2009 BMW 750Li vs. 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 – Head to Head

Car and Driver has just published one of the most awaited and intriguing comparisons of the year: 2009 BMW 750Li versus 2009 BMW Mercedes-Benz S550. Months before the new 7 Series

was released, BMW owners, fans or future buyers have been comparing the pros and cons of the all new high-end luxury sedan and the top seller from Mercedes-Benz, the S-Class.

The same could be said about the other side, where MB fans were successfully arguing that the S-Class dominated the E65 7 Series in many markets. All these comparisons were based on the official photos and specifications released by BMW, so in  a way, no one really had the entire “data”, read ….. driving experience

So, with the new 7 recently released to the auto media, many test drives and reviews have been posted, including our own. As usual, the resourceful folks at Car and Driver, are comparing these vehicles from all the angles.The new corporate Puritanism extends to automobiles, too, but in this area you have a little more latitude. Consider these two execucruisers. Yes, they’re flagship sedans with prestige brand names. But even in an age of austerity, top execs are still allowed some personal-transportation indulgence. You don’t want to be flaunting it with a Bentley, of course. But they don’t expect you to drive an econocube, either. We admit that greenies won’t approve. Both cars carry gas-guzzler taxes, and their mpg during our test—17 for the Mercedes, 16 for the BMW—is pickup-truck poor. And yes, pricing for both cars is a little high for public approval—more than $88,000 base, well over 100 large as tested—but who knows that?