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Sadly thinking it's close to time to retire mktg W212 2010 E350, with just shy of 200k on the odometer. Have started looking for a 2018 CPO 4matic in New England.
What options are considered must haves? What are options that are worth passing on?
Added-- any STRONG opinions on V6 vs V8?
Any experience with the heated arm rests?
Thanks!
Last edited by Teamsabino; Sep 6, 2021 at 01:56 PM.
Reason: Additional question
My list ... (1) 360 degree view camera, (2) warmth & comfort package and (3) Nappa or exclusive nappa interior. Pretty much every S-class already has the "Premium Package' and 'Driver Assistance package", so didn't list those, you'll get them anyway. Warmth & comfort gives you power rear seats with memory and then there are upgrades from there that add massage, ventilation and more features in back. If you carry rear passengers you might want to look for the more elaborate rear seat options.
On the bubble ... AMG Sport styling package. Wildly expensive when new, gives you different rocker panel and front and rear bumper covers. Some people think these look much better than the standard items. Also includes AMG wheels, larger front brake calipers and stainless steel/rubber pedals..
There are three very expensive items that would fun to try but are hard to find ... (1) Magic Body Control active suspension, (2) Burmeister High-End/3D sound and (3) Magic Sky Control electrochromic sunroof glass.
Last edited by Tom in Austin; Sep 6, 2021 at 01:07 PM.
My list ... (1) 360 degree view camera, (2) warmth & comfort package and (3) Nappa or exclusive nappa interior. Pretty much every S-class already has the "Premium Package' and 'Driver Assistance package", so didn't list those, you'll get them anyway. Warmth & comfort gives you power rear seats with memory and then there are upgrades from there that add massage, ventilation and more features in back. If you carry rear passengers you might want to look for the more elaborate rear seat options.
On the bubble ... AMG Sport styling package. Wildly expensive when new, gives you different rocker panel and front and rear bumper covers. Some people think these look much better than the standard items. Also includes AMG wheels, larger front brake calipers and stainless steel/rubber pedals..
There are three very expensive items that would fun to try but are hard to find ... (1) Magic Body Control active suspension, (2) Burmeister High-End/3D sound and (3) Magic Sky Control electrochromic sunroof glass.
Appreciate the comments. Few questions Tom:
- what is in the warmth and comfort package? Is that the heated arm rests? Anything else?
- I had heard the magic body control want available on 4matic. Any truth to that?
- how great is the magic sky? That was on the bubble for me.
360 Camera is a must. Premium package is also a must but almost impossible to find one without it.
Warmth & Comfort adds the heated steering wheel, armrests, and console lid. Also rear heated seats I believe.
You are correct that MBC is only available on 2WD models.
Magic Sky Control was a very expensive and rare option so you won’t find many reviews of it on the forum. I believe the S class coupe was spec’d with it more often so you may want to ask over there.
The “base” Burmeister system is OK. I think that is how most people would describe it; it does not sound like high-end audio, but it does a fine job for most of us. On the contrary, the Burmeister 3D system is reported to be one of the absolute best sound systems in any car. It is rare to find (since it was a $6500 option new) but you can find it. The downsides to it (that nobody discusses) are that you lose the sunglasses holder, 90% of the center console storage space, and a good amount of trunk space.
Here is where I will differ from everyone else. I would stay away from Exclusive Nappa and Designo interiors; those packages come a leather-wrapped dash which will inevitably cause you issues. Just like every other car with a leather dash (read: Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati, BMW, etc) they eventually shrink and pull away from the edges. This has already been documented in W222s. You will have no idea if your preowned car was garaged, or if UV protectant was applied to the dash.
360 Camera is a must. Premium package is also a must but almost impossible to find one without it.
Warmth & Comfort adds the heated steering wheel, armrests, and console lid. Also rear heated seats I believe.
You are correct that MBC is only available on 2WD models.
Magic Sky Control was a very expensive and rare option so you won’t find many reviews of it on the forum. I believe the S class coupe was spec’d with it more often so you may want to ask over there.
The “base” Burmeister system is OK. I think that is how most people would describe it; it does not sound like high-end audio, but it does a fine job for most of us. On the contrary, tye Busmeister 3D system is reported to be one of the absolute best sound systems in any car. It is rare to find (since it was a $6500 option new) but you can find it. The downsides to it (that nobody discusses) are that you lose the sunglasses holder, 90% of the center console storage space, and a good amount of trunk space.
Here is where I will differ from everyone else. I would stay away from Exclusive Nappa and Designo interiors; those packages come a leather-wrapped dash which will inevitably cause you issues. Just like every other car with a leather dash (read: Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati, BMW, etc) they eventually shrink and pull away from the edges. This has already been documented in W222s. You will have no idea if your preowned car was garaged, or if UV protectant was applied to the dash.
I can comment on Magic Sky since my car came with it. In short, it's nice but not worth chasing after it. I usually keep it dimmed whilst keeping the cloth cover retracted, which makes the interior a little brighter without it being offensive though (e.g. due to the summer sun).
Consider proper glass insurance if you find a car with that portion; if any of the two panels break, it's gonna be very expensive to repair them!
I can comment on Magic Sky since my car came with it. In short, it's nice but not worth chasing after it. I usually keep it dimmed whilst keeping the cloth cover retracted, which makes the interior a little brighter without it being offensive though (e.g. due to the summer sun).
Consider proper glass insurance if you find a car with that portion; if any of the two panels break, it's gonna be very expensive to repair them!
Totally agree that Magic Sky is more expensive than the benefit of having it. Living in Florida, I tend to keep the cover on my sunroof most of the time anyway to keep the heat blocked as much as possible. An expensive option, you will find on very few cars, is the Night Vision. We ordered it on our S-Class and love it for a very unusual reason. I keep it activated all the time. When I am hit with the rare torrential downpour ( so bad that most vehicles pull to the side of the road) night vision automatically comes on and I have a perfect view of the road ahead, on my dashboard, when there is near-zero visibility looking through the windshield. Of course, it does work at night, but then it is almost more of a distraction than a plus.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by fun33
Totally agree that Magic Sky is more expensive than the benefit of having it. Living in Florida, I tend to keep the cover on my sunroof most of the time anyway to keep the heat blocked as much as possible. An expensive option, you will find on very few cars, is the Night Vision. We ordered it on our S-Class and love it for a very unusual reason. I keep it activated all the time. When I am hit with the rare torrential downpour ( so bad that most vehicles pull to the side of the road) night vision automatically comes on and I have a perfect view of the road ahead, on my dashboard, when there is near-zero visibility looking through the windshield. Of course, it does work at night, but then it is almost more of a distraction than a plus.
Agreed, if you score magic sky control then great. Not worth chasing though. I also keep my shades retracted and enjoy the calming blue ambiance of the cabin.
Also, warmth and comfort package is mandatory in my opinion. As is burmester 3d. It takes a long time to find a burmester 3d car but its so worth it for the astetics and sound. Lastly, premium diamond leather is a game changer, find that too.
+1 for audio. If you listen to music at all then upgraded 3D audio is totally worthwhile. I enjoy it every day and several passengers have commented that it’s the best music system they have ever heard - period. Even podcasts sound amazing.
+1 for audio. If you listen to music at all then upgraded 3D audio is totally worthwhile. I enjoy it every day and several passengers have commented that it’s the best music system they have ever heard - period. Even podcasts sound amazing.
What about the reduction in trunk and center console space? How annoying is that? Any photos you can share?
Photos attached. I believe the center console space is more affected by my rear 4-zone AC than the audio. Trunk definitely smaller due to subwoofer … but worth it.
Lexus LS 460 F-Sport (retired), 2020 Lexus GX460 Black, 2020 S560 Diamond White Metallic
Originally Posted by Teamsabino
Sadly thinking it's close to time to retire mktg W212 2010 E350, with just shy of 200k on the odometer. Have started looking for a 2018 CPO 4matic in New England.
What options are considered must haves? What are options that are worth passing on?
Added-- any STRONG opinions on V6 vs V8?
Any experience with the heated arm rests?
Thanks!
V6 is a strong deal breaker for me. The effortless V8 power is amazing.
My list ... (1) 360 degree view camera, (2) warmth & comfort package and (3) Nappa or exclusive nappa interior. Pretty much every S-class already has the "Premium Package' and 'Driver Assistance package", so didn't list those, you'll get them anyway. Warmth & comfort gives you power rear seats with memory and then there are upgrades from there that add massage, ventilation and more features in back. If you carry rear passengers you might want to look for the more elaborate rear seat options.
On the bubble ... AMG Sport styling package. Wildly expensive when new, gives you different rocker panel and front and rear bumper covers. Some people think these look much better than the standard items. Also includes AMG wheels, larger front brake calipers and stainless steel/rubber pedals..
There are three very expensive items that would fun to try but are hard to find ... (1) Magic Body Control active suspension, (2) Burmeister High-End/3D sound and (3) Magic Sky Control electrochromic sunroof glass.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Here's an interior pic of the Alcantara headliner, magic sky control, and Burmester 3d ceiling speakers. Can't beat this system's astetics and immersive sound:
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by SW20S
Oh , its worth having no doubt, but its just so hard to find it really limits you
I know it... sucks... meanwhile finding the premium B&W system on a 7 series is quite easy (probably because its almost 3k less than the 3d)... option shopping an S class is no joke
Right, much easier. On that car though there are other difficulties, for instance finding the alcantara headliner is really hard and their base headliner is really crappy.
Finding everything you want in a used car is always a crap shoot. I had 2 cars that I was chasing, lost the first one that was black, had 3-D stereo and rear seat limo, but it wasn't a CPO and black and no AMG package. I lost it to someone else, it was in PHX and I live in SF. I found a white CPO from dealer in LA that had AMG package and better leather seats but lost the back seat package and 3-D. Overall I really like the look of AMG package, while some complain about standard sound system it is still pretty darn nice and since I hardly use the back seat and don't have a chauffer to drive me that isn't the biggest loss. You will at some point get a quorum of what you want and have to make a compromise for what you get in CPO or other used.
Lets just say if you find one with ALL the functional buttons utilized on the switch panel to the left of steering wheel along with some sort of rear seat package, you did good!
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