Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[AbsoluteUnit]

I think Maybach needs to go upmarket more with their grades of leather or other unique seat materials, as well as higher grades of woods, to make them competitive with Bentley. The wood trims in the S-class Maybach are no better than what is available on the standard S-class and even the leather on the seats and doors is not much better. They need to look at even the carpets and make them denser and plusher.

What they need is unique bodywork on the same platform. It's more expensive, but then ... Charge more. There's a lot of space between Maybach and Bentley/Rolls. Move up. Not like the buyers or Maybach are price sensitive.

 

[Swissbob]

I think Maybach needs to go upmarket more with their grades of leather or other unique seat materials, as well as higher grades of woods, to make them competitive with Bentley. The wood trims in the S-class Maybach are no better than what is available on the standard S-class and even the leather on the seats and doors is not much better. They need to look at even the carpets and make them denser and plusher.

Wood trims I agree.

The leather quality is in the GLS Maybach on a different level, but GLE/GLS generally don’t have very good leather TBH.

Carpets are also in GLS Maybach much better than in the GLS.

I think the differences between the S and S-Maybach are smaller than between a GLS and a GLS Maybach.

But I generally think the GLS has to much plastic for the S in the GLS label.

 

[Rolf]

Wood trims I agree.

The leather quality is in the GLS Maybach on a different level, but GLE/GLS generally don’t have very good leather TBH.

Carpets are also in GLS Maybach much better than in the GLS.

I think the differences between the S and S-Maybach are smaller than between a GLS and a GLS Maybach.

But I generally think the GLS has to much plastic for the S in the GLS label.

The biggest mistake Mercedes made with the GLS is to use the same interior as the GLE but only add a 3rd row of seats. They need to move it upmarket to match the moniker of S-class of SUV's that Mercedes pretends to label it. It would be great if they can use the S-class interior in the GLS together with higher grades of leather and wood.

You right about the GLS and GLS Maybach, there is a much bigger gap in the quality of those cars interiors with the type of leather used and the rear reclining seat of the GLS Maybach is on another level. The S-class Maybach needs to improve and put further distance between it and the S-class.

 

[Swissbob]

The biggest mistake Mercedes made with the GLS is to use the same interior as the GLE but only add a 3rd row of seats. They need to move it upmarket to match the moniker of S-class of SUV's that Mercedes pretends to label it. It would be great if they can use the S-class interior in the GLS together with higher grades of leather and wood.

You right about the GLS and GLS Maybach, there is a much bigger gap in the quality of those cars interiors with the type of leather used and the rear reclining seat of the GLS Maybach is on another level. The S-class Maybach needs to improve and put further distance between it and the S-class.

I agree 100%with you.

The GLS should be going after the Range Rover. The Maybach would be one step further.

The current GLS should be called GLE 580 L like on the S-Class.

The rear seats of the GLS Maybach combined with the smooth ride, were the reasons why I preferred this to the Cullinan and Bentayga ( both can’t be ordered with luxury seats BTW).

The Range Rover is available with these seats. But the ride is much firmer.

 

[Merc1]

At first glance yes.

But the differences are bigger than between an Alpina and a BMW.

You have to drive one to feel it.

The problem is, Mercedes Benz uses the Maybach as the flagship of the specific Mercedes Benz model, therefore they can’t rave about the differences, on the other hand they had turn the car upside down to have this completely different driving experience.

In the GLS they should use the GLS63 as the flagship.

The GLS600 Maybach is a different car, which is based on the GLS Body.
In that case they could differentiate the car even further, especially design wise.

They’re the same car tho with modifications. That is how it’s marketed as well. If it were truly a different car there would be far more differences in the sheetmetal, but I get what you’re saying about the differences in tuning and suspension etc. A more bespoke GLS Maybach would only use the GLS chassis not the body and same interior hard points. It’s going to always be hobbled by the fact they’re using a GLS to modify as a base.


M

 

[Merc1]

What they need is unique bodywork on the same platform. It's more expensive, but then ... Charge more. There's a lot of space between Maybach and Bentley/Rolls. Move up. Not like the buyers or Maybach are price sensitive.

Right. I know Mercedes can do this but I think they’re still shell shocked over the W240 models failure. The possibilities are endless tho. Hell borrow Aston Martin’s V12 if you have to.



M

 

[Merc1]

I wonder if the next GLS will be the one that puts it over. The facelift isn’t going to do it.

M

 

[Swissbob]

They’re the same car tho with modifications. That is how it’s marketed as well. If it were truly a different car there would be far more differences in the sheetmetal, but I get what you’re saying about the differences in tuning and suspension etc. A more bespoke GLS Maybach would only use the GLS chassis not the body and same interior hard points. It’s going to always be hobbled by the fact they’re using a GLS to modify as a base.


M

You’re right

It’s funny If you compare them, everything you touch in the Maybach is covered with fine Nappa leather, If you touch the same places in the GLS you feel immediately the hard plastic.

The marketing department of Mercedes Benz is a real mess, no wonder they had to fire most of them.

 

[Swissbob]

Right. I know Mercedes can do this but I think they’re still shell shocked over the W240 models failure. The possibilities are endless tho. Hell borrow Aston Martin’s V12 if you have to.



M

The W240 was too expensive, also they should have done a coupe and a convertible.

The right price would be about 20% more than the Arnage, in Switzerland it was almost the double If I remember correctly.

Now they’re shocked how well the S-Maybach sells.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Right. I know Mercedes can do this but I think they’re still shell shocked over the W240 models failure. The possibilities are endless tho. Hell borrow Aston Martin’s V12 if you have to.



M

Lol, they have a perfectly good V12s of their own. One they sell to Pagani, no less. Modernise it. Add that 48V mild hybrid to it, so it can power e-ABC, and charge an extra $150,000 for it to be fitted to the Maybach. Again the people that buy those cars, are not price sensitive. They'll pay for it.

 

[Serpens]

I agree 100%with you.

The GLS should be going after the Range Rover. The Maybach would be one step further.

The current GLS should be called GLE 580 L like on the S-Class.

The rear seats of the GLS Maybach combined with the smooth ride, were the reasons why I preferred this to the Cullinan and Bentayga ( both can’t be ordered with luxury seats BTW).

The Range Rover is available with these seats. But the ride is much firmer.

GLS positioning needs to be done with care. It can’t too far upmarket or sales will start to falter in its most important market, the U.S. It’s a family hauler and needs to be priced appropriately. That doesn’t mean higher trims can’t go after the Range Rover though.

 

[Swissbob]

The current GLS should be replaced with a GLE LWB, they did this with the R-Class only the LWB had a spacious 3. row.

 

[PHYBENZ]

They have to be very careful with the pricing of the GLS because as far as leases it is much more expensive than an X7. What annoys me most of the GLS is the fact that the lower part of the doors, which is a large area is ALL hard plastic.

 

[Swissbob]

They have to be very careful with the pricing of the GLS because as far as leases it is much more expensive than an X7. What annoys me most of the GLS is the fact that the lower part of the doors, which is a large area is ALL hard plastic.

You mentioned the most annoying thing of this car.
And I think the 3. row is cramped. Especially If you compare it with an Escalade.

8 inches more wheelbase would be fine.

Currently it’s in no man’s land, to cramped for a proper 3 row SUV, to big for Europe.
And to wear the S moniker simply not luxurious enough.

 

[Merc1]

Lol, they have a perfectly good V12s of their own. One they sell to Pagani, no less. Modernise it. Add that 48V mild hybrid to it, so it can power e-ABC, and charge an extra $150,000 for it to be fitted to the Maybach. Again the people that buy those cars, are not price sensitive. They'll pay for it.

I’m saying that if cost is an issue, they do have an agreement with Aston vs spending money updating their own V12.

M