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The 2017 has the M278 engine, and it is the last year which this 4.7L biturbo engine was used in the S class (S550). It is a tried and true engine and has a reputation for rock-solid performance and durability. Routine recommended service will get you to 200K miles without unusual hiccups. 2015, 2016, 2017 year versions are essentially identical so you're best off with the newest (least wear).
The newer inline-6 M256 and the newer 4L hot-V turbo M176 engine in the 2018+ models are newer engines and do not have long track records. The US version of the S450 was using a V6. However, you get the newest technology upgrades in the 2018 and 2019 models, and with the rapid changes in technology, it’s nice to have extra safety.
The 2017 has the M278 engine, and it is the last year which this 4.7L biturbo engine was used in the S class (S550). It is a tried and true engine and has a reputation for rock-solid performance and durability. Routine recommended service will get you to 200K miles without unusual hiccups. 2015, 2016, 2017 year versions are essentially identical so you're best off with the newest (least wear).
The newer inline-6 M256 and the newer 4L hot-V turbo M176 engine in the 2018+ models are newer engines and do not have long track records. The US version of the S450 was using a V6. However, you get the newest technology upgrades in the 2018 and 2019 models, and with the rapid changes in technology, it’s nice to have extra safety.
The V8 4 liter engine has been around for close to 5 years now, so it does have track record. The prior M278 for 7 years in the S and until now in the SL.
Both are solid engines. The newer M176 has been designed by AMG has been great while the M178 AMG engine had some CEL issues in the US which have been resolved via a software update.
It did result in quite a few buybacks, primarily on the E-class due to the slow response time from MB to get this resolved.
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
My 16 Maybach now has about 65000 miles on it and its been a good car. Only out of the ordinary repairs are two idler pulleys (cost me less than $200) and an AC system recharge ($70). Add to it a couple early millage minor factory warranty items like a squeaky front end suspension arm thats all. Car runs great.
That is amazing to hear for a 12 cylinder MB. People have the perception that they are SO expensive to maintain . Good to know...
I had a 2007 S600 and the only thing that failed was an idler pulley at around 18,000 miles.
Move forward: I now have a 2017 S63 AMG with 77,000 miles!!!!!! Probably the highest mileage 2017 out there, and it has given me no problems at all except one day some misfires. Codes were checked and it never happened again. I think the 2015-2017 S classes are the best models in history of Mercedes Benz.
I nearly traded for a 2019 this past Saturday and declined. I said to myself, it's not giving me one sign of problems, why trade???
So to answer the question: I do agree that the 2017 model S classes have the highest reliability ratings above all other luxury automobiles.
My 16 Maybach now has about 65000 miles on it and its been a good car. Only out of the ordinary repairs are two idler pulleys (cost me less than $200) and an AC system recharge ($70). Add to it a couple early millage minor factory warranty items like a squeaky front end suspension arm thats all. Car runs great.
My 2007 S600 had an idler pulley fail at 18,000 miles. Other than that, absolutely no problems at all. Was covered under warranty.
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
These days for the most part the only people that talk about a car having reliability issues are the garbage that trys to sell someone an extended warranty on a car. Make up some failures so as to scare the people into buying junk warranties.
Consumer Reports rates cars and publishes all the info in their March Issue. Mercedes S Class had an average reliability rating. I think that since there are so few S-Class cars out there, they are getting a small sampling (mostly of people complaining about something) and not getting a true picture. My 2017 S550 has 36,000 miles on it with zero issues. BTW, my lease is up in November and i'm seriously thinking of re-leasing my car or buying it out (I have to see what my buyout is). I love the car. Mine's pretty loaded too which helps.
I have the '15 W222 S550, 74K, 5 years, $0.00 spent on repairs (except for oil/fluid change, one time AC gas refill and the recent brakes/rotor change at 65K miles if you consider those a repair). Beside the $0.00 spent on any major repairs, I also never claimed any issues even when it was under warranty (except for a transmission software update that I requested 4 weeks ago to make the downshift smoother).
Conclusion, happy costumer, 5 years, 74K no issues at all thanks god... knock on wood ! what a reliable car. We still have to wait at least 2 more years to confirm how reliable the new engine on the face-lift as you need a good sample of reports to be statistically valid to draw any conclusion, usually Mercedes doesn't have good luck with the first few years when a new engine or transmission is redesigned, which is why I think the new W223 will have same engine of the facelift but with the few minor or even major issues addressed in the new design ( i guess only MB as a company currently have a statistically valid reports on the issues of the new engine/transmission on the facelifted model). Over the years I learnt to avoid trading in during the year when there is a completely redesigned engine/transmission put on (I know it would be normally covered under warranty, but for those who keep their cars up to 100K miles or 7+ years like me, it's best to buy reliable ones with proven record to avoid any issues on the long run).
So I have a 15 that i bought cpo'd 2 years ago. It has gone back for brake booster whining sound and an oil smell some gaskets were replaced Id have to chk, its now in for an early 50k mile service car has 38k and I got it w 28k. Was told a rear cam seal? Not covered by cpo, rear seat belt also stopped retracting. So in the 10k miles Ive had the car its been back to the dealer 3x. I like how alot of people say there car hasnt been back in x miles but they didnt get the car w 0 miles so they dont know what happened before they had it.
So I have a 15 that i bought cpo'd 2 years ago. It has gone back for brake booster whining sound and an oil smell some gaskets were replaced Id have to chk, its now in for an early 50k mile service car has 38k and I got it w 28k. Was told a rear cam seal? Not covered by cpo, rear seat belt also stopped retracting. So in the 10k miles Ive had the car its been back to the dealer 3x. I like how alot of people say there car hasnt been back in x miles but they didnt get the car w 0 miles so they dont know what happened before they had it.
Why are you doing an early 50k mile service while it has 38k only, just curious?
Hello,
Wonder if someone has any suggestions.
Im now living in Nice, France and looking 2015-17 S350. Are these years similar in engine/reliability? Thank you.
Hello,
Wonder if someone has any suggestions.
Im now living in Nice, France and looking 2015-17 S350. Are these years similar in engine/reliability? Thank you.
I had a 2017 that I absolutely loved. No issues. Just got the 2020 S560 almost two months ago and hate it with an passion. It’s been in the shop for almost a month and it’s still not right. One issue was corrected, but still having very hard downshifting in sport mode. The car is not fun to drive anymore. Talking it back next week.
06-27-2019, 11:15 AM
S350 2015-2017 year/engine comments /suggestions
