7 Series....."Aging Luxobarge"!?!?!?

Pretty annoyed at Motor Trend Magazine. In their current, September 2012, issue they call the Mercedes S-Class a "German Flagship Sedan" and they call the 7 Series an "Aging Luxobarge"!! The current S-Class is TWO years older than the current 7 Series. I find nothing aged or barge like about my, or anyone else's, F01/F02 7 Series!!!

I am reading the mag as this typing. Wth is wrong with them? I think the 7 looks more modern than the S. I would agree the S class always has road presence and status, but there is nothing that the 7 is short of. Hell, that's the reason I bought this car, not the S!

I guess sticking goofy Audi type LED lights everywhere makes the S Class more "modern", I'm glad BMW has stayed away from that nonsense. Don't get me wrong, the S Class is nice, very sporty looking but the 7 series has more road presence especially the LCI model with the new headlamps.

Originally Posted by f01driver

I guess sticking goofy Audi type LED lights everywhere makes the S Class more "modern"

I think it does. Everyone is going to LEDs. BMW did the same on the 2013 7er. Do you think they should just stick with Xenons?

I just wish the look and feel of the 7er wasn't as similar as the 5er. Sometimes at a quick glance, I couldn't tell the difference without looking at the exact lights and details. But with the S and E classes, the differences are much more noticeable.

Originally Posted by chrischeung

I just wish the look and feel of the 7er wasn't as similar as the 5er.

Totally agree.

Originally Posted by hd750Li

Totally agree.

Yes, this is a problem! But, sometime on the road...it can be hard to distinguish an A4/A6/A8! And if anyone remembers the 1996-2001 C-Class and the 1993-1999 S-Class....you will remember that headlights, grill and taillamps were VERY closely related. On the highway, when that C-Class pulled behind you...one needed to take closer look, to see if it was a C or S Class.

I remember when I had my 2010 750i, how pissed I was when the new 5 Series come out. Not only did it look almost like my 7, but it had LED Corona Rings. Of course us 7 Series owners & lovers can see the difference between a 7 and a 5 almost right away...but they are way, way too similar!!!

Well, not just BMW, I think Audi is the worst in one sausage 3 different length with 4/6/8, I always mistake them on the road unless they get close. And Benz's C and S are the same, even though they are not as bad as Audi, I still mistake them from afar.

Originally Posted by Individual750LI

Well, not just BMW, I think Audi is the worst in one sausage 3 different length with 4/6/8, I always mistake them on the road.

Yeah, I agree with you there. You could buy an A6 and tell people it's an A8 and most of them would believe you.

On the S-Class.....it's more expensive than the 7, less reliable, and only comes in one wheelbase version. Is the ride more luxurious than the 7? Sure. But have any of you seen a black Hyundai Equus? It looks very similar to the S-Class. I'd rather get the Equus and pocket $40,000 then get the Benz.

I think the design of the 7 looks much more refined and sexy and has a great presence on the road.

You know one thing about Equus that I wish BMW would offer? The hyundai dealer will come to pick up the car from you to do service for your Equus instead of you taking the car to the dealer! I am so jealous! And I think this kind of service will benefit most of us.

Ummm....hate to break it to you but the 7/S/A8 are all luxobarges.

If you bought a flagship sedan for pure perfomance (Pana Turbo excluded), you're doing it wrong.

Generally speaking, BMW, Mercedes and Audi all make great cars.
That said, I've never been a fan of Audi's recent front end treatment with the huge ugly grill. And as was already stated above, it's pretty darn hard to tell the three different Audi sedans apart. I'd bet 95% of people can not tell an A4 from an A8. Audi styling in the 90's and early 00's was much more attractive. The Bentley Division is doing a much better job. The Mulsanne has beautiful lines and a "stately" presence.
Don't get me started on Mercedes. They built some truly handsome cars over the years, but recently it looks as if all the displaced Pontiac designers landed in Stuttgart. Each new model gets uglier and more flamboyant than the last. Lots of disjointed lines, and way too many overwrought tacky details. The new SL is a disgrace. Like something a 12 year old would draw in study hall. It's a shame that Mercedes forgot what understated elegance is.
Obviously, I think the BMW 7-series is attractive. It really is a terrific design IMO. Classy and tasteful, yet muscular at the same time. Sort of like an athlete in a taylored suit.
Don't shoot me for this, but I also think Cadillac styling has come a long way. The CTS is a very handsome car, inside and out.

Did not read it but it is just one journalist's opinion. The 7, A8 and S class are all great cars, all have the good points and as the above they are all luxobarges.

There is not much to chose between them all.

Originally Posted by RGSM

Don't get me started on Mercedes. They built some truly handsome cars over the years, but recently it looks as if all the displaced Pontiac designers landed in Stuttgart. Each new model gets uglier and more flamboyant than the last. Lots of disjointed lines, and way too many overwrought tacky details. The new SL is a disgrace. Like something a 12 year old would draw in study hall. It's a shame that Mercedes forgot what understated elegance is.

I owned a 2007 SL550 and I like the looks of the 2013 SL. I guess everyone has their own likes and dislikes.

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

Ummm....hate to break it to you but the 7/S/A8 are all luxobarges.

If you bought a flagship sedan for pure perfomance (Pana Turbo excluded), you're doing it wrong.

Fully agree. Luxo = luxury. Barge = large. If I wanted a luxury sports sedan I would have got an Individual 3 series or M3.

Originally Posted by Deutsch100

Yes, this is a problem! But, sometime on the road...it can be hard to distinguish an A4/A6/A8! And if anyone remembers the 1996-2001 C-Class and the 1993-1999 S-Class....you will remember that headlights, grill and taillamps were VERY closely related. On the highway, when that C-Class pulled behind you...one needed to take closer look, to see if it was a C or S Class.

I remember when I had my 2010 750i, how pissed I was when the new 5 Series come out. Not only did it look almost like my 7, but it had LED Corona Rings. Of course us 7 Series owners & lovers can see the difference between a 7 and a 5 almost right away...but they are way, way too similar!!!

Problem is the new 5 looks better then the current 7

Originally Posted by MOPAULY

Problem is the new 5 looks better then the current 7

This is becoming subjective. Overall, I like both cars almost equally, and wouldn't be displeased with either.

I like the rear of the 7, and the side view of the 7 (it reminds me of the stretched CS concept - http://www.bmwcoop.com/2008/11/09/bm...-was-canceled/). But I prefer the front end of the 5 a lot more, the 7 being extremely bland and square. The LCI 7 goes a long way to making the front a lot more interesting.

The interiors could almost be twins of each other, small details aside to attempt to make the 7 more upmarket. The differentiation in design and quality isn't great enough in my view. They probably saved a bit of $$$ by doing it this way.

Originally Posted by MOPAULY

Problem is the new 5 looks better then the current 7

At a glance, I can't tell the difference.

Notice how BMW always stuck with quad round headlights, while all others mired us through rectangular, then amoeba shaped and "retro" round lights? IMO, split kidney grill & the quads ID BMW. Giant grill star logos & hood "ornaments" are ways I differentiate MBs nowadays. Who knows, maybe their next flagship sedan will wow the press with a return to opera windows?! Classic design vs trendy tinsel? I know which I'd rather own. Remember, auto journalists borrow our cars, drive them hard and get paid to file copy they hope their editors will approve. I was very unhappy with both drive feel and reliability of both new MBs I've owned (an E320 & SL500). Those ownership experiences are the reason I'm on my eighth new BMW since 2000. I love my 2012 "Aging Luxobarge" AH7L!

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

At a glance, I can't tell the difference.

7 looks more beastly to me. The big flat grill looks like a snarling beast. From the side and back they do look too similar, though.

Originally Posted by Individual750LI

You know one thing about Equus that I wish BMW would offer? The hyundai dealer will come to pick up the car from you to do service for your Equus instead of you taking the car to the dealer! I am so jealous! And I think this kind of service will benefit most of us.

I'm not sure if they will still offer this when I move out to LA (very doubtful), but BMW of Dallas offers valet pickup. Just simply call their service department and ask for valet pickup, schedule time and date, and they will send a driver for your car. Had them pickup and deliver my car several times. I would guess other dealer's offer this service as well, just typically don't advertise it.

Originally Posted by 07X3platinum

Yeah, I agree with you there. You could buy an A6 and tell people it's an A8 and most of them would believe you.

On the S-Class.....it's more expensive than the 7, less reliable, and only comes in one wheelbase version. Is the ride more luxurious than the 7? Sure. But have any of you seen a black Hyundai Equus? It looks very similar to the S-Class. I'd rather get the Equus and pocket $40,000 then get the Benz.

I think the design of the 7 looks much more refined and sexy and has a great presence on the road.

You have no idea about Mercedes at all ! S class W212 as far is very reliable. Plus, how can you compare to Equus ??? W212 came out from 2007 and Equus ?? 2009. Pure copy and you really think that car is more luxo and safer than S class ? That badge looks just like Bentley.

Magazines these days are just bad, they probably take bribes or something. They have so much love for the Audi a8 even though the exterior looks like a 30k VW.

Regardless of what folks think about the Japanese and Koreans, I think the cars they build make German cars better, so it's a win win for everyone. Personally, I like what is happening in the market. I can only see the Koreans getting better, not worse, and the Japanese getting sportier. Look at what they've been able to achieve with the $25K Toyota FR-S. Some of that will flow into a new Mazda Miata. If they can translate some of that into Lexus, it can only lead to better driving cars. What's not to like?

My relatives were BMW owners in 1990, and received a BMW marketing newsletter in the mail. It was like some of those inserts you get in your monthly lease statement. One of the articles was lampooning the recently launched Lexus LS400 for an overheating rear brake light, alluding to the fact that they wouldn't survive with issues like this. 20 years on, you don't see that open public ridicule from BMW, Benz etc. It's more like Lexus has their space, and we have ours when they are mentioned, and they never mention it in direct marketing.

The new facelift LS460 is very impressive, and cheaper than German rivals. The next gen due in 2 years will sure to impress more. Equus shouldn't be in this equation, if there is any brand that German needs to be worry, it's Lexus.

WOW...probably the BEST looking Lexus in & out I have EVER seen. It totally rivals the 7 and S-Class!! Impressive!