Lincoln VS mercedes S430

[Former Member]

Well...i got to drive a mercedes S430 today. 2001 with 89k on it. i just want to say..lincoln has truely impressed me.

i figure these cars to be close to the same class. i own a 2000 with 108k miles on it. i know alot has to do with how well each car was taken care of.

The mercedes was a nice car, no doubt about that. fully loaded with nav. started up better/smoother then my lincoln. but then the steering wheel went into place thanks to electronic telescoping memory features (same as the my LS). it sounded TERRIBLE, not nearly as quiet as my lincoln. then the interior seems to almost have more squeaks and rattles then my lincoln. Power ive read is 275 horse 295 lb ft. little more power but in the benz its not really noticeable. the ride was a little smoother but handling was worse. lots of body role. and id take handling over a smooth ride. the leather in the benz didnt seem as comfortable.the brakes were soft but i beleive stopping wise they deffinetly beat my lincolns.

all in all..im damn glad i own the lincoln. its really impressed be compared to other cars. the bmw 540 how ever...i drove a sport model, and that thing was fast! but the interior seems so much smaller.

the LS seems like a good blend between both sport and ride comfort. plus the features are great.

has anyone else noticed any cars that the LS seems to be better then and you didnt think it? a S430 isnt exactly cheap, i was suprised my lincoln was holding up better.

 

[KD00LS]

With reliability, in my mind, it's all how you take care of the car, and what the car has. My impression is that the more options a car has, the bigger the chance that something with goes wrong with it. Same with mechanical problems. Of course a lot of the higher end cars supposedly have more mechanical problems, but aren't the owners more likely to complain after spending 60-90k on a car rather than someone who bought one for 20k? Also, I think personally the more power a car has the easier it is to break something mechanically. It's good to hear that your LS is more to your liking, they are a great car for the money. I'd just like to know what the real thing is with reliability and quality and all.

 

[HyeLifeLS]

+1 for 540i.

The early S class (00-02) is not very impressive, the later one (03-06) with different lights and bumpers is much better. Nice navi in the interior and some other stuff. Also the 500hp S55 and S600 models. I have driven an 02 CL500 and didn't like it that much as well, but I drove a new CL600 back in 04 and that thing was flying and smooth and everything else.

If S-class then 03+

 

[bigbody]

Ive had both my lincoln ls and c43, as far as interior lincoln leather is way softer and it just feels nicer but the benz leather holds up alot longer. Also as far as comfort and performance it depends what model your driving one of my clients has a 2006 or 07 s550 and that car drives, handles and performes like a dream that considering its about a million pounds. And as for reliable niether one they both ranked as the two most unreliable cars on the market and thats from a reputable auto magazine i just cant remember which one it was but they ranked the suburu as the most reliable auto maker go figuere.

 

[Former Member]

i LOVE the 03-05 E55...nomater what i want to drive one or maybe own one lol. those cars are pretty sick.

 

[97stscaddy]

The telescoping wheels in the S class are pretty notorious for making noise. That car is also set up to be luxury, not luxury and sport like the LS. They certainly weren't designed to be driven hard around corners. That's more of a car that you just float along in.

And yes, the 03 - 05 E55 was awesome. The 5.5L supercharged v8 in those is just a beast. I was disappointed when they dropped that engine in 07 for the new 6.3L n/a v8. The 6.3 makes more horsepower, but its not as torquey, and the difference between the two is pretty evident if you get the chance to drive them.

TrilKB, you're in West Chester PA right? I'm sure Mercedes Benz of West Chester has at least one of those used that you could go drive. They aren't common, but if you know where to look they're easier to find than you might think.

 

[Former Member]

Im in West chester Ohio...Just north of Cincinnati.

And also im 20 years old. i get alot of stuff about the lincoln not suiting my age, but after owning an 2 fbodys i wouldnt have it anyother way. Luxo-sport is where its at! but yea becuase of my age and wage, the E55 is gonna be a bit down the road. by then they will all have high miles tho lol.

Today i drove a nice car, we got it on trade, a 2003 lexus LS430 with 7,000 miles on it! you couldnt hear that thing run, or the electronic steering wheel go into place. but you turn the VCS off and gun it, tires spin a good bit!VERY nice leather. id rather have one of those or a GS430 over a benz or bimmer, just the quality and reliability seems soooo much better.

 

[AndrewCoja]

I am also 20, and I love my LS. Everyone looks at it and says "Nice old man car." They usually shut up about it when they get in, I floor it and they say "Oh."

 

[pwr2killayak]

sigh. dissapointed again by the thread title. thought this was going to be a racing thread.