Goodbye S 63 - hello ALPINA B7
Now what to do in this crazy, ridiculous sellers market, with no inventory.
Worse, I really am not in love with the new S class and its i-pad loaded interior, and worst of all, no new S 63 even introduced.
Love the Bentley, but also not available at a reasonable price and 8 month wait if you order one.
I really wanted a performance version and a bit of a " special" car -
So, after a lot of looking around and soul searching, I ended up buying a 2021 ALPINA B7 with 6000 miles, and will pick her up on Monday.
The interior is quite lovely, with a traditional instrument cluster, and the performance promises to be quite lively.
We will see if we will enjoy driving it as much as we have loved our S 63.
If we do we will keep her through the warranty cycle and by that time hopefully the markets will have returned to normal and the new AMG.
I think my wife is right when she says, it will provide us with a new experience that otherwise we would not have.
I think the trickiest part will be saying good-bye to all the the familiar things we loved about our old car.
I do understand your sentiments on BMW - they really used to be the Ultimate Driving Machine, but seem to have lost their ways!
I really hope we will enjoy this experience.




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Storage - MB wins hands down - it is all the little things it has that BMW does not: place for sunglasses, storage for umbrellas under seats, storage nooks in the trunk, storage behind the back armrest - storage in middle console - in general storage is sadly inadequate - compared to S class.
Seats: loved the MB adaptive seats that grabbed you in curves, MB seats appear more comfortable, however, they were sat in for quite a few years - these are new
However, do like the thigh support in BMW. Massage function in BMW, does not live up to the quality of MB.
Technology - almost overwhelming richness of programs and options on BMW - this will be a learning process - this is not about better or worse - it is about simply different. BMW employs "genius's" - individuals who are supposed to walk you through the features on delivery. I think they are fighting a losing battle - there is simply too much of it and maybe we were a bit unlucky of having a Newbie - not exactly a genius. However, you can book private on line lessons to answer any questions. I think I will wait a week or so to get a handle on what I don't know and then set it up.
Performance/driving experience: this is where the ALPINA truly shines. Exceptionally nimble and light footed, handles superbly, no discernible roll and I would put acceleration on par with S 63. Same holds true for experience with braking.
I think it will take a few months of driving to arrive at definitive conclusions.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Storage - MB wins hands down - it is all the little things it has that BMW does not: place for sunglasses, storage for umbrellas under seats, storage nooks in the trunk, storage behind the back armrest - storage in middle console - in general storage is sadly inadequate - compared to S class.
Seats: loved the MB adaptive seats that grabbed you in curves, MB seats appear more comfortable, however, they were sat in for quite a few years - these are new
However, do like the thigh support in BMW. Massage function in BMW, does not live up to the quality of MB.
Technology - almost overwhelming richness of programs and options on BMW - this will be a learning process - this is not about better or worse - it is about simply different. BMW employs "genius's" - individuals who are supposed to walk you through the features on delivery. I think they are fighting a losing battle - there is simply too much of it and maybe we were a bit unlucky of having a Newbie - not exactly a genius. However, you can book private on line lessons to answer any questions. I think I will wait a week or so to get a handle on what I don't know and then set it up.
Performance/driving experience: this is where the ALPINA truly shines. Exceptionally nimble and light footed, handles superbly, no discernible roll and I would put acceleration on par with S 63. Same holds true for experience with braking.
I think it will take a few months of driving to arrive at definitive conclusions.
Soundsystem - our Alpina is equipped with the standard Kardon Harmon system, so a fair comparison with the standard Burmeister system in our AMG 63. It truly is heads and shoulders over the MB. I have no idea why - but I always struggled with an overzealous bass and have to assume that the BMW system is simply better balanced or the speakers are better placed - it just sounds so much better.
Technology - the only way to describe BMW technology is " it includes the kitchen sink ', I have figured out quite a bit of it but will have weeks more of entertainment. The interpretation of the signals sent by the front and rear cameras requires an engineering degree and appears to be counterintuitive. I truly miss the adaptive seats - there simply is no such function on a BMW.
However, we are simply amazed by the performance of this car and the ease with which it does its job. You really need to pay great attention because you are at a 100 mph before you can say " Uncle".




So glad you're enjoying your car. If my S63 ever gets totaled, maybe I'll try an Alpina B7 next time. I've always been impressed by the look of them. Stunning inside and out and more rare.




My new Alpina B7
My new Alpina B7




the W223’s look like cheapening of perfection with the ridiculous screens that look like afterthoughts… and common to the most basic of cars
it appears the w222 found an incredible moment in time with its design…. MB caught the technology tiger by the tail
I will be moving to the EQS AMG … but not in a rush as I STILL love the W222’s a lot. And also I’m not impressed by moving hydrocarbons from a tail pipe to a smoke stack… all Ill be doing is “moving” NOT “removing” the hydrocarbon… I just want the hyperscreen…the body style stinks badly




It has as a pop up looking screen center top dash... more comparable to 2013 and older S Class... still a very nice car but I could never go backwards in this regard.
These $50k ADM's may change my point of view though
Remember, my S63 got rear-ended and totaled in December and the new S63 has not even been introduced. So, what to do in a world of non-availabilities?
I looked at the S580 and in addition to not being too keen on all those i-pads I was looking for a bit more performance - something I really enjoyed in our S 63.
I am still getting used to it but have to say that the performance and handling of the Alpina is nothing short of astonishing and whilst sounding different, I really enjoy the engine notes.
The technology admittedly may look a little retro but my goodness, BMW throws in the kitchen sink - I think it will take me a few more weeks to wrap my head around what is available.
Net,net - we still miss our S 63 but this is an all new and exhilarating experience and we will see by the end of the year when hopefully the new S63 will arrive.



For me, I can’t wait for the next S63.
Like you I shall wait for the next generation S 63 and see what it has to offer and then make a decision how to proceed from there.




I dislike them greatly
Remember, my S63 got rear-ended and totaled in December and the new S63 has not even been introduced. So, what to do in a world of non-availabilities?
I looked at the S580 and in addition to not being too keen on all those i-pads I was looking for a bit more performance - something I really enjoyed in our S 63.
I am still getting used to it but have to say that the performance and handling of the Alpina is nothing short of astonishing and whilst sounding different, I really enjoy the engine notes.
The technology admittedly may look a little retro but my goodness, BMW throws in the kitchen sink - I think it will take me a few more weeks to wrap my head around what is available.
Net,net - we still miss our S 63 but this is an all new and exhilarating experience and we will see by the end of the year when hopefully the new S63 will arrive.




I loved our old W222 but considered a B7 before picking a W213 E63s. The higher-prized B7 was actually cheaper to lease and quicker than the old S63 (on par with the facelift model). BMW has some weird approaches but eventually is getting rid of them. Screen design and placement is always controversial but iDrive is definitely better than Command while MBUX2 has the edge over iDrive. I do prefer the S-Class seats but the BMW has an upper back adjustment that is unequalled. Mercedes has nothing like that unfortunately...



