This was the first Mercedes to exceed £100,000 list price in the UK in stock trim, because the UK specification cars had more toys than a Louisiana brothel. It was also over 16 feet long, and was a nightmare to drive in places such as York or Cambridge. One UK car magazine described this as "the ultimate sybarite's express", because it was pure decadence on wheels when it was unleashed upon the car market. Though it was limited to 155 mph at the factory, those with deep pockets could take it to Brabus and have it reworked to become a 180 mph limousine. Fuel economy took the predictable hit if you chose that path of course. Pros: one of the last "hewn from solid metal" quality Mercedes cars, the MANY electrical goodies are usually reliable, the mechanical parts are bomb proof, and it delivers what it promises. Cons: when anything DOES break, repairs are predictably expensive, fuel costs are not cheap (they're utterly obscene if you gave it the Brabus treatment), insurance is utterly penal unless you choose the "classic car" escape route, and finding a good one on the used car market is a full time job in its own right. But, if you use your brain when obtaining one (and ideally have the funds to keep it properly maintained), the cachet of having a V12 in the driveway is something to savour. Just remember to treat it as what it is - a cruise liner on four wheels. :)
