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Hi Guys
I sold my 2007 W221 S550 and I am in the process of buying a 2014-2016 model, are there any certain years to stay away from or better options on certain years.
I am looking for a LWB Black on black, the dealership did find me a Magnetite Metallic Black but to me it looked like a dark grey.
Any info regarding reliability of the W222 is appreciated
I just picked up a 2015 with about 17K miles on the ODO. Good deals can be found on the 2015's for some reason. Must have made a lot of them that year. Love the car and the ride. Only problem is now my wife wants to drive it. Should be able to find a nice clean sub 25K mile 2015 for under 60K at this point. Depends on how far you want to go. They are way cheaper on the east coast for some reason.
I got my 2014 new; spec'ed and ordered.......only had some brake noise, fixed under warranty and an aux battery, also replaced under warranty....been a great car. I like not having the touch pad like the '15 cars do.
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
I got the 2016, I think they improved traffic sign assist which I think is only warning you if you go the wrong way - I think 2015 has traffic sign assist but not a wrong way warning. Might also be $10k less per prior year.
i love my HUD and night view assist, can’t tell if heated windshield works. Warmth and comfort is great, best feature of it may be the power rear seats, which IS worse for middle seat passenger.
Hi Guys
I sold my 2007 W221 S550 and I am in the process of buying a 2014-2016 model, are there any certain years to stay away from or better options on certain years.
I am looking for a LWB Black on black, the dealership did find me a Magnetite Metallic Black but to me it looked like a dark grey.
Any info regarding reliability of the W222 is appreciated
I don't think there are any models to avoid in the W222s as was in the case of the first W221s that came out as a 2007 model (late 2005-Aug 2006). You can tell which ones of the W221s to avoid because the ones that had trouble had the navi/radio antenna mounted on the trunk rather than the roof of the car. What issues they had , I don't remember.....seems like harness issues.
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Interesting. I THINK the E300/400 have a roof antenna 7nless you have the panoramic roof, then the gps antenna is basically above the mirror area. On moonroof I thin there is a roof antenna (not shark fin). My S has the pano (as they all do) AND shark fin
The W222 have been very solid early on. Minor issues only (some wind noise, brake noise and some reported seat noise - all easily taken care of). All S550 AWD's have a tendency for outer tire wear in the front even if aligned with spec. They apparently need a more accurate alignment than spec.
Each progressive year has a couple minor changes but the MY15 is more current to the MY14 due to some hardware changes (the most notable being the touchpad vs. keypad). The MY17 has the biggest pre-facelift improvement with it's 9 speed tranny.
Our MY15 in magnetite black was an awesome looking car.
IMO,you would be better off if you could find a MY17.Along with the greatly improved 9 speed trans you get suspension upgrades which improve ride and handling.I have posted comments about this a couple of times on this forum.Good luck!
IMO,you would be better off if you could find a MY17.Along with the greatly improved 9 speed trans you get suspension upgrades which improve ride and handling.I have posted comments about this a couple of times on this forum.Good luck!
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
educated backside? i've been told that's where my brains are...
i haven't tried a 17. i'd have liked the 9 speed. i will say from the little i looked with the CPOs, once i went from 16 to 17 the price hiked - to the point that i didn't see much of a savings - i THINK with a 17 CPO i'd have gotten an extra year of warranty, and i even saw some 18s FOR LIST PRICE - are they nuts?
i'm still trying to figure out if i saved money getting a CPO - my CPA is on the fence about the CPO (see what i just did?)
i know leasing would have been about $60k.
not sure how i'll do after buying/selling.
with a lease, we'd expense the payments.
with the purchase, we're depreciating over 3 years (so nice tax pop there)
if i stay with benz, and particularly the S, i'll see what i do in the summer of 2022 - i might buy a new one. might lease a new one. might buy a CPO. might lease an E. may do something else altogether - nice to have options.
but at the end of the day, at the moment i don't THINK the 2017 makes a lot of economic sense - if i was going to shop the 2017 i might just get a new 2018. for that matter, i'm reading great things about the S450 vs. the S560 (560 closest to the 550 as others have said). i think the 0 to 60 time is pretty close, not sure how the drive feels differently, or the different ponies feel on command. but, i don't think there are any S450's from 2017. that could also be a compelling decision.
To me, the best attribute of the S550 is the depreciation curve on this car. Personally I would never buy one new as I equate driving a new one off the lot to be the equivalent of lighting 30K on fire and watching it burn. Not a judgement on anyone who buys new just what my comfort level is with a depreciating asset. My last 2 cars have been S550's and they are great cars but they do have somewhat of a depreciation sweetspot. What I have found is that buying one that is around 3 years old still gets you a pretty new and relevant car for about 50% of the new cost. I try to buy one that is still under factory MB warranty so I can extend the MB warranty, other that that it is a bit tedious trying to find the one you want with the options you want. I was prepared to hop on a plane and fly to pick up what I wanted but ended up finding one locally that was perfect for me.
To me, the best attribute of the S550 is the depreciation curve on this car. Personally I would never buy one new as I equate driving a new one off the lot to be the equivalent of lighting 30K on fire and watching it burn. Not a judgement on anyone who buys new just what my comfort level is with a depreciating asset. My last 2 cars have been S550's and they are great cars but they do have somewhat of a depreciation sweetspot. What I have found is that buying one that is around 3 years old still gets you a pretty new and relevant car for about 50% of the new cost. I try to buy one that is still under factory MB warranty so I can extend the MB warranty, other that that it is a bit tedious trying to find the one you want with the options you want. I was prepared to hop on a plane and fly to pick up what I wanted but ended up finding one locally that was perfect for me.
Made me chuckle. These are SOLID cars and still to this day, can't find a sedan that rides any nicer, below $100k, not happening.
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Originally Posted by superpop
To me, the best attribute of the S550 is the depreciation curve on this car. Personally I would never buy one new as I equate driving a new one off the lot to be the equivalent of lighting 30K on fire and watching it burn. Not a judgement on anyone who buys new just what my comfort level is with a depreciating asset. My last 2 cars have been S550's and they are great cars but they do have somewhat of a depreciation sweetspot. What I have found is that buying one that is around 3 years old still gets you a pretty new and relevant car for about 50% of the new cost. I try to buy one that is still under factory MB warranty so I can extend the MB warranty, other that that it is a bit tedious trying to find the one you want with the options you want. I was prepared to hop on a plane and fly to pick up what I wanted but ended up finding one locally that was perfect for me.
we're largely in agreement.
i THINK the gist is a lease on a loaded S is about $20k/year for 3 years.
I got my S550 for about $40k off (not half off - my sticker was originally $125k, so about 1/3 off)
then, i added in the CPO extended warranty for a few sheckels, and tire and wheel warranty as well (which i'd have bought new likely anyway)
i was willing to drive back about 1,250 or so miles (so fly, down to florida, drive back up, would have been great) - my car was in Oregon - that would have been about 4 days of driving - 11 states - might have been fun, but i suspect like most on this forum, i can make back the cost of the transport in short order; 4 days of my time has a much greater value to it - however - i was anxious for the roughly 2 weeks before it arrived - (in a snow storm, with summer tires on it!) - wasn't able to track it as i had to get INTO the car to the little "i" button to subscribe to mbrace.
was a bear to find the features i wanted, i bought exterior and interior both pure black, colors i didn't want (but have rapidly grown on me).
if i get another, i'd likely get the further upgraded interior - my nappa leather is great, but i like the designo look, and the starburst carpeting...that's the downside of CPO if you want certain features...
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