S-Class (W223) 2021 to Present

The New 7-Series is Here to Battle the S-Class - If You Can Get Past the Front End!

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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 10:07 PM
  #401  
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Likely but I don't really know if they are willing to pay (was it double?) of an S-Class for it? I was thinking Maybach was still targeting Bentley at least (maybe not Rolls-Royce since that is at a different level) as it is still cheaper, or is it? I mean for example, you own a W223, would you buy a Maybach, please share your opinion?
MBUSA lists a fully loaded Maybach S680 (actually there are not many options to add as it is basically loaded already) at about $260,000 while a Luxury line S500 without any additional option is about $120,000 but a fully loaded S500 will go up to $160,000. So, whether it is a double or not depends on which model (500 or 580) and the number of options.
And, $260,000 is still relatively cheaper than a Rolls Royce. In the days of the 57 and 62, they did share the same price bracket with RR at $400k-500k range.

I surely would consider a Maybach (if I move to the US but the chance is nil....so I speak hypothetically). As you said, I also think a Maybach will less attract attention than a RR and I appreciate this feature.

Last edited by bishop64; Mar 20, 2023 at 10:25 PM.
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 10:09 PM
  #402  
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Originally Posted by Streamliner
My feeling is that the Maybach is aimed squarely at the China market, pretty much like most everything else at MB.
I understand they like long vehicles but I thought they always already have long wheel base of every vehicle, including even the A-Class or am I missing something? I think I am missing something...
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 10:17 PM
  #403  
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Originally Posted by Streamliner
My feeling is that the Maybach is aimed squarely at the China market, pretty much like most everything else at MB.
One MB car that, I think, is aimed squarely at the US market is the GLE. That is why it is built in the US, to qualify it as a 'domestic' product to reduce the 'foreign tax', for the US consumers.
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 10:20 PM
  #404  
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
I understand they like long vehicles but I thought they always already have long wheel base of every vehicle, including even the A-Class or am I missing something? I think I am missing something...
But the American car consumers like big big vehicles , probably more than the Chinese counterparts.
One evidence, the A and B-Class are still staying alive in China while they are gone in the US.
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 11:16 PM
  #405  
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I’ve always thought that an S Class is to drive, while a Maybach is to be driven in.
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 11:58 PM
  #406  
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The current dimensions of Mercedes-Maybach Z223 is comparable to the previous Maybach 57, which is a 'short wheel base' model and is to drive, while the 'long wheel base' Maybach 62 has larger dimensions and is to be driven.
So, if I understand MB correctly, Z223 can still be driven by the owner, although undoubtedly many will prefer to be driven.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 12:47 AM
  #407  
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Originally Posted by bishop64

I surely would consider a Maybach (if I move to the US but the chance is nil....so I speak hypothetically). As you said, I also think a Maybach will less attract attention than a RR and I appreciate this feature.
What is the Maximum Speed Limit in Hong Kong? 68mph? And how much traffic do you encounter?

Once upon a time, I borrowed my old roommate's 2000 Jaguar XJR to drive from DC to Charlotte, NC for a wedding in 2003. Up until that point never drove a premium luxury sedan that far beyond a test drive (E39 BMW 540i Sport manual in Nashville). Took the scenic route through the Mountains. Those 400+ miles was transformation and later transition from pony cars, Honda hatchbacks, and even a WRX to Holden Commodore V8 Sedans was an "En passant" strategic move as the family expanded. Later drove my Brother's Bentley Brooklands up from the City on the FDR Drive to Poughkeepsie NY for Thanksgiving...that was a royal magic cashmere carpet ride with very little traffic that holiday morning.

Point is if you can hypothetically move to the USA or at least visit Germany, you should, especially with your S-Class pedigree. In a few years if the wife transfers to DC, will be painful to retire the AMG Wagon and other weapons and surrender to that absurd Highway Traffic for a Metropass. For the first 20-years in my NM Desert Reverie, hit the speed limiter almost daily when not in the commuter van sleeping...
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 01:17 AM
  #408  
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Originally Posted by Drone_S213
What is the Maximum Speed Limit in Hong Kong? 68mph? And how much traffic do you encounter?

Once upon a time, I borrowed my old roommate's 2000 Jaguar XJR to drive from DC to Charlotte, NC for a wedding in 2003. Up until that point never drove a premium luxury sedan that far beyond a test drive (E39 BMW 540i Sport manual in Nashville). Took the scenic route through the Mountains. Those 400+ miles was transformation and later transition from pony cars, Honda hatchbacks, and even a WRX to Holden Commodore V8 Sedans was an "En passant" strategic move as the family expanded. Later drove my Brother's Bentley Brooklands up from the City on the FDR Drive to Poughkeepsie NY for Thanksgiving...that was a royal magic cashmere carpet ride with very little traffic that holiday morning.

Point is if you can hypothetically move to the USA or at least visit Germany, you should, especially with your S-Class pedigree. In a few years if the wife transfers to DC, will be painful to retire the AMG Wagon and other weapons and surrender to that absurd Highway Traffic for a Metropass. For the first 20-years in my NM Desert Reverie, hit the speed limiter almost daily when not in the commuter van sleeping...
Yeah, max posted speed limit is 110 km/h (~68 mph). If you drive slightly above the posted speed limit (say, 10 km/h) , the police often leaves you alone.
Traffic is usually light when I hit the highway.

The last time I visited the US...I was driving in California (I-110N, IIRC) where the posted speed limit was 65mph. I drove in the slow lane at 70mph and still got tailgating. I do not like being pushed, especially when I am already in the right most lane. I am well aware of the road rage in the US and so I did not brake check him...lol
It was a little scary because I just picked up that rental (which I am not familiar with...that was not a S-Class) at the LA airport and as I was not fully awake (after a trans Pacific flight), I needed to drive slower and be extra careful.

Last edited by bishop64; Mar 21, 2023 at 05:20 AM.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 01:30 AM
  #409  
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Originally Posted by bishop64
I think Maybach is trying a different approach to the ultra luxury market.

When the name was first revived, it went after Rolls Royce and Bentley directly with the 57 and 62, which made a much more visual distinction from the S-Class. But, they did not sell well enough.

Now, MB seems to want to link Maybach more with the S-Class. Besides the badges, the most significant exterior visual sign that the car being a Maybach is its two-tone paint. Without this, it will be very subtle as to not getting attention.

I suppose the aligning the Maybach with the S-Class is meant to target more the existing S-Class owners?
While the original Maybach was a financial disaster for Mercedes, the current Maybach has been incredibly successful and is one of the three cash cows for the company...AMG, G-Wagon and Maybach. I wouldn't underestimate the brand appeal.

Maybach sold more cars than Bentley and likely made more money as well. 2022 sales were up 37% to 21,600 units. One Maybach sold for every 5 S-Class sales and more Maybach's sold than EQS models in 2022 (noteworthy but only emphasizes the low EQS sales).
I for one actually like the Maybach S-Class and its two-tone paint (at least some colors). I wouldn't be a customer but appreciate the design of the W223 in stretch format.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 02:09 AM
  #410  
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Originally Posted by Wolfman
I for one actually like the Maybach S-Class and its two-tone paint (at least some colors).
This would be my first choice of a two-tone paint. I prefer a lighter colour top and a darker colour bottom.



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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:23 AM
  #411  
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Originally Posted by bishop64
MBUSA lists a fully loaded Maybach S680 (actually there are not many options to add as it is basically loaded already) at about $260,000 while a Luxury line S500 without any additional option is about $120,000 but a fully loaded S500 will go up to $160,000. So, whether it is a double or not depends on which model (500 or 580) and the number of options.
And, $260,000 is still relatively cheaper than a Rolls Royce. In the days of the 57 and 62, they did share the same price bracket with RR at $400k-500k range.

I surely would consider a Maybach (if I move to the US but the chance is nil....so I speak hypothetically). As you said, I also think a Maybach will less attract attention than a RR and I appreciate this feature.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:24 AM
  #412  
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Originally Posted by Wolfman
While the original Maybach was a financial disaster for Mercedes, the current Maybach has been incredibly successful and is one of the three cash cows for the company...AMG, G-Wagon and Maybach. I wouldn't underestimate the brand appeal.

Maybach sold more cars than Bentley and likely made more money as well. 2022 sales were up 37% to 21,600 units. One Maybach sold for every 5 S-Class sales and more Maybach's sold than EQS models in 2022 (noteworthy but only emphasizes the low EQS sales).
I for one actually like the Maybach S-Class and its two-tone paint (at least some colors). I wouldn't be a customer but appreciate the design of the W223 in stretch format.
Will be curious how Mythos will play a role in MB's lineup later.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:29 AM
  #413  
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Originally Posted by bishop64
But the American car consumers like big big vehicles , probably more than the Chinese counterparts.
One evidence, the A and B-Class are still staying alive in China while they are gone in the US.
I also heard it is a cultural thing please correct me if I am wrong but apparently employees for example of a company want/need the legroom but is unwilling to buy a more higher tier car if their boss drives one? For example, boss drives S-Class the employee will not buy anything higher than the E-Class long wheel base? Or if boss drives E, the employee won't buy anything higher than C-Class long wheel base?

There is definitely a car for everyone there, I mean don't they have the A 35 L as well? Personally, think it defeats the purpose, long meant to be about comfortable yet the vehicle is about sportiness and not really about comfort so it contradicts each other. How are the sales for the A 35 L do you know?
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:34 AM
  #414  
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Originally Posted by bishop64
One MB car that, I think, is aimed squarely at the US market is the GLE. That is why it is built in the US, to qualify it as a 'domestic' product to reduce the 'foreign tax', for the US consumers.
I heard your market also likes SUVs, for example SUVs are heavily sought after across the globe just that it is a main focus in North America, is it safe to say the Maybach GLS is for North America as well even though it "isn't a true"
Maybach?
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:35 AM
  #415  
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Originally Posted by Streamliner
I’ve always thought that an S Class is to drive, while a Maybach is to be driven in.
In a sense yes, but I guess the S-Class too was also a chauffeur car.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 08:31 AM
  #416  
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
I also heard it is a cultural thing please correct me if I am wrong but apparently employees for example of a company want/need the legroom but is unwilling to buy a more higher tier car if their boss drives one? For example, boss drives S-Class the employee will not buy anything higher than the E-Class long wheel base? Or if boss drives E, the employee won't buy anything higher than C-Class long wheel base?

There is definitely a car for everyone there, I mean don't they have the A 35 L as well? Personally, think it defeats the purpose, long meant to be about comfortable yet the vehicle is about sportiness and not really about comfort so it contradicts each other. How are the sales for the A 35 L do you know?
Cannot say that is a cultural thing. To me, a cultural phenomena has to be widespread enough. But this is not widespread enough. Yes, it does exist for some but that is a very small minority.
I suppose, an employee usually makes much less than his boss. So, the employee is very likely not able to afford the same level of car as his boss'. The objective factor is just not there to make this a feasible common phenomena.

Regarding the A35, there is the short wheelbase version and then long wheelbase version. I do not have sales figures but the price difference between the 2 is so small (converted to just about US$ 600) that I think most would go for the A35L instead of A35, as I see the used car trading websites seem to have the focus on the long version.
And the A35L is about 8'' longer in total length but is 0.2 sec slower in 0-100. If it were me, I would trade that 0.2 sec (slower) to exchange for a more rear legroom.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by bishop64
Cannot say that is a cultural thing. To me, a cultural phenomena has to be widespread enough. But this is not widespread enough. Yes, it does exist for some but that is a very small minority.
I suppose, an employee usually makes much less than his boss. So, the employee is very likely not able to afford the same level of car as his boss'. The objective factor is just not there to make this a feasible common phenomena.

Regarding the A35, there is the short wheelbase version and then long wheelbase version. I do not have sales figures but the price difference between the 2 is so small (converted to just about US$ 600) that I think most would go for the A35L instead of A35, as I see the used car trading websites seem to have the focus on the long version.
And the A35L is about 8'' longer in total length but is 0.2 sec slower in 0-100. If it were me, I would trade that 0.2 sec (slower) to exchange for a more rear legroom.
I see thanks for clarifying it.

I see thanks for comparing them two.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 10:00 AM
  #418  
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I actually quite like the maybach from a subtelty perspective. I don't like the two tone color schemeess and actually really liked the previous Z222 where the car looked almost identicle to the W222 and even offered the same wheels. To me, it's the way to get all the optional tech features standard as well as the nicest leather and highest quality interior, and also the extra rear legroom while getting the least amount of extra attention and blending in the most.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:32 PM
  #419  
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Originally Posted by BenjaminKohl
I actually quite like the maybach from a subtelty perspective. I don't like the two tone color schemeess and actually really liked the previous Z222 where the car looked almost identicle to the W222 and even offered the same wheels. To me, it's the way to get all the optional tech features standard as well as the nicest leather and highest quality interior, and also the extra rear legroom while getting the least amount of extra attention and blending in the most.
Certainly understand where you are coming from. I personally also dislike attention in cars, definitely is a preference thing.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:48 PM
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I dislike it too, thats one thing I preferred about my Lexus sedans vs the S Class.
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Old Mar 22, 2023 | 11:40 AM
  #421  
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Originally Posted by SW20S
I dislike it too, thats one thing I preferred about my Lexus sedans vs the S Class.
The S-Class I guess depending on where you live flies under the radar as well I assume?
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Old Mar 22, 2023 | 11:54 AM
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IMHO the w223 is totally under the radar. A plus for me.
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Old Mar 22, 2023 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Bubba1
IMHO the w223 is totally under the radar. A plus for me.
I see, good to hear it works for you : )
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Old Mar 22, 2023 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
The S-Class I guess depending on where you live flies under the radar as well I assume?
Its not as under the radar as a Lexus. I get way more comments about my S560 than I got with my LS460s, and S Classes are everywhere here.
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Old Mar 22, 2023 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by SW20S
Its not as under the radar as a Lexus. I get way more comments about my S560 than I got with my LS460s, and S Classes are everywhere here.
I guess the hood ornament plays a role.
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