Blackmercedes - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jamesnj · #1 01-08-2003, 10:36 PM

Blackmercedes would you consider doing a weekly write-up/review of at least one model you've driven in the past? Your reviews from the past are informative and well written.

I think it'd be nice to have someone do a weekly column on this board about a car he has recently driven----any make/or model.

suginami · #2 01-08-2003, 10:43 PM

I second the motion.

#3 01-08-2003, 10:44 PM

Third

suginami · #4 01-08-2003, 10:46 PM

All in favor say aye.

"aye".

Good. The motion has passed with unanimous acclaim.

rickg · #5 01-09-2003, 12:19 AM

Hmmm....
The air is still.....crickets chirp away in the background.....Blackmercedes is nowhere to be seen.....

blackmercedes · #6 01-09-2003, 02:08 AM

Sorry, many guests at my home this evening.

What have I driven? Many MB's! Memorable? Any AMG cars. All are off the wow meter in their own regards.

What about the W220 S500? What do I think? Spent some time on the left coast with one a while back. Pretty impressive machine. The V-8 was at least as smooth as any V-12, and as smooth as any engine any Japanese maker dare to run against it. The 302 ponies makes it agile, and losing many many pounds from the W140 chassis makes it quite a dancer.

If I had to find a 200 inch long luxury sedan to chase a 911 with, any W220 would be it. It's the best handling big car I have ever driven. The W140 has it's own skills. A mountain road tailing a Porsche is not one of them. Not like a W220 can.

The five gear autobox was also superb. Seamless and quick to respond. Not waiting an hour for a downshift is nice, unlike some older MB's I've driven.

The body? Well, the new 7 series has a look, and pretty it is not. The W220 is graceful, flowing, and looks like it will age with style and grace. A fine replacement for the "I'm a big-ass Mercedes, get the hell out of my way" look of the W140. The W220 has no styling gimmicks. It sets the standard for good looking luxury sedans.

The interior? Oops. Nice, but not robust like the W140, W124, or W202. Even the "lowly C-Class" W202 has(d) heavier feeling interior materials. Jean Jennings will back me up on this one, so quit 'yer whining.

I hated the COMAND (Why can't they spell command right?) and found it counterintuitive right from the get-go. I don't want to take a course to drive the car. The i-drive would mean the no-sale for me.

People constantly say the W220 is a "Lexus clone." Wrong! Drive them! It's in the driving. The Lexus is soft where the W220 is hard. The Lexus floats where the Mercedes hunkers down. Pour an LS430 into a switchback, and it begs to get back home to the freeway and coffee in the cupholder. It gives you the phone number of the GS430 and runs for cover. The S500 begs for more. Bring it on baby!

Want the finest machine to take from coast to coast with three friends? Got a "Policeman's benevolent fund" sticker and a company gas card? Pick any of the W220 cars. Many auto journalists have declared it the best car made, period. Maybe there's something to this rumour...