snarestud940

Ok Everyone! So a little back story. I have a. 2015, S550, Ruby Black, AMG Styling, with 75,300 miles. I purchased it from my old employer (owner of a body shop I used to work) in March of 2021 when it had about 44,000 miles, and he upgraded to a new 2021 W223. He special ordered the w222 I have brand new from Germany. It was not his daily driver. For me, it is. In almost 3 years, I put about 31-32,000 miles on it. I no longer bring it to the dealer for service/repairs as of last year. One of my patients is an independent mechanic who used to work at an MB dealership for 15 years so he knows the cars really well.

The car is in for service as we speak, and he noticed I needed a new right front axle, as the boot is leaking, but the axle isn't clicking or anything yet. He is putting an aftermarket new axle in and told me that he has not had any issues with these types of cars since he's been repairing them, and that they are much cheaper that factory, and last the same. He also said he doesn't need to change the other side in front because it isn't broken. He said I probably either hit a pothole, or hit some debris, and the boot broke and the grease is leaking.

He said the rear brakes still have some meat on them, so need to change just yet. He's extremely honest, which is what I like.

He asked me how long I planned to keep the car, and I said probably another 2-3 years, not more than 100,000 miles. He advised me to get rid of it between 95-100,000 miles, as once these cars hit about 120-130,000, they cause problems.

Is this is the consensus? Any feedback would be great! I would definitely probably buy an E-Class Sedan next that is a year old with low low miles.

JohnLane

OP the C/V boot can be re-clamped or replaced for one that is leaking grease. No need to throw away a perfectly good C/V axle to replace it with one that is likely not as good as what came out!

I have 130,000 miles on my 222 S65 and am enjoying it. There will be things to do maintenance wise. Fluid changes... Suspension arms for front suspension. I just got to replace upper control arms in my car as they were making a noise with low speed bumps. The 222 S-Class is very tough to beat for comfort and reliability.

Enjoy your car.

Tom in Austin

Mine is at 53k now and runs beautifully. It seems like these are very solid cars and should get to 100k or more without major problems. Motor mounts and suspension bushings/ball joints are wear items and should be expected in a W222 like any other car. A given driver might choose to live with vibration and degraded ride/steering and keep going on bad ones, but most would spend the money to get the car's ride back to what it was originally.

I've replaced a lot of CV axles on cars in the past but always in the front and I've have never had to do one in the rear. Once a boot is torn you can pretty much count on the joint being destroyed by water and dirt that gets in and that's why your mechanic changed the complete axle out.

badq45t

I plan to replace in 6 years once the extended warranty expires, really the only big thing I feel like I miss out on are better integration with cell phone (I know i can add Android Auto) but my 21' Nissan Leaf has better lane keep than my 16' S-Class...but I am like many of you not in love with W223 so maybe a face lift or change in style!

NJ560

My 2018 is about to hit 50k miles, and because the W223 just doesn’t do it for me on the interior, I’m keeping it to at least 100k. Test drove a 760i. The “crystal” is a bit goofy but it’s otherwise quiet, comfortable and the placement of the screen is nice. Can’t get past the grille though.

The 223 is a little less elegant than the 222, but it’s grown on me. It’s just the mish-mash looking interior.

Let’s see what the refresh holds for 2025. Maybe they will get it right. Until then I’m going to baby the 222…

fun33

My 2018 S560 has 22,232 miles on it. Will probably keep it until it reaches 50,000 miles. I will keep it for at least 14 years.
My 2017 SL550 has 17,018 miles. I will keep the SL for 21 years when it should hit 50,000 miles.

Both cars have been running well. Biggest repair has been $4,700 for replacing the windshield on the S560. It was covered 100% by insurance. Replaced the run flats on both cars with Michelin Pilot Super Sports in 2023.

dmatre

In October 2023, I bought a 2019 S450 with 35k miles, and am hoping that this is the last car I buy in my lifetime (age 59 presently). My personality is more about enjoying what I have, rather than having something new every couple of years.

Given my experiences with MB cars in the past, and understanding that service/maintenance/repair is part of the ownership, I don't see why this car won't outlast me on this planet.

The wife's 2014 E350 has 140k miles now, and both looks & drives like the day it came off of the lot (with the exception of the worn Sensatec seating, which will be replaced soon). In the 9 years we've had it, it's cost us 3 ignition coils, 2 motor mounts, 1 transmission mount, and a rear subframe bushing. Not too bad if you add it all up, and probably not far from the same costs for a Lexus/Infinity/Genesis of the same age/mileage. (I'm not including wear items like wipers/brakes/shocks/fluids/etc - which are necessary on all cars as they accumulate mileage/time)

We're not hard on our vehicles, and they seem to endure because of this.

Lou B

Well, I've got 32 years on you, and my bought new '18 S560 seems to be perfect at 32,000, miles so I'm not even thinking about a new car.

2012 merc amg

66K miles on my 2018 S560, it's a long term keeper.

SW20S

I had every intention of getting rid of it about now, but I think I'm going to buy it out of the lease and keep it for a while.

Sean._.S

Bought my 15' S550 with 28k miles back in 2020. Now have 64k miles on it and have loved every second of it. The only cars I'm considering to buy as a replacement would either be an 18+ S450 or a 21+ S500. I like my V8, but would prefer the security of the M276's reliability.

mercedesbuff

Mine is a 2017 S550, and I still have one more year of coverage on the M-B ELW, at which point I'll have a decision to make.

Option #1 -- I find another W222 ('19 and '20 will still be CPO-able at that point), and then I would sell the 2017 privately, or
Option #2 -- I purchase an aftermarket warranty and keep enjoying the 2017 for a few more years!

I'm still really enjoying the car. It suits me perfectly.

SW20S

M176 is a very reliable engine too. Having driven both the S450 and the S500, I would never consider either. The S Class needs the V8.

JohnLane

Spoken by one who has not enjoyed the V-12. First hit of the AMG Crack is free. Then you are forever hooked. LOL

SW20S

Theres a reason why I haven’t driven the V12 lol

S_W222

I bet many W222 owners are stuck with the W222 because they can’t digest the W223 styling or design. I wish I could like the W223 enough, I am tempted but I feel I will not like it enough to keep it more than a couple of months.

If you are an S-class type of a guy, I don’t think there is a better luxury sedan than the W222 that you can own now. I get bored quickly with my cars and couldn’t find a better luxury sedan than the W222 in the 90-150K price range. Decided to enjoy an EV for the next couple of years until there is something else to consider, and am loving it so far, but still am also willing to add another luxury large-size family Sedan to the garage if I can find anything enticing (G11 B7 or M760 but I can’t find the right one yet). If you have no problem keeping your car for too long, W222 is such an awesome daily drive.

I might just wait for the next gen S-class after the W223 before I consider the brand again. Not too optimistic about the W223 facelift either, but still curious. My EV experience now also got me to think that maybe I like EV cars more than large lazy ICE sedans too, so that’s another reason to skip the W223. Now I don’t even like how the V8 in my BMW drives, so I might never consider ICE cars like the W223 again. In summary, enjoy the W222 for as long as u can : )

SW20S

If you love the W222 you will love the drive and quality of the G70 7 Series. If the styling works for you or not is another question.

I too want to like the 223 but I’m really concerned I won’t be happy with it.

Tom in Austin

W223 is probably a fine car, but just doesn't resonate with me. I remember the W222 being described once as 'majestic' and that adjective just doesn't seem to fit the W223, IMHO

S_W222

Exactly, it’s a fine car. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I test drove the W222 the first time. And then I was even super excited when I got my first W222. I test drove a few W223 in the past 12 months, I just never felt that excited about it. It’s a great car, but just doesn’t resonate enough to justify the purchase, as u said.

MBNUT1

The '21 S500 has the 48V inline six '21 M256 not the M276.

MBNUT1

Ask your mechanic about the M278's future reliability.

MB-Ez

Who is your extended warranty through? (Assuming USA)

nybenzo

Thinking about giving my car to my dad. He's retired and refuses to buy a newer vehicle he's currently driving a 99 S320. Its nice still but I think he would like the 16 550 better. I asked him and he said no its too much tech for him but I think if I park it in his driveway and leave the keys at the house he will use it and eventually get used to it. Trading it in with the market the way it is won't really get me a deep discount on payments. I think it would be a waste of a great car. I also dont want it to sit unused in Florida for years.

Mitch Alsup

In my opinion, the S-class needs the V12, and not of the S65 varietal, quiet, powerful, economical, did I mention quiet.

SW20S

Perfectly happy with my V8...no interest in the 12.