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I'm considering either 2011 or 2012 S550. I understand that 2011 is NA and 2012 is Turbo engine.
Both cars I'm looking at are in similar conditions and miles. Other than the engine, is there other improvements on 2012 model? Is one more reliable over the other? I'm always concern with Turbo cars as most people do not warm them up or cool them down.
I'm considering either 2011 or 2012 S550. I understand that 2011 is NA and 2012 is Turbo engine.
Both cars I'm looking at are in similar conditions and miles. Other than the engine, is there other improvements on 2012 model? Is one more reliable over the other? I'm always concern with Turbo cars as most people do not warm them up or cool them down.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
I know I'd much rather have the 2012 vs the 2011. A lot more power, slightly better gas mileage, and much more tune-able. Reliability seems to be mostly equal from what I've read here. The turbos are no more likely to fail than any other component of the engine. They a very stout, and do not require a "cooling down" period like the turbos of the olden days. If you're going *****-out with a cold engine (especially when ambient temps are really low), then you are more likely going to cause more premature wear to your piston rings and seals than you will to your turbos. Although the seals in the turbos would likely be under the same kind of strain as the engine when really cold.
I believe that some items that were options in 2011 became standard equipment in 2012. I guess you'll just have to make sure that whichever car you buy has all of the options that you desire.
I have the 2012 and I can tell you it goes like a raped ape. With 4Matic it is like it is on rails irregardless of road conditions. Very fun car and I have smoked quite a few "fast" cars off the line. It is not a 911 though. The 2012 may also be easier to get a warranty on though.
I'll play devils advocate. I've always liked cars that are all motor. 07-11 sound much better in every way, in regards to engine sound (and for some reason 2010-11 exhaust sounds better than 07-09). I've driven both 550's and am saying go NA (naturally aspirated). Less worry when the turbo's fail out of warranty and you have to replace them BOTH even if just one is bad. $$$. But the engine sound is just that much better to me. I had a 2013 loaner and did not like it... Now, if you never heard a NA model, then you won't know what you're missing.
If you choose an S550 because of the exhaust sound, then you're doing it wrong. All stock S550's, whether the 5.5 NA or 4.7 TT are quiet cars, and are supposed to be that way. They are large premium cars, not sport sedans.
If this was a comparison between an M5 with the E60 V10 NA motor or the newer F10 with the turbo V8, then I can see exhaust note being a legitimate choice. Where the E60 sounds almost orgasmic when wound out with a nearly identical sound to a Lambo V10, the F10 pipes exhaust noise in through the speakers. That's pretty sad if you ask me. But those are performance sedans and are supposed to have a great noise.
For me, if all else was equal, I'd choose the 4.7 TT without a 2nd thought. It's a lot faster and manages to get better gas mileage to boot. As I mentioned earlier, the turbos are no more prone to failure than any other mechanical component of the engine. They aren't wear items like clutches or brakes and can easily go 200k+ miles without any failure.
The best thing to do is drive them back to back and see which one you like better.
What's wrong with picking a car for sound and better maint? If you're already in the market for a S550, some may like to know about turbo's and non turbo. Most of the 550 crowd isn't looking at S63's, etc. that's the 5%. While it may be quiet, the 2010-11 isn't as quiet and sounds expensive compared to 2012+ 550. Again. I've driven back to back S550 loaners and I'm not a fan of the sound on 12+. It's a big difference and I get to grin in this 550.
Now, if for some reason my car got totalled, that's another story.
2013 S550 4matic (AMG sport package), 2016 Corvette Stingray.
Originally Posted by 1bad540
I have a 2010 Na and to be honest I didnt want the charged car...however Id get the newest one you can at this point.
+1
On getting the newest model your money can afford. Either way you choose you can't go wrong, you're gonna get an army tank filled with technology and tons on power.
Last edited by wilassasin; Nov 18, 2016 at 09:45 PM.
My S600 is just as quiet as a Lexus LS460....and certainly quieter than either of the aforementioned cars. My grins come from pressing the go pedal to the floor and feeling the car throwing me back in my seat....and realizing that my huge 5000 lb luxo cruiser is faster than 99% of all cars on the road.
Any V8 car can be made to sound however the owner wants it to sound with a custom exhaust. The point of my response was that the S-class was never meant to have a mean growl to it. If the owner wants that, then he's going to have to pay for a new exhaust system.
My S600 is just as quiet as a Lexus LS460....and certainly quieter than either of the aforementioned cars. My grins come from pressing the go pedal to the floor and feeling the car throwing me back in my seat....and realizing that my huge 5000 lb luxo cruiser is faster than 99% of all cars on the road.
Any V8 car can be made to sound however the owner wants it to sound with a custom exhaust. The point of my response was that the S-class was never meant to have a mean growl to it. If the owner wants that, then he's going to have to pay for a new exhaust system.
I have a similar problem deciding about buying a 2010 S550 or 2012 S550 !!!!!
The 2010 S550 has 38K miles is in pristine condition, has nearly all of the options/colors that I wanted, incl. most notably panoramic roof and executive rear seat pkg, Premium 2 pkg, Premium sound , and also has AMG (even though I am not a gr8 AMG wheels fan, like the luxury wheels more). Ext.color is white, I would have preferred Black though. Still this is a car I have totally fallen in love with!
The 2012 car has 30K miles (is good, but does not appear as well maintained as the 2010), does not have Executive rear seat pkg. (that I love), but has the newer Turbo engine.
The 2010 is in fact priced $2K more.
Which one should I buy????? Any helpful advise is greatly appreciated.
FYI - The only reason I am looking at the 2012 is because of the newer engine, and to a lesser extent the better mileage ; else I would prefer the 2010.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by MB S550 Lover; Apr 19, 2019 at 02:01 PM.
Rear seat package if your not in the rear seat isnt that great... I have it in my 15 and my kids just move the seats around all the time.... People get retarded on maint, other than oil changes neither car should have actually needed anything. Do a fresh oil change and brake flush and get on your way.
The biggest question to ask when contemplating buying any 7-9 year old german flagship sedan is are you comfortable turning a wrench. These cars are actually very easy to work on but at this age lots of things are starting wear out. Air shocks for example typically start to leak around this time but you can swap the air system for conventional struts for around 1500 if you want to do it yourself. You are not buying a used accord though so you either need to be comfortable with a wrench or know a good independent mechanic.
I have a similar problem deciding about buying a 2010 S550 or 2012 S550 !!!!!
The 2010 S550 has 38K miles is in pristine condition, has nearly all of the options/colors that I wanted, incl. most notably panoramic roof and executive rear seat pkg, Premium 2 pkg, Premium sound , and also has AMG (even though I am not a gr8 AMG wheels fan, like the luxury wheels more). Ext.color is white, I would have preferred Black though. Still this is a car I have totally fallen in love with!
The 2012 car has 30K miles (is good, but does not appear as well maintained as the 2010), does not have Executive rear seat pkg. (that I love), but has the newer Turbo engine.
The 2010 is in fact priced $2K more.
Which one should I buy????? Any helpful advise is greatly appreciated.
FYI - The only reason I am looking at the 2012 is because of the newer engine, and to a lesser extent the better mileage ; else I would prefer the 2010.
Thanks in advance!
2010, no question! You will love that rear seat package! That's the only thing mine didn't have and still bothers me to this day. But it has everything else.
#1- MAINTENANCE IS EVERYTHING ON THESE CARS! I'd rather have a 2010 vs 2012 based on that alone. You said the 2010 was much better taken care of, etc. ALSO, the engine in the 2010 is N/A naturally aspirated and sounds better, and will cost you much less in the long run. When those turbo's fail, you're looking at $10k+ easy, and you will need to replace both when that happens. That is if you plan on keeping this car a long time. But still, the engine sound from the huge motor sounds much better.
2010, no question! You will love that rear seat package! That's the only thing mine didn't have and still bothers me to this day. But it has everything else.
#1- MAINTENANCE IS EVERYTHING ON THESE CARS! I'd rather have a 2010 vs 2012 based on that alone. You said the 2010 was much better taken care of, etc. ALSO, the engine in the 2010 is N/A naturally aspirated and sounds better, and will cost you much less in the long run. When those turbo's fail, you're looking at $10k+ easy, and you will need to replace both when that happens. That is if you plan on keeping this car a long time. But still, the engine sound from the huge motor sounds much better.
I am a fan of the newer W222 bodystyle but.....looking at yours in the picture I now get why some prefer the W221 and given their current affordability damn you for the temptation.
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