Before owning my 1994 S320L,I owned a 1992 Lexus LS400 for 4 years.For these 4-yrs experience(done 90,000kms),I can say Lexus is a trouble-free car and extremely reliable, smooth,quiet sedan.Of course,it is not perfect.For example,the air suspension is too soft for high speed that you won't drive it faster that 120km/h(if you are spoiled by Mercedes extreme stability.)And the wind noise is too loud after 100km/h that becomes another main factor that contributes the unstable feeling.However,it is almost perfect in city-driving,everything is just right,smooth,quiet and so relexing that I have never found that feeling in my S-class and any other cars.At this point,Lexus seems far better than a Mercedes.No!,it isn't because one thing it can never beat a Mercedes---extreme well combination of stable and comfort feeling.Every time when I drive my Mercedes down motorway,I would forget it's bad pts and enjoy the excellent rides- Like a jumbo-jet carrying passengers in the 1st-class.And then I tell myself that I won't go for any other brands again.
From Davis Lo

I like both the Lexus and the Benz but there is just no replacement for a chrome Mercedes hood star! Alot of class. Do you agree ?

I went from a 96 suburban to a 90 G-wagen with far fewer amenities. I drove them back to back and my favorite feature of the Mercedes is the rock solid construction and intuitive sense of the road it has. My wife drives a 740iL and now that we can afford to we will never stray from the premium German brands. There simply is no comparison in saftey,engineering and driving prowess.

------------------
90 300GE 5sp
95 740iL

G-Man,
I completely agree with your comments.BMW 7-series is an excellent car as well-good choice!! But can I ask you a question "Why don't you go for the short-wheelbase version of 740 ?"I tried a 1995 740i(before I bought my S320L ) and a brand-new 1998 750iL(my friend's car).What I can tell is the swb 740i feels more like a BMW- It was so cool when cornering.It may be the most sporty and fun-to-drive sedan with quality ride("may be" since I haven't tried Audi A8 yet).However,I was a bit disapointed with my friend's 750iL as the car feels too long (but actually it is quite a bit shorter that S-class) especially when cornering- it is not as stable as the 740i with both sport and comfort suspension settings and there is nothing dealing with under and over steering but nautrally the whole 'plant' moving sidewards-not in a dangerous extent but enough to make you apply braking and never try it again!(I did a reasonable test-but not a test-pilot sytle driving).And the LWB doesn't give me enough road message to 'predict' the limit and when it comes (instead I found plenty of them in the SWB).Rather than that both of them get a very handsome 'barvarian' styish look and I love the inside decoration- very classy and make you feel you are out of the crowd.(especially the whole leather panel and premium sound system in 750).If I choose a 7-seies to ride rather than drive-LWB is better.but if I want both-I would sacrifice a little more room for a lot more fun.
From Davis Lo

TO BAD that another person is looking to BMW rather than a MERCEDES-BENZ. If you want fun take a ride in a w140 S600. Opinions or comments ?

Before this gets into a brand loyalty flame war...I'd just like to chime in with a recommendation for the W220 S500. In my experience it rides better and is quieter than the previous W140. (you can hear the engine, but that is a GOOD thing IMO) Handling is an EASY advantage over the W140. Only gripe being some of the interior bits are not quite what I would want in a flagship luxury sedan. They improved all the measurable traits while lowering the price, guess it had to come out somewhere... True, the S600 might have it on the extreme top end or perhaps pure snob appeal, but the S500 has a solid lead in about every other measurable standard(W220 of course). Only gripe is that it could use far more capable tires given its attributes. Still, everyone has the traits that appeal to them most. The different manufacturers each do something a little different to suit the public. Just drive everything and your butt will tell you what is "best" for you.

Just my opinion...Lee

Brand Flame War or not, different people have different tastes. I used to own BMWs(520i, 535i, 740i, 750il, 850i), and I tell you, the most enjoyable I ever had is the 740i. It's fast, coners great, and not too big. 850i, despites its sporty sppearance, drives almost the same as the 750iL(1990). But when I got my '92 400SE, I realized that I have been such a fool getting a 850i. 400SE rides alot smooth, and corners just about the same(850i still coners better though) with Pirelli tires/18" wheel combo.

The 3-point star on the hood really show the "class". And I am totally agree with it.

As Lee stated, don't let it became another flame war. Shouldn't we be glad that we have these chances to own such nice automobiles??

Happy Motoring.....
Andy Kuo
'92 400SE

Dear Gentlemen,
I completely agree with you that 'different cars suit different people's taste' and 'our butts will tell which one is best for us '.The objective that I have written that opinions is NOT make any comments or tell which brand or model is better but just share my experience or feelings with any other who interest in those cars like me.I expect to tell my own opinion as well as opinions or experiences from the others.It is too sad if it becomes a flame war.I love cars...I love Mercedes,B.M.W.,Lexus...they are all built with top quality and they are all MASTERPIECES that deserve the best!What I really expect to talk here is driving experience and feelings on those fine arts but not say which one is better or worst since it is competely personal perference and that's why they got so many customers or enthusiasm of their own.Whichever model gives you the most that you want,then go for it!just that simple!I personally don't want to see any aggressive comment that hurts anyone here.We are all car enthusiastics,I would be so happy to see anyone to share their experience or comment on cars since that is the WAY I LEARN something/experience that I have never had.I think that should be the way we make 'web mates'- SHARE MINE AND LEARN FROM THE OTHERS and this is the innocent and only reason that I write those about my experience!Hope that's the way we are.I really like any of you. You guides are so COOL!! From DAVIS LO

Dear Davis,

Learning is power, and I am certain everyone here like to share their experience with different cars. Lucky me that I have been in almost any cars on the road, and I can tell you, been in a Diablo VT is a life time experience, unforgetable....

I like cars, too. You can call me nuts....because I like cars so much, I even go out and buy every single racing games for PC(good ones, of course)...

Write me emails
mercebug@mail.com

or ICQ me at #26950002
and we can talk more about cars...

Happy Motoring....
Andy Kuo
'92 400SE

Lexus shouldnt even have the right to be compared to Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Lexus are rebadged Toyotas. The ES300 is a Camry with leather and wood. The same with the RX(Camry Chassis) and LX470 (Land Cruiser). Lexus has been around for only 10 years and has copied their cars to be like Benzs and Bimmers, but they still come up short.