02S430

i was looking at MB canada and they have a S450 4matic with 335Hp and 339lb -ft of torque why cant we get that here

trumpet1

A lot of governmental testing has to go into each and every car in USA before it can be sold here. It is very expensive to do this.
However, we may see the S450 later in the life of the W221 just like we saw a late introduction of the S350 in the W220. This may be a marketing strategy to either 1: Grab those who are tinkering with the idea of getting an Audi/BMW/Lexus within the price range of those cars, or 2: It may be sold at the end of the lifecycle of the W221 at a much reduced price to boost expected lagging sales towards the end of that model stretch due to fatique in its interest (knowing that a newer S class is just around the corner).

calgary

I drove this model only last week from Calgary, Alberta to Palm Springs, California for friends of mine. What a car - more than 1500 Miles through snow storms, icy roads, bitter cold, very heavy rainstorm in L.A. etc. The 4-Matic, ESP, GPS system and the paddle shift - to play with the 7 speed transmission - are all very impressive features. The horsepower and torque for a 4.5 liter engine - simply great. - Too bad you cannot get this model at the present time in the US. Too bad also, that I cannot afford one....

02S430

thanks all for your responses i wish we could have one here but owell, id trade up tho

lorinsertuned

in america

number is status

there is no s450 here bc s550 is the best

europe the US s550 is s500 there
why? same car everything the same and because competition of bmw and companies alike the bigger the ______ bigger the importance

hope that helps from another perspective

JRAMGV8

You got a good point, if I wanted an S-Class it would have to be S550 IMO but then again if were talking price I can see why S450 is reasonable. Not sure how much is the difference though...

BenzBoy12

Is this the same engine as the new GL? very torquey, although I think I'd rather have a 550 anyway.

calgary

Mercedes-Benz Canada lists the S450 as a 4.6 liter engine / 335 Hp,
the GL450 as 4.7 liters with the same 335 hp - and the GL550 as 5.5 liter producing 382 hp.

RajwanyS550

lexus ls 460 is almost 380hp. So I dont think MB would introduce 450 with a measly 335hp. S550 is the only way to go

nygl320cdi

I used to remember the days when MB had the s320, s420, s500, and s600 and long and short wheel base. My parents owned an s320 and it was terrific, comfortable, quick, and efficient, not to mention it was built like a tank and always worked properly. So I don't believe that higher numbers and bigger engines are always better or the only option we should be offered. I wish we had the options of the 90's s-class, heck even the s430 of the previous generation was great for those who wanted the size and luxury for a little bit less. now all we have is more expensive, inefficient, (not to mention more profitable for MB) S600, s63, and s65. Its not just MB, BMW and audi also have great smaller engine flagships they don't bring over here. For those of you who say it costs to much, MB was much more profitable back then with all of those model S-classes. check the records. Make mine an s350 4matic. Im advocating for more choice.

trumpet1

99% of what you said I agree with. The only part I have to slightly disagree with is the inefficient part. My S600 just got 21 mpg on my trip last weekend. I use 93 octane and use distronic and the mileage is terrific for any engine, especially a V12.
But everything else you said is practically true. I owned a S420 in 1996-98 and I thought it had plenty o' power considering the weight of the car but I'm not so sure it got that good of mileage as my current car.
I think the W140 was one of MBs finest cars ever built. The W221 is the first thing down the pike since then to get that award.
When will the horsepower war subside??? I don't know, but for now, I'm enjoying the heck out of my 740 ft/lbs of torque while getting 21 mpg !!

Germancar1

We'll likely see the S450 when the V8 in that car gets some type of update. If you're remember when the W221 was coming out they promoted the S450 and S550 together and then only the S550 showed up. I think Mercedes was taken by surprise when the Lexus LS460 showed up with 380hp, a huge leap over the previous LS430 which only had 290hp (before SAE cert, 278hp after). Lexus' power increases in the LS were always much more gradual, 250hp to 290 from 1990-2006! Mercedes decided to put the S450 on the shelf for the U.S. market so the S-Class (S550) would be more competitive with the LS, IMO. Now when Mercedes gets around to updating their V8s with direct-injection (good for another 30-40hp) we'll see a 365-370hp S450 and a 420hp S550 which will be a much more competitive set with the LS and the upcoming 400hp 4.4L V8 from BMW. This was a very wise move on MBUSA' part which is something they don't do often. A 335hp S450 for the same price as a 380hp LS460L wouldn't have won all the comparos and the performance would have been lacking. We'll see a S450 when W221 sales sink to a certain point or likely for the 2010 model year when the facelift arrives.

M

kevine310

I believe the Canadian S450 is only a standard wheel base. Equipment is the same as the 550.

MidniteBluBenz

S450' sell well CDN b/c many people don't live by the philosophy of bigger is better.

Nor do they need the power to do 0 - 60 in 5.5 seconds at the expense of fuel economy.

I haven't checked, but if its like the W220, than the 450 is available in both short and long wheelbase.

WSH

US has world's cheapest MB's....

S550 is so damn cheap that MB prob hestitates to bring cheaper versions to US....esp given thinner margins w/dollar vs euro issues....and fact US buys ?50%+ of world's $100K+ cars....and S-Class accts for some 30-40% of MB global oper profits....

iguess

I think they should bring the 450 here. Its enough power/ torque for most people, but wont look as good as having a 550 badge on the back of your car.

syswei

Hello, merc1!

02S430

i agree with you, theres ALOT of s430 here and i think the market would do fine for the person that doesnt need that engine and doesnt wanna break 100k for a car

JRAMGV8

Yup I hope they do bring that model here...

jjtoma

You are correct
S450-119.5" wb/4422lbs 5.9sec 0-100kmh
S550-124.5" wb/4530lbs 5.6sec 0-100kmh

MSRP for a S450(rwd)??= about $78k
Please send to USA

Germancar1

OMG!

Is this who I think it is from Edmunds? My favorite L fan???

WOW.

What have I missed?


M

tanktube67

they pay about 10K more