TheCreditMan

Greetings everyone, and Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I'm thinking of purchasing an S63 (actually lease it through my business). I can buy the car at $124ish and it lists for $134ish.

Any comments on how you like the car, or dislike aspects of the car? Quality? Comparisons to other cars welcome!

I appreciate it!

P.S. This is my first MB since an 03 CL55 which was not a good car in terms of constant service/quality issues.

WSH

Drive CL63 but evaluated various S63/65/600 in advising colleagues who needed sedans....

Anecdotally, would argue quality/reliability to-date of new-gen S/CL are highest of any car being mfd today....really remarkable given the level of tech intensity of these cars arguably exceeds that of any car on planet today.....

S63 is prob best overall sedan today from standpoint of perf/dynamics/safety....biggest weakness (and a huge one for a perf limo) is that interior's plasticky finishes are simply laughable for a $150K limo.....biggest dynamic weakness is just adequate tq (perhaps most visible on a few high-speed urban fwys in CA....most Eastern urban fwys tend to not "stress" tq)....

Another consideration is winter useability, even on winter tires....high tq, RWD is rarely optimal for most ex-CA winter driving....

If needed a perf limo, would get S65....its issues are heavy nose (motor weighs some 250lbs more than 63 motor), poor traction (even on dry, uneven pavement), tacky quilted leather interior, a non-AMG-like wood steering wheel....

S600 is another consideration....perhaps most elegant interior of any of the MB sedans; excellent tq/traction; brakes are OK for typical straight-line urban fwy use, but weak vs S63/65 brakes....big negative is that for '08 MB mysteriously put ricer/rapper exhaust tips on the otherwise rather codgerly S600....

Each of these cars is brilliant but MBUSA managed to bungle each of them w/various rather logically inconsistent choices of interior leather finishes, steering wheels, exhaust tips, etc....and didn't figure out how to just create some ?$5Kish option to enhance profit margins while allowing buyers to choose higher grade leather interiors/sport steering wheels, etc.....unsold inventory levels of S/CL63/65/600 are high all over US, perhaps due to poor spec choices available to buyers (needing to choose lesser of evils when buying a discretionary $150K+perf limo dissuades a few buyers); high-end economy slowing; and winter weather making AMG sales difficult in NYC/Chicago, etc....

WSH

BTW, another consideration re: leasing $125K+ cars through business....would be curious what latest thinking from tax advisors is re: elevated risk of tax audits/hassles w/more discretionary "business" cars.....

Know many car nuts who technically could deduct a car's costs via their business....but opt to absorb their car costs personally...they enjoy driving $150K+ commuter cars...and trading them in more frequently (every 6-12mos) than most <<$100K/yr, 50yo IRS guys may appreciate....

Heard of a recent situation where a public tech co. agreed to lease a car and provide driver/bodyguard for their car nut CEO (who is one of US' biggest new Ferrari buyers/collectors).....CEO ordered a new S65; Board reviewed situation before signing-off on lease....and rejected notion of legitimate business "need" for a $200K limo, esp financed w/shareholder money.....heard that, after much back-and-forth, CEO settled w/getting an S63 instead....impressive step-up, as even most private equity/hedge fund billionaires in NYC seem to be driven around in mere S550s (admittedly most of them have zero interest in cars anyway).....suspect IRS may view a $100K S550 4Matic as the most legitimate, presentable car for maximal safety and comfort for a CEO-level guy....anything more prob invites easy scrutiny of all other tax structures.....

TheCreditMan

WSH -- I appreciate your insights very much! Thank you. I hope 08 is healthy and prosperous for you and your family!