When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just made an account and already have a question...
I've been driving Lexus for over 20 years and have had no issues what so ever. After test driving an S-Class it completely changed my mind on buying another Lexus and instead getting an S550. What are your thoughts on this?? I have a daily commute of 52 miles one way to work, and 52 miles back(Orange County to LA). Should I get an S550 Plug In Hybrid and use the Carpool Sticker HOV lane by myself or get a crappy, electric beater car like a Volt or Leaf and just use that... I love the S-Class and just can't stand to see such a great car effected by rock chips and other objects flying at it during my commute. If I get the beater car, I will purchase an S550... If I do not get the beater car then I will purchase an S550e. Also plan on keeping the car for a while. Thanks
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
For years, I commuted from OC to LA, up & back on the 405. I drove Lexus LS sedans in those years and felt safe, secure & comfortable. Today, when I occasionally make that drive in my S550, I feel all of those things, but to a higher degree, as my 2015 S550 is the best car I have ever owned. (Best, but certainly not my favorite, but that's another story.)
Personally, there is NO WAY I would be caught dead in something like a Volt or Leaf on the LA/OC freeways during a rush hour commute. I would feel so unprotected and vulnerable. Huge trucks everywhere, the crazies cutting in and out of lanes while texting and the idiot motorcycle riders with their "Death Wish" lane splitting at six times the speed of the cars. No sir! Give me a great, big piece of German engineering to surround myself and my family against the madness of rush hour--which, as you must know, currently lasts for probably 14 hours of each day in So. CA.
As for the S550e, I'd still be sticking with the gas model. Too many potential problems with a drive system that is still in its infancy. Good luck!
I use a Chevrolet Bolt (the all electric Chevy compared to the Volt) for my daily commute - it gets 238 miles of electric range, HOV sticker, Collision prevention assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot assist, 0-60 in around 6.3 seconds (like a C300), front/rear heated seats, Apple CarPlay/Android integration, rearview mirror is camera-based, and one pedal driving...
All in all, a very comfortable car. With incentives too, it can be a really cheap monthly payment which will allow you to get an S550 and an all electric car - I drive regularly on the 405/118 for long commutes, and feel safe in the car. However, if you're just worried about rock chips, it's a car...
My C63S has a million pits and little scratches in the windshield/grill after 3,000 miles from freeway/canyon/tracking (minimized by a clear bra on the front bumper), but if you're going to lease the car (as I'm sure over a majority of people in LA/OC do given how cheap the lease payments are compared to financing), the car's going to go back anyways so it doesn't really matter.
All in all, I'm happy with my Bolt. Had a Chevy Volt for 3 years prior - also a great choice. To me, the S550e with a V6 and barely any miles of electric range is a joke - I have noticed that most dealers have more S550e models than S550s in California for some reason (may be due to stricter California regulation), so if I were you, I'd jump on the gas version and get an electric car too.
Last point - if you still really care about rock chips, get a clear bra! A few hundred dollars can make a big difference - I got a clear bra on my C63S knowing I'll be driving at 80+ everywhere, and it protects 85-90% of the car from rock chips.
For years, I commuted from OC to LA, up & back on the 405. I drove Lexus LS sedans in those years and felt safe, secure & comfortable. Today, when I occasionally make that drive in my S550, I feel all of those things, but to a higher degree, as my 2015 S550 is the best car I have ever owned. (Best, but certainly not my favorite, but that's another story.)
Personally, there is NO WAY I would be caught dead in something like a Volt or Leaf on the LA/OC freeways during a rush hour commute. I would feel so unprotected and vulnerable. Huge trucks everywhere, the crazies cutting in and out of lanes while texting and the idiot motorcycle riders with their "Death Wish" lane splitting at six times the speed of the cars. No sir! Give me a great, big piece of German engineering to surround myself and my family against the madness of rush hour--which, as you must know, currently lasts for probably 14 hours of each day in So. CA.
As for the S550e, I'd still be sticking with the gas model. Too many potential problems with a drive system that is still in its infancy. Good luck!
+1 about S550e having potential problems - I will say though that my rush hour commute usually consists of bumper to bumper traffic!
The S550e Plug-in Hybrid is a wonderful commute car.
- Wife just got the HOV stickers for her S550e, yes Carpool Access OK.
- Save precious time on gas stations (plug-in everyday at home & office.)
- Smooth & Silent in Electric-mode.
- Plenty of power in Sport-mode.
- The Heat, massage, Nappa leather seat is perfect for long commute.
- Semi-automaous features make effortless hands-free driving in traffic.
- One of the safest sedans, to put our family in.
- Etc., etc.
Like our Mercedes Sales Manager told us -- once we have the S550e as a daily commute car, we will be spoiled. He was right.
Last edited by axhoaxho; Jan 18, 2017 at 05:19 PM.
Get the S550e. The OP main point is to get into the carpool lanes to LA and back in style and comfort. Its electric range is short but that's not the main point. The gas mileage and power will be fine with the turbo 6 after electric mode runs out. If you're afraid of rock chips get the front end wrapped in clear Xpel (or other) film.
2015 S550 Palladium/Deep Sea Blue, 2016 Tesla Model S 70D, 2015 Volvo XC70
If I faced a commute and presumably LA traffic like that, I'd add Tesla to the list for consideration...way better semi-autonomous driving, unless you're going to wait for the 2018 S-Class. I am speaking as an owner of both a Tesla and a (non-plugin) S550.
Agree on the Tesla. In fact, before we got the S550e, we almost went for the Tesla S.
The final decision, for my wife, was the 'massage seats.' She tried both the Tesla and Mercedes seats -- while the Tesla seats were supportive and sporty-feel, the S-Class 'Multi-contour Massage Ventilated Nappa Leather seat' was a treat. May be we're getting older, comfortable seats ranked high in our list.
She (as most ladies) also welcomes the flexibility of a Plug-in Hybrid. She can charge the battery if available, or fuel-up the tank if necessary. A peace of mind.
We do like the Tesla, and wouldn't rule out one in our garage soon. Meanwhile, the S550e serves us very well.
Last edited by axhoaxho; Jan 18, 2017 at 07:31 PM.
I just made an account and already have a question...
I've been driving Lexus for over 20 years and have had no issues what so ever. After test driving an S-Class it completely changed my mind on buying another Lexus and instead getting an S550. What are your thoughts on this?? I have a daily commute of 52 miles one way to work, and 52 miles back(Orange County to LA). Should I get an S550 Plug In Hybrid and use the Carpool Sticker HOV lane by myself or get a crappy, electric beater car like a Volt or Leaf and just use that... I love the S-Class and just can't stand to see such a great car effected by rock chips and other objects flying at it during my commute. If I get the beater car, I will purchase an S550... If I do not get the beater car then I will purchase an S550e. Also plan on keeping the car for a while. Thanks
T
Why compromise? Why drive a beater car you hate? Get a nice S550. Get a clear bra for protection. Have a good coat of wax on it. Why buy a Volt or Leaf or some eco cheap box. You can afford a S Class then gas is no big deal, as a is a clear bra or upkeep. Life to too short to drive a car you hate. 104 Mile round trip you want comfort. That is just my $.02 cents.
I would buy a Leaf, B Electric or Volt if I did lots of driving all around with mixed driving or in a city due to their size but not for long commutes where I would be stuck in traffic.
You can mitigate some of the stone chips etc with a clear bra. I would say get the S class hybrid. For a long commute comfort is the most important - plus if one is ever in an accident, an S class would be much better.
For years, I commuted from OC to LA, up & back on the 405. I drove Lexus LS sedans in those years and felt safe, secure & comfortable. Today, when I occasionally make that drive in my S550, I feel all of those things, but to a higher degree, as my 2015 S550 is the best car I have ever owned. (Best, but certainly not my favorite, but that's another story.)
Personally, there is NO WAY I would be caught dead in something like a Volt or Leaf on the LA/OC freeways during a rush hour commute. I would feel so unprotected and vulnerable. Huge trucks everywhere, the crazies cutting in and out of lanes while texting and the idiot motorcycle riders with their "Death Wish" lane splitting at six times the speed of the cars. No sir! Give me a great, big piece of German engineering to surround myself and my family against the madness of rush hour--which, as you must know, currently lasts for probably 14 hours of each day in So. CA.
As for the S550e, I'd still be sticking with the gas model. Too many potential problems with a drive system that is still in its infancy. Good luck!
Thank you all for the quick and informative responses. But, the main reason I would need the V6 Turbo over the V8 would be for the Carpool Lane Sticker... I am only driving by myself and would love to use the fast lane to get to work quicker. I guess the S-Class would be the better overall car because of the low-speed lane keep and semi-autonomous driving; not to mention the massage seats as well. I am sure with a warranty the E will be fine.
Thank you all for the quick and informative responses. But, the main reason I would need the V6 Turbo over the V8 would be for the Carpool Lane Sticker... I am only driving by myself and would love to use the fast lane to get to work quicker. I guess the S-Class would be the better overall car because of the low-speed lane keep and semi-autonomous driving; not to mention the massage seats as well. I am sure with a warranty the E will be fine.
Thanks again,
T
You will have the trifecta for driving in LA traffic. Carpool lane access, massage seats and the Distronic Plus is invaluable. You are good to go. I guess getting better gas mileage won't hurt either.
If you are going to spend that much time on the road and if you really love music, spring for the upgraded stereo. It's truly amazing! And this is coming from a retired recording engineer.
I must recommend the Hybrid, its the most logical in a high traffic city like LA, complemented by Distronic Plus, it's the full package. I had the same worry about rock chips as I drive about 57 miles per day, I eventually got Opticoat Pro Plus.
2015 S550 Palladium/Deep Sea Blue, 2016 Tesla Model S 70D, 2015 Volvo XC70
S550e,
I suggest considering the potential longevity of the HOV lane use for single-occupancy plug-in hybrids. Suppose down the road, HOV lanes become crowded in rush hours...which type of vehicle is going to be first in line to have its HOV lane use restricted - plug in hybrids, or full-on EVs?
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
) 
