Maybach today

[verytalldave]

You may very well be correct John. That all did cross my mind.
Perhaps Mercedes don't want to sell many and keep it only for those truly in the know - and very exclusive. Who can imagine what their marketing philosophy is regarding the Maybach brand?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

You cant have a £350,000 car with the same badge as a £9,000 A-Class.

Same reason why luxury Fords never sell, although MB is a prestege brand, its not in the same league as RR

Surely thats why they used Maybach?

 

[Robbie T]

For me, a Maybach is just a status symbol. It's just an inflation of putting your Porsche keys on the bar in a local pub, it says "I'm loaded and i want you to know about it".

You get a few more bits a pieces in them, but you wouldn't be missing out on a great deal if you got a fully loaded S600. That said, i think the appeal for some of the customers is that they can call on their Liason guy at any time to ask stoopid questions and the preferential treatment they get over Merc customers.

 

[glojo]

You cant have a £350,000 car with the same badge as a £9,000 A-Class.

Same reason why luxury Fords never sell, although MB is a prestege brand, its not in the same league as RR

Surely thats why they used Maybach?

Ditch the A-class

For me, a Maybach is just a status symbol. It's just an inflation of putting your Porsche keys on the bar in a local pub, it says "I'm loaded and i want you to know about it".

Would joe public know what a Maybach is, or even the cost? I think if you want to be a posuer, then you buy a label and flaunt it. Look at folks with expensive watches, nothing discreet in them, but as folks have already stated, the Maybach is something we don't give a second look.

Regards
John

 

[alanuk400]

Folks are quite fickle with their cars and Lexus was created where Toyota thought that in some countries it was better to remove their brand name from this luxury vehicle. I find that sad and thankfully some countries sell the car as a Toyota.


Regards
John

At least Toyota did right, BMW & Mercedes got a wake up call & thats why I am enjoying my S Class, I owned a 1991 LS 400 with 400,000 miles about 6 years ago, paid £2,000 sold 2yrs later for £2,500. That was the best car for money I have ever owned.

Alan

 

[glojo]

At least Toyota did right, BMW & Mercedes got a wake up call & thats why I am enjoying my S Class, I owned a 1991 LS 400 with 400,000 miles about 6 years ago, paid £2,000 sold 2yrs later for £2,500. That was the best car for money I have ever owned.

Alan

I certainly don't have an issue with Toyota, they have always had a reputation for reliability. They also always used to be the manufacturer that topped the Recall list.

Has Lexus made Mercedes-Benz raise their standards? Difficult one to answer because if you look at the Service Bulletins issued by Lexus they also have electronic issues, but their PR department puts the European manufacturers to shame. I have just read a post where an independant specialist is looking after a 211 that has done in excess of 400,000 miles without any major issues. The emergency services are using the E-class and keeping it for 300,000 miles. The car when looked after is amazing and try comparing the servicing of this very complex vehicle tgo that of an aircraft!

Would it be a good advert for Toyota if they had badged the car as a Toyota? How has the VW Phaeton fared and would they have been better doing a 'Lexus'?

Well done to Toyota for producing such a nice car

Regards
John

 

[Robbie T]

Would joe public know what a Maybach is, or even the cost? I think if you want to be a posuer, then you buy a label and flaunt it. Look at folks with expensive watches, nothing discreet in them, but as folks have already stated, the Maybach is something we don't give a second look.

Regards
John

No joe public in general wouldn't know what it is, but in the circles in which these people move they would.

 

[Robbie T]

Has Lexus made Mercedes-Benz raise their standards? Difficult one to answer because if you look at the Service Bulletins issued by Lexus they also have electronic issues, but their PR department puts the European manufacturers to shame.

Regards
John

Lexus has been the bench-mark by which the luxury market judges itself by (certainly within the last 5 years) and one of Mercedes' main aims is to be above them in JD Power. So i would say that they have made them raise their standards.

I don't think it's due to quality of the vehicles as much as quality of service (apart from the W211 which hasn't proved the best) though.

 

[glojo]

Lexus has been the bench-mark by which the luxury market judges itself by (certainly within the last 5 years) and one of Mercedes' main aims is to be above them in JD Power. So i would say that they have made them raise their standards.

I don't think it's due to quality of the vehicles as much as quality of service (apart from the W211 which hasn't proved the best) though.

Hi Robbie,
I'm not sure I agree with you regarding the luxury statement. If we go £ for £ regarding luxury features then it is an extremely difficult question to answer but to me a long wheelbase S-class is far superior to any Lexus. If we want absolute money no object luxury then the Maybach is perhaps a better car, but I personally prefer the LWB S-class.

Surveys are a joke and not something I will ever quote from, they are perhaps an indicator but an unfair and unscientific one. I would cite the W211 as being a prime example. Mass unreliability issues regarding electronics!! Absolute tosh.... see our electronics section and note the deluge of complaints regarding electrical issues The valeo radiator issue has been described as an epidemic... again I would suggest that s journalistic licence regarding a very serious issue that is definitely effecting a few very early 211's but definitely NOT an epidemic throughout the whole 211 range. As mentioned earlier I have read and posted on this forum numerous service bulletins regarding electrical issues with their cars but where is that in these surveys, or

I would love for Lexus to produce a large estate car, but before that happens I would want to see a dealership appear in South Devon.

John

 

[bigstuff]

uk sales tell the story its not the best looking car infact it prob suits the yanks better due to a lack of taste

 

[Robbie T]

I thought this picture i took today might through up some discussion

 

[glojo]

I thought this picture i took today might through up some discussion

Not sure about the exhaust pipes or that rear fog light. Does that 600 look tired??

John

 

[verytalldave]

I wonder which one would be the best for a drive down to the south of France?
I would hazard a guess at the Maybach, but I might be wrong. Those 600's had a superb ride.
Interesting comparison.

 

[Robbie T]

Not sure about the exhaust pipes or that rear fog light. Does that 600 look tired??

John

It's standard stuff, but i can see how it looks a little odd in that picture (camera phone i'm afraid).

Yes it does look a little tired, it's in to be quoted for "restoration"

 

[verytalldave]

Am I the only one who thinks the 600 looks by far the best of the two cars?
Given a choice between a FULLY restored and sorted 600 and a new Maybach, I know which one I would choose.

 

[glojo]

Am I the only one who thinks the 600 looks by far the best of the two cars?
Given a choice between a FULLY restored and sorted 600 and a new Maybach, I know which one I would choose.

I think a fully restored, pristine 600 would be nice but if I were offered both cars and had to take one, then it would be a difficult decision. I guess the 600 would hold its price far better than the Maybach, but I just love the toys and whistles of the newer vehicle. The problem is that I believe both cars are really meant to be driven by a chauffeur and would you agree that the Maybach experience would be best enjoyed form reclining in the rear seat?

I like my driving far too much and would opt for an all singing, all dancing LWB S-class with all the bells and whistles. Engine size would not be an issue as I don't believe these cars are about hurtling around narrow roads with tyres squealing and smoke bellowing from under the wheel arches

Regards
John

 

[st4]

Am I the only one who thinks the 600 looks by far the best of the two cars?
Given a choice between a FULLY restored and sorted 600 and a new Maybach, I know which one I would choose.

I can understand your view, and would be tempted to do the same as its a more "unique" car. But for a really long haul ride, are the seats in the 600 as good as the newer Maybachs, never mind entering into the crash worthiness of them both.

The 600 is a lovely timeless design and time has been kind to it, I don't think time will be kind to the Maybach 62 but the 57 IMHO is a nice looing big car, so I'd go for that unless I could get a LWB 221 600.

 

[alanuk400]

Not sure about the exhaust pipes or that rear fog light. Does that 600 look tired??

John

I would be tired if I was on the go for 40 years.

Alan

 

[jaymanek]

i would kill to have that 600... just doesnt compare to a Maybach im afraid.. the 600 is probably the finest automobile ever made IMO.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

RRR Maybach