Hey guys, mr. Wallet got fat lately so I'm currently looking to upgrade my 2008 S550 to a newer version (2014-2018).

I was wondering if any of you have experience with both models and if you do, care to share some thoughts? I mean, I'm not necessarily looking for a pros and cons since I'm expecting the newer model to be better but more like things that overall will make one say: yes, it's worth spending the extra money! Or maybe not ...

 

Your picking a tough time to look for a new/used ride given what is going on out there. The price of CPO's is for sure more than it was just 6 months ago but you will probably get more for you car. I have a 16' and the biggest miss for me lack of Android Auto which came I think in 18's. The tech will be no comparo for you as you can get alot of modern driving aids that were not around back in day. I have limited time in the W221 but I love my 222. But be prepared for a long time to find what you want as used car hunts are always interesting especially when the market is so red hot.

 

I made the switch a few months back. From a 350d swb to a 400d 4M swb. Some changes i liked more than the other. First the entry for the backseat passengers a way easier between B-pillar and rear seat. So less damge to all those plastic parts overthere. The seats themselves are..less. Less in the shouders, harder to sit on.
My w221 was quiter. Not only the engine but also the roadnoise. The softclose works better. Just slightly swing 'm and youre done. And you can close the boot with the key, that i nice one. Way better headlamps. The Magic-Vision wipers: love it. The nice buttons for you climatecontrols will disappear, and youll mis those. Now its in a menu..The squickie rattlels are less, way less then in the 350, but..they are still there. Mainly in the seats. They still didnt fix that. Dont be fooled by the Burmester system, i think its absolutely trash and its going soon, but would be way cheaper if it was the standart non-B system. So if you allready thinking of upgrading, mind that. Personally i used the HU and other "driving aid" systems just a few times. The HU distracts. The other dont work flawlessly (should be) and therefor dangerous imo. And by the way; why would you wanna leave steering of such a flagship in the hands of someone else? I only use the Distronic and even that is pretty nervous on braking for itself compared to the 221, wich never ever did something stupid in the 3 years i got it. I came from a total black interior and now have the 2 tone beige leather with brown upper parts. Love it. Check it out. Doesnt get so dirty as i thought. Did change the floormats for allwheater ones though, those were too dirty to look at after a week.
Was it worth it? mmmm....yes. Its better in handling, better build quality. But the mmmmm came from the updated comand and driving aids.

 

I went from a 2012 4matic to a 2017 RWD. 2012 was high on miles but a good car. 2017 spends its life on the hwy…..not a town car. I swapped because I needed lower miles.
My only complaints are wheels bend easy, RFTs and no spare. Otherwise car is perfect.

 

I know, right? That Android Auto is something I was looking for ... I wanted to stop using the phone in a phone holder. Are you guys still receiving updates on the car gps maps? (For W221, the latest was 2015-2016). Driving aids are a nice to have rather than a must have.

This is very important to me. I thought the W222 as a newer car will have at least the same level.

Anyone has comments on the seats? Are the W222's more comfortable?

 

@Bobitza , if AA is what you want, pay attention to year model you are getting - I believe these became standard in 2017+ models (MBUX radio with enabled AA feature - somebody will correct me here), so for everything older (HU55 radio models) you need a non-OEM replacement (which is not bad, but it's not the same quality as OE and is not implemented as part of your OE menu experience, but as an overlay). I used to have 10.25" android onboard so carplay/android auto was with me since the beginning - never had to use OE navigation, which in W222 is much more refined and allows you to track the route in the center window - if you are willing to pay for updates of course...

From my perspective W222 is far better car than W221. I jumped from 2009 S63 to 2014 S550, so can't compare the noise levels - with michelin pilot tires the car is absolutely silent on tarmac until reaching 80km/h. And after that you can only hear wheel roll noise... So get yourself a good set of rims and you should be good. Not sure if all W222s have double glass windows - perhaps 400s don't? (although I doubt that). You also can't hear the exhaust, which I though would be a deal breaker at the beginning (after ludicrous S63 exhaust note which was not only brutal at WOT but also often just too loud when cruising). But I learnt to appreciate the calm and quiet interior... Mine does not squeak at all - but it's probably due to weather conditions (always hot, dry, sunny...).

Designo seats in W222 are noticeably better than AMG seats I used to have in W221 - I can finally find my configuration sweet spot (in W221 I could not get it right - it was either too flat when all bladders were deflated, or too tight to sit in when any of the cushions were inflated even the slightest, like there was nothing in between). I thought I would not be able to distinguish nor appreciate any of the 7-different kinds of massage, but I also quickly found out that I only enjoy number 4 (all other are either too fast/harsh or ... there is this hot stone option that does not really make sense in my climate).

 

Yeah, I think it's the 2018 model that started getting AA. I was under the impression that older models just got somehow this "COMMAND update", but I guess that's not how it works. Mr. Wallet didn't get that fat though for a 2018, lol; for example, I'm currently looking at a 2015 model with what I believe is the AMG package.

By the way, what are the "features packages" that I should be expecting when looking for a W222? I remember for W221 you had like 3 of them that come with a bundle of features out of the box.

I've used the seats with no lumbar adjustments but recently my back requires a more uptight posture, so I started using the setting on the W221 chairs. However, inflating the air bladders feels like ... air bladders. It's not S-class-y at all. Are W222 chairs better from that perspective?

 

If you can swing it I would get the 2018. Looks like a 2020, you get the 4.0 v8 which is a great engine, upgraded interior(not a fan of the old steering wheel) Apple Carplay and 64 color ambient lighting.

 

M157 is developing a reputation for scuffing cylinders = engine replacement.

Fuddy duddy steering wheel was standard up to 2017 I believe.


These two points would lead me to go for the newest lowest mileage W222 in the budget, to get the 4.0L and updated steering wheel.

 

Would the "scuffing cylinders" be a concern for the S450's?

 

The W222 S450 uses the M276 3.0L TT V6, correct? I haven't seen any reports on this site for either M276 variant with scuffing. The M276 is arguably the most reliable MB engine in the past 10+ years.

Scuffing seems to be increasingly common on the M157/M278 V8s.