Good year or a not so good year for a 222?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 779
Likes: 205
From: Texas
63 Falcon vert
Good year or a not so good year for a 222?
i am ready to move from my 2012 S550 and it's met all my expectations. Could not be more pleased but it's time.
For a 222, is there a year that stands out? Is the transmission an issue at all?
All comments welcome.
Thanks.
For a 222, is there a year that stands out? Is the transmission an issue at all?
All comments welcome.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 820
From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
I traded my MY2012 4matic for a MY2015 4matic with 17K miles. I have racked up around 4K miles in the last 4 months with zero issues. From a pricing perspective the MY2015 seems to be in the sweet spot as far as depreciation goes with a very nice example going for around 50% of original MSRP. I gave 59K for mine and it had an MSRP of around 119K. I think the 15-17MY cars have the same 7 speed. Some have had issues but it is too soon to tell if the new 9 speed is any more reliable as it is new. Got around 31K on my trade with 55K miles on the clock. These cars do seem to sell for a premium in the PNW as I found my same car on the east coast and in TX for around 3K less but in Washington we have sales tax so the savings was cancelled because of this. Found a MB dealer that will extend the factory warranty for another 3 years for around 3200 bucks so I will be at around 62K all in with the warranty. Love the car, it is a step above the 12 in refinement and comfort and it feels just as solid. Loved my 12 but it was falling out of warranty and I was ready for something new. Personally I would never buy one of these cars new because of the depreciation hit they take but the 2-3 year examples with very low miles can be had for a bargain.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 779
Likes: 205
From: Texas
63 Falcon vert
Thanks for the review. Most appreciated. Agree completely on warranty. Does MY2015 have a spare tire? Wheels are 19 or 20? Use will be a road car not a town car.
Again thanks.
Again thanks.
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 200
Likes: 12
From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
i had a transmission issue in my 2016 CPO, they rebuilt and i think the 7 speed is known for issues. Don’t know about 9 speed. I wanted a 16 for the traffic sign assist and I think there were a couple of other minor features over the 15.
i think warranty is key.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 772
From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
I got a 2015 about a year ago on a trade of my AMG Wagon. Great car, no real issues, trans sometimes has a firm shift from 1 to 2 first shift of the day only and on rare occasion a firm downshift from 4 to 3, like once a month if that. Car is very comfortable and cushy. Was thrilled with the distronic originally until I drove a 2018, much improved in the newer car. Does not hold the center of the lane all that well in the 2015 and tends to weave a little as if you'd had a few beers, lol. The newer cars of course are more advanced, but that's the way technology goes. Car performs very well, really presses you into the seat when you get on it. Surprising handling for a such a big car. Sometimes on exit ramps I'll hit the suspension into sport just to make it a little tighter in the corners. I don't recommend the run flats, better off with a regular tire, I run the bridgestones Serenity plus tires. Less noise and more comfortable. The mood lighting is good and many other cool features. All around a great car.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 779
Likes: 205
From: Texas
63 Falcon vert
Thanks all for good feedback. RFT have their place in the city plus they look really good on a Low Rider or a 911. On the hwy, a real tire is needed but with a spare in the back.
Actually, I get the low profile look and see the attraction. I just lean more towards performance.
Time to start looking for a 2015. Houston, Dallas and Austin.
Thanks again for the feedback.
Actually, I get the low profile look and see the attraction. I just lean more towards performance.
Time to start looking for a 2015. Houston, Dallas and Austin.
Thanks again for the feedback.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 772
From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
Something like this seems like a decent deal, maybe throw a bid at it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Be...8AAOSw7fBa6J1b
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
no spare tires on any w222 unless you throw a donut in the trunk.
i had a transmission issue in my 2016 CPO, they rebuilt and i think the 7 speed is known for issues. Don’t know about 9 speed. I wanted a 16 for the traffic sign assist and I think there were a couple of other minor features over the 15.
i think warranty is key.
MB has been using the 7G-tronic for 15 years in millions of cars and and had countless revisions and software. They definitely had some issues and the 9G is much better but the 7G in the 222 was the most mature version. Transmission software is also designed by model and is not 100% between models.
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 200
Likes: 12
From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
I’m not llooking to argue. I believe I read here and elsewhere about NUMEROUS known issues with the 7 speed including hard shifts I think from 4 to 5. I may be mistaken but I woukdn’t have pulled that out of a hat, I had read about it and would swear i read others said known issues.
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 200
Likes: 12
From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
here’s one link, there’s a lot more out there...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w222...-shifting.html
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w222...-shifting.html
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I’m not llooking to argue. I believe I read here and elsewhere about NUMEROUS known issues with the 7 speed including hard shifts I think from 4 to 5. I may be mistaken but I woukdn’t have pulled that out of a hat, I had read about it and would swear i read others said known issues.
Keep in mind that the OP is coming from the exact same transmission already (perhaps older software)
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
here’s one link, there’s a lot more out there...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w222...-shifting.html
The only thing at times is to separate personal opinion from facts. The 7speed MCT for AMG models has been cursed for years for it's harsh and jerky shifting. And it was; AMG should have changed the transmission years ago. But its bad demeanor wasn't faulty. It just was working that way. Same way with BMW's SMG and DCT for M cars...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,938
Likes: 396
From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
I’m not llooking to argue. I believe I read here and elsewhere about NUMEROUS known issues with the 7 speed including hard shifts I think from 4 to 5. I may be mistaken but I woukdn’t have pulled that out of a hat, I had read about it and would swear i read others said known issues.
Last edited by AppleFan1; May 20, 2018 at 09:56 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 772
From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
From what I've heard there has been problems with the Pulse Width Modulator in both the 221 and 222's. (PWM). I think that could be the problem in my car. I tried to tell the dealer this and all they did was a software update which did not thing for my shifting harshness.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,120
Likes: 4,351
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
My 2015 was a good car. It had something around 40K when I turned it back after a three year lease. The glass roof popped, creaked & squeaked, but other than that, was pretty much trouble free.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
Likes: 74
From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
And my 2015 does not make any noise from the glass roof. It’s actually super quiet all around.
