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Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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Comments
Can anybody that has had a Lexus confirm this or compare it to a S with ABC and Airmatic. Which was the smoothest? Maybe I will go down to Lexus dealer and test the LS430.
It's available on the MBUSA.com website or you can get it from any dealer. It costs $19.00.
As for isolation. There is still some chassis noise in the Ls430. The wind brushing the side windows is louder vs. my S500. Rattles and creaks are less in the LS. Japanese engineers use a softer and quieter form of plastic /rubber for their interiors. But then again, those Lincoln Town Cars are quiet too. My point is this. A BMW 7 series or the S Class will be more exciting to drive, maybe a little more loud, a little more rough, but it'll give you more pleasure driving, makes you want to get into it, and 100+ years of German engineering is packed neatly in some of the most beautiful packages around. Maybe the only better all around sports sedan is the new Audi S8L and then you'll have to get the Bentleys.
Thanks
oh well!
Sorry for such bleak news on a sunday morning.
Have a nice day anyway!
PS. Guess I'll have to get a new car now....lol
Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely pick one up. That will help.
benznut,
I do not think the standard suspension on its stiffest setting will have the same very limited amount of body roll, dive, and squat that the ABC suspension has at high speeds, but it will FEEL even more sports car-like. ABC was specifically designed to combat body motions and it works well. Among other things, it allows one to corner faster while keeping your passengers from having the sensation that you're going to keel over! It's a neat trick, often surprising other drivers trailing me who don't see any body roll from the giant S class sedan in front of them on the exit ramp and think they can keep up.
So, the standard suspension set to the firmest setting won't be quite as wonderful in that regard, but if I recall correctly from my test drive, it still feels absolutely razor sharp and quick even if there is a bit more lean. But be warned: It's meant only for the smoothest roads at that setting. Encountering any kind of frost heave or medium sized bump will induce significant axle hop and a corresponding loud bang inside the car.
I don't think ABC would be as noticeably harsh to you if you are never in urban areas. If you live in an upscale suburb, and that and highways are where you do the vast majority of your driving, I suspect you'd think my criticisms are excessive and that the trade off is more than worthwhile for the high speed stability that ABC imparts. But to me, I want and need a car that's ready for anything, because I go everywhere with it. So a supple suspension is a must. My ABC equipped car only fulfills that requirement two-thirds of the time, unfortunately.
So, now I wonder if the standard suspension would have met my needs better (and saved me $2900). I'm especially annoyed that when I called M-Benz technical support in Montvale prior to ordering the car (and prior to some of these magazine reviews), the rep said that ABC was MORE necessary for urban driving. At the time I remember thinking that the guy was an idiot, and I probably should have called back and tried to get another tech. In hindsight, I've concluded that the reps are probably instructed not to discourage buyers from adding profitable options to the car.
Of course, the low profile tires with their very stiff sidewalls that come with the AMG package on my car don't help at all -- though I note that Car & Driver also made mention of the ABC suspension's harshness in their drive of the CL600 w/o the AMG package.
I found that the dealer has no solution for this problem. Drives me crazy too... maybe I'll look into the LS430 after all....
Has anyone had a similar problem? Dealer says they'll hook the car up to the IBM Thinkpad diagnostic tool, but i would doubt that they can readily trace this one with a laptop computer.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Check it out:
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/autonis.html
With the bill on the table today to make hands-free usage of phones mandatory, it it looking like those of us who bought the phone and CD package look pretty good!
Thanks
sidewinder
My S500 sits at different heights at various times. After returning from a trip, and parking in my garage, it is at one of its highest points. A few minutes later it is a little lower, and if I come back to check the following morning, it looks like a low-rider. Is this common or is there something afoot here?
I guess it could be some idiot car-wash kid at the dealer jumping it off the roof. BTW - I am curious as to how he claims he did a burnout, I've tried a time or two and couldn't make it happen with the ASR engaged!
When I was at the BMW dealership testing the new M3 (nice!) I heard horror stories from my local dealer, not the regualar one I use. Evidently one of the testees (who was reminded not to) took the M3 above 6500RPM and was going about 120 down the express way. That is no way to test drive a car. I know that it is the nature of the beast but that is no excuse, not to mention that the car was a demo and destined to be someone's car. I dont care if it is a BMW, MB, JAg, Audi, new or used.
Yes it does happen. But I give my dealer specific directions that no one is to test drive the car. Wether it happens is a question, but we have always gotten ours cars with very few miles. My next car, I expect to see it in wraps when it comes off the truck and inspect it before it gets dismantled and inspected by the dealer.
I guess it is the samve about what goes on behind the scenes of a Fast Food Restaurant. You dont know if they spit in your food, and if you dont realize it, you dont get mad or will never know that it happened. I'm sure there are a lot of rats running around Chicago restaruant kitchens, but I just dont want to know or think about it. I believe there was an article in the Wall Street About some cop that had flem in his drink.
I apologize if anyone is grossed out, but it does happen.
Oh yeah, my father just replaced his S500 with an E55, After driving his CLK around he is disappointed with the performance (handlingwise) of the E55.
Robert
any opinion?
i tried both of them. my wife like the s500 but i am not quite decided yet.
The M5 will out perform, but the S-Class IMO will ouutperform in the luxury Department. The M5 is more of a sports car, very fast and ride is much more firm. The S-Class is smoother, and quieter; great for long rides, fast for the size, and quite executive. The M5 doesnt have as much room.
They represent two classes of automobile. You will have to decide which characteristic you want more. What type of driver is the primary driver?! The M5 is more connected with the road. I would much prefer the M5 over the 7-series BMW, and I would say the S500 over the 7-series, but I have yet to test drive the new 760i (?)
Robert
actually i am considering those two car based on the price, the m5 with mark up is almost the same price as S500.
I guess my question is is M5 woth US$100k? or i should just get the s500 instead?
100K for the S-class is about right i you have a lot of the options on it.
Get the S-Class
what do you like about the s class..
by the how much more expensive is CL500?
and is it hard to get?
But this is really tough, as the service guys still need to 'prep' it before pick up; and these guys are really the ones that will play with your new S. Unless they scatch the paint or leather seats; you shouldn't worry. It's hard to damage something this well made.
IMO in terms of comparison
S-class should be compared to the 7-Series (S55/ummm..) (S500/740il - S600/750il)
E-Class should be compared to the 5-Series (E55/M5)
C-Class to the 3-Series (C32/M3)
ML v. X (ML55/X54.6)
CLK55 v. M3
(+)
S-Class (S500)
Think Suit with a press pass to meet the president!
Refined
Smoother ride
Luxurious/elegant
ABC, ESP, ETS,
Cheaper to maintain
EXCELLENT SAFTEY!
Prestige
Bettter Residual Value
Image has changed not necessarily for the older people only!!!!!
Bullet proof design, plus you can get it in Bulletproof Metal/Glass!
More luxury Options (ie the S can be a four seater only, with a rear middle console
Moreso concerned with safety (higher on the list, also in my personal and father's experience!, also seen from the MB-Protect line how serious they take it)
TONS of cool gadgets to play with (this is a plus on my list, there are complaints about how complex it is but I'm a gadget nut)
E-Class (E55) - I'm waiting to drive my fathers when I get home, I'll let you know then...IMO I would take the M5 between the E55 and the M5
5-Series (M5)
Think Suit with a race helmet!
MT (!)
DSC, ASR (plus you can turn them totally OFF!)
very connected and sporty handling
Cheaper
FAST!
Nowadays, not too much more expensive to maintain than the MB
Tweakable
EXCELLENT SAFTEY!
Great Car Club
Good Residual Value
7-Series (740i)
Think Suit and gun! (007 )
DSC, ASR, etc
more connected and sporty
Cheaper
Nowadays, not too much more expensive to maintain than the MB
luxurious
Watch "The Hire" http://www.bmwfilms.com its a good example of what you can do, not that you ever would
Model Change NExt year
EXCELLENT SAFTEY!
Great Car Club
(-)
S-Class
Poor navigation system!!!
Car Club really Sux!
A bit more sway than the 7 Series and 5 Series, but can be resolved for the most part with the ABC
5-Series (M5)
Poor navigation system!!!
harsher ride
MT (ohh the city traffic)
Smaller than the 7 or the S-class
7-Series (740i)
Poor navigation system!!!
Higher depreciation
Model change over next year
harsher ride
noisier, but it is also the noise from the ride that gives you the feedback
As far as the CL goes it seems that you are looking for a 4-door. But I highly recommend it. We had one and it was blast to drive, you get the elegance, power, unique looks, handling and the comfort, along with the crappy navigation system.
You will be on a waiting list for at least a year, but it is well worth the wait, But dont pay anything over sticker for it. There are plenty of dealers that will sell for sticker if you can wait.
Here is our CL500http://www.exconde.com/cl500.htm
Again an AWESOME car. but oddly my father who is retired is now wanting the firmer ride and and sporty handling sold it for the CLK55, a much more fun toy. And its Cheap.
There are various configurations avalable for these cars so I recommend that you visit their respective sites and price a car out to your liking. The S-class has a varience of about $15K, and the 7-Series as well, but the S is priced higher. But you really do get what you pay for. And you may ask why I hate the navigation on these cars, its because they use multiple discs to chart the US. The german companies need to take a lesson from Lexus on this one.
Again, IMO... I think that you would be a canditate for an S55 based on your conflict. The S-class with the MB class, luxury, elegance, impressive handling, and the extra power to boot! You get all the options that you want on the S-class as well.
Robert
Robert
sidewinder
Just a reminder that the MB chat is on tonight (6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern). Hope to see you there!
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/mercedeschat.html
Drew
Host
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They probably went home crying!