Hello everybody I have a 04 S430 with about 134k miles. It has been reliable with only minor issues (Knock on wood). I’d like to move up to a w221. I read a lot on here about first time S class owners being in for a rude awakening when the repair bills start piling up. Im already expecting high repair costs and am comfortable with the thought of them. I’m an elevator mechanic by trade so I’m used to troubleshooting complicated mechanical and electrical gremlins. So I’m not afraid to wrench on one and I plan on buying a Star clone system

Can somebody suggest a SDS so I can pull my own codes?
Im looking mostly at the pre facelift w221 but avoiding the 07...even with the later serial engine numbers. Probably around the 90k miles range. I would be paying cash, not financing and would look for the best possible warranty.

How similar are the maintenance costs and reliability between say an 04 s430 and an 09 S550?

 

I owned a 2002 S500 that was a creampuff, babied and garaged most of the time, and felt very luxurious every time I drove it. Probably my fifteenth Mercedes, Liked the car very much. I did spend some cash on it I needed a blower motor for the A/C and a front shock for the airmatic, and some brakes. It had AMG brakes which the parts weren't very cheap. Once I began looking at W221 and got a 2008 S550 I am really impressed at how much more I like this car. I've only had it four months, and with 134K miles it had a bad engine mount. Motor mounts are something I've replaced on at least three Benzos that I've bought just after purchase, seems people may sell their cars when it's time for that. I don't mind because once your mounts are new it's like you hit a reset button, you're probably OK for another 80K miles now. I didn't want to get a 2007 S550 so I got a 2008. Super impressed with the power, wow. And it is only the V8, not supercharged or twin turbo. I also own a 2008 GL450 and a SL600 V12 twin turbo with over 700 HP so I know what power is!! This S550 really seems leaps and bounds ahead of my W220, I am glad I made the jump. That guy on here giving away free Datacards that show your car's history, provided me with some insight. This S550 has had almost Zero issues since birth. I think, two entries... simple things. My SL600 had a full page or so, multiple small issues, that have all been corrected. Understandable, given the many systems on that car. My GL450 had a page and a half but those all corrected as well. These things all run and drive as new today. If you have a W220 and want a W221 Go for it, you will love the W221! Feels even more solid, it seems like with the W221 they were trying to go back to their roots and make something "More Like" the W140. Only a W140 is a 140, but the 221 is like a more modernized W140.

 

The W221 blows the W220 away.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

Does anybody know a good place to buy a Star clone system for the pre facelift w221? Or which clone system is best?

I see a bunch on eBay but I’ve read on here there cheaper websites to buy one from. I’ve tried looking up topics on this site but the links are always expired.
Id like to get the complete package with all the connections, laptop, etc

thank you

 

I agree the w221 is a far better car. See my signature for the very minimal work done on my w221 currently at 141k miles.

on the W220 though, an unbelievable amount of problems. pretty sure it was the worst S class ever, thanks to Chrysler's involvement in its development. Tranny rebuild at 60k. Door soft closure failure. Window lift failure. Door seat control module failure. Two struts at 110k. Some valve near the windshield wipers, connected to the cooling system, failure. Radiator failure. Trunk latch failure so that I had to use the actual key to open trunk. And I'm sure I forgot a bunch of stuff. Sold it at 126k miles for $1,000. F$ck Chrysler.

Barely had any issues with the two W140s, 1992, and 1999.

 

I've got a (new to me) 2007 S65. Compared to my father-in-law's '02 S430 it's head and shoulders better. The ride quality of the S65 is very luxurious but also has performance handling. My model has the V12 and it is a rocket. By far, this is my favorite car I've owned. The S430 was luxurious but handled like a yacht. The electronic transmission on the steering column the 221 is also nicer. It's similar to my 07 GL450. I think you'll be very happy with the 09 S550. It think it's a big step up in many ways. You mentioned that you were trying to avoid the 07 model. Is that because there was a problem with the 07 S550, or is there another problem that exists for all S models from 2007?

I purchased a Lenova X230 on Ebay. You want to get one with at least 8 RAM. Mine has 12 and works pretty fast. I bought the C4 multiplexer system from Aliexpress.com. Some folks have previously purchased the C3 system, but there's been a number of threads about problems and upgradability with the C3 system. Some get the C3 system and it works fine. I personally just wanted a system that is going to work every time. I contacted Pmercury to help with how to set the system up. I currently have four Mercedes and my Xentry/DAS system works great for all of them. I'm getting one of the cars ready to sell. The Xentry system has helped me to not only diagnose the problems, but the WIS software also has the repair instructions. Extremely helpful. Enjoy choosing your new car.

 

I can't even remember what work I had done to my W220, I bought it for $4400 and in two years time I had spent total of $9000 on it. So we're talking about $4600 in repairs. I like things stupidly perfect, so I got spark plug wires when I probably only needed spark plugs, it did need motor mounts when i bought the car, and had some front end work done to try to stop the squeaks. Steering rack, front shock, A/C blower motor.. When I traded the car in I gave them the file folder with all the receipts so I can't recall what else was done. LOL That car was the most expensive I ever had as far as repairs. I figure over 24 months of ownership, actual cost of ownership was around 375 a month. kind of high but I'm sure there are other Benz owners who pay more. But, this was a 2002 model with 98K miles on it. Oh well! Thanks Chrysler.