alnamdds

I want to buy new car for my folks and want to know what the SMOOTHEST, QUIETEST riding car is.

They are like 65+ years old and are used to Lincoln Towncars, lol. They recently tried my panamera and HATED it, so I'm leaning toward's 1. smooth-ride, 2. noise isolation, 3. comfort 4. safety.

Has anyone cross-driven one of those old Lincoln Towncars from like '96+ and compared it with the new E or S-class?

I'm wondering how much whether an E or S class would be better in terms of the above criteria.

Thanks beforehand

Mitch Alsup

S600 with the 19" tire package (the smaller wheels ride better)
Quieter than the std V8, lots quieter than the AMG varietals.

alnamdds

Ah thank you, but why the S600 and not the S550? Because of the Engine?
I'm going to go with the smallest wheels possible, swap out any run-flats, get all the suspension (MBC,etc) options, if I go this route.

BenzV12

No wonder they hated
We have 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham , closest to what your parents drive currently .It floats and drives smooth and being non VP4 it's softer suspension settings .
My other car is W212 but before delving into too much detail I would recommend your folk to drive S 550 4 MATIC with non flat tires .I say non flat tires because I have read many disgruntled owners with run flat tires and a W222 S Class beats W212 E Class in terms of everything you mentioned

LovinMercedes

I've had lots of those Lincoln Town Cars in my driveway. I drove them for years before I got into the S class.

The S class will be great for them. There is absolutely no reason to spend the money on the S600. Although very smooth, the S600 is too much power for them, and the S550 is equally as smooth.

If you are getting the 18 inch wheels, you really don't need to swap out the run flats either for smoothness.

Chucky300

^^

Agree.

On a side note, I personally dislike Japanese cars, but if his grandparents are in the market for a SOFT comfortable "Cadillac from the 80s" ride - he should look into LS430 or whatever Lexus is calling their top of the line luxury car.

It will float over bumps like a Cadillac. Just leave off all the sports package stuff.

dbtk

I agree, the S550 is smooth. However, I still think my 1972 600 with old school air bladder suspension is still smoother and more compliant over city potholes.

Mitch Alsup

The V12 is a lot quieter than any of the V8s, it is smoother and better balanced.

Secondly, the interior has better "stuff" inside. To the point where if you optioned out a 550 it would be within spitting distance of the V12 in price.

LovinMercedes

Not exactly. When comparably equipped, the S600, with mostly standard equipment, comes in at around $170,000. The similarly equipped S550 comes in around $145,000. I would hardly call that within "spitting distance."

You can make the options and interiors of both cars exactly the same, with approximately a $20,000-25,000 difference. What you can't make the same is the engine, which I agree, is a great engine. Have had many 600's.

For your parents, the S600 would be unnecessary.

Mitch Alsup

I would.

Steinhart

how noticeable a difference in ride between 18" and 20" wheels on an S550 is there?

Mitch Alsup

There is a full inch of additional sidewall to soften the road "irregularities".

It may not make a lot of difference with run craps, but it does with pneumatic tires.

Streamliner

Lots of folks here like to toss comments around about wheel sizes and run flat tires, but few have had the opportunity to do side by side comparisons. I ordered a new S550 sedan with 18" wheels. I drove the car for 500 miles and then had the original run flat tires swapped out for Bridgestone Serenity Plus conventional tires. The improvement in ride quality, especially over anything other than a ribbon smooth road was significant. However, the noise reduction at highway speeds was substantial. Anyone who says differently, just isn't as picky about ride quality and tire noise as I am.

aypues

Lexus went to the LS460 back in 2007. I agree it would be very smooth and a whole lot less money. Not quite as nice or powerful as an S, but much more reliable long term.

kath00

Sorry just to clarify -- you believe the Bridgestones are smoother and quieter? Just got an s550 with 19" and would like to consider swapping out for traditional tires.

BTW: I drove a BMW loaner with 20" tires for a month when my BMW 7 (with 19" tires was in the service) and it was a HUGE difference. I felt every bump and every larger dip was a HARD toss. HATED the 20s. But that is my personal preference.

Streamliner

I highly disagree. I had EIGHT, brand new, top line, Lexus LS sedans between 1993 and 2011. Every one had the air suspension. The last two, 2008 & 2011 LS460L's, were both equipped with Bridgestone Serenity tires.

I traded my 2013 S550 in on a 2014 ML350BT, which was a big mistake. I'm not an SUV guy and I missed my big sedan. I ordered a new 2015 S550, but in the mean time, I thought I would give Lexus another look. Wow! No comparison anymore. I drove a new LS460L and the ride quality does not compare with the W221 or W222, WITH 18" wheels & comfy tires. In addition, I drove the A8L & 750LI, same conclusion. I believe that the W222 is "THE" best riding car in the world, when properly shod.

Streamliner

After tons of research, I feel that the Bridgestone Serenity Plus and the Michelin MXM4's are the most comfortable, quietest tires on the market. I went with the Bridgestone's, since I've had them before. I purchased a new, W222 jack from a German seller on eBay and also purchased an unused W221 compact spare from a seller on eBay. Both reside in my trunk. It's not a perfect solution, as the spare sits on TOP of the trunk floor, but it gives me peace of mind, knowing that it's there and my car rides like nothing else.

Steinhart

has anyone done a side by side comparison driving an S Class with 18" vs 20" on stock run flats?