Temptation
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Florida
Mercedes S550
Temptation
I've been considering an Audi A8 or 750il. Both of these options are less than a new S. I dropped by the Mercedes dealership and was impressed with the new S. It's quite comfortable. The one in dealer stock has Magic Body Control and a sport package. I really don't need MBC. It stickers at $113,000. The car was quite sharp in Anthracite Blue. I didn't drive it. I may go back tomorrow. Sigh.
Last edited by Ormond2004; Oct 26, 2013 at 09:17 PM.
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2006 E55, 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2014 Kia Sorento SXL AWD
Trust me Ormond, you will be impressed with the S if/when you drive it! I am extremely tempted to order an S63/S65 variant; however, I am trying to hold out for the coupe variant...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 372
Likes: 19
From: Florida
Mercedes S550
I drove the car and was quite impressed. This car did not have Nappa leather, but the seats were plenty soft. The ride was wonderful--smooth and controlled. The massage was enjoyable. The air balance scent was subtle. The amount of customization of the interior lighting is impressive. This particular car had light carpeting. I much prefer darker carpets.
I think I'd be very happy with an S class, but not sure if it's worth the extra money over an A8L. The Audi dealer is discounting the A8 and there is a loyalty incentive. I'm going to calculate the difference and decide.
I think I'd be very happy with an S class, but not sure if it's worth the extra money over an A8L. The Audi dealer is discounting the A8 and there is a loyalty incentive. I'm going to calculate the difference and decide.
Last edited by Ormond2004; Oct 27, 2013 at 04:45 PM.
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2006 E55, 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2014 Kia Sorento SXL AWD
The Nappa leather brings this car up another notch all together... So does the 3D Sound option! I used to think Audi had the best interiors of BMW/MB/Audi/Lexus... Now, I will say that this new S Class is on par with my Bentley!
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i535
I do not believe they fix power lag. I did test driving 750 and previous S and found that 750 is noticeably more responsive than S, although ride quality was better for S. Since new S utilizes same engine and weight of new S isn't tremendously less, it can still lack in performance. So getting 6 liter engine can be right move.
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190E,w124 E320,w210 E320,R129 SL320, w220 S500
I do not believe they fix power lag. I did test driving 750 and previous S and found that 750 is noticeably more responsive than S, although ride quality was better for S. Since new S utilizes same engine and weight of new S isn't tremendously less, it can still lack in performance. So getting 6 liter engine can be right move.
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From: Treasure Coast
2018 Mclaren 720s, 2021 Aston Martin DBX
I do not believe they fix power lag. I did test driving 750 and previous S and found that 750 is noticeably more responsive than S, although ride quality was better for S. Since new S utilizes same engine and weight of new S isn't tremendously less, it can still lack in performance. So getting 6 liter engine can be right move.
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From: Huntington NY
S560
Vastly? The 2013 and up 750i will outpace the new S550. Not by a lot, but MB has quite a bit of hp to make up. BMW is notorious for under rating their engines and it shows. Comparing the two is tough though, the new S is in another league. The last gen S was comparable to the 750, it was a matter of preference. Now that the 7 series is in its 5th model year it's understandable that the 2014 S leapfrogged it. I am seriously considering one in the spring...
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From: central pennsylvania
12 CLS550, 09 CLS550, 04Cooper,10 Cooper S
I know BMW has been notorious for understating HP. However, seems like MB is getting quite bad after turbo charging. Check out the dyno in the video below:
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2006 E55, 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2014 Kia Sorento SXL AWD
I know BMW has been notorious for understating HP. However, seems like MB is getting quite bad after turbo charging. Check out the dyno in the video below:
2014 BMW M5 Competition vs 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S! Model Head 2 Head Ep. 44 - YouTube
2014 BMW M5 Competition vs 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S! Model Head 2 Head Ep. 44 - YouTube
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2006 E55, 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2014 Kia Sorento SXL AWD
I do not believe they fix power lag. I did test driving 750 and previous S and found that 750 is noticeably more responsive than S, although ride quality was better for S. Since new S utilizes same engine and weight of new S isn't tremendously less, it can still lack in performance. So getting 6 liter engine can be right move.
Also, on MB, there is the kick down button (it may exist on BMW as well, I don't know)... I happened to be doing a little work on my car and happened to be down into the area below the steering wheel looking for a spot to get some wiring from the passenger's side to the driver's side when I actually saw the little button.. It wouldn't take too much to make some kind of button "extender" (maybe a metal/plastic piece that glues directly on top of the current button) that would make the kick down position take less time... Heck, maybe it already exists... I don't know....
Now, I don't own a BMW and I am basing this knowledge on my 06 E55... I haven't driven a 7 class in quite a while (I drove a 2001/2002 760 twice) but I have driven the new S... I will say that responsiveness may be based on interpretation... I definitely know that it isn't as fast as my E55... Nor should it be (not an AMG, etc.)... I do know that it's responsiveness is deceiving... What you get with the S Class is more of a "linear" progression (e.g., quick but in a level line...) So, even though it's hauling ***, it doesn't feel that way...
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I do not believe they fix power lag. I did test driving 750 and previous S and found that 750 is noticeably more responsive than S, although ride quality was better for S. Since new S utilizes same engine and weight of new S isn't tremendously less, it can still lack in performance. So getting 6 liter engine can be right move.
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From: central pennsylvania
12 CLS550, 09 CLS550, 04Cooper,10 Cooper S
I think this is mainly due to how BMW/MB "senses" driver input... The BMW may seem to respond to slight changes in throttle quicker... For MB, it takes a little more input for a response, hence the reason why the Sprint Booster exists (and yes, I know they have them for BMW/Audi/whatever)... It supposedly decreases the delay between the input and the response...
Also, on MB, there is the kick down button (it may exist on BMW as well, I don't know)... I happened to be doing a little work on my car and happened to be down into the area below the steering wheel looking for a spot to get some wiring from the passenger's side to the driver's side when I actually saw the little button.. It wouldn't take too much to make some kind of button "extender" (maybe a metal/plastic piece that glues directly on top of the current button) that would make the kick down position take less time... Heck, maybe it already exists... I don't know....
Now, I don't own a BMW and I am basing this knowledge on my 06 E55... I haven't driven a 7 class in quite a while (I drove a 2001/2002 760 twice) but I have driven the new S... I will say that responsiveness may be based on interpretation... I definitely know that it isn't as fast as my E55... Nor should it be (not an AMG, etc.)... I do know that it's responsiveness is deceiving... What you get with the S Class is more of a "linear" progression (e.g., quick but in a level line...) So, even though it's hauling ***, it doesn't feel that way...
Also, on MB, there is the kick down button (it may exist on BMW as well, I don't know)... I happened to be doing a little work on my car and happened to be down into the area below the steering wheel looking for a spot to get some wiring from the passenger's side to the driver's side when I actually saw the little button.. It wouldn't take too much to make some kind of button "extender" (maybe a metal/plastic piece that glues directly on top of the current button) that would make the kick down position take less time... Heck, maybe it already exists... I don't know....
Now, I don't own a BMW and I am basing this knowledge on my 06 E55... I haven't driven a 7 class in quite a while (I drove a 2001/2002 760 twice) but I have driven the new S... I will say that responsiveness may be based on interpretation... I definitely know that it isn't as fast as my E55... Nor should it be (not an AMG, etc.)... I do know that it's responsiveness is deceiving... What you get with the S Class is more of a "linear" progression (e.g., quick but in a level line...) So, even though it's hauling ***, it doesn't feel that way...
An S should have a smooth linear throttle response for a luxurious comfortable car should it not? More than off the line acceleration (which is more than adequate) it's the mid gear stuff that matters more in a car like this. The ability to seamlessly pull forward with no drama from 70mph is where it is at.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Vastly? The 2013 and up 750i will outpace the new S550. Not by a lot, but MB has quite a bit of hp to make up. BMW is notorious for under rating their engines and it shows. Comparing the two is tough though, the new S is in another league. The last gen S was comparable to the 750, it was a matter of preference. Now that the 7 series is in its 5th model year it's understandable that the 2014 S leapfrogged it. I am seriously considering one in the spring...
Our new SL550 is listed at 4.5s to 60, yet all mags tested the car at 3.9 to 4.1.
Coming from the TTV12 SL600 and the SL55 I can tell that this car is definitely faster than either.
The S will be slower due to its weight, but it's a strong and highly tunable engine (more so than the BMW).
A simple ECU takes it to 530+hp with 600+ lb-ft. Torque.
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From: Huntington NY
S560
I wouldn't bet on that. Even non-AMG variants are faster than spec'd.
Our new SL550 is listed at 4.5s to 60, yet all mags tested the car at 3.9 to 4.1.
Coming from the TTV12 SL600 and the SL55 I can tell that this car is definitely faster than either.
The S will be slower due to its weight, but it's a strong and highly tunable engine (more so than the BMW).
A simple ECU takes it to 530+hp with 600+ lb-ft. Torque.
Our new SL550 is listed at 4.5s to 60, yet all mags tested the car at 3.9 to 4.1.
Coming from the TTV12 SL600 and the SL55 I can tell that this car is definitely faster than either.
The S will be slower due to its weight, but it's a strong and highly tunable engine (more so than the BMW).
A simple ECU takes it to 530+hp with 600+ lb-ft. Torque.
As far as cars go, the 7 does not compare to the new S, but that's to be expected with a 5 model year old car. BMW has its work cut out for it....
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Posts: 175
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From: Lawrence, KS
2020 S560
I have owned the Lexus LS430 and LS460, the BMW 750LXi, the Audi A8L and the Mercedes S-class (W221 and W222). All of the models have their weak and strong points, and the dealer's were given more than ample opportunities to fix the issues, so I voted with my feet. My ranking from lowest to highest is based on prior model years, so the information on the newer models may be different: BMW 750LXi (2010, too many quality problems), Lexus LS430/LS460 (2007-2008, electronic transmission would disengage throttle in tight right turns into heavy traffic; I guess it thought I was skidding), Audi A8L (2013, very jerky tranny in shifts up and down), the S-550 (W221 2009-2010), and the S-class (W222 2014, so far the best of the lot in comfort, engine/tranny smoothness, and quality). As you can see I came back to the S-class and intend to stay.
