ruykava

sometimes, i really like to know what's the age of everyone on this forum. i wonder if it could be linked to what they like/don't.

just reading about the W116 350 SE you were mentioning, heck, i always thought THAT was the very definition of "glitz, bling" which you don't like. so i wonder if the definition of glitz and bling has shifted over the last 30 years or so.

btw Audi interior quality isn't all it's cracked up to be. yup, i've sat in the A8 and the Phantom (the BMW one) and none of them really impressed me - perhaps i was expecting too much, but i seriously couldn't see any significant difference in quality from my Mercs, and i'm a very, very picky person. compared with Merc in the dark-er years circa '97 - '03 perhaps Audi was better, but that has long been rectified. the magazines are still parroting each other, though :p

naadp

If it wasn't an A8L W12 that you sat in, find one and go try it out. It makes the regular A8 look like you're sitting on a milk crate.

That being said, I have noticed one major problem in VW's interiors: items are designed to be pretty, not hold up over time. The finish on the wood in my Touareg (has 17k miles on it) is starting to turn cloudy, and there is already noticable wear on the nice rubberized plastic buttons (steering wheel, turn signal, radio...).

I do have a love hate relationship with the new S-class. I really disliked the interior, it just reminded me too much of a generic ML350 loaner car. But, I still want this car... bad.

BzzzBom

I am 51 years old. You make a very good point about glitz and bling. I probably didn't use the correct terms. I miss the days when a Mercedes "looked" like it was built to last forever. Unfortunately after Lexus entered the scene most luxury cars have a Euro-Japanese look to them. That being said Mercedes is clearly out of the dark years. I will be looking for a new car in about 1 year and will probably buy the updated current model which will have the new S-550 engine. After reading the posted Audi comments I think I'll hold off on considering an Audi.

ruykava

heh, i know what you mean i suppose. the single part of the W221 i don't like is the headlamps, which i find too "japanese" and conservative. but to me the trend at Merc is more a general shift in car design trends, across all manufacturers. remember the whole reason for such a drastic change in the W220 was because people weren't buying the W140 - it didn't suit most buyers any more, and hence the softer image came in.

i'm definitely looking long and hard at this W221 after its first facelift a couple of years down the road. i waited until 2004 before switching from W140 to W220, so i can afford to wait longer btw, there's no way the new S is cheaper looking than the old one. the quality isn't even, to me at least, comparable.

naadp: nope, it wasn't an A8L W12. in fact, it was a lowly A8 3.0 (we don't generally get the big engined versions in Asia). but the basics should be the same, eh? still, i'd say it was clearly better than the pre-facelift W220, although post-facelift, things get very interesting indeed...

Evil Duffman

its funny to see the comments about this car are so divided, some are calling it the best luxury car ever built and some say its crap.

I havent driven it yet, but I was lucky enough to compare the W220 and W221 side by side at MB manhattan and must say the W221 is definately an upgrade. Its far more masculine than the W220, the leather I found was extremely comfortable, I dont know where you get your idea that Audi has the best interior . I always though audis were rough and rigid, very uncomfortable. oh well.

anyway to everyone who comments on the looks of the new S class you really REALLY have to see it in person. BY FAR the hottest S class ever. The pictures really dont do it justice, wait till you see one crusing down block with the amg package and you will spluge in your pants. When the weather clears up, i will definately hit up my benz dealer in jersey for a drive.

95AccordV6

The new S-class looks a lot better than any previous S-classes. In fact, it looks way better than all of its competitors and the class under it except 5-series in my opinion.

cracker123

all I can say is this car rocks .....!!!!!

coloradosclass

Ditto that!
I did not really like the look of it either but and I mean but when I took it on the highway it was a whole different story. That thing rides nicer than anything I have drove including the Audi A8, BMW 750, Jaguar and it's quiter than a Bentley Arnage!!!! So put that in your pipe and smoke it!
to all Trolls!

apricotscrub

IMHO, the new s-class don't look to good, in china there is a ford call called the mondeo and it was out about a month ago and the front headlights are the exact same as the mondeo - and the back tailights of the mondeo are about the same as the W220 before the update. The back tailights are not nearly as elegant as the W220 updated tailights. And the front headlights dont look that good either - the W220 had much more original shape to it, i dont think most people would want to buy this car, on the other hand, the cls and sl 's are hot.

ClayJ

Music to my ears!

Childish///AMG

Must be "Nice" to be retired If Uncle Sam would pay me more perhaps I could retire early I like the new look of the S, but I am a AMG person, so when it comes out I'll procure one

CYAWL8R

I apologize if I don't reply.
I am a long time member, but just a lurker

I'll post more pictures in the future.

blume

you should participate much more!

ClayJ

Lookin' Gooood!

vixapphire

the exterior definitely comes alive once the car's been lowered.

F_Porsche

In my opinion nobody who is old enough too drive and still has a poster
in his bedroom!! should get any.

JAdmiral

Hey, what size wheels/tires are those? I have an S550 on order, and will put some wheels on it. I don't know what the S550 will tolerate.

-JAdmiral

CYAWL8R

Those are Wald D23's 20X8.5 with 255-35/20 front - 20X11 with 285-30/20 rear.

LetsJet

The outside of the 221 looks great... the interior I wasn't so happy with.

Baloo588

To all,

I honestly think the new S550 is a huge improvement in quality over the current S Class. My grandfather has the 2001 model and used to have every single S-class generation since 1954, and I have to say that the the W220 or the current model has such poor plastic inside and lacks the big prominence of the flagship benz. Too much problems and unnecessary repairs were needed. But, the new one gets my vote hands down as the new success and the road to acquiring a better reputation for mercedes. I currently own a 2006 Audi A8l, and it still has the best quality interior and sumptuous seats. The exterior is handsome and looks very luxurious. The A8 has no problem so far, and it is quite reliable now a days. Have fun bashing others. Again, S550 is a beauty.

W210

Are the metallic look alike window switch buttons really not painted plastic?

sprink49

I guess it boils down to this...You can have your own opinion...but you can't have your own facts.

platinumsc

Just got back from seeing the new sclass in person. First, let me say I have allways loved benzes. It took a while for me to like the outgoing S because I thought it was too toyota-ish and was missing the stately, teutonic presence of the previous big body S. After a while I realised it was merely the evolution of the car...still not as stately but all Sclass. I don't believe this new s550 is going to grow on me anytime soon, if ever. As I approached I saw cues of the maybach but those bulging haunches look out of place on the car. Like they were thrown in for effect but missed the mark. The rear looks fine but my problem with it is it looks like a copy of the bangle butt. I like the 7 series but why is benz copying it so closely. Easy answer, the 7 series sells. Manufacterers usually copy what works.
Bottom line, it's a nice car but I think they missed the mark. It will sell because there are diehards who'll buy whatever is placed before them.

Germancar1

The back of the new S-Class is from the Maybach, not the 7-Series. The Maybach was shown in 1997 at the Tokyo autoshow long before Bangle even worked for BMW and years before the 2002 7-Series. The rear of the new S is an evolution of the Maybach theme which was first with that style of trunklid, not BMW.

M

Nevada Jack

I am a diehard MB fan and driver for 30 years but I don't always buy "whatever is placed before me." I buy what I think is the best looking and performing car that fits my needs and desires. Sometimes I chose Jaguar, sometimes I chose Cadillac...but most times I returned to the one car that impresses me everytime I drive it...the MB.

My father was "Brand Loyal" to GM, I was also until my '77 Cadillac Seville was stolen and the "78 replacement was refused at delivery because of visible quality faults. Many drivers are Brand Loyal and apparently by listing 2 Lexus (or is it Lexi)...you have a tendency to do the same thing. Choice is personal and just because someone buys the same maker's car year after year does not mean they "buy whatever is placed before them..." They just like it!