cjf_moraga

Hello All,

I much appreciate the responses to some recent questions I posed on the S63! Perhaps my recent S-Class buying saga will be of interest to anyone considering an S63 or S600.. And I should state from the start this is absolutely not a negative reflection on the S63... In my situation I ended up making an unexpected choice...

I recently ordered a silver S63 as there was one immediately available down in Southern California.. but when it arrived the interior trim was piano black laquer not burl... according to the dealer around 80% of pre-built fully loaded S63's are coming in with the black laquer... (As MB is adding the 030 AMG Performance Package) The black wood is actually very beautiful, but the combination with all black leather is just TOO black for my tastes... (The 030 option also seems dubious value... there is no LSD or obvious tuning enhancements... if you do not want the black laquer you are essentially paying $7000 for the wheels.. and nice though they are.. there are other options for that money!)

So not finding a quickly available S63 in the color/trim combination I wanted, (Silver/black/burl) and looking at waiting several months for a factory ordered S63, I decided to take a look at the S600... I had read a lot about it and thought that an AMG was more my style/preference... but why not evaluate properly? The HP is similar, much more (E55 like) torque, obviously not an AMG though... Now the personalities of AMG or the traditional S-Class are distinctive... but one can like both! When the MSRP price difference (including gas guzzler and delivery) worked out at $147,090 for the S63, or $149,185 (including larger 19" wheels) for the S600 it made me think hard... (The "cheaper/bargin" $127K S63 price (the motoring magazines talk about) is a bit misleading.. when you add on all the options/technology that are a reason to buy an S Class in the first place the price gap is much smaller)

I drove both the S63 (again) and the S600... the dealer let me take one home for the night to get a better feel.. Having set my heart on another AMG I was really surprised at how hard a choice it was... both are gorgeous cars... yes I love the whole dynamic/sporty AMG package... but I also want a super comfortable cruiser for my family with lots of low down power on tap when I need it.... From my test drives, a downside of the S63 "character" was its linear acceleration with less of the shove/fun of my E55... and as earlier threads have discussed the trim is not quite at the S600 level... (The "best of both worlds" S65 is out of my range)

So being honest about my driving style... mainly freeway, commute, and point and shoot acceleration in straight lines... I don't go to the track and taking a 2+ ton 17' sedan on the twisties is not why I want an S Class... all this started pointing me in the direction of the S600... ...and wow - test driving the V12 was much more like my E55 than the S63! Yes the engine is older, but it is a known quantity and enormously powerful... I do love the aggressive appearance of the S63 but l am also looking for an understated/sleeper look... (as much as an S Class can be :-)) There are compromises on steering and suspension, but the S600 delivers other benefits... it was not where I thought I would end up... but for my needs the S600 logically makes sense...

I think (hope!) I got a good deal on the S600 which brings its price down to around $138K (Including extra 19" wheels, delivery charges, and $3K gas guzzler tax) Throw in the E55 in trade in, and I am essentially getting a new 2008 S600 for effectively c. $90K... Throw in an extended warranty for piece of mind, and that seems a pretty good proposition for the rest of the w221 model cycle... (I plan on keeping the car for 6-7 years)

I should pick up my S600 on Sunday!

Both the S63 and S600 are wonderful cars... Not getting the S63 in the trim I originally wanted gave me time to properly evaluate the S600 and appreciate its merits for my needs/preferences at the moment... I was really glad to have the time to become acquainted with both.... (Even if alas I will no longer be an AMG driver)

Chris

WSH

Congrats on your choice of S600

Agree...most people use these sedans for straight-line commuting and people-hauling....so excessive focus on subtle handling diffces is prob misplaced...

S63's dynamics are brilliant but interior is rather shabby/plasticky for a $150K perf limo....

Suspect you'll enjoy 600's more confidence-inspiring wet traction vs 65's sketchy wet weather traction...besides, 65, despite the zoomy exterior and AMG brakes, etc, has a rather confused, limo-like wood steering wheel and that tacky quilted leather...

Ironically, despite having 3 major $150K+ S-Class SKU's, MB has managed to bungle each of them in different ways (though each is easily one of world's 3 best sedans)....an S63 w/a 600-caliber leather interior (but w/an all-leather sports steering wheel and sport seats) would prob be driver's choice in every mkt except Germany (S65's tq would be best appreciated on dry, smooth, derestricted AB during the 7 mos/yr of perf tire-compatible German weather)....

Enjoy

purplewidow

deffinitly go with the s63 we were the first in chicago land if not the country with one and it is awesome!!!!!!!!!!! s600 was for people who didn't wanna wate for the amg this is a brand new engine why stick with the old when this one is proving to be awesome and not one problem and quality seems way way better than all 3 previous s55's!!!!!! not as jerky as the old s55!!!!! i miss that cause i am 26....and i have a BMW e92 335...which is heaven and kills all mercs...hence why most automotive journalists including car and triver R&T and others have called it the best all round car in the world.....had to make my pitch its unbelievable have no clue why people buy the lousy though new c class or the old c....the bmw's 3 is just far far nicer not the smae in the s class though why my parents have mercs!!!! get the s63 it looks much better and the speed limit defeat option raises the top speed to 186 i believe and also gives you the coolest merc wheels i have ever seen on a production vehicle!!!!!!!!! goodluck and buy the s63 you will not be dissapointed the seats are finer than any bently i have been in or seen!!!!!!!! it is just phenominal...power interor quality, handleing all improved and the ride quality is just smooth and responsive!!!!! along with the steering all way above the s600!!!!!!

srice

What a miserable situation - having to choose between an S600 or an S63. It is virtually impossible to argue with your logic for choosing an S600; however, I would suggest that it is equally impossible to argue with the logic for choosing the S63. I chose the S63 for a lot of the same reasons you chose the S600, only my preferences were the opposite. I like the bodywork on the S63 - more aggressive, but not "rice rocket"; I like the 030 package wheels and black laquer (it goes great with my gray interior); the rumble of a big, powerful V8 is great; the AMG seats are unbelievable.

You have to admit, it's pretty cool that MB has two cars that are so similar, yet so different, that appeal to differing tastes.

Let's drive!

pmb600

Congrats on your choice of the S600. I am probably the only person my age who would take the 600 over the 63 were I to be in that position. You did the right thing, the interior is so muchbetter on the 600 especially for 2008. They added the CL600 style leather seats and leather "bumps" on the door panels. They also changed the exhaust pipes for 2008. I also think that the V 12 sounds much better at startup than the V8 too.

I can't wait to see the pictures!

cjf_moraga

srice - you are right - there are worse choices to make in life! At a different time I would have made your choice... for days I read every thread on the S600 + S63 that I could find on this and other forums... and I was surprised (I should not have been) that the S600 is as good to drive as it is... some seem concerned over the "image" and age/perception of the S600... which is odd... a car of this sophistication (and it must be said complexity) is for everyone who appreciates this supreme level of automotive engineering... this is not an older persons car at all... unless being in my 40's qualifies me as old! (and old enough not to worry about image)

...for your S63 I do agree that the black lacquer on grey is a much better combination - at least there is some contrast. All black on black is a bit like sitting in a coal mine... My subjective opinion though - I was looking for the classic MB interior look...

That the V12 engine is an older design did give me some pause... but what does "older" actually mean in relation to everyday driving? It is a perfectly good unit... good enough for the S65 and Maybach also... In the end it is an engine under the hood that delivers a certain performance and responsiveness in ratio to the weight and maneuverability of the car... at a personal level that either satisfies or not... Emotionally I certainly liked the "feel" of having a brand new high tech AMG V8 (and 7 speed) under the hood, but objectively (and viscerally) I preferred what I felt from the V12 for my driving conditions/style - regardless of age... (And there is something absurdly OTT about having a turbo-charged V12!)

Will post pictures after I pick up on Sunday and have had some fun...

Chris

Fantasm

not to mention a simple ECU upgrade will give you neck breaking fun

Freiberg75

The bad part of the S600 is being kicked down to the kiddie table during forums / car shows / get togethers.

Lots of AMG preferences.

Other than that I would not trade my S600 for anything but a S65 (which is out of my budget). Love it. Love the V12.

Can Drive 55

As a current 05 E55 owner, I can easily find myself in your footsteps using the same logic. Thanks for the insight.

pmb600

If people think that there is something "kiddie" about a 5.5L V12 in the Mercedes flagship S600, then they should think again.

cjf_moraga

My S600 is here... I posted some pictures over on the w221 forum...

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...04#post2424204

This is truly an awsome car... Bigger, but definitely with that "E55 like" shove!

Chris