Benz Boy#1

I figured I’d create an intro post and create a place where I can document the life of my new acquisition. I did this with my old BMW 540i and it was nice being able to chronicle the evolution of my car all in one place.

Here’s a quick timeline of my car history:

1996 Mercedes E320: My first car, this is what got me in love with Mercedes although this particular car gave me a lot of problems.



2009 Honda Accord EX V6: This is the car that got me through college. It was extremely reliable until the engine started burning oil due to the cylinder deactivation feature it had. Sold it after I finished undergrad to get my S55.



1997 BMW 540i: Probably the car I was most attached to out of what I’ve owned so far. This was my weekend car—6 speed manual, intake/exhaust/suspension, M sport package. A beautiful car to look at and drive but it’s a BMW; and like all BMWs, it’s made out of recycled McDonalds toys. Crazy maintenance requirements combined with a lack of time in grad school motivated me to sell it last month.



2004 Mercedes S55 AMG: I bought this after I graduated college. I’ve always wanted an S class AMG since I was a kid and the right one came up and the right time. Drove this for only a year (8k miles) before I was rear ended at a stoplight a few weeks ago, totaling it.


2008 Mercedes S550: Here we are at present day. I bought this after the unfortunate demise of my S55. 08 Designo package with every option except the panoramic roof. 79k miles.






Already took off the Star Wars sticker that someone stuck on. Haven’t gotten a chance to detail it yet as I’m in the process of fixing the AC (think it’s the blower regulator) and the massaging seats (bad pump). I’m going to:

- change all the fluids and air filters
- replace the brand new oem pads with akebono ceramic pads
- detail it
- alignment
- paint the calipers silver

Sorry for the lengthy post. I like seeing other people’s car progression so I thought I’d include it in my intro post. I’ll keep updating this thread with future projects for the S550.

Thanks for reading!

Chris

dlafever

Nice car(s)!! I have the same 2008 Designo S550 along with the Panoramic roof. Love my car, it's everything I need it to be. Good luck, these cars will last a long time if you maintain them, I'm currently at 152k miles on my daily driver.

Benz Boy#1

Thanks! Yeah these seem to be very reliable.

I wish I had the glass roof. No idea why it wasn’t selected when it was one of the cheapest options.

Benz Boy#1

Figured I’d update the thread after making some progress with the car.

I peeled those awful Star Wars stickers off and added the OE S550 and 4Matic badges that the previous owner removed. Fixed the AC (was indeed a bad blower regulator), and replaced the seat pump which made the seats work but I’m having an odd issue if anyone could help me:

I installed the new pump and turned it on before realizing there’s tons of water going through the filter. I don’t think all this water is supposed to be there...my dads S550 seats work fine and he has no water flowing through the filter. Where did it come from and how do I get rid of it? I could just disconnect the filter and run the pump to drain it into a cup but why is it there in the first place? Don’t want to fry the new pump.

Anyway, the car is absolutely fantastic. The chassis is way ahead of the W220 in terms of design and technology. I finished installing the OE iPod interface and tune2air. Just needs a detail, refinishing the calipers, fresh fluids, and a couple pieces of trim and such and it’s ready for daily driver duty.

EasyPhil

One thing you should do is replace the temperature control valve located behind the engine firewall. If it hasn't been changed it will fail with a car of this age. The part is about $50-$60.

Benz Boy#1

Thank you. Yeah, I added that to the to do list on both of our S550’s.

Feuerdrachen

Thanks for making this thread! We have similar tastes in cars an I'm also a former E39 owner. I sold my pristine '00 LeMans Blue M5 last year and replaced it with an AWD Lexus RX. I've been fascinated with the W221 and I'm looking at '08+ 4Matics with the AMG Sport package. Yours is optioned perfectly and is without Pano roof, which I find ideal. May I ask in what price range you paid for your example? I really like it and it looks like a proper daily cruiser.

boardboy330

How do you like the S550 vs the S55 as far as power and driveability?

Benz Boy#1

Lemans blue is such a gorgeous color on that car.

I am loving the S550 so far! Best DD I’ve ever had. I paid 16,700 including dealer fee which I feel is a good deal. Always serviced at the Mercedes dealer, no accidents, overall in excellent shape.

Benz Boy#1

The S55 is obviously more powerful and it also has sharper throttle response. I was afraid the S550 wouldn’t hold up, however, I haven’t missed the power. The superior chassis refinement and technology of the W221 more than make up for it to me.

I was initially planning on getting an S63, but the shortfalls of that motor scared me off.

Benz Boy#1

Update on the car:

- emptied the seat pump of all the water and the seats have been working fine. I don’t use the massage much.

- installed LED plate lights which really modernize the back

- cleaned and conditioned the leather

- installed H&R 15mm spacers in the rear Bc I find the OE fitment in the rear unacceptable. (I’m no stance boy by any means, and I generally hate spacers. But, these are good quality and I like the way these wheels look minus the rear offset.)

Tsion7

Beautiful Blue. I have a White 2009 S-550 4Matic. My massage seats stopped working. Bad pump maybe? Additionally, I got rid of the Air Suspension and had Coils Installed. The Air Bag burst and the car was sitting on the ground. Not anymore. Still a comfortable ride. Sits a litter lower.

riv-stage 1

beautiful car! I like your tastes ( all loaded up on options). So the wheel spacers just moved the wheel outward a small amount and you prefer that look more?