Maybach 57 and 62 (2002 - To Date)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
* Introduction Few cars are a specialised as a Maybach, a fact reflected by the rather modest sales figures this much-trumpeted luxury division of Mercedes has racked up. A typical Maybach owner will want peerless luxury but without the ostentation of something like a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce. The ability to cross country quickly, comfortably and discreetly is important to some and for that task there is nothing better than a Maybach. Heres what to look for when buying used.
One thing the Maybach could never be accused of is lithe beauty. Perhaps one of the requirements is for sheer road presence, but the acres of chrome festooned around the cars grille are uncomfortably reminiscent of the Hyundai XG. Parked next to a Rolls-Royce Phantom, the Maybachs closest approximation of a rival, the German car looks a little more mainstream, less of an event and more an exercise in technical pragmatism. Theres no doubt if youre a true captain of industry who needs to be whisked from point A to point B which youd choose to travel in though.
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These fully adjustable, heated and cooled seats are a work of genius and highlight the key difference between the 57 and the 62. The former is for driving and the latter is for being driven in. Take the wheel of a Maybach and youll be greeted with more than a few cabin features familiar to Mercedes S-class drivers. From a practical standpoint, this is no bad thing as the S-class is a paragon of ergonomic efficiency, but one cant help but feel that the subterfuge could have been a little more artfully executed.
At idle, the V12 engine is utterly silent. Even if you get out, walk to the front of the car and stand inches from the front grille, theres no audible signal. Press your ear to the bonnet and youll hear a muted hum. Unless that is, your passenger selects this moment to test the Maybachs horn which, youll be sure to agree, is quite an article.
On the move, the Maybach is again almost eerily silent. You appreciate the finer tonal qualities of the 600-watt surround sound audio system, the only mechanical noise being the occasional distant thud of surface irregularities as the air sprung suspension tries its best to cushion the ride. It goes without saying that the Maybach is supplied replete with a vast welter of safety features, although Daimler Chrysler also offered a guard version with factory authorised armouring process.
Prices start at around £115,000 for a 2002 registered 57 with a later 2005 registered car fetching around £145,000 with average mileage. Youll struggle to find a 57S for anything less than around £200,000, even with higher mileages. The 62 opens at around £140,000 for a 2002 car with a 2005 car averaging around £225,000. All Maybach models are, unsurprisingly, rated at insurance group 20.
Absolutely nothing should be wrong with a used Maybach, as it should have been attended to regardless of cost. If it looks anything other than brand new, choose another car.
(Based on a 2004 62) Consumables for the Maybach 62 are reasonably priced with an air filter weighing in at £24, a fuel filter the best part of £60 and an oil filter a mere £6. Spark plugs are around £5 each, although tyres are expensive at around £295 per corner.
The 57 and 62 cars are powered by the same twin turbocharged 5.5-litre V12 engine, good for no less than 543bhp with a torque figure of 899Nm. This monstrous power output will propel 2780kg of Maybach 62 to 60mph in 5.4 seconds.
The S models get a 6.0-litre version of the same engine with 612bhp and a nice round 1,000Nm torque rating. Everything about the Maybach, from the 62s 6165mm length to its 19-inch wheels, is writ large. Its worth putting a few of the statistics into perspective.
The torque figure on the 57 is greater than the combined torque outputs of a Mercedes S500 and a Porsche Carrera 4S. The Maybach 62 is as heavy as two Mercedes C class saloons and the difference in price between the two versions is about the same as a nicely specified Lexus GS430.
A Maybach is a car that may not inspire love but generates enormous admiration. If you see a car as a tool to perform a task, few are as fit for purpose as a Maybach. Wed opt for the 57 given our tight streets and often cramped parking facilities but if the car is to be used in Europe for long distance work, a 62 would be the ticket.
