I'm looking to pick up a C217 soon and I'm wondering which one I should be looking for. I'm leaning toward the 560 with AMG package, but not necessarily the S63/65.

Were there any facelifts or updates other that the 2018 that matter? Any to definitely stay away from?

Thanks for your feedback!

 

While I cant specifically address the 560, I can give you a little feedback on the AMGs. I have a 2017 and have saddle time with the newer cars too. For me both have their advantages. Aside from the engine and drive-train change, you see a generation change in the tech via the digital screens. Starting in 2018 you'll see much more "gee wiz" displays. Benz opted to change a few buttons around, but you'll get a nice upgrade should you want launch control, performance readouts and enhanced connectivity. Basically, same functionality served up with a lot of sizzle. I get a little "nervous" though as software gets more complicated. So there is a comfort level for me in the pre-facelift tech. Simple, is.... simpler. That's about all as far as body and interior. Engine's are vastly different. But again, both have their own advantages. So.... go with a well maintained vehicle. One that has a service history and isn't trying to hide anything. Look for one that has had some of the more expensive wear items handled. Like brakes, transmission service and plugs. I gave up my search for a second C217 and added a new car that is vastly different, but really complements my drive options. I believe my S63 is and will be, my most cherished, favorite vehicle that I've owned. after about 7 years, I still look for excuses to drive it. Just does it all well. Hope that helps a little.

 

Good & Bad:
Stay away from: S500/S550, S63 pre-facelift - you do not want to deal with the myriad of engine issues in the m278/m157 - just don't get these if u plan to keep the car.
Good to get: S400 (not available for the North American market), S450 (facelift of S400, not available for the North American market), S560, S63 post-facelift, S65 pre-/post-facelift.

4matic vs RWD:
Since you are in California I don't know if you care if it is 4matic or RWD - 4matic cars are a bit heavier.

Pre-facelift vs Post-Facelift:

S400 and S65 pre-facelift cars:

S400: The first is not available in NA and is aging.
S65: A V12 car with hydraulic suspension that will soon clock the 10-year mark (earlier models have done it in 2024) and from experience you do not want to have the aging combo of: m275/m279 and hydraulic suspension (even though both have been significantly improved over the years I still wouldn't go for this one - one issue persisting through the years on the m275/m279 engines is the plastic oil reservoir which is located in the valley of the two heads and in order to access it you have to remove the heads). The tunability of the S65 is also limited (really very few people know how to tune the v12 platform despite its introduction in mid 2002).

S560, S63, S65 cars:
Many upgrades across the V8 models (much more reliable engine - m176/m177 LS2), while the S65 can be considered simply a later model year with new screen inside, steering wheel, bumper, inserts, and stop lights.

Non-AMG vs AMG:
non-AMG

S400/S450: Again, if you are in the US I don't think you want to go to the trouble of ordering S400/S450 from outside. Also it has the smallest engine (M276 3.0 V6 biturbo, 367 bhp, 500Nm) of all of the above. So that I would consider a no-go.

S560: Most commonly available. It has the M176 engine with an engine block which is known to handle reliably 1200+ WHP (without sleeves). Reliability is stellar, with many cars reaching the 150-250k mile mark and perhaps requiring only chain replacement at 150k miles.

Some issues for this engine (shared with the M177 found in the S63):
1. Rear main seal (RMC) and oil separators - you can learn about this in the w213 E63 (pre-facelift) forums - it persists across all M176/m177/m178 platforms - it is an engine out job and it seems like it is not cheap in the US: 2. Water thermostat - not sure if it is an engine out job but it is nasty and has to be checked.
3. Valve train head gaskets - yeah they fail every now and then so check for sweating and leaks.

These are the top 3 for this engine - once fixed, you can forget pretty much forever.

Tunability: The m176 engine is basically detuned M177 engine. The M177 engine came in the C63(s) it was dubbed M177 LS1. It is 4.0 v8 - either with single scroll (LS1 in the C and GLC cars producing between 469 and 500 hp for the (s) versions) or twinscroll (LS2 in the E, S, GLE, GT 4-door cars producing from 577 to 630 hp). I will exclude from this post the m178 with flatplane cranshaft and drysump lubrication and any discussions on the AMG GT 2-door cars as they are quite different cars.

The LS1 cars on Stage 3 tunes produce about 1000 bhp in their most aggressive forms, while LS2 cars on most aggressive Stage 3 tunes about 1100-1200 bhp on stock unopened engine. I wouldn't advise pushing the stock rods and pistons for long on such power in each variant. The LS1 engine has higher compression ratio.

All in all this engine is highly reliable and highly tunable - Mercedes' most powerful cars from GAD and ECCTuned for example are testaments to this, while the many people on the C63, E63, GLC63, and other forums can confirm its reliability. Many guys drive these cars daily even on Stage 3 tuned above 850 bhp.

AMG

S63: The same engine as the one in the S560, but with larger twin-scroll turbos producing 603 bhp vs the 463 bhp in the S560. Here you have a stiffer suspension, 4matic+ system, and race start. Also the bumpers are different (the rear bumper is the same, just the "diffuser" and the exhaust tips are different). You also have a different exhaust system (electrically activated exhaust flaps vs vaccum activated ones in the non-AMG cars, without resonators). Also the engine compression ratio is lower here as the M176 engine in the S560 is closer to the M177 LS1 found in the C63 cars, while this one is identical to those found in the E63/GT63 4-door, only differences being the turbos). In terms of interior here you can get perhaps different color combinations and the seat's leather pattern is slightly different.

All in all - a slighly upgraded version of the S560 in my eyes.

S65: As noted later model year of the pre-face with a bit different visual characteristics and also it is much more expensive than the coupes with other engines.

Bottom line (my personal opinion):
Unless you are the type of person to want to always do something to their car - like constant power upgrades or wanting to go and build the car to 1200+ bhp, then get the S560.

As a daily - more comfortably, more reliable.

If you want power upgrades or longevity upgrades here and there - there is potential - pretty much all upgrades built for the C63, E63 and others are directly available here - be it turbos, HPFP, exhaust (S63/S65 is bolt on), downpipes, intercoolers, low-temp rads, exhaust manifolds, billet intake plenums and the list goes on. Also on the C217 chassis the space in front of the driver's side wheel arch is empty (the horn is there) and can be utilized for additional radiators (e.g. trans cooling).

If you want visual appearance - there are cheap S63/S65 kits which are being used all the time even on S550 to upgrade a 2014 car to 2021 car visual. There are many spoilers available from S63 yellow night edition lip, through ducktail, to Brabus. Also on the S63 front bumper there are Brabus inserts available and if u get AMG line S560 on the rear bumper u can place S63 trim and exhaust tips or go for the Brabus package.

What I mean is is that there is a lot you can do also on the S560 if you want to. If you want to go full blown 1250 awhp built you have to get the S63.

*If you can skip the car with Swarovski lights - if one single "diamond" burns out you will end up searching for a headlight unit forever.

 

I have owned 3 S class Coupes, 2016 S550, 2018 (which I believe is still for sale at my friends dealership) and a 2020 S63 that is my 71st MB and in my garage now. I had no issues with the S550 and while I much prefer the transmission in the 560 as well as the engine and updated tech, the 550 was a nice car to own. My 560 does have the S63 grill cardon fiber rear spoiler and side mirrors as well as a custom made leather steering wheel. The car is in amazing shape so PM me if you want to know where it is.

 

By no means is the 2016 S550 a bad car (especially since they updated the cylinder liners for that year to cast-iron sleeves), however it is still prone to scratching the walls, and in the presence of S560 on the market, the latter is the superior choice. Now, you can still get beaten up S550 and go all out darton sleeves, italianRP or Carillo conrods and pistons, upgraded turbocharges (with the latest hot side housing so it doesn't crack), bridge pipes, downpipes, built 7G transmission and so on and so forth and ultimately end up with more powerful and equally reliable S class coupe, but I am not sure if the time invested is worth it, given that you would still inherit everything pre-facelift in that car.

With respect to your S560 - that must be one beautiful C217 worth a few photos here if still for sale and maybe someone will pick up on it.

 

I don't know the rules about posting cars for sale on here, but I traded it in on the 2020 S63 coupe that (I posted a photo of it in the AMG coupe section) I have now. I know they have had a lot of interest in the car and I do not think it will last much longer. I kept the original grill and steering wheel in case the new owner wanted it (not sure why they would but to each his own). The S63 is a very different car than the 500 or 560 and even in comfort mode it does not ride like the 560, and once my transmission was reset and I began to drive it the way I like to drive (my individual mode is set to manual and everything in at least sport mode), and the throttle controller is active the 63 is fun, but not in a GT cruiser sort of way. In fact my girlfriend does not like it unless it is in comfort mode, where in my opinion the transmission is not the greatest. I did pull the throttle controller out of the 560 and install it (pedal commander with Bluetooth so it is hidden) in the 63. I use throttle controllers in all my cars but one since drive by wire delay drives me crazy. It makes a big difference in these cars and I would recommend it.

 

Yeah I saw the S63 you got - super super nice and definitely the deal of the century. Wish you many good miles with her!

 

Thanks, it was quite a deal, it is nice to have friends in the business. I sold a few of my cars to them during the pandemic (including my 2016 GTS which was traded in earlier this year I almost bought it back), and they all made a lot of money on them, so this was sort a return of the favor. The S63 and the 65 are in my opinion difficult cars to classify, they are not sports cars (way to big and heavy), but if I was looking for a GT car, the 550 or 560 coupe is a much better choice. I have owned a few Maserati's as well including two Gran Turismo's and I was recently offered one (the new one) with less that 2000 miles with a 265K sticker for 110K. I drove it for a day and while it was fast and maybe a bit more focused on sport over luxury, it was missing something, that until I bought the S63 I did not know what exactly. That was that is was trying too hard to be a sports car, which it is not and while the leather does have that Ferrari like feel and smell and the one I was offered had all the good options, it still did not have the feeling of luxury that the Mercedes has. I may still end up with it since I have a hard time passing up a good deal, which is why the s63 is car # 488.