ultradub-uk

Here is a recent comparison of all three cars. No I do not agree on the outcome, yet interesting. The instrument cluster housing on the new S-Class looks horridly cumbersome. It seems to burst out of the dash, and the extension for the COMAND Centre console seems like an after thought.<ul><li><a href="http://topgear.pollol.com/183_Whats_the_better_car_audi_mercedes_or_bmw.html ">http://topgear.pollol.com/183_Whats_the_better_car_audi_mercedes_or_bmw.html </a</li></ul>

Arkay

Who could have ever imagined that one of the negative points of the 7-series would be its handling? And that one of the Mercedes' strengths would be the brakes?

Guess MB is right to rid themselves of the Sensotronic braking system.

The W221 S-class looks like a well engineered automobile, IMHO, and better thought out than the 7-series. Of course, it has the advantage of being introduced 5 years after the E65/66 came out and takes lessons learned from BMW and apply them to the new S.

My parents are about to ditch their E500 4matic wagon after only 11 months due to the constant bombardment of idiot lights going off and will go back to a 750i, having owned an E38 740iL for a few years prior to the Mercedes. My only concern is that I hope they will set the iDrive and forget it, otherwise they'll do nuts.

For me, the S550 (yes, it's the S550 here in North America) remains a possible alternative to the S8 though an S63 AMG would be far more appealing than the run of the mill S550!

I only have another 11 months to make up my mind... ;-)

ChronicTeutonic

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3920/dsc00017.jpg"></center><p>Agreed, I too have some decisions to make in the coming months...right now I'm between ordering an S8, or looking at the S550, with possibly ordering a S63. I love the look of the CLS but I feel that I will miss the rear leg room as compared to the other 2 top models.

Davey

those strange front fender bulges to its ugly butt there is little to like. I cannot believe that they chose to copy the BMW rump while, at the same time, BMW is jumping through hoops to moderate that same feature on the 7 series. Go figure.

Arkay

My parents are getting rid of theirs after only 11 months. And while my SL500 has not given me many problems (just one unscheduled stop in 10,000 mi), it is not driven very often. If I get the S550, it'll be the daily driver and that worries me.

With a new baby arriving in 2 1/2 weeks (our first), I don't want to have to go to a dealer's service department on a regular basis for unscheduled visits!