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I really like the first one .. aggressive but proportional - second picture is too much E- class , third picture suffers from unporportionally large air intakes that dominates the front end ..
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
I really like this one.
To me, the W221 was a much cleaner, much more elegant design. Everyone told me that over time, I would look at the W221 and find it dated and that the W222 would "grow" on me. Well, I've had my 2015 for over two years now and when I look at it, it does nothing for me. At the same time, whenever a late model W221 drives by, my eyes follow it and I find the design to be very appealing. These are huge, comfortable, 4-door "saloons," or as they are referred to in Germany, "limousines." Making them look overly aggressive is ridiculous. A touch of softness and elegance to the exterior styling would be most welcomed, at least to me. You want aggressive, go buy an AMG GT.
Last edited by Streamliner; 02-27-2017 at 11:01 AM.
I really like this one.
To me, the W221 was a much cleaner, much more elegant design. Everyone told me that over time, I would look at the W221 and find it dated and that the W222 would "grow" on me. Well, I've had my 2015 for over two years now and when I look at it, it does nothing for me. At the same time, whenever a late model W221 drives by, my eyes follow it and I find the design to be very appealing. These are huge, comfortable, 4-door "saloons," or as they are referred to in Germany, "limousines." Making them look overly aggressive is ridiculous. A touch of softness and elegance to the exterior styling would be most welcomed, at least to me. You want aggressive, go buy an AMG GT.
+1
The perfect S Class would be one with the W221 exterior and build quality but with the W222 interior and technology.
Personally, I prefer the previous generation of Mercedes styling with the crisper lines and fender flares.
When you say people have said that the W222 will grow on you, that's what people have been saying to me as well as well but unfortunately it's not working for me; that's why I've decided to just keep my W221 post lease and just buy it out. W223?
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder . W222 with its big grille and much improved stance looks llike a real S class to me . W 221 with forward leaning stance , and small grille looks like a baby' benz trying to pass for The real deal
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder . W222 with its big grille and much improved stance looks llike a real S class to me . W 221 with forward leaning stance , and small grille looks like a baby' benz trying to pass for The real deal
I agree! Having the Sports package and upgraded 5 spoke AMG wheels off an S 65 really helps take away from the fact that is is really big four door sedan. After coming from 3 x 911's, it's a real departure for me.
To me, the W221 was a much cleaner, much more elegant design. Everyone told me that over time, I would look at the W221 and find it dated and that the W222 would "grow" on me. Well, I've had my 2015 for over two years now and when I look at it, it does nothing for me. At the same time, whenever a late model W221 drives by, my eyes follow it and I find the design to be very appealing. These are huge, comfortable, 4-door "saloons," or as they are referred to in Germany, "limousines." Making them look overly aggressive is ridiculous. A touch of softness and elegance to the exterior styling would be most welcomed, at least to me. You want aggressive, go buy an AMG GT.
In the end, it comes down to taste. They are both fine cars but the W221 was definitely more "aggressive" with it edgy sport package than the W222. That one is much more subtle.
Tastes aside, there's no denying that the build quality in the W221 is far superior to that of the W222. Materials depend on spec level but true designo W221 offered nappa leather on every surface including lower door bins; true designo on the W222 doesn't offer nappa leather on the lower door bins
Tastes aside, there's no denying that the build quality in the W221 is far superior to that of the W222. Materials depend on spec level but true designo W221 offered nappa leather on every surface including lower door bins; true designo on the W222 doesn't offer nappa leather on the lower door bins
Besides there being more leather, in what other areas is the 221 far superior in build quality over the 222?
Friends have s550s, s400s, s63s. SOme have exclusive nappa, nappa, and standard leather and a wide range of different specced vehicles.
From what I've experienced, there have been issues with misalignment of trim, overall 'feel' of materials, and ergonomics. The wood trim is misaligned in a few vehicles and the window switch plastic surround is the same as what you'd find in the the CLA in the showroom. Plastic behind interior door handle doesn't feel solid. I know these are all really nitpicky but it just really bugs me. The location of the interior armrest door handle makes the balance of the door feel off when you're opening it.
Comfort-wise and design-wise for the interior, there's no denying that the W222 is far superior
All reports and user experience to date indicate W222 has far fewer reliability issues. Reliability is a true indicator of build quality. I am puzzled how W221 can be declared as having better build quality when everyone accepts W222 has far fewer issues and has been solid from get go..
Friends have s550s, s400s, s63s. SOme have exclusive nappa, nappa, and standard leather and a wide range of different specced vehicles.
From what I've experienced, there have been issues with misalignment of trim, overall 'feel' of materials, and ergonomics. The wood trim is misaligned in a few vehicles and the window switch plastic surround is the same as what you'd find in the the CLA in the showroom. Plastic behind interior door handle doesn't feel solid. I know these are all really nitpicky but it just really bugs me. The location of the interior armrest door handle makes the balance of the door feel off when you're opening it.
Comfort-wise and design-wise for the interior, there's no denying that the W222 is far superior
Hmm. Standard W221's are decidedly low-rent unless you are into plastic doors and cheap leather. Plenty of plastic components in the old one.
In general, the W222 has improved quality inside out.
The W221 Designo's were very nicely made, no question about that. Part of the issue is likely the W222's open pocket door designs which makes for less storage or a messier look.
The issue is that Designo pricing has been broken into component rather than package pricing and is simply cheaper than it used to be in older models. Exclusive Nappa and Designo is now the same apart from different color options.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by quantira2
All reports and user experience to date indicate W222 has far fewer reliability issues. Reliability is a true indicator of build quality. I am puzzled how W221 can be declared as having better build quality when everyone accepts W222 has far fewer issues and has been solid from get go..
The W221 came out in the U.S. for MY 2007. Much of the technology in the W222 was developed in that car. When new tech is introduced, there are issues. I believe that if you compare the late run W221's to the W222's, you'll find the reliability to be about the same. I have no data to support this, just my opinion. I had a 2013 S550 and now have a 2015 S550. I liked the 2013 better and never had a problem with it.
The W221 came out in the U.S. for MY 2007. Much of the technology in the W222 was developed in that car. When new tech is introduced, there are issues. I believe that if you compare the late run W221's to the W222's, you'll find the reliability to be about the same. I have no data to support this, just my opinion. I had a 2013 S550 and now have a 2015 S550. I liked the 2013 better and never had a problem with it.
What did you like more about the 2013 over the 2015?
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by Socalsteve
What did you like more about the 2013 over the 2015?
1. I think the exterior styling was classic, elegant, beautiful and distinctive, completely opposite that of the W222.
2. You could get it without that frigging Panorama Roof.
3. It had a jack & spare in the trunk.
4. It came with conventional tires.
5. It had an "Off" button for the climate control system.
6. I liked the functionality of the A/C vents better.
7. The standard 18" wheels were beautiful.
8. The massage function worked WAY better than on my 2015.
9. If the trunk wasn't actually larger in volume, the space was more usable.
10. Everything about the W221 made SENSE to me. Several things about the W222 are irritating.
I could probably think of more, but that should suffice for now.
1. I think the exterior styling was classic, elegant, beautiful and distinctive, completely opposite that of the W222.
2. You could get it without that frigging Panorama Roof.
3. It had a jack & spare in the trunk.
4. It came with conventional tires.
5. It had an "Off" button for the climate control system.
6. I liked the functionality of the A/C vents better.
7. The standard 18" wheels were beautiful.
8. The massage function worked WAY better than on my 2015.
9. If the trunk wasn't actually larger in volume, the space was more usable.
10. Everything about the W221 made SENSE to me. Several things about the W222 are irritating.
I could probably think of more, but that should suffice for now.
The ones I agree with are the interfaces to AC, seat controls, favorites, etc. The W222 has many more feature choices and MB did a poor job in simplifying the interface for them.
The massage is day/night better in the W222, at least for my body weight/height. Maybe benefits differ there between people.
I used to love the W221 but now realize how much better I like the looks of the W222. The W221 actually lacks presence IMO. Biggest annoyance to me are the rear fender flares and driving behind one at night (the facelifted one).
The taillights LED lighting design looks outright primitive and low end. They look fine during the daylight.
Hmm. Standard W221's are decidedly low-rent unless you are into plastic doors and cheap leather. Plenty of plastic components in the old one.
In general, the W222 has improved quality inside out.
The W221 Designo's were very nicely made, no question about that. Part of the issue is likely the W222's open pocket door designs which makes for less storage or a messier look.
The issue is that Designo pricing has been broken into component rather than package pricing and is simply cheaper than it used to be in older models. Exclusive Nappa and Designo is now the same apart from different color options.
Yes, no doubt it has improved standard quality, I wouldn't argue about that; the standard W221 interior was a joke. The W222 standard leather interior no doubt blows the W221 interior out of the water. I completely forgot about that interior as I have the nappa leather which added mbtex to the dash, door panel, and lower dash. This definitely feels more solid compared to the nappa option on the W222.
Exclusive nappa and designo on the W221 were also the same except the fact that Exclusive Nappa was only available on the S600 and S65; in order to get that interior and/or different colours, it would be the designo option. This is definitely a very, very nice quality interior. I remember my friend's old W221 S65 in Corteccia, very nice. His new S63 while also nice, just lacks the workmanship and fit of his old car.
Granted, all my friends' W222s are 2014 and early 2015 models when they just introduced the trackpad so maybe they were one of the few vehicles and issues weren't corrected.
It's just like the GLE and your ML, I would definitely have purchased an existing ML on the lot had they have the options I wanted. The ML is simply such a nicer looking car than the GLE but I had to replace the suv
the w221 s class and the previous gen e class(w212) and even the c class(w204) all have more solid doors. the thud you get upon closing the door ooze solidity. The w222 also had plastic door handle while the w221 had real metal door handle(i understand that the change was for safety reasons apparently)
02-26-2017, 05:51 AM
