Daily Driver
Now if I had to park on the city streets of Chicago it would not be one of my favorites, but then again that's why I use the parking apps. You would not want to park the S on the city streets it would get beat to sh**.




However for me, driving this big car in rush hour city traffic does just not work and my previous E was much better suited for this, so this is what I am going back to.
However for me, driving this big car in rush hour city traffic does just not work and my previous E was much better suited for this, so this is what I am going back to.




I am glad I went back to the E, as for me, it is a much easier and more enjoyable car to drive in every day traffic. I unfortunately very rarely drove 80 to 90 mph with the S, to feel like I was "gliding on glass".
The cost of ownership of the E is also much cheaper compared to the S.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Now if I had to park on the city streets of Chicago it would not be one of my favorites, but then again that's why I use the parking apps. You would not want to park the S on the city streets it would get beat to sh**.








I've been using my S550 for commuting since I bought it with 13K miles, I'm on 160k now. As long as you do your maintenance and keep it up, you'll be fine. I've been finally giving the S a break with the 2012 GL550 I just got a 1.5 months ago. Love it for bad weather and don't have to worry about pot holes in the north east.
I just changed both front air struts last year for the first time (roughly 140K). ARNOTT lifetime replacements
Intake manifold replacement at about 115K
I did a radiator replacement in November (about 155K), and heater valve replacement.
New motor mounts at last year, new tranny mount 2 years ago.
Still runs like new and looks even better. I enjoy driving the S way more than any other benz I've owned. It looks big but drives like an E with a better ride and way more options.
Last edited by bensitto; Mar 24, 2019 at 02:14 AM.
Take it out on a winding road next time were you can open it up and report back on your thoughts... : )
I had a Lexus GS350 before the S550 and when I test drove an S after getting out of the GS, on the same streets, it was like I was in a different world. My wife and I looked at each other and said Wow what a nice car. The GS felt like a go-cart, sold the GS in a few weeks and bought the S550. Still loving it 4 years later.

To all their own opinions...
I've been using my S550 for commuting since I bought it with 13K miles, I'm on 160k now. As long as you do your maintenance and keep it up, you'll be fine. I've been finally giving the S a break with the 2012 GL550 I just got a 1.5 months ago. Love it for bad weather and don't have to worry about pot holes in the north east.
I just changed both front air struts last year for the first time (roughly 140K). ARNOTT lifetime replacements
Intake manifold replacement at about 115K
I did a radiator replacement in November (about 155K), and heater valve replacement.
New motor mounts at last year, new tranny mount 2 years ago.
Still runs like new and looks even better. I enjoy driving the S way more than any other benz I've owned. It looks big but drives like an E with a better ride and way more options.
Averaging about 17k mi/yr. and it glides at 110. Excellent DD.
Looking for a 222 but not very hard.
I've been using my S550 for commuting since I bought it with 13K miles, I'm on 160k now. As long as you do your maintenance and keep it up, you'll be fine. I've been finally giving the S a break with the 2012 GL550 I just got a 1.5 months ago. Love it for bad weather and don't have to worry about pot holes in the north east.
I just changed both front air struts last year for the first time (roughly 140K). ARNOTT lifetime replacements
Intake manifold replacement at about 115K
I did a radiator replacement in November (about 155K), and heater valve replacement.
New motor mounts at last year, new tranny mount 2 years ago.
Still runs like new and looks even better. I enjoy driving the S way more than any other benz I've owned. It looks big but drives like an E with a better ride and way more options.








But that is really SO subjective.So much of this topic is about what you want in the car. I like quiet. My E430 was reasonably quiet below 50mph, but after that a bit windnoisy. Normal commute speeds for me are anywhere from 40 to 70mph, so my S550 is preferred. There are parking spaces here with plenty of room, so the S is fine. I commute for 35-50 minutes depending on traffic and the comfortable seats in the S are welcome. I'm going to lunch today with 3 colleagues and they will be comfortable and perhaps want to drive around a bit since the S is so comfy.
I've had E's, S's, SL's and ML and several D's, the S will always be my favorite, until it is not.




I am glad I went back to the E, as for me, it is a much easier and more enjoyable car to drive in every day traffic. I unfortunately very rarely drove 80 to 90 mph with the S, to feel like I was "gliding on glass".
The cost of ownership of the E is also much cheaper compared to the S.
It has been fun, but for me the car has way too many gadgets and is too big to be driven back and forth to work each.
Thanks to ALL of you for all your help and assistance. I am sure you will most likely find me on the W211 or W212 forum in the future.
Btw, check it this video out for what it's worth. Good luck.



