SClassDriver

Ok, What i would like to know is, why people say this and that about this car company copying off of this company, while NO ONE mention Mercedes Benz copying off of another car company. Look closely to the 2007 Mercedes S-Class interior. It copied off the 7-series BMW big time in the interior. Why has no one complaint about that??

As I am reading through a few forum posts, I see the Lexus LS460 mentioned a few times. Why are some people on this forum trying to bash a different car company for copying off a different car company, while the new Mercedes Benz took a great part of their exterior change from the 7-series BMW.

What I would like to know is why some people are not recognizing what Mercedes Benz are copying off of also?

Look closely at this picture, and look at some other 2007 Mercedes Benz pictures and tell me what you see, a serious 7-series interior model remake. It is really noticable.

Post your comments on this post. Thanks!

MB Fanatic

We all have said the dash and armrest look like the 7 series. I dont think you will find a single person here who has denied that statement. The Mercedes S class is just a far better implemented design and IMO more eregonmically designed over the 7 series. Yes, I have a 750li as well and will be purchasing a new S soon.

SClassDriver

Oh ok. Are there any new upgraded features in the 750Li from the previous 745Li?

vraa

A wicked 4.8L engine.

MB Fanatic

Refined suspension, High def radio, and some other crap. The largest changes were mostly cosmetic on the exterior with new bumpers, tail-ligts, headlights, and more standard features.

I-drive was made more user friendly too.

Turtle25

We should probably clarify that the BMW-ish interior and the Maybach-esque rear end are universally accepted points made against this vehicle. In fact, they've been made so many times that the next person who uses either as their sole argument should be banned from the forum. It's just irritating.

At least if someone used "Chrysler", they had guts to say something so ridiculous.

MB Fanatic

very true

ruykava

SclassDriver: please read the rest of the threads, or at least use the search function, before posting stuff! dude, this has been discussed to death already! :p

not gonna add more to what i've already said in those other threads. peace

naadp

I don't get it. Is it because it has a controller knob? Maybe it's because it has an eye level LCD screen with a cover? Perhaps it's the fact that they both use 4 vents? Or it could be that they both have two seats in the front? Maybe it's that they both use (gasp) steering wheels?

The more I look at them both side by side, the less similar they look. I think given the similar requirements of the new interface (clean dash, controller knob, high mounted LCD screen), it was probably near impossible for them to NOT come out looking very similar as well.

georgl

I don't even take care of those comments any more. Where you want to see copied design, you will see it - but people who think of the S-Class as a copy of Ford Mondeo and BMW simply do not understand that some similarities in design are necessary because BMW has already found the optimal solution.
But the main problem is that those people only know these cars from pictures.

AsianML

I agree with naadp:
It's not only almost impossible to not copy them, but with the new regulations and laws in place, the nav screen has to be within 30 degrees of eye level, meaning the screen has to go there.

And in georgls post:
BMW already found the solution.



Now let me ask you this. Let's say Mercedes decided to redesign the S-Class a little sooner. And they designed it the way it is now. Now when BMW redesigns it's pre-Bangle 7-Series, would BMW take the hit for copying Mercedes?

CE750

I drove a freinds 760Li for a day, and found it overwhelming and complex, too much tech for a driver of average American ability... that said, I still loved it, and how nimble it was for a 2.5 Tonne sedan!

I'm not in love with the new S yet, and probably would get the BMW over it if I were even in the market for a large car like them.

kenstudios

This is America. If you like the car buy, if you dont, buy something else. It doesn't matter. It's your money anyway.

sytfu_c230

is it me or does BMW make some ugly steering wheels? the interiors have some obvious similarities, mbz still looks better IMO.

AsianML

BMW's steering wheel is too much like the ones on the Touareg.

MB Fanatic

Yes the steering wheel on my 750li is not the greatest but the rest of the features on the car make up for it. It is nice and think though.

AsianML

How do you like the interior door panels on the 750? I think they look ugly. And how do you like the seat controls being near the center armrest? Seems like it's hard to move the seats with the buttons there.

DslBnz

I'm kind of embarassed to say this. How do you start the BMW 745? It is no longer as simple as turning a key.

Maybe some type of "keyless-go"? All I know is I place the key into its slot, there is no instruction given for starting the engine.

Is the W221 like this? Is this kind of technology necessary?

I have never driven a Merc that didn't require a mechanical key for ignition. Am I behind the times? :o

MDCLS

Imho the M Sport Steering wheel that I had on my last BMW was one of the best out there with a great feel and one thing I miss on the CLS.
Still haven't seen a new S class up close so can't really comment on it much From the pictures, it's growing on me.

CE750

You put in the Key, which isn't very key like, then you push the start/stop button... kinda cool...

ruykava

well, depends on what you mean by mechanical. all modern Mercs don't actually use a metal key to start (if you know what i mean), just insert into slot and twist.

on the new S, you can still do that, or you could just press the start button... (suddenly reminded of Windows, lol)

coloradosclass

If you look at 10 different cars you will see similarities in the dashes, the seats and body styles. It's called a car!!! And manufacurers have been doing it for 100's of years. Give me a break about the complaining. The MB looks much better than the BMW interior anyday. It's real simple if you don't like it don't buy one.

david_101

why is a rotary controller the optimal solution?

could a high-resistance, low-tolerance trackball be optimal. or what about a mousepad?

frankly, i dislike the rotary controller. despite bimmer-philes telling me their controller has been improved over the first one introduced, it's still only marginally comfortable. OTOH, people who've had plenty of exotics have said the BMW 6 is one of the best driving cars they've had. too bad about the controller...

ClayJ

Interesting discussion. Here are pics of the Koenigsegg CCR's unique 'rotary' system, and of the Bugatti Veyron's 'rotary' controllers. Most everybody else in the supercar business has (way too) many switches and gauges, or a 'conventional' system which might arguably be viewed (and used) as inadequate. Rotary must be an 'efficient' system - perhaps that's why?

DslBnz

SmartKey with infrared technology with lots of recycled ignition codes, right? Every time you insert the Smart Key, a different code is read up to (100,000?) times. I've never owned a Merc past '97. Metal keys. Mechanical meaning no electronic interface between the key and the ignition.

At least you can start the new S with a key, too.