Gramma_Benz

Hey guys,

Just wanted to get your opinions here. I'm thinking of buying a 2012 S550 w/Premium package2 and AMG package for about 35K. 46K miles

So I'm used to high maintenance costs as my AMG is wound pretty tight. But ideally, I'd like something that wouldn't be in the shop as much. Do you think these later year models have most of the bugs worked out? Or are there certain things that I will just HAVE to replace no matter what?

I love the luxury of the S550 and that the twin turbo is tunable.

Thanks in advance!!

The Thomas J

That's a great price. I would have jumped all over that two weeks ago if it all checked out. DO your due diligence. Others will chime in but I think the bugs were worked out by the 2010 model year for the most part. That twin turbo engine is sweet.

Gramma_Benz

Yeah, it is a good price. Ideally I'd prefer Silver, but Black is still nice. Just feel like a Limo driver.

Supposedly has one owner, an exec from a casino in Vegas. I'll do a carfax and have my mechanic check it out first. Thanks for the response!

superpop

Judging from the picture in your thread, this car will cost you a small fortune. You are not buying a performance car, despite the tune-ability of the TT V8. It is a 4800lb pig that will eat you alive if you punish it like a sports car. I purchased a 2012 4Matic last year and it has been flawless so far but I purchased an extended MB warranty. There is also a pretty dramatic difference in parts cost and complexity going from a C class to an S class.

sloanbj

$36K is average price for that car, so I would push hard to get closer to $30. Remember it is going to depreciate $4-5K/yr and cost >$5K/yr repairs (unless you pay up front for a warranty). For the same $1,000/month depreciation and repairs you could lease a 2016 S550 and not worry about depreciation or repairs.

DaveW68

This is a very good deal! Trade-in value in your area is $35k and dealer retail is $42k. Never mind the people who tell you that you can push for $30k....it aint gonna happen. Even private party value is around $39k. A warranty for as long as you plan to own it is an absolute must for that car. Repairs can eat you alive.

The Thomas J

$30 grand ain't never gonna happen now or for another year or two. I looked at 2012's 2013's and the least priced one that was heavily optioned with less than 50,000 miles was a 2012 that was priced at $38,000. It was at a small dealer I knew pretty well and was the owner of the dealerships car.

I didn't buy it because I gave myself a $40,000 all in budget and with tax and service contract I would have been well over budget. But man what a car. The ABC offers a completely different driving experience to a car without it combine that with the power of the twin turbo and WOW WOW WOW!

Such a steal IMO. Would MB CPO it?

DaveW68

If it's being sold by a Benz dealer and everything would pass a CPO inspection. But that may push the price up to $43-44k.

Gramma_Benz

Yes, I understand your POV, however, I do know the size difference in the cars. This is going to be more of a weekend cruiser for me although I do plan to do a little tuning just for driveability . For example, although I have a lot of power in my C class, what I love most about the power is being able to pass easily without having to kick down a gear, A little light throttle and it's done. Also since this is an AMG, the parts are already much more costly as most of the parts are specialized and made in low production. Even my alternator was different.

Thanks for your response!

Mike5215

Depending on the in service date a 12 may be out of CPO territory, but with mileage that low plenty of companies would write a decent warranty on it. I wouldn't put a tune on it just to preserve its ability to be warrantied.

hoseclamp

I have a '12 s550, just went through the dealership for its annual checkup, only sees dealer once a year being 500 miles away. Only 17,000 miles on it. Awesome. I also did the extended warranty, it has the 20's, AMG pkg, full load. Love the car, even big it can be thrown around nicely allthough that eats the tires lol. Tried to get speed limiter bumped to euro specs, 130mph happens fast up here when passing and running loooong open roads. Considering tuning, not sure if I will. It's reliable and runs great. Not sure if I want to mess with it. My only gripe, doesn't stream music from my cell. Plug in the iPod, I don't have one that does the old iPhone 4 plug, use an adapter, it plays music, but doesn't charge the phone.

I really like the car, been trying some different MB's, thought about trading, drove a ML63, GLE63 coupe, GLS63, I like my s550 better. Love driving it. I think I'll add to the fleet, there's a white GTS calling my name....there's a sweet red '15 SL63 with no home too....

Nuru

Man are these cars dropping like stones, but they still cost a bunch to fix

superpop

They depreciate as fast as any German luxury brand, they don't cost anything to fix if you buy a warranty for the term of ownership.

Nuru

Just doing a quick search, the 2012 S350 4MATIC seems to range from the low $30k's (40k miles and higher) to $50k (34k miles and under) to $52k+ (20k miles and below). And that is without the fridge!

superpop

The big drop is when they fall out of factory warranty eligibility.

fbracer

nothing a rubber mallet can't fix.

Donnymac

Supersonic brick on glass. My my '12 sits at 67K+. Under warranty, replaced RF strut and later a module. TPMS currently needs help but that may be generated by the new Bridgestones I put on today. Bottom line - trouble free DD.

I would buy a clean 221 over a 222 any day.

Good luck.

As to tune.....no need. The TT gets the job done with room to spare.

gsholz

I traded in an E63 for a 2013 S550. Power delivery and suspension are not comparable but the TT motor is a good fit for the larger S550. It does get the job done as long as you keep it in sport mode. It will be interesting to follow your mods.

Nuru

I gotta change my car into the sport mode and try that out.

Gramma_Benz

Thanks for all the responses guys! Def appreciate it. Going to look into a extended warranty if it's eligible. I also have a excellent MB mechanic with whom I trust implicitly. Really honest and tells me what needs to be done and what can wait. Been using him for 11 years.

As for modding, prob won't do anything drastic right away, get a feel for the car first. And just to clarify things, I don't drive around all day burning thru my tires. The vid I made was on already bald tires right before I replaced them and my friend wanted to do a shoot with his new camera.

I am however addicted to the power I currently have. What I love the most about it is the drivability and ease of passing on the freeway. Its effortless, esp. with the Sprintbooster. When I want to pass, just a little nudge on the gas pedal and it never even has to kick down a gear. I love that! No loud noises, or sharp kickdown. Just smooth quick speed.

Thanks again!

alx

Price is in line for the year/ model. A bit on the cheap side. They are about 33-34k into the car.

Check history for turbo work. If none- proceed but with caution. If any turbo work/ oil loss records- run- there was a batch of bad turbos (seals) in 2012 my.

Have you driven one? They are not e55s by a long shot.

Good luck.

supercooper188

I have been owning Mercedes for the past 27 years and have not had many problems over that period of time. I just purchased a 2012 S550 with a 3 yr. MB ELW and hopefully I won't have the issues that some of you all have had. I have had about 8 E class vehicles, 1 C, 1 CLS and none of them have had a lot of problems. Several of them were driven over 200k miles, and one of them (93 300E) my father-in-law still has and it has 215k miles.

In my opinion a lot of what you read on these boards are from people that have had issues and problems, but you never hear from the thousands of folks that have very few issues.

In 27 years I have replaced 2 compressors (87 190E 2.6) and a (2004 500E), which cost less than $1k to repair. Had one blown cylinder (93 300E) which cost $650 to repair, and had 1 transmission issue (98 E320) after about 145k miles which cost me about $1700 to repair. My most expensive repair was to the SBC unit on my 2004 E500 which cost me about $2800 at the stealership. Just so happen they said the ECU was bad also. Highest bill I have had in 27 years.

I have also had to replace both front and rear air shocks on my 2004 E500, and also replaced the rear air shocks on my 2009 CLS550. The good thing is Arnott has lifetime warranties (i.e., kind of like getting herpes--once you get it you don't have to worry about getting it again) on the shocks and they are not that expensive compared to the stealership. Other than that it has been normal maintenance.

I wouldn't have bought the S55o if I thought I was going to have a lot of issues. Like I said I have never had an S-Class so I may be in for the shock of my life.

alx

The 04 sbc was a known problem and Mercedes were replacing them free of charge long after the factory warranty was expired. Maybe a bit late for you but a data point...

Nuru

Yep, I have had a 2002 C230 coupe, a 2004 C230 sedan, a 2008 C300, a 2010 E350, a 2012 E350, and a 2012 S350 sofar - none without an active warranty.

Gramma_Benz

I'm actually going to end up getting my Uncles 2012 S550, while it has 64k miles, it's in Pristine shape. He's late 80's so driven super softly.
And I did test drive one. I know the acceleration is def not on par with an AMG, but it's also a much different car. I almost don't feel like going fast driving one. So I think its will come down to me driving it for a while and see if I feel like I need more power or just continue cruising in it. If I feel the need for more power, then I'll consider a tune.

Thanks for your input.