satiger

iTrader: (1)

Yesterday took my daughter to a soccer game. Right behind me some one was parking a Benz, front facing my car's back. Just glanced the front classic look of MB from the rear view mirror and decided to check the model. Went around and saw "S550 4Matic"!. Just peeped inside, seats were gorgeous - two tone and looked very nice.

LS is to stand apart from rest of the Lexus models, Lexus at least have to make LS distinct from ES. I was hoping 2016/2017 models will come closer to MB's exterior design - looks like that's not going to happen. Lexus is taking LS and other lines to more sportier front look grill design - which is not of my taste.

Even though initial price difference between these models are high, S550 seems to drop in value faster than LS ( may be for the obvious reason). Did a quick price scanning on 2013 S550 - many can be found at around $45k with 15-25k miles. 2013 LS also in the same range with some variants for 'options' on both models. As many pointed, it seems like original buyers of S series won't keep the car past factory warranty.

I have to agree with what howie954 said, MB gets more attention than Lexus. One of these weekends I will test drive S550 and will report back .

SW17LS

Why would we want that? We want Lexus to have its own exterior design, not simply create something that is "close to MB's exterior design". The new LF-FC concept is in line with Lexus' new design direction which is as it should be.

If somebody wants something that looks like an S550, they should buy an S550.

RayLS

+1.
I think the 08 LS body style looks a lot better than the new S class.

lexus600hl

2013 s550 is old body style. I am not in the immediate market but the new body style 2014 s550, with about 20 k miles, I think are going for around $75k +/-. Some wanted $80k. I have been watching for the 2014 S63. They are at about $105k. As a percentage, S550 is well in line with LS 460l. A while ago, I saw a 2013 Lexus 600hl.. maybe 30k miles - in the $70s, I think. They are very rare cars. As someone wrote, lexus does not sell too many of the LS 600s.

I am not in the market for any now anyway.. but I just watch prices..

I didn't think the $20 to $25k price difference between the2014 S550 and the S63 was worth it.. Otherwise, the S63 is truly an amazing car.. If I needed a car, I would buy a 2014 S63 with 15k miles for $105 to $110 range, than buy a 2015/16 S550 new for $120. Like the LS600hl for lexus family, the S63 is in a league of its own, for the S class. Both are very good cars of course.. I think S63 lists for around $160k.. I would never spend that much on S class.

orys

Until 6 months ago, I owned a 2010 S63. I ran away from it when it hit 70k miles - everything started to fall apart and I got really scared. What is the point of building a 150k car that falls apart after 4-5 years? It's a joke.

Rhambler

I have a friend who owns an S550, black on black. It's very nice. Love the massaging front seats, but man, even basic maintenance is a ton. He didn't buy the Mercedes prepaid service (mistake imo) and I couldn't believe the bill for an oil change. Wow.

He actually hasn't had too many problems, aside from some electrical gremlins that were handled under warranty, but it's also not that old. Frankly, it's not as "floaty" as our LS and seems to corner better, but I prefer the LS ride more overall. It's stiff, but still refined. But, I think our LS dampens outside noise better, especially road bumps and grooves versus his car.

There are ton of gadgets, more so than our car that's for sure, but watch out if something goes wrong.

I guess if you are THAT rich, it probably doesn't matter, but I can't imagine the cost of something breaking down after the warranty expires. He probably won't care, though, as I'm sure he'll just move on prior to that happening.

lexus600hl

Did you buy the S63 new? The reason I ask is - it might have bad history - flood damage etc.. If you bought it new.. Can you please comment on the types of problems? I have had an S class, bought new in 2000. Used it for 3 years.. Apart from navigation problem, at delivery, it was perfect for 60k miles. At that time, all service was free..
If I were to buy another S class, I would buy it only used.. like a 2013 S63.. but I would make sure that it is CPO to 100k

Duck05

Seems to be the same stories over and over again when discussions about Lexus versus MB or BMW cars arise.

Feature wise the platforms are similar; "performance" often goes to the BMW and sometimes the MB depending on model.

Price wise, the Lexus platforms always appear to win out. Especially new prices; eventually the MB and BMW resale values drop below a similar year Lexus.

Maintenance/reliability always goes to Lexus - just look year after year at Consumer Reports annual April issue.

For those lucky enough to be either "price not a factor" or the "lease and replace" crowd getting a new MB or BMW every 3 years is a waste to compare with those of us that keep the Lexus forever.

Fun to read about. We enjoy all 3 of our Lexus platforms and see no need to go after a MB or BMW...

Rhambler

Yeah I agree. A Lexus is a nice, comfortable luxury cruiser that you can actually keep, for a long time.

That factor weighed very heavily on my decision.

I honestly wouldn't ever consider owning a Mercedes or BMW past five years, as I've been there and done that.

Just ludicrous on repair costs and something always comes up when those cars get slightly long in the tooth. Window regulators at $500 a piece, check. Both front windows failing within a year of each other, check. Back windows probably next, check. Fuel pumps, EGR problems, random check engine lights, $2000 brake jobs and on and on.

That is not to say they nice as they are, but I guess it depends heavily on your priorities, patience, tolerance for repeated dealership visits and checkbook.

dlbuckls10

I've owned two MB, '90 560 and '03 S500. I loved the 560 and I had it almost 10 years without many problems but expensive for repairs. I decided to upgrade to the '03 MB and what a mechanical nightmare. I had a warranty but that thing was in the shop all the time. Constant suspension and electrical issues, sensors, relays, instrument cluster, radio, gps, power seats, power windows, all failing and warning lights on all the time. I was sick of paying deductibles. The '03 MB was designed to fail and full of gremlins . If I was offered a free 2015 MB or 2007 LS 460, I would take the Lexus. My LS 460 haven't been perfect and I've had some problems, but they were small compared with the S500. The 460 is the best vehicle I've ever owned and its a pleasure to drive. No complaints with my 460.

closed

I just chose a '10 LS over a '10 S550 - purely for reliability.

Kennyr44

My buddy and his partner started Passtime, Google it. They are very successful and each lease 2 high end cars every 2 years, one SUV and one Jag or whatever. One time his partner got a BMW 7 series. That thing was in the shop more than his garage. He could not wait to get rid of it. He called it the biggest piece of crap he ever owned. They currently have a pair of Aston Martins.

lexus600hl

I have owned many LS cars, since my first one in 1989. Of course they are reliable.
The common problem for them seems to be front end suspension - the arms etc.. I leased most of them and kept my first for 245,000 miles - even at that mileage, the engine oil was like brand new after 3000 miles.
Even the newer cars, some of them, seem to have the same suspension problem - someone here figured out how to get that repaired cheap, by replacing the bushings.. There is a thread out here.
Lexus should be ashamed, with its mark levinison amp problem - they should have been offering free 10 year replacement.. It failed in 2 or 3 of my cars.
I did hear some horror stories about the BMW 7. I don't know how prevalent it is. I would not buy the 7, not just for that reason but also its styling (or lack there of).
Currently, I have a 5 series BMW, which has been as reliable as the lexus. Not a single problem at 30k miles, 2 years old.
I have 2 jaguars, two years old - again as reliable or probably more reliable than the Lexus - so far - about 3 years old and around 30k miles each.
2000 generation S class had terrible rust issue.. MB should have been ashamed!

Over all, with the exception (maybe) of the Bmw 7, cars seem to be generally very reliable.
I will no longer buy the LS - I dislike its current styling, including the spindle grille. If others like it, great but not for me. So, I stopped buying LS. Currently, I have a 2008 LS 600 hl, which has 90k miles. Absolutely trouble free.

My personal preference today is - #1 choice S class, #2 choice Jaguar XJL - mainly due to styling.

The feel of drive is an individual preference of course. Each is good in its own way. Recently, I drove a rental cadillac. It was as nice as a Lexus. The Lincoln was not as good (too floaty for me).

You can't go wrong with any of these high end luxury cars - I would make sure that I have either CPO or new car extended warranty. I bought new car extended warranty for both Jaguars but they have not needed service, till now! The Jaguar's and the BMW's 15,000 mile oil change interval seems nice but seems excessive.

Nospinzone

It is funny when the customer paid for service it was every 5000 miles. Now that they include it during the warranty period, "oh bring it in every other year".

lexus600hl

For my first LS 400 in 1989, it was every 3000 miles! Really! For my 2000 S class, they would do the oil change only if the light went on. I took it at 10k miles and they said, they would do it only if I paid for it.. Otherwise, all service was free for 50k. Mercedes ended up losing several engines because of that "light" policy.. Some cars, the light would not go on for 18k miles and some times it ended up being too late.
You are absolutely correct.. if we are paying for it, it is not usually 15k miles..