Hey everyone,

I'm seriously looking into getting my very first S550. However, this will be my very first Benz. While I'm quite excited about it, before I go ahead and make the order I wanted to ask all of you about what it's like to own an S550?

More specifically, I wanted to know the reliability of the car. Does it break down often? How expensive is the maintenance cost on the car? I normally take great care of my cars and don't treat them like garbage.

I'm just quite skeptical since I have done my own research and heard nightmare stories about S550 owners who had to pay tens of thousands of dollars in maintenance or reporting that things are randomly breaking in the S550.

It would be great to get some more input on this so I have a better idea of what I'm looking at.

For some more info, I'm currently looking to lease this car, and if I'm truly happy with the car, I would like to buy it at the end of the lease and keep it forever as I love this new style of the W222.

Thanks, and looking forward to being a fellow MB owner

 

I have had my S600 for almost 1 year and not needed to do anything but put gas in the car (and air in the tires once).

 

I don't have enough miles on my W222 for a long term report but I haven't heard any horror stories. Your new car will be on warranty probably for the term of the lease so you shouldn't have to worry about any outlandish repair items. Only normal maintenance. At lease end you can do your own evaluation as to reliability and cost of repairs. I have owned many Benzes and find them to be very reliable. Actually have one with 125K miles that runs as new. It has had most of normal wear items replaced like breaks, tires, windshields (3) climate control sensor and fan, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary for a heavily used car. Go for it. The W222 is an amazing ride!

 

I've had my 2015 S550 for almost a year. One trip to the dealer for an electrical problem - the front passenger side seat heating control wouldn't turn off & drained the battery. Dealer repaired under warranty.

Other than that, the car's rock-solid.

John

 

Thank you both! I'm glad to hear that you have owned many Benzes and they all turned out to be reliable.

How much does it cost for normal wear items such as the ones you mentioned to be replaced? I normally go to the dealership for anything I need.

 

Generally, the unreliable mercedes cars come out of the same plant, which is the one in Alabama. So not to worry the S-Class is made in Germany. For example, my ml has had numerous deficiencies and so has my cousin's.

 

Good to know. What other cars from Mercedes are made in Germany as well?

 

CLS, GLK, SL, AMG GTS and E. I think there are more, but I forget.

 

I have only had my S550 for a few weeks and love it. I did have a 2008 S550 (221) and it was a great car. I would not own one out of warranty and at the end of the Mercedes warranty I will buy a 3rd party one (from USAA).
Michael in Arizona

 

I have had 8 benzes over past 10 years and not had a problem in even a single one. I have a GL63 made in Alabama and again not a single problem.

 

My S has been great with one exception- HVAC died. Turned out to be a bad fan motor. First time the dealer has ever changed one in an S class so I guess things happen.

My GL has been terrible. Each headlight went out. The turbos died on the highway making the impossible to drive (no power). A few other things I'm forgetting...

 

Let me answer this by saying: "its <nearly> nothing compared to maintaining a Ferrari"

 

Lol I understand, do you have an exact ballpark figure on how much it would cost? For example I have normally owned Audis, so would the maintenance cost be about the same?

 

One thing you can look at is on the mbusa website under "Build" at the very end of your build is a listing for Prepaid Maintenance for 2, 3 and 4 years. You can buy this when you lease the car and just pay for enough maintenance for the term of your lease. It can also be included in your lease payment.

 

Picked car in Stuttgart drove there and drove in michigan last winter.no problems going for FIRST pre-paid service Monday.