OK, so as many of you may know, I started a thread a few months ago about considering a '23 S580 CPO. Well, I pulled the trigger and got it so here is my review, as of now, since it is still very new to me:
DISCLAIMER: I will try very hard not to sound like I know this car inside and out, because I don't. Yes, I have done a bunch of research and read quite a lot of what you guys wrote, etc., but I still have a lot to learn.
Back Story: I work for AutoNation in their IT department, so yes, I got a remarkable deal on the car. It was CPO with 8111 miles on it - the previous owner wanted the active ambient lights and it doesn't have those so he traded it after buying it in May for a Maybach that does have them.
It is also easy for me to find a car as I have visibility into all the new and pre-owned models for every OEM we sell. So, when I started to get serious about trading in my '22 Escalade (seats were awful!) I found several S580s. I looked at the new 760i, Genesis G90, and the Lexus LS500 (I had one for a few years and it was great, but the newer ones seats are different) but for me, the standard was the S580. I like the way it looks far better than the others. I also tried the X7 Alpine, but the seats were awkward and very stiff, so not comfortable. I also considered the GLS 450 and 580 but neither appealed to me. My wife loved how the 760i seats felt but I really dislike that car and think it is UGLY!!
So, I settled on the S Class. It was a pretty thorough assessment, I think...I feel like I gave them all a fair shake. So I borrowed one of our nicer CPO S580s and took it from Ft Lauderdale to the Miami airport and back to pick up my wife who had just landed from Rome. I don't think at the time she was a fan (still isn't...more later on that) as he had just endured a grueling 12 hour flight and had a splitting headache. But, it gave me a pretty good idea being that it was a good 2 hour test drive plus another 30-45 min of playing with the features while I waited for her to come through customs, etc.
The critical path item we struggled with the most was seat comfort. I find the S seats wonderful, my wife hates them. But, she prefers a Super Duty seat to these so I think there is some bias in that is her daily driver, if you can believe that. Cowboy Cadillac...lol.
Early Impressions: I really like how the car looks, how it rides (yes, even on the 21s!), love how it handles and how tight it turns for U-turns, etc. The 4D sound system is beyond phenomenal. I had a nice Burmeister in my '19 Panamera and this blows that away! The AKG system in the Escalade was also excellent but this is a whole different level! Turning on the seat bass feedback (can't recall the name of the feature at the moment) brings it to yet another level. Simply amazing. The massage seats are spectacular. The rear seats look to be very comfy - my daughter sat back there while we were visiting when we picked it up in Houston before we drove it home to West Palm (~1200 miles) and she absolutely loved them. Wish I didn't have the rear screens as they will rarely, if ever get used, but it was in the car so that point is moot.
I know the 21" wheels can and are problematic for many but the ride felt great to me and my very finicky wife even said she couldn't believe how quiet it was. The one I test drove had 20s and I really didn't notice a difference. But, the roads in in FL are pretty smooth so there's that. When we were driving home, my wife hit a buckle in the pavement east of Pensacola on I-10 and I thought it was going to blow the tires on all 4 wheels it was so jarring. But, it did nothing, I even checked the wheels shortly after when we stopped and there was nothing in terms of marks, etc., so all good there. I imagine if we faced the potholes of MI, IL and the other rust belt states, it would be a much different story. For now, the 21s are great, but that may change. I love how they look as well.
I experienced a lot of positive on the features but I understand those that are frustrated with some of the tech and fitment (seat buttons, etc.). I personally don't mind the seat buttons but I imagine I would like buttons that actually move better but these are fine. One thing I really dislike is the sharp edges of the center console and the door as I tend to lay my legs against them and, while they look great, the edges dig into the sides of my knees which becomes very uncomfortable over a short time. That part I hated.
I am still learning to navigate the screens, etc., but I would like it if they gave me some better gauge screens or let me customize them. I like having my tire pressure right on the screen but don't want to leave it in the maintenance screen all the time as I also like fuel economy data as well. I didn't find it too bad to switch so not a huge complaint there. It took me a while to figure out how to reset the fuel trip odometer screens, Hey Mercedes was great in showing me how to do that. But it couldn't do a lot of other things I asked so judgement on Hey Mercedes is still up in the air.
The power was fantastic, especially for such a big car. My wife is a speed demon, loved driving my Panamera (Turbo e-Hybrid) which was stupid fast, and our Z06 Corvette, also stupid fast, and she found this to be a very responsive and pleasant drive. She had it up to at least 130 (allegedly) several times and probably averaged 90-95 while she was driving which was most of the way because it is easier on her back. She marveled at how well it accelerated and handled, even at high speeds.
I sure am going to miss the full freezer and fridge in the console of the Escalade. Figuring out where to put all my stuff is going to be a challenge but I will adjust.
I am having the dash covered in Xpel film on the main dash and the center black sections so it doesn't get full of swirls or scratches - I am **** about dust on the black dash and wiping it seems to scratch so that should alleviate that. I also am having my film guy put the center screen protector on ($45 on Amazon) to help with finger prints and damage protection as well.
Gesture control didn't want to work very well and seemed to work randomly, although, the passenger seat lighting gesture worked great the few times I used it. I need more time to play with that but since the car is in getting film and ceramic, I won't get it back until Fri or Sat...
Figuring out where to place my Escort Max 360 radar detector is the most aggravating part, methinks. When I place it to the right of the mirror, it blocks the visor so my wife can't drop it to use the mirror or shade. So, I moved it to the center just above the dash and will see how it performs there before I decide to hardwire it. I think I will power it from the wires to the 12V receptacle under the glove box on the passenger side. We shall see...
If you are still reading, I hope this was of interest...I am certainly open to feedback but hopefully, this car will be a wonderful adventure and not like several of you have experienced. The 1200 mile trek was a great break in and familiarization time - it performed flawlessly.
Pics for your edification:
My wife's daily - for comparison...LOL!
My New S580
Pick Up Day!
Home, but not for long...headed to get film and ceramic
Beautiful write up and beautiful car. Your wife being a speed demon is so funny to me because she presents as so unassuming! The W223's seats, and more importantly ride, has been a highpoint in many professional reviews, so it is great to see that it continues to remain the case. Good idea in wrapping the dash and screen because after some heavy use, they do began to look absolutely awful. That Super Duty is sick! CONGRATS!
Interesting that your wife hit the speed limiter of 130 MPH in the US. I too hit the 130 limit (once) the other day. This is the first car I've owned where I've hit the limiter. I'm glad I knew the limiter was there before I hit it, or I would have wondered why power was cut.
And yes, it was as smooth as butter at 130 as it is at 70.
That cluck, thunk, slam, whatever you want to call it is one of the issues with the car; it absorbs some bumps poorly now and then, this bang (by whatever name) is a calibration, design, or hardware failure. I say this because after you've had time with the car, you'll get it on the odd occasion and at some points where the car you were driving before did not exhibit the same behavior. I also went through some Panamera action and there's a bump down by the apartment that I could drive over without the slightest bit of whatever you're going to choose to call the hit, get it every time in this car.
Mine is loaded, so I also have the 4D and I do agree it's better than the Panny, but I wouldn't say greatly better, just better. While I can't fairly compare this to previous systems directly, I'd be willing to go out on a limb and say it's the best car sound I've had. Mrs Crab starts queuing up tunes as soon as we get in, and it's become what for me is perhaps the most enjoyable part of ownership.
About those 21s... You've already read about the many who have had flats with them and I'm not going to go there. I would however say that the car rides better when you're not at max load pressure, which is how most have theirs delivered, and the setting they use when you take it in for service. Usually I'd recommend trying it aired down and seeing what you think, but with the 21s, not sure if I'd be willing to try it. In any event, it's out there, the ride gets better when you air it down.
Do remember to lock the car when you get out and get the fobs out of range, or bag them. This will keep your doors opening correctly, and you'll avoid those pesky battery issues you read about here. I bring it up because it doesn't take too many problems to suck the joy out of a new car; avoiding the self-inflicted issues will help keep a smile on your face.
Eitherway, thanks for the informative and detailed write up! Interesting that this car has rear screens, which were only supposed to be on executive models but possibly because of oversupply a lot of early 2023s (and a couple of early 2024s) that are not executive line cars got them.
Nice write up, although I am a bit jealous. Your WIFE drove it at 130? I need to put my foot down a little further haha. Please keep us posted on the location of your radar and how it works. Glad you’re enjoying the car and made it back to safely.
Nice write up, although I am a bit jealous. Your WIFE drove it at 130? I need to put my foot down a little further haha. Please keep us posted on the location of your radar and how it works. Glad you’re enjoying the car and made it back to safely.
I told ya, she is a direct descendant of Mario Andretti (I mean, she has to be, she is 100% Italian and drives like him, right?) lol
Congratulations! I ride 21’s and spacers on both axles. No problems at all; no flats and I too hit a hard bump and dang! All stations report damage!!! But I had no damage just a loud jarring noise is all. I live in south central Pennsylvania so the roads are moderately rough but getting better. Congrats! Enjoy, this is my fifth S class and my eighth MB (‘99 E320, 2000 E320, 2002 E430). It’s my favorite brand, idiosyncrasies and all. It’s this or nothing for me. I came from Audi and SAAB.(Audi 5000S was my first love, given to me by my mom and two SAAB 900S motronic and trionic).
Congratulations! I ride 21’s and spacers on both axles. No problems at all; no flats and I too hit a hard bump and dang! All stations report damage!!! But I had no damage just a loud jarring noise is all. I live in south central Pennsylvania so the roads are moderately rough but getting better. Congrats! Enjoy, this is my fifth S class and my eighth MB (‘99 E320, 2000 E320, 2002 E430). It’s my favorite brand, idiosyncrasies and all. It’s this or nothing for me. I came from Audi and SAAB.(Audi 5000S was my first love, given to me by my mom and two SAAB 900S motronic and trionic).
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