Comparison tests MB S-Class vs Audi A8 vs BMW 7 series review

[hovabongZA]

You need to sit in different models and then judge, the Mercedes models are more or less on par with Audi and BMW. None of these brands has perfect interior quality in lower models, there is an area of the interior you will find cheap plastic in all brands. If you want examples, look at @Mick Briesgau review of the 7-series, he said there are some parts of the interior that show cost cutting compared to his S-class. The Audi A4 is no...

I’m sorry, but I find reviews from owners anything, but credible especially if they are reviewing a competitors car. I don’t see an owner of a S class climbing into a 7er or A8 and proclaiming they have better build interiors because more often than not they will be biased. All manufacturers cost cut, but MB are doing the most.

 

[sako97]

No, I disagree. You’re wrong.

Hilarious

 

[Matski]

Personal experience and anecdotal experience are not evidence of fact... just sayin'

 

[sako97]

Personal experience and anecdotal experience are not evidence of fact... just sayin'

Neither is subjectivity.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

The S class is basically what Mercedes Benz stands for. That segment will always, always belong to Mercedes. The new A8 is very impressive, but the S class is about seven years old, right? The next generation S which I believe is right around the corner will surely be the king again when it gets released.

 

[Matski]

Neither is subjectivity.

True. Sadly objectivity is often lacking from so many posts.

 

[LaArtist]

Anyway the 7er is just ass lol

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

You need to sit in different models and then judge, the Mercedes models are more or less on par with Audi and BMW. None of these brands has perfect interior quality in lower models, there is an area of the interior you will find cheap plastic in all brands. If you want examples, look at @Mick Briesgau review of the 7-series, he said there are some parts of the interior that show cost cutting compared to his S-class. The Audi A4 is no...

Agreed. They all show evidence of cost cutting either in materials or build. Audi are master's at disguising material shortcomings with impeccable alignment, finish and solid feel and Mercedes has managed to fool build and soldity shortcomings many with more flamboyant/emotive design. BMW hasn't managed to do either as well as the other two and has thus been called up on a lack of perceived quality when in fact it has been no worse and is in fact arguably better than the other two in certain instances.

The new Q5 and X3 are a case in point. The X3 easily is the better finished product in terms of materials and is just as solid in terms of build, yet the Audi is the one that continues to garner undeserved praise for it's interior.

 

[Rolf]

I’m sorry, but I find reviews from owners anything, but credible especially if they are reviewing a competitors car. I don’t see an owner of a S class climbing into a 7er or A8 and proclaiming they have better build interiors because more often than not they will be biased. All manufacturers cost cut, but MB are doing the most.

I wouldnt say @Mick Briesgau is biased at all when you read his reviews of both BMW 7 and Audi A8 he has positive things to say about both cars compared to his S-class. The A8 he reckons is very close to the S-class in overall ability, Mick was saying even the A8 could have better noise insulation. I take his reviews honestly as he was at time in the market for a new car and was thinking of a replacement for his W222 with a 7 series even.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Why can't I edit my post? The second sentence of my post makes absolutely no sense.

 

[martinbo]

Agreed. They all show evidence of cost cutting either in materials or build. Audi are master's at disguising material shortcomings with impeccable alignment, finish and solid feel and Mercedes has managed to fool build and soldity shortcomings many with more flamboyant/emotive design. BMW hasn't managed to do either as well as the other two and has thus been called up on a lack of perceived quality when in fact it has been no worse and is in fact a...

In my opinion, this is one of the most balanced viewpoints when it comes to interior quality appraisal on this forum. Unfortunately, unless you truly live with various interiors, or analyse them in great detail when you do get a briefer opportunity, an opinion on build and material quality becomes entirely subjective and personal. Your X3 vs Q5 example is a case in point.

 

[Busty]

I find it rather contentious that the S Class 'suddenly' appears have ride quality issues..the so called potholes and bumps all of a sudden appear out of nowehere lol. IMO another strange finding from this particular reviewer. I wonder if some members with real experiences can add to this? Such as @Mick Briesgau..

I think the reason for these kinds of 'changes of mind' is just time (i.e. changing competition, changing standards). The new A8, for instance, defines comfort in a rather new way, some testers may love that kinda comfort/ride and all of a sudden, they test the S class against the A8 (and not the A8 against the S class ... like they mostly did in the past). Same is true for the interior.
However, on a more personal (and subjective ) note, I have to say that I do not think that those new top-notch Audi interiors feel very valuable ... I have given my arguments on that before. The entire screen area is just not convincing, neither haptically nor functionally. So I guess some testers are blinded by its novelty and spectacle.

However, there is something going on in this segment. And BMW (imo) has to finally realize that they need to come up with something more spectacular and less conventional to get a bigger piece of the cake. They need to take the risk to lose one or the other highly conventional customer, and if they didn't overdo it in an E65-like stunt, the might also keep a lot of their clientele ...

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I think the reason for these kinds of 'changes of mind' is just time (i.e. changing competition, changing standards). The new A8, for instance, defines comfort in a rather new way, some testers may love that kinda comfort/ride and all of a sudden, they test the S class against the A8 (and not the A8 against the S class ... like they mostly did in the past). Same is true for the interior.
However, on a more personal (and subjective ) note, I have to...

I agree, Busty.

Perhaps it could benefit BMW (and its' share of the respective market segment) were they not to position the 7er as close to the S-Class as is currently the case. I like what BMW has done with its' new 8er, for example. Positioning it between M-Bs' C217 (the BMW being far more a traditional "Grand Tourer" than a "Personal Coupe". Excuse the "American" terminology) and Porsches' 911 Carreras (the Carrera, despite its' inflationary growth in dimensions, being more of a "sportcar" than a "GT"). It will be very interesting to see how "The 8" does in its' marketplace and how many members of its' target audience respond with their wallets. As well as how many potential 7er customers will opt for an 8er GC instead.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

I think the reason for these kinds of 'changes of mind' is just time (i.e. changing competition, changing standards). The new A8, for instance, defines comfort in a rather new way, some testers may love that kinda comfort/ride and all of a sudden, they test the S class against the A8 (and not the A8 against the S class ... like they mostly did in the past). Same is true for the interior.
However, on a more personal (and subjective ) note, I have to...

IMO the E 65 is the only 7er ever, that succeeded to make a bigger statement than its contemporary S class the W 220. And I think that this is the most important feature in this class.

 

[Busty]

IMO the E 65 is the only 7er ever, that succeeded to make a bigger statement than its contemporary S class the W 220. And I think that this is the most important feature in this class.

As far as I (personally) am concerned, I wholeheartedly agree with that. I absolutely admire the E65 (only in pre-facelift guise, however) and I acknowledge its immense contribution to the segment and maybe even to modern cars in general. However, this iteration might have taken just a little too much risk and deviated a bit too far from the BMW formula for the mass market. In terms of sales, it profited from a particularly weak iteration of the S class at that time. The W220 cut back on opulent luxury rather excessively and lost customers over that.
Today, the conflict is that most customers are used to a certain comfort, especially in that segment. So there is practically no alternative to building a classic luxury cruiser. But BMW is (still) also about dynamics, handling, directness. Imo, it would make sense to make the future 7er lighter (lower unsprung mass), smaller, sharper, more precise, and to introduce a new segment paradigm that builds upon driver/passenger orientation and the luxury of 'lightness'.

 

[mercpassion]

I honestly believe, the public is highly 'programmed' by certain automotive journalism to simply take Audi interiors as the ultimate standard and nothing less, well who knows the inner reasons behind this??, when there are plenty of issues with Audi interiors even in isolation to the other two brands..it's been the norm for years now.

 

[klier]

If you want examples, look at @Mick Briesgau review of the 7-series, he said there are some parts of the interior that show cost cutting compared to his S-class.

No kidding coming from an MB fanboy.
But just ask @sako97, Mick cannot even have an opinion on the 7er because he has no long term experience with it.

Neither is subjectivity.

So what is your point then?
Or was it just another stab at Hovaboza?

Lol the BMW is just a pos

Always better than a piece of overpriced VAG junk.
Boy, I still love Internal Combustion. So much fun isn't it

 

[klier]

Imo, it would make sense to make the future 7er lighter (lower unsprung mass), smaller, sharper, more precise, and to introduce a new segment paradigm that builds upon driver/passenger orientation and the luxury of 'lightness'.

They should keep the 7er as is (maybe a bit more bold but the FL of the G11 is already working on that) to be a direct competitor for the S class and the market it represents. And then they could make an 8er GC for the lighter, sportier experience....
Isn't the 7er doing just fine?

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Isn't the 7er doing just fine?

I reckon that "fine" is a pliable term, Klier. At least with regard to its' homemarket, the G11/12 7er occupies the lower end of the "Luxusklasse" registration totempole with registration numbers (first 6 months of 2018) very close to those of the D5 Audi A8 and Porsche Panamera II. It must also be considered that A8 and Panny sales (primarily diesels) have been subjected to moratoriums due to new emission-standard certification. As German registration authorities regard the Audi A7 and M-B CLS as being "Luxusklasse" automobiles, the first-half 2018 sales tally sees the W222 leading the segment by a comfortable albeit not massive margin. Audis' second-gen A7 comes in 2nd while the C257 CLS takes 3rd, some 1000 units+ less than the A7. Had it not been for the VAG product sales moratoriums, I suspect that the Panny as well as A8 would have surpassed the 7er in sales. Then again...did BMW also initiate a sales moratorium of some G11/12 7ers ?

And mind you, these are German registrations. Perhaps the G12 7er fares better versus non-W222 competitors in North America, China, Russia, Middle East, etc.

 

[AndreB]

I own the D4 A8 since 2014 and in many of my ski trips I've rented the S W222.

I can say that I noticed a bit more cost cutting in S class, especially door panels and trunk area. Some switch gear in the S class like the sun visor are carried over from a 2004 CLK, my AMG GT has the same old things, which is silly.

The ride obviously is more comfortable in the S class, however less dynamic and too boaty for my liking. My A8 feels like a smaller car.

I also drove the 7 Series for a couple days and I really liked the drive train, very responsive and dynamic, couldn't notice that it's a diesel engine.
I even considered buying it but I can't justify the 60k euro over my current car, it just doesn't feel like a major departure, maybe because of the black interior.

The new A8 is a well engineered car but interior is too spaceship.