What don't you like about your S-Class!?
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Joined: Apr 2024
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2015 S65 AMG
What don't you like about your S-Class!?
While my pro’s far out weigh my con’s i do love my S65, i never get tired looking at my car. leaving a store and walking to my car in the parking and seeing it I always tell myself “Damn that sure is a beautiful car”! I never get tired of the performance or how comfortable and quiet the interior cabin is, and you never realize how much wind noise you can hear in other cars until you ride in a s-class.
With that being said i feel i have some very valid con’s. for starters.
Now I do realize these are first world problems lol nevertheless they are my gripes. I know some people hate the maintenance costs of these cars, that shockingly isn’t one of gripes. I knew all too well what the costs are owning one of these cars especially a V12 version. But I’m curious if you all have any?
With that being said i feel i have some very valid con’s. for starters.
- Lack of storage. In my S65 i have the executive seating with 4 zone climate control. the climate control ducts makes the front center console too shallow to store possessions. even additional napkins or other miscellaneous things. The door pockets seem to become a catch all for everything, and they’re not the easiest pockets to fumble through because the door handles position is too low and makes my hand do a back bend the deeper back i go back in the pocket to look for something lol. There’s no cubbies anywhere! while i like the storage compartment in front of the front seats idk what to put in there, what do you all use this space for holding? They’re too small and shallow for anything, i really wish they were drawers instead. My car also has the voice amplifier which is really awesome but that awesomeness took the sunglasses cubby away. with my storage complaint, I did improvise, over come, and adapt to my lack of storage by buying these door handle inserts for all four doors that fit like they’re factory. so now i have a place to sit my phone in.
-
- I basically fixed this annoyance with my wireless charging hack, but the lack of easy access charging ports bother’s me. i read on the forum how some people have little notches in there center console for cables to lay in, well my car doesn’t have that. You just have to find a flat durable cable that can take being slammed on lol.
- No “real” auto start. I hate that Mbrace charges US to start OUR cars and now they’re discontinuing service for year’s 2015-2018 so we no longer will have auto start or wifi.
- I haven’t figured out how to hook my portable wifi air card to my car for wifi (if it’s possible). That then makes the entertainment screens just out dated dvd players which i’ll have to replace with after market android screens that accept mirroring and wifi.
Now I do realize these are first world problems lol nevertheless they are my gripes. I know some people hate the maintenance costs of these cars, that shockingly isn’t one of gripes. I knew all too well what the costs are owning one of these cars especially a V12 version. But I’m curious if you all have any?
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 573
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
Trunk on the 550e is even smaller, probably could hold 1 set of golf clubs but luckly I don't play golf! I wish the 16' infotainment was better I eventually may do a kit for android auto but handing text sucks even with the upgrade benzninja did (not very helpful). I agree with OP I look back at my car everytime I walk away from it in parking lot. My next door neighbors have a non-AMG package (it was a very low optioned car but they loved mine and upgraded from C-Class) and I am realy happy I have that package.
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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 262
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
Center console could use a divider rather than being a single box and the trunk could definitely be larger.
Last week I installed the Roadtrip or Roadtop unit for Android Auto and really like it. It's nice to be able to text by voice while driving and since I have XM in my other vehicle, being able to use it in the S class through the AA app is great,,,, and doesn't require another subscription.
I've had the car for 6 weeks now and am glad I bought it. I sold a CTS-V that I owned for 7 years that had close to 800whp and I really don't miss it.
Last week I installed the Roadtrip or Roadtop unit for Android Auto and really like it. It's nice to be able to text by voice while driving and since I have XM in my other vehicle, being able to use it in the S class through the AA app is great,,,, and doesn't require another subscription.
I've had the car for 6 weeks now and am glad I bought it. I sold a CTS-V that I owned for 7 years that had close to 800whp and I really don't miss it.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 262
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
it's literally like 6 or 8 screws to remove the center console assembly and you really only have to move it back and up high enough to remove the cd changer. The box that the unit is shipped in is what I used to keep the console raised.I bought the Roadtop unit off ebay for $216.
Last edited by James S; May 2, 2024 at 06:37 PM.
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
I liked both W222 cars I had, but there was a time where I felt, It's not the car I want to daily-drive anymore and it was time to move forward with something else:
- Technology: This was the main reason that kept growing further with time. For both W222s I had, I always had at least 1 or 2 other BMWs in the garage. The Benz always felt lacking behind BMW tech wise, and having both at the same time it kept bothering me but it was just fine as most of my BMWs were from the same generation so the difference wasn't huge. It was just fine around 2017-2023... but once I moved to some BMWs with ID8, I started really to hate the W222 technology as it was not just older now, but also way behind tech wise. Relatively speaking, I hated the fact I still need a key with the Benz compared to BMW (phone as key), Wired CarPlay (no wireless option) and takes a long time to load up, then the biggest factor is the lack of real/useful OTA (the ownership experience gets boring too quckly compared to BMW that sometimes surprises u with some neat upgrades (e.g.: ID8 to ID 8.5, improved/smoother lane changing operation, etc...).
- Engine / idle smoothness: Nothing serious here, but the W222 engine isn't as smooth as BMW and the same is true for the transmission. The drivetrain is better than 99% of the cars, but BMW fills that gap from 99 to 99.9% and having the W222 beside 2 other BMWs kept reminding me how the W222 engine vibrates sometimes on idle (no issues, just by design u can feel the engine running on a quite day), and the transmission is not even close to BMW performance. Those things were fine in 2017-2019 when I had my pre-facelift, but with the facelift W222 once I owned it beside newer BMWs from the 2021-2024 generations the transmission in the W222 didn't feel as good. Comparison ins't fair I know, but starting last year I felt that the W222 is just getting too old, outdated, and lack so many features and things I want to have based on what I have in my other cars.
Last edited by S_W222; May 2, 2024 at 08:12 PM.
Super Member
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
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W212 FL
I dislike yellow LED interior lights . I place my cell phone into the door bins . Retractable lid is good but I fear of breaking it down . In most Mercedes-Benz models we have butterfly two piece lid but W222s don't come with those styling . I like two piece armrest
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2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
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Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
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From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
Yawn -
Ho-hum...
The only thing I seriously dislike about my '18 S560 is how the windshield and outside mirrors keep snatching bugs out of the air.
Oh, and how when my wife has driven the car, the driver seat does not automatically resume my preferred position - I mean, what the heck, why should I have to push a button before I try to get in??? And, I have to readjust the rear view mirror...
Ho-hum...
The only thing I seriously dislike about my '18 S560 is how the windshield and outside mirrors keep snatching bugs out of the air.
Oh, and how when my wife has driven the car, the driver seat does not automatically resume my preferred position - I mean, what the heck, why should I have to push a button before I try to get in??? And, I have to readjust the rear view mirror...
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Joined: Sep 2014
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S600
- Engine / idle smoothness: Nothing serious here, but the W222 engine isn't as smooth as BMW and the same is true for the transmission. The drivetrain is better than 99% of the cars, but BMW fills that gap from 99 to 99.9% and having the W222 beside 2 other BMWs kept reminding me how the W222 engine vibrates sometimes on idle (no issues, just by design u can feel the engine running on a quite day), and the transmission is not even close to BMW performance.
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
Honestly, I don’t disagree… I think you are right. I also once wanted to try the S63, but the engine smoothness is even much much worse than the regular S580. The S580 was still better though not ideal. Never tried the V12 long enough but if it’s anything close to the 7-series M760, that’d be really nice and am sure it is at least as good but not sure about the transmission.
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S600
Honestly, I don’t disagree… I think you are right. I also once wanted to try the S63, but the engine smoothness is even much much worse than the regular S580. The S580 was still better though not ideal. Never tried the V12 long enough but if it’s anything close to the 7-series M760, that’d be really nice and am sure it is at least as good but not sure about the transmission.
I even get 24 MPG on the highways.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
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From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
Depending on the terrain, I typically get 37-30 from my S560. It seldom goes to the 9th gear.
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Honestly, I don’t disagree… I think you are right. I also once wanted to try the S63, but the engine smoothness is even much much worse than the regular S580. The S580 was still better though not ideal. Never tried the V12 long enough but if it’s anything close to the 7-series M760, that’d be really nice and am sure it is at least as good but not sure about the transmission.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 3,113
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
The S63 engine is sublime, extremely smooth. In my opionion, the engine is smoother than the S560 and S550 motors. And very quiet when not pushing it. The main problem with the S63, at least the 2018-2020, is the transmission/clutch system. It is purposeful built to prioritize fast shifts at the expense of "other driving characteristics". It's smooth in most normal driving situations, but frustrating in others. it's been discussed on the AMG forums so I won't go into detail. But the engine is amazing in every way!
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
The "not smooth" comment that others and I were talking about doesn't refer to smoothness while cruising, but mostly during idle. That is a very well documented issue in the S560 and the S63. The S550 didn't have this issue, but no doubt the S560 and S63 aren't smooth at all when idle. Then combine this with jerky transmission that Mbenz failed to address since 2014, in my view, those are the only two issues that I wish were better in the Benz, and the S63 makes both of them even worse... of course unless you are pushing and tracking your car all time when cruising around. I haven't owned or driven W223 long enough to say that this has been addressed, but folks seem to continue to believe that the transmission isn't yet well dialed in. Not sure about engine smoothness for W223...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
Likes: 160
From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
Re: S560 smoothness - had my car since June '18, with 32,000 miles - have never noticed anything at idle or driving tehat I could describe as lack of smoothness.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 975
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From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
Well the trunk is ridiculously small but the most annoying thing is the steering assist sensor that you have to shimmy the wheel every so often when you are going straight. That is a horrible solution and very annoying on long trips around here, the FL seems to be considerably better so if I find the right FL 65 I think I'm going to change over (even if I don't like the new lights).
