S-Class (W222) 2014-2020

Money pits? Opinions please!

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Old 08-06-2024, 02:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Lou B
To the best of my ability to search, there are only four Mercedes dealerships in Kentucky - northern KY, Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green...and S Class cars are not very thick on the ground.
with Louisville having a population of over 1 million and Lexington with almost 400,000 I think you’d be surprised. Lexington is racehorse country and horse farm owners and trainers lean towards the S class as well as Rolls Royce and Bentley, the landed gentry so to speak. Louisville on the other hand is a metropolitan business center with lots of millionaires and nouveau riche. There are many rural areas in Kentucky but Louisville and Lexington are large metropolitan areas with lots of people that buy S class Mercedes
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Old 08-06-2024, 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by DeutscheBenz726
with Louisville having a population of over 1 million and Lexington with almost 400,000 I think you’d be surprised. Lexington is racehorse country and horse farm owners and trainers lean towards the S class as well as Rolls Royce and Bentley, the landed gentry so to speak. Louisville on the other hand is a metropolitan business center with lots of millionaires and nouveau riche. There are many rural areas in Kentucky but Louisville and Lexington are large metropolitan areas with lots of people that buy S class Mercedes
As a Mason County nonagenarian, somewhat familiar with the Commonwealth, I appreciate your insight and description of our Bluegrass state.
From our perspective, and from that of learned writers - See Along the Maysville Road,* Craig Thompson Friend - for an explanation of how our area differs so much from the Fayette Co, area, As far as Louavuhl is concerned it has long thrived with out-of-state ownership of many of its major businesses, and very few of us up here think it to be truly representative of Kentucky as a whole. We have good friends in both Fayette and Jefferson, and they seem to enjoy their visits here.

Have you ever traveled to our part of Kentucky, the early river gateway (TWO bridges across the Ohio!) to our settlement - a home for Simon Kenton, Daniel Boone, Dr. Daniel Drake, three state championship basketball teams, a Miss America, two Mr. Basketballs, and a SCOTUS justice? We have a broad-based culture, with KY's third licensed distillery, were once the second largest burley market, and are the home ten Kentucky Cup winning muzzle-loader shooting teams, the 2022 Milner award winner for the top Arts council award. If you drive up to the State Fair, you can see part of her internationally-known collection on display that has drawn visitors from all 50 states and over 20 foreign countries.
*Depicted in the extremely rare 1805 map by Georges Henri Victor Collot, The Road from Limestone to Frankfort, in the map collection of The Kentucky Gateway Museum Center here.
Just for kicks - is it possible to determine from the state records how many S class cars are registered here?

Last edited by Lou B; 08-06-2024 at 09:39 AM.
Old 08-06-2024, 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnLane
OP a 2015 and newer car is easy enough to find if you are concerned about cylinder scoring.

V-12 powered cars do not suffer that issue and will have more content. They all have Magic Body Control.
Yes....but the older V-12's are definitely money pits....speaking from experience.
Old 08-06-2024, 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Lou B
As a Mason County nonagenarian, somewhat familiar with the Commonwealth, I appreciate your insight and description of our Bluegrass state.
From our perspective, and from that of learned writers - See Along the Maysville Road,* Craig Thompson Friend - for an explanation of how our area differs so much from the Fayette Co, area, As far as Louavuhl is concerned it has long thrived with out-of-state ownership of many of its major businesses, and very few of us up here think it to be truly representative of Kentucky as a whole. We have good friends in both Fayette and Jefferson, and they seem to enjoy their visits here.

Have you ever traveled to our part of Kentucky, the early river gateway (TWO bridges across the Ohio!) to our settlement - a home for Simon Kenton, Daniel Boone, Dr. Daniel Drake, three state championship basketball teams, a Miss America, two Mr. Basketballs, and a SCOTUS justice? We have a broad-based culture, with KY's third licensed distillery, were once the second largest burley market, and are the home ten Kentucky Cup winning muzzle-loader shooting teams, the 2022 Milner award winner for the top Arts council award. If you drive up to the State Fair, you can see part of her internationally-known collection on display that has drawn visitors from all 50 states and over 20 foreign countries.
*Depicted in the extremely rare 1805 map by Georges Henri Victor Collot, The Road from Limestone to Frankfort, in the map collection of The Kentucky Gateway Museum Center here.
Just for kicks - is it possible to determine from the state records how many S class cars are registered here?
and let’s not forget the Rosemary Clooney festival in Maysville! Years ago I played in the Lexington Philharmonic and we accompanied Linda Rondstat there. Almost as many stars there as in Hollywood (including George Clooney! And really to be honest Lexington has been described as an old money “Who’s your daddy” kind of place where Mercedes Benz cars and Toyota Camrys are the the staple not the exception
Old 08-06-2024, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by DeutscheBenz726
and let’s not forget the Rosemary Clooney festival in Maysville! Years ago I played in the Lexington Philharmonic and we accompanied Linda Rondstat there. Almost as many stars there as in Hollywood (including George Clooney! And really to be honest Lexington has been described as an old money “Who’s your daddy” kind of place where Mercedes Benz cars and Toyota Camrys are the the staple not the exception
Thanks! I knew I'd forgotten someone - Rosie, a sweetheart, and George, a j*rk, who celebrated Charlton Heston's illness when he was activein the NRA- {it couldn't happen to a better guy.}
I think it was a local girl we know well who married a L P director.
Good to learn you're aware of us.
Do try to read that book I mentioned - it explains clearly how Fayette was settle by a completely different group of Virginians than our area. A stark contrast.
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Old 08-06-2024, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Lou B
......... - is it possible to determine from the state records how many S class cars are registered here?
The M278 engine was used across a bunch of cars, not just S-class cars, for several years:Applications:[2]

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Old 08-06-2024, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by vincheung
Thank You! Truth be told I have looked at that document previously and the opening comments didn't register. That makes me more confident about looking at post 2015 W222's / C217's!
@chassis I think that this put's to bed the urban legend concern.
Old 08-06-2024, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by carlosinseattle
The M278 engine was used across a bunch of cars, not just S-class cars, for several years:Applications:[2]
That's possibly helpful for others in another context, but my question was simply, "is it possible to check Kentucky state records to determine how many S Class cars (regardless of engine, or any other factor) are registered in the Commonwealth.

Old 08-06-2024, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by vincheung
@Tom in Austin & @carlosinseattle , unfortunately there actually is MB documentation and reference in regards to the silitec equipped 278's (sub March 2015). Its not a guarantee there will be issues, just something to be aware of and take measures to monitor and possibly prevent. Friction reducers such as MOS2 or Ceratec could help, also there is the oil solenoid disconnect that increases oil pressure at low RMP.

My car was mfr in 3-2015 and I made it into the "Silitec" group by just 1000 engines. Whew....I guess.
Old 08-06-2024, 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
My car was mfr in 3-2015 and I made it into the "Silitec" group by just 1000 engines. Whew....I guess.
You made it into or are outside of the Silitec group?
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Old 08-06-2024, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by vincheung
You made it into or are outside of the Silitec group?
My engine number is 1000 higher than the number on the report you posted. So mine would have the Silitec cylinders and not the older cast iron that supposedly has more potential problems.
Old 08-06-2024, 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
My engine number is 1000 higher than the number on the report you posted. So mine would have the Silitec cylinders and not the older cast iron that supposedly has more potential problems.
Think you got it backwards. I think conversion was to cast iron.
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Old 08-06-2024, 08:07 PM
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Silitec Bad, Cast Iron Good
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Old 08-06-2024, 10:07 PM
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Old 08-07-2024, 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by carlosinseattle
Silitec Bad, Cast Iron Good
Old 08-07-2024, 09:15 AM
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Good one.
Old 08-07-2024, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
My engine number is 1000 higher than the number on the report you posted. So mine would have the Silitec cylinders and not the older cast iron that supposedly has more potential problems.
I think if your engine number was higher, yours would be the cast iron lining, which is a good thing. You can verify by borescope.
Old 08-07-2024, 05:18 PM
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Wildly confusing verbiage, usually they're much clearer about what changed and the dates or VINs that are affected. Could it be the translation from German?

What does this actually say (italics added)? Which type was used 'as from engine xxx'? Are both types prone to scoring, or is one more prone than the other? Presumably the newer ones are less prone or they wouldn't have made the change?

"General information for engines with cast-iron cylinder barrels and with Silitec cylinder barrels (aluminum-silicon cylinder barrels), conversion as of March 2015 or as from engine 2789xx 30 266191 for cast-iron cylinder barrels"
Old 08-07-2024, 05:42 PM
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Yes, the cast iron is less prone.
Old 08-07-2024, 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
Yes....but the older V-12's are definitely money pits....speaking from experience.
The 279 Bent 12 in the 222 chassis with the seven speed transmission (still has a torque converter to handle the torque and is smoother) does not suffer the Coil pack and voltage transformer issues of the 275. Individual coils for each cylinder.

220 chassis car... ABC was troublesome + everything else about the 220.

221 much improved but still with PITA coil packs, a/c compressors that only lived to 80,000. Blower motors that failed. Radiators that failed.

222 car..... Shockingly good. Worst in mine being sunroof rails. It thoughtfully waited to be nine years old with 130,000 miles on it for that to fail.

Last edited by JohnLane; 08-07-2024 at 07:13 PM.
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Old 08-07-2024, 07:41 PM
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I would not consider one of these a money pit. I would go for an 18-20 personally, just understand that this is a very expensive and complex car and could cost you several thousand dollars at any time. But, a new one is $130,000....so buying used you can pay for a lot of repairs...
Old 08-07-2024, 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
Yes....but the older V-12's are definitely money pits....speaking from experience.
Mine does not seem to be. (2015)
Old 08-08-2024, 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Mitch Alsup
Mine does not seem to be. (2015)
Yeah...I'm sure they are better now. Check out this old thread of mine from my previous babied low mileage 2007 S600. Skip to post 65 to see the grand total after 3 years just before I traded it in because I was tired of always having it in the shop. That old warranty from my credit union was unbelievably awesome. If they would have still offered it on anything more than a V8 and their cost wouldn't have gone up so much, I would have likely bought a S222 S600 instead of the S550. I may have been the reason that they stopped offering it on the V12.

Dave's Warranty claims thread
Old 08-08-2024, 06:55 PM
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I had a 2001 S600 with the V12. When I had mine, they were rare. It was the best and WORST car I've ever owned, until my 2018 s63 became the best car I've ever owned. It probably was the worst executed Mb ever made. All of my friends who had W220's had problems, most were major, However, just like I wouldn't want to be judged on what I thought or did 20+ years ago, we shouldn't judge contemporary MB's based on a 25+ year old desing. Just my $.02 cents.

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