Wolfman

I am not putting the E-Class down. But as the owner of both I may have experience to judge the strengths and weaknesses of either model. Ownership provides perspective

Not going into your thoughts of what represent facts or opinion. I have no agenda but am annoyed by your criticism of a car you obviously know little about...

places

I think we have a Troll here. Best to ignore. There seems to be a history with this guy over E vs S and E is better or equal to. He's a proud papa of an E450 and feels strongly that his car belongs in the S discussion. Let him rant, so what.

Merserybenze

personal opinion based on owning w204, w212 (e400) and now w222- by far the best in all categories is my w222...just my personal experience. w222 has killed my itch for another car....

AppleFan1

About a year ago, the dealer gave me an E-Class as a loaner while my 2014 S550 was in for normal service. I couldn't believe the difference (S550 was SO much better) in comfort and everything else. I now drive a 2019 S450 and it is another step up from the S550.

rustybear3

Streamliner

Gee. I had not visited this thread for a few weeks. I figured that MB did the right thing, bought the car back, the OP is going to get another car of his choice, end of story. But today, based on the number of posts I saw listed, it would appear that this thread had found a new life, so I decided to take another look. Amazing! Yet another thread shot to hell.

This discussion brings to mind the old Packard slogan: "Ask the man who owns one." As most here do own or lease a W222, we know what we have it these cars. Aside from a few complaints about content (no spare, run flat tires, color choices, etc.) the W222 is "THE" best luxury sedan on the planet. Being at the top of the MB food chain, it is, most likely, the best car ever produced, period. The Rolls & Bentley models might be more ostentatious--or luxurious depending on how one sees it--but when it comes to things that actually matter, like engineering, ride, handling, comfort, safety, performance and owner satisfaction, NOTHING comes close to the current S Class. We, the folks "who own one," know this. Those who don't own one, can blather all they like and it doesn't mean a thing, it's just uninformed rhetoric.

To the OP: I would really try, to slip into a 2018 S Class, if possible. My 2015 S550 was a fine car, but the improvements in the face lifted model are just wonderful! Ask the man who owns one!

Rockland

NOTHING? You talk in absolutes like only your opinion counts for something. Are you trying so hard to convince others or yourself about the choices you have made? Glad you like your car.

rustybear3

You've stumbled onto yet another Homer on the S class forum who thinks nothing comes close to touching their "S" cars...even to the point where some of them even deny that the rest of the model lineup should even be considered luxury cars. Particularly "E" models; which they especially disdain. We all love our cars or we wouldn't have bought them; but c'mon...tread lightly and don't disagree....on anything! If you do, some chest pounding freak might call you a troll.

seamus2154

Wow, talk about digging in! I have owned several E class over the years and 3 S class. Two VERY different cars. The E class is a great car...in it's class. The S class is another league. They are designed to do different things and bring different experiences. I personally would not go back to an E class again. I would be happy if my wife wanted one as its a cool car. But for me it's the S. Having experienced it for so many years it is the top tier car in the lineup no doubt. Maybach is not a consideration for me. Too much of a stand out. The E class is a luxury mid size car. The S class is a flagship car. It's not really a discussion. Many opinions but they do go in order from the A to the S......... and the price goes from low to high for a reason.

Streamliner

Sorry. I just assumed, that everyone who reads these forums, knows that everything one posts here, for the most part, is their opinion. I guess I should have been more clear on that. My apologies.

1bad540

Ok lets get back on topic, your e classes are just as good as s classes. everyone happy now? to the Op whats on the choices block? Used s63's id say are veryyy tempting right now.

places

Are there greater risks in buying a pre owned AMG? Maintenance costs will certainly be more, anything to look for specifically? I'm contemplating picking up an S next year, new vs low mile CPO which means low mileage AMG for the same price as a new 560.

Streamliner

Here’s my take on that: Most folks who spring for the S63 or S65, do it for one of two reasons. First, the cars are much more expensive, making them more exclusive. Secondly, they are much more powerful. When you have all that extra power, that you have paid so dearly for, the tendency is to want to use it. Thus, you find guys tromping on the throttle, to experience that exhilarating rush. Unfortunately, many—certainly not all—of these folks have no idea what they are doing with all this power and accidents do happen. Short of actual collisions, cars may hit bumps and dips way too fast & hard. They may actually become airborne at times and bottom out at others. I’ve seen some guys go screaming down residential neighborhood streets, only to stomp on the brakes for the next Stop sign. Even though these are not track cars, by any stretch of the imagination, some of them will see at least some track time and if pushed, will end up with fried this or that. All that monstrous power and torque can prematurely wear driveline and suspension components, especially in the V12 models. In short, I believe that there is a tendency for the AMG cars to be abused, more so than the standard S Class models. Again, this is just my opinion, for whatever it is worth. If it were me and the choice was between a new S560 and a CPO S63 or S65, I’d take the 560 all day long.

Rockland

I do not abuse my V12 but if I was buying a CPO S63/65 I would definitely want to know the prior owner’s profile if possible.

places

Excellent points. While not fair to stipulate or generalize that all or most AMG owners are hard on their vehicles it would be prudent to research to car and owner. There is certainly a temptation that goes with owning an AMG. While true limits can only be tested on a track by experts, the novice may feel the need to push the car. Particularly at break in periods which is one of the most vulnerable times. 560 will probably make the most sense. Plenty of get up and go.

rustybear3

Short of a Carfax or Autocheck, unless you're buying from a private individual with supplied documentation, which one should do with any used car, how would you know more about a person's profile? There really isn't any way of knowing how a person drives their car, outside of the aforementioned reports that I know of. Even if a prior owner admits to tracking a car, it still no real indicator of how they drive it.

IMO, a visual inspection is probably more important by your Indy.

MBNUT1

For starters get a quote on replacing brakes for an AMG car and compare that to a non AMG car.

1bad540

This def!! Stopped me from buying an amg a few years ago on the cl63. These are expensive cars and if you can see the car and getting it from a benz dealer or cpo I would expect the car to not have been tracked. If its still under warty Id say your good.

Streamliner

Thinking just a bit more about this and to the actual question at hand.............

The AMG S Class Cars are very quick & fast, but they cost much more to buy, more to maintain and if something breaks that isn’t covered under warranty, watch out. In addition to all that fun stuff, they depreciate like a lead balloon. Thinking of driving in metro areas where many streets are reminiscent of a crater ridden war zone these days, the AMG suspensions are less forgiving, especially when compared to the magnificent Magic Body Control option, which is not available on the S63 or S65. You can option the non-AMG cars with 18” wheels, which offer a much nicer ride and will suffer the ravages of potholes better than the 20” wheels so many AMG cars ride on. As more expensive cars, insurance rates are higher and if we want to nit pick, they use more gas. Meanwhile, the standard S560 is a very quick, very fast car and equipped with 18” wheels, cushy, non-RFT & MBC, it rides like no other. Lastly, my personal preference when it comes to a big, luxury “saloon” like the W222, is a more stately, elegant look, as opposed to sporty & aggressive. Putting swoopy ground effects body work on something the proportions of an S Class, just doesn’t work for me, especially in a land where most highway speeds are limited to 65mph. The real way to go, IMHO, is to have a nice S450 or S560 as a daily driver and a sporty SL or AMG GT in the garage for fun.

AMG vs Non-AMG reminds me of a sign that hung in my local speed shop many decades ago:

............................“SPEED COSTS MONEY. HOW FAST DO YOU WANT TO GO?”............................

Wolfman

We are still talking about S-class here. There will be no S63/S65 models that have been tracked; these cars are not really trackable.
I mean there are some people that could drive those cars on a track but that is not the same thing.

Another forum member tracked a SL65 on Laguna Seca one day and destroyed his Carbon Ceramic Brakes due to brake pad failure. These cars don’t have sufficient brake cooling. $15k mistake...

Under normal road conditions CCB’s last 60k miles or more but the worries about worn steel rotors is legit.
Those are multi-piece rotors and will easily cost $5k at the dealer. This is a consumable part...

1bad540

I agree, was just responding to what others had written, I wouldnt worry aboutbthe car being beat.

Wolfman

Same here. AMG or non-AMG shouldn't matter. But there are good dealers and others that are not. This simply wouldn't been an issue with our dealers here.
That said, the OP is lucky to be in CA. Buybacks on used cars in other states can be quite tricky...

1bad540

Im in Nyc, plenty of **** dealers. But the main dealers for the most part dont sell ****. Obviously you have to pik n choose if you know what your looking at.

aypues

MBC is standard equipment on the S65. Tuned differently though.

Streamliner

You are right and I stand corrected. Thanks for pointing that out.