Did I take the right decision?
03-13-2008, 01:59 PM
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Those 030 wheels, sport steering wheel and blk wood make your S65 appear so much more impressive than a US-spec S65
....well-chosen details are esp critical in appearance of discretionary cars like 65s....
The notion of a $200K AMG w/a wood steering wheel, burl walnut and clunky wheels is rather laughable....
Hopefully, for MY09, US-spec 65s (or whatever AMG V12) will have more logical choices of available wheels/steering wheel/interior trim....
....well-chosen details are esp critical in appearance of discretionary cars like 65s....The notion of a $200K AMG w/a wood steering wheel, burl walnut and clunky wheels is rather laughable....
Hopefully, for MY09, US-spec 65s (or whatever AMG V12) will have more logical choices of available wheels/steering wheel/interior trim....
(with the current rate 1,55 US$ 534.750,-) in the Netherlands!
03-13-2008, 02:24 PM
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: OC, SoCal
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
03-13-2008, 03:59 PM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought the car just with a few kilometers as a DEMOCAR, so not complete new.
But the fun is that if I had the choice for the configuration, It would be exactly the same as it is now!
I think that the suspension is just the standard AMG-ABC and the exterior colour is '197 LAVABLACK'.
03-15-2008, 02:12 PM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bentley Flying Spur, CL550
03-15-2008, 11:29 PM
#32
Note the steering wheel provided...
amg55lover: Congratulations. Great choice. For all of you on the 'old codger' MB wood steering wheel lookout, it has been pointed out by WSH that this S65 comes with the all leather AMG sport (thick) wheel. This is exactly the same wheel that is provided in the US spec S63 and CL63, but not in our standard S/CL 65 (e.g. wood/leather codgerly wheel). If you look closely at the photo posted, you will see that the leather is the grainy 'Premium' grade found on our S/CL 63 wheels - not the extra smooth 'Exclusive' grade which is what would match the S65's top-of-the-line leather interior. An AMG sport wheel with 'exclusive' leather does exist and it can be found on the AMG 40th Anniversary CL65. Also note that the center air bag cover is 'cheap' plastic and not leather. Same as in our S/CL 63. Still incredible to me that on such an expensive S65 vehicle in Europe, Mercedes would not provide the customer a leather/double stitched air bag cover! Z356
03-16-2008, 02:48 PM
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
amg55lover: Congratulations. Great choice. For all of you on the 'old codger' MB wood steering wheel lookout, it has been pointed out by WSH that this S65 comes with the all leather AMG sport (thick) wheel. This is exactly the same wheel that is provided in the US spec S63 and CL63, but not in our standard S/CL 65 (e.g. wood/leather codgerly wheel). If you look closely at the photo posted, you will see that the leather is the grainy 'Premium' grade found on our S/CL 63 wheels - not the extra smooth 'Exclusive' grade which is what would match the S65's top-of-the-line leather interior. An AMG sport wheel with 'exclusive' leather does exist and it can be found on the AMG 40th Anniversary CL65. Also note that the center air bag cover is 'cheap' plastic and not leather. Same as in our S/CL 63. Still incredible to me that on such an expensive S65 vehicle in Europe, Mercedes would not provide the customer a leather/double stitched air bag cover! Z356
Yes, your are right. The leather on the upper side is not that soft leather as the rest of the interior.
But, this leather gives you more grip and soft leather will wear rapidly on a wheel.
I have seen it very often on the W220 models with Exclusive (soft) leather. But the wheel looks ugly after 2 years!
03-16-2008, 05:44 PM
#34
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes, your are right. The leather on the upper side is not that soft leather as the rest of the interior.
But, this leather gives you more grip and soft leather will wear rapidly on a wheel.
I have seen it very often on the W220 models with Exclusive (soft) leather. But the wheel looks ugly after 2 years!
But, this leather gives you more grip and soft leather will wear rapidly on a wheel.
I have seen it very often on the W220 models with Exclusive (soft) leather. But the wheel looks ugly after 2 years!
But AMG still could provide smooth, fine-grained leather for airbag cover and for upper and lower parts of steering wheel (not the perforated sections), as most of wear and tear is in the 10:00/2:00 or 9:00/3:00 area where wheel is most often contacted by one's hands....
BTW, am intrigued that the affluent in Netherlands don't just buy wkend houses and keep their interesting cars in more interesting/cheaper/more tax-efficient places in EU/US....
One would be amused how many car guys w/wkend houses in BeverlyHills are primarily residents of SiliconValley/NYC/Chic, etc.....the affluent seem relatively adept at arbitraging climate/topography/sportscar-friendly roads/consumption culture/tax differences, etc to their advantage.....
After all, a new S65 only costs some $200K in either NYC or CA (and CA has world's most efficient leases)....but its consumption value is far greater in SF/LA, given the near-perfect climate, topography and interesting nearby roads....
03-16-2008, 07:57 PM
#35
You don't need to convince me...
amg55lover: Regarding your quote "Yes, your are right. The leather on the upper side is not that soft leather as the rest of the interior. But, this leather gives you more grip and soft leather will wear rapidly on a wheel. I have seen it very often on the W220 models with Exclusive (soft) leather. But the wheel looks ugly after 2 years!", you don't have to convince me. I just replaced the 'codgerly' wood/leather wheel original to my '07 CL600 with the exact AMG sport wheel you have. See the photos at attached link: https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-cl65-amg-cl63-amg-c215-c216/230145-photos-amg-sport-steering-wheel-aluminum-shift-paddles-07-cl600.html. Notice, though, that I transferred my leather airbag over with nice double-stitching. I think this would look also very good in your beautiful S65! I have told many on this forum of what an enormous change that makes to the feel of the steering. I can't say enough of how good it is!
I have had the pleasure of visiting your country many times, including when I lived in Europe during 1974/1975. Our company had a facility in Holland and I traveled there often. Later, in 1981, I went on my first Porsche PCA Treffen Tour and we finished the trip in Holland, where we were guests of the RIJKSPOLITIE. There we saw the fleet of 911s then current on the force and an old 356 police car they had kept from the early sixties. It always amazed me to see the Dutch 911 patrol cars on the roads, since then they were all 'open' Targas. And the police had the Targa tops always 'off' (in storage), regardless the inclement weather, so that they could make 'direct' eye contact with citizens on the road (that is what they told us when we asked why). The sight of these officers, all in white leather coats to keep them from freezing, on these beautiful 911 police cars on patrol is something that I will always remember with great awe & affection. http://copcars.lotpatrol.com/gallery...geViewsIndex=1 Regards, Z356.
I have had the pleasure of visiting your country many times, including when I lived in Europe during 1974/1975. Our company had a facility in Holland and I traveled there often. Later, in 1981, I went on my first Porsche PCA Treffen Tour and we finished the trip in Holland, where we were guests of the RIJKSPOLITIE. There we saw the fleet of 911s then current on the force and an old 356 police car they had kept from the early sixties. It always amazed me to see the Dutch 911 patrol cars on the roads, since then they were all 'open' Targas. And the police had the Targa tops always 'off' (in storage), regardless the inclement weather, so that they could make 'direct' eye contact with citizens on the road (that is what they told us when we asked why). The sight of these officers, all in white leather coats to keep them from freezing, on these beautiful 911 police cars on patrol is something that I will always remember with great awe & affection. http://copcars.lotpatrol.com/gallery...geViewsIndex=1 Regards, Z356.
Last edited by Z356; 03-16-2008 at 07:59 PM.
03-16-2008, 08:48 PM
#36
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 S600 sold
amg55lover: Congratulations. Great choice. For all of you on the 'old codger' MB wood steering wheel lookout, it has been pointed out by WSH that this S65 comes with the all leather AMG sport (thick) wheel. This is exactly the same wheel that is provided in the US spec S63 and CL63, but not in our standard S/CL 65 (e.g. wood/leather codgerly wheel). If you look closely at the photo posted, you will see that the leather is the grainy 'Premium' grade found on our S/CL 63 wheels - not the extra smooth 'Exclusive' grade which is what would match the S65's top-of-the-line leather interior. An AMG sport wheel with 'exclusive' leather does exist and it can be found on the AMG 40th Anniversary CL65. Also note that the center air bag cover is 'cheap' plastic and not leather. Same as in our S/CL 63. Still incredible to me that on such an expensive S65 vehicle in Europe, Mercedes would not provide the customer a leather/double stitched air bag cover! Z356
03-16-2008, 09:33 PM
#37
MBWorld Fanatic!
But drive an AMG w/wood steering wheel vs one w/sports steering wheel...suspect even in routine urban driving (let alone mtn twisties), one will quickly appreciate tactile feel/grip advantages of a proper, thick-rimmed all-leather sports steering wheel (even a cf rim like what Porsche offers is dynamically inferior IMO)....
If you already have done this test drive comparo, let's agree to disagree on this issue....but o/w look fwd to your views after such a quick comparo....
03-16-2008, 09:49 PM
#38
I am with WSH on this one...
Don't blame me. WSH has started this whole 'shift' away from the 'old' and I am happily following along. He single handedly has re-inserted the word 'codger' back into the lexicon of the English language. From now on, everybody looking at this wheel will think 'Codgerly'. Kidding aside, you will be surprised how much nicer the thicker AMG steering wheel feels in your hands. I do agree that the OEM wood/leather wheel (optional on the S550/ standard on CL550, CL600, S600, S65, CL65) can be very attractive, especially with the right kind of wood to match your interior factory trim. In my opinion, this is particular effective in the 'maple' wood/leather wheel found in the Designo Espresso Edition in the MY08/MY07 S550 & S600. https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...4&d=1197675653 Regards, Z356
Last edited by Z356; 03-16-2008 at 10:42 PM.
03-16-2008, 10:12 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
S65 Renntech'd, GL450, Super Charged Range Rover
That's exactly what I did...
Traded my 2006 E55 for a 2007 S65.
They are both incredible cars, but the S65 is a far better machine.
Traded my 2006 E55 for a 2007 S65.
They are both incredible cars, but the S65 is a far better machine.
03-17-2008, 12:36 AM
#40
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 S600 sold
Don't blame me. WSH has started this whole 'shift' away from the 'old' and I am happily following along. He single handedly has re-inserted the word 'codger' back into the lexicon of the English language. From now on, everybody looking at this wheel will think 'Codgerly'. Kidding aside, you will be surprised how much nicer the thicker AMG steering wheel feels in your hands. I do agree that the OEM wood/leather wheel (optional on the S550/ standard on CL550, CL600, S600, S65, CL65) can be very attractive, especially with the right kind of wood to match your interior factory trim. In my opinion, this is particular effective in the 'maple' wood/leather wheel found in the Designo Espresso Edition in the MY08/MY07 S550 & S600. https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...4&d=1197675653 Regards, Z356
03-17-2008, 05:29 AM
#41
Senior Member
03-17-2008, 07:11 AM
#42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
amg55lover: Regarding your quote "Yes, your are right. The leather on the upper side is not that soft leather as the rest of the interior. But, this leather gives you more grip and soft leather will wear rapidly on a wheel. I have seen it very often on the W220 models with Exclusive (soft) leather. But the wheel looks ugly after 2 years!", you don't have to convince me. I just replaced the 'codgerly' wood/leather wheel original to my '07 CL600 with the exact AMG sport wheel you have. See the photos at attached link: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=230145. Notice, though, that I transferred my leather airbag over with nice double-stitching. I think this would look also very good in your beautiful S65! I have told many on this forum of what an enormous change that makes to the feel of the steering. I can't say enough of how good it is!.
Maybe I will change it on my S65 as well!
I have had the pleasure of visiting your country many times, including when I lived in Europe during 1974/1975. Our company had a facility in Holland and I traveled there often. Later, in 1981, I went on my first Porsche PCA Treffen Tour and we finished the trip in Holland, where we were guests of the RIJKSPOLITIE. There we saw the fleet of 911s then current on the force and an old 356 police car they had kept from the early sixties. It always amazed me to see the Dutch 911 patrol cars on the roads, since then they were all 'open' Targas. And the police had the Targa tops always 'off' (in storage), regardless the inclement weather, so that they could make 'direct' eye contact with citizens on the road (that is what they told us when we asked why). The sight of these officers, all in white leather coats to keep them from freezing, on these beautiful 911 police cars on patrol is something that I will always remember with great awe & affection. http://copcars.lotpatrol.com/gallery...geViewsIndex=1 Regards, Z356.
Now they are driving in inconspicuous cars with camera´s and with schoolteacher type people in it!
BTW, the last model from the Police was not the 911 Targa, but the cabrio.....!
Last edited by //AMG55lover; 08-05-2009 at 06:27 PM.
03-17-2008, 07:16 AM
#44
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03-18-2008, 07:57 AM
#48
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03-18-2008, 01:02 PM
#50
