New 2014 S550! :)
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Joined: Jun 2009
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
New 2014 S550! :)
After 107,000 miles on my 2008 S550, I have sprung for a new S class! Was not anticipating this purchase until next year as we just leased a Subaru BRZ and Chevy Volt this year already. I wanted to lease the S Class time (as the rest of the people in SoCal do), so I got a 2 year lease w/promotional MF and a lot of money shaved off the MSRP on this amazing S550 with the following:
Anthracite Blue & Silk Beige Espresso Interior, Premium 1, Driver Assistance Package, Rear Seat Package, Magic Body Control, Air Balance Package, 20" Five Spoke Wheels, and Surround View Camera. Dealer also installed a "comfort box."
Although it doesn't have Nappa or Sport Package (it still has the 20's!), it is a gorgeous car...plus the color combo is STUNNING. I detest Black after my last two Mercedes were black. It was either a $113K car or a $135K one...and so it was decided. Compared to my '08, it's missing Nappa, Sport Package, and Night View Assist. However, it has Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.
Observations:
1) Dealer said they put on the "Dupont" coating everywhere, but a quick water test on the carpets revealed otherwise! In addition, there were a few deep scratches about the length of a fingernail that are irreparable on the rear bumper, but I don't care since it's a lease...although I'm sad I didn't catch it at the dealer! Then again, this is the same dealer that tried giving back my old GL350 to me after a service visit with a rear bumper that was cracked and rear-ended.
2) Rear Seats don't recline as much as in my 2008, and moving the seat cushion up results in the seat moving forward too! In the '08, you can move the cushions up and down independently of the seats moving longitudinally in and out. Rear Seat Package on 2008 S550 is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the one on the 2014...although the suede pillows are a nice touch and I like the center console. Also, the rear sun blinds are now completely covered with plastic when lowered; on my '08, the blinds were visible and when I would raise them, it would bring the beige plastic up with the blinds and the blinds would get trapped between 2 pieces of plastic and break down.
3) Not as much wood as in the 2008 either! No wood that runs down the center console or on the steering wheel even. A little surprising given that this car is supposed to be more luxurious in every aspect.
4) Massage is no different to me - although I read in the manual that the 6th massage, "Active Workout," works your stomach muscles if you push your back against the massage? OK....
4) LARGE NAVI SCREEN FINALLY! And the overall COMAND is great! A lot better than on my '08.
5) The 360 Camera is GREAT as well - My garage is tight and having all the different views definitely makes it easy to maneuver around. Also, I didn't get Wheel & Tire Protection and these wheels have a special color so if I curb them, they basically can't be fixed. The 360 camera helps with avoiding this issue.
6) MBC isn't any better than the ABC on my '08, minus the whole speed bump thing which doesn't work all the time. I haven't done much freeway driving with it yet, so maybe it's better on LA freeways.
7) The ambient lighting is cool.
8) NO heated/cooled cup holders? Rented a GL 2 weeks back and it had this feature.
9) ECO Start/Stop is barely noticeable compared to the SLK350!
10) Seat cushion does NOT have adjustable firmness on the sides like the 2008. The seat bottoms have a standard firmness.
Overall, it's not too different in my eyes from the '08, although it looks better and has some more tech stuff in COMAND. Keeping the '08 until I can sell it - dealer offered 16K for it
To Do This Afternoon:
Put 303 Fabric Guard all over the carpets and floor mats. I have Beige/Espresso on the 2008, and the carpets are BLACK and gross. I've learned my lesson.
Wash, Clay, remove some holograms on the front fender, and 22ple coat the car! Dealer never washed car, so no swirls that I have to remove (Minus the holograms on the front fender).Don't want to do too much since it's leased.
Anthracite Blue & Silk Beige Espresso Interior, Premium 1, Driver Assistance Package, Rear Seat Package, Magic Body Control, Air Balance Package, 20" Five Spoke Wheels, and Surround View Camera. Dealer also installed a "comfort box."
Although it doesn't have Nappa or Sport Package (it still has the 20's!), it is a gorgeous car...plus the color combo is STUNNING. I detest Black after my last two Mercedes were black. It was either a $113K car or a $135K one...and so it was decided. Compared to my '08, it's missing Nappa, Sport Package, and Night View Assist. However, it has Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.
Observations:
1) Dealer said they put on the "Dupont" coating everywhere, but a quick water test on the carpets revealed otherwise! In addition, there were a few deep scratches about the length of a fingernail that are irreparable on the rear bumper, but I don't care since it's a lease...although I'm sad I didn't catch it at the dealer! Then again, this is the same dealer that tried giving back my old GL350 to me after a service visit with a rear bumper that was cracked and rear-ended.
2) Rear Seats don't recline as much as in my 2008, and moving the seat cushion up results in the seat moving forward too! In the '08, you can move the cushions up and down independently of the seats moving longitudinally in and out. Rear Seat Package on 2008 S550 is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the one on the 2014...although the suede pillows are a nice touch and I like the center console. Also, the rear sun blinds are now completely covered with plastic when lowered; on my '08, the blinds were visible and when I would raise them, it would bring the beige plastic up with the blinds and the blinds would get trapped between 2 pieces of plastic and break down.
3) Not as much wood as in the 2008 either! No wood that runs down the center console or on the steering wheel even. A little surprising given that this car is supposed to be more luxurious in every aspect.
4) Massage is no different to me - although I read in the manual that the 6th massage, "Active Workout," works your stomach muscles if you push your back against the massage? OK....
4) LARGE NAVI SCREEN FINALLY! And the overall COMAND is great! A lot better than on my '08.
5) The 360 Camera is GREAT as well - My garage is tight and having all the different views definitely makes it easy to maneuver around. Also, I didn't get Wheel & Tire Protection and these wheels have a special color so if I curb them, they basically can't be fixed. The 360 camera helps with avoiding this issue.
6) MBC isn't any better than the ABC on my '08, minus the whole speed bump thing which doesn't work all the time. I haven't done much freeway driving with it yet, so maybe it's better on LA freeways.
7) The ambient lighting is cool.
8) NO heated/cooled cup holders? Rented a GL 2 weeks back and it had this feature.
9) ECO Start/Stop is barely noticeable compared to the SLK350!
10) Seat cushion does NOT have adjustable firmness on the sides like the 2008. The seat bottoms have a standard firmness.
Overall, it's not too different in my eyes from the '08, although it looks better and has some more tech stuff in COMAND. Keeping the '08 until I can sell it - dealer offered 16K for it
To Do This Afternoon:
Put 303 Fabric Guard all over the carpets and floor mats. I have Beige/Espresso on the 2008, and the carpets are BLACK and gross. I've learned my lesson.
Wash, Clay, remove some holograms on the front fender, and 22ple coat the car! Dealer never washed car, so no swirls that I have to remove (Minus the holograms on the front fender).Don't want to do too much since it's leased.
Last edited by newyorktoLA; Jul 5, 2014 at 06:21 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 127
2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
Yeah, I don't take my cars there for service! lol
But, they do have quite a few 2014's, and 6 more left in this configuration, so they gave a LOT of money off even though it's not even August/September. They have more 15's than 14's now anyways.
Just washed the car! Surprisingly, not one swirl or scratch (well besides the fingernail one on the back)...paint has no wax/fillers, it came straight off the boat, so now it's time to do the sealant! no Rupes required
Clayed and ready to go. Excited to stop working on this car soon!
Also, one more observation: I love how these cars don't have any brake dust, yet they still darkened the color of the barrels, so the wheels look dark on the inside anyways
But, they do have quite a few 2014's, and 6 more left in this configuration, so they gave a LOT of money off even though it's not even August/September. They have more 15's than 14's now anyways.
Just washed the car! Surprisingly, not one swirl or scratch (well besides the fingernail one on the back)...paint has no wax/fillers, it came straight off the boat, so now it's time to do the sealant! no Rupes required
Clayed and ready to go. Excited to stop working on this car soon! Also, one more observation: I love how these cars don't have any brake dust, yet they still darkened the color of the barrels, so the wheels look dark on the inside anyways
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