32 Votes

Maybach chops the Roof, ditches any last semblance of taste.

GruntyDieselsRock submitted on 2/25/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 4:47:22 PM

43 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: www.carmagazine.co.uk

As the standard Maybach hasn't been received all that well, Mercedes Benz have been busy making it extra tempting.

Or so they thought. They chopped the roof and stole the interior from some local Stuttgart residents who had yet to get over the 80's white leather thing. The result is certainly eye catching. Its also quite eye watering. The price is $1.2million, which is a lot of money for a blinged up old model S Class dressed up like an old tart. But thats just what Car readers think.

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— GruntyDieselsRock (View Profile)

User Comments

I predict this car will be a huge failure. With the looks of a chopped S class, and a price point far above Bentley and Rolls. Good Luck, your gonna need it.
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 4:54:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

The only thing the contemporary Maybach has going for it is the unique reclining rear seats on the LWB model. Maybach needs to update its engine pronto to DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder instead of the money-saving SOHC 3 valves per cylinder.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 8:03:54 PM | | Votes: 2

yeah, they better update those engines to DOHC pronto because that twin turbo V12 with 600+hp and 700+ lb-ft of torque just isn't cutting it.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:21:40 AM | | Votes: 6

"yeah, they better update those engines to DOHC pronto because that twin turbo V12 with 600+hp and 700+ lb-ft of torque just isn't cutting it."

Sarcasm, or serious?
— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:22:31 AM | | Votes: 4

sarcasm, and lots of it.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:36:59 AM | | Votes: 4

LOL
— SHOWTIME (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:23:32 PM | | Votes: 1

JRobUSC, it's not about the power per se -- it's about getting it with proper engine design. 3 valves per cylinder is a shortcut.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 2/28/2008 6:29:03 PM | | Votes: 1

and a phantom isn't wearing too much gold??
— CLK63BlackSeries (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 7:04:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9

Maybach had plenty of good taste in the pre-war days. Currently, RR has a taste problem also with that terrible wood shelf at the rear window; awful wood deck on the convertible also. I feel that RR taste has steadily declined since the early fifties.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 8:07:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

The more I think about it, the more I feel that the truth is quite the contrary... quite the opposite of what you believe it is.
— CLK63BlackSeries (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 12:28:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

though the exterior is the ugliest thing i've ever seen, the interior looks amazing.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 5:23:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

I agree. IMO, the Maybach has always been about the view from the inside looking out.
— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 7:49:45 PM | | Votes: 2

It looks great. It will most likely do very well down in the Middle East but also in Europe. I seriously believe this is the car Maybach always needed.
— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 5:26:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Then Willis you have been taking far too many drugs. Not many in Europe would be keen on this I am afraid.
— GruntyDieselsRock (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 5:38:03 PM | | Votes: -4

And I suppose you are an expert on the subject...

And I don't do drugs.
— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 5:48:27 PM | | Votes: 7

Well 'willis' maybe you should start taking them,the fact that you think this looks "great" says volumes about your taste- or lack thereof.(To be duly noted in all future posts by you)

This is an abortive attempt to develop some market interest by a sub-brand that keeps a demoralizing losing streak for Maybach going and going. This is "pimp my ride" taken to its most ridiculous and embarrassing extreme.

This "brand" has been "soooo successful" that they are pulling Maybach dealerships from a majority of those that invested millions to get the brand in the first place. Sorry MB, love your S-Class but the Maybach is a failure.

The alternatives in the marketplace (Brooklands,RR Drophead, etc) are all stunning and leave no room for this nightmare whose only future claim to fame will be for being featured in some inane rap video.
— ICON (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 8:57:19 PM | | Votes: -1

Yea it will do well in the Middle East where temperature routinely top 110F
— richard112360 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 9:39:52 PM | | Votes: 0

Who on their right mind would pay $1.2 million for that? I just don't get it!
— 07G35J (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 5:30:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7

It's a nice car, but as a gift, nice. But if I was filthy rich, I wouldn't buy it. Seriously, $1.2 Million?!?!? I rather get a Veyron anyday!
— Carboy (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 6:19:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8

If somebody gave me this as a gift(???), I would return it immediately.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 9:47:25 AM | | Votes: -1

"The price is $1.2million, which is a lot of money for a blinged up old model S Class..."

The chassis the Maybach uses is the proven W140 S class chassis. How does this make the car old? The chassis is simply capable of handling the heavy weight of the car.

And the price is expensive, but believe me, there is a market out there.

I personally don't think the Lexus LS600h is worth $100K+, but hey, it sold out...
— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 6:25:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8

they haven't been able to sell the $350k version of the car. Last year MB had a $50k rebate on new Maybachs. A $50K REBATE! You don't see Bentley or Rolls doing that. Now they're going to trying selling the same car with a roll down canvas roof for 4 times as much? Insanity.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:40:16 AM | | Votes: 3

Old because it was developed in the early to mid 90's. It was a good in a car that cost 1/10th of this, even good when it was twice that. But in a car for 1.2 million dollars. Then no.

That dashboard is just as it was in an old S that you can now by second hand for 20 grand.

I personally think Merc is taking the piss with this and the whole Maybach line. When it was first launched it was critisised as chintz. Thats still very true today.

I would like to see Merc throw real tech and cleverness at this thing. Instead they give us this.
— GruntyDieselsRock (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 12:47:50 PM | | Votes: -1

Yeah Willis, what's up with the $100+ grand LS???

My guess is that most of the sells have been from lottery winners! LOL

— bmwman1963 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 2:17:07 PM | | Votes: 1

Ok, this is the ONLY convertible "limo"(and the Phantom Drophead isn't a limo). It's not a practical car, it's not supposed to be. It's for the uberrich, and the uberrich are going to buy it. So, yeah, it's flamboyant, gaudy, and screams "I have too much money, and maybe not the best taste". But that's the point, and there is NO other car in it's class. So on that alone it's stands, alone.
— KillBot (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 6:41:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

this is NOT A CONVERTIBLE. which requires a lot more engineering to stiffen the frame and eliminate B anc C pillars.

it is a laundalet. it mite as well be an (open air) toilet, the way it looks. lol!

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 6:01:47 AM | | Votes: -3

i believe people could once get a very similar PILLARED SEDAN with a retractable canvas roof for the same "back to nature" open air feeling.

in a citroen 2CV! LOL!
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 6:06:54 AM | | Votes: -1

The Mercedes 600 Pullman was constructed in Landaulet form too. Most people don't know about this. Prior to this the 300 "Adenauer" also had this option. The W126 S-Klasse also had a one-of-a-kind roofless option specially created for the Pope. Lastly, the W140 S-Klasse also had several Landaulet versions made by Baur.
— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:24:45 AM | | Votes: 3

ErichHartmann, the 600 Pullman remains one of my favorite cars of all time to this day.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 2/28/2008 6:31:25 PM | | Votes: 1

someone just payed $6.75M for a license plate in dubai. Believe it or not some people with too much money will actually buy this. Don't be too surprised.
— Schwitz916 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 6:44:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9

im confused as to how this car doesnt have any taste....it is obviously the exact same concept as the s600 pullman a classic in its own right. These type of cars used to be popular with royals, and other well to do buyers. a modern interpretation of a classic theme is what it is. Tasteless is say the Phantom which looks like a caricature of a Rolls Royce with its oversized everything, and its sheer lack of class, other than screaming hey stare at me
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 8:13:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

In this segment, nothing can come near the Rolls Royce Phantom. Because, first of all it is a Roller, and Second of all(even though some don't like the non traditional Rolls Royce look of the new Phantom) it is the most vulgar, aggressive, garnished, blinged, and in your face type of car out there. It is like a monster. The Phantom is a bad ass car, and that is why i like it, although womenkind have shied away from it.
— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 10:07:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

so basically you just made my point.....its a caricature of a rolls royce, oversized everything. and a sheer lack of class, and judging by the last comment, from you i would assume for guys with a complex and we all know what that is.....
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 2/25/2008 10:32:23 PM | | Votes: 1

This car should easily be able to host 64,000 hookers during its lifetime (at the rate of 10 per day for 20 years. what a... what a ... words fail me.
— Lyall (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 2:19:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I have to admit I was expecting much worse when I clicked on the link, but I have to say I don't think it's all that bad of an idea. Definitely exclusive & luxurious no doubt, but they could have integrated the soft top a little better in the boot.

I think it would have worked better if it had a retractable hardtop that folds back in layers atop of itself.
— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 2:35:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Maybach: One of the ugliest, bland and fat car ever.
and btw it's a no match for the majetic Rolls Royce. It's just a blown/jumbo S Class.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 5:18:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

"It's just a blown/jumbo S Class."

Let's see some proof, please. The usage of the W140 chassis has nothing to do with the Maybach being a "jumbo S-Klasse".

Should I say your Lexus LS is just a "jumbo Toyota" then because they share parts?
— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:26:35 AM | | Votes: 1

Its that dash again Erich. Seen in many taxi in Munich, no?
— GruntyDieselsRock (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 12:50:38 PM | | Votes: 0

"It will most likely do very well down in the Middle East"

Maybach surely did well in the initial one or two year but after that the sales are no match to RR. Rolls Royce Phantom outsells it like 10:1 here in Middle East.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 5:21:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

what person in his right mind would pay $1.2 mil for an ugly landaulet with an UNSIGHTLY stack when opened?

you can get the same in an Old Beetle convertible. or even older citroen 2cv!

TRULY elegant open cars look clean and elegant with the top up AND down.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 7:09:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

The Maybach vehicles are designed in Tokyo at the Daimler design Center Japan. I can see heads of states finding this the appropriate vehicle for parades.

Kim Jong, what do you think ?
— JWalkerLegrande (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 8:59:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Always a car fan, I remember as a kid in the 80's when a S class benz was rare in the 80's in the Chicago area. Now with financing, its very ordinary to see expensive cars everywhere on a regular basis. Its time for the ultra rich to set themselves apart.
— Jaybrn (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 3:03:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Maybach chops the Roof, ditches any last semblance of taste.

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