Maserati or S550?
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2020 BMW X3M Comp
Originally Posted by Toog4me
Lol. If you can, take a closer look at the speedometer of the car. IMO, it looks so plain, like that of a Toyota Camry or something. Anyone else feel the same way?
![](http://www.audiusa.com/common/images/2006_int_gallery7_a8sedan_lg.jpg)
#27
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It reminds me of the old Infiniti M35 or 45 or whatever it was. I went in to test drive one, and as soon as I turned the thing on, the speedo lit up like a g35!!! I couldn't believe it. With more than $20k in price, you would imagine that they would make the car a little more "unique."
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2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
Just saw a guy with a black S550 in the middle of a mall parking lot yesterday. Literally a crowd of young and old surrounding the car like a mob scene. Hadn't see anything like that in years. What a car.
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Originally Posted by NY C32
I'm in that area quite a bit. Great place to intern
Are you looking to get a job there?
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However, I had a great summer @ Bear.
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I am moving to NYC by June 1st and start work in July. I must now get ready to go through the hell of selling my C class.
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Does MBWorld have any NYC meets for those that are car-less????
On topic, i like the Audi pics!
Last edited by jsloan01; 04-03-2006 at 10:37 AM.
#30
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I live near Ann Arbor by the way. Now that you guys have brought up the S8, it looks like a really good competitor. Or maybe the A8 W12, but that seems pushing it a little for some reason. Anyway, im also making appointments to drive the S550. Does anyone know when the 4-Matic comes out? I think if i choose the S class i might as well wait for the 4matic since ive been using that on my previous cars for a while now...
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Originally Posted by lorinsertuned
I live near Ann Arbor by the way. Now that you guys have brought up the S8, it looks like a really good competitor. Or maybe the A8 W12, but that seems pushing it a little for some reason. Anyway, im also making appointments to drive the S550. Does anyone know when the 4-Matic comes out? I think if i choose the S class i might as well wait for the 4matic since ive been using that on my previous cars for a while now...
#32
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Originally Posted by lorinsertuned
I live near Ann Arbor by the way. Now that you guys have brought up the S8, it looks like a really good competitor. Or maybe the A8 W12, but that seems pushing it a little for some reason. Anyway, im also making appointments to drive the S550. Does anyone know when the 4-Matic comes out? I think if i choose the S class i might as well wait for the 4matic since ive been using that on my previous cars for a while now...
The 4-Matic is due this fall.
On your basic question I would choose the S550 with the AMG package...I did and get it Friday. I don't think you can go wrong.
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#34
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Originally Posted by NY C32
Yeah I know what you mean but it doesn't bother me much... It seems all car makers have something on each of their cars that remains to be desired.
![](http://www.audiusa.com/common/images/2006_int_gallery7_a8sedan_lg.jpg)
![](http://www.audiusa.com/common/images/2006_int_gallery7_a8sedan_lg.jpg)
#35
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Maserati and 750Li review
#36
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by absent
Too bad too many wrong people bought the Masers for the wrong reasons.
Nothing wrong with it's tranny ,it's the same type as in BMW M and Ferraris,great transmission,way more fun then the slushbox,as long as the owner accepts the fact it's a Manual with no clutch.
Driven properly,there is no jerkiness and no performance losses like in transmissions with torque converters.
There is a conventional Automatic coming for 2007 but it will just kill the performance of that car(low torque).
The only way to improve the Qp would be offering a regular Manual or go the whole shebang and put V12 in it with Automatic.
Nothing wrong with it's tranny ,it's the same type as in BMW M and Ferraris,great transmission,way more fun then the slushbox,as long as the owner accepts the fact it's a Manual with no clutch.
Driven properly,there is no jerkiness and no performance losses like in transmissions with torque converters.
There is a conventional Automatic coming for 2007 but it will just kill the performance of that car(low torque).
The only way to improve the Qp would be offering a regular Manual or go the whole shebang and put V12 in it with Automatic.
I agree totally. I think a lot of people didn't and still don't grasp what these new SMG/DSG type trannies really are. They hear automatic and go from there and then are shocked the Maser doesnt' shift like a regular automatic.
That said though the "automatic" mode of all these types of transmissions is terrible and they really only shine when one is willing to work the shift paddles.
I agree though they should just put a manual in it and a true automatic with the V12 version. Or hell just offer both types of boxes for both engines.
M
#37
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Mercedes all the way!
well, the fact is the Maser is a performance car with a manual box that just happens to have an auto mode, and thus doesn't shift the way the S550 does. if someone here has been misrepresented then that is another question, though.
personally, i like the Maser's styling - it does look better in person than in the pictures. if you want to stand out, both will - but the Maser is beautiful where the S is imposing.
though i don't have any long term experience with the Maser the feeling appears to be that it makes even Merc in a bad year look like a model of reliability.
haha, what are the Audi fanboys doin' here? - still not getting over the fact that almost no one buys one of 'em A8s, eh? (half kidding
)
personally, i like the Maser's styling - it does look better in person than in the pictures. if you want to stand out, both will - but the Maser is beautiful where the S is imposing.
though i don't have any long term experience with the Maser the feeling appears to be that it makes even Merc in a bad year look like a model of reliability.
haha, what are the Audi fanboys doin' here? - still not getting over the fact that almost no one buys one of 'em A8s, eh? (half kidding
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#38
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
A couple of things to keep in mind.
The new S-class is technically the safest and most advanced car you can buy anywhere. Period.
And Mercedes finally spent a fair amount of time adressing the issues most MB owners complained about; getting rid of cheap interior plastic, improving build-quality and most importantly, improving reliability.
Reliability is important for me, but in all my years driving them all quality related issues were based on nuissance electronic problems, like seat memory, switches, window regulators and such, never on critical systems. Point is that the Mercedes gives you the safest place in traffic and the chance to walk away from an accident.
Re. the A8, this is a very capable car and in German car tests is always highly rated, but at this point is no match for new S-class (including the W12). Personally I never cared for the look and the previous models resale value was so poor that it couldn't be given away. This may have changed though with the latest model.
But in the end, there is nothing better than driving it. Take all of them for an extended spin (over the weekend if possible) and see what you like best. Then add your priorities regarding reliability, safety, convenience and financial pros/cons and you'll have your pick![Wink](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Have fun,
Wolfman
The new S-class is technically the safest and most advanced car you can buy anywhere. Period.
And Mercedes finally spent a fair amount of time adressing the issues most MB owners complained about; getting rid of cheap interior plastic, improving build-quality and most importantly, improving reliability.
Reliability is important for me, but in all my years driving them all quality related issues were based on nuissance electronic problems, like seat memory, switches, window regulators and such, never on critical systems. Point is that the Mercedes gives you the safest place in traffic and the chance to walk away from an accident.
Re. the A8, this is a very capable car and in German car tests is always highly rated, but at this point is no match for new S-class (including the W12). Personally I never cared for the look and the previous models resale value was so poor that it couldn't be given away. This may have changed though with the latest model.
But in the end, there is nothing better than driving it. Take all of them for an extended spin (over the weekend if possible) and see what you like best. Then add your priorities regarding reliability, safety, convenience and financial pros/cons and you'll have your pick
![Wink](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Have fun,
Wolfman
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They are actually 2 really different cars so its almost a apples to oranges comparo. I do no know very much about the Maser's reliability but I find them to be gorgeous and sexy cars, it doesnt come through in pics, but in person the car has a very athletic stance.
Tough call, but I guess it will come down to what you are looking for.
Tough call, but I guess it will come down to what you are looking for.
#40
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Would one feel as safe as driving in the mercedes compared with the maserati? no doubt the merc's safety features are among the best, but i wonder how the quattro compares...
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One with 4 wheels
#42
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Here are some pics of the Quattroporte and other Masers.
http://www.germancarzone.com/showthread.php?t=3197
M
http://www.germancarzone.com/showthread.php?t=3197
M
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2013 G63, 2015 S500, 2016 C63 coupe
we test drove the maseratti before the S500 and it was brilliant. For the driver that is. Great handling and powerful engine. The rear seats are a bit cramped and the downside is my father sits in the back whilst the chauffeur drives the car, so we went and test drove the A8.
Fantastic car, but my father was keen on the new S class, having owned the previous 2 models. Now that we have taken delivery of the new S, I'm glad we got it. The new S handles nicely (non comparable to the Maser) with the Sports mode and body roll is less evident than the previous model.
Cruising at 2000rpm the car feels powerful, I have yet to run it in fully before driving in the higher rev range. My father is in love with the car and so are the neighbours.
If you are to go with the S, get the AMG sports package. I heard from the Maseratti salesmen that a longer version of the Maser will come out, when I do not know.
Fantastic car, but my father was keen on the new S class, having owned the previous 2 models. Now that we have taken delivery of the new S, I'm glad we got it. The new S handles nicely (non comparable to the Maser) with the Sports mode and body roll is less evident than the previous model.
Cruising at 2000rpm the car feels powerful, I have yet to run it in fully before driving in the higher rev range. My father is in love with the car and so are the neighbours.
If you are to go with the S, get the AMG sports package. I heard from the Maseratti salesmen that a longer version of the Maser will come out, when I do not know.
#46
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Originally Posted by phonetics
if u buy the maserati, people will think it's an used car, but if u buy new S, it's got to be a brand new car....
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#47
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Originally Posted by phonetics
if u buy the maserati, people will think it's an used car, but if u buy new S, it's got to be a brand new car....
#48
Originally Posted by Toog4me
People who think like that don't matter. Only an idiot would use that logic to determine if a car is new or used.
#49
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Originally Posted by phonetics
what i meant is just that w221 is new to the market, so perhaps it's a better choice...
Originally Posted by phonetics
no life piece of shxt...
Last edited by Toog4me; 04-07-2006 at 02:49 AM.
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2020 BMW X3M Comp
Originally Posted by phonetics
if u buy the maserati, people will think it's an used car, but if u buy new S, it's got to be a brand new car....