OV9

Got the M235i back from repairs last week. The colour matching looks good so far but part of the side skirt hasn't been put on correctly as there is a slight gap, so it'll go back in January to get it fixed again .

Short review of the 2018 S-Class.



It was given as a 'like-for-like' replacement courtesy car. Initial thoughts were damn its a long car but once you drive it, it feels a lot smaller than it is. Everything is electric, it took me a while to find the stalk to adjust the steering wheel . The gear selector stalk on the right of the steering wheel takes some time to get use to, I kept thinking it was the wipers stalk. As with most modern cars, the dash is a big digital screen, I'm still unsure if I like them, I think prefer old school analog dials but having the option to change the type of display and part of the sat nav on the dash is quite cool and useful.



Once you settle in the new S-Class is a lovely thing to be in, especially when it adjusts your driving position automatically as you start the engine. As expected, it's very comfy, it drives really well for a big limo, the power delivery is effortless from the 3-litre straight six diesel engine and the 9-gear auto is smooth as silk. I drove down from Glasgow to Oxford to visit my wife and it did 50mpg (sticking to the speed limits) which is impressive for a heavy car. The in-laws were impressed while sat in the back when I chauffeured them around town. Parking in multi-storeys was a laugh, the S-Class longer than my father-in-law's Carvelle van:



Couple of things I didn't like. The whole touchpad over the rotating knob on the centre console is awkward to use, not sure why they didn't separate them more effectively or use one or the other as an input method. The sensors around the car had a mind of its own, on several occasions the car thought I hit something but I didn't. Perhaps I'm stoopid but I couldn't find the button to control the blind on the rear windscreen, you can easily control the ones on both rear doors. Wireless charging your phone in the armrest got very hot.

Overall, it's a magnificent thing to be in. Big limo-type cars have never appealed to me but I was reluctant to hand the keys back, perhaps I'm getting old.

scotta wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 9:49 pm

Beany wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 8:46 pm

JLv3.0 wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 12:57 pm

And there we were concerned you weren't going to massively overthink and procrastinate an incredibly simple and commonplace decision. Order is restored

Literally the whole point of that statement was that I've not been overthinking it, and that I'd just get the cheapest SportMAXX RTs I can find and get them fitted. The Dunlops are fine, I just need to pull my finger out and pull the trigger - or get a good price and see if the tyrefitter can match it for cash

Job for tomorrow methinks.

10% off Yokohama at black circles just now.

Good shout, pair of Advant Sport V105S's ordered. £206 including delivery, I'll take it to the tyre fitted to get them slung on tomorrow.

Alex_ wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:26 am Stuff.

What happened to the M235i ?

JLv3.0 wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:30 am

Jimmy Choo wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:59 amActually, when I had the E46, in tight car parks, I'd open the windows with the key and and post the kids through the windows. They thought it was great fun. Sadly, I'm not nimble enough to do it myself.

So who used to post the kids through the window then? Just random passers-by? Most odd.

No, I posted the kids but failed to persuade passing strangers to lift me up and put me through my car window.

Jimmy Choo wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:05 pm

JLv3.0 wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:30 am

Jimmy Choo wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:59 amActually, when I had the E46, in tight car parks, I'd open the windows with the key and and post the kids through the windows. They thought it was great fun. Sadly, I'm not nimble enough to do it myself.

So who used to post the kids through the window then? Just random passers-by? Most odd.

No, I posted the kids but failed to persuade passing strangers to lift me up and put me through my car window.

I'm still surprised you posted the kids through the windows as opposed to the window apertures.

Jimmy Choo wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:05 pm

JLv3.0 wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:30 am

Jimmy Choo wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:59 amActually, when I had the E46, in tight car parks, I'd open the windows with the key and and post the kids through the windows. They thought it was great fun. Sadly, I'm not nimble enough to do it myself.

So who used to post the kids through the window then? Just random passers-by? Most odd.

No, I posted the kids but failed to persuade passing strangers to lift me up and put me through my car window.

The irony being you're one of the very few people in Gloucester who would be able to fit

scotta wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:59 am

Alex_ wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:26 am Stuff.

What happened to the M235i ?

Middle lane hogger swerved into me with I was overtaking him. No dash cam, no witness so insurance company told me to accept partial blame . Still being disputed.

JLv3.0 wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:21 pm

Jimmy Choo wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:05 pm

JLv3.0 wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:30 am

So who used to post the kids through the window then? Just random passers-by? Most odd.

No, I posted the kids but failed to persuade passing strangers to lift me up and put me through my car window.

The irony being you're one of the very few people in Gloucester who would be able to fit

I'm sure the local junkies would fit but they'll have already smashed the window and taken the 20p in the footwell.

mik wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:10 pm

Jimmy Choo wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:05 pm

JLv3.0 wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:30 am

So who used to post the kids through the window then? Just random passers-by? Most odd.

No, I posted the kids but failed to persuade passing strangers to lift me up and put me through my car window.

I'm still surprised you posted the kids through the windows as opposed to the window apertures.

If they don't behave, I'll do it again. On the other side, obviously.

Rich B wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:26 am

mik wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:23 am I really can't stay.

Rich B wrote: (baby it’s cold outside).

It’s 9oC, or summer as it’s known to the Scotchist.

speedingfine wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:27 am Can't decide whether I want Matty to take sub-Beany standard photos just so I've seen some pics

Rich, try not to put people off posting about cars eh, such posts are rare enough as it is

Any time you get bored of opening the doors Matty, I'll swap you my Caterham with its Lambo doors for a week

When the weather improves you're more than welcome to use it for a week in exchange for the 7.

Note, it's in the rules than if you crash it, my lending policy states "new for old" - so that'll be an Evora 410. I'm not fussy on colour.

And seeing as you asked nicely, this is genuinely the only picture I've taken, still in Mikland at this point:

mik wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:50 pm

Matty wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 1:45 am Secondly, and by far the worst thing is the door size/opening; you need at least good 4ft gap to get in with any ease. I used to park far away in all my cars to avoid door knocks, but I reckon in most supermarket car parks you'd struggle to get in it. I've yet to risk it.

F-pace 109cm
Evora 127cm

We need to know the door length on an S-Class and a Stagea.

I'm not convinced it's just the length that's the issue (giggedy). It's more the width (giggedy) and the size of the sills plus I find the seat is quite far forward of the B-pillar (even fulled moved back) so you end up not just getting in sideways, but kinda sliding forward into the car.

Matty wrote:
And seeing as you asked nicely, this is genuinely the only picture I've taken, still in Mikland at this point:

Looks shit. As expected.

And I guess your barge boards wont help the ingress/egress concerns either.

Matty wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:16 pm

speedingfine wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:27 am Can't decide whether I want Matty to take sub-Beany standard photos just so I've seen some pics

Rich, try not to put people off posting about cars eh, such posts are rare enough as it is

Any time you get bored of opening the doors Matty, I'll swap you my Caterham with its Lambo doors for a week

When the weather improves you're more than welcome to use it for a week in exchange for the 7.

Note, it's in the rules than if you crash it, my lending policy states "new for old" - so that'll be an Evora 410. I'm not fussy on colour.

And seeing as you asked nicely, this is genuinely the only picture I've taken, still in Mikland at this point:

The beautiful scenery of M74 services.

mik wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:34 pm Looks shit. As expected.

And I guess your barge boards wont help the ingress/egress concerns either.

Well, I was a bit concerned I might step on them on exit, but I've never come close to catching them even when I clamber out like a fool. I do like the look of them TBH, I'd have them fitted if they weren't already.

I was looking to replace the wheels for the 19/20 setup you have, but TBH I like the forged design, so I'll keep them, plus slightly lighter and cheaper tyres to boot. Now I just need to find someone in the Midlands to fit the SR black kit.

mik wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:34 pm

Matty wrote:
And seeing as you asked nicely, this is genuinely the only picture I've taken, still in Mikland at this point:

Looks shit. As expected.

And I guess your barge boards wont help the ingress/egress concerns either.

Shit pic, great looking car

Yeah I like the look of the Barge Boards too.

Alex_ wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:26 am The whole touchpad over the rotating knob on the centre console is awkward to use, not sure why they didn't separate them more effectively or use one or the other as an input method.

this - really don't like it. And it's way too sensitive - a shirt cuff changing the radio channel for example. I wonder if it can be disabled

dinny_g wrote: Wed Dec 19, 2018 9:05 am

Alex_ wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:26 am The whole touchpad over the rotating knob on the centre console is awkward to use, not sure why they didn't separate them more effectively or use one or the other as an input method.

this - really don't like it. And it's way too sensitive - a shirt cuff changing the radio channel for example. I wonder if it can be disabled

In two years with my C class I don't ever recall having a problem with the touchpad. I didn't use it either.

Marv wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 6:58 pm

mik wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:34 pm

Matty wrote:
And seeing as you asked nicely, this is genuinely the only picture I've taken, still in Mikland at this point:

Looks shit. As expected.

And I guess your barge boards wont help the ingress/egress concerns either.

Shit pic, great looking car

This.