Maybe I'm missing something but after reading the press release it seems like getting an S550 maybach is a waste unless you going to be in the rear seats. If you are going to drive the car what are you losing?

* 8 inches of room (all for the back seat)
* 2 champagne floats (could buy for $100)
* 2 custom maybach pillows (could buy for $400)
* Exclusive semi-aniline leather (you can get this on the S550)
* Custom colors?

Am I missing anything or is this car only worth it if you have a Chauffeur

 

Pretty much I guess. If you are looking at buying one, just get a S63/S65 or if your pockets are deep, get the 1000hp S63.

 

Yup. It's a $60k backseat....

 

and the label. Some people will put out for labels and "status".

 

I assume though most people that pay for status would go Rolls Royce or Bentley however; I'm sure you're right.

 

It's not just a label , it's an entirely different look to the car and more room for those who benefit from it

The Maybach gives both rear footrests ability to raise like a business class jet so both rear passengers can recline without impacting front seat occupancy

A standard w222 with executive seating only can incline the footrest on the rear passenger side , and require the front passenger seat to move fully forward so as to be unusable at the same time

Mercedes always had short and long wheelbase s class models - now we have long and longer!

 

I really don't look at it as a $60,000 back seat. (actually $40,000 in actuality) It really is new bodywork. Its not a cookie cutter S Class.

Look I dont want to personalize it but sometimes the metaphor works. I make women's clothing. I'm a small business. If a customer asks me to make modifications or custom work for them - I have to charge a premium. That's what Mercedes is doing. It took development costs to make the new car. It's not the same sheet-metal. It had to go through its own safety testing. etc. They don't plan to sell many of theme, They must charge accordingly.

The free market will dictate if this is a surviving brand. They decided the previous was not. We shall see.

 

There lies the problem. If you are in a position to hire a chauffeur where you would actually sit in the back seat, chances are you aren't buying this car. It's more of a trade up for an S class buyer who wants to one up the Joneses...

 

In a way the metaphor doesn't work here. Your business really is custom made (and that's a good thing). It's more accurate here to say if I want a custom suit am I going to Jos A Bank or Brooks and say I want you to make me a custom suit? No, you are headed to a person who makes custom suits.

And this really isn't custom made. Ordering different color options woods and leathers isn't custom, you do that now- here you are just ordering from more options...

 

Back seat of Bentley mulsanne and Rolls Royce Ghost SWB are tight. I sat in them at Manhattan Motor Cars. Not roomy at all.

Plus $100,000 more than the Maybach.

Around Manhattan - I see TONS of Chauffeur driven Audi A8Ls, S Classes, Jaguars LWB.

This vehicle may hit the niche of those drivers who chose to have a driver, and not buy a Rolls Royce.

For New Yorkers here, have you seen many bentley and rolls royce around town with the passenger in back seat? I haven't.

 

Maybe you are right- I just think the car is waaaaay too S class to substantiate it.

 

But the way they priced it. They aren't making 40,000 of them and can make their money on volume. If it cost them $1 billion to develop it - they have to find the balance equilibrium of what they can sell it for - and make a profit.

I actually believe the car will do well. Remember - our mutual friend has $ to spend on cars. He couldn't get the Rolls or Bentley because it would look bad for him to drive that in the eyes of his employees.

Around town in NY - SO many wealthy folks are driven around in S Class, Audi, and Jag. I don't see so many being driven around in Bentley or RR.

Even the owner of the business I used to work for - purchased a new S600 every few years and was driven around in it. He also flew private jets to DC if he wanted dinner. He was all about status. I think Maybach may just work out!

We shall see. Sales begin in Feb/March. Lets see how it goes.

 

Might be 100% right on that front.

The pricing though may overcome this obstacle. It's 100k cheaper than the alternatives mentioned.

That might be the deciding factor. I could have sworn they'd start at $250k. I was really surprised it is $166k base.

That's the price of a CL600.

 

You are right in that respect- I have quite a few clients who wouldn't dare buy a RR or B for those reasons. I have one who has a B and won't drive it to work because of his employees. Maybe this will be an acceptable step up for those who could afford but don't want the show...

 

IMO that's the niche they want. And its a big niche.

You're in the city a lot. How often do you see RR and B with the owner in the back seat and a driver in the front?

Once in a blue moon.

But then again, I didn't see many previous generation Maybachs. On the same token though - they started at $365,000+

 

$166k starting?

It is going to sell like crazy in the market they are going for...chauffeur driven ultra luxury sedans for high end professionals. This is going to kill the flying spur and put a decent dent in RR. Mulsanne is not popular enough imo.

I bet by summer there will be tons rolling around major US highend neighborhoods.

 

That market is exactly what this car is aimed at. They aren't going to try to compete with the top Bentleys and Rollers again, for now. This car will likely be 200-250K at the most and the basic S-Class is already as good or better than a Flying Spur or Ghost in every way...except name. This one is going to sell IMO for the very reasons you listed. If no where else they will move a shyte load of them in China, where they love anything with a longer wheelbase.

M

 

This car is in a class by itself and I think it hits it square on.

When you see it, you don't immediately think anything other than S-class. Its only when you get in or see the badge do you think something is different.

I think thats what a lot of chauffuer driven executives are looking for.

The car is also much more comfortable in the back seat than a standard ghost or flying spur. Never been in a mulsanne but I view that more as a car you drive yourself.

Being in nyc daily for work and with my gf on the weekends, I see tons of chauffeur driven 7 series, a8s, and s classes, but hardly any bentleys or rollers.

 

also, the longer wheelbase should improve ride quality to some extent.

 

Yep, Chucky nailed it. Most wealthy don't like being flashy around their business.....not good for work morale. This gets them the same luxury, better tech, for a cheaper price, without the name. Perfect.....

 

what kind of materials do you mainly use Chucky? the nice stuff I'm guessing?

 

The nice stuff. lol.

 

This car fits perfectly for limo companies and corporate limos and diplomats. NYC and LA will see a huge percentage of the sales. This car was never intended to be a personal car.

 

That's a very narrow viewpoint. There will be plenty of people buying this car for personal use; they may just not be in the US. Asia will be a HUGE market for them...

 

I think the point of the Maybach is missed here.

Maybach is now a formal sub-brand of Mercedes, exactly setup like AMG (MB's only other sub-brand)
This isn't just about the current longer S-Class, but will see more models in the future.

I foresee Maybach versions of S-Class convertible, customized coupe and I suppose even a standard LWB S-Class with more exclusive interior/exterior choices.

At the prices they are releasing the S550/S600 Maybach, they appear to be an absolute bargain.

Just look at other small companies like Brabus, etc. many of which are in the business of raising the exclusivity (and/or performance) of MB's. Those custom-jobs can double the price of the car.