I drove a new BMW I7 and…….
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2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
Last edited by MBS63AMG; Jun 15, 2023 at 04:44 PM.
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2024 S580
Absopositively! The hidden lighting in the MB’s is elegant. The faceted, plastic, faux Crystal just does not look like it belongs in a luxury sedan, especially a German one. Maybe something out of China. I really dislike the faceted seat controls as well. These are not supposed to be pimpmobiles, they are high end, German, luxury sedans. The accent should be on understated, functional elegance, not plastic, bordello opulence.
Thats what you're looking for, and the S Class is for you. I don't fault BMW for making the 7 appeal to a different consumer who wants more flash. I have a friend who has a new 760 and he's a flashy 35 year old guy who would never have considered an S Class. His 760 replaced a bright blue with black racing stripes Range Rover Sport SV. Good for BMW for reaching him. I don't see why the 7 Series needs to be a BMW version of the same thing.
As for the hidden lighting, I think the lighting in the 222 is hidden, in the 223 its pretty in your face with the big thick active ambient strip you see even in the daylight. I wouldn't use "elegant" here:
Honestly? The lighting in the 7 is way more restrained:
Check out the EQS forum on here, I also know somebody who is driving a $120,000 EQS for under $800 a month.
Last edited by SW20S; Jun 16, 2023 at 09:07 AM.
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23 S580 Executive
In fairness, I've never seen that picture in my car. You can certainly turn it up to 11 but even then you don't get the effect shown in the picture. Not that it really means anything in the broader scheme; in either car the brightness is adjustable so it should never be in anyone's face whichever way you go.
I like the ambient in this car; it gives you a splash of color and let's you change it up at a whim. Not all that many people have been in my car but they've all liked the lighting.
To me LED lighting in the car, house, whatever, is like wine: A glass of two and you've got an interesting conversation with good company. Chug a bottle and you wake up wondering if you really told the neighbors' wife you've been admiring her ***** for years.
I like the ambient in this car; it gives you a splash of color and let's you change it up at a whim. Not all that many people have been in my car but they've all liked the lighting.
To me LED lighting in the car, house, whatever, is like wine: A glass of two and you've got an interesting conversation with good company. Chug a bottle and you wake up wondering if you really told the neighbors' wife you've been admiring her ***** for years.
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2024 S580
In fairness, I've never seen that picture in my car. You can certainly turn it up to 11 but even then you don't get the effect shown in the picture. Not that it really means anything in the broader scheme; in either car the brightness is adjustable so it should never be in anyone's face whichever way you go.
I like the ambient in this car; it gives you a splash of color and let's you change it up at a whim. Not all that many people have been in my car but they've all liked the lighting.
To me LED lighting in the car, house, whatever, is like wine: A glass of two and you've got an interesting conversation with good company. Chug a bottle and you wake up wondering if you really told the neighbors' wife you've been admiring her ***** for years.
I like the ambient in this car; it gives you a splash of color and let's you change it up at a whim. Not all that many people have been in my car but they've all liked the lighting.
To me LED lighting in the car, house, whatever, is like wine: A glass of two and you've got an interesting conversation with good company. Chug a bottle and you wake up wondering if you really told the neighbors' wife you've been admiring her ***** for years.
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The W223 is definitely very elegant in the LED lighting, just like the W222. Remember that when the W222 came out there were tons of jokes about the car looking like inside a strip club when using the red lights full on.Now everyone copied it...
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In fairness, I've never seen that picture in my car. You can certainly turn it up to 11 but even then you don't get the effect shown in the picture. Not that it really means anything in the broader scheme; in either car the brightness is adjustable so it should never be in anyone's face whichever way you go.
I like the ambient in this car; it gives you a splash of color and let's you change it up at a whim. Not all that many people have been in my car but they've all liked the lighting.
To me LED lighting in the car, house, whatever, is like wine: A glass of two and you've got an interesting conversation with good company. Chug a bottle and you wake up wondering if you really told the neighbors' wife you've been admiring her ***** for years.
I like the ambient in this car; it gives you a splash of color and let's you change it up at a whim. Not all that many people have been in my car but they've all liked the lighting.
To me LED lighting in the car, house, whatever, is like wine: A glass of two and you've got an interesting conversation with good company. Chug a bottle and you wake up wondering if you really told the neighbors' wife you've been admiring her ***** for years.
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2024 S580
I think you have been very selective in your choice of images The W223 is definitely very elegant in the LED lighting, just like the W222. Remember that when the W222 came out there were tons of jokes about the car looking like inside a strip club when using the red lights full on.
Now everyone copied it...
The W223 is definitely very elegant in the LED lighting, just like the W222. Remember that when the W222 came out there were tons of jokes about the car looking like inside a strip club when using the red lights full on.Now everyone copied it...
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23 S580 Executive
I don't know that I would characterize either one as elegant, or inelegant for that matter. Adjusted with restraint they're a nice enhancement and at least conceptually, there may be some elegance in that.
I can say for sure that Mrs Crab loves the lights; she often adjusts them to get the ambience just right. I don't know what just right is but she seems to know and getting them there makes her happy. That makes me happy.
For her this is the best car I've ever bought. She loves the lights, the stereo, the comfort, the fact that she can play with all the settings without irritating me because I've got everything in the HUD or the drivers display. It's not loud. Scary. Abrupt. Rough. Doesn't have a stick, or more accurately, me having fun with a stick. She totally digs it.
I can say for sure that Mrs Crab loves the lights; she often adjusts them to get the ambience just right. I don't know what just right is but she seems to know and getting them there makes her happy. That makes me happy.
For her this is the best car I've ever bought. She loves the lights, the stereo, the comfort, the fact that she can play with all the settings without irritating me because I've got everything in the HUD or the drivers display. It's not loud. Scary. Abrupt. Rough. Doesn't have a stick, or more accurately, me having fun with a stick. She totally digs it.
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Unquestionably everybody copied MB's ambient lighting, but the lighting in the 223 is definitely more in your face than the 222, and I just don't think "elegant" is the right word, There is a big thick bar of light that goes all the way around the interior with the active ambient lighting and its pretty in your face with basically every seam somehow lit. I like it personally, but I think its a stretch to say that is elegant and the ambient lighting in the 7 Series isn't.
This bothers me more that the piano black stuff.
The center console has been the biggest offender and at least they are offering some patterned surface. Why they couldn’t make it wood like the EQ models is beyond me though.
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I think you have been very selective in your choice of images The W223 is definitely very elegant in the LED lighting, just like the W222. Remember that when the W222 came out there were tons of jokes about the car looking like inside a strip club when using the red lights full on.
Now everyone copied it...
The W223 is definitely very elegant in the LED lighting, just like the W222. Remember that when the W222 came out there were tons of jokes about the car looking like inside a strip club when using the red lights full on.Now everyone copied it...
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2024 S580
Those pictures are in the daylight. Take a picture at night.
The strip on the 223 is plastic too. I just don’t think it’s that big a deal and in person it doesn’t look cheap, I dislike the piano black trim more.
The patterned surface is now only available with the carbon trim, not available with any of the other trims. That console on the 223 really feels cheap IMO
Originally Posted by Wolfman;[url=tel:8798827
8798827]My issue wasn’t with the ambient lighting in either car. But a thin lighting strip vs the inch wide plastic cover running across the car.
This bothers me more that the piano black stuff.
The center console has been the biggest offender and at least they are offering some patterned surface. Why they couldn’t make it wood like the EQ models is beyond me though.
This bothers me more that the piano black stuff.
The center console has been the biggest offender and at least they are offering some patterned surface. Why they couldn’t make it wood like the EQ models is beyond me though.
The patterned surface is now only available with the carbon trim, not available with any of the other trims. That console on the 223 really feels cheap IMO
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23 S580 Executive
I've never met a human being who liked fake black plastic in their car. Never. I agree completely that it does not look good, and is poorly chosen as a material outside of the aesthetics. It was one of the sticking points for me when I was considering my purchase, not deal-breaker material but a significant con. I ordered the dots which does slightly improve it but... it should be a piece of wood IMO
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My issue wasn’t with the ambient lighting in either car. But a thin lighting strip vs the inch wide plastic cover running across the car.
This bothers me more that the piano black stuff.
The center console has been the biggest offender and at least they are offering some patterned surface. Why they couldn’t make it wood like the EQ models is beyond me though.
This bothers me more that the piano black stuff.
The center console has been the biggest offender and at least they are offering some patterned surface. Why they couldn’t make it wood like the EQ models is beyond me though.
hopefully...
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I've never met a human being who liked fake black plastic in their car. Never. I agree completely that it does not look good, and is poorly chosen as a material outside of the aesthetics. It was one of the sticking points for me when I was considering my purchase, not deal-breaker material but a significant con. I ordered the dots which does slightly improve it but... it should be a piece of wood IMO
If memory serves, the piano black option in the W222 was actually painted wood (Designo) for an upcharge. It was a popular option. But the issue was that maybe 6 years or so ago several manufacturers went all in on shiny black surfaces, Audi being the worst IMO. Touch screens coupled with copious amounts of black plastic. Same with Porsche. BMW was still OK.
But in general in Germany this was viewed as modern interiors while the W222 interior was more regarded as traditional and baroque.
I have zero issues with the black center console as it is part of the night edition but the W223 would have looked much better with wood, especially the walnut/aluminum trim. or at least all carbon fibre.
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2024 S580
If memory serves, the piano black option in the W222 was actually painted wood (Designo) for an upcharge. It was a popular option. But the issue was that maybe 6 years or so ago several manufacturers went all in on shiny black surfaces, Audi being the worst IMO. Touch screens coupled with copious amounts of black plastic. Same with Porsche. BMW was still OK.
But in general in Germany this was viewed as modern interiors while the W222 interior was more regarded as traditional and baroque.
I have zero issues with the black center console as it is part of the night edition but the W223 would have looked much better with wood, especially the walnut/aluminum trim. or at least all carbon fibre.
But in general in Germany this was viewed as modern interiors while the W222 interior was more regarded as traditional and baroque.
I have zero issues with the black center console as it is part of the night edition but the W223 would have looked much better with wood, especially the walnut/aluminum trim. or at least all carbon fibre.
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Those pictures are in the daylight. Take a picture at night.
The strip on the 223 is plastic too. I just don’t think it’s that big a deal and in person it doesn’t look cheap, I dislike the piano black trim more.
The patterned surface is now only available with the carbon trim, not available with any of the other trims. That console on the 223 really feels cheap IMO
The strip on the 223 is plastic too. I just don’t think it’s that big a deal and in person it doesn’t look cheap, I dislike the piano black trim more.
The patterned surface is now only available with the carbon trim, not available with any of the other trims. That console on the 223 really feels cheap IMO
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2024 S580
Nobody said it wasn't plastic but in the end, it is a question of taste. I think there is lots to like in the new 7 interior but to my taste the wide, in your face plastic strip isn't one of it... I find the MB design understated, but it is more pronounced than the W222 as was designed with the active ambient lighting in mind.
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23 S580 Executive
If memory serves, the piano black option in the W222 was actually painted wood (Designo) for an upcharge. It was a popular option. But the issue was that maybe 6 years or so ago several manufacturers went all in on shiny black surfaces, Audi being the worst IMO. Touch screens coupled with copious amounts of black plastic. Same with Porsche. BMW was still OK.
But in general in Germany this was viewed as modern interiors while the W222 interior was more regarded as traditional and baroque.
I have zero issues with the black center console as it is part of the night edition but the W223 would have looked much better with wood, especially the walnut/aluminum trim. or at least all carbon fibre.
But in general in Germany this was viewed as modern interiors while the W222 interior was more regarded as traditional and baroque.
I have zero issues with the black center console as it is part of the night edition but the W223 would have looked much better with wood, especially the walnut/aluminum trim. or at least all carbon fibre.
It's a poor material choice on almost every level. Durability is low and the material is easily scratched. Black is often used in molds because it helps highlight imperfections; not a good thing in a soft easily scratched material. It's glossy and oils adhere well; equals lots of fingerprints, easily seen, thanks to the black.
I know someone who just had to have the baby grand that she never played after 6 months; I've seen the good stuff, this ain't it. Even if it were though it would still be a poor choice for a high touch area.
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I said "fake black plastic" which is what we have regardless of what trim is chosen. You can upgrade to the dots or whatever they call the stuff in the AMG line but this is only a very marginal improvement.
It's a poor material choice on almost every level. Durability is low and the material is easily scratched. Black is often used in molds because it helps highlight imperfections; not a good thing in a soft easily scratched material. It's glossy and oils adhere well; equals lots of fingerprints, easily seen, thanks to the black.
I know someone who just had to have the baby grand that she never played after 6 months; I've seen the good stuff, this ain't it. Even if it were though it would still be a poor choice for a high touch area.
It's a poor material choice on almost every level. Durability is low and the material is easily scratched. Black is often used in molds because it helps highlight imperfections; not a good thing in a soft easily scratched material. It's glossy and oils adhere well; equals lots of fingerprints, easily seen, thanks to the black.
I know someone who just had to have the baby grand that she never played after 6 months; I've seen the good stuff, this ain't it. Even if it were though it would still be a poor choice for a high touch area.
Last edited by Streamliner; Jun 19, 2023 at 03:53 PM.
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YOUNG people just love BLACK! They think black everything is whatever the latest word for “cool” is. So, MB & other makes, wanting to please younger people, feel the more black the better and since this horrid trim is just SO frigging cheap, it’s a win/win. When I think of the beautiful steering wheel in my S560’s, with the satin silver finish and the simple to use controls, vs what we have in our “new & improved” W223’s, it’s just so disappointing. I would imagine that several members here on W223 are up in years and know firsthand how invisible we have become to manufacturers & merchants alike. MB cares absolutely ZERO about older customers and how we view things through eyes of great experience, knowing what’s truly classy and what is just plain cheap! Oh well.
But the same happened with the W222 steering wheel (the clown face or whatever people called it). The coupes got the better looking steering wheel that made eventually it into the facelift.
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23 S580 Executive
I'm not against black in and out itself; a soft glossy plastic in a high touch area that's colored black so as to make sure you can clearly see the mayhem inflicted upon it, that's what I'm against.
To be honest it's not a great spot for a glossy wood either, but at least that doesn't look like cheap plastic.
To be honest it's not a great spot for a glossy wood either, but at least that doesn't look like cheap plastic.
