Ninamashr

This is my 1st post on this website and I really appreciate the knowledge and insight of all who are part of this forum. After driving a few S55 AMG's and a 2003 S600 I have been stung by the MB bug. I will be buying one before the end of this year. I now have the opportunity to buy a 2005 AMG S55 or a 2005 S600 Bi-turbo and am looking for advice. The price, condition, and mileage of 90K are pretty much the same for both cars. Those 3 items being equal which one would you pick? I know the price for replacements parts will be expensive over all for both vehicles, I can do most of the repairs myself, (short of an engine or transmission swap), so labor won't be an issue. I know they have same ABC suspension so I guess my choice is to pick between the engines? Do I go with the better reliability of the S/C V8 or go with the intoxicating grunt of V12? What would you do?

amstel78

The V12 engines and 722.6 5 speed transmissions are pretty bullet proof. It's the attachments that tend to fail. In the V12s, ignition coil cassettes and transformers is its achilles heel. The ABC systems on both the S600/65 and S55 AMGs can also be finicky to maintain. Suggest at minimum a fluid flush and filter every 2 to 3 years.

The S55 will be slightly less costly to maintain. The S600 slightly more. You can tune an S600 to become a monster though. The S55 will benefit from tuning but not as much.

S430AMG

I'll be honest, S600 and S55 AMG are amazing cars but the complexity levels and risk goes up dramatically with these vs S500 or S430. And trust me when I tell you, even those are already complex enough.

I wouldn't want to own S600 or S55 outside of the warranty period. Heck the only reason I own S430 is because I do all the work on it myself and because it was extremely cheap to by (luck/family)

Ninamashr

Thank you for all the information. I think i'm going to go for the S55. I appreciate your comments.

MikeKerr7

For maintenance purposes, the S55 is a much easier beast than the S600. Other than the hydraulic suspension system, not all that much difference between the S55 and S500/S430. But I should note the hydraulic suspension is a big exposure....

Fraser

When I was in this position, albeit, back in 2009 I was tossing up S55, S65 and S600 and went for the latter in the end. One of the things not mentioned on here is the cost of the AMG brake sets, it's several multiples of the Brembos on the S600.

Dalplex

Not sure about S600 but I feel S55 is noisy. It is okay for a sport car but not for S class.

ibeforreal

Buy a loaded S500 with the AMG body and save yourself a lot of money and headaches.

Icarus747

The S600 is an awesome car. Expensive to own and maintain even if you do the work yourself. After owning one I think I am hooked on MB. I feel like I robbed a bank every time I drive it. Mine is a 2004 w/100k. The O2 sensor is failing...one of 4...and right rear shock leaking some (about $550 Over hauled Arnodtt...not counting fluid). I did buy an after market PC for diagnosis purposes...$750. I love the car even given it's issues and shortcomings. Bought it in Houston and it had an extended warranty up till 2014. I bought in 2016. I did the Eurocharged upgrade to the ECU/TCU..a def. improvement for the $$$. Good luck whatever you buy.

300SDLguy

I'd choose the S600. S55 if you like more rumble, but otherwise the silky smooth and whisper quite The V12 is an awesome drivetrain and driving experience. Mine, like Icarus747, is/are 2004's, one since new, one was an MB certified. S600 has 40K miles and the CL600 has 60k, they are no longer daily drivers, but now garage queens, but BOTH prior to being retired, had to have the ABC suspension hoses renewed, seem more like an age issue that a mileage. A quality warranty is ALWAYS a good idea, these are not cars for the faint of heart when something goes wrong, especially if your only option is to use a MBZ dealer for service.

hyperion667

55!

VictoryRoadPerformance

55!

Astro14

The 600 is a monster - from the factory, it's got more HP and torque than the 55 (not rated, but MB was sandbagging when they rated the V-12 at 493BHP, and the real world performance is better) and tuned, the difference is even more pronounced.

There is something fundamentally different about owning a V-12 - the engine of Packard, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston-Martin, Rolls Royce, and, of course fighter planes in WW II.

Every car guy should own a V-12.

hyperion667

That's tough to argue against

S430AMG

That is a pretty broad statement. There is a lot of different car guys with different needs. I'm a car guy that works on his own cars and drives them on regular basis. Owning a V12, out of warranty Mercedes is quite unappealing to be honest.

Sure, everyone CAN own it but let's be honest, one has to ask "for how long" and "at what cost".

Personally, with my experience working on cars for few decades, my statement would be quite opposite to yours. "DO NOT TOUCH with a 100 foot pole"

Welwynnick

I have a four cylinder diesel to commute to work, which keeps me grounded, and stops me forgetting what an occasion it is to get behind the wheel of a V12.

Nick