dkim996tt

hi everyone. i am new here and wanted some input. i'm considering trading in the 2002 S55 for a S65. However, besides the new body style for the 2007, what other significant changes are on the 2007 versus the 2006. Looks like the 2007 are going for $200K versus $130K for the 2006.

ClayJ

Here is the list of what I think I know is new for the 2007 S65:

More efficient charge-air cooler
Larger air intakes in front
Second-generation Active Body Control
Composite brake rotors front & rear & sliding calipers (front only?)
The Racetimer and its functions
Direct Select gear shift lever on column (vs center console)
New exhaust system including new catalytic converters, new tailpipe design, and new sound-tuning

...and I forget what else.

Kar don

if u can live with the old body style go with the V220. I personally think the new interior and features blow away the 220. Especially the build quality and chassis rigidity.

dbasons55

the most important thing in the S65 the AMG sport seats its just a different ride
plus
Night vision
Distronic Plus
Pro-Safe
Brake-Assist
newly develoved comand system
IWC watch
and more and more and more

best thing about it, is it drives better than the W220 by far

Xeon

for me, i would rather get a 07 S600 over a 06 S65, let alone the 07 S65. They are 2 completely different cars !

ClayJ

You're killin' me! I still have to wait to get my hands on one....

I do hope that you are fully enjoying that new, beautiful beast of yours, my friend.

dbasons55

hope you do get one or drive one soon you will enjoy it, plus the main difference i think between w220 and w221 is that w220 is like going out with a girl and w221 is like going out with a super super model

ClayJ

LOL - I hear that!

I'll be landing mine soon enough.

It is good to hear that you are enjoying yours so much.

dbasons55

you know when i first ordered the car it took 3 months for it to be delievered and during the 3 months i was not realy eager to pay up for an expensive car but when she arrived it was done for i had to buy it no turning back and to say the truth it is worth every single cent. Thats how much i am enjoying the car it is just a different experience and you wouldn't know it unless you have it out for a spin.
you see it could not be compared with the S550 or the S600 W221 i drove both i still have an S550 W221 and trust me you drive the S65 and go back after 30 minutes and drive the S550 and you would think you have been degraded so much and ripped off with the S550, and i have only done it once and after that i gave up my S550 to my mom as a present which she finds as a great car, but this is only comparing, the S550 has blown me away when i first bought it but not anymore

dkim996tt

i still think the 2006 S65 is absolutely sinister looking! The premium to get into a 2007 S65 is about $70K. Does the 2007 S65 put a grin on your face that is really worth $70K more? I am so close to trading in my 2002 S55 for the 2006 S65 and now i think i'm just more confused. I just recently picked up my 2007 997 Turbo, and i can tell you that it is a night and day difference between the 996 Turbo and worth every penny. Is it the same kind of difference from a driving standpoint on the S65?

Rock

Dave is that you?

Been to Dragway 42 lately?

Can Drive 55

I think you are a little off on your price for a 2006 S65. The 2006 S55 might have been in that price range, but the S65 was in the $180k-$190k price range. The 2007 is not a lot more than the 2006.

CLS_AMG

You can actually find 2006 S65 for @ 120k, brand new.

absent

'06 S65,new,are discounted to low $130k nowadays.(and still dropping)

Can Drive 55

OK, I stand corrected. I was referring to the original list price. It would be nice to buy one for <$130k.

asg

I wouldn't pay anything over stick for any of them. Order one and wait a few months, and just pay MSRP.

The market adjustment is just a scam for dealers to make extra money on these cars.

Just like they said they wouldn't discount them and they will, when they realize people won't pay these crazy prices.

dkim996tt

hi dave,

haven't been to dragway 42 lately. looking to trade my S55 for a S65.

david

dkim996tt

that's my problem. the difference between the 06 and 07 is $70K now. Is the new one worth 70K more?

Rock

As soon as you do, we will head to the track for a K2 vs S65 showdown.

Let me know the next time you're off to "42" or Norwalk.

ClayJ

I think so. I am buying new.

If you can afford it there is no question about buying the 2007; if you are questioning whether or not you should spend the extra for the new model - and money is an issue - than pick up a 2006 at a steal deal. Still a great car, and you're saving tons of money in the pruchase.

I don't understand your dilemma -- never buy more than you can easily afford to; and if you can afford to buy the latest, greatest, and best - than do so.

WSH

Value judgements re: discretionary high-end cars are ultimately highly subjective.....doubt one can gain usable advice re: value from a chat board....

May want to consider S63.....keep hearing interesting things re: this motor/tranny....63 has advantages of prob being ?350lb lighter than 65 motor; NA characteristics of no turbo lag/poss more interesting exhaust note....and more advanced tech (4v/cyl, etc)...and latest 7-sp tranny tech....

Historically, an incentive for getting 65 over 55 was better interior finishes of 65....but I suspect MB will offer a $5Kish interior upgrade option on 63, pulling a page out of the P (and now also F) playbook of keeping base prices essen unchanged/within various psychologic boundaries, while offering increasing nos. of performance/cosmetic upgrade options at robust (and highly profitable) prices.....

And loaded 63 will cost ?$40K less than 65, if money/resale value/lease terms, etc are material considerations.....

Sounds like S63 should arrive in US by late '06.

Doubt anyone who cares about latest technologies in engines/susp/brakes/safety sys/comfort toys, etc would even consider an '06 S65, based on an ancient 7 yo platform.....wouldn't want a PC/cell ph/iPod based on 7yo tech either....

IMO, would rather get a new 63/65 every yr, rather than getting an old 65 or replacing an '07 65 every 2-3 yrs.....as software-rich cars like 63/65 are continually covertly and overtly updated/debugged and fresh, new cars every yr are far more interesting than any >1yo car w/the inevitable stone chips, semi-worn brakes/tires, etc of exuberant, daily use....

dkim996tt

i like to trade out of my cars every one to two years or at least have the option of doing so. so i look at the total cost of ownership or depreciation. since i buy so many cars, i have to try to find a way that makes the most economical sense, otherwise the wifey kinds of goes nuts.

dkim996tt

actually, i want to take my 996 turbo down. i just got the GT 900 package from evolution motorsports and it is putting down about 800 rwhp. i will let you know when i expect to go up. i will busy until august 10th, so let's try to find the next open track day after then!

ClayJ

Understood. Then I would recommend that you pick up a 2006 at a great price and enjoy the heck out of it. In a couple of more years you can go down and pick up whatever MBZ has out at that time with the trade-in or trade-out.

I bought last year's car for years -- saved me alot of money, and let me get into much nicer cars than I would have wanted to 'waste' money on.

Rock

Now, that doesn't sound like a fair race but I'm in!! My only hope is that you miss all of your shifts. Is this a 9sec street car?

PM or call me when you pick a date.