Nevada Jack

You don't say where you are from but if your are USA, then the new W221 S350 will not be sold here initially. Only the S450 and the S500 (also the S600) will be marketed here starting in February with the S500 first and then about 3 months later the S450.

Look on a Lexus forum or the Lexus web site for info on the LS430...

AsianML

I have done my research. I got that statement from another forum. At a first glance from the front. One might think it is an RL, until you look at it again then one will realized it's not.
I DO like the new W221. I'm just saying you guys are bashing the new LS too early. Remeber when we only saw spy shots of the W221, almost eveyone hated it for being too 7-Series-ish? Well after seeing it in person many people changed their mind. That's what i'm getting at with my comment.

Nevada Jack

[QUOTE=asianml]
I DO like the new W221. I'm just saying you guys are bashing the new LS too early.

Keep in mind the name of this site..."MBWorld Discussion Forum...For The Mercedes Benz Enthusiast." The Lexus and most other cars will be "bashed" here sooner or later and during and in the future and in the past....etc.

If price and goodies are your thing...then the Lexus may be your choice. If safety, heritage, and engineering are your thing...then MB is your choice. If someone is trying to make a decision on whether to buy a LS430 (or LS460) or a W221 (or even the outgoing W220) then there is no contest. If there is a contest in someones mind...then start posting on the Lexus forums because you will probably get "bashed" and end up with buyers remorse...

AsianML

I know it's going to get bashed. But too early to say.

Hmmm. What would a compromise be between the two?

Nevada Jack

There is none....

AsianML

This is off-topic i know i'm going to get bashed for this too but...How's the S430 going so far?

Nevada Jack

The S430 is just a super great car. I love every feature of it. The detail and workmanship is excellent, the ride is more than I expected over my E320 and it looks great. Worth every penny I spent to get it.

AsianML

Is the R still in your sights for the future?

Nevada Jack

No...not for a while. I really only need one car and the S will satisfy me for a long time. In a couple of years I may look at what the diesel market is doing in the W221 and the R but I am happy with the mileage on the S. 17-19 in the city and as high as 28 on the highway.

MB Fanatic

Damn Jack, that pretty good gas mileage. Hell my V6 TL gives me less. Thats pretty amazing for such a heavy car with an old engine no longer made.

Nevada Jack

I was amazed when I did that check with the computer. I don't expect them to hold that high all the time but it looks like the EPA figures are right on the money. 17/26. I guess they tweaked all they could out of that engine...although is the new S450 (W221) the same block or are they using a new block?

cracker123

is that a question ? , kidding get the S350

MB Fanatic

Its a new DOHC block with 4 valves per cylinder. It also have Variable Valve timing on exhaust and intake. Should be a killer engine.

AsianML

Is it called Varible Valve Timing? Reminds me of Toyota VVT-i.

Nevada Jack

That's the new S500 engine...388HP, 5.5 liter, 4 valve. The S450 will have a 4.6 liter upped to 335HP...don't know the details though...so it appears the engine in the S450 will be an offshoot of the engine in the S430. More details when MBUSA publishes the specs.

MB Fanatic

Honda - VTEC, i-VTEC (i stands for variable timing control)
Toyota - VVT or VVT-i
BMW - Valvetronic
Mercedes - Variable Valve Timing
Volvo and some others - Continuously variable valve timing.

All are pretty much the same damn thing with just different names.

AsianML

I hate it when they have so many different names for one frickin thing! I get confused when someone is talking about it.

newton22

Really? Never driven a LS430, but that's compliments to my car. I was thinking a current LS430 would be faster, since it has something like 295 hp compared to my 275.

AsianML

The LS has a softer suspension so it would affect the handling.

Can Drive 55

Last November I attended the Taste of Lexus driving event. At that time I had an LS430. I had purchased it new the previous January. I drove the S430 at the event and I was impressed with the performance of the vehicle. Granted, I did not drive them back-to-back under the same conditions, nor did I submit them to an instrumented performance test. As I remember it, the S seemed to accelerate as well or better than my LS, which did run quite well. There certainly was not a great deal of difference, and since then my perception of performance had been permanently skewed by my driving experience in my E55. If you can afford the extra cash, you will be forever graetful if you get an AMG version of the S. Lexus has nothing to compare in any way. Period.

BoBcanada

Get a lexus.

MBFanatic4Life

If I were you baubaulu I would get the S350 considering it would be an all-new body style and probably a hot ticket item! The Lex LS430 is an excellent car but it will be replaced before too long now...unless you want to wait for it and then compare!!!

Nevada Jack

The S350 W221 will NOT be marketed in the US. Only the S450, the S500 and the S600. The S350 may make it here later but no dates have been set. Since he posted under the W221 thread I take it to mean he is not interested in the 2006 S350, of which there are some still available.

MBFanatic4Life

That's what I thought Nevada_Jack, but it's in the W221 section so I thought he was asking about the W221 S350 and the LS430. But then I noticed he's from the states and got even more confused because I didn't think the W221 S350 was going to be availabe here...maybe he was confused or misinformed also!!?? Anyway talking about the W220 S350 and current LS430 I would still choose the S350 because it's an MB and it's classic design will never die!!!

BTW-Nevada_Jack that's one nice equipped S430 you have there!!!

Nevada Jack

He hasn't posted a response so I don't know what his desires may be. Agree, if he is talking about the W220 S350 over the LS430.

Thanks for the nice comment on my S430...should look a little nicer when I get the wood wheel installed this week...:-)