cmpcpro

The 221 may be nicer.. I've owned two I guess I should know, but I found myself missing my W220 more than anything so when I decided to come back I figured for the money I could buy another S550 or try my hand at an S55/600/65. The S55 seemed to be the smartest buy, less expensive to maintain then the 600/65 so that's what I did. With 500hp I'm very happy

tusabes

The w221/w216 feel larger and more ponderous to me then the w215/w220. Audio system is far worse . And I too prefer the console shift of the earlier cars, as well as the looks .

agreed the w222 is the best but I don't like cars that depreciate so much . I buy at the bottom of the depreciation curve . Maybe in 10 years I'll get a nice w222.

TNJohn

I looked at a w221 a couple years ago, even brought it home for an extended test drive, but I just couldn't pull the trigger. It would involved trading my 2006 s500, and that was the deciding factor: I did not find the w221 to be a better car than a w220. Although the s550 had more headroom and somewhat improved seats, it had lost character and was more Lexus than Mercedes. And the dreadful Harman-Kardon sound system! No way to make it sound half as good as the Bose.

To answer the question what would I buy if my w220 was lost, I agree that I would find another w220 or a 2013+ Jaguar XJL. I have one now and love the character of the car. Fun question to ponder!

vmystikilv

W221 was larger
Faster
Less buttons but you can do more things with the menu system


Little things make me like the w220 more:
Sounds system 10x better
More Buttons, I don't like having to go through a menu system to do things I can do at the touch of a button
No Self adjusting headlights.
I only 5'7 and 140 pounds. I fit in the w220, the w221 feels like an oversized coat.


Its not all round better but its better in some aspects. There just two different cars to me. Not evolution or similar. Completely different

amstel78

I think if my W220 S65 were to get totaled, I'd probably look for another low-mileage W220 S65 or a new W221 S65. Either that or get something like an E63.

cmpcpro

While my car was getting the alignment and the ABC system recalibrated at Keyes Mercedes (they are huge, I sat in a brand new V12 Maybach in the showroom) I was given a 2016 E wagon that was surprisingly loaded and I have to say, it just reassured my thought on how much I don't like the E. I just don't understand how it's the most popular one.. to me it feels cheap like a C class.. the navigation screen on it was really small, the interior just felt hard.. I thought to myself my ten year old S was way nicer all the way around! Especially seeing the windows sticker on the E was still in it and it was $80k!!

amstel78

I don't know... I like the size of the E class. My S65 is huge. It's as long as my Ford Expedition. The V8's are also easier to work on, which is a huge plus in my book as I don't have a ton of money to drop on these cars. As you've already seen, I did all the work myself to get my S class back up and running.

If I had silly money though, a new G65 would be my dream vehicle. Perfect for all seasons.

cmpcpro

It's funny because compared to my 1956 Oldsmobile 98 my S55 is small. It's a foot shorter! I used to do all my own work, but with my wholesale parts account and my buddy giving me such good deals at his MB specialty shop it's cheaper for me to let him do the work and spend my time doing my work..

cmpcpro

By the way you have good taste in cars! I've had three of the cars you've had! The E46 and the 300d and two W220'a.. (not to mention two W221's and a ton of other things)

amstel78

Thanks!

I miss the 300D. That car was very simple to work on. I used to get 27-28 mpg in that thing. And if something broke, just replace it. No need for computers.

My E46 M3 was a lot of fun also. I used to track that car at BMW CCA events. The Evo IX was also a real pleasure to whip around. A lot more frenetic than the BMW.

I've also owned Mustangs, Miatas, and Corvettes. My S65 is the first 600+ HP car I've owned though, and the first V12. Apart from the questionable purchase experience I had, I'm really starting to enjoy this beast. I can still have some fun while looking respectable. Lol.

amstel78

Btw, I'm glad you found a trusted mechanic to work on your S. I'm still having trouble finding one near me that doesn't cost as much as the dealer but still knows what they're doing when it comes to our cars.

I know that there are certain things I just can't do with the tools I have at home. I don't have a MB diagnostic computer either.

vincheung

This happened to me a couple of weeks back, my S500 sprouted a radiator leak, electrics were acting up (wiring harness on the fritz), hvac system was out (blower motor replaced/regulator replaced but still dead). Long story short, had to retire the old girl at 205k.

Wifey ordered a C43 Cabrio a week after and we just went down to nashville to pick up a very clean used 2008 E63 that popped up on the classifieds here. The C43 was a sure thing for her, the replacement for the S500 was between a W221 S550 or a W211 E63