Class Mercedes. I do feel more comfortable driving the W221 but I enjoy driving a W220 more. Even my fiancée enjoyed riding in the S500 more than the S550 and this was her first time in both cars.
Look, for me, its not always about what is flashy and new or even comfortable. I rather Drive a BMW 850I than a new corvette or CL600. I can respect them but if I don't feel connected to the car and the car doesn't feel connected to the road, than for me it just doesn't work. The S550 is a great great car and in most aspects better. it doesn't have the zoom mirror in the vanity mirror, nor does it have some other minor over engineered things. But it is a truly superb car. I hope this review was interesting and insightful to everyone. Happy
1. Comfort: W221 From an interior perspective is more comfortable. The seats and window controls are better and in better positions for access. The steering wheel is easier to turn. I understand this car is bigger but it feels 500 pounds lighter. There is also quite a bit more room inside both for the front and rear passengers in the W221. Even little things like the armrest sitting a little higher was noticed as this help me when im on the phone and can lay my arm on it. No offense, I have to say hats off because interior wise the car is more comfortable all the way around
2 Styling: Parking both cars next to each other the w220 does look older. there are styling cues and sharp edges on the W221 that just give it a more modern look. However, I will say the W220 has a classier, more dignified look to me. The W220 just has a certain elegance with its design that the W221 doesn't. This is exterior only by the way. Interior wise the W221 kills it. From the analog clock to the sweeping front and rear interior lighting. The inside of the W221 makes you sit down and admire it.
3 performance: S550 kills the S500in terms of power and smoothness. You don't feel the 7G trans and power is there at all speeds. Better gas mileage in the S550 also, this car can out pace and out perform the S500 in almost everyway.
4 handling: S500 has a better sport mode however. The S550 doesn't have separate modes for the trans and suspension and plus there are only two options, comfort and sport, while I have that option for the trans, the S500 gives me 3 choices when it comes to the suspensions. soft , middle, & hard. The really isn't a super sport or hard setting on the S550. If I have to do some spirited driving I rather be in the S500.
The S550 and S500 aren't really that different. Sure, they may be a few more tech toys but I believe the S550 is more of a evolution than a revolution. That being said. If I had to choose between and them both I would pick the S500 and let me explain why
Yes, the S550 is a superior car in almost every way. But, it is missing something. in the w221 you hear and feel nothing, no shifts of the trans, no noise from the engine, not even an exhaust tone. Its scary quiet. People say BMW is the drivers car and Mercedes is all about comfort. But, the w220 had a perfect blend of both, the W221 is ALL comfort. I like to feel the road once in while. even with the paddle shifts on the steering wheel I never felt connected to the road in the W221. The W221 is a great car, I will even say its a proper successor to the W220 and clearly its a S Class Mercedes. I do feel more comfortable driving the W221 but I enjoy driving a W220 more. Even my fiancée enjoyed riding in the S500 more than the S550 and this was her first time in both cars.
Look, for me, its not always about what is flashy and new or even comfortable. I rather Drive a BMW 850I than a new corvette or CL600. I can respect them but if I don't feel connected to the car and the car doesn't feel connected to the road, than for me it just doesn't work. The S550 is a great great car and in most aspects better. it doesn't have the zoom mirror in the vanity mirror, nor does it have some other minor over engineered things. But it is a truly superb car. I hope this review was interesting and insightful to everyone. Happy
Last edited by vmystikilv; 05-05-2013 at 09:05 AM. Reason: adding picture
05-05-2013, 10:34 AM
#2
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96 and 08 911 turbos
interesting review:
I drove a 221 s600 yesterday and have driven many a 550.
My view:
Exterior: 221 with sport package and nice wheels looks better than all 220s. 220 with sport package looks better than standard 221. 220 vs 221 base appearance package is a wash. The 220 has a smoother more classy look to it. The 221 just appears bulbous from certain angles. The face lift 221 is better in that regard.
Interior: This is one area where I vastly prefer the 220. The design is more traditional without the huge command binnacle. The 221 just doesn't have the smooth flowing organic shapes to it. The curvature of the wood dash strip on the 220 is an amazing shape if you look at it from the top. Call me old fashioned. I do agree that some of the buttons and such are in better locations for me, but for instance, the little thumb wheel for the radio volume is totally asinine.
Performance: no question, the 5.5L motor is a gem and easily outperforms the M113, especially with the 7 speed tranny.
handling: I don't particularly care, but on the opposite side, I find the ride of the 221 quite a bit superior.
If I could get the 221 drivetrain in my 220, I'd be very pleased.
As for the 600, I was a bit underwhelmed. Ride was somewhat hard on 19s and it was fast, but not shockingly so.
I drove a 221 s600 yesterday and have driven many a 550.
My view:
Exterior: 221 with sport package and nice wheels looks better than all 220s. 220 with sport package looks better than standard 221. 220 vs 221 base appearance package is a wash. The 220 has a smoother more classy look to it. The 221 just appears bulbous from certain angles. The face lift 221 is better in that regard.
Interior: This is one area where I vastly prefer the 220. The design is more traditional without the huge command binnacle. The 221 just doesn't have the smooth flowing organic shapes to it. The curvature of the wood dash strip on the 220 is an amazing shape if you look at it from the top. Call me old fashioned. I do agree that some of the buttons and such are in better locations for me, but for instance, the little thumb wheel for the radio volume is totally asinine.
Performance: no question, the 5.5L motor is a gem and easily outperforms the M113, especially with the 7 speed tranny.
handling: I don't particularly care, but on the opposite side, I find the ride of the 221 quite a bit superior.
If I could get the 221 drivetrain in my 220, I'd be very pleased.
As for the 600, I was a bit underwhelmed. Ride was somewhat hard on 19s and it was fast, but not shockingly so.
05-07-2013, 04:32 PM
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2004 S500
I don't care how good a car is if it is ugly I won't buy it. I have wanted an S500 since they came out in 1999. It is the last good looking Mercedes. I think the W221 is ugly from the sides and especially the rear. I finnally found a 2004 one owner Silver/Black S500 last month with 58,000 for my wife It is a stripper model, the only option is the CD changer. We are retiring the 1997 E420. I am still driving my 1999 540it, the last good looking BMW. We took a run from Houston to New Orleans in it last weekend and it was amazing. I just need to hardwire my Valentine 1, buy an updated Nav DVD and add the Bluetooth puck to be good to go.
