vdubpower

considering getting an S450 to replace the 2015 550 we have ( 160K miles)
So the m278 s550 we have has the usual issues, One turbo actuator is bad, P0229
Loud *** lifters, Oil leaks here and there. Never done water pump

Options are to replace it with a Junkyard motor - I dont trust those. Who knows what you get

Saw this on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/20419756480...r=505007713999

Or rebuild my motor with parts from dealer and fcp etc

Or just get a s450 --- now do the 450 have the same issues as the 550. Any specific years to avoid? Not thinking about hybrid. regular is fine.

thoughts

VII

The issues listed do not seem to warrant an engine replacement. The 6cyl is a different architecture but I'm sure at 160k miles is likely to show it's own issues.

vdubpower

right

yeah the things that we would need to do to fix our motor is new turbos, timing chain, probably lifters, maybe camps, water pump, oil pumps and everything associated..... and after that probably the rods have some bend to them.

VII

You should get a job as a test driver, and yes it'll be more cost efficient to replace.

BenzV12

V6 is more budget friendly but you would miss the M278 when you push the pedal down .

vdubpower

ive got the e63
this will be to replace for my dad. whatever thepower the 450 gives is enough for him. and him driving slower is not a bad thing.

dmatre

I'm not sure how old your dad is, but being just a few years from retirement myself, my lead-foot days are behind me, and I don't find the S450 lacking in power at all.

Yes, it would be nice to have the additional power, smoothness, and the upgraded leather of the 560. However, considering that my car spends 99% of its life stuck in long lines of slow-moving traffic, or on the highway with cruise control on, I can't say that I long for it more than a few seconds each month.

In doing my research before buying, it definitely appears that the M276 is quite solid.

My thoughts: the S450 is plenty nice, unless ego becomes involved.

will_atl

I echo everything said above, I recently traded out a 2019 450 for a low mileage 2020 450. It’s all that I need.

SW20S

The issue for me with the S450 is not the power, its the feel. The 6 just lacks the refinement and effortlessness of the V8, IMO it feels like a totally different car. Your S550 is 9 years old with 160,000 miles on it, any German engine is going to have issues at that age and mileage. Personally I would get the S560.

My 560 is in the shop right now for a valve cover gasket replacement and I have a GLS450 loaner. I have driven the GLS580, and its the same story with that. The 450 just feels lethargic and the powertrain isn't as smooth or effortless. If I got one of these it would have to be the V8 too. Same story with the W223, I drove an S500 and got about a mile down the road and turned around, just not the same.

carlosinseattle

You're only guaranteed to miss one thing....that's the money in your pocket if you buy a similar S560 over the S450. You can almost be 100% sure your dad wouldn't notice the difference. If I could have found a S450 with the options I wanted and price, I would have bought it in a heartbeat. I never found one so I didn't. As far as all the subjective things like smoothness; that's the top of first world problems. While yes, you can tell a differnece if you try them back to back; in the real world it won't mean anything. It really boils down to what's "really" important and how much you're willing to spend. Keep us posted, and good luck!

will_atl

I was only thinking this weekend how smooth my S450 is compared to my Porsche Cayenne. I’m sure that a 560 is even smoother, and when looking, I test drove 560s and there is definitely more power, 450s have just lined up right for me.

chassis

S450. Most reliable MB engine in the past 20 years.

SW20S

I wouldn't be so sure about that, I would notice the difference I think most people would. Whether they care about the difference is another matter. I can tell you for sure being used to the V8 I would not be satisfied with the 6. He's also used to the V8...

This isn't a "transportation" car IMO, you buy this car because you want excellence. Especially resale the difference in cost isn;t that much.

vdubpower

he is not a car guy. He just wants to get in and go. He has had all previous generations of the S, 140, 220, 221, all the 5 Liter. He didnt like the 221 seats and has been happy with 222. His 222 is fast, Glides and is smooth. The s450 has how much power, 350 or so.. should be plenty to get the car moving and cruise on the motorway.

will why did you trade a 19 for a 20. was there much difference?

will_atl

I get bored with cars and can’t help but look on the dealer website! I put 40,000 miles on my 2019 in 2 years and it was at 75k miles. Looking one morning my local dealer had a 2020 with 9,000 miles, and I drove it home that afternoon, I’ve already put 6,000 miles on it in just over 3 months. The new one also has some new toys, heat and comfort package (giving nicer rear seats), heads up display and AMG trim package. Otherwise the two cars were the same, from my experience the 560s tend to have more toys on them/be more loaded. The base leather in a 560 is an upgrade on the 450, but I’ve been very happy with both of mine. I wouldn’t buy one without the Premium and Drivers Assistance packages, most seem to have those.

SW20S

Don't have to be a car guy to appreciate the smoothness, refinement and feel of the V8. As I said before, its not about power its all about feel. To me the 6 doesn't feel like an S Class...he could just drive a Camry too but he drives an S Class, so the performance of a car on some level matters to him.

Your dad should test drive both cars before he makes the swap to make sure he will be happy with the V6, you and he should not assume he will be