It takes a lot to out-luxe a Mercedes-Benz S-class, but the Maybach S600 manages to do just that.  The Maybach brand is named as such for Wilhelm Maybach, an engineer for Gottlieb Daimler, who designed combustion engines at the turn of the 20th century.  

Wilhelm left Daimler in 1907 and developed the Maybach brand which was known for their large, powerful and very luxurious automobiles.  Maybach catered to the exclusive and wealthy up until the Second World War but after the war, automobile production did not recommence.  

Daimler-Benz purchased the company in 1960, however left the name dormant until recently.  At the time of the mid 1990's, the new merger entity of Daimler Chrysler sought to produce the most luxurious automobile for the turn of the century.  Utilising Mercedes-Benz' long tradition of quality and luxury, the Maybach brand was revived as the pinnacle in automotive luxury.

Powered by a Mercedes Benz twin turbocharged V12 engine producing 543bhp at 5250 rpm with 664lb-ft of torque at 2300 rpm, performance for this ultra-luxury saloon is 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph; remarkable for such a luxurious limousine.

First registered in June 2016 this lovely example was initially used as a Mercedes demonstrator, with trips mainly from airports to dealerships for the first 3,000 miles.  Subsequently purchased by the Vendor in 2018 he has used it primarily for trips to Spain a few times a year.  As someone who loves driving he enjoyed the drives down to Marbella and back, but his wife who travelled in the rear seats, probably enjoyed them even more! 
 

Now the Maybach is approaching its sixth birthday he has decided to sell as he already has several cars, some based in Spain, so the Maybach isn’t being used as regularly as he’d like.

With cars of this level most of the history is stored online by Mercedes so there is little actual paperwork with the car.  There is the V5c in the name of the Vendor’s company, showing just 1 previous owner.

The car had been serviced the day before we visited to take the photographs, costing £1,294 with a receipt on file. During this service the Maybach received new oil and filters, brake fluid, automatic gearbox oil and filter and a general health check. 

The next service isn’t due for another 12,000 miles. Previous services took place at 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 miles, all logged on the Mercedes system.  Pampered, with no expense spared, the Maybach is likely to be something of a bargain for a six year old car considering the original sale price was £165,700 before you added any extras!

The interior of this car is really outstanding, with only the odd mark to show it has ever been used. The only competitors at this standard of luxury are Rolls Royce and Bentley, but neither of them has managed to achieve it with such spectacular interior styling. 

Many limousine style cars are more passenger-centric, with the lowly chauffeur left up front with no toys.  Not in the Maybach, as whilst those in the rear are extremely well pampered, the Maybach has plenty of creature comforts up front too!  

Mercedes recognised that the Maybach should be a driver’s car, and the smooth and powerful 543 bhp turbo V12 can hustle the Maybach through the twisty bits when required with manual paddle gear changes through the 7 speed auto transmission. 

Being  a massive 28 inches shorter than the preceding model helps in the handling department, but the interior pace has not been compromised with a generous 40 inches of rear legroom.  That said the Maybach is still 8 inches longer than its S-Class sibling.

We won’t list all the options that were standard on the car, but just to emphasise the level of comfort both front and rear it offers 12-way adjustable, heated and cooled luxury leather seats, with rear seats that fully recline, equipped with ottoman style leg supports.  

These are quite exceptional, and as comfortable as any first class airline seat.  If that was not enough the seats are equipped with the optional massage system! Other standard features include radar adaptive cruise control, front, side and rear cameras and parking assist. 

The Burmester audio system has 24 speakers producing 1,540 watts! Another party trick is the interior lighting, controlled on the front screen or remote, that can be switched through the spectrum depending on mood.

There are a few shoe marks on the sills (that all feature back-lit Maybach scripts), and a bit of dust here and there, but nothing that a good valet wouldn’t fix.  As far as luxurious and stylish interiors go we think this as good as it gets.

From the outside the Maybach looks understated in silver, and doesn’t appear ostentatious.  Overall it is in excellent condition with only a few minor marks, all that could be easily remedied. 

This example has multi spoke 20 inch alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle tyres that are partly worn, but with plenty of life.  One wheel has seen some “curb action”, but this would be an easy fix by a specialist. On the near side front bumper there is evidence of a rub against something, just enough to leave marks in the lacquer, again a relatively easy fix. 

At the rear it appears a small piece of chrome trim has pulled off leaving some paint damage and an exposed mounting hole.  Apart from these minor faults the car is clean and has no door dents or dings; after all, it’s unlikely to have been to the supermarket!

At just 35,000 miles by Mercedes standards the Maybach has barely finished “running-in”.   Factor in four Mercedes Dealer services completed, and we reckon there should be many thousands of miles of trouble free luxury travel for the new owner.   

Under the bonnet everything is clean and tidy, if a little plastic and uninspiring for such a beast of an engine.  We imagine that only the Mercedes servicing department was ever going to raise the bonnet, so why bother with embellishment here?  There is plenty on the inside of the car!

If the Mercedes S-Class is the car of choice for the “well-heeled” then the Maybach must be for those who are so rich that their chauffeurs are wealthy too!  Owned not by those who have a named parking space at the office, but by those who have their name on the office building! 

Now a few years later this level of luxury can be purchased for a fraction of its original cost. We imagine the Maybach will be snapped up by an upmarket private hire company for executive travel.  But at the likely sale price it would make an outrageous and luxurious, yet practical family car! 

After all, it has Isofix mounts for child seats!

Notice to bidders