BMW Luxury
- Thread starter kjs862
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Pink does more than you think.
The Mercedes S-Class is a great car, and you get what you pay for, through and through. Mercedes is pretty much 100% luxury, which makes the interior all business. The 7-Series interior provides awesome luxury, with some sporting intent, but not nearly as much as the other BMW's as it is a super-luxury sedan. Interior quality is pretty much the same for both cars. Being inside both cars, I think I like 7-Series better as it offers a more entertaining drive, as well as the interior design being more focused on driving.
If you want a really great combination of drive and luxury, the Audi A8 L is a really great car. My friend's dad's A8 L W12 has the nicest front seats I've ever been in. It is unbelievably comfortable while holding you in place sooo well during sporty driving.
In general, the Germans know how to make these huge beasts feel smaller than they really are, and drive better than you think they ever would. None of the cars is a wrong choice and they all offer a blend of luxury and sport, but they each have their purpose: the BMW is the best for sport, the Mercedes is the best for luxury, and the Audi is the best in between. Also, all three vehicles are extremely practical and easy to drive, and make for great lifestyle cars.
MG, I agree that the X5 interior is more about sport, but everything is so well-integrated in that car. The quality is outstanding, and good use of wood trim and premium interior materials, as well as great access and layout of interior controls, make the X5 interior a really nice place to be. The X5 benefits from being a newer and more expensive SUV than the previous-generation ML (the one you have), but the ML is much more well-rounded. You get much more trunk space, low-range gearing, and a drive that is well-taylored to on and off-road driving.
The Mercedes S-Class is a great car, and you get what you pay for, through and through. Mercedes is pretty much 100% luxury, which makes the interior all business. The 7-Series interior provides awesome luxury, with some sporting intent, but not nearly as much as the other BMW's as it is a super-luxury sedan. Interior quality is pretty much the same for both cars. Being inside both cars, I think I like 7-Series better as it offers a more entertaining drive, as well as the interior design being more focused on driving.
If you want a really great combination of drive and luxury, the Audi A8 L is a really great car. My friend's dad's A8 L W12 has the nicest front seats I've ever been in. It is unbelievably comfortable while holding you in place sooo well during sporty driving.
In general, the Germans know how to make these huge beasts feel smaller than they really are, and drive better than you think they ever would. None of the cars is a wrong choice and they all offer a blend of luxury and sport, but they each have their purpose: the BMW is the best for sport, the Mercedes is the best for luxury, and the Audi is the best in between. Also, all three vehicles are extremely practical and easy to drive, and make for great lifestyle cars.
MG, I agree that the X5 interior is more about sport, but everything is so well-integrated in that car. The quality is outstanding, and good use of wood trim and premium interior materials, as well as great access and layout of interior controls, make the X5 interior a really nice place to be. The X5 benefits from being a newer and more expensive SUV than the previous-generation ML (the one you have), but the ML is much more well-rounded. You get much more trunk space, low-range gearing, and a drive that is well-taylored to on and off-road driving.
I haven't driven any/been in any, but from reviews I have read, the BMW seems to trump the S Class in driving dynamics. But then I wonder, who really buys a 7 Series for it's driving prowess? If you want that, get a 5 Series IMO. Luxury would have to go to the Merc, but then again, it's all about personal preference, and some may prefer that of the 7 Series. If I had to buy one of these uber limo's... probably a 7 Series.
Oh, and the X5 is hawt! Just a side note.
Oh, and the X5 is hawt! Just a side note.
I would say that the BMW keeps the driver more connected to the car; for example, the steering is better on the 7-Series. One thing I like about the S-Class is that you have the air suspension standard, and you have three stiffness settings from which to choose...my father drives his on the 2nd setting, and my mom drives hers on the Comfort setting as I do not think she knows what most of the buttons on her dash/center console actually do.
I like the air suspension feature being standard on the S500, but I think overall, the 7-Series is just much more willing to be pushed hard than the Mercedes. As I mentioned before, the Mercedes has a very serious attitude and provides the occupants with tons of luxury, and makes no apologies for what it lacks in sporty driving.
Don't get me wrong, when I drive one of my parents' vehicles, I put the suspension on the sportiest setting and I can take turns and highway on/off ramps at jaw-droppingly fast speeds (for such a huge beast of a car), but it just does not feel as rewarding to do so as a BMW. Not to mention BMW's steering has a significantly better (sportier) feel to it.
I like the air suspension feature being standard on the S500, but I think overall, the 7-Series is just much more willing to be pushed hard than the Mercedes. As I mentioned before, the Mercedes has a very serious attitude and provides the occupants with tons of luxury, and makes no apologies for what it lacks in sporty driving.
Don't get me wrong, when I drive one of my parents' vehicles, I put the suspension on the sportiest setting and I can take turns and highway on/off ramps at jaw-droppingly fast speeds (for such a huge beast of a car), but it just does not feel as rewarding to do so as a BMW. Not to mention BMW's steering has a significantly better (sportier) feel to it.
Great analysis! I've delivered all three and each has its own strengths (not many weaknesses). My recommendation is to drive all three and make your decision. If you don't mind depreciation, take a drive in the Volkswagen Phaeton. Discounts are incredible and the car is very impressive. The other day, someone asked me which large luxury car I would drive and I told her the Volkswagen Phaeton. 444hp for a production model luxury sedan!. The Audi A8-L would be my second choice. S500 third (old body style - I haven't delivered a new one yet). 750i fourth - I don't like the I-Drive and the body style, though is has improved from the 745i. Of course, this doesn't include AMG, since that is another class of car.