Poll The BIG DEBATE (Part 2) - BMW 7 Series (G70) vs Mercedes S-Class (W223)

[Rolf]

@Rolf Which configurator is that? I didn’t know that option of a coffee brown interior with matching steering wheel.

Mick this is the German S-class Long Wheelbase Configurator. It has lovely Manufaktur leathers with different colours.

Konfigurator & Preise | Mercedes-Benz

Alle Preise, Ausstattungen & Extras ✓ 360° Ansicht außen und innen ✓ Konfigurieren Sie jetzt Ihren neuen Mercedes-Benz online!

www.mercedes-benz.de

 

[GTA45E]

If Mercedes had to change that black piano plastic center console to wood or metallic trim as well as the door handle trim then the S-class would look even better than the 7-series. The 7 interior seems to lack some bright work trim (chrome or metallic), but the horizontal screen integration looks nicer than the S-class vertical center screen. Exterior is no contest the S-class looks far more elegant.

^Nice pic comparison @Rolf

The vertical screen in the S-Class is placed this way for easy reach without the scroll wheel.

Of the 3-Germans makes, The latest S-Class, (minus the plastic in the console ) seems to have an almost artisan, old-school-like approach to the dash design. The elements like the metallic covered air vents, window switches and seat controls add up to a more specialized crafted look and feel that have character compared to its competition IMO. The dash in the W223 S is not so screen-dependent as it almost resembles a modern yacht.

The 7er is expensive looking to but IMO, doesn’t come across as specialized enough as it relies on conventional industrial themes. The dashboard elements in the BMW seem to be crafted for that central screen and crystal display.

Both these cars will have strengths and weaknesses.

The 7er will be up on material quality compared to the S, however, I believe the S-Class will surpass the 7er with a faster, better-sorted UI that is not so menu heavy.

 

[dalab]

 

[martinbo]

Both have their pros and cons - it's purely a matter of personal preference - and each is stronger than the other in certain design aspects.

For me, personally:

1. This aspect of the BMW's front-end is the most controversial and jarring - there's just too much protrusion from the back of the bumper to the grille:

2. Mercedes' front end is better because it's actually more bluff and less protrusive:

3. Not sure I like the colour-coded AMG bumper inserts treatment - it's a bit too "Abu Dhabi" and less "Hamptons" for my tastes...

4. Personally, I much prefer these aspects of the BMW's design:

The C-pillar treatment has a strong identity and looks very upmarket:

The bumper and door shutlines work well with the sharp, linear styling features. As a whole, I think this area of the design works really well.

I've always been a sucker for a straight beltline and the BMW's overall greenhouse is fantastic - almost concept car-like:

The arm of the door mirror and its intersection with the DLO chrome strip and A-pillar is very neat and expensive looking.
Moreover, the greenhouse and its surrounds is entirely bespoke to the 7er and it doesn't look like that of any other BMW.

5. The Mercedes (again, for me, so put your flame throwers away) is weaker in these areas by contrast:

The rear bumper shutline cuts its way across the rear flank almost intrusively and it's a weird line too - a by-product of car's polarising taillight design, where the line cuts down from the leading edge of light cover and then has to bend toward the rear wheel arch.

It results in a strange interplay between it and the rear door shutline.

The Mercedes' roofline and DLO is very familiar - the design itself is distinctly Mercedes Benz - but then perhaps it's a bit too familiar:

The single arc of the chrome window beading is very elegant but it's also a very similar form to that on the E-Class and C-Class

I don't feel that it's sufficiently set apart from the lesser-model sedans in the line-up. It's an example of one-sausage, different lengths.

6. Overall, the Mercedes is definitely the sleeker and more elegant design when appraised as a whole. The BMW is certainly not as elegant but it is visually arresting and exudes an immensity that can only translate to on-road presence whether it looks good to the viewer or not. The Mercedes has better proportions holistically than the BMW where the ratios of wheel diameter to sheetmetal are in the Mercedes favour. The BMW needs massive rims to visually offset all of its bulk.

 

[dalab]

There is a detail no minor, that was not mentioned much, and that with each photo in those new non-metallic colors with shadow line and M sport, it is evident and it is that it gives me the impression that the 7 series lowers the average age of the entry buyer a lot more than the S class, as noticeable as 5 years less than the S or even more, which would substantially expand its market.

In certain specs it appears to be a "younger" car.

 

[Matski]

Not my favourite colour, but this looks spot on.

 

[GTA45E]

Profile and rear seating comparison.
I believe Mercedes is using the arching line in the S-Class, and all its sedans for that matter to visually mask size.
The S-Class might look small in pictures but in real life, it is a huge car. I can only imagine how big the 7er is.

-----

 

[Rolf]

Very interesting video comparison. S580 vs M760i. One thing the BMW looks so much bigger than the Mercedes

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[dalab]

 

[leylandi]

 

[klier]

Never been a fan of the cheap-ish looking rear lights of the S, but my Gosh what a stunning car next to the 7er LOL

 

[leylandi]

 

[Rolf]

Those are probably the best specs for colours and rims on both cars, but the 7 series has 3 major design issues, the wheels look small on the car (due to too much body work sheetmetal above the wheel arches front and rear) and will need 23inch to look good, the front has too much overhang and the rear bumper projects out too much. The Mercedes may look more conventional in comparison, but its a much more elegant car with near perfect proportions and shape.

 

[dalab]

Those are 20" wheels against the 21" o 22" of the Mercedes, for the rest it is an effective visual comparison, beyond the ideal would be both with metallic paint and chrome trim

 

[SKY]

Both have their pros and cons - it's purely a matter of personal preference - and each is stronger than the other in certain design aspects.

For me, personally:

1. This aspect of the BMW's front-end is the most controversial and jarring - there's just too much protrusion from the back of the bumper to the grille:

2. Mercedes' front end is better because it's actually more bluff and less protrusive:

3. Not sure I like the colour-coded AMG bumper inserts treatment - it's a bit too "Abu Dhabi" and less "Hamptons" for my tastes...

4. Personally, I much prefer these aspects of the BMW's design:

The C-pillar treatment has a strong identity and looks very upmarket:

The bumper and door shutlines work well with the sharp, linear styling features. As a whole, I think this area of the design works really well.

I've always been a sucker for a straight beltline and the BMW's overall greenhouse is fantastic - almost concept car-like:

The arm of the door mirror and its intersection with the DLO chrome strip and A-pillar is very neat and expensive looking.
Moreover, the greenhouse and its surrounds is entirely bespoke to the 7er and it doesn't look like that of any other BMW.

5. The Mercedes (again, for me, so put your flame throwers away) is weaker in these areas by contrast:

The rear bumper shutline cuts its way across the rear flank almost intrusively and it's a weird line too - a by-product of car's polarising taillight design, where the line cuts down from the leading edge of light cover and then has to bend toward the rear wheel arch.

It results in a strange interplay between it and the rear door shutline.

The Mercedes' roofline and DLO is very familiar - the design itself is distinctly Mercedes Benz - but then perhaps it's a bit too familiar:

The single arc of the chrome window beading is very elegant but it's also a very similar form to that on the E-Class and C-Class

I don't feel that it's sufficiently set apart from the lesser-model sedans in the line-up. It's an example of one-sausage, different lengths.

6. Overall, the Mercedes is definitely the sleeker and more elegant design when appraised as a whole. The BMW is certainly not as elegant but it is visually arresting and exudes an immensity that can only translate to on-road presence whether it looks good to the viewer or not. The Mercedes has better proportions holistically than the BMW where the ratios of wheel diameter to sheetmetal are in the Mercedes favour. The BMW needs massive rims to visually offset all of its bulk.

Fantastic post here my friend. This is the thoughtful reasoning I like to read.

Cheers!

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

and when it all started the bmw was so much more filigree

 

[dalab]

 

[leylandi]

stupid comparison. The photo angles are very bad. s class looks small like c class.

 

[Matski]

Stand Out // Blend in

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[dalab]

stupid comparison. The photo angles are very bad. s class looks small like c class.

I didn't see it that way, but as you I wait the true comparisons, for now this is what I found