S-Class (W223) [Official] Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223)

[Serpens]

I looked into getting a Maybach at one point earlier in life. It's definitely built better than anything Mercedes has on offer today (as it should be given the original cost). It just didn't do it for me at the end of the day though. I was shocked that I much preferred the subsequent Maybach S-class.

 

[empower77]

I looked into getting a Maybach at one point earlier in life. It's definitely built better than anything Mercedes has on offer today (as it should be given the original cost). It just didn't do it for me at the end of the day though. I was shocked that I much preferred the subsequent Maybach S-class.

The Maybach in that iteration (with newer tech) would blow the socks off the rolls today. Maybach was way ahead of it’s time hence it’s early demise

 

[AHall42631]

The Maybach in that iteration (with newer tech) would blow the socks off the rolls today. Maybach was way ahead of it’s time hence it’s early demise

Pass the blunt.

 

[dalab]

The Maybach in that iteration (with newer tech) would blow the socks off the rolls today. Maybach was way ahead of it’s time hence it’s early demise

Not really, on the contrary, in its time and space Rolls destroyed Maybach making it bankrupt just like it killed the Musslane.

Sometimes it is not what we assume, but what is done and how it is done and in this case it is not enough to be incredible vehicles, something was missing and continues to be missing, since today it does not blow the socks of RR either, as it does not exist as a direct competitor not even as a full brand, hopefully I'll come back one day.

 

[Serpens]

The Maybach in that iteration (with newer tech) would blow the socks off the rolls today. Maybach was way ahead of it’s time hence it’s early demise

Not really, on the contrary, in its time and space Rolls destroyed Maybach making it bankrupt just like it killed the Musslane.

Sometimes it is not what we assume, but what is done and how it is done and in this case it is not enough to be incredible vehicles, something was missing and continues to be missing, since today it does not blow the socks of RR either, as it does not exist as a direct competitor not even as a full brand, hopefully I'll come back one day.

A rarity- we agree! I don't think anything about the Maybach 57 or 63 was ahead of their time. It perfectly matched the aspirations of Mercedes at the time and also showed their limitations. The Maybach ultimately looked like the Mercedes it really was and despite the exquisite detailing and levels of luxury, just didn't match the outrageousness or pedigree of the contemporary Phantom.

Nowadays they can be found for incredibly cheap and for good reason. Repair costs are actually absurd.

I still maintain Maybach is better of as a sub-brand.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

You realize that anything weighing more than 2 tons is very difficult to drive on the limit right? Optimal car weight is 1.1-1.6 tons to have any kind of fun

Right!
Because it weighs as much as a truck, top speed is limited to 290 km/h. The more I think of it, the more I come to the conclusion this W223 AMG is a failure.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

just didn't match the outrageousness or pedigree of the contemporary Phantom.

What do you mean by 'pedigree'? Because this Phantom bears only the name Rolls Royce and has '0' connection with the older cars. Its R&D was made by Germans, it was built in a completely new factory, on a new site, with different workers. It's just the interpretation of BMW of what Rolls stands for.

 

[Matski]

What do you mean by 'pedigree'? Because this Phantom bears only the name Rolls Royce and has '0' connection with the older cars. Its R&D was made by Germans, it was built in a completely new factory, on a new site, with different workers. It's just the interpretation of BMW of what Rolls stands for.

Which, I'm sure most RR&BMC workers would tell you, was better than what it ever was.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Which, I'm sure most RR&BMC workers would tell you, was better than what it ever was.

I've never said it's a bad thing. IMHO BMW did great with the four British products, that they designed at the end of the century - the new Mini, the Range Rover from 2002, Rover 75 and Rolls Royce Phantom

 

[empower77]

Right!
Because it weighs as much as a truck, top speed is limited to 290 km/h. The more I think of it, the more I come to the conclusion this W223 AMG is a failure.

This is why a Boxter/ Cayman is sooo so good at the price point. Really can’t beat it..

I have driven a LOT of new stuff (not ultra exotic but most everything else otherwise). Anything that is ‘fat’ no matter how much hp is just an accident waiting to happen. I almost ‘elk tested’ my old SQ5 last year. It was a little unnerving when you feel like the car had a little more to give and the nannies interrupt your little jaunt and throw you off completely…

I will also say this; the hot B segment cross overs like the X3 M40/ X3M and corresponding Audi/ Merc siblings are very good at balance and give the driver some semblance of fun. Are they as good as their sedan counter parts?No! But in real world conditions they are a LOT more forgiving and ultimately you want a car that gives you peace of mind while driving. Cars scrape so much easier and my OCD will not allow me to hold on to a healthy bank balance…

Note: the face lifted X3M/ Comp are very stiff so tread with caution —- not as bad as pre LCI but still very stiff. Get on a first name basis with your chiropractor.

Note 2: I can’t say what the latest GLC HOT versions will look like. I hope that we have some 6 cylinder options but I won’t hold my breath. A hybrid system like the C will not make for a fun SUV albeit how fast it reaches warp speed

The economies of scale have caught up with us. Higher hp and weight do t mean anything now except for Willy wagging

 

[Serpens]

What do you mean by 'pedigree'? Because this Phantom bears only the name Rolls Royce and has '0' connection with the older cars. Its R&D was made by Germans, it was built in a completely new factory, on a new site, with different workers. It's just the interpretation of BMW of what Rolls stands for.

No one cares. The name alone continues to have enough pedigree to crush Maybach. It's a big reason the U.S. took so kindly to RR and Asia even more so. They bought into the mystique of Rolls-Royce and BMW's ownership did nothing to diminish that. Similarly, no one cares that Lamborghini is owned by Germans either.

 

[Merc1]

Amazing reading, but how can a car be a failure before it goes on sale? It’s not a track car, nothing similar is lightweight either. Neither was the previous generation.

I think the poster meant the tech in the Maybach at the time was better than Rolls.

M

 

[empower77]

Amazing reading, but how can a car be a failure before it goes on sale? It’s not a track car, nothing similar is lightweight either. Neither was the previous generation.

I think the poster meant the tech in the Maybach at the time was better than Rolls.

M

They had stone inlays and the fancy electro chromatic glass roof; I’m sorry Phantom who?!? The Phantom was plainly pedestrian in comparison to what the 62 offered. Yes it looked like a bus but every time I see one I can’t stop staring. What a motor! Noteworthy, I also get the same fizz when I come upon a Phaeton.

 

[Special]

No Phantom came even close to this.
Not. Even. Close.

 

[Special]

+ the Maybach had all the tech, that was available that time:
- bixenon
- dynamic lights
- keylessGO
- massage seats
- ventilated seats
- distronic
- fond entertainment
- softclose
- minibar
- private-jet tables
- first car with magic sky

Things that none of the Phantom from that era had.
I’m also 100% sure that the Maybach (specially the 57S) was much more fun to drive, then the Phantom.
The fact, that a nice one starts even after 14 years still at 85-95k € (for what you can almost get an 223 S350d) says it all. Its a hell of a good car.

 

[Uygar]

No Phantom came even close to this.
Not. Even. Close.

Phantom screams status though, especially the Phantom. At the end of the day it’s a Rolls-Royce. In my opinion, because of all the fake Maybach things that people do with their standard Merc’s, the brand image started to get damaged. And for some reason all the new Maybach models look so overdone and tacky to me. RR has that elegant and not in your face luxury which I admire the most.

 

[Special]

Phantom screams status though, especially the Phantom. At the end of the day it’s a Rolls-Royce. In my opinion, because of all the fake Maybach things that people do with their standard Merc’s, the brand image started to get damaged. And for some reason all the new Maybach models look so overdone and tacky to me. RR has that elegant and not in your face luxury which I admire the most.

I’m not talking about todays Maybach, which is just a longer longwheel base S-Class.
The W240 was not only longer, but also wider and higher then an S-Class. It was more popular then the Phantom in Hollywood. Every big Star had to have a Maybach that day.

For example, P.Diddy released a video 1 month ago. He’s not driving in a RR, but in the old Maybach. Maybach Landaulet

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[Serpens]

Regardless of what you think, consumers voted with their money and the Phantom survived while Maybach did not as result (I won't even get into the ridiculous discounts on Maybachs later on in the run). I feel like I'm reliving a conversation from 10 years ago in this forum lol.

Back to the W223?

 

[Special]

Regardless of what you think, consumers voted with their money and the Phantom survived while Maybach did not as result (I won't even get into the ridiculous discounts on Maybachs later on in the run). I feel like I'm reliving a conversation from 10 years ago in this forum lol.

Back to the W223?

Maybach sold 3.213 units 2002-2012
Phantom sold 5.931 units 2003-2012
which sure is a big difference. I think it would be enough units, if Maybach would be produced in the same factory, as the W220. The problem was that DaimlerChrysler build a special Manufaktur and the Center of Excellence, also special rooms in the Mercedes dealerships (with special LED ligh system at the roof, so the customer could see how the color of the car looks at 7h in the morning in Madrid..). And all that cost.
It cost too much.

p.s. there were no discounts, i worked as a Mercedes-Benz salesman, sold also the one&only 62 in Slovenia that time.

Anyway, the fact, that RR sold more Phantoms, then Maybach did, doesnt change my love for the Maybach and that i would have it over the Phantom anytime. Its still a great car.

Sorry to interrupt, sure, lets go to 223…

 

[Merc1]

There were massive discounts in the USA towards the end of the run.

M