S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

W221 tested by Top Gear

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2006 | 03:37 PM
  #1  
XZACM102's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 7
From: CA
AMG C63s Coupe
W221 tested by Top Gear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZD8STpUpCo
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 05:46 PM
  #2  
02S430's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: NYC/FT Lauderdale
W220 M113K
Originally Posted by XZACM102
i just love this car
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2006 | 05:30 AM
  #3  
dr.skp.ortho's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: NSW, Australia
McLaren 570S, G12 BMW 750Li, GLE63s AMG Coupe
its a nice review but it did come out some time ago.....and brought back reminders of the fifth gear review where the presenter criticised the night vision....contrary to Clarkson in top gear....what the fifth gear reviewer forgot or was ignorant of was that the infra red headlamps only operate above 10km/h....he tested the system with the vehicle at a standstill!!!!

But all in all....i think the s-class can claim to be the best performance luxury sedan in the world....and although i may be biased i dont see any upcoming rival marques being able to beat it.....quality, performance, luxury, safety, technology are all exemplary....in my opinion it shows that despite the problem of the late 90's and early 2000's Benz still knows how to build the best large luxury cars!!!!!
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2006 | 06:37 AM
  #4  
Chucky300's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Originally Posted by dr.skp.ortho

But all in all....i think the s-class can claim to be the best performance luxury sedan in the world....and although i may be biased i dont see any upcoming rival marques being able to beat it.....quality, performance, luxury, safety, technology are all exemplary....in my opinion it shows that despite the problem of the late 90's and early 2000's Benz still knows how to build the best large luxury cars!!!!!
I suppose we will have to wait a few more months to see if the car really is trouble free. It is in fact first model year for the 221, and you cant come to the conclusion that quality is all back. We CAN say that the quality of the feeling of the car (touching the material, drive handling, clunk of doors) is 100% better, but things like "will the suspension break (my W220 ABC broke twice) will the horn break, will the A/C work sometimes, etc) That collective amount of data will be available later on in the year.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2006 | 08:59 AM
  #5  
Nevada Jack's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Originally Posted by Chucky300
I suppose we will have to wait a few more months to see if the car really is trouble free. It is in fact first model year for the 221, and you cant come to the conclusion that quality is all back. We CAN say that the quality of the feeling of the car (touching the material, drive handling, clunk of doors) is 100% better, but things like "will the suspension break (my W220 ABC broke twice) will the horn break, will the A/C work sometimes, etc) That collective amount of data will be available later on in the year.
The car does have a record on the road of 10 months in Europe and 6 months now in the US. I have yet to see any significant complaint (or any for that matter related to quality) or trend in that direction here or on other forums. I am now entering my 5th month of ownership with over 7500 miles and all systems are go. I would think that if some major component was going to fail that it would have shown up by now.

I would agree with dr.skp.ortho that MB is again building the best luxury cars in the world...people would say I am bias...nah...:-)
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2006 | 09:31 AM
  #6  
Chucky300's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
The car does have a record on the road of 10 months in Europe and 6 months now in the US. I have yet to see any significant complaint (or any for that matter related to quality) or trend in that direction here or on other forums. I am now entering my 5th month of ownership with over 7500 miles and all systems are go. I would think that if some major component was going to fail that it would have shown up by now.

I would agree with dr.skp.ortho that MB is again building the best luxury cars in the world...people would say I am bias...nah...:-)
Awsome Thats great then! I believe MB is building the best lux cars around as well! My friend had a 1989 300SEL ... when you would get in the car - the feeling of solidity, and VAULT LIKE feeling was so apparent.... I have been inside a W140 and felt the same, but with the W220.... it wasnt really there. Everything felt watered down.... The W221 is JUST like the way the W126 and W140 felt. Really happy to feel this because thats WHY i like mercedes. My friend would tell you, I used to just open and close his doors (it belonged to his dad b4 he got it) just to hear the sound the doors made as they clunked closed.

7500 miles and no prob? Thats Great. You are right. Most would experience some problems by now. They did pump a billion $ into this car's development, so its probably gonna be a trouble free, or at least minimal in the way of kinks. I was always concerned about first model years being the worst cars to get, but lets see! We might have a Gem in our driveways!

=)
B
PS - Lowering your car.... I was just thinking.... if you have sports package, your front airdam bumper is KINDA LOW as it is. if you lowered the car... i think ur bumper would only be a few inches from the ground....

Anyone notice this? the W220 sport package had the bumper a little bit higher up. I luv the lower look - but scuffing on driveways and parking blocks might be an issue?
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2006 | 09:35 AM
  #7  
vraa's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 28,933
Likes: 12
Originally Posted by Chucky300
PS - Lowering your car.... I was just thinking.... if you have sports package, your front airdam bumper is KINDA LOW as it is. if you lowered the car... i think ur bumper would only be a few inches from the ground....
Unless sparks are flying whenever you drive your car is not low enough
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:23 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE