I have a 99 BMW 740 IL that I bought 13 years ago and want to buy a S550 to replace it. I have seen many cars on auto trader and car guru's sites but I have questions about which options are needed to get the blind spot alerts and other safety features these cars have as options. I saw several posts about these cars not being dependable in the 2008 model years but is that true in the newer years? I agree the aftermarket warranty is a great idea and had one on the BMW which was a good choice. Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

I apologize in advance for my sig...

Generally...

2010+ is more desirable than earlier years. The car got a mid-cycle facelift and incorporated a lot of popular options from the various Premium packages consolidated as standard (active seats with massage, rear camera, parking assist). It also got new LED headlamps and fog lamps, and LED rear lamps, paddle shifters, aluminum pedals, three color LED interior ambient lighting

2012+ is more desireable than 2010/11 because the car got a new 4.3 liter biturbo V8 in place of the NA 5.5 in the earlier cars. The 5.5 moves the car around competently but the extra horsepower and torque of the twin turbo is more fun and will probably hold its value better.

The Drivers Assistance package on the 2010+ will get you the blind spot detection and related safety features. I believe that package became standard on the 2011+. A 2013 is the same as a 2012, and the cars depreciate so quickly I wouldn't bother with a 13 just yet

Cars 2009 and up are eligible for Certified Pre Owned status, which gets you a full factory warranty for 12 months after the basic warranty expires, extendable to 24 or 36 months. Sound like you need to find a nice 2012 CPO. That'll get you the best engine, plus the Drivers Assistance package.

 

Mike hit the nail on the head. There is nothing more to add.

 

Thank you for the quick response and clearing up the muddy waters. Just a follow up on the reliability issues, when making the purchase of a 2012 what are the issues I should watch out for? I plan on keeping this for the next 15 years, which in my life is about 150k miles. Given this, what should be the max miles on the used unit I purchase? Thanks again, Cal

 

I guess you'd want the lowest possible mileage out of the gate. I do see them in the low 20's and even in the low teens from time to time. The MBUSA website has a good national search feature for the US with filters , for both CPO and non CPO cars at MB dealers nationwide.

Not sure I'd want to keep one of these at or near 100k miles. Your 99 BMW came from an era where German cars were built strong, stout and simple...over-engineered in the parlance of the day. Those days are gone. Tech has replaced brute strength and bullet-proof construction, and tech has a tendency to go awry from time to time.

These cars have so many systems and sub-systems operating in the background, controlling the functions of things you probably never knew the car had or needed to be controlled. By outward appearance they look like conventional cars with very nice materials and amenities. but they're more like rolling microprocessor labs.

A forum member recently needed help diagnosing a tranny stuck in Park. There were no less than three processors/actuators involved. One was the master controller for the steering column. One was the controller that verified smart key authenticity and allowed the car to start. One was a mechanical servo unit that interpreted the gear selection on the stalk and physically changed the gears. Any one or a combo could have been the culprit. Extrapolate that out to every function and system in the car...the seats...the HVAC system...the air suspension...COMAND...Pre Safe, the f'ing headlights have a microprocessor controller.

The upside is the car is capable of monitoring so many of its functions in real time that it can report very specific failures to you the moment they happen, and even more specific data about the car's system's behaviors can be accessed via terminal.

The downside is the cost in labor and material to fix these issues can be considerable. They're amazing cars to own...nothing else drives like a properly sorted out S Class...but I don't see them as long term propositions, and I'm on my 3rd.

 

Actually, LEDs in headlights come standard in 2014 cars.

 

Sales brochures for the 2012 and 2013 S Class links below. They spell out the various options available.

http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA...11-S-Class.pdf

https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital...13-S-Class.pdf

 

The engine won't go bad probably but the tech will before 100k. I have to get rid of mine at 41k. 2010 S550v4. I had a thermostat go out and the heater broke around the same time. About 3 months after the 4 year warranty. So extended is a must on these otherwise you will be racking up on repair bills. Prior to that, I only had a rear taillight which was cover under warranty. Indy wanted around 500 to replace that because of the way the light is setup.

 

You fit rid of it at 41k?

 

However LED Daytime Running Lamps and LED tail lamps were added in 2012.

 

YMMV. I still have my 2007 S550, 99,300 miles right now and all i have done in the last near two years is replace the front suspension bushing ($460 at my local indy) and had the tranny flushed and the regular annual oil and filter change

Car has been bulletproof. I was starting to get bored with it but this weekend i took 6 hours and detailed it head to toe. I figure at 100k miles it is at best worth about 20-22k and where else can i get a car like this for even double that. It is still damn near mint.

It's my daily driver, wouldnt have it any other way. Will likely get a W222 in 2-3 years when they can be had for 50

 

Yeah, just turned it in today at 41,443 miles. I had the 3rd brake light go out which requires a crap load of labor but luckily I went back to the original dealership and got it warranty. You have to remove the ENTIRE rear bench to access that 3rd taillight which = $$$ for labor.

At this moment, I'm looking at a 4k repair bill plus new tires for my W221. My heater just went out, the radiator is completely haywired. I suspect the thermostat housing sensor. Traded it in today for the W222 at $34k. Was mint condition, MSRP was $104k. One owner, all keys, books, and services. 2010 White/Black. Was going to trade in a carmax but dealer matched the offer. They just had one where they appraised it for 16k for a 2008 100k miles or so. Eeekk

Engine i'm sure would be bulletproof but it's just all this technology involved that would make me hesitant to keep it without warranty. This is especially true for the W222. I just picked it up today and there SO many new and improved technology, I would be very wearily to keep it past warranty.

 

good for you; I hope my luck is that good too.

 

Love to hear good things such as this!!!

 

Ok I got confused, so you traded in your car, they allowed $34k for it on a used 2014 White/Black, which had a MSRP of $107k. Or you traded your car in on a 2014 with 34k miles on it? Please clarify?

BTW, I would not purchase one of these cars from anyone but a MB dealer.

 

Looks like they gave him $34k in trade for his 2010 S550 with 41k miles on the purchase of his W222 S550.

 

Dave; That is what I thought, but I wanted to make sure.