mayday! (archive)

Automobile mag has a long term test of the S500 in a recent issue... not the article you'll want to show dad, but they do point out two flaws aside from the COMMAND center -- directional stability and material quality.

if you want to arm yourself, check out the comparison test of the S-class vs. the 7 series or the new c class vs. 3 series in Car and Driver (in both tests the MB placed 2nd to last and the BMW 1st). i know these aren't the specific comparisons you're performing, and no magazine should be your only guide when spending that amount of dough, but both comaprisons point out the things that make our 97 E320 and all MBs unbearable to drive.
(we've owned 3 MBs and 2 BMWs (89 300E, 92 E420, 97 E320 and 95 M3, 00 M5.))) the non linear brakes and steering are enough to make me choose ANY BMW or even the lexus LS before i'd choose the new S class. don't get me wrong, i think the the S500 with the optional ABC system has incredible body control, but to me that's moot if you, the driver, can't trust the signals your recieving through your hands, feet, and butt. i've always been amazed at how soft the 95 M3 was set up from the factory -- the body moves around quite a bit but i never feel the slight bit unsettled -- i know when the car is going to let go because the steering tells me so and the MXX3s are so connunicative of slip angle.

i think automobile made the point that the MB is set up for passengers, so if your dad chaffeurs exacs around they might be more comfy in the back of an S.

it's not a matter of needing to be at 10/10ths... my parents hate the crosswind stability issue because it's downright fatiguing -- the M5 has far wider tires and quicker steering and requires NO correction. driving in bad weather brings the design of the controls to the forefront -- in the MBs you get into the ABS and the traction control more often because the throttle and brakes are harder to modulate. everyone in the family agrees that although the MB is supposed to be the more luxurious of the two, the BMWs are more relaxing. that's why we're giving up our E320 and replacing it with a 525 or 530. and why we're keeping the 95 M3 and the 00 M5.

i feel strongly about this b/c i've driven both the S500 and the M5 -- unfortunatley your dad probably won't be able to A/B them. in the end, it's his dough and there's only so much you can do....

good luck,
daanesh

Follow Ups:

Thanks guys... Tim Collins 11:00 12/27/2000 (0)

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