Why does an S class intimidate so many people?
#16
Racer
hmm I'm definitely not intimidate because I have own 3. I really don't see the car as a status symbol. I actually receive more attention when I own a Maserati.
In the DC area they are dime or dozen.
In the DC area they are dime or dozen.
#17
I say you buy what you like and dont put to much stock into what others will think. My childhood friends dream car was an S500....when we approached our 30s, he realized he would probably have to wait another 5 or 8 years to comfortably afford a new one, so he jumped on his dream car and bought a 2015. Status didnt matter much to him, he just loved the big body design and it's always been his passion.
#18
Lexus Fanatic
I'm not worried about what people on the street think of it, like you said they're a dime a dozen and even if they weren't, I don't care.
My situation is a little bit different than that of just any ordinary buyer as my vehicle is a business tool. I'm in real estate sales & management. I don't work in the luxury market either, my business is largely $300-$800k houses, and my clients by and large have less income than I do. Theres an old saying, people want to do business with people who are successful, but not who are a lot more successful than they are. If I'm driving an S Class and my clients are driving Hondas, theres a disconnect there. Theres still a disconnect with the LS obviously but its not nearly as ostentatious, and being a car person who spends a lot of time in my car and get a lot of enjoyment out of my car there are limits to how much I'm going to let my concern over this dictate what I drive.
If I sold 7 figure houses all day long I wouldn't worry about driving an S Class at all.
This is a common concern with salespeople. My Dad for instance was in the commercial printing paper business and he did a lot of business with unions, supplying paper for their annual reports, etc. He resisted getting an LS400 for 8 years because he was concerned with how those customers would react to him driving a foreign made car. Even when he had it, when he would meet them for golf or something he would drive our Explorer instead of the LS. He also never moved on from the LS to an S Class because he was concerned it would make it look like he made a lot of money to his customers.
Thats the great thing about the LS though, people never look at it and raise their eyebrows. We saw this first hand when my partner had a C Class Mercedes and traded it on a GS, people used to make snide comments to him all the time about the C Class, but nobody ever said anything about the GS, despite it being more expensive.
My situation is a little bit different than that of just any ordinary buyer as my vehicle is a business tool. I'm in real estate sales & management. I don't work in the luxury market either, my business is largely $300-$800k houses, and my clients by and large have less income than I do. Theres an old saying, people want to do business with people who are successful, but not who are a lot more successful than they are. If I'm driving an S Class and my clients are driving Hondas, theres a disconnect there. Theres still a disconnect with the LS obviously but its not nearly as ostentatious, and being a car person who spends a lot of time in my car and get a lot of enjoyment out of my car there are limits to how much I'm going to let my concern over this dictate what I drive.
If I sold 7 figure houses all day long I wouldn't worry about driving an S Class at all.
This is a common concern with salespeople. My Dad for instance was in the commercial printing paper business and he did a lot of business with unions, supplying paper for their annual reports, etc. He resisted getting an LS400 for 8 years because he was concerned with how those customers would react to him driving a foreign made car. Even when he had it, when he would meet them for golf or something he would drive our Explorer instead of the LS. He also never moved on from the LS to an S Class because he was concerned it would make it look like he made a lot of money to his customers.
Thats the great thing about the LS though, people never look at it and raise their eyebrows. We saw this first hand when my partner had a C Class Mercedes and traded it on a GS, people used to make snide comments to him all the time about the C Class, but nobody ever said anything about the GS, despite it being more expensive.
#19
Back in Asia, Taiwan specifically, owning a MBZ (usually black S-class has this designation) typically means you're involved or directly affiliated with one of the local mafias. It is highly unlikely that people will openly attack you thinking that you're a rival member, but I don't think you buy this expensive car and want to have to live with being targeted like that.
Other than that, I have ZERO quirks about owning a S-class if I can afford it...
Other than that, I have ZERO quirks about owning a S-class if I can afford it...
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Status symbol? Cars are not such anymore, they can be leased. Pretty sure anybody here could lease a car for $3500/mo. if they decided they really wanted to, but without the rest of the lifestyle, if anything, they'd have less status than the guy with a Camry and 2 kids in an Ivy League school.
#21
Lexus Fanatic
IMO the S-class kind of says "I own the company" A large, successful company. I don't work for the man, I am the man.
I can see why people who can afford one might not want to project that image. Same thing back in the day, lots of well off people could afford a Cadillac but drove an Olds 98 or Buick.
Still I don't think driving an S-class is gauche, vulgar or in bad taste. That title belongs to people rolling around in late model Bentleys or Rolls Royce. I know a Ferrari or Lambo costs about the same, but those are more enthusiast cars, they are a ton of fun to drive. Rolls or Bentley are more sort of **** you I just wasted $300,000 on this piece of junk status symbol.
I can see why people who can afford one might not want to project that image. Same thing back in the day, lots of well off people could afford a Cadillac but drove an Olds 98 or Buick.
Still I don't think driving an S-class is gauche, vulgar or in bad taste. That title belongs to people rolling around in late model Bentleys or Rolls Royce. I know a Ferrari or Lambo costs about the same, but those are more enthusiast cars, they are a ton of fun to drive. Rolls or Bentley are more sort of **** you I just wasted $300,000 on this piece of junk status symbol.
#22
Lexus Fanatic
Right...and in lots of cases they're the ones who have the car taken from them. Because they actually couldn't afford it. IMO you are judging a book by the cover because you're only concerned with actions and you'll be wrong exponentially more times than you're right because most people make horrendous financial decisions with material things. Again- Warren Buffett could live in the most expensive house in the world. He chooses not to (his house is valued at $700k). Using your logic, there's no explanation for that. A person in a $1 million house would appear wealthier to you than Buffett because they bought the more expensive house.
Hoping we can stay on topic with the original question.
Hoping we can stay on topic with the original question.
#23
The S Class is a model with a tremendous reputation for both quality & price.
Generally must be well off to lease or own one.
People on a low or average income cannot "comfortably" lease/own S Class.
Some people buy cars for themselves, though many buy to impress others.
I haven't bought the S Class due to avoiding: personal loose fit for my 5'10" frame, bulky maneuverability, handling, reliability, and of course - my clients perception that I'm ripping them off.
Generally must be well off to lease or own one.
People on a low or average income cannot "comfortably" lease/own S Class.
Some people buy cars for themselves, though many buy to impress others.
I haven't bought the S Class due to avoiding: personal loose fit for my 5'10" frame, bulky maneuverability, handling, reliability, and of course - my clients perception that I'm ripping them off.
#24
I would echo steve's comment. I had an architect come to evaluate for a whole house remodel on my 3rd house. He came in a M6. I got to my house in my wife's toyota sienna. We both thought his commission/ pay is on the high side... Maybe we are prejudiced on the spot when he arrives...
On the other hand, i did briefly considered an S class but ended up in an LS. Main reason was i am not handy at all and reliability is paramount for me. I also considered the obnoxious factor.. but that was just what i felt..
On the other hand, i did briefly considered an S class but ended up in an LS. Main reason was i am not handy at all and reliability is paramount for me. I also considered the obnoxious factor.. but that was just what i felt..
#25
Lexus Fanatic
remember my bro's friend's older brother gets a S550 co. car, and he calls it a piece of garbage. What could elicit such an opinion when you don't even pay for such a fine car? Being stranded multiple times, really. Nothing else, it's beautiful.
Our boss' dad got one when they first came out (this was Jan '14) and the car was doa, and it had to go back with under 100 miles.
I'm resolved to get one, not the latest but the W221. I just need to best understand what I can DIY, and sort of have some knowledge. I love the price used. Like a heater problem that is common, not a big deal, $80 with a OE part, less online.
I just saw the video of the new A8L (Doug D). It shows you how Japanese are always an entire generation behind, the LS500 can't even come close. But reliability is the price to be paid...
Our boss' dad got one when they first came out (this was Jan '14) and the car was doa, and it had to go back with under 100 miles.
I'm resolved to get one, not the latest but the W221. I just need to best understand what I can DIY, and sort of have some knowledge. I love the price used. Like a heater problem that is common, not a big deal, $80 with a OE part, less online.
I just saw the video of the new A8L (Doug D). It shows you how Japanese are always an entire generation behind, the LS500 can't even come close. But reliability is the price to be paid...
The S class is my favorite flagship now, I would have no problem owning the current one if it was reliable and not too expensive with upkeep but I doubt that would be the case. I never really cared much for previous S classes, they were nice but there were other big sedans I liked as much or more, the new though is very nice both inside and out.
I have never bought a car to impress anyone but myself, I am only interested in what I like and what fits my wants, I just don't care what others think so whether it is a S class, G90, old or new NSX, used Supra turbo, Bentley Conti GT, used LS/GS, old 8 series coupe, Infiniti cars, used CL65, etc I am just interested in cars I like and of course can afford/afford to own.
Last edited by UDel; 07-20-18 at 09:49 AM.
#26
Super Moderator
Back in Asia, Taiwan specifically, owning a MBZ (usually black S-class has this designation) typically means you're involved or directly affiliated with one of the local mafias. It is highly unlikely that people will openly attack you thinking that you're a rival member, but I don't think you buy this expensive car and want to have to live with being targeted like that.
Other than that, I have ZERO quirks about owning a S-class if I can afford it...
Other than that, I have ZERO quirks about owning a S-class if I can afford it...
As you exit the airport terminal, you can usually find about half a dozen of them waiting outside,
In Europe, where the most commonly seen Mercedes taxi is the E class, don't be surprised if you randomly call a taxi and a S class shows up, happened to me before ( and the BMW 7 also ) .
I don't really see the S class, especially the sedan, as that ostentatious, of course, that depends on the city to some extent.
Last edited by Gojirra99; 07-20-18 at 09:51 AM.
#27
Lexus Fanatic
I am glad Lexus and other makers have taken some mercy on owners and still fitted them with some physical buttons and not put just about every single function in some awful touchscreen like the new A8 and Panamera. Demuro has also criticized cars that have everything, especially seat heaters touchscreen. I used to love the A8, it was my favorite flagship but the new one does absolutely nothing for me, looks plain and dull inside and out, gives the feel of just a big Passat.
The S class is my favorite flagship now, I would have no problem owning the current one if it was reliable and not too expensive with upkeep but I doubt that would be the case. I never really cared much for previous S classes, they were nice but there were other big sedans I liked as much or more, the new though is very nice both inside and out.
I have never bought a car to impress anyone but myself, I am only interested in what I like and what fits my wants, I just don't care what others think so whether it is a S class, G90, old or new NSX, used Supra turbo, Bentley Conti GT, used LS/GS, old 8 series coupe, Infiniti cars, used CL65, etc I am just interested in cars I like and of course can afford/afford to own.
The S class is my favorite flagship now, I would have no problem owning the current one if it was reliable and not too expensive with upkeep but I doubt that would be the case. I never really cared much for previous S classes, they were nice but there were other big sedans I liked as much or more, the new though is very nice both inside and out.
I have never bought a car to impress anyone but myself, I am only interested in what I like and what fits my wants, I just don't care what others think so whether it is a S class, G90, old or new NSX, used Supra turbo, Bentley Conti GT, used LS/GS, old 8 series coupe, Infiniti cars, used CL65, etc I am just interested in cars I like and of course can afford/afford to own.
But I have to admit that A8L is impressive except for the V6, that's not adequate imho...need the 8 cyl
#28
Lexus Test Driver
In NY - Sclass is very common and nothing special.
Even Bentleys are everywhere now especially the new SUV.
Rolls Royce is the only cars that really will make you notice.
Most realtors that have shown me houses drive Sclass, 7series, Porsche Cayenne, or Range Rover.
This is in Long Island....
Even Bentleys are everywhere now especially the new SUV.
Rolls Royce is the only cars that really will make you notice.
Most realtors that have shown me houses drive Sclass, 7series, Porsche Cayenne, or Range Rover.
This is in Long Island....
Last edited by RNM GS3; 07-20-18 at 10:03 AM.
#29
Pole Position
Thread Starter
I have enjoyed reading everyone's responses. I think the S class is hands-down the best looking large sedan and if I put reliability concerns aside (meaning I bought new or bought CPO with great coverage), I'm still not sure I would pull the trigger on it and I can't put my finger on exactly why.
#30
Lexus Fanatic
In NY - Sclass is very common and nothing special.
Even Bentleys are everywhere now especially the new SUV.
Rolls Royce is the only cars that really will make you notice.
Most realtors that have shown me houses drive Sclass, 7series, Porsche Cayenne, or Range Rover.
This is in Long Island....
Even Bentleys are everywhere now especially the new SUV.
Rolls Royce is the only cars that really will make you notice.
Most realtors that have shown me houses drive Sclass, 7series, Porsche Cayenne, or Range Rover.
This is in Long Island....