Clash of the teuton titans

For the first time, Auto Express has put the two most elaborate saloons ever built side-by-side to see which has the upper-class upper hand. But before firing up the engines, it's important to understand the story behind the simultaneous arrival of two such cars. You have to go back to 1998, when Rolls-Royce was a struggling subsidiary of British Aerospace, building Silver Seraphs, plus Bentley Arnages and Continentals for moneyed traditionalists. Meanwhile, Mercedes was embarking on a quest to make the world's finest saloon. Not content with the vast S-Class, it wanted to tap into the booming economy with a huge, unyielding giant to stand alone at the top of the automotive tree. This ultimate car was to wear the legendary Maybach badge - last used in the Thirties.

Both BMW and VW were interested in buying Rolls-Royce, as they felt it was the only brand with enough history and status to take on Mercedes in the executive car superleague. After a long, tedious dispute, the Crewe-based firm fell to both VW and BMW, with the blue propeller winning the rights to the R-R branding and its German rival taking the rest of the firm, including Bentley.

It's now four years since the deals were done, and from January the divorce between Rolls-Royce and Bentley finally became official. There are a few Crewe-built run-out Seraphs finding their way to new owners, but from now on all Rollers are built in an underground facility at Goodwood, Sussex, while Bentley production concentrates on the Continental GT.

First deliveries of the Maybach and Phantom are now underway, as the pair try to woo the world's richest buyers - but, given the money, which would you choose? Starting with the Rolls, there's no denying this is one of the most striking, imposing cars ever made. The vast body and rectangular lights give it an awkward look, but it grows on you - the slab sides, huge wheels and chrome adornments are at least distinctive. The theme continues with a lavish interior, every conceivable extra and the most comfortable seats ever to grace a car.

Some owners will be driven around, and from the chauffeur's seat the R-R won't disappoint. The smooth six-speed auto gearbox, light power-steering and ΁ ΁ commanding seating position combine to make the Phantom easier to drive than its size suggests. Out on the open road, it's very relaxing. The ride is near-perfect, absorbing all but the biggest potholes yet avoiding the sloppy, overly soft feel of previous Rolls-Royces.

But this is no sports saloon. BMW says the computer-aided air-suspension delivers great body control, yet the car's weight, proportions and detached driving experience hardly inspire confidence. There are also large blind spots either side of the rear compartment, and it's difficult to predict where the edges are.

The back-hinged doors are irritating, too. While touted as a big selling point, they don't open wide enough, so rear access is poor: you need to duck under the roof and get both legs in before sitting down. But once inside, there's no need to shut the door - simply press a button and it glides silently into place.

The Maybach, on the other hand, is more practical and less ostentatious. From the outside, the styling could even be described as bland. It's imposing, but pales into insignificance alongside the Rolls, thanks to its plain front grille and light arrangement, which resembles an over-inflated Hyundai Sonata.

But buyers seeking an elaborate interior won't be disappointed. The Maybach is sumptuous, with three TVs, two built-in phones and a slide-out work surface in the rear, plus seats which massage your back and upper thighs.

Up front, the luxury continues, with soft leather, polished chestnut veneer trimmings and a soft-touch dash. Road noise is minimal, thanks to thick soundproof cladding inside each panel, double glazing and special low-resistance tyres. On the move, the Maybach feels more dynamically sorted than the Rolls. The ride is firmer, the steering more direct and the body more composed - if not particularly sporty. The weight and awkward length create the same problems as the Phantom in town, although the car offers better all-round visibility.

Performance is better, too, as the Maybach is marginally lighter and noticeably quicker. Its 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12 delivers a kick in the back if you floor the throttle, covering 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds - faster than a Porsche Boxster S! It may be too much for a car of this size, but the engineers insisted that the Maybach have performance to match its price. So which motorised mansion is the better buy - and is either worth selling your country estate for?

In truth, the choice is down to taste. The Phantom is bold, brash and ornately designed, while the Maybach favours clean, modern, Mercedes-style lines. You'd pick the Rolls to impress, but the Maybach is the better driver's car. As each can be ordered to the buyer's specific taste, a lot depends on which style suits you. If we had spent that much on a car, though, we would want it to look good. We'd take the silver lady home.