Comments by "MrCarGuy" (@MrCarGuy) on "2004 Maybach 57 - Driving the V12 Biturbo Phantom Fighter (POV Binaural Audio)" video.

  1.  @rahulmandala4930  The W220 (assuming it isn't an ABC model or in a salty environment) is the most reliable generation of S-Class ever made, plagued by all sorts of myths. M113 and 722.6. The W221 is close but the forced induction models don't even come close. A W140 paired with W220 engine/transmission would be the ideal combo.
    5
  2. Many myths repeated here. It wasn't just because it was cheaper, cost cutting, etc... It was simply because the 220 series wasn't large enough to accommodate the footprint they wanted the Maybach to have. The 220 had very modular substructures (aimed at reducing repair costs to keep insurance costs down, which was another part of competing with cars like the Lexus) in comparison and undoubtedly harder to modify as well.
    1
  3.  @matsujarvinen  Yes, development was over in early '98 before the merger played a part
    1
  4. Quite a biased comment. Plenty of large vehicle projects had such a budget. Do you know what also had a ~billion dollar budget? The original Lexus LS400 development. And it destroyed the W140. It is what forced MB to lower the cost of their full-size segment considerably with the W220, and the cost was more than most think on the W220; getting it closer to the Lexus while using cutting-edge computer systems and materials was very difficult. A record number of patents were filed, far eclipsing the number for the W140. Development was completed prior to the DaimlerChrysler merger. The one major mishap at the time was the formulation of the anti-corrosion solution. The myth was that it was a cost-cutting measure, etc.: It was the opposite. They were trying to gain an advantage and experimenting with novel solutions. They used the wrong one until about 2003 and cars before this varied wildly in rust protection. (Some, but few, of the pre-'03 cars were well-protected because they were dipped in a fresh solution; the problem was that the solution didn't last anywhere close to what they thought before needing replacement).
    1
  5.  @gabrielalexanderpalma6083  As expected, you are a W140 owner. Explains the immense bias. You're justifying your ownership to yourself. Fantastic cars, but they were 150% the price of the W220. And, no, they were never more reliable than the 722.6 transmission and M113 engine combo in the 220. Other aspects about the car (new interior materials used, and corrosion issues included) were definitely inferior as it was designed to be competitive and also more modular for modern safety tests, but the powertrain and drivetrain is the most reliable non-diesel MB product in history.
    1
  6. That's not what this car is. It's an amalgamation of W140 structure and W220 subsystems.
    1
  7. Structure does use W140 parts
    1
  8. You will learn eventually that having large "rims" is not a good thing. More sidewall is always better.
    1
  9. W220 had heated and cooled ('98) and massaging ('00) seats in the rear.
    1