Mick’s new daily companion

[Yaz]

Wish we got the SWB S in the US.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Wish we got the SWB S in the US.

It’s a pity the US hasn’t got it. I guess quite a few self drivers would prefer the SWB over the LWB. How about you @sako97 ?

 

[Yaz]

Nobody in their right mind would buy an E-Class then.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Nobody in their right mind would buy an E-Class then.

Is the price difference that small? Over here there’s circa € 30.000,- between both.

 

[Yaz]

It's about $33k between a base E400 and a base S450 LWB.

 

[Serpens]

It’s a pity the US hasn’t got it. I guess quite a few self drivers would prefer the SWB over the LWB. How about you @sako97 ?

SWB models models of this class don’t sell well in the U.S. We haven’t had a SWB S-class model since the W220 S350, and BMW and Lexus no longer offer SWB versions of their competitors as well.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Not a dig on your car, Mick, but the W222 is the first time I prefer the LWB over the SWB of any generation of cars. Relative to its LWB counterpart, the SWB looks oddly stubby and loses a bit of its regal character. Not to be a total Debbie Downer though, I do like Mick's interior spec.

 

[Rolf]

SWB models models of this class don’t sell well in the U.S. We haven’t had a SWB S-class model since the W220 S350, and BMW and Lexus no longer offer SWB versions of their competitors as well.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mercedes decide to make the next W223 S-class only as one model in the same size format as the current LWB model, in the same way Lexus has brought out in the new LS. I think most markets are now selling the S-class only as a LWB.

 

[sako97]

Happy miles (kms) @Mick Briesgau

 

[sako97]

Not a dig on your car, Mick, but the W222 is the first time I prefer the LWB over the SWB of any generation of cars. Relative to its LWB counterpart, the SWB looks oddly stubby and loses a bit of its regal character. Not to be a total Debbie Downer though, I do like Mick's interior spec.

I work in a city where I can see upwards of 100 V222s a day if I count (a little stuck-in-traffic game), so my eyes still aren’t used the SWB this far into the production cycle.

I do remember seeing a SWB pre-fl AMG pack in silver in Brussels and it looked really athletic in motion.

Back during the days of the F01, I remember hearing from a BMW salesperson something like 1-in-12 US F01/2 7 series was a SWB. Also, it was by far the hardest BMW to sell off the lot because the SWB market was so niche.

BMW now only sells the LWB 7 here (de facto), and it’s unfortunate because the SWB G11 looks much better, imo.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Not a dig on your car, Mick, but the W222 is the first time I prefer the LWB over the SWB of any generation of cars. Relative to its LWB counterpart, the SWB looks oddly stubby and loses a bit of its regal character. Not to be a total Debbie Downer though, I do like Mick's interior spec.

Appreciate your input, @hoffmeister_fan LWB versions often look odd imo. The V222 is one of the very few occasions were the designer managed to make the LWB look rather attractive indeed. Much better solved than some older S versions, like W116, W126 and more recent V221.
Looking at the picture above (my former W222 = SWB) I still think it looks better than the V222
Furthermore, beside the esthetical aspects, there are some practical reasons to buy a W222:
- in Europe, the Netherlands in particular, cities, streets, parking spaces and park garages are rather small;
- I’m driving the car almost 90% of the time alone;
- it drives, can one say that of an S, a tad sportier, more engaging and less heavy than the V222.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Appreciate your input, @hoffmeister_fan LWB versions often look odd imo. The V222 is one of the very few occasions were the designer managed to make the LWB look rather attractive indeed. Much better solved than some older S versions, like W116, W126 and more recent V221.
Looking at the picture above (my former W222 = SWB) I still think it looks better than the V222
Furthermore, beside the esthetical aspects, there are some practical reasons to buy a W222:
- in Europe, the Netherlands in particular, cities, streets, parking spaces and park garages are rather small;
- I’m driving the car almost 90% of the time alone;
- it drives, can one say that of an S, a tad sportier, more engaging and less heavy than the V222.

Haha, I am glad you took what I said well. In the States, where we are solely getting the LWB (V222, G12, etc.) it's pretty much what one's eyes are used to seeing. Regarding the 7er, I actually prefer the SWB over the LWB as I have for previous generations of 7ers as it plays to that car's "persona" of being athletic. Whereas with the S-class, I still see it as first and foremost a luxury cruiser that posesses a regal character and I tend to prefer a LWB. And with the 222 generation S-class, since it was designed with the outset as a LWB, Wagener's team really hit their mark. However, W222 specced with the AMG pack looks particularly sporting.

All that said, I won't go any further to belabor the point. I do look forward to what you have to say as you accrue so many miles (kilometers) in your new chariot. MB's new inline-six family of engines sound absolutely enticing.

 

[W201]

Wow! Only now do I see this thread..

Congrats, Mick - wish you many safe and comfy miles!

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Short update after a little over 12.000 km.
Positives:
- the new I6 engine; it’s smooth, powerfull, relaxed and economical (doing an average of 5,1 litres/100 km according to on board computer) Real fuel consumption is circa 5,5 litres;
- the way it drives, like an S;
- ACC functions in a more natural way than before.

Negatives:
- a few weeks ago the trunk wouldn’t close (softclose). It was a very rainy night and I took my umbrella out if it and it didn’t close. After a few times, a friend of my suggested to hold on to the lid and keep the trunklid opener pushed, manual closing in a way. That worked. Since then no issue;
- once the whole Comand system crashed. No phone, no navi, no radio etc. Stopped the car and shut the engine of. After starting the car again (rebooting the system) no more problems since then.

If anyone wants to ask on details, don’t hesitate.

 

[Yaz]

Thank for the update Mick. I always appreciate owner's feedback, negative or positive.

 

[bimmer6]

That fuel consumption is impressive! Imo nothing compares to a diesel when you're mainly doing long distances.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

That fuel consumption is impressive! Imo nothing compares to a diesel when you're mainly doing long distances.

That’s the way I see it as well. Mind you @bimmer6 I drive usually in the Netherlands. Had a trip the other day on German AB, for approximately 200 km, rather much km at higher speed (> 180 km/h) still not more than an average of 6,7 l/ 100 km. The engine, the whole car for that matter, is made for long distance travel.

 

[Rolf]

Your fuel consumption is excellent. How does it compare to your previous S350d Mick? Is there a big difference?

 

[bimmer6]

The great engine is only making that possible, but the fact that it is a sedan is also of high importance. A bloody suv of comparable size would easily consume more than 10 liters doing more than 180 kph.

That’s the way I see it as well. Mind you @bimmer6 I drive usually in the Netherlands. Had a trip the other day on German AB, for approximately 200 km, rather much km at higher speed (> 180 km/h) still not more than an average of 6,7 l/ 100 km. The engine, the whole car for that matter, is made for long distance travel.[/QUOT...

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Your fuel consumption is excellent. How does it compare to your previous S350d Mick? Is there a big difference?

Thanks Rolf. The difference is 0,5-0,7 liter/100 km.