So, as many of you may know my Lexus LS460L was hit in the back a couple weeks ago. Very minor, but the kid driving was driving a lifted Jeep Wrangler with big metal bumpers and tow hooks. The result was pretty bad, rear trunk lid is destroyed and has to be replaced, which needs to be blended into the quarter panels which basically means 1/4-1/3rd of the car has to be repainted. Its at the best shop in town, but I honestly don't know what the result is going to look like, so I have been actually shopping and running numbers where I've looked and driven things more in abstract before.

So, today I drove an S560 and an A8 60 (the V8) back to back on the same course. I had kind of decided that if I do this I was going to go for the S560, but after driving that V8 A8 right behind it...I don't know. I love the S Class, but I actually think the A8 rides better and is a little quieter, even being on 20s vs 19s on the MB. It may come down to tires, the A8 was on Pirelli P7 Plus' which I have on my Lexus and the MB is on Continental run flats which are said to be coarse and loud. The Audi is also cheaper (S560 $122k A8 60 $111k), and the interior is finished better. With Mercedes you can't get an alcantara headliner for instance without the exclusive Nappa option which very few cars have, I have that in my LS and would miss it. The A8 though however has a beautiful one. A8 is bigger in the back seat area too. I like the styling of the S560 better inside and out, I prefer the non touchscreen to touchscreens too, and the ones in the A8 get full of fingerprints but I gotta say...I think the A8 drives better. I think the A8 is a little too bland, and I don't love the FWDish large front overhang, while the S Class' proportions are perfect IMO. A8 is a handsome car though, especially in this sort of color. Being a little less flashy is not necessarily a bad thing either.

Waiting on lease numbers on the A8, but I have a deal worked out on the S560 that satisfies me. Its more money than I ever envisioned paying for a car...but you only live once I suppose. Entirely possible the A8 will be just as expensive or more to lease because of their poor residuals, but residuals on the S Class are pretty poor. Good deals on the S Class were not forthcoming, had to really work it with the opening offers being like $5k off $6k off, well..you see the sticker on the side of the A8 lol.

These are the two cars, what do you guys think?

 

If you're willing to wait a bit longer until the new S-Class comes out, greats deal can probably be had on the departing S-Class.

 

Sorry about your LS, didn't know it was hit. I don't know much about Audis and have almost no experience with them, but they do look sharp. I personally would stick with the S class just because it the S class. Did you consider a BMW 750 at all?

 

I think the lease deal I have in front of me is about as good as its going to get on an S560.

Thanks, it was a very minor 2MPH bump in a McDonalds drive through, but because if the height of the Jeep and the metal bumpers it did quite the number.

Here's a pic




I need to drive a 750, I did drive a 740 and it didnt wow me. One issue for me is the smaller infotainment screen, I'm used to a bigger screen. The V8s really have a huge impact on how these cars drive though, so I need to drive a 750.

I agree to feeling the pull of the S Class...

 

S560 or A8?
I'd do S560, and don a set of Pirelli Cinturato P7 conventional non-run flats.
Even if I was buying outright, I would still go S560 - between these two.

I wouldn't bother with the forthcoming S Class - too many glitches not yet ironed out.
After lease expires in 48 months or whatever, then I would lease the forthcoming S Class - albeit at its mid-life refresh.

 

Definitely get S560 - you will never regret it.
It has all the classic Mercedes design elements that have made it so iconic and will always look good.

New A8 is not a looker imo. The design is weird and proportions have never been its strong suit.
The interior also has some weird shapes.

If you want to be more low key - have you considered Genesis G90?
750i is also a great car and will be much cheaper to lease than S560.

 

I'd have to agree. S class is iconic and the style is classic. I still get the itch for a Mercedes every now and then. It's still the ultimate in class to me. No idea what it is like to have or own. I only know my local dealer is a little snobby. The only dealer I go to that I never get asked if I need any help. I must not look like a "Mercedes" customer LOL. At my Audi dealer, anything with a "S" on it is locked on the showroom. And no one can test drive a R8 without buying it first. My Lexus dealer and Porsche dealer are much more helpful, so they earned my business. But as I said, always kinda wanted a Mercedes

 

I think your current LS is way classier and nicer.

 

Well, from someone who just ordered something less than one-third of what those vehicles cost, my opinion might not be worth very much on a 100K+ sedan (although I have, in fact, test-driven several vehicles in that range, including an E63 and Jaguar supercharged XKR convertible). But, since you asked, here's my take:

In most cases, A8, hands-down.

Reasons? Although depreciation on an A8 is not insignificant either, the S-class is well-known for massive depreciation, even with the three-pointed-star on the grille. And, since you are only leasing it for a few years, under warranty, expense-of-repair will probably not be an issue, but, should you decide to keep it or buy it out afterwards, S-classes can become endless money-pits, with outrageous prices in the service department. You will spend a lot of money even in independent repair shops (though perhaps not quite as much), simply because of what S-class parts cost. As far as AWD goes, Audi and Subaru wrote the book on car-based systems. Audi took up where the old AMC Eagle left off in 1982 (remember my write-up on the Eagle?), and its Quattro system was one of the first to actually compete in rallies...although, lately, Audi redesigned its Quattro system from full-time split-torque AWD, like on the Subarus, to essentially an on-demand AWD system where only the two drive wheels get torque unless they start to slip and the torque is rerouted. It is tough to beat the fit/finish on Audi products, particularly in the paint job and interior materials....although Lexus probably equals the paint-gloss. Yes, Audi sedans are conservatively-designed, and generally don't change the styling much from one generation to another, but, IMO, that can be a good thing, as (also IMO) they are attractive and handsome. Last, in general, although there are some nice M-B salespersons (one of the friendliest and most affable salespersons I ever met was a M-B-rep...he was super-nice, and tossed me the key-fob to a new E63 and said take it out alone), many of the M-B sales persons I have met have been snobbish, uppity, aristocratic, and sometimes arrogant....just like many of the BMW reps used to be, until some of the competition began catching up to them.

However, if safety is paramount to you and your family (you, of course, do have two growing young children), then consider the S-class for its unmatched safety features......Mercedes and Volvo wrote the book on automotive safety, just like Audi and Subaru did with car-based AWD. The S-class is designed to protect occupants, as much as possible or feasible under the circumstances, in Autobahn accidents at triple-digit speeds.

Whatever you choose, good luck.

 

That would be my plan.

G90 is a little too low key, I will go drive a 750. Agree that the A8 has some weird design quirks and general blandness.

I appreciate that, but don't agree. The S Class has a presence about it that is a lot classier than my LS, as much as I love my LS and feel its an extremely classy car.

I haven't 100% decided to do this yet, but I am at a crossroads where I need to decide whether to keep the LS or not. 45k miles, if I'm going to keep it I need to get a warranty before 50k and then obviously buy it out. Have to see how the repair turns out too.

I wouldn't buy either of these cars out of the lease and keep them. That was always an option in the back of my mind with my Lexus vehicles, but as history has shown...I just don't do that. Depreciation is terrible with all of these cars, LS included.

And I don't know if thats really true about reliability. I know several people with older S Classes, both W222 like this one and W212 cars, and all of them have been fine. Audis parts and service aren't. cheap either. In any event, either of these is going to cost more to maintain.

I've met some really great MB Salespeople through this process. The guy I am dealing with in Germantown is probably the best car salesperson I have dealt with anywhere. Knowledgable, professional, personable, no BS. I think you have "snobs" everywhere, and you just move along to the next dealer. Anyways, I'm not buying the purchase process, it will be forgotten 20 minutes after I drive off in the car.

Thanks!

I've always wanted a Mercedes, but the only one that actually appeals to me is the S Class. Every other one when I go look at it, it just doesnt click with me.

 

Funny you said that, I don't care for a single Mercedes except the S class ever since the W140. I hate to use this term, but nothing is as "ganster" as the W140 S600. Only the E38 750iL comes close. Back in the days my parents had a brand new 2001 S500, and I used to extensively borrow it at every chance I could get.

I would pcik the current 7 series over the current S class, but I am a very biased fanboy.

 

Based on the two pics you posted, this one wins. 4Matic?

 

S class. I've been on CL for a handful of years and you've always posted favorably about the S class. I believe the main thing keeping you in an LS instead of S has just been a slight concern about the impression it may give people given your line of work.

I think you'd enjoy the A8, but I think in the back of your mind you'd regret not getting the S class. I don't think you'd give the A8 much more thought after buying the S class.

Edit: The only other vehicle I remember hearing you describe as favorably as the S class over the years is a Range Rover - would you ever consider that as a potential LS replacement? Since you lease, it may be a great option as one of the only downsides to a RR is potential reliability issues down the road. Hard to find something with more sophistication and presence at that price point than a Range Rover, IMO.

 

If you can live with the new S-Class right around the corner and having a brand new "old S-Class," get the S-Class. That would be my own personal reservation. It's still one of the most advanced (and beautiful) vehicles to ever hit the road, new S-Class around the corner or not.

It sounds like the A8 strikes your logical side (this one makes more sense to get) whereas the S-Class strikes your emotional side (but this is the one I really want).

 

Get the S class, you have always wanted one or at least liked them and now is a good time. As for the tires, I ditched the run flats in my BMW and set them aside for when I turn the car back in so that is what I would do.

As for your accident, that sucks. Same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago at a stop sign, a young girl hit me and I had to get a new bumper. Nothing big and not as bad as yours but certainly annoying.