tyler_durden

Just for the pure driving experience,

which one do you think performs better overall?

FloridaE55

I'd say the W221 - and I owned a 760Li.

Certainly, it also depends on WHICH W221 we are talking about. The W221 is newer, so better developed. Most car-reviews rank the MB higher than the BMW.

QuadBenz

I'd say overall, the S550 performs better. But it depends on whether or not it has ABC or Airmatic, IMO. My friend's 750Li stayed pretty flat in corners, but it wasn't as flat in corners as my S, which does have ABC, and I have driven an Airmatic S550 before (which it does perform better than in corners). Another thing is that the S550 definitely has WAY more power, and the one thing that bothers me is that there's lag when you step on the gas to start moving from a stop in the 7. Much worse than any Benz I've driven.

WSH

Have test-driven various latest M3/M5 (haven't driven 7 in yrs)...BMW clearly has inept engineers who can't figure out basics like steering precision, chassis precision/stability, brake pedal feel/fade resistance, tq, gearbox speed/smoothness/robustness

Would prefer any new S/CL600 (550 brakes suck; too underpowered and plasticky interior) over any BMW...or any P for that matter

S/CL65 are on a separate level vs non-AMGs....only real comparos are 599 and GT2...which have various issues of safety and/or daily-useability compromising their real world dynamics/perf

Best approach is to test-drive new 7 vs '10 S65 (or 600/63) on interesting roads...both fast urban fwys (to test tq/gearbox) and mtn twisties (steering/chassis/brakes/tq/gearbox)...judge for self

gellie

When i test drove the 08 s550(coming out of a 05 s500)compared to 08 750,I could'nt believe how much sportier the bmw was. I really though the merc was a lexus. bmw are much nimbilier...

AustinGuy

I would not lump the 221 with the 7.

I hate to break this news to my S class bretheren, but the stock 550 simply does not compare with the 7 when it comes to pure handling.

The S63 and S65 OTH would blow the 7 out of it's socks. I have not driven the 600 so I can't comment.

AustinGuy

WSH - sorry to bust your bubble but this is the biggest line of horse hoey I have every heard. Come on man, are you serious? BMW engineers inept? Really? I would argue that the S550 cannot hold the 7's jock strap when it comes to handling and driving pleasure. I have driven both - for extended periods of time. Steering precision on the 7 is immaculate.
Agree, the 550's brakes need some work but I wouldn't go as far as saying they suck.
I can tell you first hand that the S63's handling is on a different level than the 7. Better and more responsive. Plus the suspension is slightly softer yet firm enough.

FloridaE55

Well, I doubt a S550 has a better steering precision than the M5. That was ALWAYS BMWs "hometurf"..

tyler_durden

just to be sure, your talking about the 'old' body style BMW, not the new one right?

Quadcammer

wsh is a HUGE AMG nutswinger.

everything else is designed by morons and "can't hold a candle" compared to his beloved AMG models.

AustinGuy

I was referring to the current 7 - it has a much more solid and precise feel than the older version.

tyler_durden

just to be sure i was speaking of this 7 series

http://www.familycar.com/roadtests/BMW-745/

gellie

DK much about the 02 745 compared to the merc.However when sold my 05 s500, i compared the 08 s550 to the 08 750il. I can honestly say the merc reminded my of my dad's old seville(steering) and the plush ride of a lexus. I felt underwheemeld to say the least. while the bmw handled,breaked much more responsive while be 10k cheaper( due to the upcoming f01 release). keep in mind most of the people on this forum will not be open minded regarding a fair assesment of ANY bmw.

FloridaE55

Not so fast..

carsnob

Do the brakes of an S 550 differ from those of the S 600?
(maybe a dumb question, but never considered this).

Red Marko

Yes, they do
550 <- 600 <- AMG (63 or 65)