Hello all you S-Class owners!
I'm in the market for another car. Currently I drive a 2010 GL450 and my husband has an ML450. I'm just looking for a comfortable car that we could throw the kids in the backseat, and just relax for the ride. I really wanted to expand my horizon, and go with something other than a mercedes. I honestly think that the new 7 series from BMW is disgusting. After my 5 series, I swore I'd never buy BMW again. I paid cash for that car, and lost my a** 2 years later. I don't think mercedes loses it's value as quick as BMW. Now I'm back in the market for another Mercedes, and decided on an S-Class. But there's so many models!! S400,S550, S600, S63, S65!
I can't decide. Prolly gunna go with a S600... But what model should I decide? I don't really like the idea of having a Hybrid...though my husband does. I just like the S600. What do y'all think? Palladium Silver seems to be our color of choice...The GL and ML both Match, lol. Please help! Your input will totally help.

 

I think that the S600 is a great choice. I just ordered one and waiting for delivery sometime in early May 2010.

 

 

I was checking out inventories at Dealers by me...
Fletcher Jones Newport Beach has a wide array of S-Class sedans.
A White S600, and a few S63's.
Didn't see any S65's, but I'm pretty sure my husband would kill me if I bought a car that expensive.
I live in Ladera Ranch, so Newport Beach is about a 30 min drive.
Probably gunna go take a look tomorrow.

 

IMO, S65 and 600 are world's two best engineered cars
Would test drive each to figure out what one prefers
For me, the 65 price diffce vs 600 is more than worth every penny
Expect hefty depreciation with any V12; not surprising, as most of those who can afford $150+K commuter cars want new cars, not used...and know for what they are signing up and what they can afford
Realize that MY11 65s start builds in Sept and may have more hp, gearbox changes (perhaps some 65Blk tech) and may have more body flaring...
Would choose local dealer/salesman that will value your MB buying via superior service for any warranty work...and support if have lemon issues (figure out which dealer/salesman has deepest base of repeat, new 65 buyers)

 

usc, congrats on the incoming 600

Have you spec'd specific tires/wheels? AMG for MY10 allows specific tire brand choices

For 600, would opt for Conti SC2 on 19"....the std no-season, no-perf tires put on 18" wheels entail much longer braking dists and weaker chassis balance in any emergent maneuver

 

Based on what you've said (comfortable runabout) for I'd go for the 600 but then as a 600 owner myself (albeit previous generation) I'm biased. There's a big step up to the interior of a 600/65 versus a non-designo 500/63 and it is the comfort-mobile, yet stills has the BHP, torque and ABC for some more spirited driving.

Expect to lose your rear end in any new high end MB purchase. If you are bothered about losing $$$ (and it sounds like you might be based on the BMW reference) consider getting a low mileage (sub 5000 mile) CPO vehicle. I'm sure you'll have plenty to choose from in your part of the world.

 

s400 or s550 amg pkg. lol. that is what i can probably afford, so can only suggest that.
i am sure the s63 or s65 would be a blast as i sat in one and then sat in a s550 loaded and felt like sitting on civic dx. Ths s63/S65 is just amazinnng/

 

What do you guys think about the Designo Graphite color?
There was a S63 at the dealer with that color.
The rims on the S600, IMO are ugly! It makes it look like an old person drives it.

 

The more you deviate from the "standard" S-Class, which in this case is the S550, the more your will expose yourself to excessive price depreciation. The March Mercedes Lease Program demonstrates the substantial residual value differential highlighted by a 15% difference between the S400 and the S600 over a 36 month period.

2010 Mercedes S400 Hybrid
24 Month – Residual 56% of MSRP – .00262 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 52% of MSRP – .00227 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 41% of MSRP – .00227 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 36% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate

2010 Mercedes S550
24 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00298 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00263 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 41% of MSRP – .00263 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 35% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate

2010 Mercedes S550 4matic
24 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00274 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00239 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 41% of MSRP – .00239 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 35% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate

2010 Mercedes S600
24 Month – Residual 46% of MSRP – .00340 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 37% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 33% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 28% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate

2010 Mercedes S63
24 Month – Residual 52% of MSRP – .00340 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 44% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 39% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 35% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate

2010 Mercedes S65
24 Month – Residual 48% of MSRP – .00340 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 35% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 29% of MSRP – .00305 Base Rate

The Designo option also tends to be a somewhat non financially recoverable expenditure.

All of this doesn't matter if it's not what you want and obviously even considering an S-Class you have placed yourself substantially above the alleged practicality of a lesser priced sedan. My advice would be to take a few of your choices out for a test drive and see what you really like. This is a good problem - enjoy !

 

Rims are easily changed when you order the vehicle. Plenty of non-multi spoke wheel options available on the 600.

 

Yea. My husband and I are probably going to look some more this weekend. I guess one of his co-workers was saying how he test drove an S63 and had loads of fun. He wants something fun and comfortable. We'll probably compromise, and end up getting an S63. I'll let y'all know what happens.

 

Sounds like a fun weekend!

I do prefer the looks of the 63 over the 600, but for me the 600 is the ultimate sleeper sedan. Not very often you hear 'compromise' and 'S63' in the same sentence!

 

Give that fact that the price difference between a loaded S63 and an S600 (where ALL options are standard) is very small, in your position and going by what you have said I would definitely go for the S600. Not only is the interior all leather and considerably more sumptuous and less plasticky, but the V12 is in its own class. As another poster points out it is the ultimate sleeper while at the same time being as comfortable as your living room. If your husband wants loads of fun he can also have that in an S600. There again, he can have just as much fun with a $20,000 Miata. Seems what YOU want is the question here.

...but there again as an S600 owner I am biased as well! I did however originally order an S63 and rejected it when I realized that its relative value was much less compared to the S600. I know in hindsight that my buyers remorse if I had kept the S63 would have been extreme. Nothing against the S63 at all, just that a body kit, a bit more engine noise, and AMG badge did not align with what I wanted from a car in this price range.

In your position however, what would seriously concern me about the current S63 is that it appears that the new twin turbo V8 engine will go into the next model year. That being the case, the value of the current car and its NA 6.2 liter engine will based on all precedent start to drop very severely. On the other hand if you wanted to wait a year for the new engine it sounds amazing. In the meanwhile however, the S600 which will almost certainly run until the end of the w221 model cycle in 2012/13 is much the safer and higher value choice IMO.

Chris

 

This is true. I think we hear a test drive coming soon? HAHA. I persuaded him to want what I want! A Palladium Silver S600. We're on the same page! YESSSS!
lol

 

Thanks WSH. The only option on wheels are currently the 19" multi-spoke. There is a 20" 10 spoke wheel, however it is available in late 2010.

 

Kate0506 - I also sought the excellent advice from many of the people on this thread while deciding between an S63 designo and an S600. I bought an 09 S600 Paladium Silver over Black. Best car decision I ever made. You can almost feel the S600 as it becomes more and more a part of you all the time.

It sounds like you know what you want and what you now need to do.

Good Luck!