SDNR

That is how I feel Warot. When the Maybach was first launched I really liked the idea of it - an ultra-luxury Mercedes-Benz but I never really liked the interior much - in spite of it's obvious quality, I felt it looked too Mass-produced, it also lacked a sense of true taste and style. I was hoping for something that was as elegant and exceptional as the W100 designed by Paul Bracq in the 1950's - I wish they had got Bracq out of retirement for the design of the Maybach - the thing really needs an inspired sense of luxury that the French have a natural understanding of. Sadly the Maybach is as superficial as it is uninspiring.

So I was looking forward to the launch of the Phantom - desperately hoping that BMW wouldn't completely wreck the image of the world's most famous luxury car. When the Phantom was launched I thought it was hideous - the large square grill was similar to that on the Rolls-Royce Camargue designed by Sergio Pininfarina in the mid 1970's, a car that I have never much liked the look of.



However, I really liked the "austere" interior of the Phantom, I thought the designers had really captured the essence of a Rolls-Royce very well - it has a civilized air about it that the Maybach lacks IMO.

As time has gone on, I have grown to appreciate the bold looks of the Phantom - it has drama and mystery about it - whereas at the same time I have found the Maybach less and less intriguing - and the Exelero is just plain ugly IMO.

I feel that in the US, the Phantom is viewed in a slightly different context to that by which it was conceived. In the US, the Phantom represents wealth - plain and simple; when I see the Phantom in Hip Hop videos I can't help but think it's out of its true context. The Phantom is more Edward Elgar than Snoop Dog. American pop culture tends to reduce everything to its lowest common denominator - the social nuances and subtle class distinctions are lost - who would have thought that a Rolls-Royce could actually be cool- but hey, if you can afford one then who cares..I guess.

warot

Interesting point rnds... very glad to have a car expert like you. Like you, the Maybach didn't really interest me at all, the outside anyway. It does look like an S-class (i was hoping it would be a bit more unique). But the interior, well more the technology impressed me. Apart from that, the car didn't do much for me.

The Phantom on the other hand, really caught my attention. Rolls-Royce, no matter how far they go back are big and luxurious. They are the royal family of all cars. The Phantom is just a modern interpretation of the past trends. The interior, although not as high tech as the Maybach is from another world. The details are amazing. BMW stayed true to the older generations (e.g Steering wheel). Unlike the Maybach, the Phantom feels like it was handbuilt just for you, which is how a car of this price should feel.

In my opinion, the Rolls Royce is truely the king. However, like you said, the American pop culture turned it into a bling machine, even though it shouldn't be.

Centurion

RNDS
Tough question. It now stand between the Phantom and the Arnage*you know how I feel about the MM*. Both cars are crown jewles of luxury cars, no other cars are better than these when it comes to craftmanship and quality. Waht distinguishes these cars is the exteriors and both cars send out different messages.

Phantom: Out of the way I'm a tycoon and own three mansions, one in Rennes, Montecito and one in Saint Tropez. I work 18 hours a week and can buy up this whole street if I want.

Arnage: I'm a snobb and have exquisite. The fridge in my living room is filled with Dom Perignon bottles and Dunhill cigars. Please don't touch my car.

Another thing which i like with the Arnage is that it is a drivers cars. It would look crazy or silly if I rolled up through town in a Phantom leaning in the drivers seat, pumping rap music and without anyone sitting the rear seats.

What really makes it hard for me to chose is these two pictures. Here you can see the cars in their best shapes and I don't really know which one I should vote for, do you?


Note that the Phantom looks fantastic in the picture because of the quality of the camera and that the car had just been polished.
Phantom: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Arnage: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

warot

[quote=Luwalira]Another thing which i like with the Arnage is that it is a drivers cars. It would look crazy or silly if I rolled up through town in a Phantom leaning in the drivers seat, pumping rap music and without anyone sitting the rear seats.
QUOTE]

Welcome to Rap city...
I don't think we consider any of the three a driver's car... even though their accelerations are amazing

audi_rudy

rr phantom please this car has so much presence when this car rolls up everyone turns to stare at it if a maybach pulled up only a few people mostly car people would no what it was

Audi4Life

Mayack may have all these cool features but at the end of the day its just a elongated mercedes...where as a RR or Bently hqve that old classic kind of appearence and they have so much presense that it like your surroundings are airless.

SDNR

Few have been as critical of the Maybach 57/62 as me, but I'm about to be a huge hypocrite because I think this 57S is simply awesome.

warot

Would you still take that over a Phantom? My answer is still no

Merc1

Mr..."I used to be RNDS",

What made you change your mind about the 57S compared to the regular Maybachs?

M

SDNR

Apart from the fact that it looks particularly good in that photo, it is a really amazing piece of engineering - the Arnage T is incredible too, but this thing is astounding.