Saw my first New S-Class today - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pj67coll · #1 05-02-2006, 03:10 PM

I was down at the dealers getting some parts for my 240D, when I saw for the first time "in the flesh so to speak" the new S-Class, 2007, being gassed up. I HATE that vehicle. I dont know if it's true that Mercedes has a design studio in Japan and thats where it was designed. But I think its a sad disgrace. The think looks like a Nissan Altima on steroids. Other than the slightly larger grill compared to the current S-Class there's nothing about the car that I consider to be a stylistic triumph. The S-Class needs to be the flagship Benz. It needs to be unmistakably seen as such. It needs elegance and presence and this thing has neither. Ok. Maybe presence though it's similarity to most of Japan's top end products negates that. Admittedly the example I saw was white and it may look better in darker colors. I sure hope so because this was an even worse dissapointment to me that the successor to the W140, which in my opinion is the last true S-Class. One thing I do know. If I had the money to afford this thing, I'd be buying a real Mercedes from the 60's thru the 80's instead. Maybe a 600, maybe a 111, a 108 or a 109. If I wanted a brand new luxury car I think I'd save myself a fortune and just pick up a Lexus instead. Same thing but half the price.

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #2 05-02-2006, 07:40 PM

yep. it is seriously ugly. looks designed by a deranged committee.

imho

tom w

420SEL · #3 05-02-2006, 08:15 PM

We saw it up close and personal at the Toronto MBCA Tech Session a few weeks ago. I thought it was ugly from photos I had seen too, but in person it is starting to grow on me. I think it also looks a lot better on the road than in photos. Personally, I like it better than the last one for looks.

t walgamuth · #4 05-02-2006, 08:17 PM

i thought it looked ok in photos but when i saw it in person, i crapped.

tom w

Ara T. · #5 05-02-2006, 08:46 PM

I like it. The new headlights are awesome... always hated the old headlights. The fender flares dont seem very Mercedes like. Maybe if it was an AMG or something... kinda reminds me of the Mazda RX8 and MX5 Miata fenders.. but oh well. I wouldn't ever want one though, way too heavy and gadget packed.

TheDon · #6 05-02-2006, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

If I wanted a brand new luxury car I think I'd save myself a fortune and just pick up a Lexus instead. Same thing but half the price.

- Peter.

i dont like you

a lexus is not luxury.. its just an overpriced toyota with a better interior

snp8990 · #7 05-02-2006, 09:55 PM

I saw one today at around 4:30 (S550 White)and saw it again at 6:00.I think its very nice and if it is anything like my W140,its AWESOME!

snp8990 · #8 05-02-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

i dont like you

a lexus is not luxury.. its just an overpriced toyota with a better interior

Exactly,I went to see a Toyota Highlander and the interior is IDENTICAL to the Lexus RX300 that my neice has.I think the new GL450 looks like the Highlander from the side.Anyone else think that?

Botnst · #9 05-02-2006, 11:11 PM

Contrarian reporting for duty.

I like the new S. It took me a while to get used to it (I spent some time at the local dealer waiting for parts) because my mind wants to compare it to the W126, my personal standard for automotive design elegance. But once I was able to flush my mind of that particular prejudice the lines of the new machine looked clean, crisp, sleek and cool. I could live with that.

ILUVMILS · #10 05-02-2006, 11:45 PM

This car shouldn't be judged until it's driven!!! At 120 MPH it feels like a dream come true. I'd love to drive one on the Autobahn. The S550 has more than enough power, and the S600 pulls like a dragster from a dead stop, until you feel like backing off. It's smooth, quiet, and handles great for a BIG car!!! At first, I didn't like the looks of it, but the more I see of it, the more I like it.

Hatterasguy · #11 05-02-2006, 11:51 PM

I like it a lot, a very modern design. The W140 dare I say looks a bit 90's now.

t walgamuth · #12 05-03-2006, 04:47 AM

looks like a combination of bmw butt and ford focus fenders to me. i am sure it drives like a dream though.

i just dont understand the idea of following the crowd on styling.

kindof reminds me of the fintail days.

tom w

Kuan · #13 05-03-2006, 07:43 AM

I can't believe it's time for a new S-Class already! The W220 still seems pretty current as far as design is concerned.

pxland · #14 05-03-2006, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

a lexus is not luxury.. its just an overpriced toyota with a better interior

....that never breaks down and isn't a dodge.

pj67coll · #15 05-03-2006, 08:53 AM

Well. It seems to have grown on others. Hopefully it will grow on me too. I'm not talking about how the thing rides. I'm sure it's just great - until all the gadgets start to fail... I'm concerned purely with what it looks like. I think the lights are one of the ugliest things about it. Stick a different grill and set of badges on it and I defy anyone to be able to identify it as a Mercedes. That could never be said about the classics of times gone past. Up to the W140 that is.

- Peter.