The ^above^ was just posted by a gentleman that just bought a 2015 W222 S class in the w222 forum, who is no stranger to Mercedes.

 

Well said

 

Yes I still love the design of the 221 it's timeless in many ways, however, I do feel that merc is moving in the right direction as well and I love the new bodystyle. I prefer the sport packages "ALWAYS".

 

It is just my opinion, but I like my W221 with AMG sports better than the W222. My seems to be more aggressive.

 

I think the word "timeless" is used way too loosely around this place. Something is "timeless" until it looks old. And trust me, the W221 will look old in 5 years as other manufacturers put out cars with new styling that will become the new "timeless" design.

I remember when the '01 Lexus LS430 came out. Auto journalists everywhere praised its "timeless" design. Guess what....those cars look ancient and very dated now. Auto journalists and many others also praised Audi designs of the mid 2000's as timeless. Now they look quite dated compared to the newer models. It's inevitable that "all" cars will look old at some point as styles change....and "timeless" only lasts for the first few years of a new car design. About the only modern cars that I can think of that will have a "timeless" design that will last for more than 10 years are the 2005+ Aston Martins....particularly the DB9. Those cars are works of art and will never get old.

 

Yeah, but I gotta tell you there are several older MERCs that still look good parked or moving down the road ans they do it in a fashion that just LOOKS SO GOOD. The W221, will look good, classy, stately, aggressive, etc. in action and parked for more than 5 years as the newer cars (most brands) are looking quite 1960's Japanese and gimmicky ala the cars in Speed Racer and other 1960's cartoons. Similar to how the Porsche tub profile looked aggressive since the 1950's.

 

There are many older cars from many manufacturers that still look great....but I wouldn't call their designs "timeless". They look old, but have a style that still looks good....ala Chevy's, Ford's, and Mopars from the muscle car era. IMO, the cars that still look best from that era are the Shelby Cobra, C2 Corvette, and the '67 Mustang Fastback. Of course there are many more, but those are my favorites. It's unfortunate that cars from the 70's & 80's sucked so badly.

 

My opinion, the w222 will look older faster than a w221 2010+ exterior only. Another timeless looking exterior is a 96-02 4runner, s2000... I'd put very few cars into this category, besides most exotics (2004 Gallardo)

 

Originally Posted by Streamliner

OK, I guess I'm starting to understand this NEED for photos on this site and I'll put some up when I can take some. Frankly though, I don't like the looks of this car and I knew this before I ordered it. I feel that the W221 was a MUCH better looking design. That gigantic "Jack-O-Lantern" grill, the "rope light" running lights, the "Hyundai Eqqus" tail lights, etc. and my personal worst of the worst: the standard Panorama Roof, which I simply HATE. Add to that, the absolutely IDIOTIC decision to not even provide a PLACE for even a compact spare wheel & tire! All that said, I feel it is still THE best sedan on the market, with pretty much nothing else coming close, so being an older fellow, I decided that I wanted the safety, the features, the ride quality and that stunning interior, and I'll just avert my eyes every time I walk up to it.

Jason,
Thank you for telling me about this marvelous thread. Lots of opinions here, lots of personalities.
One thing that sticks out, is the idea of a design being aggressive looking or more reserved. Personally, I really dislike aggressive, "badass" looking big sedans and I always laugh when I see someone driving one of these gigantic saloons with 22" wheels, 1" sidewall tires and enough Brabus glue-on scoops and other crap to make an Indy car jealous. As I have told the folks at MB, on several occasions when criticizing their current SL design "when I drive down Pacific Coast Highway with the top down, I have no desire to look like Darth Vader devouring everything in my path, but am trying to do my very best Cary Grant impersonation."
The new S Coupe should be for the badass crowd, as it comes pretty tarted up right from the factory--one can only imagine what Brabus or one of the other "tuners" will do to "improve" it. For me, I want my big sedan to be beautiful, elegant, stately and oozing class, while still being distinctive. The new S does some of this, but if I could have all of the tech, luxury & comfort advancements of the W222 in a late model W221 body, that, to me, would just be the ultimate. Give me "understated elegance" over "in-your-face," any day of the week. As far as I am concerned, the W222 mid cycle "face lift" can't come soon enough.

 

Great post!

 

The mid-cycle facelift, might be worse

 

Well, that's always a possibility.
I took the new car for a drive today and as much as I prefer the 221 exterior, this 222 is head and shoulders better when you are driving it. The Exclusive Nappa interior is very plush and luxurious. The big nav display is really wonderful and the heated arm rests are great. My 2013 had the Premium Leather upgrade, but it would not compare to the interior on the new car. I had ABC on the 221, but MBC seems better.
The bottom line, for me, is that I generally like having a new car every two or three years, so the 221 is long gone, hello 222.

 

I also like the larger display area, Kinda allows for a panoramic feeling Nav presentation.

 

This is a bit off topic, but I was listening to the radio show called The Thundering Herd with Colin Cowherd. He was comparing two football players but he compared one of them being an S-Class with collision prevention, V8 Turbo engine, wifi, etc and the other player a Nissan Maxima with moon roof alloy rims. He stated that the Nissan Maxima was a nice car but it was no S-Class. Here is a link skip to 0:30

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=12124351

They might change it after tomorrow's show has been broadcasted.

 

Well, I'm sure glad the chap cleared that up! It sure has put my mind at ease knowing that my S-Class is no Maxima!

 

The W222 exterior design still has not grown on me yet.

I prefer the look of the W221 over the W222......especially the wheel well bulges and chiseled look of the 221 angles.

The front of the 222 looks cheap (looks too much like the A & C class to me).

(.......not to mention the 221 is larger/more roomy inside)

 

I could not agree more. The front of the 222 is garish and overdone. The grill is way too big.
I have been living with my 222 for about two weeks now and there is very little room inside to put things. I don't know where all the ROOM went in this car, but storage inside is small and the trunk is downright TINY for such a large car. AND, my favorite: THERE IS NO WELL FOR A SPARE TIRE!
The 222 is a great car, but when it comes to replacing the magnificent 221, I really think that MB dropped the ball. The new car is supposed to be MUCH BETTER in most EVERY way, but it isn't.

 

The W222 S-coupe is the ****! I watched a cool walk-around of the car yesterday and it left me salivating.

 

Did not like the redesigned E class, I have a 2010 with the hockey stick DRLs, and I love the look. I do think it will eventually be a classic. I fell in love with an '11 221. I was going to buy new but did not like the new look of the E. I like the front end of the 222, but can't get past the rear end. I am still too new to the 221 to be critical of it. I looked at the 222 at the dealeship but was not overwhelmed by it and I really think that the *** end is as Mike has said is way too faminine. 221 on top all of the way.

 

221 AMG all the way.

 

I believe this was a "money" play by Mercedes because the new C looks just like the S but better on a smaller car.So it boosted the sale of the
C class because usually if you want a S you buy a S.The 221 is still king right now.(on the exterior not interior)

 

I don't throw the word "timeless" around when referring to vehicles, but it is my opinion that the w221 bodystyle will look great for many years such as the 1998-2005 Lexus GS and the Audi A4 bodystyle and so on. Some vehicles just age gracefully, yeah maybe I should of said that.

 

The 2010+ W221s have timeless looks. The W222s have timed looks - and that time is running out!

 

I agree. Well worded. The current w222 will look older faster.

 

w221 with a led lamp exterior + w222 interior will be the best car in decades.