S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

Car Shopping again this weekend! S600, S63, CLS63 or something else?

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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 05:33 PM
  #26  
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Depends on the weather
This really makes me want a 600 now.

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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
Do you own a S600? Or are you just going on things some others may have said?


I've never been the least bit scared by mine. While not a sporty ride like my previous M5, it still handles very well for its size. I would imagine that when I go from my stock 18's to 20 inch AMG wheels, it will be much tighter. The ABC keeps cornering flat, even though it's not tuned like the S65 or S63 to feel every pavement imperfection. The steering is not as tight as the AMG's, but instills confidence nonetheless. It compares well with the best from Bentley and has even beaten them in comparos by the auto rags.


The OP is looking for an upgrade that will also appeal to his wife. The S63 will likely be a harder sell than the S600....especially if she's given a chance to test both of them.


The biggest shock value is amount of speed the S600 gains so rapidly while remaining almost silent. And the power delivery is very linear, even with the twin turbos. I've never felt the least bit of turbo lag and can't even hear the turbo whine. It just pulls like a freight train and is the best pure luxury car MB builds.
Don't own one. Have driven at least 20 though. And driven them like i stole them If you have one and you didn't buy it new- there might be a chance I might have driven it too in the past lol.

The s600 needs the amg abc tuning, brakes and steering. Desparately

Last edited by alx; Mar 26, 2015 at 07:32 PM.
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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 08:58 PM
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Depends on the weather
Wow, the RennTech tune definitely increases power!
http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/node/347
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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 09:24 PM
  #29  
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PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SL600 E55 BRABUS*SOLD*
Originally Posted by alx
Don't own one. Have driven at least 20 though. And driven them like i stole them If you have one and you didn't buy it new- there might be a chance I might have driven it too in the past lol.

The s600 needs the amg abc tuning, brakes and steering. Desparately
agree
Wife has an SL600 TUNED for weekend toy and it's very fast from a roll.
The brakes-steering need to be upgraded, it's a monster from a roll but not so quick from a dig as you can't hook up real well.
Many cars will beat the 600 light to light but from a roll to 1/4 mile it's seriously fast.

Last edited by AZBENZ-CTSV; Apr 2, 2015 at 01:21 PM.
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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by AZBENZ-CTSV
^^^^ agree
Wife has an SL600 TUNED for weekend toy and it's very fast from a roll.
The brakes-steering need to be upgraded, it's a monster from a roll but not so quick from a dig as you can't hook up real well.
Many cars will beat the 600 light to light but from a roll to 1/4 mile it's seriously fast.
You can't be quick from a dig with an open diff and 4800 pounds curb ... Why those cars don't have lsd like the sl65 - I have no idea...
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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 10:46 PM
  #31  
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2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
I'll take the S63.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 12:31 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by alx
Don't own one. Have driven at least 20 though. And driven them like i stole them If you have one and you didn't buy it new- there might be a chance I might have driven it too in the past lol.

The s600 needs the amg abc tuning, brakes and steering. Desparately

What for? It serves its purpose well and is not an AMG car. If you like to fork out $4k minimum for a brake job, then AMG brakes are definitely the way to go. Most folks prefer not to have the jarring ride of an AMG car when they are buying an S class. And most certainly aren't tracking them...even the AMG's, so it doesn't really matter. That's why you don't see very many of them. And I'm 100% certain that you've never driven mine.

Originally Posted by WHPH28
Wow, the RennTech tune definitely increases power!
http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/node/347

If you like to over-spend for a tune, then Renntech is the way to go. There are much cheaper options that offer the exact same power. We even have 1 vendor on the board that will do the ECU and TCU tune for under $1k.

Originally Posted by AZBENZ-CTSV
^^^^ agree
Wife has an SL600 TUNED for weekend toy and it's very fast from a roll.
The brakes-steering need to be upgraded, it's a monster from a roll but not so quick from a dig as you can't hook up real well.
Many cars will beat the 600 light to light but from a roll to 1/4 mile it's seriously fast.
Originally Posted by alx
You can't be quick from a dig with an open diff and 4800 pounds curb ... Why those cars don't have lsd like the sl65 - I have no idea...

Yes, I guess 4.1 to 60 and low 12 sec in the 1/4 with trap speeds nearing 120 mph in a 5000+ lb luxury cruiser...bone stock.... isn't that quick.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 01:09 AM
  #33  
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PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SL600 E55 BRABUS*SOLD*
Originally Posted by DaveW68
What for? It serves its purpose well and is not an AMG car. If you like to fork out $4k minimum for a brake job, then AMG brakes are definitely the way to go. Most folks prefer not to have the jarring ride of an AMG car when they are buying an S class. And most certainly aren't tracking them...even the AMG's, so it doesn't really matter. That's why you don't see very many of them. And I'm 100% certain that you've never driven mine.




If you like to over-spend for a tune, then Renntech is the way to go. There are much cheaper options that offer the exact same power. We even have 1 vendor on the board that will do the ECU and TCU tune for under $1k.






Yes, I guess 4.1 to 60 and low 12 sec in the 1/4 with trap speeds nearing 120 mph in a 5000+ lb luxury cruiser...bone stock.... isn't that quick.
What's equally impressive is you can get a 4 cylinder Mercedes CLA45 to run high 3'sand get almost 30 mpg lol
No doubt the V-12 Benz is a monster.

Last edited by AZBENZ-CTSV; Mar 27, 2015 at 01:21 AM.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 01:23 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by AZBENZ-CTSV
What's equally impressive is you can get a 4 cylinder Mercedes CLA45 to run high 3'sand still get 30mpg
No doubt the V-12 Benz is a monster.
That's great if you don't mind squeezing into a compact car. MB rates the car at 4.4 zero to 60. It aint getting 30 mpg during those kinds of sprints....or when that turbo is doing any kind of spooling.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 01:28 AM
  #35  
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PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SL600 E55 BRABUS*SOLD*
Originally Posted by DaveW68
That's great if you don't mind squeezing into a compact car. MB rates the car at 4.4 zero to 60. It aint getting 30 mpg during those kinds of sprints....or when that turbo is doing any kind of spooling.
Dave
I wasn't speaking about the size of the car just the sheer technological aspect of it. A simple ECU flash tune will get you under 4 sec
Don't get me wrong i'm not a fan of the car overall.

Last edited by AZBENZ-CTSV; Mar 27, 2015 at 01:30 AM.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 09:32 AM
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Depends on the weather
Dave, or anyone who knows...

I notice the 2007 S600's don't have the dvd option in the menu and it's not bird eyes view for the nav? I thought I read somewhere that this is added in with an update or something like that?
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 10:25 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by WHPH28
Dave, or anyone who knows...

I notice the 2007 S600's don't have the dvd option in the menu and it's not bird eyes view for the nav? I thought I read somewhere that this is added in with an update or something like that?
I have an early build 2007 and I can watch movies with the car parked, listen to DVD audio, and have Birds Eye. The previous owner had the COMAND flash done in 2009 or 10 by the dealer as it was part of the change over to MBRACE. Dealers should have done this automatically when the car was in for service during the warranty period. So unless the car wasn't serviced regularly at a Benz dealer, it likely has the update. If the car you want to buy hasn't been update, which is also required for nav updates, then you can still have the dealer do the update for you.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 10:27 AM
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Depends on the weather
Thanks. I have video in motion so if I do end up getting one I am going to remove it and then use it in the new car.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 10:44 AM
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If you read any of my posts in Snowman's thread, you probably already know how I feel about mods that can distract drivers and take their eyes away from the road.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 10:51 AM
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Depends on the weather
Originally Posted by DaveW68
If you read any of my posts in Snowman's thread, you probably already know how I feel about mods that can distract drivers and take their eyes away from the road.
This is for my wife. I did the same thing in my rover. Since she doesn't like long trips, it keeps her occupied by being able to watch a movie.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 12:22 PM
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+1 on the S63

You get the AMG look which the S600 doesn't have... lighter wheels, bigger brakes, more aggressive/sporty look, and easier maintenance.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by bensitto
+1 on the S63

You get the AMG look which the S600 doesn't have... lighter wheels, bigger brakes, more aggressive/sporty look, and easier maintenance.

By easier, if you mean cheaper, then you are completely wrong. AMG's are much more expensive to maintain than the S600. Just swapping out rotors and pads costs over $4k.
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 07:00 PM
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Depends on the weather
Dave, are your rear headrest powered up and down or are they like the s550 where they power down but you have to manually put them back up?
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Old Mar 27, 2015 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by WHPH28
Dave, are your rear headrest powered up and down or are they like the s550 where they power down but you have to manually put them back up?

Full power up and down. The headrests go up automatically as soon as somebody sits in the seats. Also power rear window & side shades, power reclining rear seats, multiple types of massage in 4 seats, heated & cooled at all seats, pano roof, night vision, Distronic+, Alcantara headliner, upgraded leather, ABC, park assist, etc. All standard equipment on the S600. The only option on the S600 was 19" wheels vs the standard 18's. Drive the S600 and you'll quickly forget about your S550.
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 11:43 AM
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Depends on the weather
Test drove S600....you can definitely hear the v12 when you get on it but it's silent during normal cruising and idle?

That will take some getting used to as the s550 is super quiet when stepping on it.
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 02:37 PM
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2002 mercedes E55 amg
Had a 08 M5 for less than a year. SMG transmission is god awful stay away. I've heard a lot of bad things about the v12s for the s600 and s63 so perhaps a s500 or s55 would be a good fit? just a thought.
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 02:45 PM
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Depends on the weather
Originally Posted by thejohnbabbitt
Had a 08 M5 for less than a year. SMG transmission is god awful stay away. I've heard a lot of bad things about the v12s for the s600 and s63 so perhaps a s500 or s55 would be a good fit? just a thought.
S500 or S55? I am not looking to downgrade to a lower year.
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 02:53 PM
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Depends on the weather
So, I test drive the S600 today. POWER is crazy. One thing though is that the engine is really loud except at idle or just cruising at normal speed. Is that normal? I know it's a V12 but I don't see that being the norm. It almost sounded like the exhaust was inside of the car when stepping on the gas. From the outside it has a great tone and rumble.

The search continues...
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by WHPH28
So, I test drive the S600 today. POWER is crazy. One thing though is that the engine is really loud except at idle or just cruising at normal speed. Is that normal? I know it's a V12 but I don't see that being the norm. It almost sounded like the exhaust was inside of the car when stepping on the gas. From the outside it has a great tone and rumble.

The search continues...

That's weird. Mine is very quiet. It's been a while since I drove the S550, but I really don't remember the 550 being that much quieter while accelerating. Perhaps the car you drove had the mufflers or another part of the exhaust swapped out? Or perhaps an open style cold air intake?


One thing is certain....the S63 will be significantly louder...stock vs stock than the S600.
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 04:16 PM
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Depends on the weather
It was LOUD...I am now thinking something was not right with it. When you would step on the gas it sounded like - the first thing that comes to mind is : someone beating on pillows or hitting pillows really hard until you let off of the gas. Almost as if it just had headers on...but when idle it was fine. I wish I would have recorded it. I didnt think it was normal because there is no way anyone would buy a car that sounded like that. They insisted it was normal but I am 100% sure it isnt.

I asked him to step on the gas while I was outside and you could only hear it inside..I had him do it with the hood open and closed while I was standing on the outside. I went to the back of the car and it has a nice low rumble but the sound was still only head from inside.

Now that I think about, I bet there was something wrong with the turbos...since they only spool up once you get on the gas correct? it was definitely FAST. I mean I chirped the tires a few times and I didnt even step on the gas that hard but I guess i'm not used to driving a s600 either.

Last edited by WHPH28; Mar 28, 2015 at 04:18 PM.
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