I have a European S350 in China. Before I bought the car, i saw different versions of S-class available in the dealership. As you see below, the black one is S350 Brabus ; another black one behind is S500 (European Version); and the very last silver one is S550 (American Version). I personally like the European version better because European cars don't have those little yellow signal lights on the sides of front bumper, which is annoying. Also, the American version rear bumpers are longer and feel like an ass sticking out. So weird.
What's your take ?
Btw, does anyone know if I can import a European version S-class to the east coast?
Are you sure about the rear bumpers, the US manual shows exactly the same length for the car as the Euro manual? Is it not the Brabus stuff?
We could figure out a list of differences, this is certainly not complete but a few that I've observed (may include errors):
- the yellow signal lights on sides of the front bumpers as you say,
- they don't have the "small" engines at all in the US, they don't have CDI (so far at least), they don't have the SWB model (so far at least),
- Sirius radio in the US, DVD video in Europe (is TV also not available in the US?),
- some colour options are not available in the US (like my Grey/Black interior),
- US models don't seem to have the child safety rear door lock control (remote release from the driver's door switch panel),
- there has been some talk about no valet boot lock option in the US model, the US manual does not give any advice unlike the Euro manual but it might actually still exist in US too, at least NJ confirmed that the boot lock can be operated with the mechanical emergency key.
- the US cars I guess have a better set of standard features (but worse granularity to select extra options when basically every option can be individualy selected in Europe).
- ...
Are you sure about the rear bumpers, the US manual shows exactly the same length for the car as the Euro manual? Is it not the Brabus stuff?
We could figure out a list of differences, this is certainly not complete but a few that I've observed (may include errors):
- the yellow signal lights on sides of the front bumpers as you say,
- they don't have the "small" engines at all in the US, they don't have CDI (so far at least), they don't have the SWB model (so far at least),
- Sirius radio in the US, DVD video in Europe (is TV also not available in the US?),
- some colour options are not available in the US (like my Grey/Black interior),
- US models don't seem to have the child safety rear door lock control (remote release from the driver's door switch panel),
- there has been some talk about no valet boot lock option in the US model, the US manual does not give any advice unlike the Euro manual but it might actually still exist in US too, at least NJ confirmed that the boot lock can be operated with the mechanical emergency key.
- the US cars I guess have a better set of standard features (but worse granularity to select extra options when basically every option can be individualy selected in Europe).
- ...
I think you nailed it with your list of differences. EU has full selection of all options and US has a more loaded base model as set by MBUSA but limited addtional options. The yellow lights are US Government required. As far as the difference in the rear end...I am not aware of any body difference between the US and EU models.
__________________ 2008 SL550. Black on Black. AMG Pkg., Parktronic, P1 Pkg.
Does S550 have duo LCD screens on the head rest of seats? Or it's an option? The Brabus one and the S500 in the picture all have duo LCD screens in the back.
I assume it's an option.
For the rear bumper. I'm pretty sure the S550's shape is a little different. It is kinda sticking out a bit, which looks longer. But I mean in general, the American version cars have longer rear bumper since it's required to install a bigger rear-end reinforcement bar to pass the American Crash Safety Test. Things like that.
The LCD screens on the head rests are part of the rear seat entertainment system, option code 864.
I'm insisting on the bumpers, the US bumpers used to be a lot larger in the past but don't think that is the case generally any more. The AMG bumpers are different in the front and in the rear, but still at least the official reported length of the cars seem to be exactly the same in the US and Europe, even irrespectively if AMG styling existed in the car. I've seen somewhere "front license plate base included" being mentioned, that might bring a difference but as mentioned previously, the US as well as the Euro manuals (the versions I have at least) both report exactly the same length for the car (LWB 5206 mm/204.7 in).
; another black one behind is S500 (European Version); and the very last silver one is S550 (American Version). I personally like the European version better because European cars don't have those little yellow signal lights on the sides of front bumper, which is annoying. Also, the American version rear bumpers are longer and feel like an ass sticking out. So weird. 
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