2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Consumer Reviews

The Paradigm of Luxury

Written by: Ross McCullen on 01/13/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S600 4dr Sedan (5.5L 12cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

I knew the S600 was perfect when I was at my local Mercedes Benz dealership, here in Houston. My wife loved it and the kids (8 and 16) love it also. (My teen girl really enjoyed the vanity mirrors), while it was nearly impossible getting my son out of the reclining rear seats. My wife enjoyed the fact that she could read and drive (I would never commend this action) in stop-and-go traffic due to the very intuitive Distronic Plus System. The COMMAND system was overwhelmingly easy and the car overall was extremely comfortable. I have owned a Jaguar XJ Super V8 and a 2003 Bentley Arnage, but they pale in comparison to this big Benz, due to the way it effortlessly combines luxury and technology

Favorite Features

The Nappa seats (the best I have ever experienced, by far) COMMAND, Distronic Plus, rear reclining seats, ABC, smooth V12 engine,and the impressive, not polarizing looks.

Suggested Improvements

Can you really improve a perfect car?

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Almost Perfect Sedan

Written by: Vincent Wong on 07/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4dr Sedan (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

As a total package, the 2008 S550 sets itself apart from all the super luxury sedans under $100K. I've owned many performance cars: CL500, Porsche 911's, BMW 7 series, Lexus LS430 etc.. The S550 by far is the most comfortable and pampering vehicle in its class. It has a perfect balance (through purposeful engineering) between performance and comfort - it's a well appointed family room on wheels. I'm in total agreement with MB's design philosophy: understated luxury as it is a true way to reflect the owner's sophisticated taste without overstating his/her presence. The S550 is a remarkable automobile.

Favorite Features

Interior, voice commands, keyless go, iPod integration, Bluetooth, Parktronics and most of all the V8 engine.

Suggested Improvements

Use Michelin tires instead of the noisy Continentals. Metal front grille. Touch or a better interface for the COMAND GPS navigation - MB should let Apple's iPhone team do the interface for the COMAND center.

19 out 19 people found this review helpful

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The best car I have ever owned

Written by: Dr Ted on 06/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4dr Sedan (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I have owned many new cars incuding 9 new Sclass mercedes. I purchased a new 2007 through my local dealers European delivery program. What a blast. The hotels they were incredible. But the hotels paled in comparison to driving the new S Class on the Autobahn. My wife and I both loved that car so much that the following year we went back to Germany and got another one. Well you guessed we are going back for our third one in August 2009. As long as Mercedes keeps making a car of this quality with such a high retained value I am In.

Favorite Features

Styling, handling, and performance, plus incredible comfort

Suggested Improvements

Let it run faster on the Autobahn for European delivery cars only, it's governed at 130.

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Good Car, Not Thrilled, But Good Car

Written by: ibitty on 06/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4dr Sedan (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This is a very beautiful car. Not the best, but nice. Really the best on the market right now, but not sure that says a lot. S550 best of a choice for the current market when compared to the Quattroporte, 7 Series, A8. Cars I wish it came close too, the driving feel and comfort of my 2001 740iL or the elegance of my 2006 Range Rover. I have had it to the shop twice for TPMS and a tire that kept going flat.

Favorite Features

The bottom of the front seat that extends out. I have long legs, what a simple but wonderful feature.

Suggested Improvements

Side mirrors are too small. Passenger side mirror does not tint at night and while the tilt in reverse is a great feature, the tilt then turn out renders it useless. Ventilated seats sounded wonderful, too bad no air comes through the holes.

6 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Super Sedan

Written by: walter on 06/01/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S65 AMG 4dr Sedan (6.0L 12cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

I had this car for a 7months. This car has the best utilization for a super car. I considered Porsche 911 turbo, Audi R8, and Ferrari F430, but with a family, those cars are unacceptable. Considered Alpina B7 but, shaky reliability and it being non-factory car, I disqualified it from my list. I opted for S65 AMG for performance and 4 door convenience. I have not regretted choosing this over Porsches or Ferraris. Until Porsche Panamera or Ferrari comes with a four door sedan, this car has no competition. Plus reliability wise, MB is a far better choice. For now, this is the only choice for supersedan.

Favorite Features

Great performance for its size. There are no compromise and this is by far the heaviest accelerating machine I have seen. Unless Ferrari can build a sedan that outperform F430, this is the best performance sedan. I had E55 AMG and older M5. They were good but, lacked comfort.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage is a disfunction which is not neccessarily considered for this price range and category but, it is dreadful. Noise level is quite high for ultra luxury sedans. Muffler jidders and rattles a bit too much in acceleration.

3 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Second S550 ... first 4matic

Written by: doublet on 04/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I just traded in my 2007 S550 (bought March 2006) with 24,000 miles on a new 4matic with almost every option (list $107k). Obviously I loved my 2007, or would not have bought the 2008. There is a big difference in both the driving and mileage of this one versus my 07. The new one is both 4matic and has the AMG appearance package. It drives more like a BMW, but gets much less gas mileage than the 2 wheel version. By the way, my old one had no reliability issues during the 2 years of ownership.

Favorite Features

Ride, power, back-up camera, looks of AMG ground effects, GPS

Suggested Improvements

I think that they should offer the S350 stateside. Their online link system often does not answer and often the people don't know the answer. Must call dealer service dept for answer. I now cancel the link after the free year runs out.

7 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Best S series yet

Written by: MTech8 on 03/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4dr Sedan (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Had every generation of MB S class since 1991. This one by far is the best one ever! I can't truly comment on reliability yet since its still a new car. But so far no problems. The drive and the features of the car are great! Plenty of power for everyday driving. If you're a racer, you should be looking at AMG models. Gave the fuel economy an 8. It drinks gas like water, but not uncommon for V8. Think there is definite room for improvement though. Cross shopped against BMW 7 series. Choose this model due to the 7 series getting a model revision very soon.

Favorite Features

Nappa leather is ultra luxurious (but worried about wear and tear). Keyless go rocks.

Suggested Improvements

Range indicator (like to know how much miles I can still drive!) Naming rules for Navigation (annoying having to classify as home/work only). Menu button for Command system (easy way to get to the main menu without having to back through everything else) Bluetooth can take less space!

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Ownership

Written by: Bruce Hohler on 02/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4dr Sedan (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This car is all you would expect from Mercedes Benz. Economy is much better than advertised...25 on the highway at 80 MPH. Comfort is awesome, handling is great and interior layout was well thought out.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Use Michelin tires on all your vehicles.

7 out 11 people found this review helpful

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MB Quality is Back

Written by: Review by Owner on 12/01/2007

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4dr Sedan (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

After having a couple of MBs with quality issues we are extremely pleased with the rock solid, problem- free S550 we have now had for several months and 3,000 miles. We waited 6 months to get an S with the ABC option but ABC provides such a great combination of ride and handling that it was worth it. COMMAND is very easy to use (I have never opened the manual) and allows for a dash that is free of button clutter (particularly compared to Lexus LS). You can get gas mileage well into the 20's on the highway but it can degrade to below 15 mpg in urban driving. But you feel so great in this vehicle that you hate to have to get out when you reach your destination

Favorite Features

Way the car soaks up bumps and ruts without the soft, floaty ride epitomized by Lexus LS. COMMAND and nav system. Great acceleration, steering, breaks and curve hugging. Heated steering wheel option.

Suggested Improvements

Add video/DVD option for rear seat. Make lumbar support control more flexibible on basic seats (cannot adjust height on back seat)

17 out 19 people found this review helpful

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Review By Owner

Written by: FLFX on 09/28/2007

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4dr Sedan (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Much better in in aspects then my 04 S430. By far the best under 100k Luxury Sedan. The car adapts to your driving style! How the new Consumer Reports can rate the Lexus LS higher is beyond me. It takes a bit to get used to the new COMAND, yet after that you will never want to go back to plastic push buttons again. How on earth could anyone think the controls are difficult to use, unless they never used a computer mouse in their lifetime. I am picky and looked at all in this class, and very satisfied with my purchase. European Luxury Sedans just have better road feel than the Japanese. The S Class has more steel interior parts than Lexus LS & is just a better handling car.

Favorite Features

Interior materials, ease of controls, voice command, seats, trunk closer, auto closing doors, engine power, sound system. The overall quality.

Suggested Improvements

Steel instead of plastic door lock pins, steel grille (sure its minor, it's tough to find improvements)

28 out 31 people found this review helpful

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