Mercedes S550 Test Drive

[Sal Collaziano]

Exactly.. I didn't feel the need to respond. :p In any event, the S600 does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds (ie CTS-V, IS-F).. And the AMG version handles MUCH better than the already excellent handling regular "non-performance" 0-60 in 5.4 second versions...

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Not necessarily. A person being chauffeured around doesn't much care about handling and acceleration. As long as they arrive safely, they're content. The S-class has been praised for its handling, and as Sal mentioned, it's very fast to boot.

I met a man who owns a Maybach 57. It's typically regarded as a car for someone with a driver, but he swears that he loves driving it and would never give want to have a driver. And why would he? The car is 3 tons, but it has an auto-leveling suspension and 600 horsepower from a turbocharged V12.

[Sal Collaziano]

When the DT7 finally finds it's way into showrooms, this will be the new S-Class.. Let's see how well the DT7 will compete.. It won't, because the features in it will be F'in old news by then...

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

They weren't "cash strapped" in 2000-2004.
If the desire was there, we never would have gotten the joke that is DTS. We wouldn't have gotten the bland mobile STS.
We wouldn't have gotten the plasticky Saab-wannabe BLS.

DT7 should have arrive 3 years ago... and we all know it.

The desire is there, someone just forgot to tell em.....you can't half ass it! (which is where the DTS/STS/BLS trio come in)

By that I mean, if vehicles like the DTS still make em money.......why substantially change/replace em if they're cash cows as is.....their own greed & laziness is tempering their 'desire' right there.

[Astra RL]

The STS could have easily gotten the SLS interior with the new bling face. But, no GM gives us a new steering wheel and less wood trim whoop-di-do. Why are the DTS and STS the same price. The E Klasse is $6,000.00 more than the flagship STS whoops. It will be fully redesigned for 2010 and the S Klasse will be enhanced at the same time. There had better be significant upgrades to both the STS and CTS at that time to compete with Mercedes Benz.

[PAULSTS1]

As awesome a machine as the current S550 is improvements designed into the 2009 model currently being showcased eclipses it's current model. The fact that Mercedes Benz constantly upgrades it's cars makes lesser cars, remain there. This is why for the last 3 years or so, I have personally thought the Mercedes Benz S Class is the New Standard of the World. It has no rivals.

The standard V8 powers the car from 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, and the excellent braking system can bring in to a stop almost as fast. The safety cage design, makes the car one of the world's safest. Also the technological features, are quite probably beyond the abilities of most owners to even use them, those of course which aren't used passively. Also when closing the doors, the vault solidity, is only matched by Rolls Royce.

And for those who want more, there are variants by AMG, and BRABUS (it should be called Ultimatus), absolutely the best!

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

As awesome a machine as the current S550 is improvements designed into the 2009 model currently being showcased eclipses it's current model. The fact that Mercedes Benz constantly upgrades it's cars makes lesser cars, remain there. This is why for the last 3 years or so, I have personally thought the Mercedes Benz S Class is the New Standard of the World. It has no rivals.

The standard V8 powers the car from 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, and the excellent braking system can bring in to a stop almost as fast. The safety cage design, makes the car one of the world's safest. Also the technological features, are quite probably beyond the abilities of most owners to even use them, those of course which aren't used passively. Also when closing the doors, the vault solidity, is only matched by Rolls Royce.

And for those who want more, there are variants by AMG, and BRABUS (it should be called Ultimatus), absolutely the best!

Exactly.
It really puts into perspective just how far Cadillac has fallen... and just how far Cadillac has to climb.

It isn't a fight that's going to turn overnight. In 2 decades, Cadillac might be in contention. I mean, it took Lexus 17 years to even start nipping on the heels of the S-Class.

[mbukukanyau]

Guys, you are forgetting the 7 Series

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Guys, you are forgetting the 7 Series

It might be faster and more sporty than an S-class... but it isn't more luxurious than the S-Class.

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Guys, you are forgetting the 7 Series

Good Evening MBUKUKANYAU:

I admit did try to forget it! When you mentioned the 7 Series I am reminded of a car that insists on teaching you how to drive all over again. The infamous "I Drive" is the bane of all auto enthusiasts. It's completely independent of logic and takes too much valuable time to learn. Also the design of the 7 is the most unappealing of any car BMW makes. It sort brings to remembrance: A AMC Pacer all grown up, and too fat.

While the car has a respectable ride, and reasonable power, it's definitely not the Q-Ship the MB S Class is. The S is vault quiet, and supernaturally powerful. For those whom would seek more there's the S600 with Turbine Smooth V12 power. Perhaps the S600 is only requisite for a Queen, or a Captain of Industry? Yes the Bentley Azure exudes more exclusivity and stature, but in that rarified air, not many vehicles are a challenge to the Mercedes Benz S Class

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

Good Evening MBUKUKANYAU:

I admit did try to forget it! When you mentioned the 7 Series I am reminded of a car that insists on teaching you how to drive all over again. The infamous "I Drive" is the bane of all auto enthusiasts. It's completely independent of logic and takes too much valuable time to learn. Also the design of the 7 is the most unappealing of any car BMW makes. It sort brings to remembrance: A AMC Pacer all grown up, and too fat.

While the car has a respectable ride, and reasonable power, it's definitely not the Q-Ship the MB S Class is. The S is vault quiet, and supernaturally powerful. For those whom would seek more there's the S600 with Turbine Smooth V12 power. Perhaps the S600 is only requisite for a Queen, or a Captain of Industry? Yes the Bentley Azure exudes more exclusivity and stature, but in that rarified air, not many vehicles are a challenge to the Mercedes Benz S Class

Honestly, having experienced all of them, there is very little difference between a Rolls Royce Phantom, a Bentley Arnage, a Maybach 57, and a Mercedes-Benz S600. They all drive and feel more or less the same. So, I'm not sure whether that makes the English cars overpriced, or the Mercedes a great bargain.

However, I don't particularly like any of them. Driving them makes me feel either like a chauffeur, or like a 90 year old man. While a 5-Series is a nice compromise between size and handling for me, if I ever really NEED a large sedan, I'd rather save my money and get a less expensive one. For the price of an S550, I could get an STS, DTS, or MKS, and have more than enough left over for a new M3, RS4, or C63.

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by wescoent

Honestly, having experienced all of them, there is very little difference between a Rolls Royce Phantom, a Bentley Arnage, a Maybach 57, and a Mercedes-Benz S600. They all drive and feel more or less the same. So, I'm not sure whether that makes the English cars overpriced, or the Mercedes a great bargain.

However, I don't particularly like any of them. Driving them makes me feel either like a chauffeur, or like a 90 year old man. While a 5-Series is a nice compromise between size and handling for me, if I ever really NEED a large sedan, I'd rather save my money and get a less expensive one. For the price of an S550, I could get an STS, DTS, or MKS, and have more than enough left over for a new M3, RS4, or C63.

That Sir is why there are so many vehicles to choose from. Today I own 2 STS sedans. I don't have any experience driving a Rolls Royce, but I have driven an S Class, several times, and I definitely didn't feel like a chauffeur, or 90 years old. I drove powerfully, fully intigrated, and expertly. The car was responsive, agile, and communicative, i.e well designed and executed. As you mentioned it is available at a rather steep price (with the USA DOLLAR TO EURO CONVERSION.MUCH MORE SO). Your statement that for the price of a S550 one can buy a STS, and a M3, I find that a bit harder to believe.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

That Sir is why there are so many vehicles to choose from. Today I own 2 STS sedans. I don't have any experience driving a Rolls Royce, but I have driven an S Class, several times, and I definitely didn't feel like a chauffeur, or 90 years old. I drove powerfully, fully intigrated, and expertly. The car was responsive, agile, and communicative, i.e well designed and executed. As you mentioned it is available at a rather steep price (with the USA DOLLAR TO EURO CONVERSION.MUCH MORE SO). Your statement that for the price of a S550 one can buy a STS, and a M3, I find that a bit harder to believe.

To tell you the truth, I've never liked large cars to begin with. I agree that the S-Class is well designed and executed, but to me, it didn't feel particularly agile. This is likely because I'm used to driving a much smaller sedan (with a stone-hard suspension), but each to his own.

An S550 with a handful of options costs about $100,000. A lightly used M3 (since I am not interested in the current dealer markup on the M3) is about $40,000. A fully loaded STS V6 is $55,000. So, that gets us up to $95,000, and for fun, after I close on the M3 and STS, I'll take my remaining cash and go on vacation for a week.

For me at least, this option would satisfy me at least as much as an S550, but again, to each his own.

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by wescoent

To tell you the truth, I've never liked large cars to begin with. I agree that the S-Class is well designed and executed, but to me, it didn't feel particularly agile. This is likely because I'm used to driving a much smaller sedan (with a stone-hard suspension), but each to his own.

An S550 with a handful of options costs about $100,000. A lightly used M3 (since I am not interested in the current dealer markup on the M3) is about $40,000. A fully loaded STS V6 is $55,000. So, that gets us up to $95,000, and for fun, after I close on the M3 and STS, I'll take my remaining cash and go on vacation for a week.

For me at least, this option would satisfy me at least as much as an S550, but again, to each his own.

Thanks for the clarification, a lightly used M3.