W221 vs W222: NVH, insulation, quietness
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
W221 vs W222: NVH, insulation, quietness
Dear Friends,
I am contemplating buying a W221 facelift or a W222. The price difference by now is not significant, and that's not what's important for me. What is really important for me however, is the quietness of the cabin.
I am looking for the opinions of such forum members, who have driven both the W221 and the W222 extensively. I am interested in the following: Which cabin is more isolated from the road? Which car transmits road imperfections less into the cabin? Which car has less road noise? Which car has less wind noise? Which car is quieter in the city/on the highway? Etc, etc. Please feel free to write down your experience in detail, it might even be interesting for others. I am a bit of a maniac in this sense, but cabin serenity is pretty much my top priority.
Also, you might as well drag the other generations of the S-class (W140, W220, W223) into the conversation, if you have any comparative experience with those.
Thank you for your contribution!
I am contemplating buying a W221 facelift or a W222. The price difference by now is not significant, and that's not what's important for me. What is really important for me however, is the quietness of the cabin.
I am looking for the opinions of such forum members, who have driven both the W221 and the W222 extensively. I am interested in the following: Which cabin is more isolated from the road? Which car transmits road imperfections less into the cabin? Which car has less road noise? Which car has less wind noise? Which car is quieter in the city/on the highway? Etc, etc. Please feel free to write down your experience in detail, it might even be interesting for others. I am a bit of a maniac in this sense, but cabin serenity is pretty much my top priority.
Also, you might as well drag the other generations of the S-class (W140, W220, W223) into the conversation, if you have any comparative experience with those.
Thank you for your contribution!
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W221.156 S350
Haven't been in a W222 for a very long time but my friend goes in his friend's often and he remarked that my W221 is quieter especially whilst highway cruising (120kph). In all fairness, I have 6 cylinders, 18 inch with fresh tires, and drive it in comfort mode all day (and have doubled up on insulation in the door panels). His is v8, 20inch wheels, AMG exhaust, S mode kind of guy.
Thread Starter
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
Haven't been in a W222 for a very long time but my friend goes in his friend's often and he remarked that my W221 is quieter especially whilst highway cruising (120kph). In all fairness, I have 6 cylinders, 18 inch with fresh tires, and drive it in comfort mode all day (and have doubled up on insulation in the door panels). His is v8, 20inch wheels, AMG exhaust, S mode kind of guy.
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W221.156 S350
Might also add that with some luck I would be looking for a S65 W222 as a second vehicle. Though these are extremely difficult to come by and still demand a hefty premium - been eyeing one in Germany for around 190k euros ~ 2018 with 11k km. https://m.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/detail..._medium=social
Not a fan of the rear executive package though.
Not a fan of the rear executive package though.
Thread Starter
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
Might also add that with some luck I would be looking for a S65 W222 as a second vehicle. Though these are extremely difficult to come by and still demand a hefty premium - been eyeing one in Germany for around 190k euros ~ 2018 with 11k km. https://m.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/detail..._medium=social
Not a fan of the rear executive package though.
Not a fan of the rear executive package though.
Not sure what you dislike about the rear executive package, all I know, is that when it comes to the rear seats, the W222 is much more advanced than the W221, but that is of pretty much no importance to me. What are the reasons why you want the W222 S65 rather than the W221 S65? (or anything else) Just curious.
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W221 S500
The insulation inside the door cards is part of the heat reflective glass option. Whilst this is also double glazed, it is not the same thing. The insulation is primarily for cabin heat management but does have the added benefit of absorbing some noise.
I think my base S280 W220 had a quieter cabin than my S500 W221, but that's incredibly subjective and the W221 is much better built.
The W222 design is a bit wishy washy compared to the W221 and the engines significantly less reliable. Especially the 4.7.
Personally,I would go preface lift W221 or W140. Although my ultimate S is probably the W116 6.9.
I think my base S280 W220 had a quieter cabin than my S500 W221, but that's incredibly subjective and the W221 is much better built.
The W222 design is a bit wishy washy compared to the W221 and the engines significantly less reliable. Especially the 4.7.
Personally,I would go preface lift W221 or W140. Although my ultimate S is probably the W116 6.9.
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W221.156 S350
Fair question, and honestly if the right W221 S65 L comes along I might jump for that. Preference for the W222 is mainly because the issues with the older transmission got eliminated. The w222 is also a softer package (less visual flaunting perhaps? even though it looks newer).
I don't care for the rear seat package and never understood why would someone option it as such, it's a drivers car not to be chauffeured in.
I don't care for the rear seat package and never understood why would someone option it as such, it's a drivers car not to be chauffeured in.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
The insulation inside the door cards is part of the heat reflective glass option. Whilst this is also double glazed, it is not the same thing. The insulation is primarily for cabin heat management but does have the added benefit of absorbing some noise.
I think my base S280 W220 had a quieter cabin than my S500 W221, but that's incredibly subjective and the W221 is much better built.
The W222 design is a bit wishy washy compared to the W221 and the engines significantly less reliable. Especially the 4.7.
Personally,I would go preface lift W221 or W140. Although my ultimate S is probably the W116 6.9.
I think my base S280 W220 had a quieter cabin than my S500 W221, but that's incredibly subjective and the W221 is much better built.
The W222 design is a bit wishy washy compared to the W221 and the engines significantly less reliable. Especially the 4.7.
Personally,I would go preface lift W221 or W140. Although my ultimate S is probably the W116 6.9.
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Thread Starter
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
Fair question, and honestly if the right W221 S65 L comes along I might jump for that. Preference for the W222 is mainly because the issues with the older transmission got eliminated. The w222 is also a softer package (less visual flaunting perhaps? even though it looks newer).
I don't care for the rear seat package and never understood why would someone option it as such, it's a drivers car not to be chauffeured in.
I don't care for the rear seat package and never understood why would someone option it as such, it's a drivers car not to be chauffeured in.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
Good point. Since I want to buy a nicely specd S500 4Matic, I think I have no chance of finding one without a sunroof. Hopefully I can find one with a non-pano sunroof.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Damn, that's an insanely nice car. Definitely isn't cheap though.
Not sure what you dislike about the rear executive package, all I know, is that when it comes to the rear seats, the W222 is much more advanced than the W221, but that is of pretty much no importance to me. What are the reasons why you want the W222 S65 rather than the W221 S65? (or anything else) Just curious.
Not sure what you dislike about the rear executive package, all I know, is that when it comes to the rear seats, the W222 is much more advanced than the W221, but that is of pretty much no importance to me. What are the reasons why you want the W222 S65 rather than the W221 S65? (or anything else) Just curious.
That said... You asked about a quiet serene car.... That is not the AMG variant. The Quiet, smooth riding car is the 222 S-600. Engine and exhaust are about quiet. Taller sidewalls on tires makes less harshness over sharp bumps. Magic Body Control takes the 'head toss' out of the equation when driving on uneven roads + virtually eliminates body roll.
Thread Starter
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
OP I have over 160,000 miles of driving a 221 S-65 and 222 S-65. Both are wonderful cars. The 222 car requires MUCH LESS babysitting than the 221.
That said... You asked about a quiet serene car.... That is not the AMG variant. The Quiet, smooth riding car is the 222 S-600. Engine and exhaust are about quiet. Taller sidewalls on tires makes less harshness over sharp bumps. Magic Body Control takes the 'head toss' out of the equation when driving on uneven roads + virtually eliminates body roll.
That said... You asked about a quiet serene car.... That is not the AMG variant. The Quiet, smooth riding car is the 222 S-600. Engine and exhaust are about quiet. Taller sidewalls on tires makes less harshness over sharp bumps. Magic Body Control takes the 'head toss' out of the equation when driving on uneven roads + virtually eliminates body roll.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
The 222 is a much better car VS the 221. Things aren't just breaking all the time as was the case with the 221 car. Facelift 222 cars with the four liter have some issues the 4.7 in early cars did not suffer from. I'd have a V-12 powered 222 car over any of the V-8s. Old school, proven. 222 solved 'coil pack issue' of the 221 among other things. My 222 car has original alternator, A/C compressor, Starter, radiator. All of those had died in the 221 by 130,000 miles.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
The 222 is a much better car VS the 221. Things aren't just breaking all the time as was the case with the 221 car. Facelift 222 cars with the four liter have some issues the 4.7 in early cars did not suffer from. I'd have a V-12 powered 222 car over any of the V-8s. Old school, proven. 222 solved 'coil pack issue' of the 221 among other things. My 222 car has original alternator, A/C compressor, Starter, radiator. All of those had died in the 221 by 130,000 miles.
do you have any perception of de-contenting, cheapifying or en****tification in the 222 versus the 221?
sorry for the words used, but the general sentiment is that things get cost engineered out over time.
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
I'm curious about this myself, as I've read such things in multiple threads on multiple forums, that the W222 looks very bling, but is actually cheaper built than a W221. As for V12, the issue is, they don't come with 4matic, and I want that. Actually, a fully specd facelifted W221 S500 4matic just came up near my area, I think I'll take a look at that. Maybe it won't be much worse than a W222. It has a full designo leather interior and all.
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W221 S500
I'm curious about this myself, as I've read such things in multiple threads on multiple forums, that the W222 looks very bling, but is actually cheaper built than a W221. As for V12, the issue is, they don't come with 4matic, and I want that. Actually, a fully specd facelifted W221 S500 4matic just came up near my area, I think I'll take a look at that. Maybe it won't be much worse than a W222. It has a full designo leather interior and all.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
I wouldn’t be so hung up on 4matic. I looked specifically for a 550 without it, as in this smaller package, it just complicates things needlessly. More bushings need changed, more potential things to fail.
SUVs? Absolutely 4matic. A highway rocket? RWD all day long.
you’d be surprised over how much an RWD with good set of traction tires can get you places a 4Matic with all seasons won’t. That being said, for 4matic with blizzaks probably get you anywhere you need to go.
SUVs? Absolutely 4matic. A highway rocket? RWD all day long.
you’d be surprised over how much an RWD with good set of traction tires can get you places a 4Matic with all seasons won’t. That being said, for 4matic with blizzaks probably get you anywhere you need to go.
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
I wouldn’t be so hung up on 4matic. I looked specifically for a 550 without it, as in this smaller package, it just complicates things needlessly. More bushings need changed, more potential things to fail.
SUVs? Absolutely 4matic. A highway rocket? RWD all day long.
you’d be surprised over how much an RWD with good set of traction tires can get you places a 4Matic with all seasons won’t. That being said, for 4matic with blizzaks probably get you anywhere you need to go.
SUVs? Absolutely 4matic. A highway rocket? RWD all day long.
you’d be surprised over how much an RWD with good set of traction tires can get you places a 4Matic with all seasons won’t. That being said, for 4matic with blizzaks probably get you anywhere you need to go.
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From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
From your initial post...
After you've looked into it...
For me the 4matic is quite important for the winter as I live in a mountainous area. I've looked into it, and the facelift W222s are like €10-12k (like $14k) more expensive than an equivalent W221 with less miles. For that money, I could have a whole lot of things replaced on a W221 and basically sit in mechanically almost brand new car, which is tempting. The M273 is supposedly more reliable than anything that came after it anyway.
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From: İstanbul
W220 s500 w215 cl55 w639 viano w218 cls350
The M273 engines are a bit problematic. Since the Ecu is in the middle of the engine, it usually malfunctions and the m273 engine is very cumbersome. The previous generation m113 w220 s500s were more serial, it felt stronger, especially at low revs. If you are going to buy W221, I think you should choose a turbo coded m278. The performance difference is very noticeable. I think a slightly up-to-date version of the m278 was used in the w222, which gave 20 hp more power and the eccentrics were revised. Failures such as a few sensors and eccentric shaft gears were encountered in the first generation m278s. The M273 was an inefficient engine. He didn't see any modifications because he was so kind.
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
Well, first of all, I haven't decided yet. Second of all, the opinions are still mixed. In terms of pure NVH, I have heard about an equal amount of opinions for both models (including other threads). It's not like everyone in unison agrees that the W222 is more solid, "bank-vault-like" (just to use this phrase again), and decisively quieter. Most of the opinions center around how the W222 is much moderner (which it really is), the handling is sportier, and that the engines are better (which I find highly debatable). Oh, and that the Airmatic system is more reliable than on the W221, which is also true.
And well of course, I am no millionaire (if I were one and money would be no object, I would buy a W240) and the difference does matter. My initial statement that the price difference between a facelift W221 and a pre-facelift W222 is not significant, still stands.
Either way, based on your profile, I see that you yourself have a W221 and a W222 as well. So I would be interested in your opinion too, if you'd care to share.
And well of course, I am no millionaire (if I were one and money would be no object, I would buy a W240) and the difference does matter. My initial statement that the price difference between a facelift W221 and a pre-facelift W222 is not significant, still stands.
Either way, based on your profile, I see that you yourself have a W221 and a W222 as well. So I would be interested in your opinion too, if you'd care to share.
Last edited by MtimesM; Mar 25, 2026 at 07:36 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
I'm enjoying not having to constantly babysit the 222.
Magic Body Control, Intelligent lighting, Burmester Audio, Carbon Ceramic brakes.... Everything works in the car.
MB didn't cheap out. The way it drives is utterly different VS 221.
Thread Starter
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2008 E 350 T 4-Matic
The M273 engines are a bit problematic. Since the Ecu is in the middle of the engine, it usually malfunctions and the m273 engine is very cumbersome. The previous generation m113 w220 s500s were more serial, it felt stronger, especially at low revs. If you are going to buy W221, I think you should choose a turbo coded m278. The performance difference is very noticeable. I think a slightly up-to-date version of the m278 was used in the w222, which gave 20 hp more power and the eccentrics were revised. Failures such as a few sensors and eccentric shaft gears were encountered in the first generation m278s. The M273 was an inefficient engine. He didn't see any modifications because he was so kind.
As for the M278, I have driven a W221 S500 with it, and yes, it is an absolute beast. However, I find it highly debatable that they are more reliable than an M273. If I find a late model with no cylinder scoring issues, no timing issues, etc, it still stands, that that engine generates an IMMENSE amount of heat, has 2 turbos that can fail, has direjct injection with all the added complexity and potential for carbon buildup, etc. So I'm not sure if it would actually be a better "keeper" in the long run. Besides, I live in Europe, and distances here are a fragment of those in the US. So I regularly use my car for very short trips (couple of km/miles max), and DI turbo engines really don't like that. So I have to consider that as well.
