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.

mbwestminster

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.

iLoveMyMB

Yea, the W221 is my parent's 2nd mercedes and 1st S-class

S-Clusiv

Will be my 4th.

MBZFAN55

I find your comment quite interesting, but almost for an opposite reason than you have suggested in your question. I have had 4 S-Class Mercedes and this year I am seriously thinking about getting something else. At this point in time, I'm thinking about the new SL550 or possibly the SL55 ( a '63 could seal the deal ). Maybe it's my "mid life crisis", but I'm feeling I need a change !

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

Germancar1

Good thread to have here. I'm curious to know which S you thought was the best?

M

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.

Germancar1

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

Mercedes22

I have had four SClass's, 450SEL 6.9, 560 SEL, 500S (W140) and 320L
(W220). And next year i will get the W221.

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.

Germancar1

The only reason she didn't survive is because she wasn't wearing her seatbelt. The only person that survived was the only one wearing their seatbelt. I agree totally about the W140. There was a famous police chase of a stolen W140 S500 and the police were trying to ram it off the road and couldn't. Those Crown Vics were just bouncing off of it like ticks. The only car like that today is oddly based on that old platform, the W240.....the Maybach. With even more weight and size I can only imagine what that car must be like to drive.

M

DBGator

I had a hand-down W140 from my father-in-law, leased a C about about 8 years ago (awful - too small), bought a 06 S350, and now the W221.

Germancar1

Oh yeah you can't go from a S to a C and be happy I don't think.

M

akburton

First S-Class here, and I am loving it. Don't know what I'm going to do when the lease ends. I guess no retirement here!

Nevada Jack

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.

Germancar1

Jack, what Mercedes models have you had before???

M

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.

MrMBenz1

My 2007 S550 will be my 7th S-Class...can't wait to take delivery of my car next month!

Germancar1

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

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.

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 and bulk of the car...a true tank if you will. The W140 was actually quite sparse in fancy features unless you got a S500 or S600.

M

dr.skp.ortho

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.

sjamurath

is is my 4th Mercedes, 3 of which were S Class.

hcwong

My feelings entirely.

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.