2018 S Class Please Stop Comparing the LS
08-04-17, 09:15 AM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
What's hilarious is I went on cars.com and brought up a 2015, and it was $63k used? I woulda thought maybe that's only 10k less than brand new. If you told me an Audi A8L is in the 80's, I would believe you. A Lexus doesn't seem to belong in that price range, but that's perception....
08-04-17, 09:16 AM
#32
Super Moderator
The current much cheaper S class version of Maybach are more like executive limos to me ...
08-04-17, 11:57 AM
#33
Pole Position
S-class is probably pound for pound best car in it's class but I do agree with few posters here its overhyped. It's not all that, it's an S-class like the one before. Sure you can opt for crazy Designo white wood and what not but in usual package it's an S-class. Don't get me wrong that's not a bad thing at all but it's not a spaceship as many believe it is. Screen integration is pretty cheap and dash design is how snob imagines modern luxury interior, it's grandiose but it doesn't evoke any emotion in me besides admiration for build quality. Seats on the other hand excite me a lot more than anything else inside the car, MB like Lexus knows how to design their seats. Aesthetically its like oldschool Bauhaus Ritter meets '10s technology and somehow they can't gel right. But again that's nitpicking on my side.
BMW and Audi really have nothing on S-class. They want to play contemporary techno theme, one business executive oriented and one the usual alternative subdued elegance but they can't capture that flagship panache just yet. Audi is close but BMW is so far off. That's why Lexus got so successful because they were available to replicate that flagship feeling and with the newest LS they have nailed the presence.
08-04-17, 12:09 PM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
The XJ is a gorgeous car I agree. What held it back for me was the firmer, louder ride and the technology which was horrible. Now they have their updated system which is much better, not sure if the XJ has that since it's so old.
If the XJ had the new tech when I was shopping I may have gotten that. Leasewise it was as good a deal as the LS.
If the XJ had the new tech when I was shopping I may have gotten that. Leasewise it was as good a deal as the LS.
08-04-17, 12:36 PM
#35
Racer
Thread Starter
I think XJ has the flagship limo design nailed right on. Its the most exquisite out of bunch. It's flows just right, it looks like a driver's car unlike S-class.
S-class is probably pound for pound best car in it's class but I do agree with few posters here its overhyped. It's not all that, it's an S-class like the one before. Sure you can opt for crazy Designo white wood and what not but in usual package it's an S-class. Don't get me wrong that's not a bad thing at all but it's not a spaceship as many believe it is. Screen integration is pretty cheap and dash design is how snob imagines modern luxury interior, it's grandiose but it doesn't evoke any emotion in me besides admiration for build quality. Seats on the other hand excite me a lot more than anything else inside the car, MB like Lexus knows how to design their seats. Aesthetically its like oldschool Bauhaus Ritter meets '10s technology and somehow they can't gel right. But again that's nitpicking on my side.
BMW and Audi really have nothing on S-class. They want to play contemporary techno theme, one business executive oriented and one the usual alternative subdued elegance but they can't capture that flagship panache just yet. Audi is close but BMW is so far off. That's why Lexus got so successful because they were available to replicate that flagship feeling and with the newest LS they have nailed the presence.
S-class is probably pound for pound best car in it's class but I do agree with few posters here its overhyped. It's not all that, it's an S-class like the one before. Sure you can opt for crazy Designo white wood and what not but in usual package it's an S-class. Don't get me wrong that's not a bad thing at all but it's not a spaceship as many believe it is. Screen integration is pretty cheap and dash design is how snob imagines modern luxury interior, it's grandiose but it doesn't evoke any emotion in me besides admiration for build quality. Seats on the other hand excite me a lot more than anything else inside the car, MB like Lexus knows how to design their seats. Aesthetically its like oldschool Bauhaus Ritter meets '10s technology and somehow they can't gel right. But again that's nitpicking on my side.
BMW and Audi really have nothing on S-class. They want to play contemporary techno theme, one business executive oriented and one the usual alternative subdued elegance but they can't capture that flagship panache just yet. Audi is close but BMW is so far off. That's why Lexus got so successful because they were available to replicate that flagship feeling and with the newest LS they have nailed the presence.
08-04-17, 02:12 PM
#37
Lexus Fanatic
I actually think the XJ has the best materials and interior in the segment, outside the S Class.
Everything is stitched leather basically. Real metal chrome trim, lots of piano black materials
Everything is stitched leather basically. Real metal chrome trim, lots of piano black materials
08-04-17, 02:36 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
08-04-17, 03:37 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
08-04-17, 04:05 PM
#40
Super Moderator
Just checked, canadian S class models, don't think it will be different in the U.S., the V12's depreciation are just hilarious.
$ 200k S600 sedan residue after 4 years will be under $40k.
$ 260K S65 AMG coupe residue after 4 years will be under $40k
Find a CPO one for a taste of V12 to drive for a couple years should be worth it.
$ 200k S600 sedan residue after 4 years will be under $40k.
$ 260K S65 AMG coupe residue after 4 years will be under $40k
Find a CPO one for a taste of V12 to drive for a couple years should be worth it.
08-04-17, 04:46 PM
#42
Lexus Fanatic
In most aras, it's hard to fault the S-Class. It is indeed, as Steve puts it, one of the best Magic-Carpet rides under 200K. My only beefs with it (and I have yet to see a perfect car) 
are the complexity of the electronics (which is pretty much Run-of-the Mill in today's luxury cars) and the sheet metal/fenders/doors, which, IMO, feel tinny for the price, and clearly lack the tank-like solidness of Mercedes products of old.
are the complexity of the electronics (which is pretty much Run-of-the Mill in today's luxury cars) and the sheet metal/fenders/doors, which, IMO, feel tinny for the price, and clearly lack the tank-like solidness of Mercedes products of old.
08-04-17, 04:49 PM
#43
Lexus Fanatic
08-04-17, 07:25 PM
#44
Lexus Champion
I haven't experienced the new A8 or 7er, but compared to an LS460 the W222 just feels like a newer car, and it is. 7 years newer. There is nothing special about it beyond that.
We're sitting in different cars. It's true the better leathers make an impact even in the S550, but everything is covered in real leather in EVERY S550, dash doors all of it. Even in a fully loaded LS460 you get stitched vinyl on the doors and dash. Every switch and material is high quality. I'm a stickler for good materials, and I can't find one material in even the most basic S550 that I find objectionable. Some of the material choices are different than what Lexus uses, such as the headliner which isn't cheap but is a woven matrix material vs a soft felt material in LS460s without alcantara, but cheap? Hardly. Again, it's about being the best, best materials you can find in a sedan under $200,000 are in that car.
Yes the S-class interior has a slight edge overall over the LS460, but never did I feel it was $30k+ better inside.
But forget the LS460, like I said the W222 is 7 years newer. The LS500 design wise at least blows the W222 interior out of the water.
I also think Lexus stitching quality is the best in the industry right now.
You think people turn and look at an LS?!
Pull up to your friends in an S550 and see how they react. The prestige is there I promise you. I know how people react when I pull up in the LS...and I think of you polled people which car was more expensive overwhelmingly they would pick the S550.
Pull up to your friends in an S550 and see how they react. The prestige is there I promise you. I know how people react when I pull up in the LS...and I think of you polled people which car was more expensive overwhelmingly they would pick the S550.
A Model S Tesla, now that's a car with merit-based prestige, and I bet people would be more impressed with that than any S-class.
You mean the fate of overwhelmingly being the best selling luxury sedan in the world and being untouchable by their competition despite costing tens of thousands of dollars more on average? I think MB will accept that fate lol.
You say the press fawns all over the car. I've probably driven 5 of them, and I can't see one thing I've read from the press that I didn't also find to be true about the car. I'm not an S Class fan overall either, the previous generation didn't appeal to me at all.
I'm sure the new LS500 will improve upon the 460 in many ways, material quality will get better, will it's demeanor be smoother and quieter or edgier and sportier? We'll see. It's not going to touch the S Class for prestige though.
I'm sure the new LS500 will improve upon the 460 in many ways, material quality will get better, will it's demeanor be smoother and quieter or edgier and sportier? We'll see. It's not going to touch the S Class for prestige though.
As an aside, people talk about the A8. The A8 doesn't belong among these cars in the US market. Its sales have always been dismal and it's FWD based. People only include it because it's German.
This segment in the USA has always firmly been S-class/LS/7Series. It has never been S-class/7series/A8.
Last edited by Mr. Burns; 08-04-17 at 07:36 PM.
08-04-17, 08:38 PM
#45
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
I also think Lexus stitching quality is the best in the industry right now.
The prestige is not merit based, it's based on the the big Mercedes grill, star, and S-class nameplate. Put all of these on an LS460 and you will garner the same prestige. Not that an LS lacks for prestige.
A Model S Tesla, now that's a car with merit-based prestige, and I bet people would be more impressed with that than any S-class.
I have no doubt as far as merit is concerned the LS500 will easily approach and in many areas exceed the W222. It will also be the more desirable car in the long term.