Went with the S550 over the LS
12-11-07 | 05:00 PM
#31
Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,206
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From: MA
Chris, I didn't know about a 7 year warranty. When I looked at the 2007 S550 they only offered a 4 year warranty. Since I keep my cars for more years than that, it wasn't sufficient. One of my closest friends just got rid of his S600. The cooling system within the engine failed and it was going to cost him something like $12,000 (or $20,000 I forget which) to repair. Of course he replaced it with a S550, so he likes the car!
I do disagree on the interior though. I thought the LS interior was far superior in look and of better quality than the MB. However, like exterior looks, at lot of this is really subjective and based on personal tastes.
Ya go with what ya like!
I do disagree on the interior though. I thought the LS interior was far superior in look and of better quality than the MB. However, like exterior looks, at lot of this is really subjective and based on personal tastes.
Ya go with what ya like!
12-11-07 | 05:12 PM
#32
Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From: Texas
"""I bought an S600 over the LS600h... With a full 7 year Warranty option, that it is a totaly new design, the flagship that Mercedes seems to have pulled the stops out for... I should be fine... I have had no problems whatsoever 2,700 miles in and the ride/performance of a V12 and the active ABC suspension is amazing... I did drive the LS600h, but it cannot compare with the S600 when it comes to ride or driving experience... (Or interior quality) No slight to the innovation of the LS600h or those who value it's other qualities..."""
I would not break out the champagne just yet at 2700 miles only. most lexus owners will tell u including me WE HAVE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS AT 27000 miles and counting am i right.
listen guy anyway u cut it mercedes, bmw or porsche r not even in the same league as LEXUS. miles apart, where reliability wise. design is ofcourse a personel choice.
If mercedes has improved their quality it is thanks to brands like lexus, acura and infinity. they were their rear german ends kicked. but they still have along way to go. WHY do you think merc offer their customer life time road assistance.
ofcourse IMHO
I would not break out the champagne just yet at 2700 miles only. most lexus owners will tell u including me WE HAVE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS AT 27000 miles and counting am i right.
listen guy anyway u cut it mercedes, bmw or porsche r not even in the same league as LEXUS. miles apart, where reliability wise. design is ofcourse a personel choice.
If mercedes has improved their quality it is thanks to brands like lexus, acura and infinity. they were their rear german ends kicked. but they still have along way to go. WHY do you think merc offer their customer life time road assistance.
ofcourse IMHO
Last edited by rajwany; 12-11-07 at 05:13 PM. Reason: paragraph
12-11-07 | 05:25 PM
#33
Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: new york
Not meaning to provoke a firestorm of comment, just my reasoning for why I ended up going with an S550 over an LS...
I have a 2006 RX 400h, and was in the market for either an LS 460L or a LS 600hL. I also test drove the LS460L on 2 occasions. Also several of the lexus dealerships in my area never seemed to have an LS 600hL to take out for a test drive. Maybe when I roll up in my MBZ they will take me serious now ;-)
What really sold me on my 2007 MBZ S550 is the AMG suspension package. My car has Active Body control riding on 19" (255x40 )wheels . ABC keeps the car absolutely flat in corners and when accelerating and braking.
Through the santa cruz mountains or down the legendary HWY 1 in Northern California the car is an absolute joy to drive. You don't get that sensation of weigh transfer or body roll that you are used to in a large heavy vehicle.
Also, and this was a huge issue for me, none of the features in my S550 are locked out when driving, in fact when you turn the ignition on if you blink, you'll miss the brief warning that the driver should not be distracted by the Command Center.. Really Lexus get a clue here, that some people find your total control absolutely unacceptable.
They are some things on the Benz that are annoying. The Blue tooth module was extra, but more importantly is this huge part that takes up alot of space in the compartment between the seats, so much so that I can't fit my sunglasses in there with the bluetooth module present.The window controls are horrible, forcing me to look at them every time, The NAV does not provide as much detail of street names when zoomed right in. Even my 06 RX 400h lists street names that the Nav in the Benz doesn't.
I probably won't keep the Benz past it's warranty period, and hopefully by then Lexus will build a second generation LS 600hL that fits with my expectations.
As a conversation piece, I'll take the night vision on my S 550 over the self park feature any day.
I have a 2006 RX 400h, and was in the market for either an LS 460L or a LS 600hL. I also test drove the LS460L on 2 occasions. Also several of the lexus dealerships in my area never seemed to have an LS 600hL to take out for a test drive. Maybe when I roll up in my MBZ they will take me serious now ;-)
What really sold me on my 2007 MBZ S550 is the AMG suspension package. My car has Active Body control riding on 19" (255x40 )wheels . ABC keeps the car absolutely flat in corners and when accelerating and braking.
Through the santa cruz mountains or down the legendary HWY 1 in Northern California the car is an absolute joy to drive. You don't get that sensation of weigh transfer or body roll that you are used to in a large heavy vehicle.
Also, and this was a huge issue for me, none of the features in my S550 are locked out when driving, in fact when you turn the ignition on if you blink, you'll miss the brief warning that the driver should not be distracted by the Command Center.. Really Lexus get a clue here, that some people find your total control absolutely unacceptable.
They are some things on the Benz that are annoying. The Blue tooth module was extra, but more importantly is this huge part that takes up alot of space in the compartment between the seats, so much so that I can't fit my sunglasses in there with the bluetooth module present.The window controls are horrible, forcing me to look at them every time, The NAV does not provide as much detail of street names when zoomed right in. Even my 06 RX 400h lists street names that the Nav in the Benz doesn't.
I probably won't keep the Benz past it's warranty period, and hopefully by then Lexus will build a second generation LS 600hL that fits with my expectations.
As a conversation piece, I'll take the night vision on my S 550 over the self park feature any day.
Last edited by vollandt; 12-11-07 at 05:53 PM.
12-11-07 | 11:03 PM
#34
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 92
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From: California
nospinzone - To clarify, in mentioning a 7 year warranty I meant the standard 4 years/50,000 miles + a 3 year extension to 100,000 miles as original owner. I am just taking a long term ownership horizon and would not want such a car out of warranty! In the case of a catastophic failure such as a $12,000 cooling system fix that is surely exactly what you get a warranty for... Sounds like the S600 was an older model out of warranty?
As stated it is all subjective. On the interior issue I do suspect that not many have seen a MY08 S600 and are using the S550 as a point of reference... That is a mistake as the MY08 S600 is considerably upgraded from the S550.. or even the MY07 S600... The leather is much higher quality, the entire dash, instrument console, doors, front and back, is all leather, the Alcantara headliner is extremely soft/plush. There is very little plastic visible at all. (Mainly the vent surrounds and gague interior) Generally it is all wood, leather and aluminum and has quite a different ambience. And it smells pretty good too!
Out of a previous 4 Mercedes and 3 Lexus I have never had significant problems wth any of them... (And that is running up to 80,000 miles each) To say that all Mercedes, BMW, Porshe etc are less reliable than Lexus is a statistical assertion that does not necessarily reflect individual owner experience. Perhaps I am lucky!
Chris
As stated it is all subjective. On the interior issue I do suspect that not many have seen a MY08 S600 and are using the S550 as a point of reference... That is a mistake as the MY08 S600 is considerably upgraded from the S550.. or even the MY07 S600... The leather is much higher quality, the entire dash, instrument console, doors, front and back, is all leather, the Alcantara headliner is extremely soft/plush. There is very little plastic visible at all. (Mainly the vent surrounds and gague interior) Generally it is all wood, leather and aluminum and has quite a different ambience. And it smells pretty good too!
Out of a previous 4 Mercedes and 3 Lexus I have never had significant problems wth any of them... (And that is running up to 80,000 miles each) To say that all Mercedes, BMW, Porshe etc are less reliable than Lexus is a statistical assertion that does not necessarily reflect individual owner experience. Perhaps I am lucky!
Chris
12-12-07 | 04:40 PM
#35
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,206
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From: MA
Yes, I never sat, nor rode, in a new S600, only the S550. Now that you say it, I'm sure the interior is significantly upgraded. And yes, his S600 was out of warranty.
One of these days I want to own a V12, of any model, so I can join this club that consists of any V12 car (I can't think of the name right now). I read an article about it several years ago and they take driving tours through New England.
Of course, if I joined, the rest of the members would probably quit!
One of these days I want to own a V12, of any model, so I can join this club that consists of any V12 car (I can't think of the name right now). I read an article about it several years ago and they take driving tours through New England.
Of course, if I joined, the rest of the members would probably quit!
12-12-07 | 05:36 PM
#36
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
I like the S550 styling and handling. I've had the SL55 a couple of years ago and it had that ABC which is superb in preventing body roll. The past 3 years, I've had Benz alongside a Lexus in my garage. And I have to agree with most folks here that Benz does spend a lot more time in the Service Dept. than a Lexus. In fact, my Lexus only goes to the dealership about once a year. Meanwhile, the 4 Benz's I've owned were terrible in terms of reliability (e.g. nav crashes, electrical problems, rattles, etc.).
But, the s550 beats the LS in terms of styling. Benz always has 'flashier' designs but poor reliability. A good forum is mbworld.org. You can see all the issues and solutions there.
Good luck and congrats on your new car!
But, the s550 beats the LS in terms of styling. Benz always has 'flashier' designs but poor reliability. A good forum is mbworld.org. You can see all the issues and solutions there.
Good luck and congrats on your new car!
12-12-07 | 05:49 PM
#37
Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 168
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From: new york
I paid $82,300 for my S550, MSRP with all the options is $103K, remember This is an 07 that was sitting on their lot and purchased November 30th. I did have a discussion with one of their senior sales managers about MBZ's past quality, but I am willing to overlook the S class's past history based on the fact that MBZ realizes they have to do better in their flagship and the fact that this car has passed through their AMG division.
12-12-07 | 06:17 PM
#38
You would have been much better off to lease with that buy price. MB is giving sick redicual and money factors right now. The residual factor would have likely been somthing like .55 or 56,600. In three years you'd have to pay down the car from 82,300 to 56,600. But the real market value for that car will more likely be in the 30k range (the 2004 500S are going for 25k wholesale). In other words, buying it you take a hit (though unrealized) from 82k to 30k ish in three years, lease you only go from 82 to 56k.
12-12-07 | 07:14 PM
#39
but this doesn't look too good for the S550, & it's the newest updated data :
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=317703
It's one of the few factors that made me pick the LS460L over the S550, otherwise, I would be just as happy with S550 overall, but I plan to keep the car for a long time . . .
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=317703
It's one of the few factors that made me pick the LS460L over the S550, otherwise, I would be just as happy with S550 overall, but I plan to keep the car for a long time . . .
They have little credibility with me.I do accept/expect the NEW LS is likely still more reliable overall than the NEW S class. Kudos to Lexus, but to me that isn't the only factor in the purchase decision.
But congrats on the coming LS!!!
Last edited by bitkahuna; 12-12-07 at 07:28 PM.
12-12-07 | 08:37 PM
#40
I disagree with this statement. My Range Rover gets WAY more respect, admiration and looks than my Benz ever did. Your definition of prestige is subjective (as is mine). I think that one of the things that makes my Range Rover prestigious is the fact that it is unique where my Benz was very common. Others think the Range is pretigious because of the typical buyers; standard issue in Hollywood, common with professional athletes and with the Royal family.
In my mind there is nothing better than my Range Rover under $150,000.
In my mind there is nothing better than my Range Rover under $150,000.
i give a hyundai mroe respect than a RR
12-13-07 | 03:22 PM
#41
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 82
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From: California
If you want performance - don't shop for 4 door executive sedans. That's just silly. But if you're really into a true luxury - then there is no competition to LS460
I had a brand new 745 for 3 years before that and test drove 550 and Germans got nothing on the Lexus of this generation.
I had a brand new 745 for 3 years before that and test drove 550 and Germans got nothing on the Lexus of this generation.
12-13-07 | 03:26 PM
#42
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,206
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From: MA
I'd like to know how many CR reader surveys that 'rating' is based on. Oh wait, CR doesn't say. They have little credibility with me.
Maybe MB's in the early 2000's had problems, but they've come a long way since then.
And the latter statement is based on .......................................
Maybe MB's in the early 2000's had problems, but they've come a long way since then.
And the latter statement is based on .......................................
12-13-07 | 04:45 PM
#43
Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Fl
I'd like to know how many CR reader surveys that 'rating' is based on. Oh wait, CR doesn't say. They have little credibility with me.
I do accept/expect the NEW LS is likely still more reliable overall than the NEW S class. Kudos to Lexus, but to me that isn't the only factor in the purchase decision.
But congrats on the coming LS!!!
They have little credibility with me.I do accept/expect the NEW LS is likely still more reliable overall than the NEW S class. Kudos to Lexus, but to me that isn't the only factor in the purchase decision.
But congrats on the coming LS!!!
Actually CR does say if you do your homework
"2.2. How many samples do you have of each model?
While we do not publish information on individual sample sizes for specific models, we require a minimum of around 100 cars to publish reliability information for a model in a given model year. Our sample sizes tend to track quite closely with market sales. Individual sample sizes vary from year to year and range from a hundred to several thousand for the more popular models. A typical model has about 200 to 400 samples for each model year and engine variant."
12-13-07 | 07:36 PM
#44
Pole Position
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Fl
agree with you about the pathetic nuisance that protruding module is
on the S550.
And, I also hated the “I-Drive” (or whatever MB calls it.)
Further, I agree with you about the antiquated Nav. But, you are lucky;
the Nav in the E-350 is 10 times worse than the S550’s Nav. When it
comes to great, late technology electronics, MB as long as I remember
has ALWAYS been behind. Probably always will be, as I’ve never seen
any effort from them to lead in electronics technology. (This is my 4th
one, as I had 3 others back in the 80’s. They were behind then, too.)
BUT, I admit that the S550 drove absolutely beautifully. Quiet, solid,
stately. And, I believe that “prestige wise” on the street, it elicits much
more respect than the 460L.
Shamelessly, I admit that my decision NOT to buy the S550 was
“somewhat” influenced by the 94,000 price.)
Big Jimm
Last edited by Big Jimm; 12-13-07 at 07:40 PM.
12-13-07 | 08:14 PM
#45
When it comes to great, late technology electronics, MB as long as I remember has ALWAYS been behind. Probably always will be, as I’ve never seen any effort from them to lead in electronics technology. (This is my 4th one, as I had 3 others back in the 80’s. They were behind then, too.)
MB's radar cruise can bring the car down to a complete stop and back up to speed - can Lexus? The S-class night vision is outstanding.
Both cars have great technology, some on each works better and some worse and some just different or not on the other model.
No way MB is 'behind' at least on their top model but I *do* acknowledge (and MB has admitted) that they've had BUGS and reliability problems which they've been aggressively working to address.