Consider two hypothetical W220s: an S55 and an S600, let's say 2005 models. Assume same mileage (call it 60k), same condition (near-perfect, or don't bother with one of these), and same equipment.

Which will be more expensive to maintain, long-term?

Which will have a good aftermarket warranty available?

Which is the better drive?

Or is it all a wash?

 

For sure V12 more money to up keep, but worth it, imho. Also, unless you get designo on S55, it's tough to compare inside. That said, the S55 will drive/shift sportier.
PL

 

S600 definitely more expensive to maintain - especially when (not if) the coil packs go out ($1200 each). Maintainance will be easier on the S55 in this regard with separate coils for each cylinder rather than 1 coil pack for 6 cylinders. But to give some perspective, I've sunk well over $6000 the last 12 months on my S600 (a run spanning 65k-90k miles on the odo) just keeping her running and maintained (many links regarding S600 upkeep). So create a repair/maintainance account and fund it well. (Well worth it imho)

The interior of the S600 is second to none. Period. There is nothing that is not covered in leather or alcantara.

Thrust from the V12TT torque is breathtaking, but not as sporty in feel as the AMG tune of the S55 in stock form (but you can get ECU & TCU tunes to fix that).

Good luck finding an aftermarket warranty for the S600 (not saying it can't be done)

 

My indie STRONGLY discouraged me from getting an S600 because of the maintenance expense. I took his advice and found a Designo S55. It's the best of both worlds.

 

It really depends on your personal taste, and goals.

To me (IMHO), as Mark noted the interior on the S55 is unacceptably plastic-y for a car of this caliber (Designo solves that).

The S55 is a good 400lbs lighter if I recall, and you def feel that in braking / transitions. It is immediately noticeably more sprightly.

S55 steering is much better in response, better steering wheel (with shifters!), and the TCU mapping is WORLDS better than even my Eurocharge flashed TCU and offers a true manual mode. I was pissed the flash didn't get me closer to 'that' honestly. The S55 mapping is SPOT ON for what the car needs / deserves.

Stock to stock though (I've not driven a modded S55 - they cost huge duckets to get good power out of them from what I've read?)... (again, to me) - there is simply nooooooo comparison.

To be brutally honest, I felt like I was driving with the ebrake on in the S55 after getting out of my 600 (sorry all, no offense intended, just on idiot's observation). It is a dramatic difference, worlds (universes?) more torque in the M275. I was astounded, I felt like I was driving my normally aspirated 4.2L 360hp 4k lb //S8.

Maintenance... like has been noted, guaranteed coil failure (seems to be every 60k maybe?) is an issue, as well as contending with (gasp!) 24 plugs (but really, big deal in the big picture - what's that, like $350? It's more the labor/effort involved... and coils / plugs are EXTREMELY DIY friendly IMO).

Beyond that? They are exactly the same systems (trans, brakes, suspension)... so... I don't see what more they can cost to own. Some may argue the added 400lbs adds to eating more brakes / suspension issuses - maybe?

Hope that helps - you can't go wrong with either though, they are both fantastic rewarding cars to own!

I wouldn't own either w/o an extended warranty (personally)... those are more affordable (relatively speaking, they're still $$$) for the S55 than the S600... there are very few companies left that offer coverage on them, and options are slim and $$$$$$$$$ as the miles exceed 60k.

 

Thanks all for the replies.