C Swenson

I'll turn 69 years old this Spring. My first Mercedes was a 280C (W114) that I bought in my early thirties, a 420SEL (W126) in my forties, another 420SEL (W126) in my fifties, and two S550s (W221 & W222) here in my sixties.

PatentLawyer

Yes, the Hyundai twins look pretty compelling. The Genesis GV80 also looks interesting.

I don't know that I could bring myself to enter a BMW dealership.

SW20S

Yeah they punch way above their weight class, my business partner has a new Palisade Limited and its really nice. The GV80 looks great too but its a lot smaller. I would imagine we will see a GV90 that will have more room.

With that said though, the Palisade and Telluride are still FWD based crossovers built to a cost and compared to our S Classes theyre going to feel a lot more like the Pacifica. I would really try out an X7, they're super well finished inside with the right leather upgrades, they ride and drive great, extremely solid and quiet. I much prefer it to the MB GLS. I really almost got one instead of my S560.

hyperion667

LOL, I have always felt the same way.

stever500

Small world, yes, we must be... neighbors! I live in Lakelands (MD) too...

SW20S

Yep, small world! If you see a white S560 running around give me a wave! I'll look out for yours too!

cnco

We have an XC90 Inscription. I would check that out as well. We love it and is a great car and very safe.

SW20S

Good point, they are great. Audi Q7 is a good choice too.

PatentLawyer

Oddly, a lot of the European options don't even offer rear screens for the kiddos. Seeing them offered in the American (e.g., Lincoln Aviator and Dodge Durango) and Japanese (e.g., Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60) options, but not MB, Audi, BMW, or Volvo. Also not seeing it in the Korean options.

SW20S

I have noticed that seems to be going by the wayside, but MB and BMW definitely still do. Korean options don't.

PatentLawyer

Not seeing it in online configurators; maybe dealer-installed.....

hyperion667

We need fewer screens in life; who's with me!

SW20S

interesting, I just looked at the X7 and you're right. It was for 2020...

ajm0623

(hype -you SLAY me!)

[i've owned s-class cars for 35yrs+. buying them in my early 20s. never looked back. no reason to do so. had other more sporty cars, too. but ALWAYS had a s-class in the garage as well.]

Streamliner

I don’t think BMW would let ME into their dealerships, as they have bought back FOUR 12 cylinder cars from me that they couldn’t fix. That was all back in the 80’s & 90’s, but still.........

MacMP

We currently have My S550 and a 2020 KIA Telluride SX-P. We tried to love the X7, Q7, and GLS. With over 20,000 miles on it, I assure you the Telluride punches way above its class. The only thing the X7 has on it is the Turbo power.

SW20S

The X7 obviously has better interior finishes, better ride, they're quieter, way more tech

2012 merc amg

I seem to see those Tellurides everywhere in Florida, popular vehicles. They must be selling a lot of them. For the money I guess they are a great deal.

hyperion667

KILLED IN ACTION.........ka ka ka kia.

SW20S

I actually had a Kia Sedona Minivan and it was very good, well made, no problems, very solid. I would buy a Hyundai/Kia product no problem

MacMP

I assumed the same thing, yet, after driving the X7 and Telluride back to back, the upgrades of the X7 are minuscule and imo, certainly not worth the extra $40+K.

SW20S

Ive driven them both multiple times, I dont agree. The Telluride/Palisade still feels like a FWD crossover, while the X7 feels like what it is which is a more sophisticated platform, heavier and more solid, RWD layout. Powertrain is smoother and more refined in the X7, especially if were talking about the V8 version.

I would buy a Palisade/Telluride to replace our Pacifica in a heartbeat, but I wouldnt consider one to replace my S560, where I would a highly equipped X7.

PatentLawyer

While my wife will decide, I tend to think that if the added value in the X7 is in the powertrain and effect of the RWD platform, she will not countenance a $40K difference. I think the only wrinkle with the Palisade is the lack of rear screens, but we can probably remedy that in the aftermarket for a thousand bucks or so.

SW20S

Think of it like comparing a really nice Lexus ES to a really nice E Class or 5 Series. As nice as the ES is, it is still what it is, which is a FWD sedan with no high tech materials in its construction and macpherson struts, etc. The E and 5 are proper premium platforms with aluminum and double wishbone/multilink suspensions and air suspension options etc. But, you could certainly make an argument that the E or 5 is not worth the $20-30k more.

The other thing is what trim X7 are you looking at. BMWs aren't very impressive in low trims, when you have dakota/vernasca leather and the base seats and all they're not that impressive over a Palisade/Telluride. But when they have Nappa or better leather and multi-contour seats the leather dash and all its a whole different thing.

Utopia Texas

I own underwear older than many who responded to the poll!😊