How reliable is W221?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: NY
Lexus
How reliable is W221?
Hello everyone,
Im looking to buy a 2008 S550 with a little over 50k miles on it and was wondering if S550 owners are having a lot of problems with these cars. If i get one i will be driving it a lot and thats my main concern. Currently i drive a 2004 Lexus LS430 with 270k miles on it and up until a few months ago i didnt even know what a check engine light looked like on my car. I would be happy if i could get at least 200k out of a Benz with regular oil/trans fluid changes?
Im looking to buy a 2008 S550 with a little over 50k miles on it and was wondering if S550 owners are having a lot of problems with these cars. If i get one i will be driving it a lot and thats my main concern. Currently i drive a 2004 Lexus LS430 with 270k miles on it and up until a few months ago i didnt even know what a check engine light looked like on my car. I would be happy if i could get at least 200k out of a Benz with regular oil/trans fluid changes?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
meh, in general, yes. You may get a good one that has no issues for the next 100k miles, or a needy one that breaks a lot. Luck of the draw there.
That said, most will probably need things repaired. Suspension components tend have a shorter life due to the weight of the car, and you may need a new airmatic strut/abc repairs at some point.
The LS series from lexus is renowned for their reliability. If thats more important that the better style, more gadgets, nicer materials, etc in the 221, you should probably stick with the lexus.
That said, most will probably need things repaired. Suspension components tend have a shorter life due to the weight of the car, and you may need a new airmatic strut/abc repairs at some point.
The LS series from lexus is renowned for their reliability. If thats more important that the better style, more gadgets, nicer materials, etc in the 221, you should probably stick with the lexus.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Beach, SC
08 S-550, 03 BMW Z4, 02 Jeep Wrangler
I would buy the S550 if you have a good warranty with it. If you don't, I would NOT buy the car. That simple.
It's a wonderful car. If and when something goes wrong, it is shockingly expensive to get worked on. Get the warranty and enjoy your Mercedes.
jw
It's a wonderful car. If and when something goes wrong, it is shockingly expensive to get worked on. Get the warranty and enjoy your Mercedes.
jw
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: NY
Lexus
Are there any alternatives to the complex mercedes suspension? Any aftermarket shocks that can be installed when the suspension goes? Are all W221s come with airsuspension standard? Lexus went with two different packages. One has the good old fashine shocks the other has unreliable air suspension. im hoping its the same case with mercedes.
And as for warranty i will look into it but i have a feeling that warranty might not cover it as i will be using the car for livery service.
And as for warranty i will look into it but i have a feeling that warranty might not cover it as i will be using the car for livery service.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Im not too sure about the W221's, but for the W220 with airmatic, Arnott Industries offers a replacement suspension system that runs on normal shocks and springs.
I would love that as an option should mine ever go bang, but unfortunately mine is ABC.
I would love that as an option should mine ever go bang, but unfortunately mine is ABC.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid143.html
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid169.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,837
Likes: 598
From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
arnott offers products for both 221 airmatic cars and 220 abc cars
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid143.html
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid169.html
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid143.html
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid169.html
Hell of a cost savings too!
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
arnott offers products for both 221 airmatic cars and 220 abc cars
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid143.html
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid169.html
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid143.html
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid169.html
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
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
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 616
Likes: 5
From: Planet Earth
S500
Depending what you understand as reliability , if you mean: will stuff break or wear: yes it will .
Then costs : driving an S-Klasse will cost you money ,because if stuff wearz or breaks its a bit more then for a simple car.
If you mean: will it let me down; I think no, its designed to circle the globe some ten times and a bit in great comfort and joy , for that any S- Class is renown and will do an outstanding job.No I don't work for MB just a fan ,thats looking at track records.
Get one if you can ,else don' t moan and were here to help (also to save some money )if we can.
I think because many of us on here that have an S, does not mean we want to throw unneccessairy money at it ,only money well spent.:-)
Then costs : driving an S-Klasse will cost you money ,because if stuff wearz or breaks its a bit more then for a simple car.
If you mean: will it let me down; I think no, its designed to circle the globe some ten times and a bit in great comfort and joy , for that any S- Class is renown and will do an outstanding job.No I don't work for MB just a fan ,thats looking at track records.
Get one if you can ,else don' t moan and were here to help (also to save some money )if we can.
I think because many of us on here that have an S, does not mean we want to throw unneccessairy money at it ,only money well spent.:-)
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: East Coast (Up and Down)
13 S550, 10 S550, 08 GL550, 05 SL65, 97 SL600, 09 E63
I had a 2010, traded up to a 2013, because it was in one word; reliable. During the entire time I had it, I had one parking sensor die (and it was covered under warranty), two brake jobs, and one set of tires that needed replacing (that's when I decided to upgrade.. it didn't make sense to pay for tires when I could just get a new one). If anyone's in the market for a trade up, let me know.. I'll introduce you to my buddy that will get you pretty damn close to triple-net (I do it as a courtesy for all my clients)..
Cheers.
Cheers.
