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We're looking to buy a used W222. Is 2018 a "good" model year for this car considering it was when it was facelifted along with some, if I am not mistaken, transmission and engine upgrades?
I have a 19.
very solid car.
do your homework, look underneath, verify service history, run xentry for codes before buying.
the car may work fine but the amp may be blown for instance and that’s over 2k.
The main advantage which is not that big a deal over the 2018 vs 2019 Up is the 2019 used the better app for connected car services which is a two way communication you can tell if the doors are locked and check on other Status features 2019 up. Bigger difference from below a 2018 as a 2017 doesn't even have apple car play or android auto, for some reason the S class was late to the party with those features.
Truthfully all years of the W222 were good. Even the 2014s are reliable.
The 2014-2016 had the 4.7L bi-turbo M278 engine with the 7G-Tronic transmission.
The 2017 had the 4.7L bi-turbo M278 engine with he 9G-Tronic transmission.
The 2018-2022 had the 4.0L bi-turbo M176 engine with the 9G-Tronic transmission.
The exterior facelift and NTG5.5 (Comand update) was in 2018. As others have noted, there were also a very few minor changes from year to year. But the big ones are the engine changes as listed above.
Generally speaking the newest car you find will be the best; I would be happy to be in any W222!
I bought a 2017 last November. Only after buying it did I realize how significant the differences were from the 2017 to the 2018 model year. If I had to do it all over again I'd definitely go with the 2018 or newer, even though I personally like the AMG/sport styling of the pre facelift version better.
- No Apple CarPlay would be a deal breaker for me.
- The facelift, IMO looks significantly better, specially the headlights.
- The controls that were moved to the steering wheel with the facelift are a big advantage also as I use CC all the time.
I could have gotten a 2019 for the same price but I really liked that the 2018 I was looking at had the rear seat package, even though it's rare that I have someone in the back.
I use the App all the time, specially remote start. The 2019 App is obvioulsy better and I would have liked to have the extra features on it but in the end the 2018 looked exactly the same and had a couple more options so that's what I went with.
I just sold my 2015 that I owned for close to 6 years, fantastic reliable car w very few issues. Just upgraded to a 18 after looking for months for the "right" replacement. I was looking for a 18-20 w specific options and colors I had to have... for me condition is everything and im very picky.
- No Apple CarPlay would be a deal breaker for me.
- The facelift, IMO looks significantly better, specially the headlights.
- The controls that were moved to the steering wheel with the facelift are a big advantage also as I use CC all the time.
I could have gotten a 2019 for the same price but I really liked that the 2018 I was looking at had the rear seat package, even though it's rare that I have someone in the back.
I use the App all the time, specially remote start. The 2019 App is obvioulsy better and I would have liked to have the extra features on it but in the end the 2018 looked exactly the same and had a couple more options so that's what I went with.
And the ambient lighting controls on the newer models are significantly better, so many more options and features, Even the heated steering wheel on the 18 and up cars is better, it heats in the wood areas on the newer cars. The heated area on the 14-17 is less than 1/3 of the total steering wheel.
BUT...it all comes down to what is important to you. there's NO WAY in the world I'd buy the V6 S450. To me that's awful, and I would only buy 4-Matic. But those are all personal preferences. You're going to get a better deal on the older cars, so if you have other things you want to spend your money on, go for the older version.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Feb 7, 2023 at 01:45 PM.
And the ambient lighting controls on the newer models are significantly better, so many more options and features, Even the heated steering wheel on the 18 and up cars is better, it heats in the wood areas on the newer cars. The heated area on the 14-17 is less than 1/3 of the total steering wheel.
BUT...it all comes down to what is important to you. there's NO WAY in the world I'd buy the V6 S450. To me that's awful, and I would only buy 4-Matic. But those are all personal preferences. You're going to get a better deal on the older cars, so if you have other things you want to spend your money on, go for the older version.
Why do you say the S450 is awful? I remember a guy on this board who could obviously afford to buy what ever he wanted being complementary of the S450. Some others feel the engine is especially robust and it does get a little better mileage.
That's just my personal preference. Maybe "awful" is too strong of a word. I like the smoothness and power delivery of the S550 more than the S450 that I test drove. I went with the older car with the larger motor versus the newer car with the V6. Again, just personal preference. I wouldn't say one is "better" than the other.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Feb 8, 2023 at 06:01 PM.
That's just my personal preference. Maybe "awful" is too strong of a word. I like the smoothness and power delivery of the S550 more than the W223 S500. The other thing I forgot to mention is the weird hybrid system. There's a noticeable shift in braking pressure when going from regenerative braking to mechanical braking. The car would often lurch, which would require more brake pressure, which would then lead to over braking. It's a really weird sensation that takes some time to learn. But I still would get surprised a couple times every day.
The same holds for acceleration. It's weird when the mild hybrid motor engages and disengages. You definitely feel it. Mostly in city driving when in partial throttle situations; it feels like the car takes time to understand what you're doing. It's not nearly as dialed in as my wife's Toyota Venza. I don't notice either of those things in her car. I imagine if you own one for 3 months or more you get used ot it, but it's a weird sensation, and it's hard to feel confident when you're afraid you're going to rear end someone all th time. I found myself giving extra space between the car in front because i never mastered the braking. Thsi problem has been mentioned here before. And I'm sure MB will provide a firmware solution in the future.
Ok. As this thread is about the W222, don't know why the W223 S500 would be part of the discussion. To be clear the US W222 S450 is not a hybrid, so any references to hybrids wouldn't apply to that car.
Ok. As this thread is about the W222, don't know why the W223 S500 would be part of the discussion. To be clear the US W222 S450 is not a hybrid, so any references to hybrids wouldn't apply to that car.
You're right. I made a post on the W223 thread and somehow I posted it here too. Typing while tired. Sorry bout that.
I think the V8 just elevates the car to another level. This sort of car should have a V8, the effortless thrust of toruqe, the refinement, the sound all make it feel much more special.
The other side of it is almost all 450s lack any of the leather upgrades, and the basic leather is not nice feeling...
There is something special about V8 engines in general too. Even an older less powerful V8 engine on any car, feels way more spiritual than a more powerful newer V6. One example is the Lexus LS. Many of their old V8 engines feels more fun and have more spirit to drive than their newer higher HP V6 engine. I had both and speaking from experience. Same feeling is true for when downgrading from a V6 to a more powerful turbo charged 4-cylinder engine. Not sure why, perhaps driving spirits? Torque?
I drove both the 450 and 560 while I was looking, I ended up with the 450 as it was a better deal for me. I do agree that the 560 have a little more oomph and also the base leather is nicer.
Do I regret buying the 450, not really, it’s still a great car and does everything that I need.
However coming on here, you will feel like a poor cousin 😢
I drove both the 450 and 560 while I was looking, I ended up with the 450 as it was a better deal for me. I do agree that the 560 have a little more oomph and also the base leather is nicer.
Do I regret buying the 450, not really, it’s still a great car and does everything that I need.
However coming on here, you will feel like a poor cousin 😢
It's all relative. The S450 is a brilliant car!! Better to be the poor cousin of a rich person than the rich cousin of the poor guy
- No Apple CarPlay would be a deal breaker for me.
- The facelift, IMO looks significantly better, specially the headlights.
- The controls that were moved to the steering wheel with the facelift are a big advantage also as I use CC all the time.
I could have gotten a 2019 for the same price but I really liked that the 2018 I was looking at had the rear seat package, even though it's rare that I have someone in the back.
I use the App all the time, specially remote start. The 2019 App is obvioulsy better and I would have liked to have the extra features on it but in the end the 2018 looked exactly the same and had a couple more options so that's what I went with.
Can you specify that added features in the app for MY 2019 compared to 2018? What are the main differences?
After I bought my car I read extensively about the W222 V2, which is what I choose to call it, since it's FAR more than a facelift. I didn't see any difference betweeen the 2018-2020 MY cars. Pretty much all the features and options went unchanged.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Feb 13, 2023 at 02:48 PM.
Getting a 2018? Heck yes! Just do it. It doesn't take much thinking here. My car has been solid, bulletproof, cheap to maintain... CHEAP! I bought a 10 year warranty when I bought it and I may not get to use it much the way things have been going. It's that good. The steering wheel is the highlight for me by far. The way it looks... I like it better than the new cars on the outside. Just do it, and know that you're on a forum so 50% of people will tell you not to do something, anything, and 50% will say to go for it. That's just the way it is. Here is the day I found my car, below. It was like.... the best day ever. I still love this car like the day I bought it.
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