Originally Posted by W205C43PFL

not hating on MB (as a MB fan) but perhaps Bentley and Rolls-Royce doesn't want to sell in large volume, to make their cars more exclusive and apparently buyers are looking for that (the less there are the better to them)(I guess we can argue diamonds are worth only so much if there is no demand), the fact it is much rarer than a Maybach and the exclusive brand image and others (that was mentioned already, like the build process, delivery experience, bespoke experience, etc.) , but I guess the revenue is a different story if Maybach is making more money than Rolls-Royce.

Originally Posted by X253AndBeyond

I think that in regards to the technical comparisons between Maybach and Bentley the Maybach beats it for me. But it's certainly a different story when factoring in brand image. I had the chance to drive and ride in a current-generation Bentayga, and I felt as though the ride and also interior design wasn't up to par (yes, I am accounting for the fact that Bentley takes a very different architectural approach than Maybach with their tech-laden cabin). From reviews, I am getting a strong sense that the S-class Maybach does ride more softly (not necessarily more compliant) than the new Flying Spur with comparable levels of road insulation.

A couple months ago, I extensively researched everything I could about the S-class Maybach - read EVERY article review and comparison and watched a lot of videos on it. I'd say that S-class Maybach does win against Bentley when it comes to the technicalities and the price bargain. Any automotive journal that ranked the Flying Spur higher than the S-class Maybach explained that the Flying Spur delivers on the brand image and the price bargain against a Rolls-Royce Ghost. I agree with their verdicts based on their assessments. I understand that there needs to be more differentiation between the S-class and S-class Maybach; I think the curb appeal of an S-class Maybach gets drowned out by it being so similar to an S-class. A lot of its architectural and ride platforms are heavily shared with the S-class, which isn't that bad of a thing - it's just that to prospective buyers who might not know that S-class is so good to begin with this might serve to deter them. While this heavy sharing of parts and other components exist in the Bentayga, the brand value simply makes up for it, I guess.

I am glad that Mercedes is taking the step offer bespoke personalizations to stand up to Rolls-Royce. However, I feel as though there needs to be more done than simply that. I mean even if you had an infinite amount of color combinations to pick from every exterior panel to every last interior panel in the current S-class Maybach I don't think the desirability will appreciably increase to close the gap between Rolls-Royce Ghost/Cullinan and S-class/GLS-class Maybach. They have to be a completely revamped cars from the ground up (so, having zero design resemblances to the regular S-class and GLS-class), PLUS availing their prospective customers to the customization levels to rival Rolls-Royce. Of course, as some people have mentioned earlier, it might take ages before Mercedes is able to match the wholesome Rolls-Royce build and delivery experience, but the theory is there at least.

Also, I have been watching this space recently, and I haven't seen an article directly reference the Mythos sub-brand that Mercedes announced earlier this year. Furthermore, looking back at the articles taking about coach-building to take aim at Rolls-Royce, I am getting a feeling these coach-built Maybachs will be super, super low production/ultra exclusive. I wonder how this will affect the part of the sales from the Maybach sub-brand that aren't part of these coach-builds.

Would it decrease the desirability of those Maybach builds that aren't subject to coach-building? Obviously, those Maybach builds will cost significantly less than the half-million to million dollar coach build models that Mercedes is aiming for, so I guess that could be a draw to still buying the non-coach builds, but not sure. Personally, I think that, again, as long as any and every Maybach look and become a completely separate cars from their Mercedes counterparts from the ground up, I think Mercedes will find success with even the non-coach builds if its desirability ever comes into question going up against the coach built Maybachs.

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Rolls Royce sure, Bentley, no... While the Bentley's have a far higher price ceilings with their options, let's remember that the Flying Spur base price is just $5k above the Maybach sedan, the Bentayga is below the Maybach SUV and will be likely on par with the upcoming convertible. Not a big reach here...

Originally Posted by W205C43PFL

I thought so but the Bentley has way more options than a Maybach though? no one is really buying a base Bentley I think?

Originally Posted by S_W222

Speaking of Maybach vehicles, there was a relatively low to medium mileage 2019 Maybach on Cars and Bads just a few days ago that did not get more than 62K... It has all the interior goodies except 3D Burmester. I was shocked because my regular S560 similar mileage sold easily for even more than that, similar spec's but not a Maybach (and I had 3D Burmester), I had a number of buyers lined up.. When compared to this Maybach, I have no idea why people aren't comfortable with Maybach cars, or am not sure if the market is shifting?. This is not the first car that did not get reasonably good value in the past few weeks to couple of months, and I have always seen Cars And Bids ending up with bids that are AT LEAST matching fair market value or more, in almost 99 out of 100 cars sold. I would have bought that car in a heartbeat if I need another sedan in my garage (it doesn't seem to be that clean, but just needs nice detailing). See below (note: the two tone color is a wrap, so that shouldn't have been the issue).

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rkP...0-4matic-sedan

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Not surprised. Maybach at this point only has longer wheelbase sedans and few people in the US are willing to drive them by themselves with no-one in the back. Makes them look just like the chauffeur

Originally Posted by S_W222

I agree to some degree, but I also think the Maybach is one of the only long wheelbase sedans that do NOT look like a limousine car, instead, looks even bulkier and more classy than the regular S560. I think the chauffeur aspect comes only from the fact it is a Maybach, not the look itself, and hence those who knows Maybach would certainly not mistaje a chauffeured limousine with a very longwheel base S-class Maybach. I saw many Maybachs on the roads over the year, and I always liked how the design is not overly elongated.. .still looks like a proper luxury sedan. Just like a 4 door RR... anyone could assume the driver is a chauffeur. I think people assumes that the Maybach comes with additional liability, but it really doesn't..... Looking at that cabin and the options, and comparing it to my fully loaded 151K W222 MSRP, I did not see any major differences that would lead to more increased liability (not sure about the brakes though). I can understand why some might want to avoid the V12 though that engine can be more reliable... But still... that was a nice proper luxury sedan.... Couldn't believe not a single serious buyer tried to bid a higher number.... Like a said, a well spec'ed S560 could get low to mid 60s nowadays, so I exepcted a Maybach like that to at least score high 70s to low 80s; but 62K was just too low and weird... Obviously the seller did not accept and didn't sell it.. Am sure it will appear on the market soon outside CarsAndBids. .

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Agree with the looks. I like the design of the car as well but I only know of a few members that have/had one. It's just not a thing.
This looked like a well spec-d car. They should lose the gold wrap on top and try again...

Originally Posted by Wolfman

That's why I mentioned the much higher price ceiling due to options. Also editions and models. Mercedes has created its performance car company with AMG and the luxury one with Maybach. Bentley has no such separation so direct price comparisons are more challenging.

While Bentley's prices quickly grow via cosmetic upgrades, Maybach has very few in comparison, as you mentioned. A quick look of what makes Bentley's pricier. Upgrade the audio to Naim? $9k. Want to hide the nav screen? $6600. $4600 for a lit hood ornament and another $2600 for Mood lighting. Same with leather and wood options and diamond knurling. Another $20-30k.

This is what makes a luxury car so special. But's it's also the easiest thing to replicate even without any exclusive models...

Originally Posted by chassis

Which two technicalities stand out in your mind on the Maybach saloon vs Flying Spur?

Originally Posted by X253AndBeyond

I apologize for the super late reply; I haven't been as active on the forum as I wanted to be, but here's my take....

I think for me it is the softness in the ride quality and the technology. While reviews do say the Flying Spur can be soft, I don't see many prominent reviews that talk at length about it. Instead, they talk at length about the athletic capabilities of the Flying Spur. This is not so for Rolls-Royce Ghost and Maybach S-class reviews - they point out the handling in those cars but it's almost never more than a couple sentences, usually acknowledges that it can hustle using its powerful powertrains but to not expect it to be a particularly handling beast of any sort. And, coming to the technology, I think that while the Flying Spur (and even the Ghost for that matter) has all the modern technologies that one would ever need it's not as tech-laden as the Mercedes-Maybach S-class. Whether all that technology in the Maybach will last, in terms of reliability (not in terms of newness as technology changes at an unprecedented rate), is something that is yet to be seen, but I personally appreciate being unapologetically tech-focused, for lack of a better term. I think that while cars should strive to be all-rounders they should also have their forte that should characteristically define them. Again, it's not that the Flying Spur doesn't do that - it just does so in different departments compared to the Maybach while also striving to give its competitors a run for its money in all the other competencies.