superangrypenguin

I think we're all splitting hairs here.

The S class is the flagship of Mercedes Benz.
The Maybach is not a series production vehicle and, IMHO, is not the flagship of MB, but rather, Maybach.

It's the same with the Audi A8 and the Horsch brand.

Look, we're all lucky to own the cars we do, and I don't think anything productive comes from arguing about whether or not the W222 is the best that money can buy for Daimler AG, because it's not. It's a damn fine vehicle but the Maybach trumps it. Why? Because Maybach competes in a different category.

Personally my next car is the Bentley Flying Spur. I'm never going to claim it's in the same league as the A8, because it's not.

superangrypenguin

All 3 car makers make really strong stock components which make them all easy to tune/enhance.

Anybody making a blanket statement that one brand is better than the other based on this just simply does not have enough experience tuning any of these car brands. Generally speaking it's far easier to mod a BMW/Audi as there is a bigger market for it, but yeah, no matter how one looks at it, we're all modding a quality product.

MTrauman

Can you explain what you mean by “the Maybach is not a series production vehicle”?

Katie22

I own a 16 S600 Maybach. I would be totally happy with a S450 with several options such and leather, distronic, magic body control, and burmeister 3d.

absent

I think he used a wrong choice of words.
Different brand, it should be said.
Maybach is based on S-Class but is more refined and more luxurious and rightly so, folks are paying a premium for this.
Sort of like comparing a Camry to Lexus ES350, technically the same car but the latter is on a different level luxury wise.

MTrauman

Yes but it appears Superangrypenguin is using many wrong choices of words and therefore it appears to be misleading. When one says the Maybach is not a series production vehicle it implies something almost like a limited production vehicle more like the AMG GT or that the car is not mass produced. In reality the Maybach is built EXACTLY the same way as the other S Class cars on the same production line—it is simply an extended body. The production line might have an S560 the next in the line might be a Maybach followed by a S450 and an S63 AMG. The production process is EXACTLY the same for the current generation Maybach. As Katie stated earlier the Maybach is essentially the same car but just longer. Yes there may be a couple different seals like Wolfman pointed out but I have watched the S class W222 line production on two separate occasions in Germany and the Maybach is treated the same on the production line as any other S Class.

emilner

I think it's safe to say this is right up there with the most derailed thread in the history of derailed threads...

Streamliner

Then one must ask why you went with the big Maybach? Do you use the rear seat much? Living in Southern California, I know the additional length would make parking much more difficult for me. Is parking not much of an issue where you live? Just curious.

Katie22

Streamliner I wanted an S550 and by the time I loaded it up I was way over 150k. At that point I said screw it I want the Maybach. Yes we do occasionally use the rear seat on long trips. I go back there and fall asleep.

The car is easier to park than my tiny AMG GTC. For some reason the gt only has a rear camera where the Maybach has at least four and the 360 park view so its REALLY easy to park (gt does not have this). Plus you can push the button to raise the car by about an inch to protect the front end when parking.

So why would I be happy with a S450. Well I like all the bells and whistles but after 70000 miles in the Maybach I can now look back and say the ONLY really important things to me are the Burmester 3d, magic body control, and distronic. Everything else is nice and that leather headliner is really cool, nightview is neat, massage seats are great but I dont need it. If I want a car that goes fast I get into the gt so I dont really need the v12 and I hear the v6 in the 450 does well when it comes to power.

I hope I answered your questions. I am just trying to be very objective and point out the most important things I find in the S class and I have driven a S550 and thought it felt just like the Maybach, my Husband on the other hand said it was somewhat different so I guess everyone is different.

PS I just asked my Hubby what options he would have to have on a S450 and he surprisingly said the same thing, Burmeister 3d, Magic Body Control, and Distronic.

Streamliner

Katie, thanks for that. We are very much on the same page. I guess I’ll stay with an S560, as I am so in love with that engine. I too love MBC and will not own another sedan without Distronic. I’ve never had the 3D, but will probably get it next time around. I would love the additional insulation and upgraded door seals in the Maybach, but would almost never use the additional rear seat leg room. In addition, being a ride quality maniac, I run 18” wheels and I don’t think they would look good on a Maybach.

Katie22

Streamliner I think you would be shocked if you went for a ride in my GTC. You got a car that you can go racing in any day of the week yet has a DAM nice ride. Its not the same as the Maybach but then the feel you get is sooooo inviting that I love driving the gt.

That is one reason why I have said if I had to pick one car I would look for a S63 or S65 and be happy. I mean you get a S class that rides nice and also can go racing any day of the week, although that has not stopped me from taking the Maybach out on the F1 race track.........


Running about 90MPH at rite before braking.

Streamliner

Well, maybe I’m changing my mind here, MAYBE!

Maybe I should consider a Maybach. I always thought the W222 lines worked better on the longer wheelbase. Mine would look like this:

Katie22

You could always get the v8 Maybach it costs less than the v12 and has 4matic though no MBC.

absent

I agree, had a 450 as a loaner for a total of over 2 months of daily driving and I really think that car has absolutely sufficient performance for anyone.
S450 makes the S560 a total overkill, too much power with rarely any opportunity to take advantage of it.


......says a guy who went for S63 and then spend additional $30k to bring it to 850hp
I’m a very sensible guy....

Katie22

quick question. Since you have a S63 does it ride nice?

absent

Good enough for me, certainly better on our horrible surfaces then the GT63 or E63 but not as good as the 560 or 450 I had as loaners, standard, pretty basically optioned cars, on standard rims with all season, higher profile tires.
I have Pirelli Sottozeros RFT, same profile as performance tires in Summer (30 and 35), very stiff and heavier then normal tires.
Tried to alviate that problem with lighter rims, I use Vossen ultra light wheels that weigh only 2/3 of the Black ones the car came with.

MTrauman

To expand on Absents answer: After about 25 years of using numerous S Class S500/S550s as my daily driver, IMHO the S63 beginning with the ‘18 model year finally bridged the gap with luxury and performance in one car such that the ‘18/‘19/‘20 S63 AMGs feel like the S Class with the performance capabilities of a car like the AMG GT R or even better than the GTR but a bit heavier of course especially since the S63 has 4matic +. The luxury range and the performance range with the current S63 is just simply astounding/amazing to the point that I could no longer hold back on buying the S63 for my daily commuting car. It really is fabulous with the ride quality on the one hand and it is a performance monster on the other hand at the flip of the switch from comfort to sport +. My completely stock S63s best 0-60 time has been 3.29 seconds—amazing for a luxury car. I have almost 15,000 miles on my ‘19 S63 AMG and it is simply the best Mercedes Benz S Class I have owned to date. My S63 is optioned like a Maybach (even has the tray tables) but performs like a GTR.

Katie22

That is exactly what I suspected since I took my Maybach out on the race track and realized that the thing handles like a sports car with zero body roll and tires that bite so good it was shocking. Yes it is not as fast as my GTC by any means but then its 5300 pounds and 525hp vs the newest Maybach with 621hp.

Its amayzing how comfy they can make performance cars these days.

fabbrisd1

Kindof intensive thread... the right CPO S63 can be one heck of a Top Value - and once you have driven the S63 - it's a Semi-Intelligent Cruise Missile - you will never go back to a standard S...

The Maybach I drove last week at Vance was the GLS600... now that was awesome..

Streamliner

There are many here who love their S450 or S560 and would pretty much NEVER want more power, especially if it degraded the ride quality or quietness by even a percentage point, not to mention the additional upkeep, decreased fuel economy and insurance costs. I, for one, have never, ever, pushed my S560 anywhere near it’s acceleration limits and can never imagine doing so. I’m very happy with my “G5,” I don’t need a cruise missile.

MBS63AMG

I would rather have this than the Bentley. That is gorgeous!

Streamliner

With this in mind, do we feel that production of the W222 Maybach will cease at the same time they stop making the other W222 S Class models? I could have sworn that I read somewhere that the next generation Maybach will not be out for another year past the introduction of the more basic W223 models. Anyone have any info on this?

MTrauman

I certainly do not know the answer to your question but it is theoretically possible to have the Maybach production continue in the W222 platform while the W223 is being manufactured/assembled as the W222 is in the Factory 46 Building in Sindelfingen Germany while the new W223 will be in a new state of the art "green" building called Factory 56. I would think it would be unlikely they continue the Maybach W222 into the production of the W223 but that is a big guess on my part.

Cadguy

Katie may I ask how your GTC rides on rough roads going over potholes and bumps? Have you driven the AMG GTS I've read that it has a more comfortable ride than the GTC?

Katie22

Its funny because I and MTtrauman tried really hard to point out to Streamliner that these AMG cars are magic............ They ride really good and handle like a dream. I cannot over state that enough and this is coming from someone who also owns a Maybach which rides wonderful and ALSO handles like a sports car if you put it in sports mode.

We will drive from Orlando to Tennessee with the GTC regularly and never feel worn out at the end of the ride. MY girl but gets a bit sore in the seat bottom because it squeezes me but its supposed to like a racing seat does. Hubby does not have this problem. We drove it from Colorado to Florida the long way through Utah and loved the ride, didnt get tired!

The GTC comes with adjustable dampers where the GTS it was an option if I recall. I drove a regular GT and it was slightly more rough with the non adjustable dampers. So a recap the GTC is going to ride better than a GT or GTS unless they have the adjustable dampers and in that case they likely ride virtually the same.........

Rough roads it still rides nice. Dont get me wrong you live in Michigan Pot hole state its going to bounce you a bit. I will say that I had Loners a GLA, C, and E class.
1. GLA= rough riding, noisy, terrible engine transmission interface, turbo lag yuck (I hear the 2020 car is improved overall), better off buying a Honda Accord! Makes GTC feel like an S Class ride quality.
2. C class= Nice car but again makes me think an Accord is a better buy. GTC RIDES NICER to me but one could argue.
3. E class= Quiet, composed, hides the 4cylinder engine good, and rides a lot like an S class. The GTC is NOT as smooth a ride as the E class with base suspension and air body option would be even better I assume.