Jason B

I feel the same zam. I've lived and breathed Mercedes since 1978 and you hit the nail on the head. The 221 is a timeless design. It's going to age the best, and I'm not saying that with any influence. It's a piece of art and should look muscular for a 100k car. Keeping my fender flares

Mike5215

Yeah, the 220 gets no love except from the people that owned them. MB sold just under half a billion units, so I guess it worked out for them in the long run. For me I'll never understand the idolization of the chunky, overweight 140. Eye of the beholder and what not.

Ironically, the era of Mercedes design that gave you the best looking SL, CLS (and you can throw in the E while you're at it) also gave you the 220. All of those cars share a common design language. I'll grant you that the non AMG 220 looks both generic and geriatric, but the AMG kit and the right wheels cures that.

I've owned both the 220 and 221.I like the 221 a lot. Beautiful, aggressive body. In AMG trim it looks like a mechanical shark on the road. Not sure how it will age. It's a bold design and those tend to have a shorter lifespan.

Jason B

I think the 222 is much bolder and already will look old faster, because there are so many other cars on the road that look too smiliar. It blends in with the common cars.

S2000 for example. Good timeless design.
4Runner Limited, 96-02, before they changed it. That suv is 18 years old and still looks current.

Mike5215

Porsche really holds the record for a timeless design with the 911. They started with a classic body design and changed it very slowly over time. Benz seems to go through distinct phases and you either love them or hate them.

dannieboiz

There's a lot to hate and love about the W222, I parked right next to one a few weeks after it released. I stood back and admire it because it's an S550 and I was trying real hard to find a reason why I should add that to a car I'd consider when the w221 start shows its age. I'm just not used to the more slanted rear end and losing the middle seats. But I think the one thing that I didn't notice is the flared out fender that gives the W221 a masculine look. The W222 look too typical as some has already mention. It doesn't scream 6 figure.

Mike5215

I had the same revelation about the 222. Inside and out, it's feminine. Outside, silky lines and curves meld gently into one another. Inside, it's like the lounge in a nice spa, complete with lavish seats, mood lighting, hot stone massage and special fragrances. I'm not saying it's a chick car by any means, only that the design seems intentionally non masculine. The 221 has defined, muscular haunches, sharp, squared off edges and a handsome, no nonsense interior. Clearly masculine.

The W221's wheels are chunky man jewelry. The 222's are delicate.

Everything about the 221's body suggests forward motion. The 222 invokes calm reflection.

They'd make a great couple, but I think I'll keep the one that looks like if you lifted up its tail you wouldn't find a vagina. And I'm afraid the AMG 222s are pretty much going to just be tough lesbians.

Mr. & Mrs. S Class: Imagine these two going at it in a dark room. Who do you think would be on top?

Jason B

I must admit, I really enjoy your posts. You sir, should write novels. Very good, bravo!

Mike5215

I already wrote a novel, here on the forum. It's called "The Glovebox EQ Mod", which I cannot seem to shut up about.

On the topic of feminine vs masculine design, the dashboard design of the 222 has essentially a big IPad instead of analog gauges. Guys want a direct, analog, real-time readout of the status of the car's running hardware wherever possible.

On the other hand, chicks love tablets. Unlike real computers, with keyboards and mice and actual useful software, tablets are non-threatening and simple to use. You can give a tablet to a three year old and he'll have no trouble running it. Instead of a gauge cluster in the 222, you have an animation of a gauge cluster. It's another reason why the hardcore 221 guys can't seem to get jazzed about the prospect of trading up at some point.

The car needs gender reassignment surgery.

johndong888

I think this is what I'm waiting for. It happens with all the newer cars because of that dumb 90 degree front end that is required in europe. When I first saw the 2014 BMW X5, I was like WTF is this. Next thing you know, I ordered one.

My BMW 3 series coupe body style just spoke to me the first time I ever saw it. That's why I got a 335 in 2008 and a M3 same body in 2012

Donnymac

Agree!

It's like comparing a thong to sweatpants. No contest.

One is spiking the ball while the other watches from the skybox.

S550 demographics would be interesting and I would fall on some outer edge. As I get closer to warranty run out, I will replace with a low mile well documented 2013. Not a '14 or newer.

722s

Without a doubt the 221 has a better rear end than the 222, but as far as the front goes, I think the 222 has it for sure. This is just on the exterior, interior wise the 222 is in a different league as the new model always does.

However I remember people feeling the same way about 140 to 220 & 220 to 221.

Mike5215

In isolation the 222 front is fairly aggressive. The problem with the 222 front is that somehow all of those dramatic character lines established by the front fascia have to resolve into the body, down the flanks and into the rear. The choices Mercedes made result in an overall design with less *****.

I think we have to realize that were not Mercedes target demo for the S Class. I think we're mostly dudes who were in the market for a $50k car and discovered how much car you get with an S.

It's funny you mentioned the 140 vs 220 issue.The 140 guys felt the new 220 had gone off in some strange new direction they hadn't expected and didn't like. That's also a case of Mercedes replacing a masculine design with something softer, flowing and more feminine.

722s

I think they will probably have a more drastic facelift to the 222, especially with regards to AMG as many feel it hasn't hit the mark for them. But I like the way the design flows on the 222, I can see how it can be interpreted as being feminine and thats a fair enough view, but I like the streamlining personally. With the DRL and the AMG kit I think the front of the 222 has quite an aggressive / masculine stance though.

As for the target market, I think for some time, the flagship vehicles of the top three German manufacturers (BMW - 7, AUDI - A8, MB - S) have been mainly targeted as, to be fair, what they are - limousines. However I think its right that the AMG spec be substantiantly different, because those vehicles are rarely (if ever) bought as limousines and bought primarily as a 'drivers' car. And (although personally a fan) its obvious that many people just want more from the current 222 AMG spec, whether that be the full AMG vehicle or just the AMG Line.

Bullshido

Now that's a mental image I didn't need...

It's like you said though, the 221 is a thug. 22 looks too elegant and silky.

Donnymac

We are such a minority.

My friends, who are not car guys, will buy the 222 all day long. Reasons - perceived as best in class: safety, comfort, performance and brand name. Not to mention new and loaded with warranty.

The more I consider the body, its a designer's Crown Vic that hit the cutting room floor. I know, to harsh but I will ride a 221 for awhile.

Having said my peace, I am headed to the car wash and then tinker with my, yet to install, JBSpeed rear spoiler. And a beer. Cheers!

ImInPA

About the only think I am not liking on the W222 at this time is the grill. It is probably just me, but, it is so large, that it almost looks like a caricature of an MB grill. Like if an insurance company was showing some "generic", unbranded, luxury car in an ad. I suspect that the W222 facelift will provide a modified grill. Damn that thing is big. If they were going for big, I would have preferred a more vertically stretched grill than the horizontal width they chose.

Mike5215

I agree. The proportions of the front fascia in general seem off. The grille appears to be oversized, and the lower bumper grilles and headlamps are huge as well. Those same elements scaled down look fine on the new C Class, and I guess they're going for a very unified look across the range.

Mike5215

Crap. I sat in a 222 today. It's really, really nice. Seats are terrific. They were just closing so I didn't get a chance to play with the stereo or anything but I'll make it back at some point.

I'm just gonna go ahead and say this. I love the 221, but getting back inside after sitting in the 222 made the 221 feel like the inside of a Sonata by comparison. The 222 is so detailed, intricate and lavish it may be the nicest interior in any price range. Like if Mercedes found a way to install a vagina in that interior I'd be single. It's THAT kind of nice.

In black the AMG car looks suitably aggressive from the front:

marthyh

Have a look at GSC W222 :





That will do for me :-) !

Donnymac

Wow!

Mike5215

Photoshop is one thing. Actual fabrication is another, but it a heart-stopper.

Jason B

Mike, stay on topic Lol, don't look at the inside.

Mike5215

Sorry man. That's kind of like telling me to compare a swimsuit model to my wife but only look at the model from the neck up

I want to go back and audition the stock Burmiester audio system. The good news about the 222 is that, at least in person, the non-AMG body to me looks a little better. The proportions in the nose aren't as exaggerated and it still looks reasonably aggressive. The non AMG stock 18" wheels are horrible but a set of 20's would fix that. Configuring the base car, with a Premium 1 package, standard leather, standard audio puts it at just over $102k.

Jason B

And in 4 years, that'll be $52k. yea, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the sound system.

722s

I think this is awful...

The interior of the 222 is mind blowing! I think in terms of quality, we have seen a return to the pre 140 days (I hope at least). I have had the opportunity to be around the 222 for a while and personally I love the look I think its brilliant.