W222 and C217 S Class Questions
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2014 Toyota Venza Limited, 2004 Acura RSX Type-S
W222 and C217 S Class Questions
Hello, everyone. I've been looking into purchasing a used/CPO W222 S550 Sedan, or a C217 S550 Coupe. I have a few questions I would like to ask (for anyone who may own such a car).
- How do the interiors of these cars hold up over time? - If there's one thing I absolutely cannot stand, it would have to be interior rattles, creaks, clicks, etc. One can only assume (and hope) that these cars are built to high enough standards that there wouldn't even be a possibility of such noises developing, but I would like to hear from someone who has actually had first-hand experience with what I'm talking about.
- What exactly should I be looking for? (if anything) - With most cars, there's usually something that should be avoided, what's the case with the S Class?
- How is general reliability/dependability? - I'll start by saying that I'm looking at purchasing one of these vehicles with around 40-60k miles from a dealership with a warranty. Now I tend to drive my cars more than the average person, and I want a car that (if I ever needed it to) would be able to take me from one side of the country to the other without breaking a sweat. Is this something that I'd have to worry about?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 1,210
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Hello George....
A 222 chassis car is tough to beat. I’ve had two. S550 and S65. AMG cars much more fun. They are more reliable than any S-Class that precede them. My S65 has over 135,000 miles on it. It is now old enough that things are happening. I just got to do sunroof rails. That was a treat. The interior has held up well. Everything about audio works. Bermester audio is wonderful. My cars have been rear drive. As such equipped with Magic Body Control. This is an active suspension system that has to be experienced to be appreciated. Zero body roll through turns. Excellent body control. Bumps disappear. You just don’t feel them. 4matic cars all got air ride. Good system. Very different driving experience than MBC. All wheels driven better for wet miserable places like Washington. Carbon Ceramic brakes are on my list of must haves. Brake pads and rotors last and last. Rare option that is worth looking for. I prefer the bent-12. No more coil packs for the 279 V-12. More fuel, but there is so much more to life than good gas mileage. Seven speed transmission is a good one. S-65 still has a torque converter so it is more civilized. Peter aka BenzNinja can do software tricks to the car that will bring out it’s best. Intelligent lighting. Last mode remembered gets rid of annoying stop-start. Additional modes for the transmission. Hot climate programming for HVAC. There is more. All good stuff. Drive some cars... S550 with AWD, rear drive, with MBC. Drive some AMG cars. S63 and S65 are very different cars, even from each other. Careful about the AMG cars.... First hit is free!
A 222 chassis car is tough to beat. I’ve had two. S550 and S65. AMG cars much more fun. They are more reliable than any S-Class that precede them. My S65 has over 135,000 miles on it. It is now old enough that things are happening. I just got to do sunroof rails. That was a treat. The interior has held up well. Everything about audio works. Bermester audio is wonderful. My cars have been rear drive. As such equipped with Magic Body Control. This is an active suspension system that has to be experienced to be appreciated. Zero body roll through turns. Excellent body control. Bumps disappear. You just don’t feel them. 4matic cars all got air ride. Good system. Very different driving experience than MBC. All wheels driven better for wet miserable places like Washington. Carbon Ceramic brakes are on my list of must haves. Brake pads and rotors last and last. Rare option that is worth looking for. I prefer the bent-12. No more coil packs for the 279 V-12. More fuel, but there is so much more to life than good gas mileage. Seven speed transmission is a good one. S-65 still has a torque converter so it is more civilized. Peter aka BenzNinja can do software tricks to the car that will bring out it’s best. Intelligent lighting. Last mode remembered gets rid of annoying stop-start. Additional modes for the transmission. Hot climate programming for HVAC. There is more. All good stuff. Drive some cars... S550 with AWD, rear drive, with MBC. Drive some AMG cars. S63 and S65 are very different cars, even from each other. Careful about the AMG cars.... First hit is free!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
Likes: 160
From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
I agree about MBC - ordered it with my '18 S560, wonderful.
But, in my area, very hard to find other cars with MBC...very few sold, never stocked by dealer. Good luck in finding one.
But, in my area, very hard to find other cars with MBC...very few sold, never stocked by dealer. Good luck in finding one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,066
Likes: 4,567
From: Maryland
2024 S580
This is a fabulous car, one of the best cars in the world. With that said it is a very complex car and it was built and designed to perform first, and be easy and inexpensive to repair maybe 10th. So, its going to be expensive. Is it worth it? I think so.
