[UK_Benz]

I'm going to order a new S500 soon but I'm just wondering...

How many of you guys actually drive your own car? From what I know, MB S-classes are driven by chauffeurs and the owner rides at the back.

However, that is not the case for me. I drive my own car. I don't have a driver.

What about you guys?

 

[mb1000]

Same as you, I drive my own car. Many of I know drive their S550/S600.

 

[eric242340]

I'm going to order a new S500 soon but I'm just wondering...

How many of you guys actually drive your own car? From what I know, MB S-classes are driven by chauffeurs and the owner rides at the back.

However, that is not the case for me. I drive my own car. I don't have a driver.

What about you guys?

A strange albeit interesting question, here in China most owners prefer to have a driver, more of a face thing than anything else. But in UK, there is nothing wrong in driving your own 221.

 

[skrontz]

I won't let anyone drive my own cars, let alone the S550.

 

[TDwayne69]

I definitely drive my S550.

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

I'm going to order a new S500 soon but I'm just wondering...

How many of you guys actually drive your own car? From what I know, MB S-classes are driven by chauffeurs and the owner rides at the back.

However, that is not the case for me. I drive my own car. I don't have a driver.

What about you guys?

Most people (98%+) with S550 in the US drive their own car. Anyone who can afford a chauffeur is going to get an S600, Maybach 57/62 or Rolls Royce Phantom. An S550 is just too 'low' end for that type of person.

 

[UK_Benz]

Most people (98%+) with S550 in the US drive their own car. Anyone who can afford a chauffeur is going to get an S600, Maybach 57/62 or Rolls Royce Phantom. An S550 is just too 'low' end for that type of person.

Well, in some South East Asia countries, Mercedes C200s or BMW 325s have drivers...seriously.

 

[eric242340]

Well, in some South East Asia countries, Mercedes C200s or BMW 325s have drivers...seriously.

Correct but the Drivers earn small money.

 

[Benz in Brazil]

I drive my own W116 S-class, which is 35 years young . Although her original owner had a driver!

 

[eric242340]

I drive my own W116 S-class, which is 35 years young . Although her original owner had a driver!

Time and place yes, old car now though and a bit of a collectors item. Still one of the better cars that Mercedes made.

 

[MercedesCarNut]

I drive my S550 just like any other car. I couldn't imagine being chauffered, but then again I love to drive.

 

[ch.1953]

Time and place yes, old car now though and a bit of a collectors item. Still one of the better cars that Mercedes made.

Eric, slightly off topic question (sorry) but it would be very interesting to get your views on the relative safety and strengths of the more recent s classes from say the one you mention through the 126 and right up to today. This follows an earlier post I sent about safety, as I was in a smash which totalled my beloved W126. Insurance company wrote it off, but I rebuilt it.

Thanks,

 

[eric242340]

Eric, slightly off topic question (sorry) but it would be very interesting to get your views on the relative safety and strengths of the more recent s classes from say the one you mention through the 126 and right up to today. This follows an earlier post I sent about safety, as I was in a smash which totalled my beloved W126. Insurance company wrote it off, but I rebuilt it.

Thanks,

WOW, that's a lot of models and years to comment on each one individually. But as a more general note I would say Benz had a very good record up until the advent of the W140. it was after this car came into production Benz started to change and once the W220 arrived on the scene Benz took a nose dive in all round quality.

I should add that I would still trust Benz for safety compared to most cars on the road today and is a least on a par with BMW.

 

[ch.1953]

WOW, that's a lot of models and years to comment on each one individually. But as a more general note I would say Benz had a very good record up until the advent of the W140. it was after this car came into production Benz started to change and once the W220 arrived on the scene Benz took a nose dive in all round quality.

I should add that I would still trust Benz for safety compared to most cars on the road today and is a least on a par with BMW.

Very many thanks for that Eric. I agree with you:thumbsup:

It's difficult, for the newer cars offer curtain airbags which can be very helpful to protect the head in an accident, but as we both said the earlier cars like the W126 & W140;s are built like tanks...

I noticed the BMW E38 in 2001 had a head air bag (tube, at least) and that is a wonderful car to drive, but the head air bag starts at the B pillar and being 6' 5" my head sits too far back for that to offer very much protection!

So perhaps the solution should be either W140 with a specially built curtain air bag - HA!!! ( I doubt that is possible, would be great if it were) or a W220 or 221.

Any further thought or comments you may have on this are very welcome indeed - many thanks Eric:thumbsup:

 

[eric242340]

^^If you cannot afford the W221 then look at the 7 series BMW, excellent side impact protection but a little pricey in my opinion.

And check this;
"noticed the BMW E38 in 2001 had a head air bag"

To my knowledge they only had SIPS and no head bags.

 

[ch.1953]

^^If you cannot afford the W221 then look at the 7 series BMW, excellent side impact protection but a little pricey in my opinion.

And check this;
"noticed the BMW E38 in 2001 had a head air bag"

To my knowledge they only had SIPS and no head bags.

Thank you again Eric - only just seen this, which BMW 7 series years are you referring to?

Thanks again - so maybe it's a W140 or 7 series... I just test drove an E38 740il - wow. Although I may end up in jail if I get that, would definitely need a radar detector with a beemer...:thumbsup:

 

[eric242340]

E61 but maybe out of your price range.

 

[ch.1953]

E61 but maybe out of your price range.

thanks - is that a 5 series or 7? One other choice you may have come across is the 2002 - 2008 7 series. Very good, and a possible choice for me under some circumstances.

(And yes the E38 2000 and 2001 did not have full curtain air bags, just a tube head bag)

So probably my last question to you on this Eric - and thank you - is for safety reasons only, out of these four (well three really, as to include the W126 is probably just nostaligia) what would you wish to be in. i.e. what would your rankings be & why? ...The safety choice for those who can not quite afford a W221...?

W140
W126 (I know it does not really compare, but I love 'em so - !)
7 series BMW - 2001 (e38)
7 series BMW - (2003/4)

Thanks again for your kind replies Eric; the have been very informative and very helpful. :thumbsup: regards, Richard

 

[eric242340]

thanks - is that a 5 series or 7? One other choice you may have come across is the 2002 - 2008 7 series. Very good, and a possible choice for me under some circumstances.

(And yes the E38 2000 and 2001 did not have full curtain air bags, just a tube head bag)

So probably my last question to you on this Eric - and thank you - is for safety reasons only, out of these four (well three really, as to include the W126 is probably just nostaligia) what would you wish to be in. i.e. what would your rankings be & why? ...The safety choice for those who can not quite afford a W221...?

W140
W126 (I know it does not really compare, but I love 'em so - !)
7 series BMW - 2001 (e38)
7 series BMW - (2003/4)

Thanks again for your kind replies Eric; the have been very informative and very helpful. :thumbsup: regards, Richard

Well, I would have to go for the W140, as far as safety is concerned it has one of the best records. I have only one reserve on this as I have seen many side impacts on all these cars, I have never seen a 140 T Boned. And the side impact is your main concern.

Having said that the 140 A/B/C pillars are the strongest and it does have the seat belt firing pins plus standard airbags. Anyway this is only my personal opinion, others may differ. Now it's your call.

 

[ch.1953]

Well, I would have to go for the W140, as far as safety is concerned it has one of the best records. I have only one reserve on this as I have seen many side impacts on all these cars, I have never seen a 140 T Boned. And the side impact is your main concern.

Having said that the 140 A/B/C pillars are the strongest and it does have the seat belt firing pins plus standard airbags. Anyway this is only my personal opinion, others may differ. Now it's your call.

Thanks Eric - appreciated.:thumbsup: