LONGEVITY?
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 30
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2019 S 560 AWD
LONGEVITY?
I have never been a person who needs the latest and greatest. Always happy with top quality for long term and therefore we have kept top end cars and SUV's for 150K+ miles. We'd love to upgrade to the S560 but I rarely see anyone commenting on their long term viability. Should we expect tons of maintenance and/or reliability issues? Our 2005 Lexus LS 430 is still a reliable fine car today and it has largely been maintenance free although it now has some issues, especially with door actuators. Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 826
From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
I have had 3 S class sedans in the past 10 years or so and they have all been as reliable as any Toyota or Honda that I have owned. The only reason I have replaced them is because I wanted newer tech or an upgraded car. I now have a 2019 S63 and I will probably have it for a long time. Love the car and I cannot think of anther car that would be an upgrade for me. I think most newer cars are designed to last 100K miles with a few random failures as they age. An S560 is completely different from anything Lexus makes, I like Lexus products but once you drive an S class you will be ruined for any of the Japanese cars.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 358
15 S550 4Matic, 86 560SL
I would say they are very reliable (can easily last 10 years) but yes you should expect lots of expensive maintenance along the way. An S class is known for many things; low cost of ownership is not one of them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
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S600
I am nearly 69.
I have a 2015 S-600 bought new currently with 35K miles on it.
I plan on driving this thing about as long as I still have a driving license.
The cost to maintain it long term will be smaller than the cost of replacing the car with another V12.
I have a 2015 S-600 bought new currently with 35K miles on it.
I plan on driving this thing about as long as I still have a driving license.
The cost to maintain it long term will be smaller than the cost of replacing the car with another V12.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,115
Likes: 4,601
From: Maryland
2024 S580
I have never been a person who needs the latest and greatest. Always happy with top quality for long term and therefore we have kept top end cars and SUV's for 150K+ miles. We'd love to upgrade to the S560 but I rarely see anyone commenting on their long term viability. Should we expect tons of maintenance and/or reliability issues? Our 2005 Lexus LS 430 is still a reliable fine car today and it has largely been maintenance free although it now has some issues, especially with door actuators. Thanks.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,578
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Agree. MB and Lexus are at opposite ends of the reliability spectrum.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,376
Likes: 948
W212 FL
Speaking of Toyota's reliability , I have heard that Toyota recommends maintenance procedure way shorter than equivalent other car makers .
For example : Let's say Mercedes-Benz recommends oil replacing every 10K miles / 1 year , Toyota makes it 5K miles .So, much frequent dealer visit if that's true .
Buying an extended warranty should be good for the S Class given complexity and price of the parts .
For example : Let's say Mercedes-Benz recommends oil replacing every 10K miles / 1 year , Toyota makes it 5K miles .So, much frequent dealer visit if that's true .
Buying an extended warranty should be good for the S Class given complexity and price of the parts .
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,115
Likes: 4,601
From: Maryland
2024 S580
Speaking of Toyota's reliability , I have heard that Toyota recommends maintenance procedure way shorter than equivalent other car makers .
For example : Let's say Mercedes-Benz recommends oil replacing every 10K miles / 1 year , Toyota makes it 5K miles .So, much frequent dealer visit if that's true .
Buying an extended warranty should be good for the S Class given complexity and price of the parts .
For example : Let's say Mercedes-Benz recommends oil replacing every 10K miles / 1 year , Toyota makes it 5K miles .So, much frequent dealer visit if that's true .
Buying an extended warranty should be good for the S Class given complexity and price of the parts .
Extended warranty isn't going to get you to 17 years old...
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 573
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
I came from owning Japanese cars, finally gave up my 97' Infiniti Q45 for 2016 S550e. The older 97' of course had far fewer things to go wrong on it than my MB but no question especially at the stealership the cost of regular visits is going to be more. I had very few issues with the Inifiniti save the lack of aftermarket support and lack of even OEM parts. My dad loved his LS430 and it was flawless but had some issues with the LS460 and never loved that car.
If you find a S-Class CPO i would strongly suggest extended warranty from MB and buy the pre-paid maintenance. I negotiated the dealership from original offer of $9,800 down to $4,800 for both. So far the warranty has paid off for me with a flex plate that cost $1200 and the pre-paid maintence has been a steal of a deal. I had 3 services perfomed and the last two would have been around $2,000 at Bay Area Dealership (highest costs probably anywhere in US) and the first one was $1100 so I made out pretty well with those. I added it up yesterday after getting the B7 service and I was at $5,100 for 3 years....WOW that is a lot for a Japanese car owner of 40 years.
once my warranty is over I will probably not be quite as **** as MB recommends, like doing spark plugs at 35k which was done a year ago, but for sure my local $100 an hour mechanic will do much of what needs to get done unless I can find another 3 year pre-paid package for $2500 or less.
If you find a S-Class CPO i would strongly suggest extended warranty from MB and buy the pre-paid maintenance. I negotiated the dealership from original offer of $9,800 down to $4,800 for both. So far the warranty has paid off for me with a flex plate that cost $1200 and the pre-paid maintence has been a steal of a deal. I had 3 services perfomed and the last two would have been around $2,000 at Bay Area Dealership (highest costs probably anywhere in US) and the first one was $1100 so I made out pretty well with those. I added it up yesterday after getting the B7 service and I was at $5,100 for 3 years....WOW that is a lot for a Japanese car owner of 40 years.
once my warranty is over I will probably not be quite as **** as MB recommends, like doing spark plugs at 35k which was done a year ago, but for sure my local $100 an hour mechanic will do much of what needs to get done unless I can find another 3 year pre-paid package for $2500 or less.
Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 75
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AMG GTS (2016), GL63 (2016), SL63 (2022) -- Old Cars: E400, CLS 63s, ML 63, CL 600, S550 ...
Longevity is relative (and of course variable based on luck of the draw and how you drive and maintain your vehicle). I can tell you that we have had 16 different MBs. And while the cost and issues experienced seem correlated with the complexity of the vehicle (very few problems with our more "simple" MLs than with, for example, the CL 600's (V12), all of our cars have been essentially trouble free. Aside from maintenance items like brakes, etc - the only notable issues we have had in ALL of these cars is a power steering pump in one of our early MLs, and coils and engine mounts in the CL 600 V12.
Two other points:
Two other points:
- About half of these 16 MBs were bought used - usually with low mileage - and kept well beyond the warranty period in some cases - so it's not as though we bought them all new and got rid of them at 20,000 KMS.
- I have also had a Jag (XK), Range Rover, a Lincoln Navigator, and other non-MBs. THOSE were unreliable cars - every one of them. In fact, after the most recent of those (the Jag), we decided we'd not stray from MB again given they have been very good to us reliability-wise.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 33
From: NYC
2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
For what it's worth, here's my experience with my 2016 S63 that I've had since May 2018 (27k miles then, 42k miles now). No major issues and I don't have an aftermarket warranty. A few minor issues - headrest got stuck and was replaced under warranty. Rear window shade button broke and was replaced under warranty. Post warranty expiration - my CD changer is stuck and makes a clicking sound but since I don't play cd's I don't care. My dashboard peeled off this summer - I'm guessing due to shrinkage of the leather in heat (even though I don't park in the sun that often) - now I know why many manufacturers choose not to put leather on the dashboard. One of my rear seatbelts stopped retracting and will need a fix. I had to replace my rear rotors/brake pads and battery but I consider those wear and tear. I consider those all pretty minor though not all cheap to replace (outside of DIY) but I think overall this car has been very reliable thus far.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 779
Likes: 205
From: Texas
63 Falcon vert
Totally agree. Cars are solid long term brutes if maintained correctly. My miles are essentially all hwy. That said, I have had suspension issues and prefer to shorten the MB recommended fluid change intervals, old habit. What will stop me from 300k will be the friendly Highway Patrol.
