superchet

How big of a depreciation explosion will W221 cars experience?

skrontz

The common expectation for MY2013 S Class (W222) is to arrive in the US in early 2014. If history is any lesson, there will be no "explosion" beyond the normal depreciation rates (especially taking into account the consistent climb in MSRP over the past years).

laxexquis

Judging from the past, the new 2013 S-Class should be available in early 2012. The delivery date of my 07 S550 is march of 06.

As far as depreciation, shouldn't be anything different than the past gens. And for the MSRP, I don't think its been increasing THAT much,I know it went from 87 to around 93, but the MSRP for a 99 S500 was $87,500, an 07 was $85,300, funny, isn't it?

ULJets

Anyone know when we are able to order the W222? Although it may be better to wait until MY2014 like with the current W221...MY2008 saw quite a number of improvements over MY2007.

skrontz

It's not "MY2013" in the US, since it always comes out a year early in Europe. So, a likely 2013 calendar year introduction there and 2014 for us in the US.

You should compare the exchange rate between the euro and US dollar in 1999 and now; it will be much clearer ;-)

skrontz

Probably at the end of calendar year 2013, but who knows right now.

ima55r2

If the S-Class is on a 7-year cycle (MY07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, and finally MY13) then the next gen will be a MY2014 and arriving in the US in 2013.

Since European MY designations begin at the first of January and the new S will be in Europe first, then it will be a MY2013 in Europe.

I think the confusion begins with English and German auto news sites saying it is a MY2013 and the American journalists hearing MY2013 and knowing the model year should begin selling in 2012 in the US, the year before.

If it is like the new CLS, ordering should be possible in March 2013 with deliveries beginning the end of May or early June.

nyca

The S is overpriced compared to its competition now, that's the biggest challenge they face with it. And the base W222 gasoline engine for the US market is overpowered for the sales demographic. It will be interesting to see how they address these issues. The logical move is an S350 at a lower price point.

skrontz

I disagree. W221 has no alternative in terms of exterior and interior styling, and many people (myself included) are more than willing to pay a premium for that.

The logical move is to drive a Honda; an S350 feels significantly underpowered.

RajwanyS550

+1. there is no substitute....Power is King, u can never have enough power.

Fraser

The earlier 221s probably won't see much but the 221s still on dealer lots will be available for much cheaper, and as a knock on so will newer MYs.

My father bought a new A8 at the end of last year as the new ones hit UK shores. A combination of that and his third A8 in 4yrs meant he got it for around 35% off list.

WEBSRFR

I disagree. You can't play in this segment without tremendous power at your disposal. If anything when your run of the mill Infinity and Audi can do sub 5 seconds, you need more power under the hood. Not that the typical S driver is into drag racing but I think they pay enough to out accelerate anyone around them if they so desire to get out of a tight situation.

I'm willing to bet the opposite is true. The US market is probably even more focused on power than other markets.

If you still think power is not important, look at the really bad sales figures for the S450.

dannieboiz

With all the talks of depreciation, I'm in the market for an 08, is it wise to wait until the end of the year when or early next year to pick one up?

Or Pick a brand new one up for $20k under MSRP as some of the other buyers got from last years?

skrontz

MB typically manages the MY transitions quite well, but even then a 35% discount on a previous MY W221 is highly unlikely. Depending on how the W222 is perceived by the traditionally conservative audience (most of the images so far are rather disappointing in my opinion), some buyers may prefer to snap a W221 and not be the early adopters.

Depreciation is a never ending process. Most certainly, the longer you wait, the cheaper the particular MY gets. Unless you can wait forever, you need to pull the trigger at some point. If you don't need the car until the next year, why not wait? If you need it now, the question is moot.

fbracer

I kind of tried doing that. Never works. Prices will never be "satisfactory" enough if you go with that mindset.

Just like skrontz said you gotta pull the trigger sooner or later. Otherwise you would have to wait for 10 months like I did

Fraser

Maybe for the US market but in Europe the lower powered S Classes do far better. The S320 CDI was either the best selling or second best selling W220 in the UK after the petrol S320...and that was before fuel prices started climbing!

Although only one data point a W220 S65 owner on here (can't remember the user name) said they paid $110k new for their 2006 S65 after the W221 had come out. That represents around 35% of the original list IIRC.

skrontz

35% depreciation between MYs sounds within expectations for an S65 even without a restyle in between. That thing drops like a rock the second you go through PDI.

K-A

Not very true. The common demographic for these cars can barely understand what HP means, nonetheless need 400 HP forced onto them without a more conservative option. The S450 is a bad comparison as that introduces Hybrid tech, and comes at a high cost itself.

If M-B supplies the S350 in the States, it would far and away be the volume seller for the S-Class. The E-Class E350 is more underpowered than much of its competition, and they're showing incredible sales (segment leader, and M-B's volume leader every month since its launch), and I'll bet a 4-Cylinder E-Class would sell even more (although I hope they don't introduce a 4-Cylinder E to the U.S). E550's are probably a more rare sight than an E63.

The C-Class is getting a 4-Cylinder this year (in the U.S) and that will be the models volume leader (it has less HP than the outgoing C300 volume leader).

Also, the F10 528i is also getting a 4-Cylinder this year (in the U.S) to replace the V6.

The S-Class buyer is of course different than these listed cars, and the powerful engined S will always sell more than a powerful engined version of the mentioned cars, but the lower HP and lower prices/more economical model will outsell it. IMO, the S550-only U.S offer did wonders to keep the S-Class as no-nonsense "Ultimate Luxury Car, with no exceptions" image, but that amount of HP is just unnecessary to the vast majority of buyers.

Take me for example, if I decide to move from my E-Class in a couple of years, the CLS will probably be the top contender to sway me from it, and the new 4.6L TT, although cool, is pointless for me, a CLS350 would be a much stronger contender.

Also, the W222 will be a 2014 MY in the U.S.

nyca

They need a blown V6, making around 360HP, if they were going to put that in the S and slot that below the S550 (is it 419HP in the new 4.7 biturbo?). Bring it in around $7500-$10K less. The V6 7 series and V6 Panamera will take sales otherwise.

Also, good point about the non availability of a CLS350 (again, less power but it would be a lower price point) - the new A7 is going to eat MB up.

AHall

I don't know about the W221 not having any alternatives when it comes to interior styling. Have you seen the latest A8 or XJ interiors? Mercedes biggest let down is the minimal veneer/wood and leather/trim choices available. The XJ has 6 veneer choices and 8 leather/trim choices. For the price of the W221 we should be given a wider choice than one veneer/wood and three leather/trim choices.

fbracer

The way I look at it is; Mercedes is a high class luxury car, and it likes to remain a little bit over the top. They hold up on you because they know if you want the brand and the luxury you will buy it, no matter how limited the trim selection is. he others are trying to please the customer. Mercedes wants to be pleased. Mercedes warranty is another example of this. There are brands that give you 10 year 100K miles warranty. Can't Mercedes do that? Sure, but why? A little snobbish on their end but hey, they deserve it and we still want it.
Just my $0.02

K-A

Also, MBUSA is incredibly lazy and stingy with the aesthetic options, be them interior or exterior. Europeans get WAY more Options, and MBUSA seems to treat M-B's like "Fleet-Cars" in comparison.

AHall

They would probably go bankrupt if they offered that type of warranty.

QuadBenz

Actually, the S400 was the hybrid. The S450 wasn't available to the U.S. It's powered by the same 4.7 liter V8 found in the GL450.

skrontz

I was going to buy the new A8L until I saw the interior. Myriads of plastic buttons, weird lines, and the absence of a common theme just kill it for me. In this sense, W221 is a pure example of simplicity, elegance, and functionality over buttons for the sake of buttons. XJ is even worse; the weird glow on the console dials makes them look like a boombox circa 1990. I understand the desire to go "modern," but it just does not work in the conservative luxury market. When I check into a luxury hotel, I expect wood furniture and not carbon fiber.

I personally feel that the current selection is more than adequate (after all, how many shades of brown would you recognize?), but there's always Designo for those who want to pay to play.