Most Reliable Year of the W222?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Pam, the S350 in the years you mention uses the OM642 diesel engine and 7G-Tronic transmission. The OM642 had a very troubled history in the US. It might be different in France. The 7G-Tronic is used in many M-B vehicles of these years. I am neutral on it. I think M-B should not design and manufacture their own transmissions, they are not good at it. Read many posts on this site. My experience is similar to the posts. So I give the 7G-Tronic an average rating.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
2002 CL500
Thank you! Is there a year in the s350 that that engine was not used? 2018?
Found a 2016 s500 (built 12/16/16 so it has the 9 G- Tronic transmission with 53k miles in black on black.
Was also reading up on the 2018 s500e hybrid. Battery gives approx 20-30 miles and charges when engine kicks in.
The 2017 s500e hybrid, uses the 7-G Tronic transmission, so you pay a little more for a better transmission.
Again, really appreciate the knowledge and suggestions, as I was going to buy a Tesla S but is having second thoughts.
Found a 2016 s500 (built 12/16/16 so it has the 9 G- Tronic transmission with 53k miles in black on black.
Was also reading up on the 2018 s500e hybrid. Battery gives approx 20-30 miles and charges when engine kicks in.
The 2017 s500e hybrid, uses the 7-G Tronic transmission, so you pay a little more for a better transmission.
Again, really appreciate the knowledge and suggestions, as I was going to buy a Tesla S but is having second thoughts.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
The seemingly most reliable engines in the W222 platform are the M276 3.5L V6 in the S 400 and the M278 4.8L V8 in the S 500 and S 550.
The European experience with diesels seems much different than here in the US, likely due to fuel quality/formulation differences. If a European member of the site chimes in, this will be most helpful, if you are seeking better fuel economy than the two petrol engines listed above can deliver.
The European experience with diesels seems much different than here in the US, likely due to fuel quality/formulation differences. If a European member of the site chimes in, this will be most helpful, if you are seeking better fuel economy than the two petrol engines listed above can deliver.
Newbie
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 9
From: Philadelphia, PA
2015 S63 AMG
I had a 2007 S600 and the only thing that failed was an idler pulley at around 18,000 miles.
Move forward: I now have a 2017 S63 AMG with 77,000 miles!!!!!! Probably the highest mileage 2017 out there, and it has given me no problems at all except one day some misfires. Codes were checked and it never happened again. I think the 2015-2017 S classes are the best models in history of Mercedes Benz.
I nearly traded for a 2019 this past Saturday and declined. I said to myself, it's not giving me one sign of problems, why trade???
So to answer the question: I do agree that the 2017 model S classes have the highest reliability ratings above all other luxury automobiles.
Move forward: I now have a 2017 S63 AMG with 77,000 miles!!!!!! Probably the highest mileage 2017 out there, and it has given me no problems at all except one day some misfires. Codes were checked and it never happened again. I think the 2015-2017 S classes are the best models in history of Mercedes Benz.
I nearly traded for a 2019 this past Saturday and declined. I said to myself, it's not giving me one sign of problems, why trade???
So to answer the question: I do agree that the 2017 model S classes have the highest reliability ratings above all other luxury automobiles.
hey do you remember what codes you got? I have a 2015 s63 amg and I got the P0356 (ignition coil f, primary control circuit/open) and the P0430 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 2). I cleared them but for some reason every other week or some days back to back my CEL would come on and it would be either of these 2 codes.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 3
Mercedes s560
Best>Reliability s450
Every review board gives the 2018 through 2020 Mercedes S450 a rating of 4.5 out of 5. Driven 1 for approximately 140miles and in ALL honesty it's a dream once you shut all the driver assistant. You feel like a king on wheels
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
The 222 S-Class is and has been (by a large margin) the most enjoyable, most reliable S-Class. My car with 157,000 miles on it is now requiring more care and feeding but has never left me stranded and most repairs are DIY friendly enough.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 258
Likes: 134
From: Southern California (L.A.)
2019 S65 Coupe, 2017 S650 Maybach Convertible, 2020 S560 Sedan, 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S
I have a 2020 S560 since new with almost 80,000 miles and had very minor maintenance issues. It drives like a dream. I also had a 2015 S550 for 3 years and it was nice too. The S560 is much better in many ways. There were a lot of upgrades done to the S class during the mid-cycle refresh. You're better off getting a 2018-2020 than a 2014-2017. Here's some info on the differences between a 2014-2017 S63 AMG to a post refresh 2018-2020 S63. I don't have the same info for the non AMG S class but you'll get the idea. Note, I am not the author of this info. 50 Reasons to upgrade 2017 S63 Cabriolet to 2019 S63 Cabriolet. While not all apply to the upgraded S65 Coupe, many of these upgrades do:
Here are over 50 reasons to upgrade to the 2019 S:
Here are over 50 reasons to upgrade to the 2019 S:
- New engine: M177 LS2 4.0l Hot-V twin-turbo twin-scroll engine with 612 DIN 603 SAE HP and 900 Nm 664 lb-ft torque. Faster to 60: from 3.8 to 3.4 (Car & Driver test got 3.1; 2019 GT R is 3.5). Cylinder deactivation (Comfort mode only). New layout in the engine compartment; OMOE badge now right of center.
- 9G MCT transmission with simplified race start and four Dynamic Select programs (Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual) affecting engine, transmission, suspension, steering, ESP, and all-wheel drive. Glide Mode via Sailing Function: ("Comfort" mode "sailing" function: when the driver releases the accelerator in a speed range from 60 to 160 km/h, the clutch of the DCT transmission is disengaged.) “Last mode save" feature is not available in the USA.
- AMG 4Matic+ AWD with 3-stage ESP (Comfort, Sport, Off) but no drift mode as in E-Class.
- Ride Control+ suspension with 3 settings.
- Front axle kinematics have higher wheel camber. Bigger stabilizer bar. More rigid subframe mount at the rear axle.
- New Intelligent Drive system package with improved DISTRONIC Active Proximity Control, Route-based Speed Adaptation, Extended Restart (now 5s in city; 30s on freeway), Active Steer Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Remote Parking Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Congestion Emergency Braking, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Automatic Speed Takeover, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Pre-Safe Sound. Now 2 radars in rear at 45 degrees, one in front. Infrared in visor for near-range system use; grill has the far-range sensor for night vision.
- Exhaust flap button, infinitely variable flaps.
- Track Pace vehicle data.
- New bumpers and Panamericana grill. Pronounced bulge at the top of the grill.
- ILS headlights with new Ultra Wide Beam. No Multibeam LED headlights on A/C217 due to lack of space.
- OLED tail lights (without animated light sequences in US: regulations in certain markets, including the US, require a certain amount of lighted surface area at all times for the turn signal. With our tail light design on the S63A4, it cannot both be progressive and comply with the US regulations. Audi is able to get around this because a portion of their turn signal lights up all at once while layering the progressive turn signal on top of that.). But still red rear turn signals in US due to bogus “size regulations”. OLED advantages include detectability from extreme viewing angle, largely no cooling, low DC voltage required, stepless dimmability, no shadows, uniform illumination, and less glare of the subsequent traffic, but concerns about longevity.
- New steering wheel with touch control pads and Distronic controls. Can use steering wheel touchpad for COMAND movement and selection.
- Dual displays now under single pane of glass but still separated by 2" blank space. Higher resolution of up to 1920 x 720 pixels (200 dpi).
- NTG5*5 COMAND Online:
- 3D navigation with topographical map display, photo-realistic 3D buildings, and 3D map rotations.
- New display modes "Classic", "Sporty" and "Progressive" (although there is very little difference between Sporty and Progressive).
- More AMG info (engine and transmission oil temperature, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, engine output and torque, boost pressure, tyre temperatures and pressures as well as the current vehicle set-up).
- More responsive UI (although it still takes three seconds to get to the interior lighting menu).
- Revised menus.
- The menus are right justified so you have to click right to go back which is opposite from the 2017 and is counter-intuitive.
- New button layout around the COMAND controller. Favorites button moves to the right keypad touchpad area of the steering wheel.
- CarPlay and Android Auto (wired).
- Many more system options available: display and styles, input, audio, connectivity, Bluetooth devices, COMAND touch, time and date, language, units, Personalization, software update, system back up, pin protection, info on the system, reset.
- Options available in the vehicle menu include seats, climate control, dynamic select, track pace, assistance, consumption, light settings, vehicle settings, and owners manual.
- The Assistance menu includes traffic sign assist, camera and parking assist, active brake assist, speed adjustment, attention assist, active lane keeping assist, lane change assist, active blind spot assist, and automatic night view assist.
- COMAND Touch app.
- The subtle blue background of the menu system to indicate where the cursor is, is very poor UI. Can't wait for a touchscreen interface.
- All of the left monitor vehicle functions have been moved to the right monitor menu settings.
- You can configure a skeuomorph of an analog clock to show in the Additional Display Area of the right monitor when looking at radio but not navigation.
- There are actually 3 kinds of Burmester audio: Base, High End, and High End 3D. The High End system does not include 3D in the Cab since there is no overhead speaker, but MB claim it still has 23 speakers and 1,520 watts. I counted two grills in each front door, three on each rear door panel, one in the back, one in the center console, one in the trunk, and at 13 that's it, so presumably some grills have multiple cones. Coupe has 24 speakers. Sedan spec says 27 but has 3x2 front, 4 top, 2x2 rear, 2 shelf, 1 trunk for 17 that I can see.
- Linguatronic voice control extended to 450 commands including vehicle functions (air conditioning, seat heating/ventilation, interior lighting, fragrance/ionization, seat massage, and HUD).
- 3 new trim lines (high-gloss brown burr walnut wood, satin-finish grey ash wood and flowing lines designo magnolia wood).
- 3 new upholstery lines (AMG Line Plus (semi-aniline) porcelain/tizian red, designo Exclusive nappa leather porcelain/tizian red and AMG Line Plus bengal red/black).
- New AMG key fob.
- Multi-color HUD.
- ENERGIZING comfort control with six programs.
- Frameless rearview mirror.
- Door can be unlocked with NFC, but via Android only. iPhone requires an NFC sticker.
- A housing for the digital tuner takes up half the space of the trunk cubby, but presumably won't be in US models.
- New Start button.
- Longer wheel adjustment stalk, now approximately 2".
- Microphones at the top of the windshield frame. Centered in Coupe, outboard in Cabriolet.
- Wireless Qi smartphone charging for devices up to 15.2cm diagonal. Wireless charging mat takes up all (sedan) / some (Coupe) / much (Cabriolet) of the center console. Conflicts with NFC-based Apple Pay.
- "4Matic+" label added to side badges.
- 64 interior lighting colors, multi-colors, AC indicating, welcome lighting, and lighting scenes.
- No CD player
- 2 USB and SD card reader in center console. 2 12V outlets in the rear.
- DISTRONIC lowest speed that can be set is 12 mph (was 20). Didn’t I see 15?
- If rocker switch 4 is pressed up twice, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is activated with the speed restriction displayed in the instrument cluster. ??
- Press and hold the voice button to start the voice assistant (Siri) of the mobile phone.
- To create your own Favorite: select the desired function in the multimedia system. Press and hold the Home button until the favorites are displayed.
- If you switch the power supply off and on again within 20 minutes, the previous setting of the seat heater for the driver's seat remains active.
- Seat memory sets seat, headrest, multicontour settings, heat distribution, steering wheel and outside mirror positions, and now? HUD.
- Transmission to P when ignition turned off?
- Parking brake automatically released.
- Remote Park app? No, sedan only
- Does rear cross traffic assist work?
- Two Attention Assist sensitivity levels.
- Cruise from 15+.
- 20 menu item favorites.
- What’s COMAND Touch app?
- Lateral side impact warning.
- Adjustable Parktronic distance, tone volume, and pitch.
- When low beam is activated, the indicator lamp for the parking lights is deactivated and replaced by the low beam indicator lamp. When the high beam is activated, the indicator lamp for low beam is deactivated and replaced by the indicator lamp for the high beam.
- No gas guzzler tax or destination charge?
- Battery standby mode.
- Drive Away Assist.
- Exiting a parking spot requires pushing the Parktronic button.
- AMG Supplement
- Exit warning (when opening door up to 3 minutes after parking)
- Drive Away Assist
- Rear cross traffic assist
- Sport mode Distronic+ is great.
- Can no longer adjust passenger seat from driver side. Rear headrests button moved there. Manual says it’s still there.
- No seatbelt extension button. Manual says it’s last button in drive assistant cluster.
- Approximately 10 false positives for steering wheel assist having my hands on the wheel.
- Huge downpour in France and pilot sport 3 tires did fine through standing water.
- Rough idle when in P, but not D Hold.
- Individual segments for parking sensors.
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 3
Mercedes s560
2008 s65 vs S450?
Where the goal is feeling as a king on four wheels... Try an S-65.
The 222 S-Class is and has been (by a large margin) the most enjoyable, most reliable S-Class. My car with 157,000 miles on it is now requiring more care and feeding but has never left me stranded and most repairs are DIY friendly enough.
The 222 S-Class is and has been (by a large margin) the most enjoyable, most reliable S-Class. My car with 157,000 miles on it is now requiring more care and feeding but has never left me stranded and most repairs are DIY friendly enough.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
still own my 08 S65 and I will admit i thought there can't be a better car on this planet till I met Miss S450 4matic. I'm too old for 600hp now bud, but aprox 400hp is MORE than enough for me, also Damn this S450? [[Knock Wood]] Just a stunner every way shape form FIT 4 A KING. Still keeping 08
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 4,352
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I had all of the following sedans:
1. New 2013 S550 (W221), rock solid, no issues
2. New 2015 S550 rock solid, no issues
3. New 2018 S560, rock solid, no issues
4. New 2020 S560, developed very harsh 3-2 downshift, bought back by MBUSA
5. CPO 2020 S560, developed very harsh 3-2 downshift, bought back by MBUSA
We currently have a 2019 E450 Wagon & 2019 SL450, both rock solid, no issues.
My personal opinion is to go for a 2019 or earlier model.
1. New 2013 S550 (W221), rock solid, no issues
2. New 2015 S550 rock solid, no issues
3. New 2018 S560, rock solid, no issues
4. New 2020 S560, developed very harsh 3-2 downshift, bought back by MBUSA
5. CPO 2020 S560, developed very harsh 3-2 downshift, bought back by MBUSA
We currently have a 2019 E450 Wagon & 2019 SL450, both rock solid, no issues.
My personal opinion is to go for a 2019 or earlier model.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 3,109
Likes: 1,490
From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
I agree. I'd go with 2019 or 2020 for sure.
First, it's the facelift
2nd, you will avoid the 1st year of the facelift (2018). as the first year of any model, even a facelift, may come with quirks or minor issues that haven't been optimized yet in production
3rd, 2019 and 2020 (unlike 2018) have Mercedes Me phone app access, wherein the service for the 2018 facelift and pre-facelift has discontinued.
First, it's the facelift
2nd, you will avoid the 1st year of the facelift (2018). as the first year of any model, even a facelift, may come with quirks or minor issues that haven't been optimized yet in production
3rd, 2019 and 2020 (unlike 2018) have Mercedes Me phone app access, wherein the service for the 2018 facelift and pre-facelift has discontinued.
