Why would you buy a Merc if doesn't even play DVDs?...

Not that bad....try telling that to my friend who had a 2000 eclass....it cost thoudands in repairs. He traded it in on a brand new eclass. It was in the shop for various every month the first 6 months he had it. I have heard horror story after horror story. Sometimes, you get lucky and get one that's okay...for a while. Mostly, they're a piece of.....
Not me, I learned from previous experiences. I still love benzes but I will never own one again....until the reliability issues are resolved.

^^ Here's another horror story: My father in-law has a S-550 and a couple of months ago it spent 1 month in the shop because of electrical problems. It was a no-brainer for me when the LS-460 came out.

Decision Made...
 

Thank you all for your posts.

I made a decision and closed on a 36 month lease for a BLK/BLK LS - SWB with the Mark Levinson, Self parking and Comfort Plus. Will be delivered next week.

As many of you pointed out, either decision was a good decision - both are great cars and on either one I had to compromise something. In the end, I valued more proven reliability and my wish to have real time Navigation.

I have owned the LS400 and am turning in an LS430. Both cars were perfect.
The one item that almost made me go S550 is that their NAV works when the car moves. Hopefully someone will crack the LS '07 lock soon.

Congratulations, & nice color combination :) :thumbup:

Steve asked earlier how I manage to buy a standard wheel base 460 and run the price up to $90,000 drive out when the base sticker is $61000. It even amazes me that I ran the base price up 50%. Here is how it was done. My options included the large Nav pkg for $6345, the advance parking guidance system for $500, the power closers for $395, dynamic radar cruise control for $2850, comfort plus pkg for $3620, preferred accessory pkg for $227, and I was force to add the near useless lexus link for $900 due to the other accessories. Total accessories were $14837 plus $715 destination charge for a total window sticker of $76552.

I like the 5 spoke wheels that Lexus pictures in many of it promotional pictures, but apparently is not producing since the touring sedan has been delayed or cancelled. My dealer is producing a similar wheel through the super wheel dealer J.R.'s in Dallas ( Irving). It is produced in China and is to be available hopefully by April 15 when my car is to arrive. The retail price is $4995, but my dealer is going to "give me a deal" and charge $4500. Since this is a new 19" wheel, I think it will probably be best to get their extended warranty which covers the tire and wheels for $500. I will also take their $500 pkg in which they will remove all dings with paintless dent repair for 5 years. I will also take the 6 year, 100,000 mile warranty from Lexus for $2400. Add custom hand painted pinstripe and window tint for an additional $500. This brings it to $84,952. Add 6.25% sales tax and we are at $90,261. I will then add the newest escort radar detector with GPS and laser jamming from a local store for $1272 installed. The total is $92, 533. If I trade in my current LS there would be a sales tax savings , but it still near $90,00.

Very true. I've only taken my car to the dealer for service and a couple of other minor problems. I usually don't like to have to go to the dealer but when I'm there it's such a good experience that I come out saying when will I have to take my car back in (God forbid though). I go so rarely that almost every time I go I get the same service consultant but he forgets who I am.

Congratulations on your selection, black/black will be quite the looker IMO. I hope you enjoy your new LS! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Congrats, Maurice! My SWB ls460 is on order and should arrive in several weeks. I chose the $72K package with ML/Nav/self park, comfort plus, and power door closers. It sounds like we have the same package! What color is your car? I chose the silver exterior/black interior. I can't wait to turn in my problematic es350 and start over with a reliable ls460.

Thanks

Yes - $72,802 MSRP; Black / Black. It is being delivered on Wednesday.
Why several weeks? Custom? Hard color to get?

I was supposed to get the $67K version. When the car came in, it had some bumper damage. The dealer didn't want me to hassle with a repainted bumper, so they offered to get me another one.

I thought about it some more and opted for the $72K package. My dealer told me it would take about a month to get my package and color since the silver/black color combo was really popular and Lexus wasn't shipping enough of them. In general, the ls460 has been in short supply...especially the SWB with $72k package.

For the duration, I'm driving my es350 basically for free since Lexus Corp is buying back my es350....so I can't complain at all here! My dealer and Lexus Corp have bent over backwards to keep me as customer. I'm glad because my es350 has been my first Lexus, and the es350 has been problematic.

I totally agree with you. I think Lexus makes the best interiors in the market. No other company touches Lexus there. I remember seeing this one spy photo of the LS (which was a photoshop) and that LS was the hottest car I'd ever seen. If that was produced, it would be the best looking car, exterior and interior on the market. No one would come remotely close. I wish I had saved that pic.

The LS currently, is a good looking car. But I feel the front is too bland. Same goes for the ES. The LS's rear and side profile are very appealing. The interior, as we both agree, is easier to use and also better looking than it's peers. The front just doesn't do it for me. Put an AMG package on the S, and it takes your breath away.

It's a personal choice. I'll admit that I have always been partial to the S, but I do not dismiss the LS unlike automobile fanatics who may be biased toward one brand only. The LS is a legit competitor. Its a matter of personal preference.

To the OP, I have yet to read the entire thread, but if you haven't made a decision, best of luck. You can't go wrong. Its a matter of choosing the best combination of looks, functionality, ease of use (COMMAND?), reliability, driving preference (Lexus vs German).

Interesting, why not trade the MB in via a Lexus dealer?

really? 4y/o thread here. I'm guessing he wanted his old LS back so thats why he traded the MB back to his LS that was traded for MB...kinda back-tracked.

I got rid of my CLS500 for my LS460 and to make a long story short for you. I will never own another Mercedes Benz that is out of warranty! My Benz lived in the shop more than all the cars I owned combined. That's my 15 cents of fame. :woot: