Well, so we've all gone gaga about the new S-class, and without reading the test drive reports, we all already know who is going to be crowned the king of luxury executive saloons - magazines hardly ever surprise nowadays.

so i thought it might be fun to list down what some of us DON'T like about the new S-class - try to keep it fun and non-confrontational - hey, if someone from Merc is reading this we might even get better cars (fat chance; or is that slim chance.. but anyway.. :p)

1. headlights: too conservative. looks almost like Lexus from certain angles.

2. the centre screen in the interior is a bit too intrusive for my liking - while better than the 7-, it still looks kinda grafted on.

3. the (optional) satellite radio antennae - SOMEONE pls figure out how to hide those things properly...

4. the raised trunk - OK, so it's much better than in the 7-, and arguably closer to the Maybach, but why must Merc follow current design trends so much? somehow on the dual-tone Maybach it looks right - that's not quite the case with the W221. the effect is akin to the Nissan Teana - OK, but not particularly great. why not just ditch that part of the design? or do a Volvo and hide the shutline.

5. steering wheel's a bit ghey for my tastes, especially the wood option.

6. interior lighting (optional) is a bit too, well, "undiffused" - like the LEDs are shinning too clearly.. ok, so this is very nitpicky... don't really know how to put it.. i like interior lighting which seems to be filtered out of cloth or some other opaque material.. just seems more luxurious.

7. slight clashing of plastics - e.g. the aircon vents (my pet peeve) and some COMAND screen surrounds, where the "knobbly" plastic meets "smooth" plastic - why not do the right thing and put brushed aluminium (like on the analogue clock) or something, instead of leaving it as bare "smooth" plastic? that would hugely lessen the feeling of "clashing" plastics..

yup, my 2-cents... now someone hire me as a Merc designer, NOW!!

I agree with you here. Should have put it like on the roof right above the rear windsheild.

I agree with you here too. I like a soft ambient glow.

I don't like the feeling of the buttons...

Have you even touched them?

I don't like the Maybach-style rear end, I hate the column mounted shifter and steering wheel design. That's about all as far as its design goes! I wish the US would get SWB S550's!!!

The "fadish" fender flares are my problem with the car. They look like shrunken VW bug fenders. It took the designer 50 years to totally get rid of fenders and now MB thinks it has to retro-design the top of the line S Class to include these obtrusive bumps on each fender area. If they had softened the line into the body it may have been acceptable but they are just semi-circle "bumps."

I thought the SIRIUS antenna would be integrated into the body or existing antenna system and not put on the trunk lid like on my 2006 S430. Although they improved the design on the 2006 I would still prefer it not be there. I have not seen the new S location but I assume it is on the trunk lid based on comments above.

Everything else looks fine to me until I see it in person but those fender flares make me glad I bought the W220.

You didn't even touch them ,so what would you know about it??

Here is a link to BlknBenz's thread. He took a couple of pictures of a new S550 at MB of Manhattan.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w221/127939-s550-mb-manhattan.html

Thanks....That is a really ugly setup...I hope that is something special for this MBUSA vehicle. My unit is small and a little aero is design but it sure does not have a fin and is half the size.

Cannot believe the Satellite antenna could not be intergrated in the fin on the roof.

This is the only shot I have of the current SIRIUS on the W220...it blends in pretty well and is not a distraction like that one shown on the W221.

I love the AMG Package on your S430. That antenna does look a lot nicer. The fin on the W221 antenna is really ugly, the least they could have done was get rid if the fin on it. They really should have placed it on the roof. Don't they ever learn?

I can't see past the Ford LTD style column shifter!

1. Fender flares
2. Column shifter
3. Trunk antenna

In that order...

I also read somewhere that they may be using a fake suede instead of (or in addition to?) leather interiors. That would suck, if so.

I really want to like this new S, but MB seems determined to make it difficult. Like Jack, I am very happy to have my old W220!

Good thread

1. That nasty steering wheel. Doesn't look luxurious anymore, so bulky
2. Those ugly fender flares. Maybe they're thinking aftermarket, so you can squeeze 22" and bigger rims in there.
3. Again, the trunk antenna.

In those specific order.

Alcantra, which is fake suede, is actually very nice to te feel, durable, and soft. I find it better to the touch than suede for some reason. The AMG cars, and ML with Sport package, and R with sport package come with Alcantra. MB now even has Alcantra steering wheels for the AMG cars which can be equipped with certain 030 AMG Performace Package's.

I have a feeling the headliner will be Alcantra in the new S, though I have not seen any information indicating otherwise.

Alcantra, is used by Audi, Lexus, BMW, and others instead of suede.

I think this thread may discourage some future W221 buyers. Just my .02 cents.

Had a 2000 S430 then a 2003 E500. I could have held out for an 07' S but at 42 years old I think the S was moving backwards to stodgy again so I just got an 06' A8L.

I doubt it: You could do a thread like this w/ any vehicle and probably get a much longer list of even more important issues. People just like to vent. There are a couple of threads around that ask what you like about the new S-class, which would more than balance any negatives of this one, any way.

i dont like the analogue clock on the centre of the console.

Dont Like

1. Rx-8 Flares
2. Crown Victoria Dash
3. 745 I-Drive
4. Mis-aligned door handles
5. Placement of clear lens in rear tail lights.
6. Lack of subtalty in turn signals (side view mirror)

Like the Maybach booty tho'

BTW, Nevada Jack that has to be my favorite color combo / aero package of a w220 of all time.

Beautiful car bro.

Thanks Braheem. I was a goner when he showed it to me...just a case of how much would I pay him...:-)

Nevada your S is spectacular, such a fine automobile

congrats and keep her clean.

Now as for the new S...well I think that the 7 ish look just takes away from the over all mature nature of the S class.

The headlights and the fenders have GOT TO GO!

Thanks. I am at the dealer every Monday morning if possible to have my courtesy car wash, then I touch up at home.

I think MB blew it with those damn fender flares...why not be a little more consrvative and maintain the stately look of the S Class.

haha, whatever the case, expect to see one of these every few metres in London once they are released. spent the night there and i must have seen, oh, i dunno, at least 30-40 S-classes around Bond Street, Oxford Street, and Marble Arch? first time i wished an A8 or 7- would come just to break the monotony, lol