MB EQS first impressions

[raspy]

So finally got round to test driving a MB EQS450+ AMG Line on 20inch rims (price just under £101,000)

5 things that impressed me
Efficiency and range given it’s a demo vehicle out for test drives (range worked out at 443 miles assuming it continues to be used for test drives. I reckon owners could get closer to 480-500 in the real world during the summer)
Laden with tech, they have literally thrown everything at this car
Agile and maneuverable – even the 4.5 degrees of rear wheel steering (10 degrees on higher trims) was so surprising. Turns in roundabouts, parking spaces etc like a much smaller car, despite being 5.2m long!
Smooth power delivery and regen works very well (adjusted via paddles)
MB Satnav does a very good job of figuring out long trip and where to stop for charging etc
Luxurious interior (love the headrest pillows)


5 things that weren’t that great
Ride (on standard air suspension) was too firm, and felt a bit lumpy around town over our crappy roads
Driver’s seat felt a bit high like you’re sitting ON the car, rather than IN the car
A bit too cocooned in for such a large car, especially the rear seats (sloping roof and headroom)
Brake pedal (if you need to use it) requires lots of force and travel before it does anything
Towards the end of the long test drive, the initially amazing tech just became overwhelming to operate and figure out (this was without the giant hyperscreen that is an option)

Lead time seems to be 6-9 months (if you want your particular spec) with a few cars trickling in as physical cars – Personally, I think the price of £100k is good value in the luxury EV market

However, I’m sticking with the BMW iX order as for me, it stopped, steered and rode (without air suspension on 22inch rims) much better than the EQS, and just felt way more airy and spacious, whether as a driver or front/rear passenger

I think the EQS seems to suit inner city use or cruising on the motorway and if you’re in the market for a luxury EV, definitely worth checking it out

Oh and when I pointed out how the ride on the EQS was not a magic carpet ride like a long wheelbase S class, the salesperson pointed out MB don’t see the EQS as an electric S class, it’s a new product/segment etc aimed at a different type of customer

[SWoll]

raspy said:

Oh and when I pointed out how the ride on the EQS was not a magic carpet ride like a long wheelbase S class, the salesperson pointed out MB don’t see the EQS as an electric S class, it’s a new product/segment etc aimed at a different type of customer

Absolute rubbish. Just an excuse for the fact that they've struggled to get it to ride well having added 500KG to the weight of an S-Class. Seems to be a common issue that only the EV SUV's with more room for suspension articulation and deeper sidewalls have managed to achieve.

Not an electric S-Class..

[TheDeuce]

In quite a lovely way, it's nice to see that the shift to EV hasn't changed anything in the Merc vs BMW debate that's lasted many decades.

The Merc has all the tech, drives well enough and is a nice place to be sat inside of.

The BMW has a little less tech, probably a slightly poorer interior. But drives sublimely

People that don't really 'get' cars but want a fancy one with everything anyone else might have in their cars, and a few new things they don't, buys a Merc S product. Those that want a car that just makes sense, drives great and has everything you can reasonably demand buys the BMW.

Business as usual then!


I would go for the BMW personally. They seem to be doing a better and typically 'BMW' job of dialling out the problems of such size and weight.

[raspy]

TheDeuce said:

In quite a lovely way, it's nice to see that the shift to EV hasn't changed anything in the Merc vs BMW debate that's lasted many decades.

The Merc has all the tech, drives well enough and is a nice place to be sat inside of.

The BMW has a little less tech, probably a slightly poorer interior. But drives sublimely

People that don't really 'get' cars but want a fancy one with everything anyone else might have in their cars, and a few new things they don't, buys a Merc S product. Those that want a car that just makes sense, drives great and has everything you can reasonably demand buys the BMW.

Business as usual then!


I would go for the BMW personally. They seem to be doing a better and typically 'BMW' job of dialling out the problems of such size and weight.

Yes indeed! I've driven a lot of EVs (from budget ones to luxury) and I find that some are better "calibrated" than others in terms of how they stop, steer and ride.

I was originally going to go for the upcoming BMW i7, which beats MB on interior comfort and luxury. Have you seen the rear Executive Lounge option with the 31inch 8k Theatre screen that folds down for the people in the back? By all accounts, it's a luxury EV that will drive well and be an amazing place to sit inside.

However, by the time I specced up the i7 to get a half decent spec, it was over £130k. A bit over my budget.

[Piginapoke]

raspy said:

So finally got round to test driving a MB EQS450+ AMG Line on 20inch rims (price just under £101,000)

5 things that impressed me
Efficiency and range given it’s a demo vehicle out for test drives (range worked out at 443 miles assuming it continues to be used for test drives. I reckon owners could get closer to 480-500 in the real world during the summer)
Laden with tech, they have literally thrown everything at this car
Agile and maneuverable – even the 4.5 degrees of rear wheel steering (10 degrees on higher trims) was so surprising. Turns in roundabouts, parking spaces etc like a much smaller car, despite being 5.2m long!
Smooth power delivery and regen works very well (adjusted via paddles)
MB Satnav does a very good job of figuring out long trip and where to stop for charging etc
Luxurious interior (love the headrest pillows)


5 things that weren’t that great
Ride (on standard air suspension) was too firm, and felt a bit lumpy around town over our crappy roads
Driver’s seat felt a bit high like you’re sitting ON the car, rather than IN the car
A bit too cocooned in for such a large car, especially the rear seats (sloping roof and headroom)
Brake pedal (if you need to use it) requires lots of force and travel before it does anything
Towards the end of the long test drive, the initially amazing tech just became overwhelming to operate and figure out (this was without the giant hyperscreen that is an option)

Lead time seems to be 6-9 months (if you want your particular spec) with a few cars trickling in as physical cars – Personally, I think the price of £100k is good value in the luxury EV market

However, I’m sticking with the BMW iX order as for me, it stopped, steered and rode (without air suspension on 22inch rims) much better than the EQS, and just felt way more airy and spacious, whether as a driver or front/rear passenger

I think the EQS seems to suit inner city use or cruising on the motorway and if you’re in the market for a luxury EV, definitely worth checking it out

Oh and when I pointed out how the ride on the EQS was not a magic carpet ride like a long wheelbase S class, the salesperson pointed out MB don’t see the EQS as an electric S class, it’s a new product/segment etc aimed at a different type of customer

The iX is such a troubled design. Frank Stephenson’s review is spot on https://youtu.be/TCasVhuqz0M

[CheesecakeRunner]

TheDeuce said:

In quite a lovely way, it's nice to see that the shift to EV hasn't changed anything in the Merc vs BMW debate that's lasted many decades.

People that don't really 'get' cars but want a fancy one with everything anyone else might have in their cars, and a few new things they don't, buys a Merc S product. Those that want a car that just makes sense, drives great and has everything you can reasonably demand buys the BMW.

The interesting car from a sales perspective will be the EQE. They’ll shift bucketloads of them as company cars, and as BMW don’t have an electric 5 Series yet, it puts them on the back foot. The i4 is great, but too small as a family car. The iX too expensive for most company car users.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the EQS outsell the S-Class pretty quick in European markets though.

[SWoll]

raspy said:

Yes indeed! I've driven a lot of EVs (from budget ones to luxury) and I find that some are better "calibrated" than others in terms of how they stop, steer and ride.

I was originally going to go for the upcoming BMW i7, which beats MB on interior comfort and luxury. Have you seen the rear Executive Lounge option with the 31inch 8k Theatre screen that folds down for the people in the back? By all accounts, it's a luxury EV that will drive well and be an amazing place to sit inside.

However, by the time I specced up the i7 to get a half decent spec, it was over £130k. A bit over my budget.

That's the case with all cars rather than an Ev specific thing surely?

The issue with comparing the i7 is that they have launched in 60 spec, so AWD and 550bhp for £108k. The similarly priced EQS 450 is RWD and 330bhp for £103k, if you want the more powerful AMG 53 EQS with AWD and 650bhp it'll cost you £157k.

CheesecakeRunner said:

The i4 is great, but too small as a family car.

Perhaps for you, I doubt most would think so though. 5 seats, hatchback, 500L boot?

Edited by SWoll on Monday 15th August 08:29

[raspy]

CheesecakeRunner said:

The interesting car from a sales perspective will be the EQE. They’ll shift bucketloads of them as company cars, and as BMW don’t have an electric 5 Series yet, it puts them on the back foot. The i4 is great, but too small as a family car. The iX too expensive for most company car users.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the EQS outsell the S-Class pretty quick in European markets though.

You sure about the comment about the EQE, iX and company car users? When I was getting quotes for business contract hire directly from BMW/MB, the iX40 MSport vs EQE 300 Premium (similar list price), the EQE was over 20% more expensive, regardless of duration or mileage.

[raspy]

SWoll said:

Perhaps for you, I doubt most would think so though. 5 seats, hatchback, 500L boot?

Edited by SWoll on Monday 15th August 08:29

The issue with the i7 is that a lot of the tech that is standard fit on the iX40 MSport at £80k is a cost option on the i7, hence the i7 price jumps up pretty quickly from the standard list price.

[SWoll]

raspy said:

SWoll said:

Perhaps for you, I doubt most would think so though. 5 seats, hatchback, 500L boot?

Edited by SWoll on Monday 15th August 08:29

The issue with the i7 is that a lot of the tech that is standard fit on the iX40 MSport at £80k is a cost option on the i7, hence the i7 price jumps up pretty quickly from the standard list price.

That's because it has the drivetrain from the iX M60 I believe, which is likely to cost £120k+. An i7 40 would be the best comparison with the iX and EQS 450, if they do one of course.

[Ken Figenus]

SWoll said:

Absolute rubbish. Just an excuse for the fact that they've struggled to get it to ride well having added 500KG to the weight of an S-Class. Seems to be a common issue that only the EV SUV's with more room for suspension articulation and deeper sidewalls have managed to achieve.

Not an electric S-Class..

No experience of the Merc but a 2.3 ton Taycan on 20" with air sus rides so incredibly well - dont think iv ever had a car that has such a good ride. My Active ARB [PDCC) option might help as there is no ARB action straight ahead and sus is free-er to move. Might be worth a test drive if you value a great ride - it also corners like a b dodgem!

[CheesecakeRunner]

SWoll said:

CheesecakeRunner said:

The i4 is great, but too small as a family car.

Perhaps for you, I doubt most would think so though. 5 seats, hatchback, 500L boot?

It’s so close, but it’s not a 5 seat car. It’s four with limited rear headroom.

My kids are 9 and 13. If I took one as my next company car next year, my lad will already be getting too tall to sit in the back. By the end of the lease term he’ll be well over 6 foot tall.

When I compared it to my Model 3, there was substantially less space inside.

Shame, as I really liked it. If there does end up being an i5, then that’ll be straight on my shortlist.

[CheesecakeRunner]

raspy said:

CheesecakeRunner said:

The interesting car from a sales perspective will be the EQE. They’ll shift bucketloads of them as company cars, and as BMW don’t have an electric 5 Series yet, it puts them on the back foot. The i4 is great, but too small as a family car. The iX too expensive for most company car users.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the EQS outsell the S-Class pretty quick in European markets though.

You sure about the comment about the EQE, iX and company car users? When I was getting quotes for business contract hire directly from BMW/MB, the iX40 MSport vs EQE 300 Premium (similar list price), the EQE was over 20% more expensive, regardless of duration or mileage.

That’s a real surprise, although the EQE not really being out for sale yet must have some effect on that price.

The EQE will have vastly better range though, and I think that will swing a lot of buyers.

[raspy]

CheesecakeRunner said:

That’s a real surprise, although the EQE not really being out for sale yet must have some effect on that price.

The EQE will have vastly better range though, and I think that will swing a lot of buyers.

The EQE IS available to buy/lease/pcp etc right now! Quite a few cars at dealers available for immediate delivery and some held by MB UK too in stock. Just like the EQS.

I guess they really want to be known as a luxury brand now..hence the above average prices.

[raspy]

Ken Figenus said:

No experience of the Merc but a 2.3 ton Taycan on 20" with air sus rides so incredibly well - dont think iv ever had a car that has such a good ride. My Active ARB [PDCC) option might help as there is no ARB action straight ahead and sus is free-er to move. Might be worth a test drive if you value a great ride - it also corners like a b dodgem!

I've owned and driven lots of cars with air suspension, and they all drive better than the EQS. It's not just me, there are reviewers on Youtube reaching the same conclusion. I did consider a Taycan but too small for my needs and the lead time is too long too. Glad to hear you are enjoying yours.

[JD]

raspy said:

CheesecakeRunner said:

The interesting car from a sales perspective will be the EQE. They’ll shift bucketloads of them as company cars, and as BMW don’t have an electric 5 Series yet, it puts them on the back foot. The i4 is great, but too small as a family car. The iX too expensive for most company car users.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the EQS outsell the S-Class pretty quick in European markets though.

You sure about the comment about the EQE, iX and company car users? When I was getting quotes for business contract hire directly from BMW/MB, the iX40 MSport vs EQE 300 Premium (similar list price), the EQE was over 20% more expensive, regardless of duration or mileage.

the EQE is the most expensive car listed on our company car list, more than an iX or Taycan Sport turismo!

[Ken Figenus]

SWoll said:

Absolute rubbish. Just an excuse for the fact that they've struggled to get it to ride well having added 500KG to the weight of an S-Class. Seems to be a common issue that only the EV SUV's with more room for suspension articulation and deeper sidewalls have managed to achieve.

Not an electric S-Class..

No experience of the Merc but a 2.3 ton Taycan on 20" with air sus rides so incredibly well - dont think iv ever had a car that has such a good ride. My Active ARB [PDCC) option might help as there is no ARB action straight ahead and sus is free-er to move. Might be worth a test drive if you value a great ride - it also corners like a b dodgem!