Hey,
So looking at getting an S560 and had a few questions.

Should I opt for the SWB or the LWB?

Potentially I can get the SWB with more options (these would be exclusive package, and rear seat upgrades), but I don't think those would be particularly used (obv the exclusive nappa leather would look better).

Is the drive in the LWB better? I test drove both but couldn't exactly notice a difference.

 

We only have the LWB here in the US.

 

I wish we could get the SWB here

 

Is there a benefit to the SWB? We have the option in Canada.

 

Wow learn something new everyday, I thought they were all long wheelbase

 

Yes it has the advantages of being shorter ( turning radius, fitting in the garage) and I don't need all that rear leg room and prefer the roof arch.

 

Unless you need that rear space, it's really wasted. It's massive. A shorter S would be great, I'd be all over it.

I'd like to see a shorter wheelbase Maybach, or basically std. LWB. Would be cool.

 

Having had the LS460 in SWB and in LWB, the LWB does a lot for this sort of car. It rides better, looks more substantial. I wouldnt have any interest in a SWB S Class

 

Yeah, MB stopped importing SWB S class with the w220, w140 was the last one offered in USA.

 

With exception of the '06 S350

 

Interesting! I remember they came out with a 350 but did not know it was a SWB.

 

Yeah I test drove one once. I didn't like it as much as the S430's I had driven previously mainly due to the engine.

 

Any photos of the 2 together?

 

If you ever see a 2006 S350 you will know it immediately. The back doors are 6" shorter, the car just does not look right when you see it.

 

I think that ithe SWB (top) looks fine. I actually think that it could be argued that the LWB (bottom) rear door distorts the overall roof line. Now I agree that the LWB passenger compartment streamlines the overall profile of the car. It really depends on where you focus on the car.

 

Looking at those pictures posted above, the SWB car looks very odd and the LWB car is much better looking.

The car was clearly designed to be LWB, the lines work much better on it as a LWB. LS460 same way.

 

King of the road! LWB only!

Town car maybe so. Road cruiser no way.

 

To me the LWB looks like it is meant to be chauffeur driven.

 

I thought about trying part time Uber for fun.

LWB works well on the empty HWY where bigger the better can be a plus.

In town I get the SWB but I can't begin to remember the last time I had to parallel park.

 

lwb all the way! i found myself in the enviable position to sit in the back of my new car this weekend and be driven (my sister visiting for the weekend wanted to drive it); i've never sat back there. holy cow! the space was enormous. and when you recline those power seats all the way back and use the pillows and heat and all. like clipper class on a trans-oceanic flight. what an experience! i wanna driver now! ahahahaha!

 

Now you're talking!

PS I grew up in Pgh.

 

Fully agree. After 4 LWB S-Class cars I have given up on them. Too big. Would much prefer the SWB S-Class.

 

I use the S as my daily, it's SWB and has low profile wheels and I've never found it lacking in comfort. If you want reclining rear seats then I believe its best to go LWB, but otherwise, I comfortably fit at 6'1 with a 6' passenger behind so see no reason for you to get LWB, especially since you'll get exclusive nappa and barely have a need for the rear seats.

 

MBUSA only imports the LWB these days. Canada has both versions. We hardly ever used the rear seats on the LWB.