I agree with your position. I drive my S550 Coupe because I like driving a superior car not because of what others think about my choice of vehicles. Everyone is different however and their reasons are just as valid for them.

The W222 is just going back to where it started when it comes to similarities in design, here is an example: https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...5af1fbc329.jpg
Image originally found and shared by js_cls

To be fair, I understand the feeling that you pay flagship money you want to look different than the base model for example but it is cheaper for manufacturers to come up with a design to be used in their entire lineup, reason why many of MB models shared the same platform for example.
BMW is the only few that makes their flagship stand out at least for their all new 7-series but the design is rather um... interesting and I understand it is not for everyone. Time will tell if it too trickle down to the cheaper models.

For the price of a new E you can buy a decent used S, so I don't see the value proposition at all.

Who wants a tiny back seat, 4-cylinder engine and taxicab vinyl for $70K ?? I had a W204 before and when I shopped it against an E, they seemed to share the drivetrain, suspension, brakes and a lot of other parts. So again, very little logic in paying so much more for a slightly larger car with mostly the same mechanicals.

I don't necessarily want my S-class to look "that much different" than any other Merc (or even other brands)
This enables the option of buying the wife a C-class or E-class "to match mine"

But, in the end, exterior styling will converge to similar shapes die directly to aerodynamics (drag) and (mandated) fuel economy (as long as ICE last).
Now, similar shapes do not imply similar styling:: as witnessed by the stupid front grilles they* seem to be putting on everything these days.
(*) They is not MERC but many others.

Thanks for your comment, definitely a preference thing and it is hard to have a one size fits all after all, you for example prefer similar looking vehicles but then there are others who actually prefers the opposite.

Mine got a GLS, so that the S matched!

At the end of the day, if you stop worrying about what other people think you'll be much happier. If someone confuses your S Class for some different Mercedes, how does that negatively impact your life?

I actually prefer that my daily driver vehicle not be all that recognizable by the crazies out there. My silver S Class blends in a bit, which is just fine with me. :)

223 - very bland body styling... cheap add-a-tablets - just not good looking for my eye...

222 - very luxurious styling interior and exterior. For me the standard of class for modern Mercedes. I find myself admiring them on the road and then saying... hey!!! im in one

221 - beautiful to many including myself, but i never really liked the flared fenders... they are still appealing on the street

220 - although owner of several i think it was An okay styled car that was much nicer in AMG clothing

140 - the introduction of modern S Class mercedes - a legend in all ways. Haters said it was too big, but it was peerless at the time.

Everything before - i liked every big body going back as far as my memory allows before the w140 but seeing a pre-140 today i just think "old"... but many great cars from those era's...

By the way, my opinion is perfect, and thusly cannot be questioned...

Same, in fact I have had to adjust to the S Class being flashier than what I was accustomed to driving.

They have grown on me a LOT.

LOL! :)

Who was it who said, "in matters of taste there is no dispute"?

Saw a stunning W221 S63 the other day, what a beautiful car!

And a new BMW 740i coming home just now, which wasn't bad looking either.

I don’t know if anyone here has lambasted the current 7 Series exterior design more than I have. But, I came to realize that what I truly hated is their M-Sport Pkg. For the 7’s. The regular front end is actually not bad and is growing on me.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...922762db6.jpeg

Yeah thats the trim 7 Series I was considering getting.

I have the GLB SUV as a loaner. It's like driving a Toyota Camry. My wife says " it's NOT a Mercedes !!! "
The S class is an engineered machine.

They are TERRIBLE. GLB and GLA. I actually refuse them as loaners.