Critical opinions requested - 2011 S550
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Critical opinions requested - 2011 S550
Hi all,
Longtime lurker, first time poster. I am currently considering purchasing a 2011 S550 4Matic. Wanted to get some opinions on the car and its history from the group here. Although the mileage is low @ 49k, it's still a 15 year old car. That said, I love older cars especially large luxury cars and have what it takes to keep my vehicles on the road. I am largely a DIY guy and can tear down an engine, do suspension work and various other repairs. This would be my first Mercedes-Benz. I've always wanted one, but have never given one serious consideration in the 30+ vehicles that I have owned, until now.
I like the updated exterior of the W222, but there is no way that I would subject myself to the horror that is the M278. Yeah, more fun, but also more problems. Figured the 2010-2011 was the best year range to focus on given the issues with the early M273.
Car in question is here: https://www.vindevers.com/inventory/...g8gb9ba363231/
It has some nice upgrades on it (especially like the AMG wheels).
Has Chinese tires on it, which makes me question what else has been shortcut.
Service history seems a little sporadic and wildly different places at times. All indications are that they have had this car sitting since May so hoping they will deal at the end of the year. My first impression is the price is too high.
Anything that I need to watch out for when I stop in to look at it?
Any feedback you can give is appreciated. Lay it all out there - the good, the bad and the ugly. I understand assessing without being in person is always more difficult. Hopefully everything checks out and I be driving it home soon.
Longtime lurker, first time poster. I am currently considering purchasing a 2011 S550 4Matic. Wanted to get some opinions on the car and its history from the group here. Although the mileage is low @ 49k, it's still a 15 year old car. That said, I love older cars especially large luxury cars and have what it takes to keep my vehicles on the road. I am largely a DIY guy and can tear down an engine, do suspension work and various other repairs. This would be my first Mercedes-Benz. I've always wanted one, but have never given one serious consideration in the 30+ vehicles that I have owned, until now.
I like the updated exterior of the W222, but there is no way that I would subject myself to the horror that is the M278. Yeah, more fun, but also more problems. Figured the 2010-2011 was the best year range to focus on given the issues with the early M273.
Car in question is here: https://www.vindevers.com/inventory/...g8gb9ba363231/
It has some nice upgrades on it (especially like the AMG wheels).
Has Chinese tires on it, which makes me question what else has been shortcut.
Service history seems a little sporadic and wildly different places at times. All indications are that they have had this car sitting since May so hoping they will deal at the end of the year. My first impression is the price is too high.
Anything that I need to watch out for when I stop in to look at it?
Any feedback you can give is appreciated. Lay it all out there - the good, the bad and the ugly. I understand assessing without being in person is always more difficult. Hopefully everything checks out and I be driving it home soon.
Last edited by LithiumCobalt; Dec 12, 2025 at 12:33 PM.
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S500
wow
A final design prototype W221 was presented in December 2002 to Autospies journalists at a consumer design clinic, 2.5 years prior to the official production model unveiling in June 2005
Production for USA market Toluca Mexico
Wasn't aware you can get M273 engined ones so late in the production cycle
A final design prototype W221 was presented in December 2002 to Autospies journalists at a consumer design clinic, 2.5 years prior to the official production model unveiling in June 2005
Production for USA market Toluca Mexico
Wasn't aware you can get M273 engined ones so late in the production cycle
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W221.156 S350
Car looks clean but who knows. I’d stay away from the 4matic (or get a GL) unless you enjoy challenges when servicing/repairing. Plus it’s heavier.
If you’re drawn to it because of the mileage, do a thorough inspection of every button and function , check if all interior trim is in place, stand the car on an incline and test the door check straps. Under the hood look at the rubber grommet drain, and the grommets around the wiper axis, look for any signs of fluids, does the oil dipstick stick out after running the engine? Use a dry napkin around the dipstick area, as well as the pcv oil breather caps (lh front, rh back), are the rubber hoses and those vacuum lines soft or sticky/hard/crackling.
Take a diagnostic device with you, do a system wide scan prior to the test drive and after. Any differences? Note everything and use any identified issue as a leverage for a lower price
If you’re drawn to it because of the mileage, do a thorough inspection of every button and function , check if all interior trim is in place, stand the car on an incline and test the door check straps. Under the hood look at the rubber grommet drain, and the grommets around the wiper axis, look for any signs of fluids, does the oil dipstick stick out after running the engine? Use a dry napkin around the dipstick area, as well as the pcv oil breather caps (lh front, rh back), are the rubber hoses and those vacuum lines soft or sticky/hard/crackling.
Take a diagnostic device with you, do a system wide scan prior to the test drive and after. Any differences? Note everything and use any identified issue as a leverage for a lower price
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S500
all over the internet they made the 278 engine from 2010 - but no one lists any models getting it till 2011
or does this follow the usual idea BMW have with new model production happening after a minor rejig of the factory after summer hols the year before... so a Sept 2010 car is really a 2011 MY vehicle
or does this follow the usual idea BMW have with new model production happening after a minor rejig of the factory after summer hols the year before... so a Sept 2010 car is really a 2011 MY vehicle
Last edited by BOTUS; Dec 12, 2025 at 04:52 PM.
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Looked a little closer the wheels and determined they are not the originals. Original spec was for 19” AMG wheels. The car has a set of what looks like later 20” AMG wheels, but the logo is missing from the spot it should be. Dead giveaway for Chinese rims. So yet another item I plan to knock them for. I don’t see the coolant ever being changed on this car. At 15 years old, it’s gotta be pretty nasty by now. If everything else checks out I plan to offer $15k and see where it goes. Retail is 16-17. Hopefully being end of year they will be more willing to make a sale. The tires and wheels alone are about a $3-4k fix if I go back to genuine MB wheels and a decent set of tires. And then with 50k on it, probably expect another few grand for air suspension stuffs in a couple years.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 4
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all over the internet they made the 278 engine from 2010 - but no one lists any models getting it till 2011
or does this follow the usual idea BMW have with new model production happening after a minor rejig of the factory after summer hols the year before... so a Sept 2010 car is really a 2011 MY vehicle
or does this follow the usual idea BMW have with new model production happening after a minor rejig of the factory after summer hols the year before... so a Sept 2010 car is really a 2011 MY vehicle
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Car looks clean but who knows. I’d stay away from the 4matic (or get a GL) unless you enjoy challenges when servicing/repairing. Plus it’s heavier.
If you’re drawn to it because of the mileage, do a thorough inspection of every button and function , check if all interior trim is in place, stand the car on an incline and test the door check straps. Under the hood look at the rubber grommet drain, and the grommets around the wiper axis, look for any signs of fluids, does the oil dipstick stick out after running the engine? Use a dry napkin around the dipstick area, as well as the pcv oil breather caps (lh front, rh back), are the rubber hoses and those vacuum lines soft or sticky/hard/crackling.
Take a diagnostic device with you, do a system wide scan prior to the test drive and after. Any differences? Note everything and use any identified issue as a leverage for a lower price
If you’re drawn to it because of the mileage, do a thorough inspection of every button and function , check if all interior trim is in place, stand the car on an incline and test the door check straps. Under the hood look at the rubber grommet drain, and the grommets around the wiper axis, look for any signs of fluids, does the oil dipstick stick out after running the engine? Use a dry napkin around the dipstick area, as well as the pcv oil breather caps (lh front, rh back), are the rubber hoses and those vacuum lines soft or sticky/hard/crackling.
Take a diagnostic device with you, do a system wide scan prior to the test drive and after. Any differences? Note everything and use any identified issue as a leverage for a lower price
i will definitely run through all the buttons and features and see if I can make anything fail.
i have an Innova 5610 scanner but not sure if that is even compatible.
