mavericksa04

Hi,
I test drove a 2012 S550 4matic (<60,000 miles) , I loved it.
Do you recommend buying? Is it reliable at that high mileage ?
Please let me know ? I have heard that it would be a maintainence nightmare , I have also heard that you service (oil changes) regularly and it is reliable.

Would love to hear from your experience? plan to keep it for another 50,000 miles.

WHPH28

There are a lot of threads asking the same question. It all depends on how it was maintained during those 60k miles. A 40k mile car can be worse than a 80k mile car if it was abused, and the 80k car was babied. I'm on my third W221...would I do it a 4th time...absolutely. Reliable, mine have definitely been, especially on frequent road trips 1200+ miles each way. I wouldn't flinch at driving from the east to west coast in mine. Some people have had the opposite experience. If you don't know these cars well, get an inspection.

mavericksa04

Thank you so much ..any recommendations or pointers to check before buying the car?

Senecat

This question is as old as time. The answer is totally subjective. Sounds like you found a cream puff. Things last for as long as you take care of them. Enjoy! I'm looking for the last year W221 myself. Get it now while you still can, the used auto market is pretty dismal out there and it may never come back. Everybody is holding on to anything that even slightly resembles an asset right now. Tough times ahead.

The Thomas J

Even the best-maintained cars could have an issue. That being said, I would take my S Class any where with little concern.

OnlyGerman

Check the cam sensors for any signs of wet connectors, which lead oil throughout the main harness into the ECU... Major issue on early M278s...This is a silent killer that does not get brought up on inspections..

PillDrive

They redesigned the chain drive after Feb 2012 if i remember right....so either find one that was built after Feb 2012 or once you buy an earlier one have the check valves and tensioners done.

Also do your oil changes at 7500 miles or less intervals so you protect the cam adjusters.

My 2012 is now at 123k miles and on the drive train i have had to do 1 cam adjuster and the check valves and tensioners. 2 Air struts and a few other odds and ends but the car is WAY more reliable then my 2003 S55 AMG ever was.

I also run a OE Tuning Stage 1 tune on it and i LOVE the way the car drives.

Good luck