German Car Zone

Favorite Getaways: The Steeds of Transporters, Secret Agents, and Players Go Wheel-to-Wheel in the City of Angels to See Who's Top Gun.


Jason Statham and Pierce Brosnan, playing their silver-screen action selves, battled the baddies in a BMW 7 Series ("The Transporter," "Tomorrow Never Dies"). For his sequel, Statham switched to an Audi A8L, a car he also drove in "Transporter 3." As for the third premium German giant, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, versions of the maker's flagship sedan have appeared in everything from "The Sopranos" to "Ocean's Eleven," "Ronin," "Enemy of the State" -- in fact, just about any action flick or TV show involving piles of cash or a "Mr. Big."

So, yes, you know they're all good-action pros don't play around with second-rate tools. But of the current-gen versions, which of the three ranks as our favorite getaway?

It's a closely matched trio. The Audi A8L 4.2 quattro, the Mercedes-Benz S550, and the brand-new BMW 750Li: Each sports a twin-cam V-8 making between 350 and 400 horsepower. The three are within an inch of each other in overall length (each is a long-wheelbase version; the Benz is sold only in extended form stateside) and range from a low of 4449 pounds (Audi) to a high of 4659 pounds (BMW). Base prices are close enough that cost probably won't be a major issue for the moneyed shoppers considering these steeds: Audi ($78,725), BMW ($86,025), Mercedes-Benz ($91,225).

Of the three, the Audi rides on the oldest platform. The second-gen A8, officially the "D3," appeared for the 2004 model year -- and promptly won the first lux-sedans comparison we put it in (September 2004). Audi has since freshened the A8's face, adding its now-signature trapezoidal grille for 2005, but the basic aluminum body panels, lightweight aluminum space frame, and quattro all-wheel-drive system remain. The 32-valve, 4.2-liter V-8 now delivers 350 horses at 6800 rpm; it mates to a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

Mercedes' classic S-Class has been around since the 1955 model year, though the current, tenth-generation "W221" first appeared on our shores in 2006. The S550 is bursting with innovative tech -- including infra-red Night View Assist and Distronic Plus cruise control that in stop-and-go traffic can brake the car to a halt and then, as traffic begins moving again, accelerate automatically. The S550 soldiers into 2009 largely unchanged, sporting a 32-valve, 5.5-liter V-8 good for 382 horsepower at 6000 rpm and feeding its brawn through the maker's superb seven-speed automatic.


FIRST PLACE: MERCEDES-BENZ S550
SECOND PLACE: AUDI A8L 4.2 QUATTRO
THIRD PLACE: BMW 750LI


Full Story: Motor Trend - Comparison: 2009 Audi A8 vs 2009 BMW 750Li vs 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550


M

Another test where 750Li wasn't equipped with Sports Package (Active Roll Stabilization + Integral Active Steering), while S-class had Active Body Control system on board.

Such systems are essential for LWB cars - otherwise do not expect sporty handling & steering.

IMO BMW should offer both systems as standard on LWB models.

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And this is the first test I've ever seen bitching about too much tech in the 7er. My advice: don't use is if you don't know how to handle it.
And people who can't use the new iDrive are indeed Idiots Superior.

Is this the new BMW M5?

The Audi is starting to look somewhat dated to me. I would have a hard time choosing between the Merc and the Bimmer.

Recently, Car and Driver had a comparison of the 7er and the S-Class. The S-Class was equipped with the AMG sports package, but still lost to the 7-Series. No word on if it had ABC yet, but many an S-Class has ABC. Case in point: ABC and a sport package aren't the overall deciders in a comparison test. Besides, BMW's active sterring system hasn't gotten very enthusiastic reviews.

2009 BMW 750Li vs. 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 - Sedans/Comparison Test/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver

Ofcourse the S winns what else
not even FL

I was a bit surprised, given the fact that the 7 Series is newer. Then again, MT does award top honors to MB lots of times.

Nothing surprising about it, S-class is the Ace in its class. I dont think 7er will ever catch up to it .. Bottom Line, it got really close once, and the way things are looking at MB, there's no looking back ...

Damn, S-class does it again.

Lucky! In america we still have a couple of weeks.... have fun test driving.