I think there is no argument that Q provides better performance than LS430.

However, for many buyer in this class, other factors/amenities are considered just as important. For example, one of the big consideration for buyers in this class is the stereo system and Mark Levinson system in LS430 is absolutely amazing. If you haven't heard it, do your self a favor and go for a test drive in LS430 and make sure to bring your favorite CD with you. Even for non-audiophile person like myself, the difference in the sound compare to other premium stereo systems were quite noticeable. I just wish my S2K included a stereo 1/10th as powerful

Oh, answering the initial post, I would pick "C." A new performance variation of LS430 would be nice. Similar to MB's AMG versions, a supercharged V8 or N/A V12 on LS platform with more aggressive bodywork and better performing suspension/tire combo will be a good seller I think. L-POWER or LMG, maybe?

 

The levinson system is very nice, and I think the Q's isn't far behind. Some reviewers on the net say the Q's slighty better or tied, but most give the nod to the LS's. Edumud's did a test of the top 10 stereos in, and I think the Q was 3rd place.

It's a shame Japan gets all the goodies on there cars. I particularly like this body kit for the Q:

 

Did everyone forget about the Audi RS6? Twin turbo with over 400 hp. That car is gona surprise alot of people. Even the RS4 Avant, (can only buy if imported and there are a handful state side) going 0-60 in under 5 seconds. It would be nice to have the tuneability of the Audi/VW, but would not want the maintenance probs. that they have. (had both, 00 GTI, and 00 A4)
Will never stray from Japanese mfgs. again, unless it's a truck.

 

jayhawker...

The 450hp RS6 is in a whole other league; it competes with the 469hp E55 AMG, 394hp E39 M5, and 388hp S-type R. The Q45 and LS430 are not intended to compete in that market; rather, there competitors are the S-type 4.0, S430/S500, 540i, S80 T6, S6 2.7t/4.2, etc.
The E55/RS6/M5/Jag-R comprise the unnecessarily insanely-powerful supersedan market, of which the Q45 is left out.

Moreover, the RS Audis are super-exclusive one-offs - not as readily available as the Qs and LS Lexi (plural of Lexus?).

 

I'm definitely not impressed with the current S class. As a long time S class owner, I've really seen and watched the quality go down on the S.









I thought I would add my story here on what I ended up getting and why I got.

I "almost" bought a new S class.

I came from a '95 S class. Luckily, I bought an extended warranty on the car
that saved me from shelling out over $9k in repairs over 5 years.

Cars I looked at before making my decision:

Mercedes S430: I was very disappointed. The interior felt cheap
compared to my last gen. S class. They really cheapened it. There was too
much plastic, less wood, chooped off wood after shifter area in center console,
cheap looking cupholders, cheap feeling storage
bins below the front seats that stick out and hit your legs, etc. The car
drove nice, but there no excitement. It starts at $73k, doesn't have Hid's,
doesn't have a CD changer, and honestly was bare boned. Everything is
optional, of course. If you do get the optional CD changer, it goes in the
TRUNK! Overall, the quality definitely is lacking on the new one.

When they came out with the new body style in 2000, (we've owned S classes
for MANY years) it just could not compare to the previous S classes. We have
watched the quality and reliability fade over the years. So, unless you've
owned them, it's hard for anyone to understand where I'm coming from. The
new S was truly a dissapointment. The S class is NOT what it used to be. I
almost bought another new S... At the LAST minute, a friend told me about
this new Q45. The closest infiniti dealer is 70 miles away, and I went down
there and was totally SHOCKED. It really blew me away. The deal was bacially
written up at the Mercedes dealer and I pulled out. After seeing/driving the
S, and then seeing/driving the Q, it made the decision clear.

You may also find this interesting on the new S class:
MB quality gone downhill - http://mbspy.bacosys.be/mbquality.htm

Another thing that made my decision even clearer was this site:
www.mercedesproblems.com - If you go there and select S430/S500/S600, you can read
customer complaints on the car. The same ones keep coming up - Navigation
system turning off, on-screen display not working, electronics turning off,
groan from wheels when turning, just to name a few. Then if you select S500,
(same car, just different engine basically) you keep hearing the same
problems repeated. It's just not a reliable car.

2002 LS430: Used to have a 94 LS400. Great car, no problems. I wanted
something unique this time around and it surely is.

Audi A8 - Nice car, but a little too conservative/outdated for me. I hear
the new one will be soon.

2002 Jaguar S type: Nice, but too small. I'm still a little weary of their
reliability, even though they have improved. It looked like they shoved a
Ford radio in the dash.

BMW 7 - Nice car, but some of the materials inside are questionable. The new
7's interior is really nice and I liked it much better than the S, but a few
things bothered me. For example, the car I took out had the non clear-coated
wood. It was already scratched up and had small dents in it. This wasn't
very re-assuring. The plastic on the doorsills was already chipped and had
another color under it that was showing though. Things like that shouldn't
happen when a car has only 500 miles on it. It's too bad they just recalled
them all. I think it has potential though.

All in all, I think the new Q45 is one of the best kept secrets for the time being - also with giving you the most for the money.

I have a very DETAILED personal website on the Q with lots of pictures, homemade videos and more.

http://get.to/q45

One of the videos:

0-70 mph with vdc off