Snake, Mercedes are pig stubborn when it comes to discounts on purchase prices, especialy for S-class's or anything in limited numbers. And if they feel they can continue so blatantly overpricing their cars, when you can get the SAME features standard on a car that drives nearly as well, is arguably better built and has dramatically improving styling, they have got another thing comming. I think here in OZ lexus is more and more being viewed as a true luxury brand in its own right and a real alternative to the Germans. Also, their service is beyond reproach.

Just out of interest I looked up some pricing options on the S-class:
Keyless go: 3300
Distronic Cruise: 6500
Premium sound system: 2800
Heated and ventilated (not airconditioned) seats: 3250

All this is standard on the 80G lexus Is and 117G lexus GS.

I know the S-class is a much bigger car etc. but the numbers still dont add up.

And when your car is positively stuffed with such luxury items, who cares if the handling is now only slightly inferior and ride quality a tiny bit less silky. You wouldn't even notice.

The new LS460 has a very very strong chance of giving the S-class the fright of its life in all facets: style, ride, handling, build and technology. The ingredients are all there.

time speaks , im sure the new s-class is worth the money...

Nice too see that Lexus is improving. Competition is always good for the customers and hopefully all German brands will have to lower the prices of extras and upgrade the standard equipment.
So next time i will buy a new Audi with tons of equipment and top notch quality i know i will have to thank Lexus too for that.

For once it would be nice if Lexus would develop the LS and put it out before the S-Class. The reason I say this is because I'm sure they've already bought some examples of the new S to make last minute changes to their new LS.

I seriously doubt Lexus will surpass the new S in anything but engine power, and that will only be the LS460 vs S450, 350hp compared to 335hp respectively.

If the GS is any indication of how the LS will look, the S has no problem in that area and in build quality it will pretty much be a draw since the new S has stepped its game up considerably over the W220.

M

I thought Toyota puts a design freeze on the vehicles nearly 4 months or more before its introduction, somthing MB adopted with this new S?

You don't think Lexus will manage to seriously challenge the S? I think they have a very strong chance, especially in terms of refinement (a lexus hallmark) and electronics (they have implemented presafe, distronic etc. very very efficiently and may even have moved ahead in this deparment). There is talk of the car actually using a lane departure system, who knows what else they have up their sleeves. And we all know Mercedes played it extremely safe on the technology side.

What do you think about the pricing situation merc1. Would you not feel short changed that your new S has MUCH less standard equipment than a Lexus sedan worth 1/2 the price?

Of course Lexus will challenge Mercedes, but surpass the new S I seriously, very seriously doubt it.

We'll see how the pricing comes out. Lexus isn't going to offer all of the S-Class' optional features as standard. No way that will happen. Lexus charges little for base LS430, like 57K but to bring it up to S-Class level you have to pay 71-73K, imo not worth it considering how lame the design is on the LS430 is both inside and out, and the absolutely yawning driving experience. Lexus entices with a low base price and then charges 11K for option "packages". Still you come out cheaper than a Benz, but not by as much as you originally thought.

No LS model is going to have more standard equipment than a S-Class Benz and cost 1/2 as much, that is a great exagerration.

M

It is also important to note that Mercedes spends vast amounts on R&D to develop ground-breaking new technology - they have to cover those costs somehow.

So true, and this is something Lexus hardly, if ever does. They always come out with something similar 2-3 years later like with Keyless Go and Pre-Safe.

M

Maybe the specifications are market specific, but here in OZ the Lexus's fully loaded come in more than 20k cheaper than an equivilant, or even less optioned, Mercedes.

Ahh well, just a few more months to see how this story unfolds.

I know it's annoying to spend so much money on a car and have to pay even more to get extra features that the competition gives at low price or even free. Mercedes always had the rep for selling extras at rediculously high prices. For example some 17 inch rims for the C class can cost 2,500 euro (i asked a C class owner once) while for 2,5 grand you can get some of the best aftermarket rims on the market which will be much better quality.
That said Lexus still can't compare with Mercedes in brand name , especially when it comes to flagship models like S class and LS. So it's obvious that you have to pay more.