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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
The idea of a vehicle with the seat at a level approximately the same height as my backside, becomes ever more appealing as the years go by. With this in mind, I do want to test out the new Cayenne.
Well, you and I are on the same wavelength! I had a 2015 S550, 2018 S560 and a 2020 S560, all of which I ordered. The lease on my 2018 would have ended well after the W223’s were released, so I waited until pretty much the last minute and ordered the 2020, as I had a feeling that I was not going to care for the 223, based on early photos. My 2020 was fine to begin with, but developed a very harsh 3-2 downshift. I brought it into Fletcher Jones—the largest MB dealer in the country—and they tried to fix it, to no avail. Then, MBUSA instructed them to replace the transmission and torque converter, which they supposedly did. If anything, the issue got worse. They finally threw their hands up and said they could not fix it and MBUSA offered to buy the car back. I was very disappointed, to say the least.
I managed to string out the buy back, until I could get a 2022 S580, thinking & hoping that most of the bugs would have been exorcised from the 223’s by then, but my loaded S580 has been an absolute nightmare since I took delivery. Look at “My S580 STRANDED ME” thread for details. If you don’t happen to know, they are now buying my S580 back, which thrills me to no end.
As for what car next, right now, I am really leaning towards the Genesis G90. When the 2025 W223 receives the face lift, I will consider going back to MB. Or, if MB comes along with some substantial incentive dollars this time around, I may chance another one.
I also went through the "new transmission" game with MB on my 222. They had the car for a week, told me they replaced the trans and to drive it for another 1500 miles. Still no improvement. It's a big game.
At this point, I'm going to consider and test drive some SUV's. If my ride has to suffer, why not go with an SUV? in particular, the X5 M60i and the Cayenne. I like the Range Rover but the quality reviews are consistently not good. BMW and Porsche seem to score highest with the Cayenne being more of a drivers' car. But, I'm not crazy about the looks.
Im seriously considering a crossover/suv. I’m finding the quirks of the S580 do get tiring. I’m almost 1.5 years into ownership.
The door handles are really troublesome. My wife and I went out for dinner the other night…our car was parked on a fairly dark street. No imminent threat but a little uncomfortable. I unlocked the car with the key fob from about 20 yards, in anticipation of the door handles not working properly. We get to the car and the door handles jam. My wife keeps pulling (she got to the car first, a few feet ahead of me,the handles retreat. I had to pull the keys out and reopen. We get into the car she reaches for the door which has now extended fully out. Hurts her back because the door openings are so bad. She has to step out of the car pull the door back in then sit down.
I lock the doors from the inside, she says “what the f**k is going, what a stupid car. What if we needed to get in quickly?”
Otherwise, I’m pretty happy with the S580. But the way these door handles are designed and the door openings are driving me to distraction!
I’m considering the new Cayenne and some of the super suvs, Urus, AM, Bentayga. My knees aren’t what they used and something high up, with better ingress/egress visibility is what I’m looking for. Comfort is the number one priority and a little sportiness, and maybe a hybrid this time. Would love peoples opinions on these suvs??
In situations like this, automatic doors might had helped (those ones found on the Maybach, as long as it works).
SUVs are great. No problem carrying big square boxes, you can run over any curb that needs it, see out over traffic better, etc. People love to hate them but the truth is they make great companions in the daily grind even if they're not cool.
not exactly an SUV hater myself or a lover, just neutral to dislike (or really just not an SUV type of guy) I mean think about it, if no one out there drives SUVs, pick up trucks, then "see out over traffic better" wouldn't had been an issue, it is the abundance of SUVs that kind of made SUV a necessity to see better.
no offense at all, I respect your opinion just that I think ss for running over a curb, I mean I don't know about you but what about not running over a curb?
I will add a supporting argument to why SUV might be better for the sake of this discussion... People also said oh you go over a pothole and don't have to worry after damage or hitting the underbody but then from what I seen, cities have less incentives to fix these roads, which sticks for us sedan drivers.
last but not least not like this matters thaaat much but SUVs wear tires quicker, gets worse fuel economy and possibly aerodynamics.
Ride comfort wise, GLS doesn't ride as nice as an S-Class, I guess it is physics after all.
I also went through the "new transmission" game with MB on my 222. They had the car for a week, told me they replaced the trans and to drive it for another 1500 miles. Still no improvement. It's a big game.
At this point, I'm going to consider and test drive some SUV's. If my ride has to suffer, why not go with an SUV? in particular, the X5 M60i and the Cayenne. I like the Range Rover but the quality reviews are consistently not good. BMW and Porsche seem to score highest with the Cayenne being more of a drivers' car. But, I'm not crazy about the looks.
There is possibility they installed a reman, do you still have the invoice to look up the part number?
Well, you and I are on the same wavelength! I had a 2015 S550, 2018 S560 and a 2020 S560, all of which I ordered. The lease on my 2018 would have ended well after the W223’s were released, so I waited until pretty much the last minute and ordered the 2020, as I had a feeling that I was not going to care for the 223, based on early photos. My 2020 was fine to begin with, but developed a very harsh 3-2 downshift. I brought it into Fletcher Jones—the largest MB dealer in the country—and they tried to fix it, to no avail. Then, MBUSA instructed them to replace the transmission and torque converter, which they supposedly did. If anything, the issue got worse. They finally threw their hands up and said they could not fix it and MBUSA offered to buy the car back. I was very disappointed, to say the least.
I managed to string out the buy back, until I could get a 2022 S580, thinking & hoping that most of the bugs would have been exorcised from the 223’s by then, but my loaded S580 has been an absolute nightmare since I took delivery. Look at “My S580 STRANDED ME” thread for details. If you don’t happen to know, they are now buying my S580 back, which thrills me to no end.
As for what car next, right now, I am really leaning towards the Genesis G90. When the 2025 W223 receives the face lift, I will consider going back to MB. Or, if MB comes along with some substantial incentive dollars this time around, I may chance another one.
G90 seems to be the way to go unless you can get over the new 7er's looks then you can look at that as well or like you said, one of the SUVs.
For the transmission of your old W222, do you happen to still have the invoice, I am curious if it was a reman or actually new.
Surprised you liked your LS400 more than the LS430 (in another post your wrote if I recall correctly).
If there is one car I wish they can produce with modern tech but with same exact design and main components, it would be the LS430. Give me better cooled seats, massage functions along with lane keep assist and carplay and I’d keep it forever. Same exact engine please!!! 250-260K of oil changes only besides only one lower gasket that needed to be replaced at 240K miles. I didn’t even replace the timing belt!
I didn’t like the styling of the LS430 (the 04 refresh (ours was an 04) helped a lot, but it wasn’t as good looking to me as the 98-00 LS400, and it was just such a clear MB ripoff look. The interior also took some steps backwards in quality unless you had a UL car (ours was). It also drove much sloppier, the 400 had a better balance of ride and handling, as did the 460.
Both gens took miles like nothing else though you are right. With 200k miles on it if it was well maintained it was like new with new with not a squeak or creak. The engine was also so smooth, my S560’s engine reminds me a lot of it.
My LS460s were great too, especially my loaded 17 LS460L. Not as well built though, and the UR engine is not as refined as the UZ. If it hadn’t been hit in the back I might have bought that 17 out of the lease and kept it.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by SW20S
I didn’t like the styling of the LS430 (the 04 refresh (ours was an 04) helped a lot, but it wasn’t as good looking to me as the 98-00 LS400, and it was just such a clear MB ripoff look. The interior also took some steps backwards in quality unless you had a UL car (ours was). It also drove much sloppier, the 400 had a better balance of ride and handling, as did the 460.
Both gens took miles like nothing else though you are right. With 200k miles on it if it was well maintained it was like new with new with not a squeak or creak. The engine was also so smooth, my S560’s engine reminds me a lot of it.
My LS460s were great too, especially my loaded 17 LS460L. Not as well built though, and the UR engine is not as refined as the UZ. If it hadn’t been hit in the back I might have bought that 17 out of the lease and kept it.
When I had my LS400’s, I commuted from the L.A. area to Orange County. I loved the way those cars drove and I always felt so secure in them. I can’t remember, but didn’t the 97’s have 16” wheels? Maybe 17’s? Whatever, I put those Michelin “Energy” tires on it and the ride was terrific—AND the car was SO relatively inexpensive! I really miss those cars.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
G90 seems to be the way to go unless you can get over the new 7er's looks then you can look at that as well or like you said, one of the SUVs.
For the transmission of your old W222, do you happen to still have the invoice, I am curious if it was a reman or actually new.
I’m sure I must have the invoice somewhere, I’ll try to find it, but I do believe it was for a new transmission & torque converter. I have my doubts that they actually did the swap, as I can’t believe that they didn’t know exactly what the problem was and that they just elected not to fix it. I do believe it was software and programming.
When I had my LS400’s, I commuted from the L.A. area to Orange County. I loved the way those cars drove and I always felt so secure in them. I can’t remember, but didn’t the 97’s have 16” wheels? Maybe 17’s? Whatever, I put those Michelin “Energy” tires on it and the ride was terrific—AND the car was SO relatively inexpensive! I really miss those cars.
I’m sure I must have the invoice somewhere, I’ll try to find it, but I do believe it was for a new transmission & torque converter. I have my doubts that they actually did the swap, as I can’t believe that they didn’t know exactly what the problem was and that they just elected not to fix it. I do believe it was software and programming.
I see, if you do find it then it is great but if you don't, no sweat either.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Streamliner
I'm searching the country. But it MUST have MBC, Exclusive Nappa & not be an AMG Line. I'd love 3D Audio, but can live without it. Unfortunately, the vast majority don't have MBC or ENL and most are AMG Line.
MBUSA has still not agreed to buy back the 2022, so I have time and will search until I cannot wait any longer.
Originally Posted by Quietride
Doh. Post #4. Skimmed right by it.
I’ve made it significantly more difficult for myself, as I do not want a black exterior either. As I have scoured the ads nationwide, the majority of cars are black, at least the same percentage seem to be AMG Line, Exclusive Nappa Leather is reasonably difficult to find and MBC is almost impossible to find, with the 3D audio running a fairly distant second place. Add that I want an ultra low mileage car and honestly, it’s almost as bad as trying to win the lottery!
I’ve made it significantly more difficult for myself, as I do not want a black exterior either. As I have scoured the ads nationwide, the majority of cars are black, at least the same percentage seem to be AMG Line, Exclusive Nappa Leather is reasonably difficult to find and MBC is almost impossible to find, with the 3D audio running a fairly distant second place. Add that I want an ultra low mileage car and honestly, it’s almost as bad as trying to win the lottery!
Or a needle in the haystack but you will eventually find one
Or you lower your expectations, whatever comes first, still believe it is the former as you want the perfect car not the compromised car.
Or a needle in the haystack but you will eventually find one
Or you lower your expectations, whatever comes first, still believe it is the former as you want the perfect car not the compromised car.
Originally Posted by Streamliner
I’ve made it significantly more difficult for myself, as I do not want a black exterior either. As I have scoured the ads nationwide, the majority of cars are black, at least the same percentage seem to be AMG Line, Exclusive Nappa Leather is reasonably difficult to find and MBC is almost impossible to find, with the 3D audio running a fairly distant second place. Add that I want an ultra low mileage car and honestly, it’s almost as bad as trying to win the lottery!
Main problem is, there is no buy-back no matter what and whatsoever with pre-owned even if still under factory warranty :P Including if the transmission itself blows up Lol… JK!, but it’s true too.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Or a needle in the haystack but you will eventually find one
Or you lower your expectations, whatever comes first, still believe it is the former as you want the perfect car not the compromised car.
At least when talking S560’s, I could afford to compromise on a temporary car, while I continue my search for my dream car. Maybe bite the bullet and deal with a black or AMG Line car, while still searching. It is just SO disappointing that there is NO vehicle in the current MB line that I want. Honestly, I never saw this coming.
At least when talking S560’s, I could afford to compromise on a temporary car, while I continue my search for my dream car. Maybe bite the bullet and deal with a black or AMG Line car, while still searching. It is just SO disappointing that there is NO vehicle in the current MB line that I want. Honestly, I never saw this coming.
Some of these wraps are truly amazing...really have to go with a matte color though because IMO the glossy wraps don't look like paint, but for example the W222 looks great in magno selenite grey, a look that can easily be achieved with a wrap. A matte silver is also an option.
I don't LOVE the diamond white mine is, I wish it was crisper and less cream-ish. If I buy my S560 out of the lease and keep it I would consider a matte silver or matte light grey wrap to make it feel different...
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
Lol… JK!, but it’s true too.
