S Class Upgrade?
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 32
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From: USA
Preface W212
S Class Upgrade?
I love my E350 its been great. There is a lot go great how-to videos on YouTube for the w212. Between YouTube and this forum I've been able to do a lot of work to the car myself. Work such as full rear suspension, brakes in all 4 corners, blower motor replacement, steering wheel buttons, center console repair, headlight bulb replacement, leather seat pan replacement, aux battery, programming among other things. I've had the dealer repair some engine oil leaks such on the motor and transfer case. The car has some nice options such as the panoramic roof, headlamp washers and parktronik.
How ever when the time comes I am considering upgrading to a S class around the same era, a w221 or w222. I would like something a little more roomier and options like the parktronik, distronik and cooled seats seem to be more common and easier to find. I'm asking for anyones input who has owned a w212 and either w221 or w222 and what your experience was.
How ever when the time comes I am considering upgrading to a S class around the same era, a w221 or w222. I would like something a little more roomier and options like the parktronik, distronik and cooled seats seem to be more common and easier to find. I'm asking for anyones input who has owned a w212 and either w221 or w222 and what your experience was.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,921
Likes: 6,769
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
10Year skip ahead
I love my E350 its been great. There is a lot go great how-to videos on YouTube for the w212. Between YouTube and this forum I've been able to do a lot of work to the car myself. Work such as full rear suspension, brakes in all 4 corners, blower motor replacement, steering wheel buttons, center console repair, headlight bulb replacement, leather seat pan replacement, aux battery, programming among other things. I've had the dealer repair some engine oil leaks such on the motor and transfer case. The car has some nice options such as the panoramic roof, headlamp washers and parktronik.
How ever when the time comes I am considering upgrading to a S class around the same era, a w221 or w222. I would like something a little more roomier and options like the parktronik, distronik and cooled seats seem to be more common and easier to find. I'm asking for anyones input who has owned a w212 and either w221 or w222 and what your experience was.
How ever when the time comes I am considering upgrading to a S class around the same era, a w221 or w222. I would like something a little more roomier and options like the parktronik, distronik and cooled seats seem to be more common and easier to find. I'm asking for anyones input who has owned a w212 and either w221 or w222 and what your experience was.
Every Mercedes is an experience.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Mar 15, 2026 at 03:00 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1,555
From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
I love my E350 its been great. There is a lot go great how-to videos on YouTube for the w212. Between YouTube and this forum I've been able to do a lot of work to the car myself. Work such as full rear suspension, brakes in all 4 corners, blower motor replacement, steering wheel buttons, center console repair, headlight bulb replacement, leather seat pan replacement, aux battery, programming among other things. I've had the dealer repair some engine oil leaks such on the motor and transfer case. The car has some nice options such as the panoramic roof, headlamp washers and parktronik.
How ever when the time comes I am considering upgrading to a S class around the same era, a w221 or w222. I would like something a little more roomier and options like the parktronik, distronik and cooled seats seem to be more common and easier to find. I'm asking for anyones input who has owned a w212 and either w221 or w222 and what your experience was.
How ever when the time comes I am considering upgrading to a S class around the same era, a w221 or w222. I would like something a little more roomier and options like the parktronik, distronik and cooled seats seem to be more common and easier to find. I'm asking for anyones input who has owned a w212 and either w221 or w222 and what your experience was.
I have been looking for the replacement for my current '13 E class, not loving the 4 cylinder turbos in the W213 and W214 though, Drove a '23 W213 E 450 with the straight six turbo and supercharger, it was faster than my '13 Amg Wanna be
Last edited by pierrejoliat; Mar 15, 2026 at 04:23 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 14
Likes: 5
From: İstanbul
W220 s500 w215 cl55 w639 viano w218 cls350
I've had 4 S Classes, awesome cars, great for criuses on the the highway, especially long distances, we drive 2100 miles each way to Arizona every year and that's when I miss them, I had two W219's, "93 and '98, Like driving a bank vault, One W220 '03 and one W221 '09, Overall the W220 rode best, the W221 broke the most and the W219's required the most maintenance, but were built like Panther tanks, The current E classes I have are excellent for everyday use and trips to AZ, much easier to drive around town,trunks are equally large or bigger, back seat is tight and if your going to load it up to go cross country be sure and fill the rear tires to 42 psi or the inner edges will be bald in 4200 miles, LOL. All in all I think the more sophisticated the electronics get, the more issues you have and currently best to let the dealer do them, the GLS makes us seasick on long highway drives, its better with the sway control off, but we don't much like SUV"s for long travel on the highway. Not to mention it will take us 4-5 years to figure out all the features and command center I have been looking for the replacement for my current '13 E class, not loving the 4 cylinder turbos in the W213 and W214 though, Drove a '23 W213 E 450 with the straight six turbo and supercharger, it was faster than my '13 Amg Wanna be
I have been looking for the replacement for my current '13 E class, not loving the 4 cylinder turbos in the W213 and W214 though, Drove a '23 W213 E 450 with the straight six turbo and supercharger, it was faster than my '13 Amg Wanna be
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 945
W212 FL
The W222 is more reliable than W221s from what I read thru the owners review . Well, W212s are great but W221s / W222s are the top notch to me . You will feel the difference ride quality to overall comfort amenities
W212s or E Classes ,in general, are the most logical choice to me because you get what you would expect from a Mercedes-Benz at more affordable price
W212s or E Classes ,in general, are the most logical choice to me because you get what you would expect from a Mercedes-Benz at more affordable price
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 339
From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
The wife has a W212 ('14 E350) and I've got a W222 ('19 S450 4Matic). In terms of ride quality and comfort, the cars are more different than they are similar.
When we got the 212, I thought it was one of the best riding sedans available. Ours has been very reliable, and still looks, rides, and runs like new.
But compared to the 222, the 212 is like a go-kart. It's much more nimble, more sure-footed, but also much firmer and a louder interior.
The 222 by comparison, doesn't like to be hustled. It is competent, but does not reward pushing it hard. It shines in providing a serene, quiet, composed, and relaxing driving experience. Suspension bushings on the 222 seem to be softer, and sometimes you can feel this as being 'wobbly' when driving over rough/broken pavement. These same softer bushings make driving on decent roads a sublime experience.
We've made the Charlotte-VeniceFL trip a couple of time in each car (10 hours). The difference in the cars is most noticeable after trips of similar time/distance. In the 212, we felt pretty good, but a bit stiff and tired. In the 222, it's like we spent the day sitting on the couch. No stiffness, no stress, no tension.
Having turned 61 recently, I've reached the point where a calm, comfortable car is a better fit for me than a sports car. I've had a couple of nice sports cars, and a couple of race cars in my past - but those days are behind me.
If you're looking for a safe, serene, relaxing drive, the 222 is an excellent choice. But it won't be as direct or sure-footed as the 212.
When we got the 212, I thought it was one of the best riding sedans available. Ours has been very reliable, and still looks, rides, and runs like new.
But compared to the 222, the 212 is like a go-kart. It's much more nimble, more sure-footed, but also much firmer and a louder interior.
The 222 by comparison, doesn't like to be hustled. It is competent, but does not reward pushing it hard. It shines in providing a serene, quiet, composed, and relaxing driving experience. Suspension bushings on the 222 seem to be softer, and sometimes you can feel this as being 'wobbly' when driving over rough/broken pavement. These same softer bushings make driving on decent roads a sublime experience.
We've made the Charlotte-VeniceFL trip a couple of time in each car (10 hours). The difference in the cars is most noticeable after trips of similar time/distance. In the 212, we felt pretty good, but a bit stiff and tired. In the 222, it's like we spent the day sitting on the couch. No stiffness, no stress, no tension.
Having turned 61 recently, I've reached the point where a calm, comfortable car is a better fit for me than a sports car. I've had a couple of nice sports cars, and a couple of race cars in my past - but those days are behind me.
If you're looking for a safe, serene, relaxing drive, the 222 is an excellent choice. But it won't be as direct or sure-footed as the 212.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,829
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
Get a last year W222 S Class. So a 2020 is the last year for the sedan. A S450 go the MPG if that is what you value. The W222 was a huge improvement over the W221. The W222 will probably replace my W212 2016 E when the time comes. Since my 2016 E is near fully loaded the options do not really bother me as I do not use them in my 212 anyways.
