When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
If you are considering EV you absolutely should drive the i7, its a phenomenal car. It is a challenging design though, ultimately for me I just couldn't do the styling.
We LOVE our PHEV Chrysler Pacifica, I think a PHEV is a phenomenal drivetrain, you get the smooth and quiet EV driving around town with no range anxiety. We just returned from a 780 mile round trip in the Pacifica and it was a pleasure, especially not having to stop and charge. I was excited to try the S580e but I was underwhelmed. I just didn't think the EV drivetrain and the transmission and I6 engine mated well together. In the Pacifica with the eCVT the engine feels like a natural progression from the EV power but in the S580e it felt like two different powertrains and I just wasn't thrilled, so I went with the S580.
Overall I am very pleased, it rides and drives better than the S560, its quieter, the base Burmester audio is a dramatic improvement if you listen to the built in streaming through Apple Music or Tidal etc. Know that build quality is a step back from the S560, the interior is more prone to creaks and rattles and some of the interior finishes are not to the same caliber, but the car feels more tech forward as is more youthful. I don't miss my S560.
I don't think I like the facelift 7 as much as the pre-face lift. The looks of the 7 depend on the color and trim. The sport bumper works with darker colors, or rather its "tolerable." The luxury bumper looks nice, but its only available on the full electric models (minus the M). I think the tech, driving dynamics, and even some of the luxury amenities (like the incredible sound system) could rival the S-class, however the S-class is still king!!
Luxury Bumper:
On the outside, but not on the inside. I'm not driving that for $140k:
Now, now Steve - if you say ANYTHING negative about a BMW (in a Mercedes forum) it seems to really **** off a lot of people. Still don't understand it.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Well, as a current I7 driver and now a very dedicated EV lover, I’m waiting to pass judgement on the LCI model until I actually get to drive the car. I’m certainly not thrilled with the new interior layout, but it will all come down to how it actually feels and how it drives. Since I want to stay with an EV and preferably in luxury sedan form, my choices are very limited. I will drive the updated EQS, but I was so underwhelmed by the original that I’m not getting my hopes up. I don’t see myself buying my 2025 I7, as I like getting new cars, but you never know.
BMW may have made a huge blunder with the new 7 interior but I guess only time will tell. What could possibly be better about this new dash layout is beyond me. I hate change for the sake of change and this certainly looks like that without experiencing it first hand. Stay tuned.
I don't think I like the facelift 7 as much as the pre-face lift. The looks of the 7 depend on the color and trim. The sport bumper works with darker colors, or rather its "tolerable." The luxury bumper looks nice, but its only available on the full electric models (minus the M). I think the tech, driving dynamics, and even some of the luxury amenities (like the incredible sound system) could rival the S-class, however the S-class is still king!!
I really drove the 7 a ton, I love the EV powertrain and the interior is better than the S Class, better seats, better build quality. I crossed the ICE varients off early on though the S Class has a better drive than the 760 but not the i7. It truly is a special car.
The styling however, I just couldn't bring myself to trade a beautiful car I loved looking at (my S560) for a car that I had to convince myself I liked every time I looked at it.
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Fair to say if only they kept the interior the same as pre-facelift but have the facelift exterior?
I did not even know they changed the interior like that.
That screen seems to be inspired by their M logo, the shape of it.
LCI exterior with pre-LCI interior I'd be a buyer.
Originally Posted by Mem30306
Now, now Steve - if you say ANYTHING negative about a BMW (in a Mercedes forum) it seems to really **** off a lot of people. Still don't understand it.
I know right? Heaven forbid be be enthusiastic about the cars we own and frustrate the people who don't even own the car lol. Really its only two people, they're just loud and bring their vehicle up basically everywhere. Put them on ignore and things improve.
This facelift interior in the 7 series is from (inspired by) the iX3? The trend lately seem to be to try new designs in lower end segments before bringing to flagships but of course with improved materials. Mercedes did well in terms of pre-facelift W223 with the new design first and then trickled down (the screen design) to a W206 C-Class. The previous generation A-Class was a mix though, such as the mbux 1.0 gen was their latest while the W222 still had COMAND and then horizontal screen design was there before on the W213 and trickled down to that W177 A-Class. A few back and forth if you will.
OP: Good luck; I have one simple recommendation for you instead of telling you what I think is right —> drive all options, and drive each long enough. You can post on this forum, other forums, and you will get all different kind of feedback. People have preferences, but it is more about: what is YOUR preference? Your family and kids and their reaction as u bring something to your garage? They would tell you!. Then think about which one is best for you and what you value or inspire the most.
With 100-150K USD to invested in any car, it’s hard to go completely wrong, but sometimes it’s really possible from what I can tell. So, I’d drive all the options you seem to like and choose the one that makes you “feel” it drives best ever and fits all your needs. Of course, on the quality side: you need to read forums, but that’s about it. On the drive experience side: You NEED to drive the car yourself.
Perhaps ask the dealer to take the car home for 1 hour and 2. See how your kids and wife react and if they like it or not. Many people did that and I did exactly that. I then chose whatever I felt is the most impressive drive ever for me. That’s all I needed to see how I feel in the car. As for looks, are you looking at facelifts or pre facelifts? I think that’s an easy choice, it’s in the eyes of the beholder, so if you like it and if your family gets excited for it, and if something is already grown on you, go for it. Honestly in 2027 there are many great exterior looking cars even outside of german cars. Some rides look good but they do NOT stand out, some do, and some are boring. I loved how my W222 used to stand out just like most owners of that car. What most of us dislike is the boring aspect of newer cars, and you can easily tell what’s boring vs not for you.
At this price point, the real driver is quality and the driving experience. Designs?: my advise is to see all the cars you are looking at in all colors and trims before you judge them. For the S facelift, I imagine I may change my opinion if I see it in all dark even though now i think the front still looks terrible but I need to see it before I pass judgment. I learned that also from other cars and was shocked about the difference that trims and colors have on these cars… truly amazing how big of an impact that could make. Then get back to the quality and driving experience, and pick what you think is just the best driving car u have ever driven.. simple. All new interiors are questionable for me, but I didn’t think too much about any of the new options and I don’t care much as am not ready to consider buying a new 4-dr daily driver anytime soon. There are interiors from the 2027 era that blows away anything else in their segment, and u can find plenty of them but you want a brand-new car, so there is that. If you are looking at 2026-2027 stuff, it’s a new era so decide for yourself for what your eyes like or not. Maybe wait to see them all in person. Many things like interiors can look much better, or worse, in person than in pictures.
I forgot to say: drive some options of the car with the advanced suspension setup. U might find the standard setup already as the best ride ever, but still, try the advanced suspension packages and that might take u to even higher level that u never realized ever existed. To me, this suspension packages Like E-ABC, MBC, Air Ride PASM, Autobahn, etc is a must for these cars… they transform the car fully and make it even better.
Thank you for the elaborate write-up, it is impossible to disagree with your take S_W222. The problem is, if I take this route, it will be yet another 911 Turbo S In the stable (may be a coupe this time). That is how much they (and I) love that one. But there needs to be something that checks off the other side of the spectrum. I will ask the dealers to see if they can spare one for a couple hours, when they have them available (interested in the facelift versions at this point, as they are all computers on wheels, and would like to have the newer versions for obvious reasons). Looks are important too, but practicality and comfort are more important for me.
I will let you all know on this thread as to what happens. I was able to get the '27 S-Class dealer order guide in full form over the weekend as well, and spent some time with it. No such luck on the i7 yet though.
Thank you for the elaborate write-up, it is impossible to disagree with your take S_W222. The problem is, if I take this route, it will be yet another 911 Turbo S In the stable (may be a coupe this time). That is how much they (and I) love that one. But there needs to be something that checks off the other side of the spectrum. I will ask the dealers to see if they can spare one for a couple hours, when they have them available (interested in the facelift versions at this point, as they are all computers on wheels, and would like to have the newer versions for obvious reasons). Looks are important too, but practicality and comfort are more important for me.
I will let you all know on this thread as to what happens. I was able to get the '27 S-Class dealer order guide in full form over the weekend as well, and spent some time with it. No such luck on the i7 yet though.
I second the opinion of "living with it". I had this unique privilege with the Audi A8L and both the Ghost (now sold) and the Phantom. I got to keep it over night or over a weekend. I went back to the dealer & bought the respective vehicles on the spot. That said this privilege is uniquely rare, though. It's a big deal in large purchases.
Thank you for the elaborate write-up, it is impossible to disagree with your take S_W222. The problem is, if I take this route, it will be yet another 911 Turbo S In the stable (may be a coupe this time). That is how much they (and I) love that one. But there needs to be something that checks off the other side of the spectrum. I will ask the dealers to see if they can spare one for a couple hours, when they have them available (interested in the facelift versions at this point, as they are all computers on wheels, and would like to have the newer versions for obvious reasons). Looks are important too, but practicality and comfort are more important for me.
I will let you all know on this thread as to what happens. I was able to get the '27 S-Class dealer order guide in full form over the weekend as well, and spent some time with it. No such luck on the i7 yet though.
Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
I second the opinion of "living with it". I had this unique privilege with the Audi A8L and both the Ghost (now sold) and the Phantom. I got to keep it over night or over a weekend. I went back to the dealer & bought the respective vehicles on the spot. That said this privilege is uniquely rare, though. It's a big deal in large purchases.
Yup.. sometimes that’s hard, but between potentially renting one, or for very new models, asking the dealer to at least live with it for a weekend, that makes a big difference. My minimum “living with it” duration is actually much longer than that, but that’s hard for new launch models. Never had any issue asking my dealer to keep the car over the weekend (pick up late Saturday, and return early Monday, with the promise to not go out of town, even on brand new cars). First let the car pass the good vs boring style test (can do that while in the show room if u find different trims and colors), then test drive it and see if it drives well.
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.
hahaha - thanks gents!
