SilverArrow44

While I still have not come around to accepting the W223, Schmee's review was the first that made me think "Maybe it's not as bad as I thought." I suspect I'll probably hold on to my W222 a bit longer than I originally planned, but I won't be surprised if I end up owning a W223 in 5 or 6 years.

Having said that, of Gorden Wagener's three S-Class designs (W221, W222, and W223), the W223 is my least favorite. The interior is best described as underwhelming and the taillights make it indistinguishable from a Toyota or Honda. However I see it as salvageable during a refresh. Moreover, many of the premium car makers are going into similar design characteristics, so I'm not sure if I'll have many viable options.

hyperion667

Oh no not Shmee!! LOL!!

emilner

From the moment you have laid eyes on pictures. You still have not sat in one nor even seen it in person. I could never allow myself to make a summary decision based on a picture. The W223 is such a departure from the current language the only way to get a true taste of it is to sit in it and drive it. But for you it's over- you have made up your mind that it is horrible and now you will force yourself to find evidence of that horror...

superangrypenguin

Don't make assumptions if you can't back it up.

hyperion667

Your position on the matter seems quite clear, why is more evidence needed from other members?

SW20S

Hellooooo, I'm SHMEEEEEEE!

Wolfman

I for one like the new S-Class better than the old one and that one was my favorite. But unless I see it in the flesh (properly configured because many of the press cars are oddly configured) I can't make up my mind 100%. Some of the sample comments that Stever500 listed however were downright idiotic. This whole thread also feels a bit "overheated" given that nobody has had any experience with the car whatsoever.
I understand the general dislike/split opinion of the center screen and lack of buttons but for many features and design elements, welcome to the next decade; this is how automakers are building cars now. Unlike previous generations, the S-Class is now also designed for the 40+ crowd, not the 60+ one anymore.

SW20S

And people will always post hater comments lol

The issue is the 40+ crowd can't afford cars like these (with some exceptions, like myself) and the cars those that can afford a car of that price buy arent big flagship soft luxury sedans. I would caution Mercedes from abandoning their core customer too strongly...look at Lexus and the LS...

As for the design elements on the interior, I don't see any other carmakers "building cars like that now". Theres a way to have that technology and integrate it into the flow of the dash better.

places

Curiously, why better than the old? Is it the tech? Do you like the interior and exterior design?

Personally I think it will be another magnificent S model that will arguably be the best car in the world however I am not sure if I will like it better than the 222. Seems like character is now replaced with tech. I still might end up with one though.

superswiss

With the increased wealth in the technology sector you might be surprised by how many can actually afford theses cars even in their 30s. I agree with you, though, I'm not sure how many see themselves in a soft barge like the S Class. I'm in my 40s and I can't see myself in an S Class. Even the S63 would be still too soft for me and mostly way too big. Below is a link to the recent Daimler strategy presentation I mentioned above. It's an interesting read. Daimler is focusing on individuals with private investable wealth > $250k, which globally were at 52 million individuals in 2019 and projected to grow to 95 million by 2030 and the increase is mostly coming from younger generations getting wealthy in the new industries such as technology, bio tech etc. These potential customers are far more tech savvy than the current 60+ crowd, which lets face it is only getting smaller. They are being replaced by younger generations that grew up or into the technology revolution like myself.

https://www.daimler.com/dokumente/in...esentation.pdf

SW20S

There are plenty of consumers in those age brackets sure, but the question is how many of them have interest in a car like this? I'm 39, and I came to this car from two previous LS460s but I am VERY unusual in terms of what I like from a car.

Thats why they need to be careful, they need to continue to appeal to their traditional consumer as well.

hyperion667

Talk about distracted driving: imagine having to navigate the touch screen whilst in motion,....if it will even let you do so in motion

Wolfman

I had posted some S-Class sales demographics a while back. Bottom-line is that the primary S-Class market is in Asia and S-Class buyers are even younger there and obviously Mercedes is repositioning their brand in a rapidly changing world (https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...an-2020-a.html).
From the interior I was referring to design elements like large black high-gloss surfaces, wether made out of metal, wood or plastic. In regards to the center screen, surprisingly I find their rationale acceptable (MB states that every part of the screen was supposed to be reachable while you have your arm on the center armrest and as such make the use of the screen functions comfortable and less distracting). It's not a beauty but I am not opposed to it. We'll see once the cars are here.

Wolfman

Interestingly I find the exterior very appealing, more streamlined and more modern than the W222. One can always argue about one or the other design element but overall it is a sleek looking car for it size.
As for character I do like interior LED lighting and find that it adds to the interior ambiance. Love their natural wood trim with aluminum stripes and their upgraded leather interior. The only potential eyesore for me is the black center console below the center screen but assume that it's not the cheap plastic but metal like we have in our GTC. Same high gloss black that feels great to the touch but is a fingerprint magnet. This should have been the same wood as the rest.

SW20S

My issue is more the tacked on IP than the center screen

R Daneel Olivaw

Maybe I'm one of the few on this subforum that like the 223. Only had my S550 for a few months - like everything about it. Will trade for a 223 after a few years and depreciation had set it.

superangrypenguin

In my early 30s myself and am interested in the Maybach series cars as with the Audi S. I'm a big fan of the W222s and the 221s and 220s.

Wolfman

Still less tacked on than an iPad-like screen. The new MBUX navigation will require a more squarish screen layout and these center screens are making it into most models moving forward (new C, SL, EQ models, etc.)

SW20S

I mean the instrument panel, the gauges. Thats basically an ipad like screen.

Wolfman

Every digital display is essentially an iPad screen. When the W222 was launched, people complained about that panels the same way. Now it's a non-issue.

I prefer curved displays personally, wether integrated or not...

as.thompson

I prefer the integrated screen as in my 2016 S550 Coupe. I strongly dislike the tacked-on, iPad-looking screens. To me, they appear to come off as an afterthought to the overall design and not integrated with the rest of the cockpit. Just my opinion. Others have different opinions. That's how they can sell a lot of different models/styles of vehicles. :-)

SW20S

I just dont care for the look of the screen tacked on like that, I want it to be integrated into the dash vs attached on top of it.

UrBusted

My 19 year old son would rather have my swb s class than a new bmw 330e, over the next few years he aspires to get a Brabus S63 and Huracan Perf. I would've expected him to have wanted an e63s to be honest

hyperion667

Does you son work at Buckingham Palace? We're talking serious money with those two models that's over 400,000 pounds or more

God kill the Queen!

SW20S

You son is very unusual LOL. I was just like him when I was that age, but definitely not typical.