Originally Posted by whoover

I'm far from mad. I paid less for a new S65 than many have paid for an S55 and way less than anyone will pay for an S63. Note that mine is a W220 and they are the bargains of the century in my opinion.

The posted numbers for all the 65s are very conservative. Anyone who owns one knows that. The rumored reason is to not embarrass the SLR, but I have no idea if that's the case.

Only someone who has never driven one would compare it with a 63. (The 600 comparison is a bit more sensible, but that's not really my topic.) The 0-60 time is really irrelevant. The difference is in the effortless delivery of power at any RPMs. You want to get a 65 to move, you tap the throttle. At any speed. You want to get a 63 to move, you floor it and downshift a couple of gears and wait a split second for the engine to scream.

Originally Posted by tee_tz

Wow, this is interesting... I guess Mercedes is going to have 2 AMG's in the line-up. A S63 and a S65. Personally, I'm lost.

S550 -$86,000
Engine: 5.5 V8
Power: 382 HP, 391 Torque
0-60mph: 5.4 sec.
Comments: Offers AMG Body styling - like the S63, not S65.

S600 - $140,000
Engine: 6.0 V12
Power: 510 HP, 612 Torque
0-60mph: 4.5 sec.
Comments: Doesn't offer AMG Body styling.

S65 - $182,000
Engine: 6.0 V12 Turbo
Power: 604 HP, 738 Torque
0-60mph: 4.2 sec.
Comments: For probably $30K less, you can have a S600 or S63 with almost the same performance and more luxury (in the S600 case).

S63 - $unknown
Engine: 6.2 V8
Power: 518HP, 465 Torque
0-60mph: 4.6 sec.
Comments: A cheaper S65 and almost the same performance! Looks almost identical.


I don't know -- what is Mercedes doing?? Does this make sense -- to me it looks like the S65 is less and less desirable.


Tee_Tz.

Originally Posted by whoover

You're overthinking this. Clearly you're not in marketing . (By the way, in Europe there are way more models so our confusion is relatively mild.)

There's a base V-8 model (S550) and an upscale V-12 (S600). The S600 adds luxury and the V-12 driving experience, which is about effortless power delivery more than 0-60. The typical S600 driver doesn't drag, but likes being able to pass without exercising his right ankle too much. It's part of the luxury cachet, along with the baby-butt leather and wood. The S550 has adequate power, but the relative vibration of the V-8 at revs is the motor equivalent of the plastic trim and leatherette.

Both of these models come in AMG-tuned variants. Their characters aren't changed, just enhanced. You can't think of them as a single continuum -- they are two versions each of two models. It's a branched tree, not a road. The S65 has the baby-butt leather and wood, and even more of the effortless power. It also has an undetectable idle. But it happens to be able to spank all the other models. By how much isn't really important. The tap-the-gas responsiveness of the V-12 is more important because this car is part of the V-12 branch.

If someone finds the V-12 experience to be as amazing as I do, you consider the S600 and the S65 if you think the money is worth another 100+ ft-lbs, bigger brakes and better handling. If you're happy with the V-8 experience you consider the S550 and the S63 if you're into the extra power and handling. (An ABC-equipped S550 with sport package is closer in driving experience to an S63 than an S63 is to either V12.)

I personally would go with the ABC/Sport S550 or S600 or S65, depending on what I could afford. I'm not the only one to think the S63 will be a hard sell. And I drove (and loved) an S55 for three years before I traded it for the S65.

The bottom line is that there are multiple decision drivers, and the relative importance to the customer makes the choice less confounding than it would be if you tried to line the models up in a hierarchy.

Originally Posted by tee_tz

Okay, it starts making sense now...

The S550 is the new S500. The S63 is the new S55. The S600, unchanged. And the S65 is the ultimate, but really a sportier and more powerful version of the S600 not the S63.

Hmm, so for performance sake it seems like the V12's are just superior. I guess price does play a factor, people will immediately see the S63 as a cheaper option to the S65; and the S550 as a cheaper option to the S600.

Nope, not in marketing -- software development. But I'm still in my early 20's so if software development doesn't show me signs of S65's then I've got time to change paths!


Tee_Tz.

Originally Posted by tee_tz

Wow, you've owned a lot of cars. What's the fastest/best performance car you've driven? - If you can rank them. It's interesting because as you said, while the Viper on paper was faster than the Ferrari, the Ferrari seemed faster.


Tee_Tz.

Originally Posted by xecution

Yes, you may dare say, that is affordable, but I don't think I could ever get used to people looking at me and saying, " Wow, look at that rich guy"
Mercedes, say I have arrived, I am doing well, but I don't have so much money I don't know what to do with it. I think

Originally Posted by W210

I also find a new S600 much more appealing than a 360. Dollar for dollar, I also find the S600 of better value than the S65.

All this talk about the effortless power makes me want to upgrade my good handling but a little slow BMW 750Li.

One question, with the S600, can one order the piano black wood trim like in the BMW Individual program? I'm a sucker for light cream interior and piano black trim.

I think I saw a Neiman Marcus edition S600 with the lovely piano black trim but am uncertain if it's something one can order via designo. It has the super light seats with black carpet.

Originally Posted by shadowgriffen

Was that you I was behind on Newbury street in your silver XLR-V??

Originally Posted by xecution

I just looked in the brochure for you, and yes they do, its called Designo - Mystic white edition and it looks incredible it has black piano laquer finish.

Originally Posted by xecution

nopers, mines is black on black. but I do frequent Newbury street.

Originally Posted by shahedC

xecution, your car list under your name says "Cadillace"..