Motorweek 2003 Mercedes-Benz S600 Road Test

Motorweek 2003 Mercedes-Benz S600 Road Test. I don't own this video.

[@ejohnson3131]

0-60 in 4.5 seconds and 60-0 in 120ft for a car this size and 4,610lbs? That’s impressive even by today’s standards!

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

Wowwww, very fantastic theses Mercedes

[@RyanEmeryLovesCars]

You knew someone was successful if they drove this new. Beautiful

[@gedaman]

This car had so much technology like KEYLESS-GO which was unheard of at the time. That biturbo V12 thrust was out of this world. The new S-Class doesn’t even offer a V12 unless you want to step up to the grand Maybach S 680 for about $260k.

[@mikep.5517]

Later failures in the exotic hydraulic suspension notwithstanding, the way this car took the slalom and lane change tests was eye-opening.

[@za4117]

Great powertrain. The weaklink here as in all these W220 and 221 V12's is the ABC hydraulic suspension. The system is so complex and runs at such high pressures (200 bar/3000 psi) that critical components fail starting at 50K and components like the pump (which you can't even get OEM from Mercedes anymore) also double as the power steering. Good luck owning one these 20 years in the future when Mercedes doesn't even support these cars anymore from a parts/service perspective.

[@hellkitty1014]

Yes, ABC equipped S/CL/SL cars will bankrupt the owner. Luckily there is aftermarket support.

[@JimmyDoresHairDye]

Which is good, because ABC (when it’s working) feels like otherworldly tech. The lack of dive, squat and roll is incredible and the ride is even smoother (while being less floaty) than the great base Airmatic DC setup.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

The twin turbo is apparently more reliable because the NA motor had cylinder deactivation which was problematic.

[@xxxpensive1415]

😂😂 lol rich people don't worry they just buy another one

[@JimmyDoresHairDye]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 The block is also strengthened relative to the M137, which had a similar design to the very reliable M119.

[@hellkitty1014]

While the W220(especially early models) will never tickled my fancy, and as a W140 owner, the lapse in quality and interior materials remain a mystery, this generation began MBs upward march in massive power in engines. For a while, MB even offered both the standard 600 as well as the 65 on the 221. Incredible engines.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

It is what the powertrains of a full size luxury sedan should be. Now the worst luxury sedan, the Lexus LS, has the complete opposite of that, a V6...

[@hellkitty1014]

@imnotusingmyrealname4566 true! Genesis represents what the LS should've been, I just wish Genesis managed to save its V8. But it's interior trappings and overall polish are first-rate. Lexus allowing the LS to wither since 2018 seems to indicate they've largely given up on the class.

[@MercOne]

@@hellkitty1014 The Genesis V8 is no different from the Lexus V8, outdated, naturally aspirated. They both know that won't cut it in the luxury sedan class anymore. You need a turbo V8 to compete. Saving the Genesis V8 would have done absolutely nothing for the G90 vs a car like the S580 or 760i.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@hellkitty1014 it could be that the LS will be discontinued after this generation, really sad. Although it's their fault for ruining it like that. The V8 is on the same technology as the 3.8 GDI they have in the Palisade and Telluride so it's not emissions, maybe fuel economy, although they aren't selling a ton so that shouldn't matter

[@Wasabi9111]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566large luxury sedans are a dying segment. Just look at their sales numbers. I live next to one of the wealthiest towns and I rarely ever see an s class anymore.

[@DrCharlesMontague]

Truly incredible automobile. Like so many, they wound up in the hands of people who could not afford them later in life. I had one customer show up wanting us to install a USED water pump on his, and whining about not being able to have it done same-day and it disrupting his work, which was going to screw up his HOUSING VOUCHER. We flat told him he was driving the wrong car.

[@jimcole2648]

4.5 for 2003 is solid. Too bad the reliability isn’t the same.

[@82_KID]

I want one of these. Not sure why anyone would want a new car.

[@mustasheolll2020]

We all have our preference

[@garagenextdoor807]

I own one! Once you get the right one hold on to it no matter what!

[@TshepoMasilela-ot5qc]

Because they can afford them

[@82_KID]

@TshepoMasilela-ot5qc Yeah that's not it.

[@mustasheolll2020]

@@TshepoMasilela-ot5qc I don’t even make much nor have a college degree and tbh new cars really aren’t that expensive imo. I thought they were as a kid so that was a relief.

[@damirzanne]

I have 2015 S550 449hp V8 biturbo … easily the best car I’ve ever owned…

[@tommyolsen8224]

Beautiful color combinations ❤

[@matthewthedude146]

124K in 2003 is crazy!

[@nwezetx1]

2002* Not 2003. This wasn't taped in 2003.

[@Idk_about_anything]

That's $216,000 in 2024 dollars 😂😮😢

[@Idk_about_anything]

@@nwezetx1 what do you mean?

[@Idk_about_anything]

@@nwezetx1 124 x 1.75 = approx 216k

[@nwezetx1]

@Sha-Ayo My apologies, thanks for sharing this accurate information. I mixed up your reply with someone elsez on another video. $124,205 in October 2002 exactly what you said in today's money. Over $216k.

[@nwezetx1]

I remember when I saw one of these in traffic in late 2002, quickly realizing these had a facelift already. Not even knowing MB designed the W221 already. How time flies!

[@rossw5576]

Rappers loved these!

[@nwezetx1]

Not really. In 2000, they were about the Bentley Arnages and Azures. By 2002-03, the Maybach 57 and 62, followed by the E65 7 Series were the big deal. S600s were more of a 90s thing with the W140, because 2000s zeroed in on Maybachs and the RR Phantom. Maybe you were a toddler or a spark back then? Don't assume.

[@EmekaIheanacho-jc5td]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2GXnn-Mq8p7itksi=G6va6JMcYgWhm7Hk​@@nwezetx1

[@EmekaIheanacho-jc5td]

​@@nwezetx1he's not wrong!! These where in a bunch of hip-hop videos in the early 2000s

[@nwezetx1]

@@EmekaIheanacho-jc5td S500s and S55s. S600? Not as much.

[@Anonymous-pm7jf]

The look aged well

[@tonychavez2083]

These are truly special

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

This is so much classier than a Mercedes-Maybach.

[@Ashley_van_Schooneveld]

Anyone noticed those triangle spoke Maybach-like chrome rims?

[@rootsmanuva82]

Amazing how 4,600 lbs sounds light in this day and age. A BMW i4 weighs 400 lbs MORE than this V12 S-Class. And a C63 AMG with a 4-cylinder turbo and EV motor weighs around 5,000 lbs. We live in stupid times because of stupid “environmental” regulations.

[@phil4977]

John looks like he loved his food

[@TheJohnlyh]

I owned a poverty spec s320 its the most comfortable car ive owned more so than my w124, but its constant issues

[@dstrong11]

Had an 05 S600. Great riding car. Terrible for maintaining though. Coil packs, and suspension air bags, and Terrible fuel economy lol. But outside those three things great built car. Interior was superb 👌. Great sound system.

[@hausmeisterengineering5952]

badass

[@nihongokeyboard2180]

Tell us what the gas mileage was

[@johnhenrymcmahon6878]

Gorgeous! Throw it up, boys 🤣🤪!!

[@Blue-moon12]

4.5 0-60 in 2003 for such a big car is amazing! The ABC system will kill your finances 😂😂

[@martinsv9183]

If you dont change the fluid regularly yes.

[@nwezetx1]

This episode aired in 2002 and you could buy one in 2002 as well...

[@Blue-moon12]

@nwezetx1 What's your point?

[@nwezetx1]

@@Blue-moon12 Bigger deal in 2002 before another higher horsepower V12 came out in 2003 and put out bigger numbers.

[@Blue-moon12]

@@nwezetx1 Ah right. Good to know, I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing mate.

[@Swiss4.2]

Could you upload one on the 2004 Audi A8 D3 generation? Thanks.

[@dontelindsey5846]

One of my favorite A8 model years.

[@JDMHaze]

3:30 if there’s no time to avoid the accident there’s no time to close the sunroof😂😂😂

[@Lucas-nh2mk]

When Mercedes does real cars

[@Enoch161]

That $124K price is equivalent to about $211K today. Crazy!

[@nwezetx1]

Stop making calculations if you don't have full context on the episode tape date. These were out in October 2002, which is when MW tested them. Not in 2003, meaning the value gap is actually bigger. You guys always do this and come up with inconsistent numbers.

[@Anonymous-pm7jf]

​@@nwezetx1You have no idea what you're talking about. Go away.

[@TshepoMasilela-ot5qc]

It was so expensive

[@Julian-do7bv]

Sure stays flat thru the cones

[@greathey1234]

Even Chinese EVs are more reliable

[@uberenthusiasts]

Bot not even half as classy or a quarter prestigious as this Mercedes, which matters more than reliability. Hence why Mercedes outsells Lexus.

[@visionist7]

Aren't all EVs supposed to be reliable in general? Dunno never tried one

[@mumwifeteacher]

Insanity- completely boring looking but nuts under hood.

[@martinsv9183]

I really like that design. Very sleek looking.

[@visionist7]

Stealth Wealth

[@heint8169]

Rust bucket!

[@lambrinos]

The worst generation of S Class

[@heint8169]

@lambrinos Indeed. The tech was unreliable.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

and the generation before it was arguably the best S-Class to have ever existed.

[@GeeEm1313]

​@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 They were amazing.

[@MercOne]

@@lambrinos From a quality standpoint there is no question about that. A total reversal from the W140. W221 put them back on the right track.

[@felixmartin9156]

My favorite car....The airmatic system is trash They will fail

[@martinsv9183]

No the airmatic is good. ABC though can create endless problems if you dont change the fluid regularly.

[@kxngearner698]

The only things I really HATE about every S 600 is the bland base model looking exterior and the stupid problematic ABC Suspension I have a S Class with the AMG sport package and I wouldn't want a S Class without it it looks too cheap every Mercedes Benz I ever had from a C Class CL Class CLK Class CLS Class E Class and S Class all had the AMG sport package I HATE base model looking vehicles they always look like you opted for the cheaper version of that vehicle

[@Stephen03S600]

AMG sport package option gives a bit of styling upgrade...look at a 2006 S65 AMG which uses the same sporty front spoiler

[@nwezetx1]

Not everyone is into that kind of thing. You guys don't think about that at all. My dad hated upgrading to a 750i M-Sport years ago because of the low profile tires making the ride less comfortable and being troublesome. He preferred the luxury package G12s with thicker sidewalls, but none of them had iDrive screens in the rear. Instead of a new M760i, ended up leaving that segment, because excess neighborhood construction made for constant repairs and Gen X killed luxury sedans. Nobody wants the Lorinser or Brabus look on a flagship S600, if they prefer elegance and subtlety. I understand that, even if my choice is a customized manual shift 750iL M-Sport.