Pictures of the "Elusive S550."
 

Here are a few pictures of our new car

This is the best car we have ever owned. Powerful, quiet, confortable,
and a very solid ride on any pavement.
Not a single problem to date.

Insignificant negatives:
-As we all know, typical small MB side mirrors.
-Operator manual could be halved in volume if all obvious warnings were deleted. Comand usage instructions could be better.
-Car drinks more than I do.:y

Congrats on your new S500. Is it 4matic?

Enjoy the car! It looks like you have the matte wood, did you special order that?

No, we opted for the ABC suspension instead.
While driving in the mountains we encountered snow and had no problems.

ABC is great. You are ok because you have the ALL SEASON tires. Unless you have a lot of snow on the ground, it should be fine. I have Sport Package AND ABC - in 3" of snow - I cant move. Tires wont grip anything. Even in the rain - I have a hard time controlling her. Turning even a bit to quick sets ESP off.

At the time we ordered the car, the silk matte wood was available as a "no cost" option. We had the high gloss burl walnut on our previous car, and in our opinion, the silk matte looks more like wood.

AND I HEAR IT FEELS MORE LIKE REAL WOOD.

3" of snow or more, I use my truck! Rather put a dent in that one than in the new car! I have the Continental ContiProContact ALL SEASONS tires. I agree with you, the ABC is great. (Compared to the ride offered in my previous S430-4Matic.)

And yes, now that you mention it, the silk matte feel is different, and warmer.

Glad you are happy with the car. The matte wood is cool, I would personally still get the glossy finish, but that is just a preference. Anyone know if they still offer that as an option?

Congratulations on the new S550! Beautiful and enjoy!

Congrats...it looks great...enjoy

Really, what this tells me is that for those who may have to drive in snow, the 4matic is the better alternative. Three inches of snow can occur in a very short time and would leave you in a dangerous driving environment with just ABC.

C

Yes, the 4Matic is definitely better in snow. We had to get back, so there was no alternative but to go for it. We drove slower, (and got passed by many 4 wheel drives that drove probably way too fast for the road condition,) but made it. 4-Matic and ABC offer different results. We prefer the comfortable ride. Going in the past, when we had our S430 4Matic we would look forward to snow; now we avoid it. I must add that I drove several rear wheel drive cars before four wheel drives became popular and never got stuck; but then I did not take any unnecessary chances either.

That is correct. Driving in the snow with RWD - especially with Sports Package........ VERY dangerous.... ABC has nothing to do with anything. Its mearly a suspension hydraulic system.........

[QUOTE=04S430;2118781]. 4-Matic and ABC offer different results. QUOTE]

As different as a breakfast of (a) Cereal or (b) Fruit

There is no comparison.

They SHOULD do their best to offer customers both. That would be some amazing machine. 4matic sports package and ABC

Think of that driving experience (on the dry) if u drive on the snow with sports package, i dont care if u have 4matic...... those tires dont grip!

Is there a practical reason that they don't offer both ABC and 4Matic?

the ABC unit and the 4matic unit i believe are in the same place - not enough room to have both. the ABC is quite a large package because it consists of sensors and hydraulics, and the 4matic is also quite large.

the ABC unit and the 4matic unit i believe are in the same place - not enough room to have both. the ABC is quite a large package because it consists of sensors and hydraulics, and the 4matic is also quite large.

Ah makes sense...that is also why on the current C-Class you cannot have the 7 speed trans with 4Matic--not enough room.

[QUOTE=Chucky300;2119315]I am with you, Mercedes Benz should make an effort to combine ABC and 4Matic. I would not be surprised they are working on it. Another option revenue for MB?