Any s550 owners use their cars as weekend drivers?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2022
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From: WISCONSIN
2012 corvette Grand Sport
Any s550 owners use their cars as weekend drivers?
I purchased my first Mercedes Last October trading in a 2012 Corvette Grand Sport with 50k on the clock. It was my 13th vette that I had since 1983. I also had many other sports cars including 2 Porsche's, viper, 06 gt 500,many different year 300z"s and a Prowler. Well at 66 yrs old I decided to go for something different. It was getting to hard getting in and out of them and the "need for speed" was gone. I also had a couple of high performance sedans. A 2010 Jaguar XFR and a 06 Chrysler 300c srt8. Nice but after awhile it was Just a go fast sedans. Well I have been smitten.The s550 has to be the best of the lot!. Mind you I don't drive it much because I have 2 other cars I use but when I do "wow just wow". Everything about it from the way it drives, handles for a big car, the beauty of the interior, sound system, it all fits my needs.I will probably only drive it 3000 miles a year.But I said "what the hell" treat myself. And what a treat it is.Any one else use the car as a weekend cruiser?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 520
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From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
You should think about driving your Benz as your DD. Why just the weekend? Most people don’t give a crap on what you show up in and especially an old Benz. Driving them frequently is much better than letting them sit. Read the forums on low mileage cars with leaky drivelines and other electrical and battery issues. I have a low mileage 37 k miles 2007 SL as my weekend car and while it has been meticulously maintained according to MB standard it has more gremlins show up because I don’t drive it enough. My 121k miles Sclass has been issues free including an 8 year old battery because I believe it’s driven nearly daily .
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S500
I don't fully understand many of you
I like the performance of my 386bhp v8 - but just this weekend, she and I agreed we can't even get remotely close to exercising her non turbo petrol 1.6 focus. 9 out of 10 drives in hers 1/3rd throttle is more than enough to get held up by the idiots in front. And in the UK with our deliberately constricted driving conditions, even a stolen Ferrari with nitrous isn't getting past anything. I quite like my heavily upgraded factory spec alcantara roof, upgraded leather and fake walnut trim. But to drive its a mess, its quiet, but the ride, the seats, the handling is all an utter disaster.
both my omega's drove far, far better - were much comfier, had much better handling, much more composure everywhere. They both had vastly 300% plus more control of the body, cost 1/3 of the price but were way more than twice as good to drive. Even my fathers w211 is much better in many ways. If It had my engine, my brakes and my steering it would be 10 times the car I have.
I love to drive her clapped out 163k MANUAL focus, its seats are incredible, its fun, chuckable, and when you move the steering wheel the car responds - my 221 is like fighting an overweight water bullalo on acid being deliberately recalcitrant
.
I like the performance of my 386bhp v8 - but just this weekend, she and I agreed we can't even get remotely close to exercising her non turbo petrol 1.6 focus. 9 out of 10 drives in hers 1/3rd throttle is more than enough to get held up by the idiots in front. And in the UK with our deliberately constricted driving conditions, even a stolen Ferrari with nitrous isn't getting past anything. I quite like my heavily upgraded factory spec alcantara roof, upgraded leather and fake walnut trim. But to drive its a mess, its quiet, but the ride, the seats, the handling is all an utter disaster.
both my omega's drove far, far better - were much comfier, had much better handling, much more composure everywhere. They both had vastly 300% plus more control of the body, cost 1/3 of the price but were way more than twice as good to drive. Even my fathers w211 is much better in many ways. If It had my engine, my brakes and my steering it would be 10 times the car I have.
I love to drive her clapped out 163k MANUAL focus, its seats are incredible, its fun, chuckable, and when you move the steering wheel the car responds - my 221 is like fighting an overweight water bullalo on acid being deliberately recalcitrant
.
Last edited by BOTUS; May 15, 2023 at 03:23 PM.
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I don't fully understand many of you
I like the performance of my 386bhp v8 - but just this weekend, she and I agreed we can't even get remotly close to exercising her non turbo petrol 1.6 focus. 9 out of 10 drives in hers 1/3rd throtte is more than enough to get held up by the idiots in front. And in the UK with our deliberatley constricted driving conditions, even a stolen ferrari with nitrous isn't getting past anything. I quite like my heavily upgraded factory spec alcantara roof, upgraded leather and fake walnut trim. But to drive its a mess, its quiet, but the ride, the seats, the handling is all an utter disaster.
both my omega's drove far, far better - were much comfier, had much better handling, much more composure everyhwere. They both had vastly 300% plus more control of the body, cost 1/3 of the price but more were way more than twice as good to drive. Even my fathers w211 is much better in many ways. If It had my engine, my brakes and my steering it would be 10 times the car I have.
I love to drive her clapped out 163k MANUAL focus, its seats are incredible, its fun, chuckable, and when you move the steeering wheel the car responds - my 221 is like fighting an overweight water bullalo on acid being deliberatley recalcitrant
.
I like the performance of my 386bhp v8 - but just this weekend, she and I agreed we can't even get remotly close to exercising her non turbo petrol 1.6 focus. 9 out of 10 drives in hers 1/3rd throtte is more than enough to get held up by the idiots in front. And in the UK with our deliberatley constricted driving conditions, even a stolen ferrari with nitrous isn't getting past anything. I quite like my heavily upgraded factory spec alcantara roof, upgraded leather and fake walnut trim. But to drive its a mess, its quiet, but the ride, the seats, the handling is all an utter disaster.
both my omega's drove far, far better - were much comfier, had much better handling, much more composure everyhwere. They both had vastly 300% plus more control of the body, cost 1/3 of the price but more were way more than twice as good to drive. Even my fathers w211 is much better in many ways. If It had my engine, my brakes and my steering it would be 10 times the car I have.
I love to drive her clapped out 163k MANUAL focus, its seats are incredible, its fun, chuckable, and when you move the steeering wheel the car responds - my 221 is like fighting an overweight water bullalo on acid being deliberatley recalcitrant
.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 4
From: WISCONSIN
2012 corvette Grand Sport
I don't fully understand many of you
I like the performance of my 386bhp v8 - but just this weekend, she and I agreed we can't even get remotly close to exercising her non turbo petrol 1.6 focus. 9 out of 10 drives in hers 1/3rd throtte is more than enough to get held up by the idiots in front. And in the UK with our deliberatley constricted driving conditions, even a stolen ferrari with nitrous isn't getting past anything. I quite like my heavily upgraded factory spec alcantara roof, upgraded leather and fake walnut trim. But to drive its a mess, its quiet, but the ride, the seats, the handling is all an utter disaster.
both my omega's drove far, far better - were much comfier, had much better handling, much more composure everyhwere. They both had vastly 300% plus more control of the body, cost 1/3 of the price but more were way more than twice as good to drive. Even my fathers w211 is much better in many ways. If It had my engine, my brakes and my steering it would be 10 times the car I have.
I love to drive her clapped out 163k MANUAL focus, its seats are incredible, its fun, chuckable, and when you move the steeering wheel the car responds - my 221 is like fighting an overweight water bullalo on acid being deliberatley recalcitrant
Are you talking about a Vauxhall Omega or an Oldsmobile Omega?Or is some car that is only in Europe?
.
I like the performance of my 386bhp v8 - but just this weekend, she and I agreed we can't even get remotly close to exercising her non turbo petrol 1.6 focus. 9 out of 10 drives in hers 1/3rd throtte is more than enough to get held up by the idiots in front. And in the UK with our deliberatley constricted driving conditions, even a stolen ferrari with nitrous isn't getting past anything. I quite like my heavily upgraded factory spec alcantara roof, upgraded leather and fake walnut trim. But to drive its a mess, its quiet, but the ride, the seats, the handling is all an utter disaster.
both my omega's drove far, far better - were much comfier, had much better handling, much more composure everyhwere. They both had vastly 300% plus more control of the body, cost 1/3 of the price but more were way more than twice as good to drive. Even my fathers w211 is much better in many ways. If It had my engine, my brakes and my steering it would be 10 times the car I have.
I love to drive her clapped out 163k MANUAL focus, its seats are incredible, its fun, chuckable, and when you move the steeering wheel the car responds - my 221 is like fighting an overweight water bullalo on acid being deliberatley recalcitrant
Are you talking about a Vauxhall Omega or an Oldsmobile Omega?Or is some car that is only in Europe?
.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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S500
euro vauxhall omega b had two - a tractor one - that from factory used the BMW 6 pot tractor engine - then the petrol v6 which I kept it for a year after buying the 221. I literately finally threw it away - driving to the scrap yard I should have turned round and taken the 221 - it was so much better in every way - is was truly shocking
only has 6 issues in 15 years and 100k miles
on the tractor
1) the mad redesign of a perfectly good way to hold the handbrake shoes against the back plate failed - the mod was to do it the way all drums have before and ever since
2) the EGR pipe fractured in stock at a dealer 15 miles away fitted in 30 mins
-
on the petrol
1) Needed a set of HT leads
2) twice the heater valve let go - after fitting real worm drive clips I did the second one in 10 mins
3) bulb on the instrument cluster went - 20 mins to pop out and and fit a new one
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 4
From: WISCONSIN
2012 corvette Grand Sport
euro vauxhall omega b had two - a tractor one - that from factory used the BMW 6 pot tractor engine - then the petrol v6 which I kept it for a year after buying the 221. I literately finally threw it away - driving to the scrap yard I should have turned round and taken the 221 - it was so much better in every way - is was truly shocking
only has 6 issues in 15 years and 100k miles
on the tractor
1) the mad redesign of a perfectly good way to hold the handbrake shoes against the back plate failed - the mod was to do it the way all drums have before and ever since
2) the EGR pipe fractured in stock at a dealer 15 miles away fitted in 30 mins
-
on the petrol
1) Needed a set of HT leads
2) twice the heater valve let go - after fitting real worm driv50e clips I did the second one in 10 mins
3) bulb on the instrument cluster went - 20 mins to pop out and and fit a new one
only has 6 issues in 15 years and 100k miles
on the tractor
1) the mad redesign of a perfectly good way to hold the handbrake shoes against the back plate failed - the mod was to do it the way all drums have before and ever since
2) the EGR pipe fractured in stock at a dealer 15 miles away fitted in 30 mins
-
on the petrol
1) Needed a set of HT leads
2) twice the heater valve let go - after fitting real worm driv50e clips I did the second one in 10 mins
3) bulb on the instrument cluster went - 20 mins to pop out and and fit a new one
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 362
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2018 S560, 2004 SL500, 2014 S550 (SOLD), 2012 S550 x2(SOLD), 2007 CL600 (SOLD), 2007 S600(SOLD)
I don't know anything about your cars so I would not be a good judge of both cars.But what I do know I wanted a feel of a solid luxury car that has a little get up and go.I did all the high performance cars in my younger years.2002 zo6 with 550 hp, 2010 Callaway Grand Sport 606 hp, Viper with 510.hp and a GT 500 with 750 hp.But sad to say they were mostly show cars but I goosed them once in a while!. Now if I could get my hands on a Tesla Plaid I might want to go fast again LOL
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2007 S550
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Joined: Jun 2020
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04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
My S550 was my second Mercedes (after my now-totaled 04 E55). Prior owner was an 80 year old man who passed (in a motorcycle accident because he was a bad-***), drove the car 18k in 10 years and nicknamed the car "Precious." I bought it, park it outside, and it is my daily and/or splits the mileage with my 2014 E63S. I really have only positive things to say about the S550. I mean I can nitpick some things that I would change if I could but overall the car is a pleasure to drive. I like the long wheelbase, the good ride with extremely good body control (it's almost over-damped but that helps the car feel bolted down), it's quiet, smooth, good audio system...
In fact just last night I found out my car is NOT limited to 130. I thought the 4Matic cars were. I cannot believe the way it cruises at those speeds.
I also like that it's kind of the opposite of my E63S. I don't feel like I have two of the same car (obviously). So I really get satisfaction from driving either of them.
Anyway, I recommend driving it more often and not letting it sit too much. I wish I could garage mine - the pollen collecting on it now is hideous.
In fact just last night I found out my car is NOT limited to 130. I thought the 4Matic cars were. I cannot believe the way it cruises at those speeds.
I also like that it's kind of the opposite of my E63S. I don't feel like I have two of the same car (obviously). So I really get satisfaction from driving either of them.
Anyway, I recommend driving it more often and not letting it sit too much. I wish I could garage mine - the pollen collecting on it now is hideous.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2022
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From: WISCONSIN
2012 corvette Grand Sport
Well I know who to reach out to if I have an issue with the 221. I'm sure the first recomendation is get rid of the car! LOL
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04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
The previous owner of my departed E55 had an 09 S550 when I bought the E55 from him in 2020. A year and a half later I contacted him to see if he still had his S550 and liked it. He said the car is excellent and he'd buy another one. I thought that was a good enough sales pitch. Again, no regrets on my 07.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Botus.... Damn you Brits and the fun cars available across the pond! We here in the USA got nothing but ****e to choose from produced by the “same” companies who worked diligently to build fun cars for you that alas.... you couldn’t properly thrash except at 02:00 in the morning and then knowing 2500 quid of fines will be forthcoming via the army of cameras.
OP.... I daily drive my 222 S-65. Love it. If I don’t feel like driving the muscle car I don’t press as hard on the loud pedal.
OP.... I daily drive my 222 S-65. Love it. If I don’t feel like driving the muscle car I don’t press as hard on the loud pedal.
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S500
fun cars - check what many think is the Australian version of the omega B - once upon a time locally made, but GM closed the Holden factory for good 2016 / 2017
its a very similar car to the European one - has the same doors, but the shell is slightly different with the rear screen getting square corners, and they fitted a rack for better steering, the euro one were still on a steering box !
I subsequently found out they re badge as a Chevy Lumina in South Africa - as they drive on the correct side of the road too.... and of course they both got the small block v8
its a very similar car to the European one - has the same doors, but the shell is slightly different with the rear screen getting square corners, and they fitted a rack for better steering, the euro one were still on a steering box !
I subsequently found out they re badge as a Chevy Lumina in South Africa - as they drive on the correct side of the road too.... and of course they both got the small block v8
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S500
awesome track - its actually a public road with houses on the inside... nearly froze to death kipping overnight in a car in their winter - had ice on the inside on the windows - bathhusrt 1000 is the best race out there...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2022
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From: WISCONSIN
2012 corvette Grand Sport
What division class are those cars? That would be fun to watch them on the track close to my lake house!
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I purchased my first Mercedes Last October trading in a 2012 Corvette Grand Sport with 50k on the clock. It was my 13th vette that I had since 1983. I also had many other sports cars including 2 Porsche's, viper, 06 gt 500,many different year 300z"s and a Prowler. Well at 66 yrs old I decided to go for something different. It was getting to hard getting in and out of them and the "need for speed" was gone. I also had a couple of high performance sedans. A 2010 Jaguar XFR and a 06 Chrysler 300c srt8. Nice but after awhile it was Just a go fast sedans. Well I have been smitten.The s550 has to be the best of the lot!. Mind you I don't drive it much because I have 2 other cars I use but when I do "wow just wow". Everything about it from the way it drives, handles for a big car, the beauty of the interior, sound system, it all fits my needs.I will probably only drive it 3000 miles a year.But I said "what the hell" treat myself. And what a treat it is.Any one else use the car as a weekend cruiser?
Keep driving the others so you will have that "AHHHH..." moment every weekend when you sit in your S...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Botus.... Damn you Brits and the fun cars available across the pond! We here in the USA got nothing but ****e to choose from produced by the “same” companies who worked diligently to build fun cars for you that alas.... you couldn’t properly thrash except at 02:00 in the morning and then knowing 2500 quid of fines will be forthcoming via the army of cameras.
OP.... I daily drive my 222 S-65. Love it. If I don’t feel like driving the muscle car I don’t press as hard on the loud pedal.
OP.... I daily drive my 222 S-65. Love it. If I don’t feel like driving the muscle car I don’t press as hard on the loud pedal.
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S500
Australia is a strange one - it was their version of touring car racing (based on std saloon production cars) - once upon a time they let Jag XJS v12s race with them, with TWR (uk old boy that tuned them up) - the whole class was turned on its head when the nissan skyline "Godzilla" rocked up - a turbo-ed to death 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steer - but NO brakes nutter machine) eventually settled on this class that's still going - called v8 super cars - they had their own toyota ,ford and GM factories - all now closed when aussies all wanted big pay packets and the manus all walked leaving it all decimated.
its a huge tribal like fight fight between Ford Falcon and the real Holden Commodore crowd
after the corkscrew (bit like laguna seca for grown ups) - in the good old days all the way down the mountain (3 miles I think) was correctly called conrod straight - since put a massive kink in there to save them going bang - but then they fall off at times
TWR - when conrod straight, was
much safer with a kink?
bit of an idea how quick they are really going !!!
general mayhem
https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/
Last edited by BOTUS; May 17, 2023 at 03:48 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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S500
read your points on the Porsche thread - in my head I'm the best driver in the world - the reality somewhere else - you need to be around 5 foot and 100lbs to win these days - on the motogp bikes danni pedrosa was so light, honda could tune his bikes up more than any of his team mates
however - your point did get me thinking of one more set of videos on awesome "tracks" to share - not sure how far over the pond the IOM TT races ever got - this is over 100 years of mad bikers trying to (and frequently) killing themselves on a 37 mile lap of insanity - the big boy race is 6 laps 5 days to go this year https://www.iomtt.com/
but as a car site here's someone playing during bike week trying to get a car to lap as fast as the bikes do
some footage from a car cam - one of the old rally boys Mark Higgins is trying to get similar laps to the bike - when you see the actual lines from a wider angle lens - the bikers aren't as mad as it appears on TV - when I saw some of it I thought goodness he's not even trying yet .....
jump 2 mins in - for example from 2 mins 40 seconds and 4min 45 seconds - come on you go round your local back roads twice as hard as that
as I get older I used to think maybe you have to try to do a 100mph lap - but now seeing the bends from a camera that shows the actual bends - I think if you can't do 110 mph lap on a 600cc modern bike you shouldn't be on a bike
in case you think I've lost the plot - lets forget to brake early enough, showing an utter lack of talent - and he's the fastest in a car ...
here you go - how easy it really is Cruise control anyone ?
however - your point did get me thinking of one more set of videos on awesome "tracks" to share - not sure how far over the pond the IOM TT races ever got - this is over 100 years of mad bikers trying to (and frequently) killing themselves on a 37 mile lap of insanity - the big boy race is 6 laps 5 days to go this year https://www.iomtt.com/
but as a car site here's someone playing during bike week trying to get a car to lap as fast as the bikes do
some footage from a car cam - one of the old rally boys Mark Higgins is trying to get similar laps to the bike - when you see the actual lines from a wider angle lens - the bikers aren't as mad as it appears on TV - when I saw some of it I thought goodness he's not even trying yet .....
jump 2 mins in - for example from 2 mins 40 seconds and 4min 45 seconds - come on you go round your local back roads twice as hard as that
as I get older I used to think maybe you have to try to do a 100mph lap - but now seeing the bends from a camera that shows the actual bends - I think if you can't do 110 mph lap on a 600cc modern bike you shouldn't be on a bike
in case you think I've lost the plot - lets forget to brake early enough, showing an utter lack of talent - and he's the fastest in a car ...
here you go - how easy it really is Cruise control anyone ?
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From: San Jose, CA
11 E550, 16 AMG GTS, 13 S550
I have a 4.7L biturbo S550, I use it and my E550 as a shop rental depending on what I'm to cover the monthly payment. It's uh really meant to be driven every day. Nobody makes a big deal although the gas station conversations are a bit annoying when people try to figure out how much gas I buy, but they do that with anything that isn't an economobile.
If you had enough foresight to treat yourself to owning one, you should be trying to live in it as often as it can. I really think being in a Mercedes is good for your health. I've completely stopped listening to music in it for 2 weeks and a 30 minute drive still melts away. The fuel consumption is completely acceptable too, and if you have friends who appreciate you driving for them once you get to the bar or dinner spot the car pays you back.
People even guessed that it'd be unreliable because of the air to water intercooler, direct injection, and turbos but I haven't had any issue and the intake removal to inspect the valves isn't so bad for how much car it is.
If you had enough foresight to treat yourself to owning one, you should be trying to live in it as often as it can. I really think being in a Mercedes is good for your health. I've completely stopped listening to music in it for 2 weeks and a 30 minute drive still melts away. The fuel consumption is completely acceptable too, and if you have friends who appreciate you driving for them once you get to the bar or dinner spot the car pays you back.
People even guessed that it'd be unreliable because of the air to water intercooler, direct injection, and turbos but I haven't had any issue and the intake removal to inspect the valves isn't so bad for how much car it is.
