Nyla

Hi guys,

I'm looking for help with a decision between an '07 S600 w/ 6K (MB CPO) or an '08 S550. Right now, I can push them pretty hard on price. Either way, the spread between the two cars comes out to probably 15K.

I could also order an '09, but without the large discounts.

I come from a long string of 7-series and this being my first MB. I'd appreciate any thoughts or words of advice.

Thanks.

whoover

S600 all the way. There is no comparison in luxury (interior finish and appointments) and, especially, driving experience. Once you've driven the V12, you're pretty much ruined for anything else.

ahmadkshuja

If you don't care much about new technologies (blind spot or part assist), S600 will be a wise option

UPDATE ON S550 vs. S600

I want to further emphasize the S550 vs. S600 differences and why you should go for S600 anyday / anytime

I was at the MB dealership earlier today and was looking at S550. Don't mean to hurt the S550 owners, but S600 is way more classy; the headliner, leather all around, and the finest leather seats. Above that, you have rear massage seats plus V12. For me, it will be extremely hard to switch to S550 after having S600. Just wanted to share my thoughts. Good luck in your purchase

Carl Lassiter

Will the '08 be a new one. If so, I'd buy that. However, I must agree that that V12 is a joy to behold so if they're both used then get the 600.

WSH

Have a deep aversion to absurd notion of a "discretionary" used car (even 100+ mis and/or pre-titled) of any type....wouldn't ever consider used houses/clothing either

Would rather stretch for a new 600 than any new 550....

But if truly stretched at some $100K, would rather have a new, bespoke-spec S550 w/ABC and DistPlus (and no Pano rf) from a competent, relationship and svc-oriented dealer w/a superb salesman that will likely support buyer in event of lemon/warranty-repair issues....than any used 600....used cars are nasty from an aesthetic/hygienic standpoint and typically not economically efficient anyway....

carsnob

7 months ago I was in the same boat as you. I preferred all of the options (just about) and realised that the S 600 had them all plus the V12.
As a 750 owner you will appreciate the S 550 or 600 so either way you will do well.
If the S 600 is completely immaculate (and it should be) then that is the best bet. It has already taken somewhat of a hit (depreciation) and while it will continue to, you would be ahead of the game vs. a brand new '08.
While I happened to get an '07 new, while the '08's were available, most almost new Mercedes from authorized dealers are pretty damn good, and if there was a "hygeine" issue as WSH points out above, you'd surely know it and walk away.
If you ever saw a BMW 760 with the alcantra (suede) liner, plus the rear seat package,you'd appreciate the S600 all that much more.
Go for it and enjoy! ...let us know what you decide. Good to see a convert from 750's to S's.
Lloyd

Nyla

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

WSH--I'll admit to a certain wariness about buying used (perhaps "preowned" is more PC), something I've never done. I could purchase either car new, so it's not really so much a stretch as the lure of working depreciation for a "good deal".

I seem to get this way at the end of a model year with "new old stock" gathering dust on the lots. I like to break in my engines, so to me, that 600 is, and will remain, a mystery. I'll probably skip it.

On paper, the advantages of a 600 v. 550 are apparent, and a behind the wheel comparo is next. BMW's version of the upgrade (their 760) was never that impressive (interior, (most) materials, etc borrowed from 745/50), but I gather from the response here, MB is different.

Thanks again to all. I appreciate your help.

trumpet1

The S600 is the way to go. I've had mine for 1 1/2 years and it has spoiled me rotten. Gas mileage on mine is very respectable. I just hope this democrapic congress stops raising gas prices. It's killing the economy.

I originally was looking for a 550 but was frustrated trying to get just the right one with just the right options and when I saw the fully loaded S600, I decided to go for it and get all of the options.

What I can't figure out is why it takes such a big hit. It seems every bit as reliable as a V8. To me, it would seem a smoother, more balanced V12 would last longer since it vibrates less and doesn't have to work as hard.

I'm sure there is a reason tucked in there somewhere.

Bottom line though, I'd get the S600 (new or used).

LETO

Most people with a budget of 140K or so want a new car. Hence the people buying the S600 used are mostly fully optioned S550 customers and will pay a price close to a fully optioned S550 for a slightly used S600.

IMHO if one's budget is as high as say over 100K, you have a lot of options so you might as well get a brand new car.

trumpet1

I do know that the wholesale value of a 2007 S600 is around $75K , so when a dealer asks for well over that, they are screwing you. My car has dropped in value 50% in 18 months.

LETO

is whole sale the same as auction price?

Yeah the dealer marks the used car up but also stands behind it. I dont think you can lemon law a auction car if it is sold "as is" Only the manufacture warranty will stand. Some auction cars do have manufacture warranty void

I also think most whole sale used cars get shipped abroad. I am pretty sure that is the case with "flood" cars.

trumpet1

Wholesale is auction price. Dealers buy the cars at the auction at cut throat prices then turn around and put them on the lots. I don't know why it has to usually go through that process. Looks to me like when you trade cars, the dealership should at least attempt to sell them on their own lot. Apparently the used car salesmen are more into that than new car lots.

carsnob

Trumpet, sad but true that the depreciation is so heavy. It is depressing to me that my -- as new -- '07 S 600 that I've had for 9 mos is "worth" so little.
However I've had so many cars over the years and this one is definately at the top of the heap, so it's a real "keeper" in my mind. This car won't leave you "wanting more" as a 550 does if you are missing lots of options.
So the saving grace is that I will keep the car for many years this time (a real switch for me) and in this way even though the "street value" is sh** compared to original price, at least the car itself stays virtually the same so it remains heads and shoulders above the rest even though it may be 6 or 7 years old years from now.

AustinGuy

As much as I keep smacking myself in the head/face everytime I buy a new car, I wonder WHY I can't get myself to drive someone else's smelly fart infested car.... I guess that would be the prudent thing to do and save a ton of $$$ ... but I just can't get myself to do it. As much as manufacturers tout the "pre-owned as good as new" jibberish, there are still strings attached to the warranty. I've heard a couple of horror stories about dealerships nickel & diming owners who have tried to use those warranties.... I guess that also depends on the brand, but the car industry in general has become more sleazy and downright God aweful in recent years. I used to feel bad for car salesman and thought they got an unfair rap, but after the last few years of dealing, I think there are more scum bags in the business than in most others....

On another note, I just checked the value of a 2007 S550 on KBB.org (can't do a 2008 yet) with about 700 miles (same as mine) with all the same options.....$85,000!! That - for a car that MSRP'd at $110,000

cjf_moraga

This was my rationale as well... take a long term view and invest more up front for a vehicle ahead of the curve in engineering, comfort, and features... everything conceivable... and run it for 7 years or at least 1 year into the next model cycle.. (and then I would probably go for a CL as my kids will have grown up) After all as far as sedans are concerned where else is there to go?

Hmm... perhaps a new Hyundai Genesis? Well there is always a Roller

Chris

LETO

The dep is one of the reasons to lease. 15k a year for 39 months for example would yield a car with 48750 miles at the end of the lease. The dep on that car would be insane.

This way you get to enjoy the car for 3 years or so, not worrying about depriciation, mileage etc

vonbeeler

KBB is a joke. Good luck trying to get $85k for an 07 550. Current retail is about $75k and wholesale $65k. KBB is for dealers to use to show you why you need to pay so much when buying. They won't be mentioning KBB for your trade in.

On another note, after all the money I have thrown away over the years on cars I am thankfull I don't mind driving someone elses fart infested car to save $50k. Although I didn't recognize any previous odors from previous owner, I may have let a few slip out over the last couple months myself. My advance apologies to the next owner. Just consider it compensation for buying My S600 for $50 grand in a few years.

dalazernet

Yes, here in NJ they pull out this "Galves" guide to rate cars... and its quite a bit lower than KBB. Yet they have no problem pulling out the KBB when it comes time to buy that used car off their lot. Gotta love it.

trumpet1

It might as well been me that wrote the above post as I feel the same way. I usually trade twice a year (44 cars in 20 years!!), but I plan on keeping this one. It never bores me and is so far ahead of the rest, even within Benz lineup.

trumpet1

LMAO

$50K smelly dollars is worth it I guess.

Like AustinGuy said, I have a hard time buying used. Done it before and still get screwed with high depreciation. Not quite as bad as buying new but bad enough to lean me towards just going ahead with a new one.

AustinGuy

ROTFLMAO!!

gellie

Getting back on topic. Comparing a s600 vs a s550 is like comparing a Boxter vs a 911. The choice is very easy.

Untertürkheim

This comparison could not be more pointless.

There are many aspects of the 550 that can make it a more attractive option than the 600.

Assuming the 550 has every available option, it will have the same interior appointments as the 600. The exclusive leather option on the 550 uprades the leather, and the designo option on either will give you identical interiors and materials. Plus, the 550 can be equipped with the AMG sport package, which is not available on the 600.

The facts are that the 550 engine and transmission (7-speed) are an entire generation ahead of the old SOHC 600 with the 5-speed, and will deliver far better fuel economy and should also be quieter on the highway due to the higher final drive ratios.

This is not to imply I have anything against the 600, I have a very strong V12 addiction myself, but I also remove the governors from my cars (the extra money spent for more power would be entirely wasted otherwise, even an S350 can hit 155, and use a lot less fuel).

My analysis is based on the fact that 99% of drivers in the US will not even be able to exploit the potential of a 550, so wasting extra money on the 600 plus the increased fuel consumption and ownership cost is of questionable merit.

This is not to say

whoover

designo yes, but the leather upgrade on the S550 does not approach the S600 interior. It gives you better leather on the seating surfaces only, but the V12 interior has leather in places (like the dash) that you won't see on any V8 without a designo package at $10,000+.

Generations notwithstanding, the driving experience of the V12 with 5-speed is vastly superior to V8 with 7-speed. You're always on the torque curve and a tap on the gas puts you where you want to be. You don't have to drive triple-digit speeds to appreciate this difference. And with that much torque, 5 speeds are plenty. Yes, you will pay a bit in fuel consumption, but if that's a major motivator you probably don't want an S class.

As to the AMG kit, there is an answer: the S65.

cjf_moraga

Yes I would agree with that. It is the turbine smoothness of the (perfectly balanced) V12 that makes the S600 such a sensual driving experience... You can lope along at 1500-2000 rpm without breaking a sweat... (Who needs 7 gears) Yet if you floor it, all of a sudden the warp engines engage and you can outrun pretty much anything else on the road... it is a driving experience that is well worth the relatively small delta between the two - interior appointments aside... and as stated if you are worried about a few less MPG over a S550 at this price level then you are in the wrong car anyway... In fact on the freeway I get a reasonable 19 mpg + and some here get over 20... Compared with a big truck or SUV thats pretty good.

Chris