This is something I don't understand. Why oh why would Mercedes ship every dealer in the U.S. a stripped down model? If I were running MBUSA I would have demanded that the bigger dealers get 2 cars to show, one with some options and one fully loaded. One Black/Black (which is what a lot of MB buyers like) and one Green, Blue or White with a beige/cashmere interior, the one with the beige interior would be loaded with options. Duh doesn't MB have sense enough to show fully loaded cars to draw the big money in first and then ship the cheaper ones a few weeks later? I bet there are quite a few people turned off by a black on black S550 with no options. The hell with Distronic and what not, the interior/comfort options are the one that need to be shown. Different color leathers, woods and interior convience options. Someone either Germany or Jersey isn't paying attention. For the real high-end, high-volume dealers I would have shipped a Designo model with some options too. The key is to get people to fall in love with the car instantly.

Not really fair to compare the 760Li to the S550 though. I'd wait and see how the S600 stacks up.

M