I drove one
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
I drove one
Don't ask me any questions about how this was arranged because I won't tell. I drove the new S Class for about five hours yesterday on the Autobahn and secondary roads of Germany. The car is an absolute winner for Mercedes, I have so many good things to say about it. First of all, in person, the car is beautiful and all the things I did not like in the pictures (wheel arches, raised trunk) look outstanding in person. The quality of the materials used in the interior is also a big step up from the old car. The most impressive thing about the drive is the airmatic suspension, which is perfect. The car seems noticeably quieter than the one it replaces. Another big stride forward is in the design of the seats which are dramatically improved, much more comfortable and absolutely the best massage I have ever felt in a car seat. The Comand system is very similar to I-drive although its appearance is better integrated than I drive. It doesn't operate much better, so if you really hate I-drive, you are in trouble. Another big step forward is in the transmission, which incorporates speedshift from AMG and allows you to downshift through many gears by simply holding down the left button on the wheel. The engine is great and subjectively it seems a little faster, but the car is so smooth and quiet, it is hard to really tell. At 225 kph, the car was rock solid. Fuel economy seemed also improved.Mercedes has done this right!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: England
W140;R107
Lucky driver
Hooray!!!!
I have been an S Class fan for over 30 years but the W220 just left me cold. Wouldn`t consider buying one so I have run W140s instead and take delivery of my third one one next week (S500L).
I have been really encouraged by what I have seen of the W221 and all the preliminary reports from auto -journalists so far seem positive.
If DC has cracked it`s quality issues and the electronics problems I can look forward to getting a W221 next. That said, I think I will wait and let them work the bugs out first.
Thanks for sharing the positive news Shoes........ just how did you get your hands on it?
Chris.
I have been an S Class fan for over 30 years but the W220 just left me cold. Wouldn`t consider buying one so I have run W140s instead and take delivery of my third one one next week (S500L).
I have been really encouraged by what I have seen of the W221 and all the preliminary reports from auto -journalists so far seem positive.
If DC has cracked it`s quality issues and the electronics problems I can look forward to getting a W221 next. That said, I think I will wait and let them work the bugs out first.
Thanks for sharing the positive news Shoes........ just how did you get your hands on it?
Chris.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
New S Class
The car I drove was the S 500 with the new 5.5 liter 32 valve V8 with 388 HP. The reason I felt the fuel economy might be improved was that we drove for three hours and the fuel tank still read 2/3 full. Also, the gearing of the car is very high- at 220 kph I think the tach read 3800 RPMs. Things get pretty exciting at that speed for Americans, so I am not certain.
