I can't speak to what you are buying...but when I built an LS460L with everything but the rear seat executive package, and I went to MBUSA.com and built the S550 and made sure to pick everything that corresponded to what the LS had I come up with $115,415...your MSRP is $108,745 something is missing, my guess is the Burmeister audio. The LS has the ML Reference Surround.

I mean...we pretty much know what kinds of discounts are available on these cars. 10% is very common, thats $10k. It would have been more than $4,500...I got more than that off my $60k GS.

You are getting a better car that costs approximately 11-14% more than an LS460L. I'm not debating its a better car, its just that you keep saying "its practically the same cost" and thats just not the case.

Nice!

 

haha come on now, 110k is expensive to a lot of people (including me), but there are still plenty of people who think 110k is nothing

you have no idea how a lot of people around me (even close to me) can't understand or justify how a 60-70k ls460 is good value either. what i am saying is everything is relative. while i also don't think it's material difference between the ls460l (i will never put ls460 price in the picture) and s550, i can see how some think 10-13% difference as not much

both bmw and mb learned their dear lesson with the e65 and w220. they were slammed hugely regarding the build quality, materials, and also the ever unpredictable electronic malfunction.

that's also partly how and why bmw and mb have invested a lot in their quality and electronic improvements in their next generations, that's why the f01 and w221 have both been pretty solid since the beginning.

i do have to give praise to lexus on the ls460. all new, very different, debut in 07 and i don't think we have seen many big problems

 

The Burmester audio is a standard feature. I listened to it and it sounds fantastic. I did not see a need to order the 3D Burmester for an additional $6,400K.

I agree that I would have gotten a larger discount on the LS. So, with that thought, I am probably paying closer to $10K more for the S.

 

This is definitely true lol

I wish the LS460 was still $60-70k LOL. Remember, the absolute base RWD LS is $73k now. Yikes!

I was watching a thing online yesterday about the new Tahoe....loaded LTZ...$71k. For a Tahoe?!?!? Not an Escalade....a Tahoe!! The world is nuts.

I will cede that, BUT the point is the difference is 10-13%, not a couple thousand bucks.

 

Romin, what do you drive these days. I seem to remember that you defected from the LS to Mercedes a few years ago.

 

Good luck with the new Mercedes........................................... the 2000 ML430 I bought new in 2000 was the worst vehicle I've ever owned. $16,000.00 in warranty work in the first 4 years of ownership. Just my 2 cents.

 

Yes but that was then and this is now. The reliability of the S550 has improved tremendously since the early 2000's.

 

Yeah 2000 was 14 years ago...a lot changes in 14 years

 

we sold the ls460l coz' we felt the car was a bit too isolated and wanted something more exciting, as in m3 kind of exciting

but after the m3, we went back to the s550 (w221) for a year before my nsx now.

simply put, i think the ls460l is a more isolated car, but the s550 is a lot more fun and better connected. both my wife and i loved driving the s550 more than the ls460l. the '14 ls460l is greatly improved in the driving side though, but still no match to our s550 imho.

that's partially why i really look forward to your experience and opinions on the w222. i am very very afraid of going for a test drive in the new s550....

 

Ok, now I'm confused. I thought the NSX is a concept sports car that will be available in 2015. Btw, it looks incredibly futuristic.

 

Well by my math, it was 12 years ago, but I presume your point would still stand. However, let me just say that these problems continued well into the 2008 model year. Also, the latest rendition of the 7 (F01) DOES suffer similar issues.

You say to look at the latest 7 series (F01) and that no such problems exist. LOL. At Bimmerfest On page 1 alone of the 2012-1014 F01 (7 series) forum, is an engine that needs replacement at 6k miles, another member that needs a new connecting rod, another that needs his/her fuel injection system replaced, another that needs a new cooling system (fan and radiator), another that has major electrical problems of some type, and another that has the dreaded carbon build-up issue in the heads. Word is the valve stem issue may still be lurking as well....again ON PAGE ONE! LOL. Also, these issues are found in other models. Mine had 2 of the worst above problems (valve stem/severe blue smoke, carbon build up in the heads).

You say that the F01 is not important to BMW (or words to that effect), but it is their flagship. I beg to differ. Besides, the issues extend to other models that share the N62. My friend's 3 series is also rampant with issues. My wife's E53 (X5) has had similar problems and are looking at trading in for something else.

Consumer reports lists the 7 series as one of the worst cars to buy. Time magazine compiled a list of the 50 worst cars in history.....a list that the 7 series made along with the Edsel, the Pinto and the Pacer.

 

Honda made the NSX for many years, but discontinued it several years ago. They plan to bring the name plate back.

Back on topic, nobody is attacking the S550. From a features standpoint it is IMHO a significantly better car than the LS. However, in an apples to bananas comparison, it is a significantly more expensive car.

 

But we're not talking about the 7 Series lol, we're talking about the S Class. Because the BMW 7 Series was a disaster 12 years ago doesn't mean the Mercedes S550 will be today.

 

Go back and read my first post.....You completely missed my point about first year releases, but regardless....

Over and out.

 

No, I understand your point I just don't agree that anything that happens at BMW...or Porsche...or Jaguar or whoever else should have any bearing on what someone should expect from Mercedes. Look at Mercedes' history to determine that.

Just because BMW and Mercedes come from the same country doesn't mean the two have any relevance to each other.