Tumbo
RPM Ruler
I am one of those who do that. The S8 is on another level. Plus, it looks soooooo much better. The A8 4.0T still has some of that dullness of a standard A8, while in the S8, its almost gone.
Comparison tests AutoZeitung - Audi A8 4.0 TFSI vs BMW 750i vs Mercedes-Benz S500 4matic vs Porsche Panamera 4S
- Thread starter DeDe
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LaArtist
Wunderkind of Wheels
Yeah its beyond anything ever in this class.. AMG S classes? they got nothing on the S8
There is no denying the S-class has been the very definition of the category much like the M3 has been but nothing sits still and nothing is a given which was my point, the A8 has made huge leaps and is currently at the point where depending on the model chosen can be considered as good as the S-class. One area is can't compete at the moment is pedigree but this is more a question of snobbery rather than ability.
Not a good comparison in my opinion, one's dead and the other is simply annoying.
MAJESTIC
Quattro Commander
I kinda figured you wouldn't have understood the comparison.
Only to those who think "Korean" in terms of design, it`s really the other way around.
The S-Class draws upon CLS and Ocean-Drive for design inspiration.
Hyundai copied some of those design elements for the Equus before the new S-Class broke cover.
(I believe posted a link about this sometime back.)
Anyway guys should know that most of these major car companies do collaborate on design work.
Mercedes was one of the few who admitted this when the W212 E-Class was introduced back in 2010.
My comment was a joke, so you kinda didn't get that.
Anyway my point is no one can sit on their laurels Mercedes knows that only too well and brands like Audi, BMW etc are gunning for them which is why I won't be surprised if in the future someone else becomes the benchmark.
MAJESTIC
Quattro Commander
but Mercedes sells alot more S classes than BMW or Audi sells 7 series or A8's, so i believe they have way bigger developement budget. If Audi (VW) or BMW starts spending huge lumps of money on their S class competitors i dont think they are going to make a lot of profit
Whist I agree numbers spread the development costs thus improving profits per unit sold though I'm not entirely sure any manufacturer views things this way, it's often said that their pinnacle products benefit sales and overall image of the rest of the range so it really depends on how much they want to throw at it.
Maybe. But if you could look from BMW perspective im sure you would throw more money into your i product line and 3/5 series, cause its your bread and butter and probably makes huge portion of your profits, so you cannot fail those models. Thus Mercedes cannot fail with S class, cause i believe they make really nice profits with them, so they can flow more of it towards making them. A8 or 7er is not some A7 or X6 which is pretty much a6/x5 respectively with different body style, top of the line models are base models and reqs big ammounts of money. Just look how bespoke S class looks, i cant imagine how much developement cost of it, while a8 and 7er i believe share a lot of things with other cars, like platform and interior design. Plus we all heard about Mercedes wanting to bring S class even more upmarket, to compete with Ghost or mulsanne, that just shows how commited Merc is to S class.
Benekt, can you elaborate why are you disagreeing with my opinion? And maybe expand a bit about your describtion of S class being too comfortable?
^It might well be a very profitable product for Mercedes but I'm sure it still accounts for a smaller percentage of their overall profits than either the C or E-class. So like I've already said I'm pretty sure the S-class's success as a product and how it has benefitted the entire range and image of Mercedes is the real reason why they plow so much into its R&D but this doesn't mean that Audi or BMW for that matter can't beat it at its own game in the future and based on how quickly Audi has reached their level I reckon its a forgone conclusion.
Could be, it would be interesting to see such information. I dont say its not possible, but perception is too strong of S class being go to luxury car, audi would need couple of generations of a8 being at least on the same level as S to change it.
klier
Premium
The S class looks bespoke because it's a new design direction. It will soon loose that because every new MB will mimic it and use parts of it. The F01 was just as bespoke when it first came out, since everything was new and not seen before in any other Bimmer.
Also, the S class is on a modular platform and will soon even have modular engines, so there is absolutely nothing bespoke there either.
Simply put, the S class is just another luxury sedan from Germany. It has the most history sure, not denying that. But the current A8 and 7er already do a fine job competing with it given their age. Don't let the MB fans fool you, S class is not the second coming of Christ.
Also, can't wait for all the dislikes and disagrees. Bring it on.
Because it is crazy to begin with?
klier
Premium
F01 has been selling more than W221 in some markets, and when the new 7er comes it will again overtake the S class in some (important) markets. Worldwide, I don't think the numbers are far off from eachother for W221 and F01...
Also, you keep talking about development costs, so do you have any numbers?
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