I recently purchased this 2017 W222 S550e with only 65k miles on it. 12mo/12k mile warranty from MB on the complete powertrain. Battery replaced around 36k miles. No accidents. One owner.

Here is what I have done so far:

• Vossen 22" wheels
• Continental AWS 06+ tires
• Chrome delete (3M gloss black vinyl wrap + replacement ornaments, mirrors, grill, etc.)
• Limo-black tint
• Brake flush, oil + filter, cabin filters, serpentine belt, alignment

Here is what I have on the way:

• Lowering links
• Drilled power-stop rotors for the rear (to match the front)
• Light-blue high-temp brake caliper paint kit (hopefully matches the front color)
• Low dust / low noise performance pads

Wish list:

• Android Auto kit (maybe the GTA one?)
• Distronic or Distronic Plus retro - this is the only thing I really feel like I am missing from OEM
• Updated headlights + programming?
• Is there any reason to tune the 3.0L V6 - has anyone even tried this? (My CLS400 had a really nice tune on it)
• Maybe I should return the lowering links and grab the OBD2 suspension kit? Seems kind of pricey..

Thoughts?
I will try to post updates as I progress through this journey. I've been having fun with such a comfy beast @ 32mpg over 2800 miles so far!

 

This reminds me when my neighbor bought their house several years ago, then over the next 18 months chopped down almost every tree that surrounded the house. Our small city is known for large lots with mature landscaping with large to very large trees. He told me he chopped down the trees to so that his home would receive more natural light. I asked him why he bought that house, and in this neighborhood, just to change the look, especially since there were plenty other homes available that had frewer trees. I don't remember what his answer was.....

 

Love the response! Now go ahead and delete it please. You don't know my story, and I don't want to know yours.

Update:
Just picked up the Road Top Android Auto/Apple Car Play setup for my car, grabbed the 12.3" add-on unit for my GLS.

I stumbled on this thread, seems like Benz Ninja coding might be interesting? Especially if I swap out the headlights for the 2018+ ones.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...2-pgrades.html

 

You asked the question, and I answered. You have an amazing car! It's rare, a technological marvel, it looks great, performs magnificently and does practically everything better than 95% of the cars on the road. Look, I'm not against someonecustomizing their car, just surprised there's a desire to do it. Is it ok for me to express that? I'm actually looking forward to seeing what you do, it might change my mind. I thought I was answering your question when you asked "how far...?"

 

Just me, but if you ask for opinions, you have to be ready for a spectrum of advice. Carlos reply was genuine, and maybe on 1 end of the spectrum you may have been looking for. In my opinion, very valid.
My opinion might not be on that end of the spectrum.
See what you think of this. I am thinking about taking my car to some car shows and rallys. Maybe even see if I can get it into local parades. But it is bone stock. I haven’t really done anything to personalize it, or set it apart from the crowd.
I keep thinking back to a time and a place where I used to go to a local diner. One day a car club came in, and sat close enough for me to overhear their meeting. One of their by laws was that to be accepted as a member, your car had to have a minimum of 8 custom mods.
Fast forward to the present, and I saw a posting on MBWorld about drive in car shows, and how many brand new bone stock corvettes are showing up, as if they were right off the assembly line. It was a bit embarrassing if you ask me.
I can see both sides of stock versus mod, and I appreciate each for what they are. It’s like comparing a res to mod to a patina restoration. They both have their own intrinsic Beaty that can be appreciated.
I hope that gives some perspective.
Good luck with your ride, and enjoy the journey.

 

Congrats,
You have already gone a bit far to me lol
Well, I would not have touched the suspension components on a Airmatic car but that's my preference . Instead , I would have it look like a face lift model .
You can surely tune a V6 engine too but V8 definitely would be worth more
Happy Driving

 

Your could have added

• 

Two - Android Auto Wireless Adapter for $67 from Amazon. Installation takes @ 30 seconds and it works perfectly on my 2018 S560. Plugs into the USB port in your floor console.

 

Sorry but I have to ask, What is this for? I don’t have an Android phone.

 

That dongle allows a 2018-2020 W222 to use Android Auto Wirelessly. You leave it plugged it into the USB port and it recognizes your phone so you don't have to connect a wire to your phone. It wouldn't work for the OP because he has a 2017 W222; he actually got what he needs with the Road Top Kit. 2017's don't come with Android Auto capability like 18-20's. So not only did he get Android Auto, but it will be wireless, nice! The adapter would work with your car, but since you have an iphone you need a different module to work with your iphone. Plenty available on Amazon and the auction sites. And some adapters can work with Android and IOS, just like the Road Top Kit.

 

This is totally correct. The lack of Android Auto (wireless or not) in my car and the GLS needed to be solved. I will post an update on the journey once I get them installed

 

OK. It just seemed a bit odd having a story about removing all the trees, etc. just didn't really jive with what I was asking for. I suppose the "How far should I go" comment caused it LOL!

Speaking of a technological marvel...
The reason I purchased this car was many fold. I am an ex Tesla Model S owner - who was sick of the mediocre quality and constant charging on road trips. After a TON of research on PHEVs, months of searching, a federal tax incentive, and some luck - I purchased this ride for nearly half of its used, retail price. I plug her in 1-3 times per day, drive around town at 50-100 mpg. 1000 mile road trip to Florida = 29mpg. 400 mile road trip to Asheville, NC = 31mpg. This is quite possibly the best car I have ever owned - with the least amount of $ spent I'm assuming time will tell (based on maintenance costs) but I have owned numerous BMW, MBs and Land Rovers before, and have been pretty lucky - FINGERS CROSSED!!

 

I think the trick here is has anyone tuned the S550e PHEV?

My CLS400 had the same V6 bi-turbo. My local shop was able to bring the HP/Torque on the dyno up near the V8 model. With this hybrid, I wonder if it is as easy as dropping that same tune in? Or if it will mess with/monkey up the other systems that the hybrid relies on.

If it was as a simple as dropping a tune on this car, the performance mode would be over 500HP and 600TQ on a stage 1 tune! Seems silly to do this on a hybrid, but why not? If it is just software (and it won't mess anything up) I am willing to go for it

PS: I just called my local EuroFed. They said there is NO WAY they will tune the S550e - so I guess that is solved.

 

Just curious... Do you feel like you have to swap out or upgrade your headlights before you can code?

Peter (a.k.a. BenzNinja) did ILS+ on my 2015 S550 two years ago. Like many others, I love the mod.
My car has the original equipment lights with the 640 option (which is pretty much standard).

 

You should have no concerns engaging with @BenzNinja . He is the real deal when it comes to diagnostic support and coding mods. The great thing is, once you are a BenzNinja Club member, you have his support indefinitely for diagnosis and customizations, for any and all Mercedes you may own. Plus, the software you get is fully vetted and runs natively in Windows -- no kludgy work arounds or virtual machines. I've used him for several mods and transmission support.

 

I installed the Roadtop unit 6 months ago. Best upgrade I've done to date!

 

Well, that is a good question. Some aftermarket lights claim they will plug and play with my 2017 S550e. While I'm assuming they would project light, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't perform like the 2018+ ones without a code change. The only reason I would like to swap the lights + code is to get the black interior on the lights. Otherwise, I would have to crack them open, paint the silver parts, then try to vac + seal the lights. I'm thinking this would cause some cloudiness problems over time. HMMM..

PS: The newer lights have 3 eyebrows, vs. 2 on the 2015-2017 version.

 

For those who are looking to chrome delete the W222, this is my how I pulled it off for the lowest $ possible:

1. Gloss black replacement grill - $125
2. Gloss black replacement side mirror covers - $27
3. Gloss black door handle covers - $20
4. Gloss black rear AMG OEM emblem - $21
5. Gloss black hood ornament piano black plasti-dip (Chinese drop in replacement was junk) - $2
6. Gloss black low front bumper chrome piano black plasti-dip - $2
7. Gloss black 3M Vinyl wrap on rear deck lid - $20
8. Gloss black 3M Vinyl wrap on lower door/fender trim - $40
9. Gloss black 3M Vinyl wrap around all windows - $120

TOTAL COST = $377 full chrome delete

The 3M Vinyl items are fully installed cost from a local dude who does vinyl on the side. I would say these items were done on a 1/2 price sale.

 

Oh yeah! All of this just arrived tonight

• Lowering links
• Drilled power-stop rotors for the rear (to match the front)
• Light-blue high-temp brake caliper paint kit (hopefully matches the front color)
• Low dust / low noise performance pads

I better get my jacks & compressor ready for the install... pix incoming when I am done!

 

Any thoughts on this one? >>

Distronic or Distronic Plus retro - this is the only thing I really feel like I am missing from OEM

 

Check out the MPG and how long the V6 was offline

 

I think this was covered in another thread someplace. So much goes into Distronic Plus that it will be very expensive to retrofit. Distronic Plus interacts with speed control, PRE-SAFE brake control, radar control, ECU, etc.

 

Has the tranny been serviced over the last 7 or 8 years? Definitely NEED to get that done.

 

Based on the carfax = NO. Is this a highly debated subject on the S550? Or just need to service it ASAP?

 

Its nothing to be debated in any transmission with fluid and a filter...

IMHO you are very happy with the reliability of the car so you will continue to have that experience the less you mod it. For instance and as you likely know, lowering the car will wear the tires even more quickly than they do. If you do not re clock all of your suspension components, you will also tear up the bushings very quickly. You also might want to get an alignment to include an eccentric bushing kit that takes the wear off those items. Mercedes are not perfect but back in 2017, the quality was of a higher nature and many consider aftermarket parts to be inferior. Its a stellar car as is.

 

Well, here we go again... I suppose I asked for it and need to change the title of the thread :|

The car will only be lowered/leveled about 1/2". I do not plan on slamming the car. I already have performed an alignment at a certified Indie shop - and the car is within perfect specs at this time. The Indie shop said that after I level the car to my liking, they will check my alignment for free. This is not a problem.

My father was a professional drag racer. He has built and rebuilt many cars, supercharged them, painted them, restored them, etc. He is of the mindset that you don't mess with the transmission on a modern car. Same with the spark plugs. I'm not opposed to doing it - as a matter of fact, based on what I have read here, I will be scheduling a transmission service for next week. The debate actually gets into FLUSH vs NOT FLUSH. And if you just drop pan, change oil, gasket, etc. you only replace 50% of the fluid. Since the flush is not recommended, I'm assuming that 50% of the fluid is considered enough? Back to my father - he says NO. LOL Anyway....

PS: Just so we understand the depth of my experience, here is a list of current/past automobiles that I have modified & heavily enjoyed over the years:

• 1981 Chevy El Camino
• 1989 Mazda B2000
• 1991 Acura NSX
• 1994 Acura Integra GSR
• 1997 BMW 540
• 2005 Nissan Titan Crew
• Land Rover LR3
• Land Rover LR4
• 2014 Mercedes CLS400

And the one car that drove me nuts with problems & repairs (funny thing, I did not modify it at all):

• 2001 BMW 740i <-- This was a nice car, but a POS!