I've been researching the W221 for months now, and must say this board has been very helpful. I finally narrowed it down to a new 2008 S550 (Designo Graphite; P3; Pano; ABC) asking $106K (probably could have got it for $98K to $100K), or a 2007 S600 (with only 980 miles on it, literally brand new). I opted for the S600 which seemed like too good a deal at $108K. I felt a little guilty with the mpg difference between the two, but what the heck I figure the V12 badges and face-warping torque will probably alleviate any mpg guilt.

 

Congrats...excellent choice...

Indeed, after driving a 600, hard to ever go back to a mere, underpowered, underbraked, plasticky 550....

I still miss the tq/interior elegance of my prior 600, so I'll be trading in my underpowered, plasticky CL63 030 for an '09 CL65 in Oct....

I tell my eco-fanatic (invariably dim-witted, like most tree-huggers) colleagues that I'm getting a new 65 to reduce my fuel bill, as 65s get some ?1-2MPG more than 63s....and I tell my EU colleagues that I'm doing my part to help avert a deep recession in Germany...

 

After driving a 550 and a 600 i still cant believe they are from the same manufacture! It truly reminds of of comparing a Boxter vs a 911. Once you drive a 600 you can never go Back. The cheap interior of the 550 is a real dissapointment . I also agree with the severly underpowered brakes. Great choice!

 

You made a very, very wise choice. I hope you realize how good you did.
The S600 and 65 are the best cars in the world and to think you got into one for just over $100K is that much better.
The fact that you got a 2007 is good too because you don't have those ugly rice rapper tailpipes. Just make sure to get the 08 upgrade of the telematics/comand system and you'll be all set.
Please post some pictures.

 

Congratulations!!

Believe me ... you made a wise decision. You will love S600. Do post some pics when you have a moment.

 

that was funny!!!!

 

Congratulations - you will not regret your choice! Wait until you take a longer distance journey... I took my S600 for a cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway today... (From Carmel southwards) The ABC really shines as you negotiate curves and switch backs... and when you get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle... A quick overtaking blast on the V12 and you are wayyy past it... Best of all you get out after a few hours still feeling refreshed. I even got 20.3 mpg.

Enjoy!

Chris

 

That's the mileage I get too. Gas guzzler tax???

 

I, too, am considering an S Class; after owning a 03,05 and 07 SL class.

I see that you had an SL as well. How did you take the transition from Sports car to sedan? I'm afraid that if I switch I'll miss the fun to be had in the SL. But a new 09 SL is out of the question due to the tragic restyle.

 

I think the new upgrade to the styling of the SL is awesome. The headlights are much better looking and distinctive compared to the peanut headlights as was seen on the prior generation of C class.

 

wow. wow.

You are the very first person that I've met who actually liked the new styling. Out of dozens of people I've asked. And my local dealer isn't selling any of them; even at a $8k discount.

But, styling is an individual thing, and I just feel no desire to get a new one.

Thanks for the opinion!

 

I like the new SL better also. The old one looks a bit dated to me now that the new has come out. Just my 2 cents

 

Just checked ebay and man have these car's values tanked now that the 2009s are on sale! I noticed Dick Dyer has one for sale at just over $150K. Did the prices go up? Retail on 2007 S600s like mine with 25K miles on them are getting "buy it now" prices of only $80 to 85K . At this rate, they won't be worth $20K in their 5th year. Usually the depreciation decay slows down but it seems this is not gonna happen.

 

Trumpet, suspect it's a rather bipolar mkt....esp new vs used....SF/Greenwich vs rest of US....

Used prices (and liquidity) for AMG/F are some of worst in past 15yrs+ in US/London/EU....poor state of economy, spike in lease default rates and credit issues affecting esp the used buyer....

Conversely, certain new, high-end models are in tight supply-demand balance, e.g., I couldn't get an '09 CL65 build spot until Sept, as first ?25 cars being built for US were spoken-for....cars ordered for actual custs....

SL65 Blk that's arriving this Fall for some ?$285K....my dealer's two allocated copies are spoken for by long-standing custs; have a couple of colleagues ahead of me in line at my dealer to get any addtl new copies that become available....these guys buy more new AMG CL/S/SL every yr than me, so it's unlikely I will be allocated an SL65 Blk....and all these buyers are well aware how rapidly 65s depreciate...

BTW, notice that Chrysler is eliminating leasing, eff Aug 1? Many mfrs are taking large losses b/c of cheaply-written leases....will be interesting to see, as the credit crisis continues, what mfrs and dealers do to manage vs scarce credit, in terms of lease terms, inventory capital costs, steep discts on new and used cars to more rapidly turn over inventory (can't tie up scarce capital in stagnant inventory), etc etc.....

 

TOMD,
I still have the SL55, though my wife drives it more than I do. I will primarily be alternating between the S600 and my NSX. It's not a problem adjusting from one to the other. I sometimes drive a Suburban or Land Rover as well. They are all quite different, but no problems adjusting.

 

Or as seen on the current version of Mercedes Best; the SLR McLaren