adf111

I'm offered an '07 S550 with really all the goodies, except rear recline and ventilated seats. Price is great too, and it's a Designo edition with amazing colors. The only thing is, it has 90K miles...

I've owned an '06 W220 S350 and loved every second of it, I feel it's time to go to the next level.

I'd love to have some input from you, W221 owners on this forum

Thanks in advance!

DaveW68

If you buy it, plan on budgeting $5k+ per year on repairs and maintenance.

just1time

This is a Fact...Simply put.

1bad540

dont buy it!

superpop

There is a reason it is so cheap. Could be a great car or it could be a heart breaker that wrecks you financially. Usually the later.

Mike5215

If you owned a 220 you know what you're in for. The 221 is marginally more reliable but just as expensive to fix. Buy it right and as Dave said budget $5k a year on average for stuff. The 07 did have a specific tranny nightmare so I'd verify that car either didn't get that tranny or they fixed it. Other than that it's the usual AirMatic stuff and the random module failure, blown engine mounts, collapsed tranny mount, leaking rear main seal, noisy rear diff bearings, cam position magnets, etc. Verify by CarFax or the internal history that most or all of that stuff had been addressed because at 90k if it hasn't happened yet it's either happened and unrepaired or about to happen.

Is there an Indie who can do a pre purchase inspection, get it on a lift, pull codes etc.?

oldstar

I am a year and a half into my 2007 S550 4 Matic. I bought a service contract for 2 years or 40,000 kms ( Canada Car ) so I have had fixed the following.
Seat Belt Chime ( easy fix) $45. Airmatic Block $950.00...Engine Mounts ( Warranty ) $500
Sunroof, Sunshade Motor ( Warranty ) $650.00 all are prices for the parts only.
Brake Caliber $700.00 ( Warranty.) I bought the car with 115,000 kms on it and it has 146,000 kms on it now. I don't drive it everyday but when I do I sure enjoy it.
Buy a Warranty if you can would be my advice.. Good Luck.

KNBS550

Depends on what the price is. If you're getting it for less than $20k buy it and get a warranty on it for a few years to see how reliable it is. The guys have all experienced similar repairs it seems. (i.e. Engine and transmission mounts, control arms, cam plugs, etc.). 2007 is notorious for transmission conductor plate and engine balance shaft issue, but again if under $20k why not. Above that then I'd look for a 2010 and later model to get the better navigation and iPod/iPhone interface. Good luck.

DaveW68

You can find very nice clean titled 07-08 S550's with under 35k miles in the $25-28k price range. It is definitely worth it to spend a little more to get a low mileage example with full service records. You can then purchase an extended warranty at a very reasonable price, say $3500 for 3-4 years of exclusionary coverage.

Over 3 years, you'll spend less over all on the low mileage car with the warranty than the cheaper high mileage car with no warranty. Most folks don't figure this out until they get eyeballs deep in repair bills.

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...=GN_REFINEMENT

adf111

Gentlemen, Life isn't as easy as we think...

This car was at BMW San Diego for $17.990. I'm in L.A. and drove all the way down there. While I was test driving and inspecting the car at a local stealership ($250), a fellow out of state, called in and closed the deal on the phone, paying with his ATM card, all cash!
When I returned from the test drive, the sales manager was out, to personally apologize...

At night, god was on my side (or at least I though he was...) and I found exactly the same (compared data card on both!) car, near Toledo, OH. 97K miles, &17,900. Had an important meeting in the morning and immediately following called and guess what, that car just sold,OVER THE PHONE, CASH BUYER...

Where did I go wrong?????

Just venting...

DaveW68

Honestly, you saved yourself a ton of money and grief by not buying either car. Take my advice above.

Mike5215

Yeah. Plus when those a-holes show up here begging for help they'll end up getting The Dave & Mike Show instead. Revenge!

Wolfy90503

Have you considered 2007 LS460? I would feel comfortable buying that car at 90k mi with no warranty. Many reviewers compared its ride favorably to S550.
Just saying,

DaveW68

The LS460L is somewhat comparable to the S550. Even though Lexus has a high reliability rating, I still would never own one with 90k miles without warranty coverage. At that age, things are going to break and those costs, although a little less than MB, can still be quite pricey. He can get into a LS460L with under 50k miles in the $21k range. The LS460 is a very nice car, and has a much better stereo system if you choose the Levinson option. I used to have an 08. But it is nowhere near as substantial or solidly built as an S550. The biggest advantage the Japanese have are their rock solid electronics.

Donnymac

Is the 07 prone to repairs because of age or first year 221? Just curious.

MBNUT1

Here is the best advise I can offer

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...-mercedes.html

alx

The 221s have been a nightmare to fix. A few of them have burned through a week of diags and we still have guesses at best what is wrong with them (electrical problems).

Just an FYI

DaveW68

And this is exactly why anybody considering buying one should get a low mileage example and purchase exclusionary warranty coverage that will cover them as long as they play to own it.

alx

Err... Brainfart. I mean the 222s. My bad.

But your point is still valid. The 221s can too be a mysterious ***** that closely guards its secrets lol...

KNBS550

Alx, are you serious? I've been checking the 222 board and my impression is that most of the issues seem minor. What sort of problems have you encountered?

sloanbj

2016 model year forecasts put MB in the bottom third of all car makers, even though it is too early to tell. Nothing suggests their reliability is improving over time, as far as I know. The VW investigations have yielded interesting insights into how broken European car making is despite technological yearnings.

adf111

Thanks to everyone. I obviously checked the LS460L, which is a really nice car. My observations:

MUCH more expensive than the S-class of similar years (much cheaper when new!).
Comfort of driving, the S550 is MUCH more comfortable.
Perks - Dynamic seats? Most Lexus owners will ask you "dynamic what?".
Panoramic roof, very rare on LS460s.
Night vision (i live in a city and recently people are crazy), "what is it?".
Paddle shifters, I think only from 2011 LS460s...
...and more...
I'm an MB person and wouldn't even consider a Beemer...

High mileage doesn't frighten me, AS LONG as there's an MB warranty somewhere. If a car was a CPO and covered to a 100K, several dealers would gladly sell you additional 2-year, 24K miles warranty.

All of these are (good) arguments why I'd still go with an S550...

xpl0sive

i've got a 2007 with 135k miles on it. so far, I've replaced both front Airmatic struts, lower control arms and front wheel bearings. Other than that, the thing is solid. Engine is strong, tranny shifts smooth. If you find one you like, just buy it. These are beautiful cars and to get a designo car for under $20k is reasonable.

adf111

Thank you xpl0sive!
I needed that reassurance and yes, the Designo package certainly does make a difference!

DaveW68

It's highly doubtful you'll find any company who will sell you an exclusionary coverage warranty on a 10 year old Benz with 90k on the odo. I hope you have deep pockets for repairs and maintenance. High mileage S550's are brutally expensive to own for the great majority of people. And an LS460L of similar years and mileage are not more expensive than an S550.