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The soft, and deep brake pedal feel is characteristic of an MB; why would anyone want that touchy, instant stop brake feel from a Toyota? You get so much more braking control and finesse with the MB feel.
The 222 is definitely growing on me. Especially the AMG body kit with 20" multi spokes. Then again I've been driving a C Class for the past year and a half so pretty much anything looks good to me now.
I think that the W222 is the best execution of the new design language. I think that the W222 is more elegant looking inside and out than the W221. Not that I don't think that the W221 isn't an impressive looking car in it's own right.
2011, 12 and 13 were all W221's. I am not real familiar with all the details but the differences in those years were primarily trim details, all have the 5sp transmission. The 7 speed arrived in the US on the W222 S65 in 2015. Always buy the newest and lowest mileage S65 you can almost afford.
Sorry, this was meant for the S65 forum where I replied, not sure how it got here!
Last edited by Quadrobenz; 08-04-2017 at 03:58 PM.
Reason: Wrong thread.
I came to these upscale sedans from an Toyota Avalon. A 2005 Limited model that was a good car but quite frankly lacked handling and/or any excitement or interesting characteristic of any kind. As has been described elsewhere, these cars have been accurately described as, "driving appliances", no offense intended. I think I know the world you are coming from. Overall, a mid 2000s Toyota Avalon is no comparison to either of these models. But to be fair, an Avalon is half to a third of the cost as well. I have no idea what the more current models are like.
I just sold a 2011 S550 and replaced it with a 2015 S550. I really did not think that MB could improve on the W221 experience but I was dead wrong. The W222 is better in almost every measure from a handling and performance standpoint. There are some design elements that do take some getting used to but after driving it a few weeks the 221 now seems a bit dated inside when I look at both of them side by side.
I am still mentally trying to get over the whole no spare issue but I am sure that too will pass. For comfort, I bought a small compressor and tire plug kit for those trips that might take me out of close repair. There is more than enough room in the truck for such equipment.
Burmeister audio is a vast improvement over the stock audio on the 2011 I had and the overall interior experience seems more refined and relaxing to me. Spend some time looking around the cabin of both cars and see what appeals to you. They are both awesome cars.
I bought my 2015 as a CPO and have warranty through 2021. That is another consideration and the primary reason for me to change cars. I really had no problems with the W221 but it scared me a bit to think of owning it out of warranty. I suppose it's possible I was just looking for an excuse to upgrade. Good luck with your shopping and above all, have fun.
Corvette C8 997S, Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve BMW 750 S560 Coupe
What you are feeling is drive by wire hesitation. It exists on every modern car (thank Audi for the loss of mechanical pedal control), I have sprint booster or pedal commanders on every modern car I own.
Every time I see a W221 pass by I think to myself "Is that guy some kind of a mafia Boss?" and then when I see a W222 pass by I tend to say "Is that the new E class , or maybe the new C class, or it could be the new S class."
Every time I see a W221 pass by I think to myself "Is that guy some kind of a mafia Boss?" and then when I see a W222 pass by I tend to say "Is that the new E class , or maybe the new C class, or it could be the new S class."
This is such an old, worn out statement; it's also false unless you are in need of better prescription glasses.
Every time I see a W221 pass by I think to myself "Is that guy some kind of a mafia Boss?" and then when I see a W222 pass by I tend to say "Is that the new E class , or maybe the new C class, or it could be the new S class."
I guess you have never driven a W222. If you had you would know the real differences. Two vastly different cars.
I guess you have never driven a W222. If you had you would know the real differences. Two vastly different cars.
I am pretty sure the interior and the design of the W222 has a lot of improvements over the W221.
What I am saying is the exterior design of the car. The way the exterior looks.
I guess you have never driven a W222. If you had you would know the real differences. Two vastly different cars.
That's not what he said... He's referring to the looks only, and I totally agree with him. I get confused when I see a new E thinking its a S. I'd take my previous 2013 S63 exterior over my newer S63 exterior any day. Their interior's are so far apart, they can't even be compared, which is why I moved to a 222 Over my 221.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by mnje350
I guess you have never driven a W222. If you had you would know the real differences. Two vastly different cars.
I disagree. I had a 2013 S550 Sedan with ABC and the S600 interior upgrade, I forgot what they called it. I traded that for a 2015 with MBC and the Exclusive Nappa interior and, to me, there was not much difference in the cars as far as how they performed. In many, many ways, I much preferred the W221. In a few ways, the 222 is better. If I could go out today and order a brand new 221, with all the current electronics and safety systems, I would in a heartbeat. I thought it to be a much more attractive exterior design, the interior controls were much more user friendly and it seemed to drive and ride every bit as good as my 222. But, with these cars being so complicated, owning one, at least for me, is no longer an option. I lease for 3 or 4 years and then I get a new one. It’s the way the game is played these days. I’m not thrilled with it, but MB makes the rules and I have chosen to play.
So I would argue that the criticism of the exterior should be that MB designed the C and the E to look like the S rather than the other way around. Especially since the W222 was launched before the new E and most recent C class. After having owned both the 221 and 222 it really does not bother me that C, E, and S class look very similar. I looked at buying a new E but I could not down grade myself to a four cylinder engine and to buy bigger put me over the price of an excellent condition 2015 CPO S 222. With extended warranty until 2021 and prepaid maintenance for the same period I am under what a similarly equipped E400 would cost. And after driving the 222 over a 2018 E, there simply is no comparison for the things that matter to me. That is performance, handling and what I can see from inside the car. The fact that it looks like a newer C or E melts away as soon as you sit in the car let alone drive it. Once you step on the accelerator you know you are in the right car.
there was not much difference in the cars as far as how they performed..
Really? Not much difference between the bi-turbo 4.7 liter and the NA 5.5 liter engine? Almost 50 more HP and a 30% increase in torque is pretty significant and hard to dismiss. I have to say that the way the 221 handled to me was very lumbering. That was why I was originally considering the new E class. Then I drove the W222. It is simply a much better handling car than the 221. Of course all of these things are subjective. I guess the 2018 W222 is also an even more refined drive. I think I will avoid driving that model as I am sure it will make me want to buy one.
I guess that your 2013 S550 had the same engine as the 2015 S550 so you would not experience any difference in engine performance. My mistake. I was comparing my 2011 S550 to the 2015 model. There is a lot of difference there.
I can understand that people like a W221 over a W222 from a design perspective. It is a very specific design and a personal choice in taste.
But how people can compare a C or E class in sport trim (with sport grill and all), 80%+ of which are the wimpy looking base models and say they look like an S-Class is beyond me. In the old days, the 190, E Class and S-class had more exterior similarities than the models today.
Ultimately, Mercedes has worked really hard to undo some of what people are pointing out so much; fender design. The W212 underwent the most expensive facelift in Mercedes history to get rid of them...
Really? Not much difference between the bi-turbo 4.7 liter and the NA 5.5 liter engine? Almost 50 more HP and a 30% increase in torque is pretty significant and hard to dismiss. I have to say that the way the 221 handled to me was very lumbering. That was why I was originally considering the new E class. Then I drove the W222. It is simply a much better handling car than the 221. Of course all of these things are subjective. I guess the 2018 W222 is also an even more refined drive. I think I will avoid driving that model as I am sure it will make me want to buy one.
The last cpl years of the 221 were already Bi-Turbo. That's why the negligible difference.
Last edited by Manofsteelpt; 11-19-2017 at 10:37 AM.
Did not take it that way at all. No sweat. I had forgotten that the 12’s and 13’s got the new DI biturbo though. This was a major upgrade over my 2011. The acceleration is really intoxicating and I am sure I will be spending money on tires.
Just traded my w221 2010 sport for a cpo 15 amg sport, def a night and day difference. the power band is totally different and the handling to me much improved over the boaty feel of the w221.
[QUOTE=1bad540;7317064]Just traded my w221 2010 sport for a cpo 15 amg sport, def a night and day difference. the power band is totally different and the handling to me much improved over the boaty feel of the w221.[/QUOTE
How does the predicted reliability compare between the w221 and the w222. A friend of mine felt the w221 was a cost cutting car and suggested the w222 which I purchased. The w221 is much more affordable and would make a great second car if it appears reliable.
06-27-2017, 10:13 PM
I wonder why the 2018 refresh didn't get them. 
