Baloo588

IS it me or is the new S class looking smaller and shorter than the older ones? Aren't they are supposed to be long base versions because base on those pics it doesn't look long....

Baloo588

This is a pretty good review and shows the length of the S class better in person. So pics don't always do justice.

ALANPRIEBE

I believe the USA only gets the long wheel base, overseas gets both long and short? I would believe the short wheelbase is overseas spec'd, not sure if they can bring them in for street use?

Wolfman

Correct, US are LWB only unlike Canada and other countries in the Americas. Market-driven decision...

ALANPRIEBE

Just went on Canada's Mercedes Website, it appears you can configure the S500 SWB and the S580 LWB but that's it however it appears you can get 4.5 or 10.0 degree rear steering with any trim line?

Streamliner

Correct. MB in Germany has never heard of a W223 “Executive Line” model. The Executive Line is something dreamt up by the jerks at MBUSA, to literally SQUEEZE every last dollar they can from their customers. Anywhere else in the world, you can order your W223 with the 4.5 or 10 degree rear axle steering, without almost $30,000.00 of rear seat doo-dads that MBUSA shoves down our throats in their made up “Executive Line” luxobarge.

I REALLY wanted that 10 Degree Rear Axle Steering, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to play their game. I’ve lived without rear axle steering all my life. I’ll do fine without it in my next car. Ordered a 2022 Luxury Line (yet another made up name) S580 the other day.

ALANPRIEBE

You make a valid point Streamliner but once you've had rear steering and see how it makes a large car drive smaller you'd want it. That was one of the first things I noticed with my 2018 CT6 and it only has around 3,5 degrees rear steering, the Mercedes I ordered has 4,5..

190Efan

I totally agree with your reasoning. This is how MB has operated in the U.S. market for decades. W201s sold in the U.S. in the late 1980s and early 1990s had alot more equipment packed into them for a much higher price than their Euro counterparts. I suspect few W223s in the U.S. will come with the rear axle steering for exactly the reason you cite.

flint350

I believe you are missing his main point: yes, it's a desirable feature, but MB is tying it to a bunch of much less desirable things in order to sell it at a higher margin. There is no question the rear wheel steering is worthwhile, it's the added expensive bloat that must be bought along with it.

Streamliner

What he said!

ALANPRIEBE

I'm not missing anything! I ordered my S580 with the AMG Trim Line ($4,300.00), with or without the rear steering I would still have gotten the AMG Trim Line. As far as I'm concerned the Executive Line is for people who have a driver and sit in back, now that adds a lot to the bottom line and you get the 10 steering with that. My 4.5 degree steering was a $1,300.00 option.

ALANPRIEBE

I will add something to my last reply. I believe they had to alter the 2021 S Class chassis for the rear steering and a hybrid battery where needed. I would think for money saving and ease one chassis would be for all, the only difference would be the LWB and SWB models. Now with that being said should 4.5 and 10 degree steering be a stand alone option, you bet, I got that, for my order it didn't matter. If you wander through Mercedes Website and configure a S Class almost every country has a different scenario. All too confusing but I'm sure marketing plays a role there. Complaining about bloating and add on for a option is fair but if you configure a car on different countries websites and then convert their present currency almost all pay more than the USA, including Germany?

190Efan

This is a total guess but maybe the U.S. market purchases them in higher numbers so the break-even point is a little lower, hence the lower S class price in the U.S.?

ALANPRIEBE

Who knows, with health care and retirement benefits their taxes are much higher than ours, I'm guessing the automotive world gets hit up also. Before retirement I worked for a world wide company, I asked my friend in Germany about their Mercedes being lower priced, he laughed and said you're kidding we pay much more for our Mercedes than you do. I worked for a paper company and just to put this in perspective, their mill work were paid around the same hourly wages as their American counterpart, of course different currency but the exchange rate was the same? I think the Mercedes US market is large but not huge, it is an old market, China is the one they are gunning for.

ALANPRIEBE

Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales by Region and Country in 2020

Mercedes-Benz branded car sales in major regions and countries in the world were as follows in 2020:
Jan. – Dec. 2020 Change in % Europe784,183-16.4– thereof Germany286,108-10.1 Asia-Pacific1,024,3154.7– thereof China774,38211.7 North America317,592-14.7– thereof USA274,916-13

TwinCam

Some facts and figures on the China market for Mercedes.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-01-1...VzO/index.html

Wolfman

It's not as easy to compare. It used to be much more expensive to buy MB's in Germany but that's typically not the case anymore. It's easier to get a discount on a Mercedes in Germany than it is in the US and sales tax (or value added Tax) is already included in the list prices makes this cars look more expensive (people comparing net pricing vs gross). That rate is 19% and businesses can get the cars tax free so there is your additional 19% discount. Also, interest rates vary by model but can actually be zero or negative (another discount). Difficult to look at S-Class models as well as very few will buy them in Germany or other countries where cars taxes and fees can be based on engine size. Most of those will be smaller engined models.
Either way, I found equivalent deals in Germany vs the US.

ALANPRIEBE

I'm only going by my friend in Germany but that's 15 years ago?

UrBusted

I wondered this when I came to America, here in the UK, we have v6 ~250hp s classes with no burmester, nappa leather or any options for the same price as the v8 s560 with burmester, nappa and other options I can't remember. I think it's because of competition between brands and taxes

ALANPRIEBE

So, that 19% discount for businesses does not include the average consumer in Germany, correct? I'm sure there taxes are higher than ours so putting that in the MSRP would make it a higher list price. I'm just comparing advertised prices on their website and what my friend in Germany said. Discounts are like beauty, in the eyes of the beholder? Case in point, I see where some members needed a $10,000.00 deposit to order their 2021 S Class, I needed only $1,000.00? Also, I'm sure some member paid MSRP while other got a 6 to 9% discount off MSRP?

Wolfman

Correct. The average consumer will pay VAT but so will everyone in the US (sales tax). Still a difference looking at gross prices in Europe vs net prices in the US since few actually look at the window sticker and then add sales tax to see how much the car actually costs. The S-Class is also considered a business car and over 90% of sales in Germany are to businesses.
Germany has very low interest rates (mortgage rates are typically around 1%).

Car info from 15 years ago is just out of date.
Btw, we haven't paid a deposit for a custom-ordered MB yet and or had less than 10% discount as a starting point for an S-Class. I realize that Mercedes dealers are taking advantage of the current inventory shortage but these cars will soon be deeply discounted again.

ALANPRIEBE

Agreed!

pnl

I ordered mine in Late April. Was built June 2nd. Still not on a ship. Is there any info on how to track the progress? My dealer said they had 'heard' that they would start delivery in June. From reading this thread, that is looking less likely.

ALANPRIEBE

Your dealer will know when it's shipped and what vessel it's on, their Nexstar system shows that. Well June is half over? It's seems like everyone needs some symbolism like when we were attacked Sept 11, also our emergency number 911! My bet a US release will be July 4th, let freedom ring, just my two cents?

ALANPRIEBE

My S580 came off the assembly line May 10th, was on a ship May 18th, arrived at the Brunswick VPC June 6th.