vanlex

My father-in-law's got an S550 and it's superb. I for one think MB's are some of the best looking cars on the road these days. I seriously considered a pre-owned CLS55 but realized that the four-door coupe configuration wasn't right for me (not to mention its overzealous traction control - on a 500HP car!!)

All that said, I drive an LS and intend to drive it into the ground. The notion of prolonged MB ownership makes me shudder.

(I reserve the right to buy an S65 if someone gives me an incredible stock pick or I win the lottery. That, or Lexus comes out with a 600HP full-sized sedan.)

encore888

I personally think the LS 460/460 L and the S550 are both quite nice looking cars, although I prefer the former for the general appearance and details and the latter for ostentation.

allklr

iTrader: (1)

It was very tough to get the 460L over the S550, I still go back and forth. My wife was getting another RX so it was nice to close two deals at once. The S550 with the Panorama roof is very slick.

rajwany

for car buffs like us no problem, we can evendistinguish between diff model years(05,06) let alone models. but for a common person, it is very difficult to distinguish between the es350 and ls 460. i have been debating to buy the ls460 but my wife and my other friends think they look much the same. does not justify spending the extra 40g's.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I was driving home the other day when a dark purple S550 slowly stopped next to me at the stoplight. Man I felt it's presence right away.

But when an LS460 stops next to me, i had to take a second glance to distinguish it from an ES350 I'm not making this up either

rominl

iTrader: (4)

tell that to mb owners (not the new s class) but the previous s500, e500, and c class. for the longest time, my wife can't distinguish any of the mb at all, all she could tell is 2 or 4 doors. c class starts at around 30k. s600 standing at 120k (i omit the s65 here)

the new c already starts to look "like" the new s.

i have no problem feeling pressure from the ls460 when it get besides me

Gojirra99

I've never had any problem distinguishing the ES350 from the LS460 at all in daylight, they look very different even from a distance, except possibly the front end, it has to get closer before I can be sure.
But even with the new S550, at a far distance, it's only the benz grille from the front that tells you it's a benz sedan coming, you can't be sure it's a S-class until it gets closer.

From the side, especially the LWB LS460L, they look very different from the ES, their rear ends look very different too, I can tell them apart instantaneously.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Yeah, I agree. The 550 is a biiig body, mini maybach, so you definitely feel the presence especially from the side view. But up front, it seems squished.
Just like the 745, it's big slabbed and definitely has presence.

The LS is deceptively large, but sleeker like the old w220.
It doesn't have the in-your-face presence, more smooth and calm like the A8.

Johnny

You're lucky; my wife classifies cars according to their color. "Gee, that Civic looks like a Mercedes!"

As for the those who can't distinguish an ES350 from an LS460, let them continue to think that way. The ownership of an LS is a secret pleasure, and should only be relished by those who can tell the difference...

daryll40

If the LS is so deceptively large, why does the EPA categorize it as "mid-sized"?

allklr

iTrader: (1)

I think the S550 has much more of a presence than the LS460 and is more of a power car which is not surprising considering how long the S class has been around. It has always been recognized as very high end. When I got my 04 S430 I was looking at the 7 series and A8's, not the LS.The one thing that all those cars have in common are the distinctive front grillls. I think the new Lexus holds it's own in presence from the side and back. It's the grill that is not ready recognizable as a car that would compete with that breed.

encore888

Again, the EPA ratings are not the same as the regular car ratings, by EPA standards the LX 470 cargo volume = mid-sized.

jettie1767

Undeniably, MB has flashier styling than Lexus. A lot of people look at my CLS but hardly anyone looks at my LS when I'm driving it. I like the LS for the understated elegance. My CLS is when I want to be a bit sporty and want to turn heads...LOL. When I had the SL55, now, that was a REAL head turner.

encore888

It also helps to have a really hot passenger or driver to turn heads.