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After nearly 5 yrs unfortunately my 2010 S550 was in a accident. Praise God I walked away in perfect form. I will need everyone’s assistance in searching for a new Benz! I am looking to go with a 2014 (w222) and up years but am still open to the w221 class. I’m not sure about what issues or mileage I should purchase the w222 at but I will need that great insight everyone has!
there were some guys illegally pulling cars in the middle of a 2 lane highway... no hazards or lights on, not pulled to the shoulder, in the complete dark. They were hooking the cars up with some sort of metal bar stopped on the road smh...
If you get a W222, what color/options would you be looking for? A good place to start might be whether you want CarPlay or Android Auto in your next car ... IIRC, those were supported starting in 2018 or 19.
Last edited by Tom in Austin; Apr 25, 2022 at 05:23 PM.
If you get a W222, what color/options would you be looking for? A good place to start might be whether you want CarPlay or Android Auto in your next car ... IIRC, those were supported starting in 2018 or 19.
I have an IPhone but as long as I can play my music all is good. My w221 has to use a Bluetooth device of which worked pretty well as it would not play music without it but I could make calls.
Color I’m open too but like black, brown or the steel blue off hand... black is my first choice. Interior I like the chestnut brown or black or ox blood red but I’m willing to settle on that.
what are the common problems with the w222? My w221 was the airmatic struts and control arms...
what are the common problems with the w222? My w221 was the airmatic struts and control arms...
The same is true for the W222 S550. It is generally a very reliable car, but as with any heavy car with airbags, the suspension will fail in many ways as it ages.
Mine is a 2015 with 65k miles and it has been very reliable. It does not sound like you are too picky so I think it will be easy for you to find one to your liking.
I’m not sure about what issues or mileage I should purchase the w222 at but I will need that great insight everyone has!
To sum up the W222 Series, there are three "versions." The original 2014-2016, the 2017 and the 2018-2020 (2021?). The original version had the 4.7 BiTurbo V8 and 7-Speed trans and is called S550. The 2017 moved to the 4.4 BiTurbo V8 but with the same 7-Speed trans. And the 2018+ had the 4.4 BiTurbo V8 and the 9-Speed trans. These also change the badge to S560 instead of S550. This series also got the new headlights and steering wheel. I collected the PDF brochures for each year to be able to sort out features and options throughout the years. I think they came from MBUSA.com, but can't be sure. Even though the file extension is .PDF, and should be valid, this website won't let me upload them now.
To sum up the W222 Series, there are three "versions." The original 2014-2016, the 2017 and the 2018-2020 (2021?). The original version had the 4.7 BiTurbo V8 and 7-Speed trans and is called S550. The 2017 moved to the 4.4 BiTurbo V8 but with the same 7-Speed trans. And the 2018+ had the 4.4 BiTurbo V8 and the 9-Speed trans. These also change the badge to S560 instead of S550. This series also got the new headlights and steering wheel. I collected the PDF brochures for each year to be able to sort out features and options throughout the years. I think they came from MBUSA.com, but can't be sure. Even though the file extension is .PDF, and should be valid, this website won't let me upload them now.
The facelifted S560 version (2017 and after) uses the M176 which is a 4.0 litre engine, not 4.4. Still, it's faster than the old 4.7l and yet more efficient. The engine so far has been proven quite reliable.
Also, the facelift has the pre-facelift S65 grille (which IMO looks better).
Hmmm... My car was made in 2017 (October) and it reached the first owner on March 2018. I don't know if that counts as MY17 or MY18 though, but it is the facelifted version.
What is your budget I think that is the most critical thing to start your search. I have a 2016 and I admit in 2019 I new much less about these cars than I do now. I have the 550e which frankly I love as I get around 30-34 average on a tank and still have lots of power. But I would love to have the addition of Android Auto, that for me is the biggest miss as I use that all the time in my other cars.
I would buy the lowest mileage and best condition, that is always the best formula IMHO, finding a 2016 with only 40k would be a better bet than a 2019 with 70k. Also the condition is critical, my 16' looked essenitally brand new in 19' when I bought it and still looks new. I have had people ask "is this the new S-Class" in a parking lot a few times.
Hmmm... My car was made in 2017 (October) and it reached the first owner on March 2018. I don't know if that counts as MY17 or MY18 though, but it is the facelifted version.
Production for MY18 begins in late '17, so your's, as you guessed, is MY18. This is typical so they can have the new model year cars in showrooms before the calendar year actually begins
Production for MY18 begins in late '17, so your's, as you guessed, is MY18. This is typical so they can have the new model year cars in showrooms before the calendar year actually begins
Production for MY18 begins in late '17, so your's, as you guessed, is MY18. This is typical so they can have the new model year cars in showrooms before the calendar year actually begins
Or sometimes MUCH earlier than late in the year. My old 2007 S600 had a production and in-service date in April, 2006. And then you'll see some cars that don't come out until summer of their actual model year.
My budget thus far is 35K, of which I know would only provide me a car at the 120K mileage. I have been doing a nation wide search and see some good deals with mileage b/n 80-90k. I purchased my w221 at 106k for $22,000, the major issues I had with the car was control arms and airmatic struts but I was able to replace those on my own or at a local indy shop for very cheap...
Wow with that budget your right your going to be looking at a high mileage car. I would probably (sadly) pass on a S Class witht hat budget as I am not sold on keeping a S-Class with all the toys and tech over 100k, especially with the nonsense going on right now with used car pricing. You could buy a lot of other decent cars with low mileage or even new at that price range vs. a 100,000 mile car that i would guess is going to cost you 3-5k a year to keep on the road.
If your budget is 35K you may not be an S class customer unless you can fix it yourself. These are not cheap cars to own long term. You want to spend 35K on a car that cost well north of 100K new and the parts and service are still based on a 100K+ car. If I had 35K I would probably go buy a nice newer model used Lexus sedan.
Good advice! You could also shop a Q70 Infiniti which have nice luxury, never very well reviewed but this is well in your budget with some cash left over.
Ouch!
My input -- Have had a 2010 S550 and currently have a 2015 S550. Both RWD Sport option. Love the 2015 much more. Why?
Better engine. Twin turbo vs. normally aspirated. Love the acceleration that turbos give.
Both have ABC, 2015 with Magic Body Control. Love the hydraulic suspensions, but Magic is better.
The dash displays on the 2015 are terrific. Great resolution, and all that you could ask for. (Can't figure what they are putting on the new Electric S class, with three large screens. Seems like overkill, but -- Hey!!)
Safety features on the 2015 are outstanding, including top view when parking or in tight areas. Radar in all areas is great. Hard to run off of the road or turn into another occupied lane. All features not as complete on the 2010.
Automatic drive is a gimmick and does not work well on the 2015.
2015 is quieter than the 2010.
Seat heating, with center and door arm rest heating is terrific in the 2015. The 2010 only heated the seats.
2015 is quieter than the 2010. Both have Michelin Pilot Sport tires, staggered sizes.
So, those are a few observations.
In summary, we LOVE the W222, and would never go back.
Hope that all helps.
Cheers!
That isn't standard that is an option so are the heated arm rests and steering wheel. My 16' was a 117k MSRP and didn't have either of those features, the heated stuff no biggie for me I live in SF Bay Area and the magic control I never drove one with that so what you don't konw will not hurt you. These are options and you will find a huge variety of options out there, in 19' when I was shopping there are MSRP cars ranging from 98k to 147k so wide variety to choose from. The good news if your sticking to that budget for an S-Class your looking probably at 14-15 higher mileage and the MSRP sticker doesn't really matter too much anymore as the car is nearly completely depecriated.
Or sometimes MUCH earlier than late in the year. My old 2007 S600 had a production and in-service date in April, 2006. And then you'll see some cars that don't come out until summer of their actual model year.
I also had a 2007 S600 and some were even produced as early as late 2005!!! I guess they were in a hurry to get those Daimler/ Chrysler duds (W220) off the showroom floors! The W221s to avoid are the ones manufactured before August 2006 as they had some early production problems. The way to identify the problem cars is to look for the nub antenna for satellite radio. The ones mounted on the trunk/boot are to be avoided. The ones that had it mounted on the top of the roof were good cars.
Thank you! Great breakdown and this is my first time hearing of the magic body control!
Hello! If you look long enough, you can definitely find a W222 within your budget with <100k miles. Sounds sketchy, but people let these things go for far under market-value on FB Marketplace. As for options, there are a few that are a must...
Distronic+ (Identifiable via a 2-level black panel in the middle of the grill.) Not an amazing self driving system but it just makes life that much easier.
Surround View Camera (Identifiable via black panel above the Distronic+.) This makes learning the car and parking much easier. I've never curbed my car in over 2 years of ownership.
Warmth & Comfort - Heated/Cooled Seats all around. Heated steering wheel & windshield though the heated windshield is poorly integrated.
Po1 (Premium 1 Package) - Keyless Go & Massaging front seats.
If you can, try to find one with the "Rear Seat Package". This adds the 4-zone climate which may be very useful depending on where you live.
As for Magic Body Control (MBC), it's a really great system but I wouldn't cry if my car did not have it. Sure it rides really well but it only removes bumps about 50% of the time. The Exclusive Trim Package adds more wood to the door panels and on 2015+, wood to the seatbacks. Splitview & Night Vision are gimmicks and I maybe have used them twice. Overall, I hope this helps!
Hello! If you look long enough, you can definitely find a W222 within your budget with <100k miles. Sounds sketchy, but people let these things go for far under market-value on FB Marketplace. As for options, there are a few that are a must...
Distronic+ (Identifiable via a 2-level black panel in the middle of the grill.) Not an amazing self driving system but it just makes life that much easier.
Surround View Camera (Identifiable via black panel above the Distronic+.) This makes learning the car and parking much easier. I've never curbed my car in over 2 years of ownership.
Warmth & Comfort - Heated/Cooled Seats all around. Heated steering wheel & windshield though the heated windshield is poorly integrated.
Po1 (Premium 1 Package) - Keyless Go & Massaging front seats.
If you can, try to find one with the "Rear Seat Package". This adds the 4-zone climate which may be very useful depending on where you live.
As for Magic Body Control (MBC), it's a really great system but I wouldn't cry if my car did not have it. Sure it rides really well but it only removes bumps about 50% of the time. The Exclusive Trim Package adds more wood to the door panels and on 2015+, wood to the seatbacks. Splitview & Night Vision are gimmicks and I maybe have used them twice. Overall, I hope this helps!
Thank you! I have been searching mainly on cargurus and have found a few on the east coast, Texas and California. All the points you made I am noting as I continue my search!
Interesting to see what you come up with ... a well-maintained <100k mile W222 is certainly possible. The rear seat options are a bit involved, there are multiple packages ... with Warmth & Comfort you get power rear seats and seat memory, and possibly seat ventilation and heating Beyond that, there are two or three rear seat 'packages' that add still more stuff, like rear seat climate control, greater recline, foot rests, massaging, "chauffer" positioning for the right front seat, etc, etc.
In general, I think Sean_S advice is right on the money. Those are the features I value most too.
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