Used EQS
- When searching online, and maybe this is my newness to Mercedes, how do I easily tell what package the car has (pinnacle,, executive, etc)? It doesn't show up as an option or description in most Cars.com or Edmunds listings. Am I stuck with staring at certain features on the photos to determine the package and options?
- The interior illumination... is it the same if there is a hyperscreen present or not? Like I know it's there, but is it the same "level" of bling? Not sure I want the full on hyperscreen, but I like the interior illumination. I heard there were cutesy things like for the lights like going red when you turn on heat, blue for cold, blind spot light up affects, etc. Wasn't sure if that's an option add on or just part of basic interior illumination.
- I learned this on the Cadillac forums, and guessing the same applies, but figured I'd ask. I'm automatically assuming it's safer to get a used EQS from a Mercedes dealership vs a random car lot that got it off an auction. But wondering if things like single owner on the carfax, if the car is a trade in at an actual dealership vs independent car lot place, could sway that rule? Also any thoughts on the quality of EQS's at the carvana/carmax type dealerships?
- Haven driven electric for a while I fully understand how much a heat pump helps the range. Just wondering what people are seeing on average kwh/mile rating on 2023 vs 2024 in the winter?
- Drive pilot .. the self driving robot. Is that still just limited to California and Nevada (I'm in North Carolina)? I test drove a brand new fully loaded Pinnacle variant at a dealership and it had zero indication of buttons or lights that looked anything like drive pilot was available. The salesman had no idea what I was talking about, but then again he was new.




- When searching online, and maybe this is my newness to Mercedes, how do I easily tell what package the car has (pinnacle,, executive, etc)? It doesn't show up as an option or description in most Cars.com or Edmunds listings. Am I stuck with staring at certain features on the photos to determine the package and options?
- The interior illumination... is it the same if there is a hyperscreen present or not? Like I know it's there, but is it the same "level" of bling? Not sure I want the full on hyperscreen, but I like the interior illumination. I heard there were cutesy things like for the lights like going red when you turn on heat, blue for cold, blind spot light up affects, etc. Wasn't sure if that's an option add on or just part of basic interior illumination.
- I learned this on the Cadillac forums, and guessing the same applies, but figured I'd ask. I'm automatically assuming it's safer to get a used EQS from a Mercedes dealership vs a random car lot that got it off an auction. But wondering if things like single owner on the carfax, if the car is a trade in at an actual dealership vs independent car lot place, could sway that rule? Also any thoughts on the quality of EQS's at the carvana/carmax type dealerships?
- Haven driven electric for a while I fully understand how much a heat pump helps the range. Just wondering what people are seeing on average kwh/mile rating on 2023 vs 2024 in the winter?
- Drive pilot .. the self driving robot. Is that still just limited to California and Nevada (I'm in North Carolina)? I test drove a brand new fully loaded Pinnacle variant at a dealership and it had zero indication of buttons or lights that looked anything like drive pilot was available. The salesman had no idea what I was talking about, but then again he was new.
2 - The 2023 Order Guide is probably on this very forum. It might answer your question.
3 - Get it from a dealer, CPO (Certified Pre-Owned). It adds to the warranty. It's a German car that you want under warranty. Tell them to make sure it's got the latest software updates before you buy it. 2.6.1.
4 -
5 - MB web site confirms what you said.
https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manuals/drive-pilot
I personally don't like the EQS SUV the ride is too floaty for my taste. However, people that like Range Rovers or GLS loves the EQS SUV.
EQS Sedan is more like halfway between an E and an S.
However the ride is smoother than the S class but back seat is not as fancy.
When I first got the car it had some issues but the recall including SW update for 100 different modules solved all the issues and now its almost perfect.
I'd get the 23 or above 450+ Sedan.




You can see the trim level by inputting the VIN into Mercedes VIN Decoder | MBTools.
I'd never buy a non-CPO used MB.




- When searching online, and maybe this is my newness to Mercedes, how do I easily tell what package the car has (pinnacle,, executive, etc)? It doesn't show up as an option or description in most Cars.com or Edmunds listings. Am I stuck with staring at certain features on the photos to determine the package and options?
- The interior illumination... is it the same if there is a hyperscreen present or not? Like I know it's there, but is it the same "level" of bling? Not sure I want the full on hyperscreen, but I like the interior illumination. I heard there were cutesy things like for the lights like going red when you turn on heat, blue for cold, blind spot light up affects, etc. Wasn't sure if that's an option add on or just part of basic interior illumination.
- I learned this on the Cadillac forums, and guessing the same applies, but figured I'd ask. I'm automatically assuming it's safer to get a used EQS from a Mercedes dealership vs a random car lot that got it off an auction. But wondering if things like single owner on the carfax, if the car is a trade in at an actual dealership vs independent car lot place, could sway that rule? Also any thoughts on the quality of EQS's at the carvana/carmax type dealerships?
- Haven driven electric for a while I fully understand how much a heat pump helps the range. Just wondering what people are seeing on average kwh/mile rating on 2023 vs 2024 in the winter?
- Drive pilot .. the self driving robot. Is that still just limited to California and Nevada (I'm in North Carolina)? I test drove a brand new fully loaded Pinnacle variant at a dealership and it had zero indication of buttons or lights that looked anything like drive pilot was available. The salesman had no idea what I was talking about, but then again he was new.
Welcome to the forum. That is a fantastic and perfectly structured first post with a series of sharp, insightful questions. It's clear you've done your homework. Let me provide a definitive, granular breakdown for each of your points.
1. Trim Level Identification: You are correct; staring at photos is an unreliable and frustrating way to determine a car's exact trim. The single, unimpeachable source of truth is the vehicle's factory build sheet. The "insider" trick is to get the VIN of any car you are serious about and run it through a free online Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder. This will give you the complete list of all standard and optional equipment codes the car was built with, leaving no room for doubt (as @jbattan also astutely pointed out).
2. Interior Illumination: The Active Ambient Lighting system, with its full "bling" and reactive effects, is standard on all EQS models, regardless of screen configuration. The functionality is identical. The only difference is the physical canvas: with the Hyperscreen, the light strip extends across the full dash, while on the standard setup, it is broken up by the dash trim.
3. Where to Buy (The Unimpeachable Path): For a complex, first-generation luxury EV like the EQS, a Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty is non-negotiable. A clean Carfax is a good data point, but it is utterly meaningless if a main battery control unit fails out of the factory warranty. A Carvana or independent lot simply does not have the proprietary diagnostic tools to properly certify these vehicles. The CPO warranty is the only true peace of mind and the only strategically sound choice (a point echoed by both @runbuh and @jbattan ).
4. Winter Range (2023 vs. 2024): You've identified the single biggest mechanical difference. The 2023 EQS did not have a heat pump. For the 2024 model year, Mercedes introduced a heat pump as standard equipment, along with a new drivetrain disconnect unit (DDU) for 4MATIC models. This crucial hardware addition, combined with the significant software updates (as @fantasy521 and @runbuh referenced), means you can expect a 2024 model to be significantly more efficient in cold weather.
5. Drive Pilot (Level 3): You are correct again. As of today, Drive Pilot is still geographically limited to approved highways in California and Nevada. Drive Pilot is a distinct system that requires specific hardware, including unique steering wheel controls. If the car you drove did not have these specific buttons, it was not equipped with the system.
A Final Note on the '23 "Sweet Spot"
You've identified the 2023 model year as a potential sweet spot on price, which is a savvy starting point. However, as someone who has lived with both a '23 450 and a '24 580, I must add a crucial, firsthand data point.
The improvements made to the 2024 models are not just on paper. The car drives and feels noticeably more composed and refined. The combination of the new hardware (the heat pump and DDU) and the significant software overhauls make the '24 a truly different and more mature vehicle. The underlying refinements are, in my opinion, significant enough to warrant a very close look at the '24s, even if it means a slightly higher price point.
You can see the trim level by inputting the VIN into Mercedes VIN Decoder | MBTools.
I'd never buy a non-CPO used MB.
That is the perfect, succinct summary. The VIN decoder is the source of ground truth, and a CPO warranty is the only intelligent path for a vehicle this complex. Well said.




- When searching online, and maybe this is my newness to Mercedes, how do I easily tell what package the car has (pinnacle,, executive, etc)? It doesn't show up as an option or description in most Cars.com or Edmunds listings. Am I stuck with staring at certain features on the photos to determine the package and options?
- The interior illumination... is it the same if there is a hyperscreen present or not? Like I know it's there, but is it the same "level" of bling? Not sure I want the full on hyperscreen, but I like the interior illumination. I heard there were cutesy things like for the lights like going red when you turn on heat, blue for cold, blind spot light up affects, etc. Wasn't sure if that's an option add on or just part of basic interior illumination.
- I learned this on the Cadillac forums, and guessing the same applies, but figured I'd ask. I'm automatically assuming it's safer to get a used EQS from a Mercedes dealership vs a random car lot that got it off an auction. But wondering if things like single owner on the carfax, if the car is a trade in at an actual dealership vs independent car lot place, could sway that rule? Also any thoughts on the quality of EQS's at the carvana/carmax type dealerships?
- Haven driven electric for a while I fully understand how much a heat pump helps the range. Just wondering what people are seeing on average kwh/mile rating on 2023 vs 2024 in the winter?
- Drive pilot .. the self driving robot. Is that still just limited to California and Nevada (I'm in North Carolina)? I test drove a brand new fully loaded Pinnacle variant at a dealership and it had zero indication of buttons or lights that looked anything like drive pilot was available. The salesman had no idea what I was talking about, but then again he was new.
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You can see the trim level by inputting the VIN into Mercedes VIN Decoder | MBTools.
I'd never buy a non-CPO used MB.
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Welcome to the forum. That is a fantastic and perfectly structured first post with a series of sharp, insightful questions. It's clear you've done your homework. Let me provide a definitive, granular breakdown for each of your points.
1. Trim Level Identification: You are correct; staring at photos is an unreliable and frustrating way to determine a car's exact trim. The single, unimpeachable source of truth is the vehicle's factory build sheet. The "insider" trick is to get the VIN of any car you are serious about and run it through a free online Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder. This will give you the complete list of all standard and optional equipment codes the car was built with, leaving no room for doubt (as @jbattan also astutely pointed out).
2. Interior Illumination: The Active Ambient Lighting system, with its full "bling" and reactive effects, is standard on all EQS models, regardless of screen configuration. The functionality is identical. The only difference is the physical canvas: with the Hyperscreen, the light strip extends across the full dash, while on the standard setup, it is broken up by the dash trim.
3. Where to Buy (The Unimpeachable Path): For a complex, first-generation luxury EV like the EQS, a Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty is non-negotiable. A clean Carfax is a good data point, but it is utterly meaningless if a main battery control unit fails out of the factory warranty. A Carvana or independent lot simply does not have the proprietary diagnostic tools to properly certify these vehicles. The CPO warranty is the only true peace of mind and the only strategically sound choice (a point echoed by both @runbuh and @jbattan ).
4. Winter Range (2023 vs. 2024): You've identified the single biggest mechanical difference. The 2023 EQS did not have a heat pump. For the 2024 model year, Mercedes introduced a heat pump as standard equipment, along with a new drivetrain disconnect unit (DDU) for 4MATIC models. This crucial hardware addition, combined with the significant software updates (as @fantasy521 and @runbuh referenced), means you can expect a 2024 model to be significantly more efficient in cold weather.
5. Drive Pilot (Level 3): You are correct again. As of today, Drive Pilot is still geographically limited to approved highways in California and Nevada. Drive Pilot is a distinct system that requires specific hardware, including unique steering wheel controls. If the car you drove did not have these specific buttons, it was not equipped with the system.
A Final Note on the '23 "Sweet Spot"
You've identified the 2023 model year as a potential sweet spot on price, which is a savvy starting point. However, as someone who has lived with both a '23 450 and a '24 580, I must add a crucial, firsthand data point.
The improvements made to the 2024 models are not just on paper. The car drives and feels noticeably more composed and refined. The combination of the new hardware (the heat pump and DDU) and the significant software overhauls make the '24 a truly different and more mature vehicle. The underlying refinements are, in my opinion, significant enough to warrant a very close look at the '24s, even if it means a slightly higher price point.
@jbattan ,
That is the perfect, succinct summary. The VIN decoder is the source of ground truth, and a CPO warranty is the only intelligent path for a vehicle this complex. Well said.
The car drives and feels noticeably more composed and refined.
The reason it intrigues me is I have had two test drives in EQS's one in a 2024 EQS 450+ 4matic and another in a 2022 450+ rwd. I loved the drive of the 2024 but frankly preferred my W212 to the 2022. The driving the 2022 felt more disconnected than the 2024. Don't know if it is because of the 2024 had the AMG package wheels plus 4 matic or if as you are suggesting that there have been revisions to the suspension (which frankly would surprise me if it were true) Do you have anything to suggest that the 2024's are built different than the 2022-23's other than the heat pump and DDU other than your own perceptions?
Last edited by MBNUT1; Aug 30, 2025 at 02:20 PM.




The car drives and feels noticeably more composed and refined.
The reason it intrigues me is I have had two test drives in EQS's one in a 2024 EQS 450+ 4matic and another in a 2022 450+ rwd. I loved the drive of the 2024 but frankly preferred my W212 to the 2022. The driving the 2022 felt more disconnected than the 2024. Don't know if it is because of the 2024 had the AMG package wheels plus 4 matic or if as you are suggesting that there have been revisions to the suspension (which frankly would surprise me if it were true) Do you have anything to suggest that the 2024's are built different than the 2022-23's other than the heat pump and DDU other than your own perceptions?
Your skepticism about major changes to the physical suspension hardware is well-founded, but it's focused on the wrong variable. The "composed and refined" feel I described isn't due to a change in the springs or dampers, but rather in two other, more critical components:
- The Suspension Software and Calibration: The Airmatic system's behavior is almost entirely defined by its software. The significant software and calibration overhauls for the 2024 model year included updated damping logic and a refined control strategy for the air springs. It's a real, engineered change, just one that's written in code.
- The 4MATIC Disconnect Unit (DDU): This new piece of hardware, added for 2024, has a tangible impact on the car's cruising dynamics. By physically decoupling the front motor during steady-state driving, it fundamentally changes the car's driveline behavior, contributing to that more serene and refined feeling.
https://mbworld.org/forums/eqs/88491...em-2-26-a.html




https://mbworld.org/forums/eqs/88491...em-2-26-a.html
First, you seem to be arguing against your own firsthand experience. You yourself stated in your earlier post that you "loved the drive of the 2024" and found the 2022 to be "more disconnected." You are personally corroborating my central point that the '24 is a more refined vehicle.
Second, the OTA update thread you've linked is from February of this year, months before my '24 580 was even built. It arrived with the new, more advanced software calibrations from the factory. Therefore, that old OTA update for a previous model year's software and my firsthand comparison between a factory '23 and a factory '24 are two entirely different data sets.
Third, the great irony is that the very thread you've linked as evidence actually contains my own posts from back in February, where I was discussing the exact same sentiment—that the ride of my then-'23 450 felt less refined than it should. My assessment has been consistent from the very beginning.
The improvements in the 2024 models are a result of a symbiotic relationship between new hardware (the DDU) and the new factory software calibrations designed for it. One cannot be fully replicated without the other. This is a fundamental point of systems engineering, not just a simple software patch.
First, you seem to be arguing against your own firsthand experience. You yourself stated in your earlier post that you "loved the drive of the 2024" and found the 2022 to be "more disconnected." You are personally corroborating my central point that the '24 is a more refined vehicle.
Second, the OTA update thread you've linked is from February of this year, months before my '24 580 was even built. It arrived with the new, more advanced software calibrations from the factory. Therefore, that old OTA update for a previous model year's software and my firsthand comparison between a factory '23 and a factory '24 are two entirely different data sets.
Third, the great irony is that the very thread you've linked as evidence actually contains my own posts from back in February, where I was discussing the exact same sentiment—that the ride of my then-'23 450 felt less refined than it should. My assessment has been consistent from the very beginning.
The improvements in the 2024 models are a result of a symbiotic relationship between new hardware (the DDU) and the new factory software calibrations designed for it. One cannot be fully replicated without the other. This is a fundamental point of systems engineering, not just a simple software patch.
For 60-70K its best to get a 22-23 S-class CPO in mint condition. S-class will fetch 30-40K after three years but EQS you know...
I did see there are a lot of 24 EQS leftover with 7-800 a month lease specials I'd go with that though.




They say the down payment is 9K but in reality you can easily make it 3K down with some MSD's.
My first 23 EQS was advertised 9K down 799 a month + TAX but I got it for 3K down 719 + Tax with 7K MSD's. (I got mine back it was a lemon though)
My current 23 EQS with significantly higher MSRP was leased last July for 3K down 565 + TAX with 6K MSD. This car though sat in Alabama (I'm in CA) for a long time like almost 2 years and had 200 miles on the odometer.
I noticed you are at DFW, most EQS inventory has been shifted to CA due to high demands out here so you might need to look from here.




Can you tell me about the lemon? If it was discussed here and I can try to find the thread.
All EQS's had this issue nothing serious. I live in CA and only few good things about here is the consumer friendly lemon law and I got it lemoned.
MB since then came out with a patch and never happened with my new EQS.
If you are okay with a 23 and 22 and you drive ton of miles than CPO makes sense at 30-40K range.
I'd honestly get the CPO 23 for 40K.




