s450 in place of the s550
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,279
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From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
s450 in place of the s550
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
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
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 972
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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)
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.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
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.
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.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,414
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
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.
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.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
Likes: 211
From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
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.
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.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
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.
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.
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
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!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
Likes: 211
From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,061
Likes: 4,564
From: Maryland
2024 S580
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!
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.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,279
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From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
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 why did you trade a 19 for a 20. was there much difference?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
Likes: 211
From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
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.
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,061
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
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 why did you trade a 19 for a 20. was there much difference?
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
Last edited by SW20S; Jun 4, 2024 at 09:13 AM.
