Considering a 2012 S550 - good purchase?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
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From: Florida
'06 CLK350
Considering a 2012 S550 - good purchase?
Found a couple of well-optioned 2012 S550 for $27K-$30K.
Is this a good purchase overall? Or would you recommend steering away from it? They have around 90K miles, which is getting up there. The only thing I already dread is the outdated COMAND. I wish those units were easier to upgrade. It really makes the car almost obsolete because I only use Spotify in the car. Otherwise they look great.
The things that matter most to me are driver seat comfort and back support, ventilated front seats, and maximum Spotify compatibility. Are there any cars that match the S-Class in driver seat comfort and back support?
Is this a good purchase overall? Or would you recommend steering away from it? They have around 90K miles, which is getting up there. The only thing I already dread is the outdated COMAND. I wish those units were easier to upgrade. It really makes the car almost obsolete because I only use Spotify in the car. Otherwise they look great.
The things that matter most to me are driver seat comfort and back support, ventilated front seats, and maximum Spotify compatibility. Are there any cars that match the S-Class in driver seat comfort and back support?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
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From: Florida
'06 CLK350
Along with the other things I mentioned, yes. We are all different people with different priorities. It is implied that, if I am looking at the S-Class, I probably know a thing or two about cars, so I didn't wanna mention everything else. But I want to get in the car and have a smooth Spotify experience without taking the phone out of my pocket if possible.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Florida
'06 CLK350
I already have a bluetooth adapter in my current car but it does require me to take the phone out and use the app. I was hoping the 2012 S550 would have some minimal integration with Spotify, but it looks like it wasn't there yet.
Anything else I should be aware of? Is the car otherwise a great buy?
Anything else I should be aware of? Is the car otherwise a great buy?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 724
Likes: 218
From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
Anything else I should be aware of? Is the car otherwise a great buy?
It is implied that, if I am looking at the S-Class, I probably know a thing or two about cars, so I didn't wanna mention everything else.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
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From: Florida
'06 CLK350
Never owned the S550 specifically, so wanted to get firsthand accounts. I meant I know enough to know what cars to look at, and the S-Class is at the top of my list.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 74
Likes: 11
2013 S550(W221)
I have Tune2Air in my 2013 with IOS, if that matters, the experience is pretty OEM I’d say. It starts playing the song from where it was left of when I get back in the car after turning it off uncless the music source has been changed from the car. It controls through all native buttons and shows song name. The only thing it doesn’t do is the artwork. This is with a third app music app but I doubt Spotify would be any different. Hope that helps.
Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 91
Likes: 18
2008 S550
I have an '08 and the Tune2Air is seamless, easy, fast.
As far as seats/comfort - I don't love the seats in any event, but they're fine. Be forewarned though that the mutli-contour dynamic seats (with the individually controllable air-filled lumbar, shoulders, seat back and seat cushion side bolsters) are finicky and in my experience have about a 5 year life-span, tops, before leaks emerge. To replace the bladders at the dealer it's about $1,100-$1,400 per side. And they're still finnicky even when new. I had my drivers side done 2 or 3 times, once very shortly after the replacements were in. It is potentially DIY'able if you're the sort.
To tell if they're working on any car, for each side - turn them up to the max (or very near); drive around for at least 10 minutes (sometimes the system can take a while to react to a leak, eventually going to the deflate default); then go into the seat control settings and see if they have maintained their setting (sometimes it's hard to tell while driving on short drive in a car you don't know whether or not any particular bladder has lost air or stopped functioning). If not, then they're leaking or having problems. If you try to inflate them and the indicator keeps falling back to zero, that's also a bladder problem.
And, the seat coolers are very, very mild. I had an Escalade with seat coolers and it was like the seats had their own air-conditioning. The S not so much. It's a very gentle drawing away of air. The seat cooler's are a compliment to an otherwise effective and satisfying HVAC situation, taking off that little edge of heat that could make your back sweaty. Sometimes.
As far as seats/comfort - I don't love the seats in any event, but they're fine. Be forewarned though that the mutli-contour dynamic seats (with the individually controllable air-filled lumbar, shoulders, seat back and seat cushion side bolsters) are finicky and in my experience have about a 5 year life-span, tops, before leaks emerge. To replace the bladders at the dealer it's about $1,100-$1,400 per side. And they're still finnicky even when new. I had my drivers side done 2 or 3 times, once very shortly after the replacements were in. It is potentially DIY'able if you're the sort.
To tell if they're working on any car, for each side - turn them up to the max (or very near); drive around for at least 10 minutes (sometimes the system can take a while to react to a leak, eventually going to the deflate default); then go into the seat control settings and see if they have maintained their setting (sometimes it's hard to tell while driving on short drive in a car you don't know whether or not any particular bladder has lost air or stopped functioning). If not, then they're leaking or having problems. If you try to inflate them and the indicator keeps falling back to zero, that's also a bladder problem.
And, the seat coolers are very, very mild. I had an Escalade with seat coolers and it was like the seats had their own air-conditioning. The S not so much. It's a very gentle drawing away of air. The seat cooler's are a compliment to an otherwise effective and satisfying HVAC situation, taking off that little edge of heat that could make your back sweaty. Sometimes.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 303
Likes: 25
Do not get this car (or any W221). You will not have the "smooth" Spotify experience you desire. Perhaps you'd be interested in a new or pre-owned Volvo - one that is new enough to have their Sensus Connect system. It seemed better than the Spotify integration in even the latest BMW.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
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From: Florida
'06 CLK350
Thank you everyone for your responses, I appreciate them. The bluetooth dongle solution is good enough. I just want to get in the car and have it play where it left off.
I test drove the car and was impressed with the dynamic seats. I like how they support you when you turn. I passed because this particular one was not taken care of.
I am still on the fence; I definitely do not want to deal with any air bladders leaking. I wonder if that problem's been fixed in 2012-2013 models.
And I cannot drive Volvo or anything else. Like many of you I suspect, I am addicted to Mercedes.
I test drove the car and was impressed with the dynamic seats. I like how they support you when you turn. I passed because this particular one was not taken care of.
I am still on the fence; I definitely do not want to deal with any air bladders leaking. I wonder if that problem's been fixed in 2012-2013 models.
And I cannot drive Volvo or anything else. Like many of you I suspect, I am addicted to Mercedes.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 74
Likes: 11
2013 S550(W221)
The side bolster on my 2013 with 45k miles has started to leak. So there’s you have it. There’s no guarantee on these things and bladder issues are among the less troublesome items that can go wrong on these cars. If you are not willing to deal with it or shell out the money for others to deal with it on a small thing like this, I don’t think this car is for you.
Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 38
From: Atlanta, GA
2015 S-550, 2017 Jaguar XE 35t R-Sport, 2007 Jaguar S-Type 3.0, 2013 S550 (traded)
my old 2013 S550 w/ 73k miles is for sale for $31k...
https://www.gravityautosatlanta.com/...***-c-1745.htm
Hopefully they can come down on the price..on my new W222 they only gave me $25k on trade.
I am in no way associated and will benefit from the sale of the car, just want the car to have a nice owner.
https://www.gravityautosatlanta.com/...***-c-1745.htm
Hopefully they can come down on the price..on my new W222 they only gave me $25k on trade.
I am in no way associated and will benefit from the sale of the car, just want the car to have a nice owner.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Florida
'06 CLK350
my old 2013 S550 w/ 73k miles is for sale for $31k...
https://www.gravityautosatlanta.com/...***-c-1745.htm
Hopefully they can come down on the price..on my new W222 they only gave me $25k on trade.
I am in no way associated and will benefit from the sale of the car, just want the car to have a nice owner.
https://www.gravityautosatlanta.com/...***-c-1745.htm
Hopefully they can come down on the price..on my new W222 they only gave me $25k on trade.
I am in no way associated and will benefit from the sale of the car, just want the car to have a nice owner.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 826
From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
I like the look of both the 12 and the 15 exterior but the interior is where the differences are huge. Much nicer interior on the 15 and the electronics are far more up to date. The W221 was state of the art in 2007 when they introduced it but by 2013 it was old in many respects.
Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 38
From: Atlanta, GA
2015 S-550, 2017 Jaguar XE 35t R-Sport, 2007 Jaguar S-Type 3.0, 2013 S550 (traded)
The 2012-2013 S Classes do not look dated at all, but when you step inside you can tell the car's tech is based from 2007. My iPhone 7 could not do bluetooth music playing because its software was too new for the car. However, the telephone connectivity did work. Inside is a nicer place with more room and most noticeably more elbow room. I got the upgraded nappa leather, so that is a very nice upgrade over the standard leather I had in my 2013. Also, the whole dashboard is stitched with contrast stitching and the soft touch materials and materials in general are much nicer. The most obvious things are the tech features (360 cam, Distronic, hands-free access trunk, LED door handle and mirror lighting, LED headlights, dual high res screens, etc.)
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 249
Likes: 19
S550
I have an '08 and the Tune2Air is seamless, easy, fast.
As far as seats/comfort - I don't love the seats in any event, but they're fine. Be forewarned though that the mutli-contour dynamic seats (with the individually controllable air-filled lumbar, shoulders, seat back and seat cushion side bolsters) are finicky and in my experience have about a 5 year life-span, tops, before leaks emerge. To replace the bladders at the dealer it's about $1,100-$1,400 per side. And they're still finnicky even when new. I had my drivers side done 2 or 3 times, once very shortly after the replacements were in. It is potentially DIY'able if you're the sort.
To tell if they're working on any car, for each side - turn them up to the max (or very near); drive around for at least 10 minutes (sometimes the system can take a while to react to a leak, eventually going to the deflate default); then go into the seat control settings and see if they have maintained their setting (sometimes it's hard to tell while driving on short drive in a car you don't know whether or not any particular bladder has lost air or stopped functioning). If not, then they're leaking or having problems. If you try to inflate them and the indicator keeps falling back to zero, that's also a bladder problem.
And, the seat coolers are very, very mild. I had an Escalade with seat coolers and it was like the seats had their own air-conditioning. The S not so much. It's a very gentle drawing away of air. The seat cooler's are a compliment to an otherwise effective and satisfying HVAC situation, taking off that little edge of heat that could make your back sweaty. Sometimes.
As far as seats/comfort - I don't love the seats in any event, but they're fine. Be forewarned though that the mutli-contour dynamic seats (with the individually controllable air-filled lumbar, shoulders, seat back and seat cushion side bolsters) are finicky and in my experience have about a 5 year life-span, tops, before leaks emerge. To replace the bladders at the dealer it's about $1,100-$1,400 per side. And they're still finnicky even when new. I had my drivers side done 2 or 3 times, once very shortly after the replacements were in. It is potentially DIY'able if you're the sort.
To tell if they're working on any car, for each side - turn them up to the max (or very near); drive around for at least 10 minutes (sometimes the system can take a while to react to a leak, eventually going to the deflate default); then go into the seat control settings and see if they have maintained their setting (sometimes it's hard to tell while driving on short drive in a car you don't know whether or not any particular bladder has lost air or stopped functioning). If not, then they're leaking or having problems. If you try to inflate them and the indicator keeps falling back to zero, that's also a bladder problem.
And, the seat coolers are very, very mild. I had an Escalade with seat coolers and it was like the seats had their own air-conditioning. The S not so much. It's a very gentle drawing away of air. The seat cooler's are a compliment to an otherwise effective and satisfying HVAC situation, taking off that little edge of heat that could make your back sweaty. Sometimes.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 187
From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
my old 2013 S550 w/ 73k miles is for sale for $31k...
https://www.gravityautosatlanta.com/...***-c-1745.htm
Hopefully they can come down on the price..on my new W222 they only gave me $25k on trade.
I am in no way associated and will benefit from the sale of the car, just want the car to have a nice owner.
https://www.gravityautosatlanta.com/...***-c-1745.htm
Hopefully they can come down on the price..on my new W222 they only gave me $25k on trade.
I am in no way associated and will benefit from the sale of the car, just want the car to have a nice owner.
