I write with trepidation - I am purchasing an S500L (2001) model and am concerned that I am going to have a nightmare on the UK roads and parking. Can anyone give me any advice? - ie can this car really work in multi-story carparks, etc?
I have one of those. Best car I have ever had, smooth, comfortable, and with Mercedes' typical character.
I had the previous model S500 LWB, the 140 chassis and that one "felt" larger than this 220 chassis. It was slightly bigger in dimensions, although the V220 has a bit more room inside the cabin (although with a boot only as big as a Mondeo).
Multi-story carparks and the like can be a bit of a pain, especially in large cities as London, but so far I have only ever encountered one that I could not get the car in.
I'm not a big fan of them anyway, will avoid them like the plague, because so many other people will see no bone in putting a ding in your door when they open theirs etc.
Most parking spaces are a bit small in the UK, so often end up with the car's rear sticking out
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Listen, buying a LWB vehicle in the expectation that it matches an A-class in terms of parking behaviour is obviously fatally flawed. These cars are meant to waft people around in luxury and comfort, so there is a choice to be made there. On the roads, they are not any less easy to handle and move around than small cars, and the wealth of luxury and comfort they give you makes for a brilliant driving experience.
My V220 S500 LWB consumes noticeably less fuel than the previous one, I can easily manage 32mpg on motorways, sometimes even as good as 34mpg on longer drives. It is noise-free and the airmatic suspension feels like a flying carpet.
The s-class is Mercedes' flagship and it shows.
. OK, I'll take it back 
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