Just for the look, Bentley is a lot more classic and easy on public’s eyes, IMHO. (For this reason, I like Azure and Arnage better than new ones).
I’ve seen both new S Class (W221) and Flying Spur. Flying Spur seems a lot longer and bigger.
__________________
1. 1988 420SEL (01/07/2005 to 04/22/2005)
2. 1990 420SEL (11/01/2005 to 11/17/2006)
3. 1995 S420 (12/02/2006 to 07/25/2007)
4. 1998 C230 in Black Opal Pearl Metallic (02/17/2007 to Present)
Vehicle: Two MB S Classes: 1989 560 SEL (W126) AND 1996 S500 (W140)
Location: Southern California
Posts: 4,161
RE: S65 AMG or Bentley Flying Spur
Quote:
Benz Devil - 1/27/2006 11:41 PM
Just for the look, Bentley is a lot more classic and easy on public’s eyes, IMHO. (For this reason, I like Azure and Arnage better than new ones).
I’ve seen both new S Class (W221) and Flying Spur. Flying Spur seems a lot longer and bigger.
definately. The azure and the arnage are very nice looking bentleys. I especially like the grille on the bentley arnage. They look really good.
__________________
My cars:
BLACK 1996 S500 (W140)
BURGUNDY 1989 560 SEL (W126)
____________________________________________
Bro, you WANT a Flying Spur. Let me put it this way, the S class is BETTER than the Flying Spur, but come one, the Bentley is a Bentley!
The number one reason why I say this is important, is both bling factor, and RESALE value, the Bentley is simply a more desirable car, if not slightly more plain.
Vehicle: Two MB S Classes: 1989 560 SEL (W126) AND 1996 S500 (W140)
Location: Southern California
Posts: 4,161
RE: S65 AMG or Bentley Flying Spur
Quote:
Legion5 - 2/8/2006 5:49 PM
Bro, you WANT a Flying Spur. Let me put it this way, the S class is BETTER than the Flying Spur, but come one, the Bentley is a Bentley!
The number one reason why I say this is important, is both bling factor, and RESALE value, the Bentley is simply a more desirable car, if not slightly more plain.
yea. it is kinda true. I saw a parked flying spur today, and it looked really nice. If only i had my camera[:(]
Another concern I have is availability. The local Bentley dealership has 8 on the lot at the moment and tells me one can be ordered and delivered in approximately 4-5 months. On the other hand, I know of no schedule when I'd even be able to SEE an S65 AMG, and nobody is taking orders, I hear.
While price is not the primary issue, the Bentley dealer has a $30,000 "Dealer markup" on the stickers, but the salesman said that since they have so many on the lot, they're generally selling them at the sticker price. The Benz dealer usually slaps on a huge "dealer markup" here to the more rare cars. . . and gets it.
For instance, I saw an SLR McLaren on the floor with a $250,000 "dealer markup" on it. I was told that it was the third one in the dealership, and that the first had sold with a $500,000 markup and the second a $300,000 markup over the $500,000 sticker price.
I have no idea what the dealership would want 'extra' for an S65 AMG, but suspect that it'd put the price way over the Bentely's.
Dealers can be exasperating. I've seen Mercedes dealers tack on "retail cost adjustment" and "market price adjustment" figures of all kinds on new models. It always comes down to supply and demand. Once they have a number of them on the lot, they'll bargain. But if they think you'll pay top dollar, they'll do everything humanly possible to get it out of you, including lying.
If the Bentley dealer actually has eight Flying Spurs on his lot, he'll probably sell below list.
Now, which is the better car? Both, or neither. A generation ago, this would have been a no-brainer, because Mercedes quality and engineering were vastly superior. Nowadays, since VW bought Bentley and invested heavily in the new models, the playing field is more nearly level. But as you note, the MB will have more sophisticated features. And the Bentley will project a more exclusive aura, inside and out.
You drove both? Which was more enjoyable to drive? Which seemed to "fit" you better?
That's what it would come down to, for me.
On the other hand, if you don't mind taking a hit, you can buy the Bentley now (since it's readily available) and then trade it for the S65 in a year, when you can get a decent price for that. If you still want it. Good luck.
- New Bentley GT & Flying Spur are rebadged VW phaetons (same engine and allwheel drive)
- I admit that both (GT & Flying Spur) look very very good (of course designed by a fellow Belgian) but I like the old school Bentleys 10 times better (especially the Arnage R is magnificent) and can't be compared to any Mercedes (not even Maybach) if you talk about presence and appearance not cheap Bling (not saying that new S-class is cheap) but real class including the timeless design.
- If you want high-end technology and the amazing power then you want the S65 AMG
If money is no object at all: Bentley Arnage, more reasonable the choice: Mercedes S-class.
Anyway on both cars you will have a huge first year depreciation.
Concerning those V-max limiters on the Mercedes, there are a couple of possibilities (this info is especially through for the SL 55 AMG and probably for all Benzes):
- AMG offers a first new V-max of 300km/h and then an upgrade of no V-max limiter (this car runs then 329km/h(over 200mph)) - price is about 1500 euro including special high speed tyres. I heard that MBUSA would not be eager to offer this to US customers because liability reason...
- In The Auto Motor und Sport edition, every month tuners advertise two things: delimiters of the Vmax and delimiters which enable you to watch tv even when the is driving.
One thing you need to explain to me:
Here in Europe, you have the official price list and that's it, if you're lucky you can discus a discount depending on the model, how new it is between 3%-max 8% as a private person. But paying more than the official price (if that what you call the Sticker Price seems ridiculous !) and what is Dealer Markup ?
The Bentley is only 7 feet wide. The guy who test drove one thru Europe, had to reverse many times when going down 'normal narrow streets' to allow other traffic past. Very practical!!
Linear Mode
