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

[Rolf]

It’s Autocar.

Nowadays Autocar is not that credible magazine as before, their reviews and test results sometimes are not inline with other mags. Nonetheless they do bring out some interesting video comparisons. This one is one of the few where their final result differs from other mags. I never expected the 7-series to wipe the floor clean over the latest A8 as here they shown. In most other comparisons the A8 has a better ride comfort and is the quieter cruiser, but maybe these particular test A8 showed some faults in the basic suspension setup compared to other test cars which were rated as good as a S-class (CarWow)

 

[Rolf]

Will repeat this again ...the interior/exterior of the 7er is going to age far better than the A8 and S class. I can’t wait to see what BMW is going to do with the 7er LCI.

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In some way I agree that the current 7-series is aging well but I do feel that now the new 3-series has been launched including the X5/X7 with BMW latest design language exterior and interiors, the 7series will be suddenly looking a tad dated and will need to be face lifted, especially the front light design/bigger grill and the interior will get new design elements from the latest models.

 

[hovabongZA]

In some way I agree that the current 7-series is aging well but I do feel that now the new 3-series has been launched including the X5/X7 with BMW latest design language exterior and interiors, the 7series will be suddenly looking a tad dated and will need to be face lifted, especially the front light design/bigger grill and the interior will get new desi...

Appreciate your mature comment Rolf.


I still say though, the current 7er will age way better than the S and A8 especially in the interior....time will tell.

 

[Merc1]

Time has already told it. The S-Class is already older and has already aged better and didn't/doesn't require some massive facelift to keep it relevant.

M

 

[sako97]

Time has already told it. The S-Class is already older and has already aged better and didn't/doesn't require some massive facelift to keep it relevant.

M

5+ years later and the S-class is still the best looking 4 door MB and the interior is still a big crowd pleaser. The pre-facelift still looks great which usually isn’t the case at MB.

Someone mentioned in another thread that only thing that really ages a S-class and kills sales is the next S-class.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

S is just playing a solitary game is his own league.

 

[Rolf]

Appreciate your mature comment Rolf.


I still say though, the current 7er will age way better than the S and A8 especially in the interior....time will tell.

I would have to disagree on this one as the W222 S-class is already over 5 years old and past its mid life and still looks fresh, even the pre FL looks like a new model. It's one of those cars that just doesnt seem to age at all. A bit like the Range Rover which also was launched in 2013 but hasnt aged it still looks fresh What is more amazing is that none of its rivals make it look dated, the 7 series and A8 may have a more tech filled interior design but their exteriors dont look anymore modern than the W222 S-class. The interior of the W222 S-class will probably stand the test of time as well due to its elegant luxury design.

 

[Merc1]

I would have to disagree on this one as the W222 S-class is already over 5 years old and past its mid life and still looks fresh, even the pre FL looks like a new model. It's one of those cars that just doesnt seem to age at all. A bit like the Range Rover which also was launched in 2013 but hasnt aged it still looks fresh What is more amazing is that no...

I can't believe how old the RR Sport and the RR are at this point yet they remain the go to vehicles/SUVs for many folks with the money to do so. It's amazing. They haven't aged much at all and with the recent facelift I have no idea when they'll full redesign them? That type of brand cache automotive gold. Zee holy grail.

M

 

[hovabongZA]

I would have to disagree on this one as the W222 S-class is already over 5 years old and past its mid life and still looks fresh, even the pre FL looks like a new model. It's one of those cars that just doesnt seem to age at all. A bit like the Range Rover which also was launched in 2013 but hasnt aged it still looks fresh What is more amazing is that no...

To a certain extent I do agree all 3 will age rather well...but the 7er will age better as do most BMWs compared to Audi’s and MBs. The interior will be the place where the S class and A8 will age very badly compared to the 7er, if you look at the previous gen of MB interiors they’ve all aged badly the same will befall the current MBs not to mention that build quality is at its lowest.

Mercedes Benz is thee “ form over function” German manufacturer it doesn’t matter if it’s cheap or fake as long as it looks good.

 

[Rolf]

To a certain extent I do agree all 3 will age rather well...but the 7er will age better as do most BMWs compared to Audi’s and MBs. The interior will be the place where the S class and A8 will age very badly compared to the 7er, if you look at the previous gen of MB interiors they’ve all aged badly the same will befall the current MBs not to men...

I do sought of agree with BMW current interiors from the E65 onwards they always been hitech and futuristic in the way their controls and instruments have been executed, it gives the impression they will last for years without been dated, which in a way is true, but in the details then you notice it is the older generation models. I think its the same with Mercedes and Audi, the infotainment screen and controls are where the biggest changes have come in all 3 brands as well as the use of full digital instruments instead of analogue and half digital (small screens in the instrument displays) for the instrument displays. BMW are still using a separated instrument binnacle and infotainment screen, while Mercedes probably has made the biggest change compared to previous gen models in that they have a single large screen with joined instrument and infotainment screens, while only now Audi are making a big change between current and older models with full touch screens for infotainment and separated HVAC.

It depends on the persons tastes, for those who prefer the latest hitech gadgets will probably be in love with BMW interiors old and new, while those who prefer the luxury elegant approach will prefer Mercedes older and newer cabins, while Audi is the middle ground between both.

If you look at the interior of a W126, W140 and W220, you wouldn't say they aged badly except maybe for the instruments and HVAC controls which are far simpler and not digitized so much. The same of the E32, E38 and E65, but they their is a big difference with E38 and E65 due to the invention of the I-drive screen and controls.

W126

W140

W220

E32

E38

E65

Audi V8

A8 D2

A8 D3

 

[klier]

Considering that the S_Class is older and has already as gracefully as a car can age vs the 7-Series which is apparently in need of a drastic facelift just to keep it relevant, I'd say you don't have a clue here.

M

The only one clueless here is you and you gang of groupies.

The E class is also getting a drastic facelift, but that's not because it needs one, it's becuse they want the car to look like the rest of the newer line-up, just like what BMW is doing with the 7er.

So how old the S class is and how big the facelift of the 7er is going to be is completely irrelevant. we're talking about the looks only and looks wise the G11 looks far better than the German competition indeed.

 

[SKY]

The S-Class interior, particularly this W222, is the best interior of the MB line up. And I would say it is the only current MB car that has a nicer interior than any other competitor. Well, if the Panny is considered, I would say not even the S-Class has the nicest interior in the segment.

But certainly BMW interiors age better than the equivalent MB. There are exceptions, of course. I still consider the W211 interior far nicer than the E60 5er.

Just look at this:

Against this:

 

[hovabongZA]

The S-Class interior, particularly this W222, is the best interior of the MB line up. And I would say it is the only current MB car that has a nicer interior than any other competitor. Well, if the Panny is considered, I would say not even the S-Class has the nicest interior in the segment.

But certainly BMW interiors age better than the equivalent MB. Th...

Thats the F10 interior.

This is the E60 interior

You’ve proven one thing though looks are very subjective I feel the complete opposite, but we are in agreement most BMW interiors and I would say exteriors have aged better than equivalent competitors.

 

[SKY]

Thats the F10 interior.

This is the E60 interior

You’ve proven one thing though looks are very subjective I feel the complete opposite, but we are in agreement most BMW interiors and I would say exteriors have aged better than equivalent competitors.

It's the F01. The F10 has a trim insertion between the radio and AC controls, and does not have the cut in the passenger side trim, which was exclusive for the 7er.

 

[hovabongZA]

It's the F01. The F10 has a trim insertion between the radio and AC controls, and does not have the cut in the passenger side trim, which was exclusive for the 7er.

My apologies in my defense they do look very similar. Can’t be confused with the E60 interior.

 

[Grosser]

When BMW fans don't differentiate F01 vs F10 interior but they don't like when MB exteriors are the same.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

The S-Class interior, particularly this W222, is the best interior of the MB line up. And I would say it is the only current MB car that has a nicer interior than any other competitor. Well, if the Panny is considered, I would say not even the S-Class has the nicest interior in the segment.

But certainly BMW interiors age better than the equivalent MB. Th...

Not wanting to be pedantic, but that is a W221 S interior @SKY

 

[SKY]

Not wanting to be pedantic, but that is a W221 S interior @SKY

I know. That is why I campared it with the F01. My point is the W221 interior has aged poorly. But the W222 has aged way better.

 

[dorcollaku]

@SKY, that can't be more wrong.

The w221 interior is one of the highlights of automotive interior design for the past 2 decades. Admitedly not interely original, but its architectural cohesiveness and simplicity will be a benchmark for generations to come. If anything, the designers self-restriction is to be applauded. The w222 is a step back in this regard, though far better than the w201 undertones contained in the interior of the current 7-series.

As for the recent BMW interiors, bar the e60/ e65 bangle ones, they are borderline banal in their overall concept. The new 8-series is almost a parody of the '80s. Nor sure what intrinsic value they can uphold for the future.

 

[Merc1]

The only one clueless here is you and you gang of groupies.

The E class is also getting a drastic facelift, but that's not because it needs one, it's becuse they want the car to look like the rest of the newer line-up, just like what BMW is doing with the 7er.

So how old the S class is and how big the facelift of the 7er is going to be is completely irrel...

Your posts have been relegated to the dogs barking in the distance sound. A NMMF.

M