Perfection or excess? One of these words will sum up the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class line with sufficient accuracy for most people.
Proponents of perfection will no doubt point out Mercedes' reputation for nth-degree engineering, bank-vault safety and zillion-mile reliability.
They will list the dozens - hundreds, for that matter - of amenities offered by the S-Class cars, many of which are exclusive Mercedes-Benz features. They also will describe the bewildering array of models (there are eight, by our count) in the S-Class range as a something-for-everyone lineup. And they will be correct in every respect.
Those who see the S-Class cars through jaundiced eyes - calling them excessive - will point to high curb weights, extravagant prices (anywhere from $62,000 to $133,000), unrelenting thirst (translation: poor fuel efficiency) and the cars' complexity as negatives, and are likely to suggest a host of alternative cars for the luxury-minded to consider. These people, too, will be correct.
As you can probably guess, class comparisons are difficult to make. The Mercedes S-Class line falls between BMW and Rolls-Royce/Bentley on the price scale, almost doubling in price from the base S320 sedan to the S600 coupe.
The 6-cylinder cars compete against the Jaguar XJ6, the V8s fall squarely in the BMW 740i category and the 12-cylinder sedans and coupes face the Jaguar XJ12 and BMW 750i. And yet these Mercedes Benz S-Class cars are as different from any of their rivals as apples are from oranges.
Let's line the S-Class entries up for inspection: At the entry-level end of the scale is the S320 model. The S320 is equipped with a 228-hp 6-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic transmission.
Next up is the only luxury turbodiesel car sold in North America, the S350. Like its S320 sibling, the oil-burner has virtually every feature you might expect a luxury car to carry, including air conditioning, anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, power-controlled everything and a first-class sound system.
Three V8-powered S-Class cars are next. The S420 has a 275-hp engine; the S500 gets a rousing 40 hp more. With the more powerful engine comes a choice of coupe or sedan body styles.
The top-of-the-line S600 is also available in coupe or sedan form. A 6.0-liter V12 provides the power here. Both V12s, all V8s and the turbodiesel are fitted with 4-speed automatic transmissions.
Our test car was an S500 sedan that boasted burl walnut trim, heated seats, a Bose sound system and a tilt steering wheel, and was priced at $87,500.
Your first, second and third impressions of the S-Class cars are likely to relate to size. These are big automobiles, and look even more massive than they really are. Some styling tweaks have been applied for 1995 to lessen the appearance of bulk, including the addition of a new grille, headlights and a horizontal bodyside crease, but the look of substance remains.
On closer inspection, it quickly becomes apparent that size has its virtues. Huge doors with pneumatic closers that latch them silently and effortlessly promise easy access to the cavernous interior, and the large trunk lid makes loading luggage into the trunk - which measures in at a more than generous 15.6 cu. ft. - simple.
Flush glass windows (double glazed for noise isolation) and the rounded wedge of the body suggest aerodynamic efficiency as well.
Even without the 3-point star on the hood, the S-Class is an unmistakable product of the Mercedes-Benz design staff, whether you see it arriving, departing or simply standing still.
The sedans are smooth but formal; the coupes sleeker. That is tradition.
