New S-Class - Butt ugh-ugh-ughly

[jzaroh]

No more Bruno Sacco to define the S. No more Paul Bracq. No more of those innovative minds are inspiring today's body styles.

Mercedes once followed this philosophy:

"A Mercedes should always look like a Mercedes and symbolize all the values of a true Mercedes, convey innovation and respect tradition." - Bruno Sacco, Design Chief, 1974-1999.

[ukbenz]

I had the last two S classes and they were both great cars. I thought the current model looked wonderful in 99, but now it is dated.
I saw the new one at the factory a couple of months ago, little disguised, but it looked good.
It is bound to grow in its appeal, although for me the 7 series never did. Wonder what the next CL will be like?

[ychachad]

I own 2 Lexuses, a 92 LS and a 95 LS400. They are both awesome cars. Superior handling, great looks, top quality (although materials are NOT are plush as the W140), otherworldly reliability. The engine and transmission are out of this world. The cars are similar in many respects, but totally different.

But sitting in the Benz is pure magic. The sense of awe and fulfillment and a smile on the face everytime you sit in it. The jaw dropping looks from people as they see it. To hold her and to caress her and simply stand back and admire her is one of life's pleasures. She does have reliability issues.

Overall, the Lexus is a superiorly engineered car. Mindbogglingly bulletproof. I love my 140, and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it, but I'll never buy another Benz again. The LS is the way to go.
Gen 1 Ls (90-94) have classic looks, and are cheap. Gen 2 (95-97) are much, much superior to the Gen 1 LS or the W140, and can be had for as little as $6-7K.

mbenzz1 - 9/4/2005 9:45 PM

Hello, You have good experience with Lexus cars and an expert at it. What are better year models for the early 1990s? Approximate price ranges please too. Thanks in advance.

[Benz-Friend]

My complaint is that I'll have to wait twelve years for a 2006 model with 125,000 miles to be affordable to me. Lets see...that would make in 2018 when I can buy my 2006 S-Class. I know I'll still welcome the 2006 with open arms and a fresh change of synthetic oil. I must agree that our beautiful 140s still win the prize. Problem is....our 140s are getting older and, as styling moves on, our 140s are percieved as older renditions and now passe by the young.[:)]

[Storm.]

Love the exterior, but they should have used the interior of the W140,... not the 7 series[:(!][xx(][xx(]

[Nimrodthewombat]

It looks okay..but not for the price they're asking. The two things that bother me about the interior is the weird cover thing going over top of the instrument cluster. Looks like they made it one size then decided that it wasn't big enough and extended it with leftover parts. I also don't like that they moved the gear shift lever from the console where it belongs to the steering column.

I want to see it sitting next to another car or in person so that I can judge the size. An s class should have a magnificent presence...not simply be a bridge from the E class to a Maybach. [xx(]

[mbenzz1]

[quote]ychachad - 9/7/2005 10:56 AM

I own 2 Lexuses, a 92 LS and a 95 LS400. They are both awesome cars. Superior handling, great looks, top quality (although materials are NOT are plush as the W140), otherworldly reliability. The engine and transmission are out of this world. The cars are similar in many respects, but totally different.

But sitting in the Benz is pure magic. The sense of awe and fulfillment and a smile on the face everytime you sit in it. The jaw dropping looks from people as they see it. To hold her and to caress her and simply stand back and admire her is one of life's pleasures. She does have reliability issues.

Overall, the Lexus is a superiorly engineered car. Mindbogglingly bulletproof. I love my 140, and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it, but I'll never buy another Benz again. The LS is the way to go.
Gen 1 Ls (90-94) have classic looks, and are cheap. Gen 2 (95-97) are much, much superior to the Gen 1 LS or the W140, and can be had for as little as $6-7K.
[quote]ychachad - 9/7/2005 10:56 AM

Thank you for the helpful info. I know what you mean about the W140 and completely emphatize with you.
Any common problems on the LS (e.g., power steering fluid leaks, etc.). Expensive to repair? Given your advice, trying to look for Gen 2 at $6-7K but no success. I knew that you would be an expert re: the LS and glad that I asked. Thank you once again.

[dantefr]

Couldn't agree more!! I love my W140 but I would NEVER buy a new benz, they are complete junk!! I love Lexus! Everyone I know who owns one (new or old) absolutly loves them. They say they are the best cars they've ever owned (most have switched from Benz). Just putting in my 2 cents....

[mrhawkins]

Bar none, the W-140 S Classs is one of THE icons in the industry. I drive a 92 500SEL, black over black over black with chrome factory rims. It has never failed, on a daily basis, to get looks/kudos/thumbs up.
However, the last 5 years of S Class cars are simply uninspiring and are LOST among the sea of other makes. This new one is a further abomination...it reeks of Hyundai. I'll spend whatever it takes to keep my W140 on the road and right now, with 127K on the clock and all systems online and perfect...I expect I'll have it 'til a ripe-old-age and it will still be a standout :)

[ychachad]

Gen 1 LS has problems with weak suspension, weak steering, dim headlamps, P/S leaks (easy to fix), poor quality leather, skinny tyres for 90-92, soft suspension, slow wipers, wimpy brakes. But understand, that this car was designed in 1984, and put on the market in 1989. It can still hold it's own with many new cars even today in all departments including style, quality and reliability. All problems were fixed with the Gen 2 LS. However, Gen 2 LS has been known to suffer from tranny shudder, although mine does not. Essentially though, both cars are bulletproof. Both are very easy to work on.