boardboy330

Have a 2007 S550 4Matic P3. Looking to move into something else. I generally drive about 30K miles a year so comfort is something I want so I can enjoy all the time I spend in my ride. I am very happy with my W221 experience, but have always wanted a Bentley. Considering a Bentley Flying Spur as my DD instead of the W221. That said, I am open to getting a W222 instead if the reliability isn't there.

Does anyone have experience with Bentley they can share? The W222? Trying to find pros and cons of each.

1bad540

w222 is just as reliable as the 221 if not more.

Rimola

What he ^ said. I currently still have both. The W222 is just more refined, modern and luxurious. If you like the W221, the W222 is more of the same, just better and refreshing.

w2830

I don't know why but every time I sit in a w222, I feel both the front and rear seats smaller and not as comfortable comparing to my w221. It feels firmer too. Is it just my mind?

ClasseMiaMadra

Bentley Arnage T
Doug De Muro just did a whole thing, posted few days ago - he is an annoying dork IMO and i hate to plug him. Your dilemma seems to fit the premise for his video: The ultimate 30k luxury experience.
Let us know.

1bad540

No when i switched, i also felt the rear had less rm? not sure if its true. The ride is better and the handling has improved remarkably.

tx170754

S63 coupe !

Rimola

The rear 100% has less room, that is a fact.

1bad540

It certainly feels that way.

MBNUT1

Everybody seems to think that but W221 LWB rear leg room 42.3 in W222 LWB rear leg room 43.0 in

boardboy330

Thanks for the info folks.

I have 177K on my W221 and I am getting more and more worried about something major. Since it is a 2007 I have heard alot of bad things. Honestly, in 40K miles and 2 years - only issue was the transmission not shifting properly after a flush and every shop around telling me to pound sand on a fix because it was too expensive if they break it. Fortunately I have common sense (a shop full of tools with a lift) and fixed it myself. by cleaning the solenoids. I just want out of the car while I have no issues and LOVE the car, but wasn't sure if I should look for a 2008-2012 or bump up to the 2014.

Again, commuter car so it will get about 30-40K miles a year on it. I like the thought of a Bentley - I heard they are dead reliable. Didn't know if anyone else had experience.

Lastly, my brother is 6'5" and I am 6'3", while I drive most places, legroom in the back is much needed in my family. My wife is 5'2"...so she fits in our E class while I drive, but I prefer the extra space.

boardboy330

Would love to, but the reason for the S550 is 4Matic and 4 doors. I'm ALL about a coupe, but occasionally when the family goes somewhere, we take my truck or my car - so it has to be 4 doors.

Rimola

I've been in a passenger in both of mine in the rear. I can easily cross my legs in the W221. Maybe the TV's get in the way of crossing my legs in the W222, not sure, but it def feels bigger, also visually speaking. Both are long wheel base ofcourse.

PS. on a sidenote, last summer I saw short wheel base S classes in Europe. I had to take double glance because it almost looked like an E class, so weird.

MBNUT1

So cleaning the solenoids actually improved the shifting? Would you mind explaining how you cleaned them? I have watched videos on the topic but would like to hear from a success story.

TIA

tx170754

You can take the truck for the family and use the S63,which is btw 4matic,for fun !

1bad540

get the w222.. at least go drive one, I did and now i have one!

boardboy330

Basically watched a video online from Germany? Not sure, somewhere else in the world that doesn't just have part changers and they showed how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble. I did it step by step and car runs fine. I have put about 1500 miles on since doing it. Basically you pour clean ATF on them and GENTLY - I mean ever so gently use a foam swab to wipe. You're just trying to get the grime out of the screen without pushing it in. Then you reassemble. Also showed, you can replace up to 4 solenoids before needing a computer to program. So worst case, I could have just replaced the offending one and been fine. Refilled the pan to spec. I am flushing again in about 5K miles to be sure it's still OK inside.

boardboy330

Didn't know the S63 was 4matic...what years?

Bklyn

Thats interesting. I thought it had a bit less. Live and learn. Thanks.

rustybear3

Have you test driven a Bentley? If not, I would highly consider doing so. I don't have one (money wise, certainly out of my league), but a friend of mine has a 2019 and I have ridden in it. WOWSER! What a luxury car. I'm 6' 2" and had plenty of room in both the front and rear. The interior is gorgeous, and I hear the 2020's are even more so. The ride is cloud like befitting a car like a Bentley.

I love my Mercedes that I have; it fits my needs perfectly. But c'mon. A Bentley is a Bentley and the flying Spur is no slouch! Do yourself a favor, and test drive one.

boardboy330

I have not and it is certainly on my to do list for this. Always liked them so I want to give them a go...but I didn't want to get into a 40K money pit either. Appreciate everyone's replies.

MBNUT1

....

MBNUT1

Thanks! The one I watched used magnets.

boardboy330

I watched one that used magnets and nothing else, then another that used the swab. I tried the magnets but got nothing. I did the swab and it worked. We use foam swabs (solvent compatible) for our printers here at work so I had the materials to try it.

Jason B

The Rolls Royce GHOST trumps everything. But, you could for a last year 2013 W221, and get a nice nice upgrade over what you have and love now.