Although many European brands nowadays immediately come up with a plug-in hybrid to reduce CO2 emissions and thus the purchase price, Mercedes-Benz is taking it easy with the S-class. For now, the S350d with its six-cylinder diesel is the cheapest way to get into the Sonderclass to step. In terms of equipment, the flagship is already quite well equipped for its starting price, but according to good German custom, it is crawling with extras on the option list.
Mercedes-Benz S350d
€ 130,682
Within the segment in which the S-class falls, the ‘basic version’ is of course a relative concept. With a 286 hp six-cylinder diesel as an entry-level engine, you will not get off in the least bit. At the same time, this motorization, in combination with the short wheelbase, is currently the most economical way to drive S-class. The 350d can also be ordered with four-wheel drive at an additional cost of € 5,286. If you want a diesel with more power, you can opt for the 330 hp S400d 4Matic for € 145,164. The S500, currently the only petrol version on the price list, should yield € 151,902. These prices apply to the short wheelbase variants. Naturally, there is also an additional cost for the long wheelbase, which differs per motorization. The S350d as a long version costs € 135,120, a difference of € 4,438 with the standard version.
Exterior
Of course you will not find plastic bumpers or door handles on a top limousine. No, the S-Class already comes with obsidian black metallic paint and 19-inch multi-spoke wheels as standard. Only for the color ‘Designo Diamond White Bright’ an additional cost of € 895 applies. The other nine colors can be ordered at no extra cost. In terms of wheels, with the regular version you can choose from five different types, where only the 20-inch wheels have an additional cost. The 20-inch double-spoke forged wheels are the most expensive footwear at € 3,328. Prefer 21-inch wheels under your S-class? Then you first have to tick the AMG line for € 6,836 euros, in which case you can choose from another seven extra wheel designs. The AMG Line also brings sportier bumpers to the exterior. For the customer who wants to show his dark side to the world, the chrome details in the bumper can be blackened with the Night package for € 2,069.
Interior
One can fill an entire book with the S-class options list. Fortunately, you do not have to tick like crazy to actually get the feeling of luxury that comes with this car. But it is possible. The S-class comes standard with black leather upholstery and anthracite poplar wood for the moldings. Active mood lighting in multiple colors is also already available. If desired, this fairly business-like composition can be enhanced with separately available leather colors and trim, but for € 6,776 it is also possible to tick the Exclusive package. Then you immediately get nappa leather, designo moldings and an Alcantara roof lining in the interior. If you often sit in the back, electrically adjustable rear seats can also be added.
In terms of technology, the S-Class includes MBUX navigation with smartphone interface, a Burmester 3D sound system, matrix LED lighting and a driver assistance package with the option of autonomous driving on board. That is already quite complete. First of all, the options list contains two large packages where you can choose as a customer: the Premium and Premium Plus package. The first costs € 6,534 and gives you active multicontour seats, front seat cooling, a head-up display with augmented reality and ‘Digital Light’ in return. The plus package costs an additional € 3,025 extra and offers nappa leather and a heated rear seat for that amount. These packages are quite a good deal, because ‘separately’ you lose € 3,628 euros for the head-up display alone.
Completely unrelated
In short, in the basic version of the S-class you are already pretty good and you already have a good deal of luxury at your disposal. Many innovations that the new flagship of Das Haus making it unique, however, costs a lot of money. Some other notable options include a cool box in the rear (€ 1,392), MBUX entertainment in the rear (€ 3,618) and the Burmester high-end 4D sound system at a whopping € 6,413. Hang the S350d completely in the options and you will end up with an amount of over € 190,000.