Carwow - Mercedes S-Class v BMW 7 Series v Audi A8 review - which is best?

[Mani59]

Super saloon comparisons:

[Bob in IL]

I like Mat Watson's reviews and drag races. More for entertainment than learning the details of a car of interest but they are enjoyable. IMO of course.

[Germanauto]

Pretty fair review. The Merc, like all Mercs, lacks in some of the finer details in build quality. But otherwise seems like a home run. Personally I find the dash design unappealing.

The G11 7er’s interior felt outdated the day it launched and now looks woefully old. The LCI definitely sharpened up the styling considerably. I see a lot of them around, must lease quite well.

[VictorRomeo]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Pretty fair review. The Merc, like all Mercs, lacks in some of the finer details in build quality. But otherwise seems like a home run. Personally I find the dash design unappealing.

The G11 7er’s interior felt outdated the day it launched and now looks woefully old. The LCI definitely sharpened up the styling considerably. I see a lot of them around, must lease quite well.

But fundamentally flawed imo. A SWB 750i would have probably delivered a better driving experience. Would not have changed the overall outcome mind you, but still.

The other key thing here as you note is that other than the big grill and updated iDrive, it's ostensibly the same car that was released 6 years ago.

[AlteBMW]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Pretty fair review. The Merc, like all Mercs, lacks in some of the finer details in build quality. But otherwise seems like a home run. Personally I find the dash design unappealing.

The G11 7er’s interior felt outdated the day it launched and now looks woefully old. The LCI definitely sharpened up the styling considerably. I see a lot of them around, must lease quite well.

Yes, MB dash design is not appealing at all and if the S class electronics are anything like my wife's '20 E Class, they are far behind BMW in usability. Too many menu levels to get to what you need, and in the E class neither touch screen nor wireless carplay. What is the point of wireless charging if you have to plug in anyhow to use Carplay? But MB exterior is nicer and IMHO Audi is a distant third.

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by VictorRomeo

But fundamentally flawed imo. A SWB 750i would have probably delivered a better driving experience. Would not have changed the overall outcome mind you, but still.

The other key thing here as you note is that other than the big grill and updated iDrive, it's ostensibly the same car that was released 6 years ago.

They increased the HP and torque considerably with the LCI

[stein_325i]

Nice review. Will be interesting to see what BMW comes up with for the next generation to compete with the A8 and S-Class.

[750LiBeemer]

I agree with the reviewer. Coming from a 7 series driver,. The S class will always be king when it comes to most things ie, luxury, reliability, and now apparently the ride is even better than the 7.
S class is always one step ahead and it shows in yearly sales figures

[750LiBeemer]

Originally Posted by VictorRomeo

But fundamentally flawed imo. A SWB 750i would have probably delivered a better driving experience. Would not have changed the overall outcome mind you, but still.

The other key thing here as you note is that other than the big grill and updated iDrive, it's ostensibly the same car that was released 6 years ago.

Originally Posted by VictorRomeo

But fundamentally flawed imo. A SWB 750i would have probably delivered a better driving experience. Would not have changed the overall outcome mind you, but still.

The other key thing here as you note is that other than the big grill and updated iDrive, it's ostensibly the same car that was released 6 years ago.

As much as I would like to agree with you on driving experience, the carbon core is what has diminished the driving experience on the 7 since the last decade. Doesn't feel as planted on the ground due to the lighter weight and hence doesn't drive as well.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by AlteBMW

What is the point of wireless charging if you have to plug in anyhow to use Carplay? But MB exterior is nicer and IMHO Audi is a distant third.

I believe MB is introducing Wireless Carplay into the lineup with the W223 being the first vehicle to have it.

[KK22]

Cheap, scratchy and hollow sounding interior materials will annoy me no end. And what was Audi thinking with that massive swath of gloss black plastic which takes up more visual space than the wood trim!?!

I drove Audis mainly in the 90s and 00s for their interior feel and now with BMW for the same reason. Also, where Audi and Merc interior is praised for their design, I find the Merc missed the mark especially when even Tesla, the originator of the vertical screen has gone horizontal. I do love the Audi interior design though, but it fails on usability (too many touch controls) and material quality.

While most feel the bimmer interior is now boring, I find it is actually the most Germanic and masculine (subjective, of course). That being said, I am not a fan of the renderings I've seen of the new 7, and I hope the technology and interior appointments cinch the deal for me.

[LuckyW]

I'm not agree at all, BMW, BMW, BMW ... only

[B-HQC]

This may be different in other countries, but in the US, price is a big differentiator. MSRP is roughly comparable (slightly higher on the S) on highly optioned models but with no major discounts or fleet incentives for the foreseeable future on the S. Meanwhile, you can get $25k+ off on an highly optioned 7, which equates to a difference of $30k+ in purchase price from the perspective as a fleet user.

Also, at least for 2021 and 2022 the rear seat packages are not available on the S500, which will further impact fleet sales.

Edit: just watched the video. Looks like it's the same story in the UK!

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by 750LiBeemer

As much as I would like to agree with you on driving experience, the carbon core is what has diminished the driving experience on the 7 since the last decade. Doesn't feel as planted on the ground due to the lighter weight and hence doesn't drive as well.

To my knowledge the Carbon Core didn't even save much weight, and I'm sure the ho-hum driving dynamics were intentional. Seems like a massive R&D blunder, investing in an engineering expense that customers don't care about.

[AlteBMW]

Originally Posted by B-HQC

This may be different in other countries, but in the US, price is a big differentiator. MSRP is roughly comparable (slightly higher on the S) on highly optioned models but with no major discounts or fleet incentives for the foreseeable future on the S. Meanwhile, you can get $25k+ off on an highly optioned 7, which equates to a difference of $30k+ in purchase price from the perspective as a fleet user.

Also, at least for 2021 and 2022 the rear seat packages are not available on the S500, which will further impact fleet sales.

Edit: just watched the video. Looks like it's the same story in the UK!

Where are there $25000 discounts on current year highly optioned 750's? Maybe for a leftover or demo but not for an ordered car. It is always easier to get a discount on a car that has been sitting unsold for a while on the dealer's lot. I am not claiming I got the best deal on my '20 leased in Oct '19, but at that time getting 10% off MSRP for a car ordered to my specs was not bad. If I am spending that kind of money on a new car, I want to get exactly what what I want.

[Mile muncher]

If BMW is diligent with the next 7 series, they can really take it to the s class for possibly the first time ever.

[Bonehead3]

I found the s class a little wallowy, I know it's not meant to be a driver's car like the 7 but it was quite far off in my opinion

[B-HQC]

Originally Posted by AlteBMW

Where are there $25000 discounts on current year highly optioned 750's? Maybe for a leftover or demo but not for an ordered car. It is always easier to get a discount on a car that has been sitting unsold for a while on the dealer's lot. I am not claiming I got the best deal on my '20 leased in Oct '19, but at that time getting 10% off MSRP for a car ordered to my specs was not bad. If I am spending that kind of money on a new car, I want to get exactly what what I want.

This is where fleet incentives come into play (was $7000 last year) and the limousine incentive is even higher. There's a well known livery dealer that advertises an optioned 740i (luxury rear, executive, nappa, etc.) in the low $70,000s.

This is the reason you see so many 7s in rental car fleets but very rarely a S or A8. Nothing against the car, but obviously BMWNA has decided to go after this market.

[AlteBMW]

Originally Posted by B-HQC

This is where fleet incentives come into play (was $7000 last year) and the limousine incentive is even higher. There's a well known livery dealer that advertises an optioned 740i (luxury rear, executive, nappa, etc.) in the low $70,000s.

This is the reason you see so many 7s in rental car fleets but very rarely a S or A8. Nothing against the car, but obviously BMWNA has decided to go after this market.

The fleet discounts and limousine discounts are available to individual buyers? Probably not, but cars coming off of fleet use will be relatively cheap. I am not sure I would want a car that had been a rental, though I have bought low mileage loaners.

[Lawguy]

I am not sure the “older” crowd whom I presume is the target demographic for these cars will enjoy/embrace the new touchscreen controls anytime soon. I’m only 50, but I still want knobs and buttons, which is why I didn’t last 5 minutes in a test drive of the new S8. I was surprised to then see the S-class go the same route.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Lawguy

I am not sure the “older” crowd whom I presume is the target demographic for these cars will enjoy/embrace the new touchscreen controls anytime soon. I’m only 50, but I still want knobs and buttons, which is why I didn’t last 5 minutes in a test drive of the new S8. I was surprised to then see the S-class go the same route.

For this generation of S-Class MB has credited China as their focus for the vehicle and clientele. Apparently the Chinese buyers happen to be the youngest S-Class clients (40's) as well as tech forward and interested in rear seat comfort/amenities. China also happens to be one of the larger growing car markets for this segment (as well as the uber-luxury Maybach) whereas this segment is decreasing in interest in favor of SUV's in the states. The strategy seems to have worked as W223 pre-orders exceeded W222 pre-orders with 40,000 orders (last reported in January).

[Lawguy]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

For this generation of S-Class MB has credited China as their focus for the vehicle and clientele. Apparently the Chinese buyers happen to be the youngest S-Class clients (40's) as well as tech forward and interested in rear seat comfort/amenities. China also happens to be one of the larger growing car markets for this segment (as well as the uber-luxury Maybach) whereas this segment is decreasing in interest in favor of SUV's in the states. The strategy seems to have worked as W223 pre-orders exceeded W222 pre-orders with 40,000 orders (last reported in January).

I’m sure they know their target demographic far better than I do. I’m just not sure I’ll be in it. But if all the manufacturers move that way, I guess I’ll
Have no choice.