SW20S

The statistics in that article are actually faulty, they printed a retraction that doesn't get circulated. Its really about 20%

Frenetic

Even though I hate the lights and trashcan transmission, I’m still considering the refresh S for my next car when my lease ends in two years. Here are the cars I’m considering:

1. Refresh S Class
2. RS6 (it’s being rebranded the RS7 Avant)
3. M5 Touring or Sedan

I’m seriously considering buying and owning long term (five+ years) under a generous warranty umbrella and the longest pre-paid maintenance plan available. I know these choices couldn’t be more starkly different but that’s me: slow lane Sunday driver grandpa or mid-life crisis hooligan that’s also practical.

S_W222

If luxury isn’t a factor, there would be no reason on earth to not choose the M5 out of this list; better drive and much more fun.

Bubba1

I like your style Frenetic. Hooliganism is what keeps life interesting! I haven’t driven the M5 recently and don’t know how comfortable it is. You can’t go wrong with any of the 3 on your list, but there is something very, very special about the M5.

W205C43PFL

Agree, life is too short to drive boring cars.

SW20S

I gotta say, that RS7 Avant is compelling...

S_W222

Well for those who are interested, there is a “one of a kind” - kind of - but surely limited edition M5 CS on Cars and Bids that got listed this weekend. I’ll submit a bid on this one for sure but I have a ceiling in mind.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9e6...2022-bmw-m5-cs

Frenetic

Yeah, I really like the new M5. Even though M purists are having a meltdown because it weighs the same as an Escalade, I like the fact that it’s a plug-in hybrid. I’m not trying to track the thing anyways. Isle of Man Metallic Green is just wow.

W205C43PFL

Friend just sent me this https://www.reddit.com/r/AMG/comment...new_corporate/

I am not sure how credible the information is but they are cutting production?

Streamliner

I take full responsibility for this turn of events.

W205C43PFL

I can definitely see that ...

W205C43PFL

That said, I guess sedans is on a decline in general anyways : (

Bubba1

Look what happened to the Bentley Mulsanne. The New Bentayga extended wheelbase is supposed to be the flagship that replaced the Mulsanne. How long the flying spur will last is anybody’s guess?

it seems everybody wants an SUV. Doesn’t seem like this trend is going to reverse itself anytime soon.

W205C43PFL

I personally have nothing against SUV but I certainly prefer a sedan. I guess people just like to sit high and travel with a lot of cargo all the time. The main benefit I see with SUV is easier egress/ingress. The main con of SUV is weight/eats tires, centre of gravity and fuel inefficient but then again even a sedan can weigh a lot, like the C 63 S E Performance weighs the same as an S class. What a time to be alive I guess.
​​​

Lou B

All depends upon your needs/wants, as always. ingress for most SUVs is difficult for me due to my physical condition...rather not have to climb/step up into one. Egress is usually okay, just pivot on the passenger seat and slide out. Wife drives a ; 19 Lexus RX and it's okay, but bigger models are pretty much a struggle.
I don't think any of them are good-looking...much prefer my '18 S560.

Streamliner

The more mainstream company (MB, BMW, Audi, Genesis, Cadillac, etc.) that finally figures out the right formula to give their customers the best of both the luxury sedan & SUV worlds will have great success, in my opinion. The ride & comfort of a sedan, along with the higher seating, easier ingress/egress & cargo capacity of an SUV. Range Rover currently comes closest, I guess, but they are hung up on making all their vehicles capable of crossing the Gobi Desert in the summer AND The Yukon in the winter. If they would concentrate on real world customer needs, such as reliability & 500 mile EV capability along with much better availability, they could knock it out of the park. Building luxury SUV’s and keeping the idea that they MUST have outstanding off-road capabilities is just plain stupid, in my opinion.

SW20S

Buyers more and more don't want sedans, thats just the way it is. Its not about a carmaker building "the right sedan", they just prefer crossovers. Modern crossovers drive very similarly to a sedan but they sit higher, are more practical and versatile and they look cooler. Until that trend begins to reverse, which we see no signs of happening yet, carmakers are going to rightfully continue prioritizing what buyers want.

I'm a big sedan guy but every time I trade I get closer and closer to switching to an SUV and undoubtedly will at some point.

W205C43PFL

That makes a lot of sense, I can see how sometimes SUVs actually makes in/egress more difficult.