Is this your first S class?
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From: Winnetka, Illinois
LandRover Disco
Is this your first S class?
How many of you guys have a "history" with the S class? I mean, how many of you have owned 3 or more generations of S class? It seems most of you who buy the S550 are first time S class owners.
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S class loyalty/retention
I can only speak to what I see at the retailer level. MB tells us that S class retention is over 70%. I know that to be true when I continually see someone ending a lease on a S class and stepping into a brand new one. So far the new S550 has generated many S class trade-ins. When the 4matic model arrives later this year I think we will see even more interest in the S550 from S class drivers in the Midwest/Northeast areas.
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From: DFW
BMW M850i Gran Coupe
Originally Posted by IanGreening
How many of you guys have a "history" with the S class? I mean, how many of you have owned 3 or more generations of S class? It seems most of you who buy the S550 are first time S class owners.
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From: NJ
2009 S550 4Matic 2009 GL 550 2009 AM DBS
had a 1985 500 SEL, 1992 500SEL, and currently a 2002 S500. the last edition was the worst build quality IMO. The new generation is far better on my initial test drive. My expected date of delivery is end of june beginning of july.
JP
JP
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by pateljb
had a 1985 500 SEL, 1992 500SEL, and currently a 2002 S500. the last edition was the worst build quality IMO. The new generation is far better on my initial test drive. My expected date of delivery is end of june beginning of july.
JP
JP
Good thread to have here. I'm curious to know which S you thought was the best?
M
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From: Singapore
Bentley Continental GT 2004
Originally Posted by Germancar1
Good thread to have here. I'm curious to know which S you thought was the best?
M
M
Last edited by hcwong; Apr 18, 2006 at 01:00 AM.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by hcwong
My new W221 is my third S class. The W140 was a superb car in terms of build quality, the W220 did not even come close (which is politespeak for 'crap') which really made me miss the W140, and my initial impressions of the W221 are excellent.
I've often wondered what made Mercedes think they could get away with the build on the W220 S-Class. They 1998 M-Class, 2000 S-Class, 2001 C-Class, and even to some extent the W210 E of 1996 were all way below acceptable levels in build quality and certainly not up to the previous untouchable MB standards.
However this was merely a "thing" or phase that Mercedes was going through because even the SLK has a high-quality build/interior now as does the CLS, S and even the ML/R/GL are much better than the previous ML. The S and CLS really drive home the point though IMO. The revised SL/CLK and E also show that Mercedes has learned their lesson with trying to cheap out on interiors. They should have known they can't do that with Audi and Lexus on the market.
M
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From: London UK
S500 LWB ( W221 ) - CL63 Biturbo ( W216 ) CL 55 Kompressor ( W215 Sold ) C43 AMG ( W202 Sold )
I have had four SClass's, 450SEL 6.9, 560 SEL, 500S (W140) and 320L
(W220). And next year i will get the W221.
(W220). And next year i will get the W221.
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: NJ
2009 S550 4Matic 2009 GL 550 2009 AM DBS
Originally Posted by Germancar1
Good thread to have here. I'm curious to know which S you thought was the best?
M
M
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by pateljb
The W140 by far was the best build quality. It felt like a tank. Most spacious of any car at that time in its class. I was hit from behind by a tractor trailer in a thunderstorm and only heard a thump. Unfortunately, the damage it incurred was greater than its value at 180,000 miles and 6 years old so it was salvaged. but even the junk yard guy gave me $12K for it. The quality was such that i still wonder how princess diana did not survive in her accident.
M
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
2nd S Class
I have driven MB for almost 30 years now and this is the 2nd S Class. I had a short love affair with the '06 S430 and really liked it. When the S550 hit the street and I sat in it I realized I should have waited. The S550 is the class of the luxuries now on the market and is a great car to drive.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Originally Posted by Germancar1
Jack, what Mercedes models have you had before???
M
M
Funny how I got into MB...in 1977 I had a new Cadillac Seville stolen in Atlantic City. I ordered a new 1998 and refused delivery because of the build quality. On the way home I stopped at a MB showroom, test drove the 280E and bought it that day...I have never looked back...:-) Second cars during my MB life have been Volvos, Jaguar and BMW's.
Last edited by Nevada Jack; Apr 18, 2006 at 11:39 AM.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
Started off with a 280E, a 280CE, a 450SL, a 300E, a 380SL, a 380SL (not a typo), a 240D, a 300TD, a 300TE, a 320TE (?) , a E320 (W211), a S430 and the S550. I think that covers them all and hope I got the designations right. The two 380SL's was a new one in 1981 and a used one in 1988. The 320TE (?) was a '98 black wagon with the straight 6 and for the life of me I can't remember the exact model #...found it...E320 (W210)
Funny how I got into MB...in 1977 I had a new Cadillac Seville stolen in Atlantic City. I ordered a new 1998 and refused delivery because of the build quality. On the way home I stopped at a MB showroom, test drove the 280E and bought it that day...I have never looked back...:-) Second cars during my MB life have been Volvos, Jaguar and BMW's.
Funny how I got into MB...in 1977 I had a new Cadillac Seville stolen in Atlantic City. I ordered a new 1998 and refused delivery because of the build quality. On the way home I stopped at a MB showroom, test drove the 280E and bought it that day...I have never looked back...:-) Second cars during my MB life have been Volvos, Jaguar and BMW's.
Yeah that is quite a list there Jack. Most of those were before my time
My favorte of that list would be the W124 300E that was a Mercedes-Mercedes-Benz. M
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The reason the W140 appears to have been much better than the W220 is because by the time the 140 hit the market, many cars were not offering the amenities found on the 140. When the 220 came around, many other cars had started having simillar technology which gave the first generation 220's serious competition. The 221 (I dont have one yet) appears to be the best car ever.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by kenstudios
The reason the W140 appears to have been much better than the W220 is because by the time the 140 hit the market, many cars were not offering the amenities found on the 140. When the 220 came around, many other cars had started having simillar technology which gave the first generation 220's serious competition. The 221 (I dont have one yet) appears to be the best car ever.
M
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From: NSW, Australia
McLaren 570S, G12 BMW 750Li, GLE63s AMG Coupe
Started off with a W124 e class 300E 2.6, then went to w210 E320, W211 E500 and now W221 S500.
W124 had best build quality of the E-classes, W210 was worst but Mercedes made a comeback of sorts with the W211...i liked the E500 the best of the e-classes..the 5.0L probably had something to do with it
The S500 however is just in another league luxury wise and in my opinion on par with the W124 in terms of build quality.
W124 had best build quality of the E-classes, W210 was worst but Mercedes made a comeback of sorts with the W211...i liked the E500 the best of the e-classes..the 5.0L probably had something to do with it
The S500 however is just in another league luxury wise and in my opinion on par with the W124 in terms of build quality.
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From: Singapore
Bentley Continental GT 2004
Originally Posted by Germancar1
Well I don't think it was the amenities that put the W140 so high on so many people's list, it was the sheer build quality...M
But after two weeks with my new W221 I think it may give my well loved and well missed W140 a run for its money.
