Test drove new s500
07-25-2021, 11:48 AM
#1
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Test drove new s500
Wanted to upgrade from my 2018 s450. Didn’t like it. Seems a little ‘cheap” on the interior materials. Weird small screen for the driver dash. Gear changes were jerky in lower gears. Interior was more geometric with sharp perimeters vs the current curved perimeters and smooth edges. Brakes were softer. I felt disconnected from the drive. Side view mirrors were smaller. Quieter cabin. Cameras were much better than my s450. It did seem roomier though. Lots of tech in this upgraded version with minimal buttons. Sadly I’ll give this iteration a miss and am now looking for a 2020 model. My personal opinion of course. I know many people love them which is clear when you look at the demand.
Last edited by Merserybenze; 07-25-2021 at 12:56 PM.
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07-25-2021, 03:47 PM
#2
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2012 CLS63
I agree, that driver screen is lame! So minimal! Maybe that's what they're going for? I have yet to go see one in the flesh.
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superangrypenguin (09-04-2021)
07-26-2021, 06:18 PM
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Sad to hear that the transmission is jerky in the new S-Class, hopefully it is an isolated case because this is unacceptable for this class. Thanks for sharing your experience.
07-26-2021, 09:59 PM
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Hmmm, do you think the transmission in both vehicles are different?... but I don't understand why it would be though, is the tranny in the S500 not capable enough to handle the torque of the V8 in the S580?
07-26-2021, 10:34 PM
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The gearing is different I'm sure
07-26-2021, 10:39 PM
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Stephen513 (08-05-2021)
08-04-2021, 03:33 PM
#9
Thanks. Been thinking about getting a 2021 S500 but maybe not after reading your impressions. My 2019 S450 was a disappointment, while my 2015 S550 was not. The Long Wheel Base car is getting more obese every year and I wish MBUSA also imported the Short Wheel Base model which is available in Canada and the rest of the world. The SWB is much easier to live with as a daily beater.
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08-04-2021, 06:02 PM
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Thanks. Been thinking about getting a 2021 S500 but maybe not after reading your impressions. My 2019 S450 was a disappointment, while my 2015 S550 was not. The Long Wheel Base car is getting more obese every year and I wish MBUSA also imported the Short Wheel Base model which is available in Canada and the rest of the world. The SWB is much easier to live with as a daily beater.
+1
08-04-2021, 06:03 PM
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Thanks. Been thinking about getting a 2021 S500 but maybe not after reading your impressions. My 2019 S450 was a disappointment, while my 2015 S550 was not. The Long Wheel Base car is getting more obese every year and I wish MBUSA also imported the Short Wheel Base model which is available in Canada and the rest of the world. The SWB is much easier to live with as a daily beater.
I have no interest in the SWB, I would just get a highly spec'ed E Class.
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08-04-2021, 07:17 PM
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08-04-2021, 07:52 PM
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08-04-2021, 07:53 PM
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Thanks. Been thinking about getting a 2021 S500 but maybe not after reading your impressions. My 2019 S450 was a disappointment, while my 2015 S550 was not. The Long Wheel Base car is getting more obese every year and I wish MBUSA also imported the Short Wheel Base model which is available in Canada and the rest of the world. The SWB is much easier to live with as a daily beater.
08-04-2021, 08:25 PM
#16
The nav system did not work as intended on my 2019 S-450 and it could not be fixed. The Start-Stop system could use a bigger battery so that the engine is shut down for a longer time. Never liked V-6 engines, but where do you use the power from a V-8? All you get is lousy gas mileage. At least it was a RWD and not an AWD which adds weight, complexity, price and reduces gas mileage. I'd buy an AWD if I lived in a place that has long winters with lots of snow, but not otherwise. In case I get the 2021 S-Class it will be a big compromise.
My current beater is a loaded 2020 CLS450C, RWD. The inline 6 cylinder with the 'mild hybrid' features is a remarkable engine. On a recent road trip that also included city driving the car got 32 MPG over 380 miles. The car could use a little softer suspension in the Comfort/Economy modes and there are structural vibrations when hitting a small pothole. MB should have used the chassis from the E-Class. They should also get rid of the useless oil quantity indicator and go back to the dipstick. But otherwise an enjoyable car. However, nothing beats the comfort of an S-Class, and MB should have a less obese version that would work better as a daily beater.
My current beater is a loaded 2020 CLS450C, RWD. The inline 6 cylinder with the 'mild hybrid' features is a remarkable engine. On a recent road trip that also included city driving the car got 32 MPG over 380 miles. The car could use a little softer suspension in the Comfort/Economy modes and there are structural vibrations when hitting a small pothole. MB should have used the chassis from the E-Class. They should also get rid of the useless oil quantity indicator and go back to the dipstick. But otherwise an enjoyable car. However, nothing beats the comfort of an S-Class, and MB should have a less obese version that would work better as a daily beater.
08-05-2021, 02:31 AM
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
The nav system did not work as intended on my 2019 S-450 and it could not be fixed. The Start-Stop system could use a bigger battery so that the engine is shut down for a longer time. Never liked V-6 engines, but where do you use the power from a V-8? All you get is lousy gas mileage. At least it was a RWD and not an AWD which adds weight, complexity, price and reduces gas mileage. I'd buy an AWD if I lived in a place that has long winters with lots of snow, but not otherwise. In case I get the 2021 S-Class it will be a big compromise.
My current beater is a loaded 2020 CLS450C, RWD. The inline 6 cylinder with the 'mild hybrid' features is a remarkable engine. On a recent road trip that also included city driving the car got 32 MPG over 380 miles. The car could use a little softer suspension in the Comfort/Economy modes and there are structural vibrations when hitting a small pothole. MB should have used the chassis from the E-Class. They should also get rid of the useless oil quantity indicator and go back to the dipstick. But otherwise an enjoyable car. However, nothing beats the comfort of an S-Class, and MB should have a less obese version that would work better as a daily beater.
My current beater is a loaded 2020 CLS450C, RWD. The inline 6 cylinder with the 'mild hybrid' features is a remarkable engine. On a recent road trip that also included city driving the car got 32 MPG over 380 miles. The car could use a little softer suspension in the Comfort/Economy modes and there are structural vibrations when hitting a small pothole. MB should have used the chassis from the E-Class. They should also get rid of the useless oil quantity indicator and go back to the dipstick. But otherwise an enjoyable car. However, nothing beats the comfort of an S-Class, and MB should have a less obese version that would work better as a daily beater.
M
Last edited by Germancar1; 08-05-2021 at 02:33 AM.
08-05-2021, 03:26 AM
#19
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That has nothing to do with it not being solid or having a jittery ride over bumps. Other Mercedes' don't have the same problems. The CLS 450 isn't sporty in the least.
M
M
08-05-2021, 09:06 AM
#20
The CLS is a very nice car but MB must fix the structural problem. Can't be that difficult. I see no reason for the car to be "toast". If anything should be toast it would be the BMW 8 series. I had a 2020 840i GC for a few months. That car lacked suspension and was a pain on roads that were not perfectly smooth. On top of that, the seats were extremely uncomfortable, something you find out at a longer road trip. The functionality of some of the systems suggested that the designers had no driving experience. The turning diameter was too large for a car of that size. My first and last BMW and the worst car I've ever owned.
08-05-2021, 09:32 AM
#21
Audi did a great job on the 2016 Audi A7 I had. It drove amazing over the worst roads even on the 20s and no structural vibration. The 2021 Audi RS7 is also very solid, sporty and absorbs all the road imperfections without vibration, shudder or any harshness on the 22 inch OEM rims even in dynamic mode. I have driven the AMG GT 4 door and it was also not bad over the worst roads but cannot imagine the CLS not being as good. I heard Mercedes will phase out the CLS??
08-05-2021, 09:40 AM
#22
I have owned a couple of Audis and they were very comfortable. Looked at the 2020 A7, but the infotainment interface and steering assist were not as good as on the Mercedes. Also, don't need AWD.
08-05-2021, 01:01 PM
#23
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Audi did a great job on the 2016 Audi A7 I had. It drove amazing over the worst roads even on the 20s and no structural vibration. The 2021 Audi RS7 is also very solid, sporty and absorbs all the road imperfections without vibration, shudder or any harshness on the 22 inch OEM rims even in dynamic mode. I have driven the AMG GT 4 door and it was also not bad over the worst roads but cannot imagine the CLS not being as good. I heard Mercedes will phase out the CLS??
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Germancar1 (08-06-2021)
08-05-2021, 03:49 PM
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The nav system did not work as intended on my 2019 S-450 and it could not be fixed. The Start-Stop system could use a bigger battery so that the engine is shut down for a longer time. Never liked V-6 engines, but where do you use the power from a V-8? All you get is lousy gas mileage. At least it was a RWD and not an AWD which adds weight, complexity, price and reduces gas mileage. I'd buy an AWD if I lived in a place that has long winters with lots of snow, but not otherwise. In case I get the 2021 S-Class it will be a big compromise.
My current beater is a loaded 2020 CLS450C, RWD. The inline 6 cylinder with the 'mild hybrid' features is a remarkable engine. On a recent road trip that also included city driving the car got 32 MPG over 380 miles. The car could use a little softer suspension in the Comfort/Economy modes and there are structural vibrations when hitting a small pothole. MB should have used the chassis from the E-Class. They should also get rid of the useless oil quantity indicator and go back to the dipstick. But otherwise an enjoyable car. However, nothing beats the comfort of an S-Class, and MB should have a less obese version that would work better as a daily beater.
My current beater is a loaded 2020 CLS450C, RWD. The inline 6 cylinder with the 'mild hybrid' features is a remarkable engine. On a recent road trip that also included city driving the car got 32 MPG over 380 miles. The car could use a little softer suspension in the Comfort/Economy modes and there are structural vibrations when hitting a small pothole. MB should have used the chassis from the E-Class. They should also get rid of the useless oil quantity indicator and go back to the dipstick. But otherwise an enjoyable car. However, nothing beats the comfort of an S-Class, and MB should have a less obese version that would work better as a daily beater.
Glad to hear that you found an engine you like in the CLS and glad to hear that you are not facing problems with the 48V battery. Sorry to hear about the ride comfort though, I am not sure if you mentioned it to us yet but did you try different tires, run-flats are infamous for poor quality rides on MBs. Although I am not sure if your region have run-flats as standard. That being said, I won't defend MB in terms of their characteristic Mercedes squeak/creak across their lineup.
