S-Class (W222/C217/A217) [Official] Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222)

[Dawid21]

The S-Class is an attitude, an aspiration, a way of seeing things.
And the S-Class has always been ahead of its time.
From its revolutionary design and engineering and the materials used in its construction to its finishing touches, the new S-Class looks, sounds and feels like no car before.

 

[Amat46]

^^read those lines somewhere!

 

[Pagani]

The Maybach name earned some rep since the admittedly lukewarm 140-based car debuted. It certainly earned its share of mentions on rap and hip-hop songs, right up there with the Phantom. I see no reason why MB should not avail itself of the name. Why let that brand equity go to waste? Certainly some fans being uncomfortable with the association of a car that failed to beat the competition is not reason enough to cease use of the name. Let us recall that Maybach was at the end of the last millennium meant just as a special Mercedes Benz-branded model, not a brand onto itself. Now, it is a notch below and is a "special edition" of the S Class.

 

[Merc1]

There is no brand equity in Maybach. Videos and hip hop songs don't sell cars. Why push a new/old name, why not just promote Mercedes-Benz.

M

 

[Amat46]

Well the people at Mercedes are not plain idiots.

 

[Serpens]

Well the people at Mercedes are not plain idiots.

Right. This S600 Maybach will not be a Phantom competitor. I think it's going to fit right in the Bentley Continental territory. So a half step up from where it is now. I'm thinking about Maybach like "Mulliner" is to Bentley.

 

[merc4]

I hate to think of another failure at the top end for Mercedes. I don't see why they're scared to reach back and call it the 600, Grosser or something, forget Maybach. Maybach is a dead name, no one under 80 outside of Germany knows what a Maybach was, is or should be today.

This whole thing about competing with the Phantom and Mulsanne just looks like no win for Mercedes IMO. Reason why is because in order to compete with a car like the Phantom, they need a truly bespoke car, not just an stretched S-Class with extra seats and more leather. Then the problem becomes what is the S-Class supposed to be if you create something superior to it? Labeling a stretched S-Class the S600 Maybach is just pointless. S600L or something low-key would be better. Unless Mercedes is going to create a bespoke car and give it a historic Mercedes name they can forget the Phantom. That car is larger than life and as much as I love Mercedes, they aren't there anymore. How about W100 or just 600. Then how to avoid confusion with the "regular" S600? So many things be sorted out here, if at all possible to compete with a Phantom.

M

I do not think it will be only a stretched S klasse. There is some misconception or misunderstanding concerning the name of the top of the range MB. The stretched S klasse on the photos will not be the range topper and so will not be called Maybach. At least to what we have been told in the past the Maybach, if it will be called like it, should be heavily reworked S klasse, it should be something like the 600 was to the w108. I think the testing of that car will begin only after all the other models of the S klasse range are on sale.

 

[Merc1]

I do not think it will be only a stretched S klasse. There is some misconception or misunderstanding concerning the name of the top of the range MB. The stretched S klasse on the photos will not be the range topper and so will not be called Maybach. At least to what we have been told in the past the Maybach, if it will be called like it, should be heavily reworked S klasse, it should be something like the 600 was to the w108. I think the testing of that car will begin only after all the other models of the S klasse range are on sale.

I hope that is the case.

M

 

[Merc1]

Well the people at Mercedes are not plain idiots.

No they aren't but their marketing of any brand outside of Mercedes-Benz is dismal at best. Hopefully they won't botch this, whatever it is.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I agree with both arguments. While I believe there is merit to keeping the Maybach name, because there is some brand equity there now after a decade or so of it's existence, more so now than 'Grosser' or 600, as long as it is clearly marketed as a MERCEDES Maybach. Conversely I feel a stretched and pimped out S-class is not sufficient to take on the Bentley and Rolls Royce. Something more bespoke is needed.

That said Zetsche seems to have a pretty solid understanding of the MB brand compared to his joke of a predecessor, so hopefully whatever they execute is successful.

 

[Merc1]

I don't see how you all can think there is some brand equity in a brand name that failed miserably.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

Suspect it may be merely badged as "S600" like the 221 S600 Pullman shown below.

The product manager recently mentioned badging in a video. On an S 600 I'd expect these designations, in bold:

W222 - SWB - S 600
V222 - LWB - S 600
X222 - XWB - S 600
VV222 - Pullman - S 600
C217 - Coupé - S 600
A217 - Cabriolet - S 600

PS. Removing badges from the lid is a no cost option when ordering at some dealers.

 

[MBZFAN]

Hello All,

After sending some emails/texts to my sales guy and general manager requesting an arrival date of my W222 and not hearing anything, I stopped in today to get an update. They let me know my car has been assigned to a ship, and will be at the dealership within 4 weeks. Then my sales guy printed out my window sticker for me to show the MSRP.

When I got the window sticker, it seemed off from what I signed when I ordered and put down my $2,000 deposit on the car back on June 25th. After confirming this was indeed my PO #, the dealer admitted they had screwed up the order & didn't order the sport package 1 for me, didn't order surround view camera, incorrectly ordered Sunburst Myrtle wood, instead of black poplar; and incorrectly ordered night.

As the order stands, I've got an Anthracite Blue/Exclusive Black nappa leather, driver's assist pkg, premium 1, MBC, air balance, exclusive trim, rear memory seats, night vision, with an MSRP of $115,900.

I've got $2,260 worth of equipment I didn't order, and the sport package 1 & surround view camera missing. These are the items I really care about.

The dealer looked for another unspoken car; but none are available with exclusive black leather, or anywhere close to what I ordered. The dealer offered that I can simply "order another car, and it'll be here sometime in January or Feb." Thanks for nothing, this doesn't help getting a car any sooner, and certainly defeats the purpose of being 1 of the first deposited orders for the dealership. The dealer is located in Socal.

Thoughts/suggestions?

"Your" car was sold to someone else who either had more sway than you or was willing to pay a substantial premium on price. Occasionally there might be an option added or missing but not to the extent you are describing. Unless the dealer is willing to expedite another order or offer you an "apology discount", I would probably move on to another dealer. I can only imagine how disappointed you must be.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

"Your" car was sold to someone else who either had more sway than you or was willing to pay a substantial premium on price. Occasionally there might be an option added or missing but not to the extent you are describing. Unless the dealer is willing to expedite another order or offer you an "apology discount", I would probably move on to another dealer. I can only imagine how disappointed you must be.

That very well could be the case. The extent of 'mistakes' with Boogala's order just doesn't make sense.

 

[Boogala]

I think using the brand name Maybach can still be successful, but only if they actually offer a superior vehicle that is exclusive to the price tag. Don't use a slightly modified outdated vehicle, but a few new things in the car, and then charge 2-3 times the price. Phantom works because I can't go out and buy a baby Phantom for 100k.

Most of my friends that know nothing about Maybach's heritage, or failures with the new brand to sell the #'s they expected all do the exact same thing. "Whoa look, its a Maybach, those are so rare, expensive and exclusive."

Car guru's know the brand failed. The casual pedestrian doesn't. Will the insanely wealthy who will be purchasing this car know/care? I guess that's what MB is counting on.

 

[Boogala]

Please let us know if you decide to stay with this dealer or order somewhere else...

I'll certainly keep you updated. Like you, I've got the exclusive leather, and if I change my order/order a new one it'll be delayed til March. I found one dealer that says he has 4 allocations left for Nov/Dec delivery and they can add exclusive leather still. I'm having him confirm, then I'll decide.

If not, it's a toss up. Do I take a first week of November delivery on the car, drive it and then buy a used S63 in 2 years.

Do I sell my allocation for this, keep my current car and put an order in for S coupe 550 when available.

Or, buy the S550 I have coming in, and then sell for break even or a profit in 3-4 months lightly used and order a S coupe.

I know the demand is high, but do you all think the market can demand over MSRP for lightly used 2014's in 6 months? The fact that a used 2013 Range Rover can still demand 10-15k over MSRP is astonishing to me. I know the hype and demand is the same for the S class, if not higher, but I would think the ability for MB to pump out many more S classes may kill the premium that can be charged in 6-9 months.

Thoughts?

 

[hannaz]

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[Kratos-TM]

I'll certainly keep you updated. Like you, I've got the exclusive leather, and if I change my order/order a new one it'll be delayed til March. I found one dealer that says he has 4 allocations left for Nov/Dec delivery and they can add exclusive leather still. I'm having him confirm, then I'll decide.

If not, it's a toss up. Do I take a first week of November delivery on the car, drive it and then buy a used S63 in 2 years.

Do I sell my allocation for this, keep my current car and put an order in for S coupe 550 when available.

Or, buy the S550 I have coming in, and then sell for break even or a profit in 3-4 months lightly used and order a S coupe.

I know the demand is high, but do you all think the market can demand over MSRP for lightly used 2014's in 6 months? The fact that a used 2013 Range Rover can still demand 10-15k over MSRP is astonishing to me. I know the hype and demand is the same for the S class, if not higher, but I would think the ability for MB to pump out many more S classes may kill the premium that can be charged in 6-9 months.

Thoughts?

The dealer who has 4 left.....can you inbox me who that is?

 

[Serpens]

I'll certainly keep you updated. Like you, I've got the exclusive leather, and if I change my order/order a new one it'll be delayed til March. I found one dealer that says he has 4 allocations left for Nov/Dec delivery and they can add exclusive leather still. I'm having him confirm, then I'll decide.

If not, it's a toss up. Do I take a first week of November delivery on the car, drive it and then buy a used S63 in 2 years.

Do I sell my allocation for this, keep my current car and put an order in for S coupe 550 when available.

Or, buy the S550 I have coming in, and then sell for break even or a profit in 3-4 months lightly used and order a S coupe.

I know the demand is high, but do you all think the market can demand over MSRP for lightly used 2014's in 6 months? The fact that a used 2013 Range Rover can still demand 10-15k over MSRP is astonishing to me. I know the hype and demand is the same for the S class, if not higher, but I would think the ability for MB to pump out many more S classes may kill the premium that can be charged in 6-9 months.

Thoughts?

All I can say is don't buy a car you that don't want. You clearly ordered your S-class a certain way for a reason. I do not believe the S-class will be able to command a premium 6 months from now like the Range Rover, as those are incredibly back ordered. My RR Sport isn't scheduled to get here until late April. Mercedes is a lot more effecient when it comes to ramping up production.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

All I can say is don't buy a car you that don't want. You clearly ordered your S-class a certain way for a reason. I do not believe the S-class will be able to command a premium 6 months from now like the Range Rover, as those are incredibly back ordered. My RR Sport isn't scheduled to get here until late April. Mercedes is a lot more effecient when it comes to ramping up production.

And they will. They will pump them out as fast as they can!