lamborarri

I can give a few cents here.

I used to have W221 S65 and W220 S600. I currently have a fully loaded S550 with MSRP of $128k. If money isn't in the comparison, let's be honest, LS460 can not compete with S550 at all. Also, LS460 is around $75-78k selling price in my area, obviously there's a huge gap between a full loaded LS and S550.

Been driving and being driven in the S550 for 8 months already, I can only complaint that the CD slot design is stupid, and the woman in the nav talks way to much during guidance. That's it. When you are driving the car, the way the steering wheel feel just beyond any car in this class. Maybe my Alpina B7 has better dynamic feel when driving, but not as quality as the way the s550 delivery. You may not love or even like the S550, but you certainly can't find much drawback in it. HOWEVER, make sure the car is loaded. Options make a huge differences in the new S550.

The Lexus LS460 has very different approach, also like others say, it's outdated in 2016 market. But in my experience with all different cars, I actually find myself not that interested in new gadgets hype in any car, they just wouldn't last thru out the ownership. I always care about how the driving feel lasts, how good to be sitting in one, etc. LS460 is like a ugly child compare to S550, I'm guessing you will be able to find LS460 has more and more goodies to be appreciated as time passing by.

S550 is very sharp, it gives you all the hype at the beginning, you got interior lighting, all adjustable seats, LED screen and command system for each individual in the car, etc. but eventually it will go away or settle down (it's sort of same thing). That's how it is. That's where I'm at right now after 8 months.

I do wanna give LS460 a try tho because I'm very happy with my wife's LX570, it never asks for attention, and it's the best kid in my garage, always helping us to do whatever we wanna do instead of asking for help like fixing this repair that, etc. I guess that's how a transportation has to be.

dlbuckls10

The MB S550 is definitely a superior automobile and always have been. Its craftsmanship is remarkable, superior handling and incredible performance. Just sitting inside the S550 speaks for itself. The LS can't compete and wasn't designed to compete with the S-class . With a starting price of 95 grand a person should expect more out the S550 . The S550 is a vehicle I would lease because once the warranty and newness wears off is become a money pit like all the previous S-class and it depreciates quickly. No one vehicle is the best or perfect is just a matter of personal opinions. Its all about reliability for me and Lexus is known for that. I purchased a brand new Honda Accord 15 years ago and its still runs like a new one. I hope I can say the same about my LS. The S550 want stand a chance and if so you're probably have over $30,000 in repairs.

AustinHusk

I guess I'm more confused now: If the S550 is so much more superior (as lamborrai and dlbuckls10 say) then how come the resale value (depreciation) is so bad on the S550?

lamborarri

That's just the way Merc runs their sales. Every time Merc upgrade a model, the previous gen. immediately look like ****t as comparison. The newer ones always much much better in general, of course not all, but I would say 90% of their cars. Plus, options are expensive in Merc, but when you resell it, options don't really count at all.
I'm not sure other ppl, but me and friends around me, we typically don't keep any AMG long, once new ones out, we just keep upgrading it.
When it comes to Lexus, I have less experience, but I got a 15 LX570 for my wife last year, and new model came out, let's be honest, that's not enough change or upgrade for me to even consider it.

Nospinzone

I think primarily two factors. The expensive options on the new car are worth only a small fraction of their original cost on a used car. Go through the "Appraise my car" section on Edmunds and you'll see how little options are worth.

The other factor is the car's "much worse than average" reliability rating by Consumer Reports.

LexRuger

My opinion is because the general public knows that once a German car is out of warranty. It will be expensive to maintain. So dealers have to make it more attractive in the used car market.

roadfrog

this.

When I traded my 7 series BMW in, they really didn't want it and preferred I sell it privately. Same with my wife's X5. The dealers know.

dlbuckls10

I believe it. What a shame.

lamborarri

Same story happened to me last year. I have 2011 Alpina B7 with 30k miles, wanted to trade in for an i8. My sales told me they could only give me $33k for the trade when the original price was $137k. He even felt sorry because people scare of buying used cars that expensive and about to be out of warranty, plus we are not in Hollywood, they don't even know how to resale it. LOL so I had to drive it till the wheels fall off, plus I love my B7 anyways, will buy again when next one out tho

roadfrog

B7 is a beast....VERY nice car. I almost bought one, but had my wife kick me in the junk instead.

Stereorob

beacause german cars deteriorate quickly after about 5 years and repair costs that will break you

dlbuckls10

Mercedes Benz have been around over 100 years and this so called "world class" automobile company and a leader in innovations needs a refresher course from Honda and Toyota in building vehicles that are reliable, dependable, and requiring little maintenance. MB and BMW depreciate and deteriorate and become junk after a few years. The S550 and 7-series are troublesome and costing three times a much as the Accord or Camry. The Accords and Camrys seems to last for ever.

CRowe14

**Trying to see the keys clearly through tears**
Im sorry, did no one find this s hilarious as I did...
Chris, your nuts!

roadfrog

[QUOTE=CRowe14;9354946Chris, your nuts![/QUOTE]

Well, I called it my "junk", you got away with calling them, "nuts".

sydtoosic

funny i ran across this thread... i have been eyeing the 08 - 2010, S550. it is a sexy car, i will not give up the 460 for one. materials in the S550 are definitely not cheap. 550 is a lot more expensive for no apparent reason. entirely too much going on with that car... my 460 reminds me of my iPhone... smooth and simple.