After 7 months of ownership ...
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 449
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From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan
11 S550V4
After 7 months of ownership ...
After 7 months, and 8600 miles, of ownership, I'd have to say I am a bit disappointed in the little problems I've been having with my 11 S550V4 ... I would just like to share some of the problems I've had; perhaps some of you have the same issues, or can share how you would take care of it?
1- Distronic inoperative .. have had this happen 4 or 5 times over the past few months, sometimes it would just come back, and other times you would have to restart the vehicle.
2- lane keeping assist inactive ... This only started happening when the weather started getting cold here in NY. I don't receive any warnings or messages, however the icon for the lane keep assist doesn't light up. When you scroll to the "assistance" menu, you see it activated, but no matter how many times you turn it on or off, it remains off, until the weather warms up.
3- transmission jerk ... bad when engine is cold from 2nd to 3rd gear, worse when weather is cold ... only seems to go away when the car warms up. Strange ... my 09 doesn't have this problem?
4- poor fit of doors ... the front doors do not line up to the rear doors (no, I haven't been in a collision)
5- the rear speaker deck seems to rattle a bit now, along with the passenger side rear entertainment screen. Quite annoying.
6- keyless go doesn't always recognize when I walk up to the door and touch the handle. Most of the time I have to pull at the handle multiple times before the doors decide to unlock
does anybody else on here experience these same problems?
One thing, though, the B&O sound system is excellent! Perhaps not as good as the Nakamichi in the 91 LS400 I had, but overall it's worth the upgrade, IMHO
1- Distronic inoperative .. have had this happen 4 or 5 times over the past few months, sometimes it would just come back, and other times you would have to restart the vehicle.
2- lane keeping assist inactive ... This only started happening when the weather started getting cold here in NY. I don't receive any warnings or messages, however the icon for the lane keep assist doesn't light up. When you scroll to the "assistance" menu, you see it activated, but no matter how many times you turn it on or off, it remains off, until the weather warms up.
3- transmission jerk ... bad when engine is cold from 2nd to 3rd gear, worse when weather is cold ... only seems to go away when the car warms up. Strange ... my 09 doesn't have this problem?
4- poor fit of doors ... the front doors do not line up to the rear doors (no, I haven't been in a collision)
5- the rear speaker deck seems to rattle a bit now, along with the passenger side rear entertainment screen. Quite annoying.
6- keyless go doesn't always recognize when I walk up to the door and touch the handle. Most of the time I have to pull at the handle multiple times before the doors decide to unlock
does anybody else on here experience these same problems?
One thing, though, the B&O sound system is excellent! Perhaps not as good as the Nakamichi in the 91 LS400 I had, but overall it's worth the upgrade, IMHO
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Houston, TX
2002 Mercedes S 430(GONE), 2001 E320(GONE), 2007 S550(GONE), 2009 BMW X6(GONE), 2014 S550
No. #3 happens to me, transmission valve has been replaced year ago. Its weird but my car transmission jerks only when tire pressure is lower than 30-32. I think it may have to do with speedsensors or smth, because if tire presure above 35 it doesnt jerk at all.
No. #6 happened to me couple of times, but its mostly because the door handle gets oily from touching it.
+ i have squeeky passenger seat that annoys me.
I think the problem with distronic and lane keeping assist that u have is because this type of technology is very young, so it will take couple of redesigns for it to work 100%
No. #6 happened to me couple of times, but its mostly because the door handle gets oily from touching it.
+ i have squeeky passenger seat that annoys me.
I think the problem with distronic and lane keeping assist that u have is because this type of technology is very young, so it will take couple of redesigns for it to work 100%
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From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
#3 happens to me as well.The dealer's service manager tells me that it's normal and could be (partially at least) due to me never using sport mode thus denying the transmission to opportunity to "learn" first gear.I guess I'm resigned to the problem and am prepared to live with it...but as you said it *does* disappear when the car is warmed up a bit.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
Transmission. This is nuts. My 2007 Designo does same. Same gear. Transition seems "abrupt", if the word is proper. I whined and was told it's the way it is. I am in Wisconsin and is more noticeable in cold weather.
I have not given thought to tire pressure. Worth a try. Also rarely use "sport" setting, so will give that a go.
Thanks for at least making me feel I am not the only one.
I have not given thought to tire pressure. Worth a try. Also rarely use "sport" setting, so will give that a go.
Thanks for at least making me feel I am not the only one.
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From: Socal, Chino
E55 2006 / CLS55 / S450 / Jag XKR2011
I am surprised all this items for 2011 S550. The W221 is been since 2007 therefore 4 to 5 years and should be reliable for year 2011. Hope your warranty will solve the problem but its annoying when you pay so much for a car that give u trouble.
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From: Behind the wheel
The best or nothing
I agree, quite ridiculous isn't it.
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From: Behind the wheel
The best or nothing
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From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Only this one happened to me a few times with the trunk lock, but never the doors. Pulling the handle one more time solves it right away, so your problem is definitely worse.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Sounds like this one was built on the wrong day. These issues shouldn't be and/or have been resolved years ago with the W221. Lane assist ~ the exact reason why I would never order such nonsense. All these nanny systems are ridiculous. Can people not drive or what?
M
M
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From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Lane Keeping Assist is a good feature (not as valuable to me as Blind Spot Assist, but still), and it works just fine on my car (knock on wood).
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2012 CLS63
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I agree. I have not herd much bad about the 221. They are a major improvment over the 220. I know the 2007 ones were good but not perfect. I must say its really my first time hearing a complaint about the 221 thats not a 07 year. Who knows you could have some little things now and have it trouble free for 50k miles. Happened to me with my Black W210 back in 2002 when I bought it new. Had about 3 things go and it was fine from there. Keep us updated on this.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan
11 S550V4
#3 happens to me as well.The dealer's service manager tells me that it's normal and could be (partially at least) due to me never using sport mode thus denying the transmission to opportunity to "learn" first gear.I guess I'm resigned to the problem and am prepared to live with it...but as you said it *does* disappear when the car is warmed up a bit.
I've used both modes when starting off cold, and have had the same results. At times I've noticed "slipping" between the two gears, and most of the time it's just a nasty jerk of the transmission. I've been to the dealer twice already with this problem, only to get a "operating as designed" result. My friend's 92 LS400 with 250k on it shifts better ...
In regards to the keyless go problem; I've noticed it's the worst with the driver's door. I'm unsure whether or not it has to do with oil residue from your fingers getting on the door handle, as I have passengers in my car, but when I go to the passenger doors to pull the handle, the doors unlock when my finger touches the back of the door handle. If I'm not mistaken, that's how it's designed to operate.
One would think the 4th model year of a particular model should have most of the kinks worked out.... apparently not. This car is an absolute joy to drive, though .... when it's warmed up
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan
11 S550V4
It's not a question of whether or not you can drive.... lane keeping assist comes in the driver's assistance package. I ordered this package for the distronic and blind spot assist, which is a great feature to have, IMHO ... guess my car was built on a friday afternoon before a long weekend
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2012 CLS63
all those 'nanny' things ARE so lame!
EXAMPLE:
if you use the mirrors in the right way, you shouldn't even need a blind
spot assist......
if you know how to drive you don't need the disctronic business!
it all boils down to your skills behind the wheel......
there is no remedy for stupid except to cut off the head, LOL....
now, if I could get a Nanny device for my nether region, THAT would be something
EXAMPLE:
if you use the mirrors in the right way, you shouldn't even need a blind
spot assist......
if you know how to drive you don't need the disctronic business!
it all boils down to your skills behind the wheel......
there is no remedy for stupid except to cut off the head, LOL....
now, if I could get a Nanny device for my nether region, THAT would be something
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From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
Distronic is,IMO,a really good feature for imperfect drivers like myself.
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From: Orange County
16 GL550
bottom line, luxury cars are all about the extra, not the "necessity". that's what make these cars special. otherwise might as well just drive an accord coz' it gets you from point a to b just fine
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From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 449
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From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan
11 S550V4
