W220 as Commuter Car
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 53
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From: Boston & Los Angeles
Volvo & Mercedes
W220 as Commuter Car
I'm looking for a commuter car and have a few questions about the W220.
I have loved the design ever since it debuted. I would be looking for a model after MY'03.
I would be commuting in the relentless Los Angeles traffic and I was wondering if anyone else here uses their S-Class in such bad traffic daily? If so, how does it perform? Can it take high temperatures in stop and go traffic day after day with the AC on and not suffer any major issues?
For a commuter car, is there any advantage to the 500 over the 430? Is one engine more reliable than the other? Are there any concerns with the 7 speed trans? Are the ventilated seats worth it? Is the factory iPod connection good?
I've read that some years are better than others in terms of quality control after Daimler and Chrysler merged names.
Thank you for any advice.
I have loved the design ever since it debuted. I would be looking for a model after MY'03.
I would be commuting in the relentless Los Angeles traffic and I was wondering if anyone else here uses their S-Class in such bad traffic daily? If so, how does it perform? Can it take high temperatures in stop and go traffic day after day with the AC on and not suffer any major issues?
For a commuter car, is there any advantage to the 500 over the 430? Is one engine more reliable than the other? Are there any concerns with the 7 speed trans? Are the ventilated seats worth it? Is the factory iPod connection good?
I've read that some years are better than others in terms of quality control after Daimler and Chrysler merged names.
Thank you for any advice.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
1. Yes it will be fine. do the coolant flush every two years using only MB coolant and the car won't overheat unless you have a mechanical issue.
2. If you're just commuting, not really. Both are far more lux than the average car. 500 is nicer for reasons other than just power, but again, not hugely different.
3. Its the same engine with a longer stroke. You'll be fine with both engines.
4. Some people have issues with the 7 speed, most don't. Change tranny fluid every 30k to 50k and you'll be fine.
5. I find ventilated seats to be sorta weak. Not a must have for me.
6. I don't think a lot of them have ipod connections. I don't think I can use the ipod in my 05 without other gadgets.
7. Buy the newest 220 you can afford.
2. If you're just commuting, not really. Both are far more lux than the average car. 500 is nicer for reasons other than just power, but again, not hugely different.
3. Its the same engine with a longer stroke. You'll be fine with both engines.
4. Some people have issues with the 7 speed, most don't. Change tranny fluid every 30k to 50k and you'll be fine.
5. I find ventilated seats to be sorta weak. Not a must have for me.
6. I don't think a lot of them have ipod connections. I don't think I can use the ipod in my 05 without other gadgets.
7. Buy the newest 220 you can afford.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 53
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From: Boston & Los Angeles
Volvo & Mercedes
Thanks for your reply, OliverK.
I had read a press release from Apple in 2005 that stated that "select" 2005 Mercedes could use an iPod, but its hard to find much more info than that.
What kind of issues have people had with the 7 speed?
I had read a press release from Apple in 2005 that stated that "select" 2005 Mercedes could use an iPod, but its hard to find much more info than that.
What kind of issues have people had with the 7 speed?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
Couldn't give you the specific problems, but seems to be a slightly jerky 2 to 1 downshift.
Some of the real throttle happy performance guys have friend the clutches, but they are doing drag strip runs in 400+ hp cars. Commuting should be fine.
Some of the real throttle happy performance guys have friend the clutches, but they are doing drag strip runs in 400+ hp cars. Commuting should be fine.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Best bet for iPod in a W220 is aftermarket; Check the Dension Gateway 500 (the clearest writeup is at http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.p...073#post189073) or http://www.cartronics.com/MBcompatibility.html.
Note that there are significant differences in the capabilities between the D2B bus (older) and MOST bus ('04 and later).
Note that there are significant differences in the capabilities between the D2B bus (older) and MOST bus ('04 and later).
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY & SE England
A Mercedes obviously!
1. Yes it will be fine. do the coolant flush every two years using only MB coolant and the car won't overheat unless you have a mechanical issue.
2. If you're just commuting, not really. Both are far more lux than the average car. 500 is nicer for reasons other than just power, but again, not hugely different.
3. Its the same engine with a longer stroke. You'll be fine with both engines.
4. Some people have issues with the 7 speed, most don't. Change tranny fluid every 30k to 50k and you'll be fine.
5. I find ventilated seats to be sorta weak. Not a must have for me.
6. I don't think a lot of them have ipod connections. I don't think I can use the ipod in my 05 without other gadgets.
7. Buy the newest 220 you can afford.
2. If you're just commuting, not really. Both are far more lux than the average car. 500 is nicer for reasons other than just power, but again, not hugely different.
3. Its the same engine with a longer stroke. You'll be fine with both engines.
4. Some people have issues with the 7 speed, most don't. Change tranny fluid every 30k to 50k and you'll be fine.
5. I find ventilated seats to be sorta weak. Not a must have for me.
6. I don't think a lot of them have ipod connections. I don't think I can use the ipod in my 05 without other gadgets.
7. Buy the newest 220 you can afford.
A couple of thoughts of mine...
-The 500s come with slightly higher spec than the 430s, though this does vary by model year.
-Only the '03s have direct iPod connectivity through the AUX socket in the glove box. I think I've got the location of that right...
-The ventilated seats aren't fantastic but a nice feature to have. I find mine work best when I have the rear AC unit working (not all 500s have this) as they recirculate the air and the 'intakes' are in the back of the seat. My father's W220 had ventilated seats and tray tables for rear passengers and it was MUCH more effective than mine. I assume because there were no intakes in the back it was piped in straight from the AC.
-My 600 does run warm in traffic, almost to 100 degrees at times, it needs quite a bit of fast flowing air to keep the engine temperature in the middle range.
