Ive had my s550 for about 3.5 years now. I feel like its time for something newer but I just cant get myself to let it go, especially the price they are going for now, pennies.
Its 08 Sport, silver, 123k miles. I got new struts front and back, fan, engine mounts,, trans mount, various gaskets etc. Bunch of money put in. Car is near MINT condition.

They sell for about 6-9k around me. I refuse to let it go for 6, or even 9 at this point. I dont want a w222 due to bore score and I just dont need a twin turbo headache. I also dont feel its a better can than my w221, so no need to spend extra 20k. SO this is my last MB product I think and I never lease.
Car still looks fresh and new to me, Im just itching for a change, but at the same time I dont need monthly payments for 3 years. I was thinking 2021 BMW X5 or 540I. with 40k miles max. Or a 2017 Lexus LS460, but I had one before and its a bit boring.

Bottom line is, with 123k miles and counting it will be next to impossible to sell it later, unless I sell it for pennies and the car is just too nice to let go for that. I might be stuck with it. Car is used mostly for weekends and picking up kids from school. I take train to work every day.

I feel like w221 will be as rare as w140 has become in few years.

For chuckles, I posted it on FB for $15000 and got zero inquires . I then raised the price to $19000, still nothing.

Anyone been in the same shoes?

F

 

So, you listed it for $15,000 and....nothing, and then you raised the price to $19,000 ? Or is the other way around ?

 

No you are correct. I first listed it for 15 knowing well no one would inquire, but then to shock people a bit more I raised it to 19000 knowing damn well I am not selling this car. Psychotic move I assume, or perhaps one filled with humor and disdain for the used car market. Those fools rather roll around in an overpriced SUV (minivan) than be in a stylish 4 door sedan.

 

Well, it is a 08 but if you put money in it, as you mentioned, I guess it would probably make more sense to still keep it.....my.02 !

 

Still? I think its at this point might as well keep it forever. It will become like a toy that my w126 was. And I wont miss my w140 since I have this one.
So later down the line I will have to finance a newer car from scratch or from savings. I refuse to let this car go for pennies.

 

Good luck !

 

Thanks !

 

Yeah, but not with this 221. I have a 2010 E550 with 198000 (85% hwy) miles on the clock. Car is used as you can see the rock hits in front and on A- pillars (it has 6th wind shield on it) and the leather on the steering wheel las cracked all around, but other than that it is like a new car.

It lists at around $5000. Why would I let it go for that? No Way as getting something else would cost way more and would not come even close to the quality of a vehicle to drive around.

It will stay with me until the wheels fall off of it or I go before it.

 

A way to help decision making is to rent a car you desire for a few days and drive during that rental a lot. Then come back to your W221 and notice how well it rides.

 

Another option would be to owner finance a sale of the car, then tote the note. Ask for a few thousand down, and then monthly payments. Stipulate that any missed or late payments would result in immediate repossession. Repeat the process 7-8 times, you have your $20,000.00 or so, and if the last guy defaults, you also have the car, minus some wear and tear.
Just make sure you run exhaustive credit checks, make them show proof of insurance, make them take a life insurance policy out in your name, and have them bring you the car for all services, at their expense.
Problem solved.

 

I'm in a similar position - 2011 S550 with 163,000 miles that's virtually worthless on the used car market. I can relate one experience I had. In 2020 I bought a 2017 BMW 740 IX as a 2nd car. Compared to the Benz it was a good car, but just seemed to be not at the same level in any area. I kept it for a year and sold it and went back to driving the S550 full time. I thought the Bimmer would be very close to the Benz, but to me it was disappointing in every way. My advice would be to keep the S550 until the wheels fall off as I plan to do.

 

indeed, but you could use all the time and 1/4 of the money saved by not fighting a german brand to operate as built, and instead enjoy your life going to classic car events instead - where fun cheap toys can be modified reliably to do much more then they originally came with

 

I agree . I had a 08 LS460 and it was phenomenal. It drove better than s550, sound system was phenomenal with Mark Levinson. Basically everything was as good if not better. Zero squeaks inside.
might have to find the last year for that model, 16 or 17 I think. They do hold their value.

I did rent a 2024 x5 in Vegas and out about 1200 miles on it all over the state. Loved it. Not sure how reliable they are.

gebral question is this, what am I gaining? Apple play? That’s it really.
but general reliability would be nice to have so we could use the car for long trips. Last time we tried the starter died and that ruined it for us for good. Taking a 123k miles s550 far from home could end up very costly. If not mechanical, the low profile 19 inch tires could blow out and they did on that same trip when I hit a pot hole. So not a road trip vehicle even though it’s comfortable at it.
Still blowing 25K onna newer car with marginal improvements just sounds silly to me. I like to put money into kids college funds.
Still I love the car, the design and the engine sound.

 

What kind of a bonehead would even consider something like that? Not only would the upkeep on a 2008 S class be spendy, but going to all that trouble for that kind of money seems like a waste of time.

 

I feel your pain, if you wanna call it that. I’ve always used the analogy that buying new wasn’t the best choice for me. Yes, you’re the 1st owner, you hold the car’s entire history and that’s what you pay for. Then you might deal with recalls and other issues that no one knew because the car was new. There are plenty of folks that buy new, keep for a few years and move on. The thrill in finding what you want, paying for a thorough PPI if you have to and enjoying the ride (literally and figuratively) is what excites me.
With that said, I’ve owned mine since 8/22 and I’ve addressed a few issues that were considered normal as far as it was bound to happen or do it now, don’t take a chance and I love it. No car is perfect and the ole saying - “take care of it and it will take care of you” goes a long way!
Sorry this was long 🤓

 

‘don’t think anyone buys a new s class. They lease it. Either way you are out 35-45K in depreciation within first 3 years if you get it new.
‘if I buy it at 30k and sell it for 23 k years later it’s not too bad.
‘I’m 18 k all in after 3 years. Selling it for 12 id be fine with, but 6-7 is just insulting. Much rather keep it as a hobby car.

 

I fully agree with you, when I stated new, I meant vehicles in general, not an S Class.

 

There is always a market for stupidity. At least in the US.

 

yep no one with a brain buys a car new today - the manufacturers certainly don't want you too

to ensure you don’t the prices are now 25% more than they should be
the lease deals are much cheaper than they should be
in many countries, the crooked governments help layers of scum managers get a massive tax break on the monthly fees for their toy
and the sudden change in style and toys every 18 months is to ensure they looks dated and tired with no equipment "they need"

the reasons are simple

they work with governments to produce an exciting cheap perk, that corporations use to bribe layers of incompetent scum - that assist in that country's decline into utter slavery
they are no longer reliable enough to be suitable for long term ownership - so they must be passed on before it matters
the factory know exactly when to build its replacement and thus optimise the size of each factory and the slave's productivity
to get you on that path the have slowly made little things upset you enough to move to newer cars, but not enough to kill the Brand - Hifi Amp anyone ?


.

 

OP... 222 is MUCH improved over 221.

142,000 miles on my 222 S-65. MB changed design of engine mounts. The 221 S-65 got to have fresh mounts ANNUALLY. 222 car has original mounts that are fine. I didn’t do any ABC strut replacements in the 221 car. Had one that dripped at full droop on the hoist. It got wiped off with a rag and lived the full 155,000 miles I had the car. Got to replace the pulsation dampener that threads into the ABC pump twice in the 221 car. Once in the 222. Magic Body Control in the 222 car is a huge improvement over the 221. 222 Intelligent Lighting is as comparing incandescent headlights with HID lights. You’ll love it once it gets Jail-Braked by Peter.
221 car needed a radiator, alternator and A/C compressor from 110,000 to 120,000 miles. 222 car has needed none of those and A/C compressor continues to be silent. I’m not going to count the 221 car spitting a main bearing shell into the chains against it as it seems I am the lottery loser with that one. 221 car got coil packs and voltage transformer just before I bought the car. It was ready for them to be replaced again when it got traded off. 222 car has individual coils. I have replaced one. 221 and 222 cars get belts and bearings for accessory drive at same interval.
221 car had forever warped brakes. Even gave it a Brembo big brake kit in front with big rotors on hats with big calipers that reduced unsprung weight. Warped them to hell too. 222 car with Carbon Ceramic brakes got its first replacement of brake pads at 90,000 miles. 52,000 miles later pads have 10-11mm of material. Original rotors. Never warped. Really. 221 car got to have all four lower front suspension arms replaced annually. They would be squeaky sloppy worn out after 30,000 miles. 222 car got two lower arms at 90,000. Upper control arms at 130,000. Audio in the 222 car is hugely improved over the 221. I could continue. You may be seeing a pattern. I’m enjoying not having to burn week-ends keeping the 222 car on the road and it drives better with more ratios in the transmission to boot.

It doesn’t read as though there is a compelling reason to dump your 221 car but if you are looking to upgrade...

 

You are talking about an s65. I would not want such an expensive car, its a huge liability. SO that means id have to get a s550 and as mentioned, I dont want a time bomb m278 motor. Neither am I crazy about eh exterior design. In other words, its not a worthy upgrade for me.

Im glad you are getting to enjoy your car.

 

I’d never sell a W221 either—it’s such a solid, well-built car that’s hard to beat. From a mechanical standpoint, the BMW X5 really isn’t in the same league, and it certainly can’t replace the luxury and comfort of a W221. If you're thinking about something newer, the W222 could be a great option, despite the twin-turbo setup and bore score concerns. It’s still a significant step up in terms of tech and features while keeping the Mercedes charm. But honestly, if you’re happy with your W221, there’s no reason to let it go just yet. It might even become a classic down the road if cared for properly.

So the answer is NO or 'yes' if you will choose the W222!!

- W221/W222 > BMW X5 and 5 series

- Lexus LS > BMW X5 and 5 series

- W221/W222 > Lexus LS

 

Same experience, I have an 08 S550 with 127K miles, got it with 101K miles 3 years ago. It's in excellent shape and repairs have been very minimal for a $100K car. Big items were front driveshaft (4MATIC) and some front end parts. It's my daily driver and I always enjoy getting in it, and yes, I turn my head to look at it when I exit the vehicle. It's a gorgeous car. I'll probably drive it for another 100K miles unless something $$ happens. I make sure it's well maintained and don't expect any issues as it runs like a top!

 

I bet there is very few cars that have a higher now dead record - as in ones made vs ones still on the road