'18 S560 vs AMG '19 S53
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
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From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
'18 S560 vs AMG '19 S53
Ignoring engine attributes and capabilities, can anyone give me a good, unemotional comparison of what the AMG offers over an S50 with MBC.
My interest is only as it relates to ride comfort, and driveability, if that's a valid term, Acceleration, top speeds, handling at top speeds are not of interest, so please don't waste your time and mine in extolling one over the other in these areas.
Thanks for your efforts!
My interest is only as it relates to ride comfort, and driveability, if that's a valid term, Acceleration, top speeds, handling at top speeds are not of interest, so please don't waste your time and mine in extolling one over the other in these areas.
Thanks for your efforts!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
Likes: 160
From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Illinois
S560/SL550/LS460/Q70L 5.6 AWD
Lou,
If you want more comfort ( not so sure about drivability ) than your S560 you may try a S600, and, yes, I used to own a CL600 for many years, sold it only because it was getting old.
Fantastic piece of Mercedes engineering !
Good luck !
If you want more comfort ( not so sure about drivability ) than your S560 you may try a S600, and, yes, I used to own a CL600 for many years, sold it only because it was getting old.
Fantastic piece of Mercedes engineering !
Good luck !
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
If you want performance, acceleration, speed AND comfort the S63 is the way to go. Engine & driving performance is why you would buy the S63 over the S560.
I should know, I have been buying new S Class cars for over 30 years with my current S Class being a '19 S63 AMG that was delivered to me in Sindelfingen Germany in late 2018 and my Autobahn driving proved that it in fact goes 186 mph. Of course the US roads don't allow 186 so it has not seen the top speed since late 2018. I am on my dealers list to get the upcoming hybrid S63 E Performance--maybe I will keep both since of all my 30 years of buying S class cars the absolute best car I have ever owned for performance and comfort is the '19 S63--love the car with 50000 miles on the baby!! By the way I also own 2 2023 Corvette Z06s and race an open cockpit race car in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) so I do know about performance and you can't beat the S63 for performance, comfort and luxury. WHAT A CAR! And yes I am emotional about it because the S63 not only includes everything the S560 has but it is like a race car when you want it to be!
Note--my avatar is a pic from my European Delivery in the Center for Excellence at the plant in Sindelfingen Germany and the pic below at a Mercedes Benz AMG Driving Academy event at Road Atlanta.
I should know, I have been buying new S Class cars for over 30 years with my current S Class being a '19 S63 AMG that was delivered to me in Sindelfingen Germany in late 2018 and my Autobahn driving proved that it in fact goes 186 mph. Of course the US roads don't allow 186 so it has not seen the top speed since late 2018. I am on my dealers list to get the upcoming hybrid S63 E Performance--maybe I will keep both since of all my 30 years of buying S class cars the absolute best car I have ever owned for performance and comfort is the '19 S63--love the car with 50000 miles on the baby!! By the way I also own 2 2023 Corvette Z06s and race an open cockpit race car in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) so I do know about performance and you can't beat the S63 for performance, comfort and luxury. WHAT A CAR! And yes I am emotional about it because the S63 not only includes everything the S560 has but it is like a race car when you want it to be!
Note--my avatar is a pic from my European Delivery in the Center for Excellence at the plant in Sindelfingen Germany and the pic below at a Mercedes Benz AMG Driving Academy event at Road Atlanta.
Ignoring engine attributes and capabilities, can anyone give me a good, unemotional comparison of what the AMG offers over an S50 with MBC.
My interest is only as it relates to ride comfort, and driveability, if that's a valid term, Acceleration, top speeds, handling at top speeds are not of interest, so please don't waste your time and mine in extolling one over the other in these areas.
Thanks for your efforts!
My interest is only as it relates to ride comfort, and driveability, if that's a valid term, Acceleration, top speeds, handling at top speeds are not of interest, so please don't waste your time and mine in extolling one over the other in these areas.
Thanks for your efforts!
Last edited by MTrauman; Jan 4, 2024 at 03:32 PM.
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From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
I went from a 2015 S550 to a 2019 S63 and the S63 has a harsher ride, this can be changed with programming to behave very similarly to the S550/S560 but I have not done this. The S63 is also not available with MBC as it is 4Matic. You are comparing an apple to an orange, one is a luxobarge the other is a large sports sedan. There are thousands of parts differences between the 2 platforms.
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
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From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
If you want performance, acceleration, speed AND comfort the S63 is the way to go. Engine & driving performance is why you would buy the S63 over the S560.
I should know, I have been buying new S Class cars for over 30 years with my current S Class being a '19 S63 AMG that was delivered to me in Sindelfingen Germany in late 2018 and my Autobahn driving proved that it in fact goes 186 mph. Of course the US roads don't allow 186 so it has not seen the top speed since late 2018. I am on my dealers list to get the upcoming hybrid S63 E Performance--maybe I will keep both since of all my 30 years of buying S class cars the absolute best car I have ever owned for performance and comfort is the '19 S63--love the car with 50000 miles on the baby!! By the way I also own 2 2023 Corvette Z06s and race an open cockpit race car in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) so I do know about performance and you can't beat the S63 for performance, comfort and luxury. WHAT A CAR! And yes I am emotional about it because the S63 not only includes everything the S560 has but it is like a race car when you want it to be!
Note--my avatar is a pic from my European Delivery in the Center for Excellence at the plant in Sindelfingen Germany and the pic below at a Mercedes Benz AMG Driving Academy event at Road Atlanta.
I should know, I have been buying new S Class cars for over 30 years with my current S Class being a '19 S63 AMG that was delivered to me in Sindelfingen Germany in late 2018 and my Autobahn driving proved that it in fact goes 186 mph. Of course the US roads don't allow 186 so it has not seen the top speed since late 2018. I am on my dealers list to get the upcoming hybrid S63 E Performance--maybe I will keep both since of all my 30 years of buying S class cars the absolute best car I have ever owned for performance and comfort is the '19 S63--love the car with 50000 miles on the baby!! By the way I also own 2 2023 Corvette Z06s and race an open cockpit race car in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) so I do know about performance and you can't beat the S63 for performance, comfort and luxury. WHAT A CAR! And yes I am emotional about it because the S63 not only includes everything the S560 has but it is like a race car when you want it to be!
Note--my avatar is a pic from my European Delivery in the Center for Excellence at the plant in Sindelfingen Germany and the pic below at a Mercedes Benz AMG Driving Academy event at Road Atlanta.
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From: PA
2020 S63 Coupe, 911, BMW 760 2022 SL55 2024 Range Rover
I am an old timer and have been working on cars (including building one of a kinds for over 5 decades) for probably longer than some of you have been alive. Tomorrow I will pick up Mercedes # 70 and car # 486 from my friends MB dealer near my home in the Philadelphia suburbs. I drove the S63 and the S560 (both Coupes which was what I wanted) and for my purpose the S560 was the better choice. I have other cars that I use when I want to drive something fast (and in my case truly scary) and while the 560 is not fast it is quick enough for a GT type car. I also used to train drivers (including racers) and though my skills have been eroded a bit due to old age (arthritis eyesight hearing), I can still handle a car better than 98% of non-professional drivers. These are street cars and while the urge to have bragging rights (mine is more powerful) is certainly a part of buying these cars there is not much the average driver can do with the S63 that could not be done with the S560. It really come down to what your purpose is for the car since they are both in my opinion great cars and you would not go wrong with either one. My reason for the 560 was simple I wanted another S Class and I hate the screens in the new S Class sedan (I have 2022 750 because I hate the screens in the 23 as well) and the coupe is a better driver's car than the sedan and this one was loaded with low miles. The opinions above are all valid but OP you have to decide what your purpose for this car is and no one but you can decide that. Good luck
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Joined: Dec 2013
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From: North Texas
Presently 19 S560 SEDAN, 2014 XK, SOLD GLE 450e
You can't beat the S560 Coupes for looks nor the CL550's (ealier version, just name change). Owned both types and am looking online at a '18 S Coupe with 13K miles for approx $67,500 smackers.
Last edited by HAILERS2; Jan 5, 2024 at 07:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
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From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
I am an old timer and have been working on cars (including building one of a kinds for over 5 decades) for probably longer than some of you have been alive. Tomorrow I will pick up Mercedes # 70 and car # 486 from my friends MB dealer near my home in the Philadelphia suburbs. I drove the S63 and the S560 (both Coupes which was what I wanted) and for my purpose the S560 was the better choice. I have other cars that I use when I want to drive something fast (and in my case truly scary) and while the 560 is not fast it is quick enough for a GT type car. I also used to train drivers (including racers) and though my skills have been eroded a bit due to old age (arthritis eyesight hearing), I can still handle a car better than 98% of non-professional drivers. These are street cars and while the urge to have bragging rights (mine is more powerful) is certainly a part of buying these cars there is not much the average driver can do with the S63 that could not be done with the S560. It really come down to what your purpose is for the car since they are both in my opinion great cars and you would not go wrong with either one. My reason for the 560 was simple I wanted another S Class and I hate the screens in the new S Class sedan (I have 2022 750 because I hate the screens in the 23 as well) and the coupe is a better driver's car than the sedan and this one was loaded with low miles. The opinions above are all valid but OP you have to decide what your purpose for this car is and no one but you can decide that. Good luck
The above answer was the most sympathetic to my original post, and the most helpful.
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2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Happy New Year Lou!!
I held back on responding because of the nature of the question, glad you found the information given helpful. I made the switch from a 2017 S550 to a 2018 S63; it was a great choice for me, but my taste and preferences are the opposite of yours.
I held back on responding because of the nature of the question, glad you found the information given helpful. I made the switch from a 2017 S550 to a 2018 S63; it was a great choice for me, but my taste and preferences are the opposite of yours.
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'20 GLS450, '17 S550 Sedan
I've test driven the S63, but mainly just for giggles (it was fun!). I already knew which one I wanted, as the answer hasn't changed since my first S-Class (2005 S500)...
"Give me the quietest, softest, smoothest one. Where do I sign."
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W212 FL
A tuned M278 or M176 won't leave you upset right after you swap the cars 
. I say W222 S63 is my dream car but honestly such cars would defeat the purpose of what is the most important things of an S Class : Comfort .Don't get me wrong S63 is still comfortable enough to me but what's the point of making such cars is beyond me while any regular S Class could deliver it as well. Perhaps, it must be same response why would anyone need a G63 AMG 
. I say W222 S63 is my dream car but honestly such cars would defeat the purpose of what is the most important things of an S Class : Comfort .Don't get me wrong S63 is still comfortable enough to me but what's the point of making such cars is beyond me while any regular S Class could deliver it as well. Perhaps, it must be same response why would anyone need a G63 AMG 
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Joined: Mar 2010
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2016 S550
Ignoring engine attributes and capabilities, can anyone give me a good, unemotional comparison of what the AMG offers over an S50 with MBC.
My interest is only as it relates to ride comfort, and driveability, if that's a valid term, Acceleration, top speeds, handling at top speeds are not of interest, so please don't waste your time and mine in extolling one over the other in these areas.
Thanks for your efforts!
My interest is only as it relates to ride comfort, and driveability, if that's a valid term, Acceleration, top speeds, handling at top speeds are not of interest, so please don't waste your time and mine in extolling one over the other in these areas.
Thanks for your efforts!
It’s like asking decaf or regular coffee? You don’t want caffeine and all the regular coffee stuff. Get decaf then…
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Ignoring engine attributes and capabilities, can anyone give me a good, unemotional comparison of what the AMG offers over an S50 with MBC.
My interest is only as it relates to ride comfort, and driveability, if that's a valid term, Acceleration, top speeds, handling at top speeds are not of interest, so please don't waste your time and mine in extolling one over the other in these areas.
Thanks for your efforts!
My interest is only as it relates to ride comfort, and driveability, if that's a valid term, Acceleration, top speeds, handling at top speeds are not of interest, so please don't waste your time and mine in extolling one over the other in these areas.
Thanks for your efforts!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 826
From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
BenzNinja can actually tune the S63 suspension mapping to match the S560 mapping so in comfort mode it feels very comparable to an S560. Have not done this but might at some point. If all you care about though is a quiet cabin then the S560 is the car to buy.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
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From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
Again, thanks, for all responses.
Particular thanks to the few who responded to my message rather than pushing his own agenda, or questioning why I posted in the first place.
Particular thanks to the few who responded to my message rather than pushing his own agenda, or questioning why I posted in the first place.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
Likes: 160
From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
Everybody a tongue, and often one that has to taste sour. After all these years, why does human nature still surprise me so often? It would truly be interesting to know the ages of those who took issue with my question.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Lou smoothest, quietest least NVH will be a Maybach with the V12. You won’t feel it idling and it will be silent at most speeds.
Drive some cars and compare. You’ll see.
As always, your money your choice.
Drive some cars and compare. You’ll see.
As always, your money your choice.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 58
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From: Southern California
Mercedes S550
I have had 3 S-Sedans, all with ABC (last one has Magic Body Control, with cameras, etc.). Looked for the current (used, loaded) car for 2 years. To experience what the hydraulic suspension brings to the vehicle, you need to drive one, back to back, with one with pneumatic suspension. Ideally, drive both the standard S class and the AMG-both with pneumatic suspension. IMHO, there is NO COMPARISON, especially the latest MBC, with curve control capabilities. My current 2015 with MBC is phenomenal in all aspects. Goes like crazy (almost scares me), stops extremely well, handles curves with aplomb and is an Engineering Masterpiece.
