New guy in Japan
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
745i BMW '05, S550 '08
New guy in Japan
Looking to join the ranks of fellow W221 owners. Just would wanted to send a shout out before asking a few questions. Nice forum btw. A tad about me, I'm from the USA, but am in Japan. I work for non other than John Deere ( Regional Service Director).
As for the questions, I'm looking to pick up a S550 this week. Spotted two I was interested in. One was the S550 4matic, not sure what all that entails, but wanted to know if I could do 22's without issue on the 4matic. When changing wheels do I need sensors in an 06/07 model? Other than that is there anything else I need to be aware of before purchasing?
Just sold my '05 745i recently and decided to go Benz. After having all the space in the 7 I chose the S550 over the CLS550. I loved my 7, but had a few headaches with the dealership here and decided to move on. The 7 was a fun car (few hiccups here and there with electrical problems), but overall I was able to fix the issues (faulty alternator, etc.) myself. Again great forum, here's to hoping we can talk shop during my stay, and thanks in advance gentlemen.
As for the questions, I'm looking to pick up a S550 this week. Spotted two I was interested in. One was the S550 4matic, not sure what all that entails, but wanted to know if I could do 22's without issue on the 4matic. When changing wheels do I need sensors in an 06/07 model? Other than that is there anything else I need to be aware of before purchasing?
Just sold my '05 745i recently and decided to go Benz. After having all the space in the 7 I chose the S550 over the CLS550. I loved my 7, but had a few headaches with the dealership here and decided to move on. The 7 was a fun car (few hiccups here and there with electrical problems), but overall I was able to fix the issues (faulty alternator, etc.) myself. Again great forum, here's to hoping we can talk shop during my stay, and thanks in advance gentlemen.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 1
From: NS, Canada
2023 E53 AMG, 2024 EQE AMG SUV
Looking to join the ranks of fellow W221 owners. Just would wanted to send a shout out before asking a few questions. Nice forum btw. A tad about me, I'm from the USA, but am in Japan. I work for non other than John Deere ( Regional Service Director).
As for the questions, I'm looking to pick up a S550 this week. Spotted two I was interested in. One was the S550 4matic, not sure what all that entails, but wanted to know if I could do 22's without issue on the 4matic. When changing wheels do I need sensors in an 06/07 model? Other than that is there anything else I need to be aware of before purchasing?
Just sold my '05 745i recently and decided to go Benz. After having all the space in the 7 I chose the S550 over the CLS550. I loved my 7, but had a few headaches with the dealership here and decided to move on. The 7 was a fun car (few hiccups here and there with electrical problems), but overall I was able to fix the issues (faulty alternator, etc.) myself. Again great forum, here's to hoping we can talk shop during my stay, and thanks in advance gentlemen.
As for the questions, I'm looking to pick up a S550 this week. Spotted two I was interested in. One was the S550 4matic, not sure what all that entails, but wanted to know if I could do 22's without issue on the 4matic. When changing wheels do I need sensors in an 06/07 model? Other than that is there anything else I need to be aware of before purchasing?
Just sold my '05 745i recently and decided to go Benz. After having all the space in the 7 I chose the S550 over the CLS550. I loved my 7, but had a few headaches with the dealership here and decided to move on. The 7 was a fun car (few hiccups here and there with electrical problems), but overall I was able to fix the issues (faulty alternator, etc.) myself. Again great forum, here's to hoping we can talk shop during my stay, and thanks in advance gentlemen.
Aside from that, they'll be the typical 7G transmission issues (namely the valve body). That is usually only an issue in the 2007s but they seem to have gotten better after that. All things aside they are very reliable cars.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
745i BMW '05, S550 '08
Just my 2 cents on the 4matic and running 22s on it; I would make sure that you don't use a staggered setup and use the same width rim all around. Some people claim that using staggered rims is ok on 4matic, but I tend to disagree since if it was ok Mercedes would be shipping them from the factory like that.
Aside from that, they'll be the typical 7G transmission issues (namely the valve body). That is usually only an issue in the 2007s but they seem to have gotten better after that. All things aside they are very reliable cars.
Aside from that, they'll be the typical 7G transmission issues (namely the valve body). That is usually only an issue in the 2007s but they seem to have gotten better after that. All things aside they are very reliable cars.
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
'10 S550 4Matic, '06 BMW M5
I don't know the technical reasoning behind a non-staggered setup for a 4Matic car. One of my former employees who was mechanically inclined said it had to do with the mechanical differential in charge of operating the AWD setup. I personally wouldn't run a staggered setup because I have a lack of knowledge of the consequences. If you must have a staggered setup, then why not just find a RWD S class instead of a 4Matic model? If you're willing to go RWD, this opens up the possibility of an S63 or and S65 (gasp!). Just food for thought. Obviously you have many factors to consider.
My M5 runs a staggered setup as OEM, and it is appropriate there with the RWD setup. I don't know of any German car companies producing AWD cars with a staggered setup, so there must be a reason. BTW my S550 has the factory/OEM 20" wheel package, and they are all the same width on my 4Matic. Good luck.
My M5 runs a staggered setup as OEM, and it is appropriate there with the RWD setup. I don't know of any German car companies producing AWD cars with a staggered setup, so there must be a reason. BTW my S550 has the factory/OEM 20" wheel package, and they are all the same width on my 4Matic. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
745i BMW '05, S550 '08
I don't know the technical reasoning behind a non-staggered setup for a 4Matic car. One of my former employees who was mechanically inclined said it had to do with the mechanical differential in charge of operating the AWD setup. I personally wouldn't run a staggered setup because I have a lack of knowledge of the consequences. If you must have a staggered setup, then why not just find a RWD S class instead of a 4Matic model? If you're willing to go RWD, this opens up the possibility of an S63 or and S65 (gasp!). Just food for thought. Obviously you have many factors to consider.
My M5 runs a staggered setup as OEM, and it is appropriate there with the RWD setup. I don't know of any German car companies producing AWD cars with a staggered setup, so there must be a reason. BTW my S550 has the factory/OEM 20" wheel package, and they are all the same width on my 4Matic. Good luck.
My M5 runs a staggered setup as OEM, and it is appropriate there with the RWD setup. I don't know of any German car companies producing AWD cars with a staggered setup, so there must be a reason. BTW my S550 has the factory/OEM 20" wheel package, and they are all the same width on my 4Matic. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
745i BMW '05, S550 '08
Trending Topics
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
Various
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 2
2007 S 600 / '06 911 Porsche C4S cab
Welcome, and you'll find this a great forum as the S class drivers are a great bunch and know their stuff. I drove my nephew's 750 BMW and while I'm a huge bimmer fan, the S class is way better. Can't put my finger on why but it seems to be in every respect... you'll see for yourself...
As for the tire thing, I am personally fine with little 'ol 19's on my car and would think that 20"+ rims, and especially 22's would feel every bump. The owners of 22's could weigh in on that one.
As for 4 matic, good choice if there's snow in Japan, and if it's alot, 4 snow tires would make the car an awesome winter machine. Enjoy!
As for the tire thing, I am personally fine with little 'ol 19's on my car and would think that 20"+ rims, and especially 22's would feel every bump. The owners of 22's could weigh in on that one.
As for 4 matic, good choice if there's snow in Japan, and if it's alot, 4 snow tires would make the car an awesome winter machine. Enjoy!
